United States Senator Jerry Moran

Sen. Moran PSA on Farm Safety

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:01 EST

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) has recorded a public service announcement about the importance of putting safety first on farms and ranches. The strongest arguments made against the Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposed rule dealing with youth working in agriculture were that parents are in the best position to keep their children safe, and local safety programs are best suited to train our young people. Now that the proposed rule has been withdrawn, Sen. Moran calls on farmers and ranchers to live up to the standard set. The PSA encourages everyone involved in agriculture to find a nearby program and learn more about farm safety.

Sen. Moran Pays Tribute to Fallen Kansas Police Officers

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:01 EST

Names of three Kansans added to National Law Enforcement Memorial...

Kansas Common Sense - USPS Will Not Close Kansas Post Offices

Mon, 14 May 2012 12:00:00 EST

Dear Friend,

Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Thank you for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter. Please feel free to forward it on to your family and friends if it would interest them.

USPS Will Not Close Kansas Post Offices

On Wednesday, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announced it will not close any of the 134 post offices in Kansas that were being considered for closure or consolidation, nor will it close the more than 3,600 post offices nationwide that were included in USPS’ Expanded Access study. This news is a win for communities across Kansas.

For the last year, we have been asking the Postal Service what Kansans need to do to save their post offices – and USPS listened. I am pleased we were able to work with the Postmaster General to find a solution that will help return USPS to financial viability, while keeping our post offices open and preserving the services vital to all Americans.

Instead of closing the post offices that were under study, USPS will adjust hours of operation to match customer use at post offices across the country, resulting in an estimated savings of half a billion dollars annually. Decisions on new service hours will be based on community preferences and needs. USPS is considering options including allowing local businesses to sell stamps and other postal services outside of post office hours. Even with reduced hours, access to retail lobbies and post office boxes will remain unchanged and Saturday delivery will not be affected.

In April, language I originally proposed to require USPS to consider alternatives to closure prior to closing any post office passed the Senate as part of S. 1789, the 21^st Century Postal Service Act of 2012. These options included reducing the number of hours the post office is open, or procuring a contract to provide retail postal services in an alternative establishment such as the local hardware store or grocery store. My successful language also required USPS to set minimum standards of service that must be considered prior to closing any post office.

The cash-strapped Postal Service awaits passage of S. 1789 in the House of Representatives in order to survive past the end of summer, and it is promising news that USPS’ new strategy to preserve the nation’s smallest post offices will save $500 million a year. Their closure would have had little benefit to the USPS’ bottom line while bringing much hardship to rural America. Smart reforms are needed in order to save the Postal Service from becoming a tax-payer liability, and to prevent further loss of revenue and mail volume.

America Must Win the Global Battle for Talent

Many Kansas students will walk across the graduation stage to receive their diplomas this May, and while this is usually a time of congratulations, recent headlines suggest that one in two college graduates will be underemployed or worse – unemployed. Our nation’s graduates must be able to put their hard-earned skills to work, but Congress is not doing enough to address the sluggish economy.

One vital aspect of a successful strategy to turn our economy around is the creation and growth of new businesses. According to analysis conducted by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation out of Kansas City, companies less than 5 years old accounted for nearly all net job creation in the United States between 1980 and 2005. In fact, new firms create on average approximately 3 million jobs each year. Research also shows that more than a quarter of the technology and engineering companies formed in the United States between 1995 and 2005 had at least one key founder who was foreign-born.

To help America win the global battle for talent, I introduced the Startup Act, which creates an Entrepreneur’s Visa for foreign entrepreneurs who register a business and employ Americans in the United States. My proposal will also create a new STEM visa for foreign students who graduate from an accredited U.S. university with a Master’s or Ph.D. in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Americans benefit not only when these highly-skilled individuals produce product and services in the United States, we especially benefit when those individuals use their entrepreneurial skills to start new companies and hire American workers.

On Wednesday, I spoke to on the Senate floor to urge their support for the Startup Act and to explain why our country’s future economic competitiveness depends on America winning the global battle for talent. To view a video of my remarks, please click here.

Violence Against Women Act

Domestic violence brings fear, hopelessness and depression into the lives of every victim, and it is unfortunate that such an important issue has become politicized during this election year. I am currently a co-sponsor of S.2338, which would reauthorize Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The bill strengthens and updates VAWA in several important ways that can be supported by both Republicans and Democrats.

For example, the bill increases the percentage of STOP grants that are targeted to sexual assaults to 30 percent, while the version of VAWA that I voted against only required 20 percent of these grants to be targeted to sexual assault victims. Another example is the creation of a 5-year mandatory minimum sentence for the crime of aggravated sexual assault. The version I voted against did not contain such a provision. Finally, the bill would create a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence for cases of domestic violence that results in the death of the victim, which was not contained in the bill that I voted against.

Regrettably, these differences were not permitted to be discussed prior to the vote last week. I have consistently fought to ensure domestic violence victims have a voice, that criminal penalties are strengthened, and to shore up problems the DOJ’s oversight of VAWA programs.

Speaking at Community Pharmacists’ Annual Conference

On Tuesday, I spoke at the National Community Pharmacists Association’s annual legislative conference in Washington, D.C. One of the reasons I enjoy speaking at this conference is because there is always a large contingent of Kansas pharmacists in the group. I spoke about the importance of pharmacists – especially in Kansas and other parts of rural America – and the role they play in their communities as both a health care provider and local business. In rural America, pharmacists are often the most accessible health care provider in a community and they help patients maintain and improve their health by providing medications and managing their safe use, administering immunizations, and working collaboratively with physicians and other providers to improve care and reduce costs.

I also told the group about the Senate Community Pharmacy Caucus, which I founded last year with Senator Jon Tester from Montana, to advocate for community pharmacy issues and serve as a clearinghouse for ideas and information about the role pharmacists play in delivering health care. Finally, I advocated for S. 1058, the Pharmacy Competition and Consumer Choice Act, legislation I helped introduce to increase pharmacy choice and cost savings for patients in Kansas and across the country. This bill would increase the transparency and accountability of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) – companies that administer drug benefit programs for employers, health insurance plans and millions of patients. PBMs process prescription drug claims and update drug formularies that determine which medications are covered under insurance plans and the amount owed by patients. Click here to see a photo of me and Kansas pharmacists that attended this conference.

Congratulating 2012 Prudential Spirit of Community Award Winners

On Tuesday, I met with Gracie Schram, 13, of Leawood and Saajan Bhakta, 17, of Wichita, to congratulate them on receiving the 2012 Prudential Spirit of Community Award for their outstanding community service. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is the country’s largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. They were selected from a field of more than 26,000 youth volunteers across the country, and Gracie was named as one of America’s top 10 youth volunteers of 2012.

