North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Bri Shuler of Prairie Village
Superior Essex
Kate Lummus of Hoisington
U.S. Army
Jaime Linder of Ellis
October 6
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.
Honoring Fallen Hays Police Officer Sergeant Scott Heimann Last weekend, Hays Police Sergeant Scott Heiman was tragically killed in the line of duty while defending his community and our hometown from harm. I introduced a Senate resolution with Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) to honor his service and sacrifice and spoke on the Senate floor to pay tribute to Sgt. Heimann’s life and to honor the legacy he leaves behind. He was laid to rest on Friday, and I joined members of the Hays community and Sgt. Heimann’s family in attending his funeral service, where friends, neighbors and loved ones came together to honor his life and say thank you for his service.
Sgt. Heimann embodied the very best of Hays, a tight-knit place where people look out for their neighbors, care for those in need and protect the vulnerable. In Hays and across Kansas, we will not forget the sacrifice Sgt. Heimann made, and we will honor his service. Robba and I are praying for his wife, Beth, his children, Victoria and Patrick, and the entire law enforcement and Hays community during this difficult time.
You can find our Senate Resolution here. You can read more about Sgt. Heimann’s life and funeral service in KSN here. You can watch my full speech on the Senate floor here.
Working to Reopen the Government On Tuesday evening, hours before government funding ran out, I spoke on the Senate floor after the Senate failed to pass the non-partisan, short-term funding package intended to avoid a government shutdown and allow Congressional appropriators more time to negotiate and pass all 12 full appropriations bills. Appropriating is one of the primary responsibilities and necessities of the United States Senate, and every city council or commission, every school board, every local government office in our state passes a budget and then lives within that budget every year.
Instead of passing the continuing resolution, Senate Democrats chose to close the government down over unrelated issues, hindering our ability to do the job that the American people sent us here to do.
The Senate Appropriations Committee has passed 11 of the 12 appropriations bills and, for the first time since 2018, three of the 12 appropriations bills were passed in the Senate before the August state work period. I am committed to working toward ending this shutdown and finishing the appropriations process the American people have tasked us to do.
The full text of my floor speech can be read here.
USDA Releases Funds for Dole-McGovern Food Program RFD-TV
This week, I joined RFD-TV to discuss U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recent decision to release funds for the Dole-McGovern Food Program, which is significant for Kansas farmers and global food security. Kansas farmers have long answered a noble calling to feed hungry people around the world through the Dole-McGovern Food Program, originally named after Kansas Senator Bob Dole. I also talked about the ongoing efforts by Senate Republicans to work with our colleagues across the aisle on a path forward to fund the government and allow the appropriations process to continue.
AgriTalk
I also joined Chip Flory on AgriTalk to speak about USDA’s decision to purchase $480 million of agriculture commodities from farmers across the state for the Dole-McGovern Food Program. This is a welcome announcement that contributes to feeding hungry children around the globe and provides significant value to producers in Kansas and across the country who are facing low commodity prices and high input costs. Thank you to Chip Flory for having me on to discuss these important issues.
You can listen to my full AgriTalk interview here.
Leading Kansas Delegation’s Request for Disaster Declaration I led my Kansas delegation colleagues, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), and U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01), Derek Schmidt (KS-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03) and Ron Estes (KS-04), in urging President Trump to make a major disaster declaration for the State of Kansas from July 17 through July 22, 2025. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly formally submitted the request for federal support on September 17, 2025. I appreciate my colleagues’ support for this request, and I am committed to working to make certain Kansans affected by natural disasters have the resources necessary to recover and rebuild.
Meeting with Kansas Eye Care Professionals On Tuesday, I met with Kansans who are part of the American Optometric Association (AOA) to discuss access to vision services, advances in optometric care and the importance of making certain Kansans can receive timely, affordable eye care. I appreciated hearing directly from Kansas eye care professionals about the challenges they face and the innovative ways they are serving their communities.
During the meeting, AOA presented me with an award in recognition of the bipartisan Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which I introduced. Among other things, this legislation provides physician-level recognition for Department of Veterans Affairs optometrists, helping strengthen recruitment and retention efforts and making certain veterans have timely access to the vision care they need. I appreciated the conversation about how we can continue improving access to services that make a difference for Kansans and veterans alike.
Visiting with Kansans in Washington, D.C. I enjoyed visiting with Kansans Kim and Deana Rupp, from my hometown of Hays, in my Washington, D.C., office before they received a tour of the U.S. Capitol. Thank you to Kim and Deana for taking the time to meet with me. If you are planning a visit to Washington, D.C., and would like a tour of the Capitol, please visit my website here for more information.
Visits Across Kansas Wichita County High School
This week, I visited Wichita County High School to meet with students and staff and learn more about the district’s academic programs and student activities. I was grateful to hear from Principal Brant Douglas and faculty about the ways the school is preparing students for successful futures, both in higher education and the workforce. Visits like this give me valuable insight into the needs and accomplishments of schools across Kansas, and I appreciate the time students and staff took to share their perspectives with me.
Black & Veatch
I met with company leaders at Black & Veatch early this week to discuss the need for permitting reform to help eliminate barriers to construction and energy development. I will continue to advocate for Congress to take up permitting legislation that prioritizes low energy costs for families and businesses while promoting economic growth. I am grateful for the company’s expansion in Kansas and am encouraged to see progress on its new Overland Park headquarters.
Healy Community
On Thursday, I traveled to Healy and met with members of the community. I appreciated chatting with folks at First State Bank and Healy Oil Company. I also visited Healy Agency and Sharp Brothers Seed. Thank you to all those who took the time to visit with me.
Hays Community
On Friday, after attending the funeral for Hays Police Sgt. Scott Heimann, I visited with folks around my hometown of Hays. While there, I visited Augustine’s Bakery, Downtown Hays, Inc., Astra Bank and the Bank of Hays. I also made stops at the Center for Health Improvement, Master Cleaners, Auto World, Jeter Law Firm and grabbed a bite to eat at Taco Shop. Thank you to the Hays community for welcoming me and for the conversations.
Yom Kippur
This week, Jewish communities in Kansas and around the world celebrated Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. To those who celebrated, I hope this Yom Kippur was a meaningful and blessed day for all.
Now Accepting Spring 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 spring 2026 session are due Sunday, October 19. 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 Spring 2026 Page Applications
Applications are now open for the Spring 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, October 19. 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
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Hays
1200 Main St.,
Suite 402
P.O. Box 249
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-6401
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