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.
U.S. Military Operations in Iran
I am praying for the safety of our military men and women engaged in operations against Iran and who are stationed in the region. My prayers are also with the families of the six American heroes who were killed in action and the troops who were wounded as part of the military operations in the region.
For years, Iran has terrorized its own people, funded terror networks, supported proxy militias that undermine regional stability, threatened Israel’s security, and demonstrated ambitions that put American interests at risk.
Our Constitution vests the decision to take our nation to war in Congress. When American forces are engaged or may be further committed, the administration should provide full, timely briefings to Congress so that we can understand the objectives, risks and costs for continued or expanded military action.
Update on ROTOR Act
This week, the U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass aviation safety legislation that I introduced alongside Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act. The ROTOR Act was introduced six months after the tragic midair collision that occurred over the Potomac River on January 29, 2025, and it included many aviation safety measures that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been recommending for years. This legislation was the result of months of bipartisan negotiations and passed unanimously in the Senate. The final product was supported by the Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary, the NTSB, the families of the Flight 5342 victims and even the Department of Defense until its last-minute reversal the day before the House was scheduled to vote.
The NTSB’s yearlong investigation found that lives could have been saved on January 29, 2025, if the policies in the ROTOR Act had been in place. The failure to pass this legislation is disappointing, and my thoughts are with the families of the victims who turned their grief into advocacy by championing this legislation. Despite this week’s, I remain committed to working to pass the ROTOR Act and making certain it is signed into law. We cannot afford to delay.
Learning from Veterans at Joint Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hearing
On Tuesday, the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs held the first of three yearly joint hearings to hear directly from veterans service organizations (VSOs). During these hearings, the committees received the legislative presentations of Disabled American Veterans, Military Officers Association of America, Blue Star Families, Vietnam Veterans of America, National Congress of American Indians, Service Women’s Action Network, Gold Star Wives of America and the Black Veterans Project.
Every day, in every state and district, veterans bring a wealth of skills, leadership, experience and values from the military into their communities. It is our responsibility to make certain that federal programs and policies – at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and in every other department and agency – help veterans translate those strengths into long-term stability, health and opportunity. I appreciated hearing from representatives of these eight organizations at this past week’s hearing and visiting with veterans who came all the way from Kansas to attend the hearing, and I look forward to leading the next two hearings later this week to hear more from veterans across the country about the issues that are most important to them.
Good News for KS Ag: Delisting Lesser Prairie-Chicken
I applaud the recent announcement by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) that it has removed the lesser prairie-chicken as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), after a federal court ruling. For more than a decade, I have worked to delist the lesser prairie-chicken from the endangered species list. Kansas producers have long been committed to protecting the bird’s habitat through voluntary, locally-driven conservation efforts. In August, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas ruled that the listing should be withdrawn, and FWS is taking steps to reduce burdensome federal regulations that have placed significant strain on Kansas farmers, ranchers and rural communities. I will continue to support these local initiatives to make certain there are voluntary solutions and adequate resources available to protect the lesser prairie-chicken and promote long-term conservation.
You can read more about this from the Hays Posthere.
Supporting Modernized and Reliable Weather Forecasting This week, I introduced the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026 with Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) to bolster weather forecasting and emergency communications capabilities at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Kansans and Americans, especially farmers and ranchers, rely on access to timely and reliable weather data every day, and this legislation seeks to improve both the accuracy and delivery of that data. This legislation also includes parts of my other legislation, the Federal Operational Resilience in Emergency Conditions and Storm Tracking (FORECAST) Act, which makes certain that NWS offices remain staffed 24/7 to provide lifesaving weather forecasting.
The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026 is co-sponsored by Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.). I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to pass this legislation.
Reaffirming U.S. Support for Ukraine on 4th Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion
This past Tuesday marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. I spoke on the Senate floor to commemorate the anniversary and reaffirm that the U.S. and allies must remain committed to supporting the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom. Because of the bravery and innovation of the Ukrainians, aided by American and European support, Vladimir Putin’s objective to conquer and control the Ukrainian government remains unobtainable. His war is a strategic failure.
You can watch my full remarks on the Senate floor here.
Hays
1200 Main St.,
Suite 402
P.O. Box 249
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-6401
