May 18, 2026
Hello,
Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Thanks 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.
Monitoring Kansas Wildfires
Wildfires continue to spread across western Kansas and have burned tens of thousands of acres. Sparked from dry thunderstorms, the fires are fueled by the extremely dry conditions and high winds in the area. Firefighters from across Kansas, many of them volunteers, have responded to help with the fires. Please pray for their safety.
Unfortunately, several of these fires are affecting areas that were impacted by the fires that occurred in February. At that time, I called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take immediate action to support those affected by the wildfires. USDA responded by authorizing the emergency use of CRP acres for grazing, as well as ensuring producers had access to USDA’s other emergency and disaster assistance programs. These emergency flexibilities remain in effect, and I encourage farmers and ranchers that have been impacted to contact USDA.
For more information on these recovery resources and others, visit my website here, as well as the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) website here.
NASA has activated its Disaster Response Coordination team to provide satellite data to emergency managers, and these photos provided by NASA Earth demonstrate the extent of damage and correct fires burning in Kansas.
Discussing U.S.-China Trade Negotiations
Fox News
I joined John Roberts on Fox News’ America Reports on Wednesday to discuss U.S.-China trade and my recent trip to Beijing with a bipartisan group of my Senate colleagues ahead of President Trump’s visit. The message we delivered is that there is bipartisan support for a better trade relationship between our countries, including opening markets to U.S. agricultural exports and Boeing aircraft sold to China. You can watch my full interview with John Roberts here.
Leading Hearing to Review FY27 Budget Request for Federal Law Enforcement
During National Police Week, I chaired a Commerce, Justice and Science Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing reviewing the President’s FY27 budget request for the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The committee heard testimony from FBI Director Kash Patel, DEA Administrator Terrance Cole, U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces Serralta and ATF Director Robert Cekada.
During the hearing, I highlighted the important role federal law enforcement agencies play in supporting Kansas communities, including ATF’s expanding partnership with Wichita State University, DEA’s work combating fentanyl trafficking and supporting rural law enforcement, the FBI’s coordination efforts ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup in Kansas City and the U.S. Marshals Service’s fugitive task force operations across Kansas. Making certain that federal law enforcement officers have the resources, staffing and technology necessary to protect Kansans and combat violent crime is my priority, and I will continue working to make certain our law enforcement has the resources it needs.
You can watch my opening statement here and my questioning of the witnesses here and here.
Questioning Ag Leaders on Impact of Fertilizer Prices for Farmers
The Senate Committee on Agriculture held a hearing on Tuesday to examine the state of the fertilizer industry. Kansas farmers are feeling the strain of persistently high fertilizer prices, compounded by low commodity prices. During the hearing, I raised questions about the global fertilizer supply chain and the issues with sourcing fertilizer ingredients, such as ammonia, phosphate and potash. As the U.S. is a net importer of fertilizer, supply chain disruptions can affect availability and costs for farmers.
I also emphasized that, while tariffs could be well-intentioned to protect the domestic industry and increase production, they may also affect access to components needed to manufacture fertilizer at the scale producers rely on. Our producers are facing difficult circumstances without the financial security they need to weather the next challenge. But even as they confront high input costs, Kansas farmers continue working to grow the food, fuel and fiber our nation depends on. I will continue to work with my colleagues to find solutions that provide accessible, affordable fertilizer to farmers and support policies that provide certainty to our producers.
You can watch my questioning of the witnesses here.
Reviewing the President’s FY27 Budget Request for the Department of Defense
This week, during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing to review the Department of Defense’s (DOD) FY27 budget request, I questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the growing threats posed by China, Russia and Iran. I emphasized the importance of strong alliances and capable partners as the U.S. responds to challenges across multiple theaters simultaneously. As NATO allies increase defense spending and Europe assumes a greater role supporting Ukraine, it is critical the defense budget reflects the need to strengthen allied integration, maintain readiness and sustain American leadership abroad.
