Welcoming the 250,000th Honor Flight Veteran to Washington, D.C.

This month, the Honor Flight Network will bring the 250,000th veteran to see the memorials built in their honor. I’ve had the opportunity to welcome hundreds of veterans on Honor Flights to Washington, D.C. and have witnessed the impact these trips have on them. I’m grateful that we could stand at the World War II Memorial – that was built largely due to the tireless work of World War II veteran and Kansas Senator Bob Dole – to recognize Honor Flights and the 250,000 veterans who have embarked on their journey to our nation’s capital.

I joined Sen. Elizabeth Dole and veterans across the country on Tuesday to commemorate this milestone. Honor Flights have also made it possible for veterans like my dad, a WWII veteran, to come to Washington, D.C. and visit the WWII Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and many more. These memorials serve as an important reminder to the rest of us that we owe a great deal of thanks to those who have served and sacrificed.

To our veterans and our servicemembers: We respect you; we thank you for your service, and we love you.

Welcoming Airbus to the Air Capital of the World

On Friday, I hosted Airbus Americas Chairman and CEO, Jeff Knittel, and his team in Wichita to showcase the Air Capital of the World. I’d like to thank the Kansas Aviation Museum and the Greater Wichita Partnership for hosting a community reception with local stakeholders and public officials to welcome Mr. Knittel and his team. At the reception, Mr. Knittel announced a donation from Airbus to the United Way Andover Tornado Fund. I am thankful for their aid to the Wichita community and for the time they spent touring suppliers.

Following the reception, we toured Dynamic NC, Cox Machine and Atlas Group with the Airbus CEO and procurement team. I’d like to thank Bryan Mackey, President of Dynamic NC, Jason Cox, CEO of Cox Machine and Jim McMullen, CEO of Atlas Group, for showcasing the talent and capabilities of these incredible companies.

Continue reading U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Weekly Newsletter →

March 18, 2022

Wrapping up committee work was our main goal last week. While that means the end of regular meetings for most committees, it does not mean that the work is finished. The final days of session will be floor debate, and no or minimal committee work.

Election Security is critical.  During debate last week on the Senate floor, a compelling argument was given by a Senator, former county commissioner, that he would not certify an election because the vote count could not be reconciled.  The other two commissioners did certify the election, so the issue was dropped at that time.  (There should have been a complete investigation.)  Senate Bill (SB) 389 and SB 390 should help prevent that situation from occurring again.  SB 389 would require a distinctive watermark for paper ballots and a sample hand-count audit of paper ballots that are counted with electronic tabulating equipment.  The bill would also prohibit use of poll books that do not require a hand-written voter signature.  The bill passed 27 to 11.  SB 390 would require each person working with ballots to sign an affidavit in the tracking of ballots handled.  It passed 27 to 10.  I voted Yes on both measures.

Out-of-control spending continues in this year’s budget, SB 444.  As with most budget bills, there was some good and some bad.  Paying down debt and long overdue pay increases are some of the good.  Increased spending on programs that are not being held accountable or proven effective is some of the bad.  The budget also “puts away” $600 million in a rainy-day fund and has a $360 million ending balance.  That $600 million could be used to remove sales tax on food, not socked away for government to spend at a later date.  The bill passed the Senate 23 to 14.  I voted No in defense of the taxpayer and slowing government growth.

Senate redistricting map passed on a vote of 28 to 8.  I did not support the map.  It would take the city of Ottawa and Bourbon County out of the 12^th Senate district and include Coffee, Woodson, and Wilson Counties.  The 12^th district could have easily increased population in Miami County and kept all of Franklin in the 12^th district.

We also worked on the following:

• Energy Independence is the strong message the Kansas Senate sent to the President of the United States. STOP importing oil and gas from Russia and RESTORE energy independence in the United States.  SCR 1623 passed unanimously.

• Non-driver identification cards could be renewed online if SB 529 becomes law.  It passed the Senate unanimously.
   
• Gold Star families could be recognized and honored on the State Capitol grounds.  Gold Star families are families who have lost family member in the line of military service.  House Bill 2540 passed the Senate unanimously.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12^th District State Senator.

Caryn

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Fort Scott Aglow Lighthouse welcomes Benton Cavaness who will share his story.

After a 20-year drug addiction, Benton is free! “God miraculously gave me complete victory over addiction and I have experienced more miracles and blessings in the last year than most people ever get to witness!”

Benton is from Thayer, KS. His interests now are God, church, family, farming, cattle, horses and staying free!

Guests welcome Thursday, March 10^th at 6:30 pm.

They will gather in the conference room of Fort Scott Inn, 101 State Street.

Aglow International is an interdenominational ministry for women and men. The goal is: Every nation touched, every heart changed.