Gracie, an eighth-grader at Leawood Middle School, was inspired to action three years ago when her pastor returned from a mission trip to Africa with videos and photos of children who had lost their parents to AIDS. She has been singing and writing music since her early childhood, so she decided to record and sell a CD of her own music and raised more than $20,000 to help families overseas. Because of her efforts, two villages in South Africa and Malawi now have a sustainable food and revenue source, and orphans in a small Haitian town near Port au Prince have a roof over their heads.

Saajan, a senior at Northwest High School, founded a nonprofit organization called “PovSolve” to increase awareness of poverty in India and to raise money to alleviate the suffering of the poor in both India and Wichita. Sajaan was inspired to take action while on a trip to India, and upon his return to Wichita, he hosted information seminars in his community about world poverty and raised more than $9,000. On a recent trip to India, Sajaan personally delivered more than 500 blankets and other necessities to the poor and arranged for PovSolve to sponsor feeding sessions for more than 700 hungry Indians.

Congratulations to Gracie and Saajan on being named as Kansas’ top youth volunteers. This is an outstanding recognition and they should be very proud of their achievements and selfless contributions. It is important that young people work to make a positive difference in their towns and neighborhoods, and to inspire others to think about how they might contribute to their communities. I commend Gracie and Saajan for making a difference in the lives of Kansans in their own community and in communities across the world. Click here to see a photos of me visiting with Gracie and Saajan.

Senate Confirms Kansan as FCC Commissioner

This week, the U.S. Senate confirmed Ajit Pai of Parsons, KS as a Commissioner to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Ajit is only the second Kansan ever to serve on the FCC, and the first since Bob Wells served on the Commission from 1969 to 1971. The FCC is directed by five Commissioners, which are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for 5-year terms.

Ajit brings a unique understanding of the challenges facing rural America at a time when many important decisions about the future of telecommunications are being discussed at the Commission. From how we manage and promote more efficient use of our spectrum resources, to crafting policies that will expand broadband access to more Americans and connect more schools, libraries and hospitals, the FCC’s decisions will help define how we encourage competition, promote innovation, create jobs and drive our economy into the future.

I congratulate Ajit on his confirmation and look forward to working with him in his new role. Click here to learn more.

Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing with FCC Chairman Genachowski

On Wednesday, the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee on Appropriations, of which I am the Ranking Member, conducted a hearing with Federal Communications Chairman Julius Genachowski. This is the first time since 2002 that the Appropriations Committee hosted the FCC Chairman, and many develops in technology and telecommunications have occurred since that time. The hearing was an opportunity to discuss many important issues currently before the FCC, including implementation of spectrum auction legislation which was authorized by Congress earlier this year. We also discussed the FCC’s decision to modify the Universal Service Fund (USF) and Intercarrier Compensation (ICC) models.

I focused on ensuring that, as we transition the USF to a broadband fund, Kansans do not lose access to broadband and the FCC process is open, transparent and takes into consideration the significant investments that rural telecommunications companies have made in Kansas and other rural areas in America. I will continue my work to make certain Kansas communities have access to affordable, quality telecommunications services, which play a critical role for our future. To view a webcast of the hearing, please click here.

Making Tough Choices Today for America’s Future Prosperity

This week, I was honored to accept the ACU Conservative Award from Chairman Al Cardenas of The American Conservative Union (ACU). Founded in 1964, ACU represents the views of Americans who support reduced government spending and lower taxes to spur economic growth, and the issues of liberty, personal responsibility, traditional values and national security.

Congress has the responsibility to create an environment where the free market can succeed, yet this Administration and Congress have been spending and borrowing at an alarming rate – undermining our economic recovery and threatening the prosperity of the next generation. I remain committed to making the tough decisions necessary today, so our economy can recover, jobs can be created and our children and grandchildren can have the opportunity to dream big and pursue their dreams. Click here to view a photo from the event.

Visiting International Paper and Interconnect Devices in Kansas City

On Monday before returning to Washington, I visited two manufacturing facilities in Kansas City with along with Mayor Joe Reardon. International Paper (IP) recently acquired a plant in Kansas City, KS, where they manufacture corrugated boxes for the protein, beverage and consumer products industry. The raw materials are delivered from IP plants in the southeast and half of their products manufactured are delivered to businesses in Kansas. I would like to congratulate the employees for achieving 502 days without an accident the day I toured. Thanks to Mark Morand, Complex General Manager, for an informative tour and for doing business in Kansas.

Our second stop was the Interconnect Devices, Inc. (IDI) headquarters where they manufacture specialized electronic and radio frequency products for medical, military, aerospace, industrial and communication companies. I met with the employees in a town hall meeting and their questions centered on job creation. I believe the government needs to reduce regulations and allow the business environment to succeed to grow jobs, which is why I introduced the Startup Act. Thank you to IDI President Gabriel Guglielmi for the tour and for reinvesting in their facility.

McPherson “All Schools Day” Parade

On Friday, I was pleased to join local residents for the 99th annual McPherson All Schools Day Celebration parade. The tradition began in 1914 as a way to celebrate 8th grade graduates. Since then, it has grown into a week-long annual Kansas event honoring graduates from eighth grade, high school and college with hundreds of participants. It was great to spend time visiting with folks who attended and see many old friends. A special thanks to Scott Werth, my driver in the parade, and to the 2012 chairperson, Megan Anderson, and her committee for putting together this terrific community event. Click here to view photos from the parade.

In the Office

This week we had several visitors in the Washington, D.C., office, including the Kansans listed below. Click here to view photos of some of the visits:

Bartlett Cattle
John Gillcrist of Kansas City

General Aviation Manufacturers Association
Jodi Noah of Wichita
Gordon Thomas of Wichita

Nelson Poultry Farms Inc.
Greg Nelson of Manhattan

American Society of Landscape Architects
Tod Hueser of Prairie Village
Rick Howell of Prairie Village

Continental Tool and Manufacturing
Dick Schwind of Lenexa
Rick Schwind of Overland Park

Online Lenders
Bart Miller of Leawood
Jean Cullan of Leawood

The Brain Aneurysm Foundation
Barry Holmes of Overland Park

National Brian Tumor Society
Amanda Haddock of Wichita

Via Christi Health
Jeff Korsmo of Wichita

Prudential Spirit of Community Award Winners
Saajan Bhakta of Wichita
Rajani Bhakta of Wichita
Grace Schram of Leawood
Jill Schram of Leawood
John Schram of Leawood

