Kansans in the Office

Capitol Tour
Brian Desch of Topeka

Melinda Desch of Topeka

Kevin Hufford of Shawnee

Margie Greenlee of Overland Park

Dennis Vogel of Overland Park

David Hornick of Leavenworth

Karen Hornick of Leavenworth

St. Francis Xavier Church
Anne Gagel of Shawnee Mission

American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Jane Carpenter of Topeka

Debbie Isaacson of Topeka

Cheryl Giefer of Pittsburg

Ken Giefer of Pittsburg

Alliance to End Hunger
Yvonne Montoya of Salina

Benedictine College
Stephen Minnis of Atchison

Kevin Vance of Atchison

Bartlett
Bill Webster of Prairie Village

Navy League of the United States
Ward Cook of Prairie Village

Dangerous Times Around the World
Joining Fox News
I joined Fox News to discuss America’s role in supporting Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East, in their fight against Hamas. I stressed the importance of taking a firm stance against Iran and their proxies, who have openly attacked both our allies around the world as well as American bases in Syria and Iraq. The Biden administration needs to respond to these acts and cannot simply look on as Iran, Russia, China and other adversaries impose their authoritarian overreach. You can watch my full interview with Fox News here.

Questioning the Secretary of State & Defense Secretary
On Tuesday, I questioned Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the President’s emergency supplemental appropriations request. I take seriously Congress’ constitutional responsibility to determine how the United States spends its resources. To that end, I will not rubber stamp the President’s request but will work with my colleagues on the Senate Committee on Appropriations to determine how to best ensure the safety and security of the American public. Ensuring those things starts with secure borders. Although Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas is expected to testify at a later hearing, I relayed to the cabinet secretaries present that I expect the administration to work with Congress on substantive policy changes to deter and mitigate the harms caused by illegal immigration.

I also relayed to Secretaries Austin and Blinken that it is in our interest that Ukraine is successful in its defense against Putin’s unjust and illegal invasion. Any other result makes the world a more dangerous place. The United States must continue to send the message that we are faithful to our partners and allies to deter not just Russia, but China, Iran, and Hamas from causing harm to the free world.

You can watch my full questions here.

Joining CNBC’s Squawk Box
On Thursday, I joined CNBC’s Squawk Box to address the important issues currently threatening our national security. The Senate Committee on Appropriations has been tasked with creating a funding package that will address the national security crisis happening at our southern border and help to bolster our Israeli and Ukrainian allies in their time of need. This vote will be one of the most consequential votes that we as a Congress will have to address, therefore it is necessary the United States stands strong in the face of adversity. I will continue working for Kansans and the American people to defend our great nation during this challenging time. See the rest of my See the rest of my interview here.

Breaking Ground in Leavenworth
On Monday before returning to Washington, D.C., I was in Leavenworth to announce the construction of the new Federal Correctional Institution. More than 125 years ago, the federal government broke ground on what is now the oldest facility in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Ever since then it has served as the flagship facility of the Bureau of Prisons. Generations of Kansans have served as correctional officers and staff at the facility and in doing so, have made invaluable contributions to the Department of Justice’s law enforcement mission and the public safety of our communities.

Over the past several years, I have used my role as Chairman and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Bureau of Prisons to appropriate more than $500 million for the construction of a new Federal Correctional Institution and satellite Federal Prison Camp. This is the second-largest federal investment in Kansas history. The new facility will be built on undeveloped, federally-owned land, adjacent to the existing facility. Construction is expected to take approximately three years, with the current contract completion anticipated in May of 2026. I would like to thank the Director of the Bureau of Prisons Collette Peters, Sen. Roger Marshall, Governor Laura Kelly, Leavenworth Mayor Jermaine Wilson, and Warden Don Hudson for joining me in making this announcement.

Read more about the groundbreaking in the Kansas Reflector, here.