During the hearing, I also questioned Secretary Hegseth regarding the DOD’s reversal of support on the bipartisan ROTOR Act, legislation I introduced with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) that passed unanimously in the Senate following the tragic January 29, 2025, midair collision near Reagan National Airport. The legislation was negotiated with the Pentagon over several months and included language requested by the DOD to protect sensitive national security operations. I pressed the department to explain why, after previously supporting the legislation, it came out in opposition on the day before it was voted on by the House. I also asked Secretary Hegseth how the DOD and Congress can continue working together to make certain this important aviation safety legislation can move forward.
You can watch my questioning of Secretary Hegseth here.
Update on U.S. Military Operation in Iran
The ceasefire with Iran continues to hold, and the blockade of Iranian shipping remains in place. While there are indications the blockade is beginning to impact Iran’s economy, the regime’s leadership remains unwilling to meet President Trump’s demands regarding their nuclear program or reopening the Strait of Hormuz to all traffic. A breakthrough does not appear imminent, but proposals continue to be exchanged. The President’s waiver on sanctions of certain Russian oil sales expired on Saturday, and I am deeply disappointed by the decision to renew the waiver for yet another 30 days. The waiver provides little tangible benefit to American consumers but enables Russia to acquire billions of dollars in revenue to sustain its war in Ukraine and support for Iran. This waiver harms our national interests, and I will continue to urge the full enforcement of sanctions imposed by the President last year.
Speaking with CMS Administrator Oz
This week, I spoke with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz about the latest benefits to Kansas as a result of last year’s Reconciliation Bill process. A recent RAND study shows that Kansas is projected to take in increased Medicaid revenue as a result of reconciliation. During the reconciliation process, I worked to make certain the legislation included an increased hospital provider assessment rate, which is expected to generate $1 billion annually for Kansas providers. We also spoke about a pending application that would increase payments to Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Emergency Hospitals by $72 million annually, which is currently under review by CMS. Ensuring this application could be considered favorably by CMS was one of my priorities in last year’s Reconciliation Bill process. Finally, we discussed Kansas’ implementation of the $222M Rural Health Transformation program award over the course of this year. I will continue to work with the Administrator to ensure Kansas health care providers have the federal supports needed to provide quality, accessible care to Kansans.
Introducing Legislation to Improve Access to ABLE Accounts
This week, I introduced a bipartisan
As an original sponsor of the legislation that created ABLE accounts in 2014, I have long supported efforts to help individuals with disabilities and their families achieve greater financial security and independence. These bills would build on the success of the ABLE program by expanding access, improving awareness and making it easier for individuals to save for the future without jeopardizing
This legislation would also help increase participation in ABLE accounts among eligible individuals and provide additional tools to support individuals with disabilities as they plan for education, housing, transportation and other essential needs. Through my role as the co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Down Syndrome, I will continue working to support policies that expand opportunities and improve quality of life for Kansans with disabilities and their families.
You can read more about my legislation here.
Urging Administration to Reinstate Title X Protect Life Rule
This week, I joined my colleagues in urging President Trump and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy to reinstate the Title X Protect Life Rule. Title X is a federal grant program administered by HHS that provides funding for family planning and preventive health services.
The Protect Life Rule issued by the first Trump administration helped restore important safeguards within the Title X program by preventing federal family planning funds from being used to subsidize abortion providers and eliminating requirements that Title X recipients provide abortion referrals.
I remain committed to supporting efforts to uphold the dignity of life and, consistent with federal law, prevent taxpayer dollars from being used to support abortion services.
Now Accepting Fall 2026 Page Applications
Applications are now open for the fall 2026 Senate Page Program. High school students are afforded a unique opportunity to work in the Senate and learn about Congress and the legislative process. Fall Page eligibility is limited to students who have completed their sophomore year of high school and who will be 16 or 17 years old on or before the date of appointment. The deadline to apply is Sunday, May 31, 2026. Click here for more information and to apply.
Now Accepting 2026 Service Academy Applications
Applications are now open for students to apply to a United States Service Academy for the Class of 2031. One of my favorite duties as a U.S. Senator is appointing Kansans to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.
For the list of requirements and to apply, you can visit my website here. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on September 18, 2026. After applications have been reviewed, applicants will be notified of interviews with my Service Academy Selection Board.
Honored to Serve You in Washington
It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a form of letter, a Facebook comment or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.
Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking 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