Kansas Hospital Association
Chad Austin of Topeka
Tom Bell of Topeka
David Bradley of Junction City
John Broberg of Manhattan
Craig Concannon of Beloit
Bob Driewer of Emporia
Amy Fluke of Topeka
Vicki Hahn of Leoti
Leonard Hernandez of Elkhart
Kathy Howell of Overland Park
John Jeter of Hays
Fred Lucky of Lenexa
Greg Lundstrom of Lindsborg
Mark Miller of Abilene
Genny Nicholas of Kansas City
Maynard Oliverius of Topeka
Randy Peterson of Topeka
Jim Reagan of Council Grove
Cindy Samuelson of Topeka
Janet Stanek of Topeka
George Stover of Lyons
Tim Van Zandt of Kansas City

Kansas Pharmacists Association
Mike Larkin of Topeka
Sam Boyajian of Gardner
Aram Boyajian of Gardner
Brian Caswell of Baxter Springs
James Coast of Cimarron
Van Coble of Winfield
Dared Price of Winfield

Kansas Dental Association
Hal Hale of Wichita
Wayne and Joyce Thompson of Shawnee

College of American Pathologists
Richard Gomez of Topeka

Afterschool Alliance
Kathi Emling of Burlington
Sharon Pruett of Burlington
Marcia Dvorak of Lawrence
Daryel Garrison of Kansas City was also a large group)
Trina Green of Kansas City
JoAnn Blevins of Great Bend
Elaine Johannes of Manhattan
Angela Henry of Iola
Claudia Conner of Lawrence
Jan Voss of Arkansas City
Amy Jones of Arkansas City
Melisa Norton of Hugoton
Kevyn Gero of Lawrence

College of American Pathologists
Richard Gomez of Topeka

One Voice Against Cancer
Molly Johnson of Wichita

American Academy of Pediatrics
Kourtney Bettinger of Wichita
Thuylinh N. Phan of Kansas City
Keri Hubbard of Overland Park

Financial Services Institute
Whitney Westgate of Leawood
Michael Watson

Dropped In
Karen Panter of Athol
Deborah Lewis of Larned
Shawn Herrick of Topeka

Many Kansans stopped by to take a tour of the U.S. Capitol this week including:

Atchison
Erik Hansen of Atchison
Joseph Hansen of Atchison
Erin Hansen of Atchison

Leoti
Vicki Hahn of Leoti
Brett Pfanenstiel of Leoti

Wichita
Scott Palecki of Wichita
Zachary Palecki of Wichita

Lenexa
Dennis Ziegler of Lenexa
Betty Ziegler of Lenexa

Paola
Steven Jensen of Paola
Bonnie Jensen of Paola
Christian Jensen of Paola
Michael Jensen of Paola
Brian Jensen of Paola

Contact Me

It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Please let me know how I can be of assistance. To send me an email, click here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C., office.

Very truly yours,

Jerry

My email address is only equipped to send messages. I encourage you to send me a message through my website: http://moran.senate.gov. To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please click here.

Sen. Moran Receives Award for Conservative Voting Record

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:00:01 EST

Recognized for Commitment to Conservative Principles...

Sen. Moran: American Must Win Battle for Global Talent

Wed, 09 May 2012 12:00:01 EST

Sen. Moran spoke to his colleagues in the Senate on May 9, 2012 to urge their support for the Startup Act and to explain why our country's future economic competitiveness depends on America winning the global battle for talent.

Kansas Farmers and Ranchers' Voices Heard

Wed, 09 May 2012 12:00:01 EST

By Sen. Jerry Moran...

Sen. Moran: American Must Win Global Battle for Talent to Ensure Future Economic Growth

Wed, 09 May 2012 12:00:01 EST

Congress should pass Startup Act to jumpstart the economy and create jobs ...

Sen. Moran: USPS Will Not Close Rural Post Offices

Wed, 09 May 2012 12:00:01 EST

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) today announced it will not close any of the 134 post offices in Kansas that were being considered for closure or consolidation, nor will it close the more than 3,600 post offices nationwide that were included in USPS' Expanded Access study. U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a member of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee – which has jurisdiction over the Postal Service – released the following statement on the announcement

Sen. Moran Congratulates Two Kansas Students on Receiving 2012 Prudential Spirit of Community Award

Tue, 08 May 2012 12:00:01 EST

Gracie Schram of Leawood and Saajan Bhakta of Wichita named top youth volunteers...

Sen. Moran Statement on Senate Confirmation of Ajit Pai to FCC

Mon, 07 May 2012 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) issued the following statement today on the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Ajit Pai as a Commissioner to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC):

“Congratulations to fellow Kansan Ajit Pai on his confirmation today to be a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner. Ajit is a public servant with the highest level of integrity and character and only the second Kansan ever to serve on the FCC, and the first since Bob Wells served on the Commission from 1969 to 1971.

“A native of Parsons, Kansas, Ajit brings a unique understanding of the challenges facing rural America at a time when many important decisions about the future of telecommunications are being discussed at the Commission. From how we manage and promote more efficient use of our spectrum resources, to crafting policies that will expand broadband access to more Americans and connect more schools, libraries and hospitals, the FCC’s decisions will help define how we encourage competition, promote innovation, create jobs and drive our economy into the future.

“In order to succeed, the Commission requires smart, talented policy leaders – leaders who respect free markets and understand that regulations should be balanced with pro-growth economic principles. Ajit Pai is one of those leaders. I congratulate him on his confirmation and look forward to working with him in his new role."

Mr. Pai is currently a partner at Jenner & Block law firm, and previously worked in the Office of the General Counsel of the FCC, where he served as Deputy General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, and Special Advisor to the General Counsel.

Prior to joining the FCC, Mr. Pai served as Chief Counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights, when then-Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) served as Chairman. Mr. Pai also served as Senior Counsel in the Office of Legal Policy at the U.S. Department of Justice and began his public sector career with the Telecommunications Task Force of the United States Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. In addition, Mr. Pai has served as Associate General Counsel at Verizon. He holds a B.A. from Harvard University and a J.D. from the University of Chicago.

The FCC is directed by five Commissioners, which are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for 5-year terms.

###

Kansas Common Sense - Joining Learjet Groundbreaking Ceremony

Mon, 07 May 2012 12:00:00 EST

Dear Friend,

Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Thank you for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter. Please feel free to forward it on to your family and friends if it would interest them.

This week, the Senate was out of session so senators could work back in their states, so I spent the week in Kansas attending several events across the state – groundbreaking ceremonies, open houses and annual meetings. I always appreciate the opportunity to be back in the state for a longer period of time and enjoyed my conversations with Kansans.

Joining Learjet Groundbreaking Ceremony

On Monday morning, I joined the vice president and general manager of Bombardier Learjet Ralph Acs, Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer, Kansas Secretary of Commerce Pat George, and Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Tim Norton, in a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the expansion of its Wichita site. The $52.7 million project will make room for the company’s newest business jet, the Learjet 85, and is expected to add 450 jobs. The expansion, which is the largest in Learjet’s history in Wichita, reaffirms the company’s support for Wichita’s well-known status as “Air Capital of the World.” Development of the Bombardier Flight Test Center, the establishment of a Centers of Excellence for Engineering and Information Technology, new facilities for paint and production flight testing and a new delivery center and parking lot are all good news for our state and will provide a brighter future for Kansas workers and their families.

