Kansans in the Office

FirstNet

Scott French of Manhattan

John Paul Jones of Kansas City

Kansas Association of Wheat Growers

Jay Armstrong of Muscotah

Marsha Boswell of Manhattan

Aaron Harries of Manhattan

Tim Turek of South Haven

National Federation of the Blind

Bruce Roberds of Wichita

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.

Questioning VA Secretary Collins on Restructuring Proposal of VHA
On Wednesday, I led a Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins to review the VA’s recent proposal to restructure the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Last month, VA announced the Restructure for Impact and Sustainability Effort (RISE) to reorganize the administrative functions of VHA to reduce bureaucracy and red tape, empower local leaders, standardize operations, strengthen accountability and better align VA resources with the needs of VA patients and staff. If implemented over the next two years, RISE would be the most significant reorganization of the VA health care system since the 1990’s, and it would address years of findings from the VA Office of Inspector General, the Government Accountability Office and others about deficiencies in VHA’s current structure.

During the hearing, we discussed how the VA established this proposal and how, if implemented, it would improve the quality, reliability and accessibility of the VA health care system for veterans and the VA workforce. I thank Secretary Collins for joining me at this hearing, and I look forward to working with him and his team to make the VA health care system more worthy of the men and women it serves.

You can watch my opening remarks and questioning of Secretary Collins here and here.

Securing Federal Investment for K-State Olathe Advanced Manufacturing Program
As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science (CJS), I worked to secure more than $5 million in federal resources for Kansas State University Olathe’s advanced manufacturing program as part of the FY26 Commerce, Justice and Science (CJS) Appropriations bill that has been signed into law by the President. This investment will help bolster KSU Olathe student success through the purchase of advanced manufacturing equipment. The future of our state depends on a strong workforce that is equipped with the tools to meet tomorrow’s challenges. As a part of this effort, I also worked to secure federal resources to support advanced manufacturing programs at Kansas City Kansas Community College and Johnson County Community College to strengthen career readiness and equip students with the skills to meet the demand of industries that continue to invest in our state, including Panasonic. These investments play a critical role in training students for successful futures, while giving them the opportunity to build their careers here at home. By investing in programs like these, we can support our state’s workforce, strengthen the local economy and keep Kansas talent right here in our state.

Good News: USDA Announces Planned Commodity Purchases for Food for Peace
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced it intends to purchase more than 200,000 tons of commodities under the Food for Peace program to provide food to seven countries around the world. With USDA temporarily taking on administration of the program, this announcement is a good first step in continuing this long-running, bipartisan program that helps feed the world’s hungry with U.S.-grown commodities. I look forward to continue working with USDA on this program.

You can read more about the announcement from Agri-Pulse here.

Joining Agri-Pulse to Discuss Agricultural Economy Issues
This week, I joined Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss several agricultural issues including my support for year-round E15 legislation, consolidation in the meat packing sector and the recent announcement from USDA regarding planned Food for Peace program commodity purchases. As farmers in Kansas and across the country continue to face droughts, high input costs and low commodity prices, I remain committed to finding solutions to improve the lives of our farmers who work hard every day to feed, fuel and clothe the world.

You can watch my full interview on Agri-Pulse here.

Speaking with President of Finland Alexander Stubb
This week, I spoke with President Alexander Stubb of Finland about the importance of strong alliances in an increasingly unstable world. Finland’s recent decision to join NATO is a reminder that security is not guaranteed. Our conversation focused on the evolving security landscape in Europe and the role the United States and our allies must play in standing for sovereignty and the rule of law.

I appreciate President Stubb’s leadership and Finland’s commitment to collective defense, and I look forward to continuing to strengthen the relationship between our two nations.

Introducing Legislation to Develop a National Veterans Strategy
Every year, the federal government provides veterans with programs and services through multiple federal agencies, including grants to states, tribes and nonprofit organizations. While the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is required to create a strategic plan every four years, it is typically based around the VA’s internal goals and operations rather than on leveraging a whole-of-government approach to supporting the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces.

This is why I introduced the National Veterans Strategy Act with Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). My bill would direct the President to develop a national strategy every four years on how to best serve veterans through the public and private sector. It would require the government to develop standardized metrics to assess veteran outcomes to help identify gaps, strengthen results and align veteran-related policies around shared, universal goals. This will improve the public’s understanding of veterans’ roles in society, improve overall veteran well-being and make more impactful use of taxpayer and donor dollars to support the veteran community.

Through a cohesive strategy, the programs, policies and legislation that affect veterans and their families would better align around those goals in a coordinated, nationwide effort, inspiring and strengthening support for the next generation of servicemembers.

You can learn more about the legislation here.

Cosponsoring the SAVE Act to Protect Election Integrity
I have long supported voter ID requirements for federal elections, which is why I cosponsored the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act to make certain only U.S. citizens are voting in federal elections. Federal law already prohibits non-citizen voting in federal races. This legislation creates a uniform standard to verify that requirement across all 50 states.
 

Discussing Amateur Athlete Safety with U.S. Center for SafeSport CEO
This week, I met with Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, the new CEO of the U.S. Center for SafeSport and former Olympic Gold Medalist during the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, to discuss the center’s critical mission of ending abuse in amateur sports. As the lead author of the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020 that reformed SafeSport, I remain committed to making certain that the center has the oversight and resources necessary to protect our young people.

Ms. Fitzgerald Mosley and I discussed ways to improve the process for survivors and the importance of fostering a culture of safety across all National Governing Bodies. Every athlete deserves an environment free from harassment and abuse. I will continue working with the center to strengthen these protections and hold abusers accountable.

Now Accepting Summer 2026 Internship Applications
My own interest in public service was sparked by an internship for Kansas First District Congressman Keith Sebelius in 1974. As an intern, I had the chance to learn firsthand how a Congressional office operates and how the legislative process works. I am glad to be able to offer this same opportunity in my Senate office today, where I have interns year-round working closely with my staff to serve Kansans.

Applications for internships in my Washington, D.C. and Kansas offices for the Summer 2026 session are due Sunday, March 8. Congressional internships are open to qualified undergraduate and graduate students who have an interest in public service and have achieved academic excellence.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Now Accepting Summer 2026 Page Applications
Applications are now open for the Summer 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. Summer 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, March 22. You can learn more about the Senate Page program here.

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