The future of aviation is also bright because of the highly skilled workforce provided by the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) and the cutting-edge research conducted by the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University (WSU). I am grateful for the loyalty Bombardier Learjet has shown our state and know they will be well served by the hard work and excellence given daily by dedicated Kansans. Click here to view a photo from the visit.

New York Life Insurance Company

While I was in Wichita, I also visited with New York Life Insurance agents at the company’s state headquarters. Established in Kansas in 1859, New York Life now provides more than $6.3 billion in life insurance protection and serves more than 54,000 Kansans. During my visit, we discussed a range of issues, including our nation’s out of control spending and debt, the need to reform the Dodd-Frank Act and the unintended consequences of President Obama’s healthcare reform law. Thank you to Managing Partner Joe Tigert, his wife, Sheila, and the entire New York Life team for their hospitality. I especially enjoyed seeing Jim Pfanenstiel, my longtime agent and friend from Hays.

Speaking to the Kansas Municipal Utilities

On Friday, I had the opportunity to speak to the Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU), the statewide association of municipally-owned and -operated electric, gas, water, wastewater, storm water, and telecommunications utilities across the state during their conference in Wichita. These utilities providers are scattered across Kansas and serve populations of all sizes. A flurry of new regulations proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has had a significant impact on municipal utilities, more so than their larger Kansas counterparts. Serving smaller, more rural populations, municipal utilities are at a disadvantage when seeking to comply with these regulations given the EPA’s short deadlines.

Rules like the Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) and the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants on Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE/NESHAP), force electric utilities to raise rates in an effort to fast-track their ongoing emissions reductions projects. It is unfair to jeopardize energy availability for municipal utilities customers because of unreasonable compliance deadlines. I have introduced legislation, S. 1702 and S. 2300, along with Senator Roberts, to allow utilities to continue to serve their customers while completing their emissions reductions efforts. Thanks to Colin Hansen and the KMU membership for inviting me to visit with them. Click here to view a photo from the event.

Welcoming New President of Wichita State University

This week, I had the pleasure of spending time with the incoming president of Wichita State University (WSU), Dr. John Bardo, who will become the 13^th president of WSU on July 1. Most recently, Dr. Bardo served as the chancellor of Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, in North Carolina from 1995-2011 and in 2011, he returned to the classroom as a professor of education. But he began his career at WSU when he was the graduate coordinator of the Master of Urban Studies program from 1976-1977.

On Monday, I met Dr. Bardo during the Learject groundbreaking ceremony and had a great conversation with him about his commitment to maintaining WSU’s position as the nation’s premier aviation research institution. On Friday, I joined him and Dr. Pendse at the 57^th annual WSU College of Engineering Open House to view design projects displayed by senior engineering students. Not only was I impressed with the talent and dedication of the students and professors, but I can see why WSU has been a cornerstone of the aerospace and high-tech industries in Wichita for years. I was pleased to learn of Dr. Bardo’s commitment to build on WSU’s reputation and strengthen the development of cutting-edge research at WSU’s Advanced Networking Research Institute and Cisco Center. He is also interested in expanding entrepreneurship coursework and programs at WSU so the next generation is better equipped to create and successfully manage their own businesses.

I look forward to working with Dr. Bardo in the years to come and I thank outgoing President Dr. Don Beggs for his more than a decade of service and commitment to WSU. I wish him all the best in his upcoming retirement. Click here to view a photo.

Attending Hutchinson Prayer Breakfast

On Thursday, our nation observed the 61^st annual National Day of Prayer - a day set aside to pray for our country and reflect on the importance of prayer. On that day, I joined the residents of Hutchinson at their annual prayer breakfast to pray for wisdom for our nation’s leaders as we address the many challenges facing America. The community’s focus on faith was an encouraging reminder of what is truly important in life – faith, family and making a difference in our world, one soul at a time.

As a public official, Kansans often tell me they are praying for me. It’s very humbling to know they remember me in their prayers and it’s encouraging to know that so many Americans are praying for our country and its future. Thanks to the many leaders of the local faith-based community for their inspiring words of prayer and to my friend and breakfast emcee Tom Elliott for the kind invitation to attend. A special thank you to Robert Calhoun for his beautiful vocal solo and to Dorothy Mosier for organizing the event. Click here to view a photo from the event.

Rubbermaid Groundbreaking Ceremony

Newell Rubbermaid is a leader in developing innovative, high-quality home goods, whose products can be found in 90 percent of American homes today. On Thursday, I had the pleasure of participating in a groundbreaking ceremony for their plant expansion in Winfield with several local, state and federal officials. The Winfield site employs 700 people and with this expansion, they will soon be adding 200 employees to the workforce.

Rubbermaid’s investment in Kansas and the Winfield community extends back nearly 100 years. This new expansion is further evidence of their long-term commitment and will be a great economic boost for Cowley County. I commend the county and city officials for successfully creating jobs for Kansans, and I applaud the Winfield employees for their hard work to ensure the company continues to succeed and expand. Thank you to all the Rubbermaid executives for welcoming me: CEO Michael Polk, Penny McIntire, Jeff Hohler and Winfield Director of Operations Michael Grant. Click here to view a photo.

Attending Retirement Ceremony for Tom Sanders at Dole Medical Center

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to attend the retirement reception for Tom Sanders, who is retiring as Director of the VA’s Robert J. Dole Medical Center in Wichita. Mr. Sanders has worked for the VA since 1982, and came to Wichita in 2002. Since then, I have worked closely with him and found him to be a dedicated professional who worked hard for the veterans he was serving. I enjoyed joining so many local residents in thanking him for his long-time service. While I am sad to see him retire, I am pleased to hear of his plans to remain in Wichita and stay busy volunteering on behalf of veterans. As a new chapter begins at the Dole Medical Center, I look forward to continuing to work with his successor and so many others there who serve our nation’s heroes. Click here to view a photo from the event.

Wichita State University Engineering Open House

On Friday morning, I attended the 57^th annual Wichita State University (WSU) College of Engineering Open House with incoming WSU President Dr. John Bardo, and Dr. Pendse, Chief Information Officer and Executive Director of Advanced Networking Research Institute (ANRI). The Open House is a wonderful opportunity for the community to see the cutting-edge research and design projects showcased by senior engineering students.

In addition to visiting with students about their projects, I had the chance to tour the Advanced Networking Research Institute and the Cisco Technical Research Center. These centers are greatly contributing to the field of computer networking by engaging in state-of-the-art theoretical and experimental research.

Throughout the Open House I was reminded why it is so important to encourage and retain these talented students. The Department of Commerce projects jobs in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to grow by 17 percent in the years ahead. Our economy needs more of these highly-skilled and talented individuals in the United States. Their presence will help businesses grow and many of them will become entrepreneurs who will one day start their own companies and create jobs for accountants, marketers, attorneys and designers.

Thanks to Dr. Bardo and Dr. Pendse for showing me around the campus, the WSU College of Engineering for putting on this great event, and the students for their time and hard work. Click here to view a photo from the event.

Visiting Hesston High School

On Monday I visited Hesston High School (HHS) to speak with students and tour the campus. Hesston Principal Larry Thompson was recently recognized as the Kansas Association of Secondary Principals’ 2011 Principal of the Year. During our visit, Principal Thompson took me by The Pit Stop, which is a lunch and snack shop run by students in Ms. Denise Goevert’s business classes. I enjoyed visiting with students to hear what they are learning as they manage their own business. I commend HHS for encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit in their students by developing this model of business within their school. Thanks to Principal Thompson for taking the time to show me around and thanks to all the students and staff for their warm welcome. Click here to view a photo from the event.

Attending Knights of Columbus Annual Meeting

On Sunday, I attended the Knights of Columbus Kansas State Council Chaplain’s dinner and annual meeting in Topeka. The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney, in New Haven, Connecticut. Today, more than a century later, the Knights of Columbus has become the largest lay organization in the Catholic Church. The Knights of Columbus (KOC) organization in Kansas does great things to serve our state and live out their mission of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. The KOC councils raises and distributes hundreds of thousands of dollars for many causes, all of which help enhance the lives of thousands of Kansans in need.

Thanks to State Deputy Mark Roth and my good friend Tom Dechant for inviting me to attend. Additionally, thanks to all the members, priests and bishops who welcomed me. Click here to see a photo from the event.

Wichita Area Builders Association Meeting

On Thursday afternoon, I visited with members of the Wichita Area Builders Association (WABA), Kansas’ largest building industry trade group with more than 1,300 members. During the meeting, I was reminded that federal regulatory overreach on labor, environment, banking and housing issues, among others, has real world effects. Those effects have been particularly acute in Sedgwick County, where the percentage of new home sales as part of total home sales has dropped from 18 to 6 percent over the last six years.

I will continue my efforts in Washington to reduce the regulatory environment and simplify the tax structure so all industries, including the building industry, can once again grow and create jobs. Thanks to WABA Chair Carl Harris and President Wess Galyon for organizing such an informative and useful meeting.

Remembering Charlie Walker

The Walker family and the city of Salina lost someone special when Charlie Walker passed away on April 27th. Charlie was a Salina businessman and philanthropist and lived out what many would call the “American Dream.” Yet his success as an entrepreneur and businessman never changed his character. Charlie was someone who always looked for ways to serve his family, neighbors and community. In 1999, Charlie opened the Rolling Hills Zoo, now called the Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure, which attracts more than 150,000 visitors a year to the Salina area. In 2005, Charlie was inducted into the Salina Business Hall of Fame to recognize his accomplishments in the local community.

On Tuesday, hundreds gathered at the First Presbyterian Church in Salina to remember Charlie and to thank his family for the impact he made in their lives. I had the honor of attending this ceremony and knew Charlie to be a man of humility and integrity. Robba and I extend our deepest sympathies to his family and will keep them in our prayers.

In the Office

This week we had several visitors in the Washington, D.C., office, including the Kansans listed below. Click here to view photos of some of the visits:

YWCA
Joyce Martin of Topeka
Marlou Wegener of Topeka
Stacey Mann of Wichita
Yvonne Crowe of Kansas City

University of Kansas
Jack Cline of Lawrence

Kansas State Society of Anesthesiologists
Mark Brady of Shawnee Mission
Tammi Schaper of Overland Park

National Association of Secondary School Principals
G.A. Buie of Eudora

Kansas National Education Association
Bob Thesman of Overland Park
Kimberly Howard of Wichita
Karen Godfrey of Topeka

Association of Advanced Life Underwriting
Tom Ruean of Overland Park
Joe Jones of Lawrence

Kansas Interfaith Power and Light
Rabbi Moti Rieber of Overland Park
Vivian Gibbons of Mission

CoBank
Catherine Moyer of Ulysses
Bob Nattier of Moundridge
Ron Rahjes of Kensington
Bob Wietharn of Clay Center

US Metalcasters
Patricia Pomeroy of Belle Plaine
Ron Pomeroy of Belle Plaine
Eric Jensen of Coffeyville
Kraig Vondran of Manhattan

Many Kansans stopped by to take a tour of the U.S. Capitol this week including:

Shawnee
Larry Shirley of Shawnee
Donna Shirley of Shawnee
Daniel Cook of Shawnee
Jamie Anderson of Shawnee

Olathe
Christina Zawicki of Olathe
Micahel Grein of Olathe

Lenexa
Eileen Perry of Lenexa
Steve Tritsch of Lenexa
Melissa Tritsch of Lenexa

Overland Park
Liam Ross of Overland Park
Todd Fritz of Overland Park
Samuel Fritz of Overland Park
Luke Schlitter of Overland Park
Philip Johnson of Overland Park
Kaelin Key of Overland Park

Partridge
Dale Gibson of Partridge
Martha Smith of Partridge

Tipton
Rick Koenigsman of Tipton
Darla Koenigsman of Tipton

Contact Me

Very truly yours,

Jerry

My email address is only equipped to send messages. I encourage you to send me a message through my website: http://moran.senate.gov. To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please click here.

Sen. Moran on "Mike Huckabee Show" to Discuss Withdrawal of Youth Labor Rule

Thu, 03 May 2012 12:00:01 EST

Sen. Moran appeared on former Gov. Mike Huckabee's new radio show on May 3, 2012 to discuss a recent victory for farmers and ranchers - the Department of Labor's withdrawal of their youth labor rule that would have fundamentally changed the future of agriculture in our country.

WSJ's Jerry Seib on Startup Act: Visa Plan Poses Bipartisan Test

Tue, 01 May 2012 12:00:01 EST

You might think, in an election year in which immigration will be a political football, that there couldn't possibly be bipartisan agreement on fixing any part of the current immigration system.

You would be wrong. There is one area—expanding the number of visas given to highly skilled foreigners, particularly those who learned math and science at American universities—where two senators have found a lot of bipartisan agreement. And a whole lot of business-community support to boot. But that doesn't mean anything actually will happen this year. And therein lies a sad tale of Washington's dysfunction

You might think, in an election year in which immigration will be a political football, that there couldn't possibly be bipartisan agreement on fixing any part of the current immigration system.

The two senators are Jerry Moran of Kansas, a Republican, and Mark Warner of Virginia, a Democrat. They are co-authors of the Startup Act, a bill designed to knock down some of the barriers that stand in the way of entrepreneurs trying to launch new companies.

Part of the law is an attempt to make it easier to raise financial capital. An equally important part, though, is an attempt to make it easier to attract human capital—the brainpower that is so important in a 21st-century economy, in which America's biggest advantage is its ability to educate great minds and then give them the freedom to innovate their way to high-tech solutions.

The legislation would do this by expanding the current—and limited—American program to give visas to foreigners with particularly valuable skills and education.

These visas, called H-1B visas, are three-year permits issued each year to American companies who apply for them. Under current law, they are capped at 65,000 new visas a year, plus an additional 20,000 that can be issued to workers who graduated from American universities with master's degrees or higher.

Those numbers don't meet the demands of American companies most years. Consider this: Employers can apply for each year's batch of H-1Bs on April 1. In 2008, the legal quota was filled in one day, according to the Government Accountability Office. In 2009, it took five days.

One of the consequences of this ceiling is a brain drain. Because the U.S. still has the world's greatest university system, smart young people come here to learn math, science and engineering—and then often can't stay to put their education to work in America because they can't get legal status. They return home and start new high-tech companies there.

"It's a ridiculous foreign policy," says Mr. Warner, who knows a bit about the process from his earlier career as a telecom entrepreneur.

So the legislation he and Mr. Moran have written would take two steps. It would create a new visa, in addition to the H-1Bs, for as many as 50,000 foreign students who graduate from an American university with a master's or Ph.D. in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. And it would create a second visa for as many as 75,000 immigrant entrepreneurs who, while here on one of these new visas or an existing H-1B, register a new business or raise $100,000 in capital.

Mr. Moran visited Silicon Valley recently and found this idea of attracting bright minds was the top issue on the minds of many high-tech leaders. He also says most of his fellow senators get it. "I would guess 80% of my colleagues in the Senate, if asked about the visa issue and the need to retain the necessary intellectual capacity in the U.S., would say, 'Yeah that's necessary, we need to do something'…This is now the most common conversation I have" about the bill.

But here's where Washington paralysis gets in the way. Democrats don't want to do something about this narrow issue of visas for highly educated workers because they are holding out for more-comprehensive changes to the immigration system, something badly wanted by the Hispanic groups that are an important part of the Democratic base. If they give in on high-tech visas, they will lose leverage to push a broad overhaul.

And Republicans don't want to give in on a broad immigration overhaul because they object to any plan that might give a path to citizenship to people currently here illegally. Beyond their philosophical qualms, many Republican politicians will say bluntly that they think that just amounts to creating more Democratic voters.

Meanwhile, other countries aren't waiting. Notably, Canada has just "dramatically" increased the number of visas it gives highly skilled workers, Mr. Warner says, providing a convenient nearby landing pad for American-educated engineers and scientists.

Mr. Moran last week talked with American electronics firms and urged them to push Congress for action. "This issue," he says, "is so important that you can't let the politicians use the excuse that if we can't do everything, we won't do anything."

Write to Gerald F. Seib at jerry.seib@wsj.com

Kansas Common Sense - Victory: Farmers and Ranchers Voices Heard

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST

Dear Friend,

Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Thank you for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter. Please feel free to forward it on to your family and friends if it would interest them.

Victory: Farmers and Ranchers Voices Heard

American farmers and ranchers received welcome news on Thursday night: the Department of Labor finally listened to them and withdrew its proposed youth farm labor rule, which would have fundamentally altered the future of agriculture in our country. If the Department would have moved forward with regulating the relationship between parents and children on their own farm, a dangerous precedent would have been set; virtually nothing would be off limits when it comes to government intrusion into our lives.

Out of respect for the rural way of life, the Administration has agreed to not pursue this regulation further. Instead it will work with rural stakeholders – such as the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Farmers Union, FFA, and 4-H – to promote safety among youth workers in agriculture. This is exactly what we have been asking for all along – those who know agriculture best should have been consulted from the start. On Friday after the announcement I appeared on Fox News to discuss the news. Click here to watch.

I also appeared on Fox News Channel on Thursday prior to the proposed rule being withdrawn to discuss the fact that the proposal was ill conceived, did not conduct enough outreach, and is so broadly written that it lacked common sense. Click here to watch Thursday’s clip.

To celebrate the announcement, I held a press conference at the statehouse in Topeka on Friday along with Steve Baccus, President of Kansas Farm Bureau, Matt Teagarden, Director of Industry Relations for Kansas Livestock Association, and family ranchers Barb Downey and Randall Debler. Click here to see photos from the event.

For generations, the contributions of young people have helped family farm and ranch operations survive and prosper. If this proposal had gone into effect, not only would the shrinking rural workforce have been further reduced, and our nation’s youth deprived of valuable career training opportunities, but a way of life would have begun to disappear. This is a tremendous victory for farmers and ranchers across the country. Click here to learn more about my fight against this rule and the great news we received this week.

Senate Passes Postal Bill

On Wednesday, the Senate passed the 21^st Century Postal Service Act, legislation to help preserve the soundness of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The postal reform bill will provide USPS with flexibility to restructure and save billions of dollars – while preventing taxpayer dollars from being used for a bailout.

Additionally, the bill includes language that expands upon an amendment that I proposed to make certain rural communities are not forgotten as the Postal Service restructures. Action is now required by the U.S. House of Representatives before the bill can be signed by the President and the provisions take effect.

The language, which is based upon an amendment I successfully had adopted in committee, will provide an answer to the question so many Kansans have been asking: “what do we have to do to save our post office?” Once passed by the House and signed into law the language will help protect rural post offices by defining a structure for what the Postal Service must consider as it conducts the individual post office feasibility studies – and stops the closure of any post offices until that happens.

The Postal Service has been suffering billion dollar deficits over the past 5 years, due in part to a sluggish economy and the increase use of email. USPS announced its plans to close or consolidate nearly rural 3,600 post offices, including more than 130 in Kansas. But in 2010, the Postal Regulatory Commission found that only 0.7 percent of the USPS operating budget goes to maintaining the 10,000 smallest post offices in the country. Therefore, reducing service to rural communities will have little benefit to the USPS’ bottom line while bringing much hardship to rural communities. The 21^st Century Postal Service Act will require USPS to set minimum standards of service and alternatives to closure that must be considered prior to closing any post office. Click here to learn more.

USDA Announcement on BSE Case

This week’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that a dairy cow in California was identified with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) reaffirms the fact that our food safety system works. The USDA has very strict guidelines in place to protect our food supply and the system performed exactly how it was designed to perform. The animal was never presented for slaughter and at no time presented a risk to the food supply or human health.

This detection in no way affects the United States’ BSE status as determined by the World Organization for Animal Health, and this detection should not affect U.S. trade. The United States is the world leader in food safety. American beef and dairy are safe and will remain safe. Click here to get more information. Click here to listen to my interview on AgriTalk this week on this topic.

Plan to Lower High Gas Prices

This week I spoke to my colleagues on the U.S. Senate floor today about my concerns regarding rising oil and gas prices and the negative impact on consumers. Kansas has the third highest number of highway miles of any state in the country, so higher fuel prices are particularly difficult for Kansans who drive long distances each day for work and school. As oil and gas prices once again rise and the U.S. economy continues to struggle, I believe one of the most important things Congress can do is facilitate the production of affordable energy.

For the United States to remain competitive in the global market, Congress must develop a comprehensive national energy policy. No single form of energy can provide the answer. High fuel prices and an uncertain energy supply will continue until we take serious steps toward increasing the development of our natural resources. Not only would the development of our nation’s resources reduce our dependence on foreign energy, it would also provide our economy with a reliable, affordable fuel supply. If future generations of Americans are to experience the quality of life we enjoy today, the time to address our energy needs is now. Click here to watch my comments on the Senate floor.

Speaking about New Businesses and Startup Act

I spoke at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Tuesday about the Startup Act, legislation I authored with Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) to jump-start the economy through the creation of new businesses. The Wilson Center is “a living memorial” to President Wilson that seeks to build a bridge between academia and public policy. Senator Warner and I highlighted the job-creating provisions of the Startup and spoke about the global battler for talent the United States must win if we are to remain the best place in the world to do business. New businesses create an average of 3 million jobs each year. By creating a circumstance in which many will succeed, jobs will be created and our economy will be stronger. Click here to learn more about the Startup Act.

Disaster Assistance Available for Kansans Affected by Severe Weather

Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to residents and business owners affected by the 90+ tornadoes, hail and severe weather that hit Kansas the evening of April 14 and early morning hours of April 15, 2012. In response to a request from Governor Sam Brownback and my letter to Administrator Mills supporting his request, the U.S. Small Business administration (SBA) has made assistance available to residents in Sedgwick, Butler, Cowley, Harvey, Kingman, Reno and Sumner counties.

Disaster loan information and application forms are available from the SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visiting SBA’s Web site at http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. In addition, SBA representatives are personally on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions and provide help each individual complete their application:

Carlton School
4900 South Clifton
Wichita, KS 62716
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 9 am to 6 pm

And more than two weeks after the tornado, Kansans continue to reach out to their friends and neighbors in need. One organization that continues to make a difference is the United Way of the Plains, which signed up more than 1,750 volunteers to clear debris following the tornado that ripped through southeast Wichita and the Oaklawn neighborhood. Click here to learn more about how the United Way is helping the cleanup and recovery effort.

Speaking at the Independent Community Bankers Association Annual Convention

On Thursday, I spoke with community bankers gathered for the Independent Community Bankers Association Annual Convention. Community bankers play a big role in the way of life we enjoy in Kansas. But regulations and red tape aimed at preventing the bad players on Wall Street from irresponsible behavior have begun to affect the smaller banks in Kansas communities that had nothing to do with the financial collapse we have experienced. I introduced S. 1600, the Communities First Act, to begin implementing some commonsense reforms into the way small banks are regulated. If we are to continue to enjoy our Kansas way of life, we must have a strong community banking industry. My thanks to David Lynch of ICBA and the many Kansas bankers that made my visit possible.

Seeking Answers in the Collapse of MF Global

This week, I participated in a Senate Banking Committee hearing on the collapse of MF Global. Hundreds of millions of dollars are missing from MF Global customer accounts. Rather than protecting these accounts which, by law, are off limits for use outside of their intended purpose, government regulators allowed these segregated funds to disappear. The Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has oversight over financial transactions involving commodities markets. In the days leading up to the bankruptcy filing by MF Global, the CFTC failed to protect customer accounts from this illicit raiding. As the situation continues to develop, I will remain engaged to ensure that farmers and ranchers who use similar financial services as a means to protect themselves against losses will not be further victimized. Click here to see a video clip from the hearing.

Visiting Arvest Bank

Before catching a flight to Washington Monday morning, I had the opportunity to stop by and visit with the leadership of Arvest Bank in Mission. Arvest President Mark Larrabee, along with the rest of his team were gracious hosts. I serve on the Senate Banking Committee and want to learn more about what banks like Arvest are doing to promote economic growth. I enjoyed our conversation and appreciated their description of Arvest as a regional bank that feels like a community bank. It’s great to have Arvest in Kansas and I look forward to their continued presence in our state.

KU Barnstorming Tour

On Saturday, I attended the annual KU Barnstorming Tour stop in Hays. The KU squad, comprised of hometown favorited Jordan Juenemann and Conner Teahan, were joined by three former Fort Hays State University players to take on area high school senior all-stars in an exhibition game at Hays High School. Hays has hosted the tour stop since 1993, and proceeds from the game go to the Kansas Barnstormers, Hays High Booster Club and Hays High Basketball. The game was full of fun, laughter and lots of cheers from the audience. It was great to see the community and athletes enjoying the night together. Click here to see a photo.

In the Office

This week we had several visitors in the Washington, D.C., office, including the Kansans listed below. Click here to view photos of some of the visits:

Kansas Physical Therapy Association
Carolyn Bloom of Topeka
Dave Sanderson of Salina

Kansas State University
Nate Spriggs of Manhattan

University of Kansas
Kathryn Hoven of Lawrence

Doctors for America
Katherine Prather of Kansas City

Kansas Independent Pharmacy Services Corporation
Sam Boyajian of Gardner
Jeff Sigler of Lawrence
Pete Stearn of Topeka

Kansas Bioscience Organization
Gregory Kopf of Kansas City
Angela Kreps of Lenexa
Kevin Sweeney of Kansas City

Ebay Sellers
Susan Cooley of Lenexa
John Cooley of Lenexa

American College of Radiology
John Lohnes of Wichita
Rob Gibbs of Parsons

Alzheimer’s Association
Former Congressman Dennis Moore of Lenexa
Stephen Moore of Lenexa
Doug Stark of Wichita

American Chemical Society
Peter Dorhout of Manhattan

Kansas Orthopaedic Society
Peter Hodges of Manhattan
Nicholas Hodges of Manhattan
Charles Craig of Newton
Brad Daily of Salina
Gary Caruthers of Topeka
Naomi Shields of Wichita

American Academy of Ophthalmology
Melissa Cable of Kansas City
John Sutphin of Kansas City
William Clifford of Garden City

Foundation for Rural Education and Development
Nathan Brungardt of Great Bend
Bret Gum of Johnson

MIT Student Science Policy Initiative
Samuel Brinton of Manhattan

Kansas Farm Bureau Board Members
Marieta Houser of Ulysses
Helen Norris of Wellington

Collins Bus Corporation
John Doswell of South Hutchinson
Kent Tyler of South Hutchinson

Edward Jones Grassroots Task Force
Jeff Seibel of Hays

Stopped in
Steve Hessman of Dodge CityBecky Hessman of Dodge City

State of Kansas Librarians
Juanita Jameson of Garden City
Robert Banks of Topeka

Leading Age
David Beck of Topeka
Jean Bryant of Cimarron
Chris Osborn of Olathe
Angela Dailey of Topeka
Darrell Bryant of Cimarron
Rachel Monger of Topeka
Willie Novotny of Manhattan

Stopped In
Rick Kennedy of Overland Park
Janet Kennedy of Overland Park

Kansas Chamber of Leadership
Dave Murfin of Wichita
Ivan Crossland of Columbus
Jay Allbaugh of Wichita
Mike Morgan of Wichita
Bill Pickert of Wichita
Kent Beisner of Topeka
Jeff Glendening of Topeka

Many Kansans stopped by to take a tour of the U.S. Capitol this week including:

Hays
Ed Hammond of Hays

Gypsum
John Clapsaddle of Gypsum
Chris Clapsaddle of Gypsum

Overland Park
Robert Westmoreland of Overland Park
Jan Westmoreland of Overland Park

Leawood
William Angell of Leawood
Eva Mae Angell of Leawood

Mission
Rhonda Befort of Shawnee Mission
Avery Rowcroft of Shawnee Mission

LaCygne
Andrew Yach of LaCygne

Louisburg
Alex Kohlenberg of Louisburg
Ghelsea Fleming of Louisburg
Ganner Myers of Louisburg
Matthew Parodi of Louisburg
Mark Staab of Louisburg
Christine Staab of Louisburg
Joshua Staab of Louisburg
Jackson Staab of Louisburg
Emma Staab of Louisburg

Contact Me

Very truly yours,

Jerry

My email address is only equipped to send messages. I encourage you to send me a message through my website: http://moran.senate.gov. To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please click here.

Sen. Moran on Withdrawl of DOL's Proposed Youth Farm Labor Rule

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:00:01 EST

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) recorded the following radio actuality on the Department of Labor’s (DOL) announcement that it has withdrawn a proposed rule dealing with youth working in agriculture. Sen. Moran led the Senate effort against the DOL’s attack on rural life and introduced legislation on March 21^st to prevent the radical rule from being implemented.

Sen. Moran on Fox News to Discuss Withdrawal of DOL Youth Farm Labor Rules

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) appeared on Fox News Channel's "Happening Now" in response to the Department of Labor's (DOL) announcement that it has withdrawn a proposed rule dealing with youth working in agriculture. The Obama Administration listened to the concerns of American farmers and ranchers and will not re-propose the rule. If the Department has moved forward with regulating the relationship between parents and children on their own farm, a dangerous precedent would have been set – virtually nothing would be off limits when it comes to government intrusion into our lives.

Sen. Moran on Passage of Postal Reform Bill

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:00:01 EST

On April 25, 2012, the Senate passed S. 1789, the 21st Century Postal Service Act, legislation to help preserve the soundness of the U.S. Postal Service. Sen. Moran spoke about how this bill will help rural communities across Kanas.

Sen. Moran on Mental Health Benefits for Veterans

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:00:01 EST

Sen. Moran participated in a Senate Veterans Committee Hearing on April 26, 2012 and discussed the importance of access to mental health care professionals for veterans.

Sen. Moran Sponsors Bill to Reauthorize VAWA

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:00:01 EST

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) has sponsored legislation to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), S.2338. The bill strengthens and updates the version of VAWA currently being considered by the Senate (S.1925) in several important ways that can be supported by both Republicans and Democrats. S. 2338 also maintains the current funding level for VAWA, without adding to the budget deficit, and focuses resources on helping victims.

“Domestic violence brings fear, hopelessness and depression into the lives of every victim,” Sen. Moran said. “We must not only work to end this ‘silent crime,’ but also care for those who have become victims. In Kansas, shelters and crisis centers provide support to more than 1,000 victims each day – but more must be done. This legislation will help give a voice to victims of domestic violence, toughen criminal penalties, and shore up problems with Justice Department oversight of VAWA programs."

The legislation sponsored by Sen. Moran is budget neutral and includes a number of provisions aimed to bring consensus to the reauthorization of VAWA. S. 2338 has been endorsed by the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), Shared Hope International, and PROTECT.

Among the key provisions of the Sen. Moran-sponsored bill to strengthen VAWA:

Protecting Victims

• Increases the percentage of STOP grants that must be targeted to sexual assault to 30%. S. 1925 requires only 20% of grants to be used to target sexual assault.
• Requires that 70% of rape kit funding be used to reduce the backlog in testing rape kits. S.1925 allocates 40% of funding for rape kits testing.
• Creates a 10-year mandatory minimum for federal convictions for forcible rape, bringing the minimum more in line with federal guidelines. S.1925 contains only a 5-year mandatory minimum sentence.
• Creates a 1-year mandatory minimum sentence for possession of child pornography in which the victim depicted is under 12 years of age. There is no corresponding provision in S.1925.
• Creates a 5-year mandatory minimum sentence for the crime of aggravated sexual assault through the use of drugs or by otherwise rendering the victim unconscious. S.1925 lacks this provision.
• Creates a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence for the crime of interstate domestic violence that results in the death of the victim. S.1925 lacks this provision.
• Grants administrative subpoena power to the U.S. Marshals Service to help them discharge their duty of tracking and apprehending unregistered sex offenders. There is no corresponding provision in S.1925.
• Inserts gender-neutral language in all relevant provisions. S. 1925 seeks to categorize, rather than ensure equal access to VAWA services for all victims.
• Contains a bipartisan-supported cyber-stalking bill, S. 1928, the Stalkers Act. This is identical language to S. 1925.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Funds the VAWA program at $682.5 million per year, which is the same funding level contained in S. 1925.
• Does not increase the federal deficit. S. 1925 would add $105 million to the budget deficit.
• Addresses recurring problems reported by the Inspector General with lax grant administration and oversight by the Department of Justice. Our bill addresses these IG concerns by including an annual requirement that 10% of grantees be audited, and a limit of 7.5% of appropriated funds on administrative costs.

###

DOL Withdraws Youth Farm Labor Rule After Listening to Concerns of Farmers and Ranchers

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:00:01 EST

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) issued the following statement in response to the Department of Labor's (DOL) announcement this evening that it has withdrawn a proposed rule dealing with youth working in agriculture: