Derek's Docket

Friends,

Our extended District Work Period is in full swing. I was home in Kansas last week, speaking with the folks I'm blessed to represent across the Second District.

Removing Big Government from Kansans' Lives
I've repeatedly cited the Congressional Review Act (CRA) as an incredibly important tool to remove the intrusion of big government from Kansans' lives. The CRA allows Congress to remove any federal rule within 60 legislative days of its enactment, a period known as the "CRA lookback window.” After a disapproval resolution is introduced, it must be approved by both chambers of Congress before being signed by the President.

Earlier this year, I introduced the Congressional Review Reform Act (CRRA). My legislation would eliminate the CRA's 60 legislative day lookback period, allowing Congress to disapprove of any federal agency rule, regardless of when it was implemented.

Last week, Nick Clifford of the Pacific Legal Foundation - a group who "defends Americans’ liberties against government overreach and abuse" - penned an excellent op-ed in support of my legislation.

As Mr. Clifford aptly points out, there are several major issues with the CRA in its current form. First, it's confusing: "experts struggle to pinpoint exactly when it opens and closes, since it’s determined by congressional parliamentarians." The Biden Administration issued a staggering 1,406 federal agency rules from August 16, 2024-January 20, 2025. Moving the start of the looback period up or back by just one day could have MASSIVE implications on Congress's ability to provide an important check on the Executive's power.

Second, using the CRA is often difficult because it requires a Presidential signature to take effect. If Congress holds differing beliefs from the President, it "can only effectively disapprove of executive actions with a veto-proof majority." In today's political climate, achieving a 2/3 majority in both chambers is incredibly difficult, if not impossible. Congress should have lawmaking power regardless of who lives in the White House.

Since its creation in 1996, the CRA has only been used to overturn 36 rules. In that time period, the number of pages in the Federal Register has increased by roughly 40,000. Congress has Article I power and obligation to make federal laws; it should not be this difficult for us to overturn regulations imposed by unelected bureaucrats. My legislation would provide an important fix for these issues and return lawmaking power to where it belongs: the people.

The Wall That Heals
This past week, the Wall that Heals visited the Second District. The Wall is a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, that bears the name of nearly 60,000 heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice or were reported missing during the conflict, including hundreds of Kansans. I had the opportunity to visit on Thursday.

The Wall is a solemn reminder that freedom isn't free. It's also a call to action for those in government to ensure our nation is honoring its promises to those who've served. We remain committed to keeping those promises; in fact, the House recently advanced the annual appropriations bill that provides funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Our legislation makes historic investments in veterans' care by increasing funding levels from fiscal year 2025, ensuring former servicemembers have access to the full scope of benefits they've earned.

Thank you to all those in Kansas and across our great country who have answered the call to defend our nation. We owe you a debt of gratitude we will never be able to repay.

Supporting Kansas Farmers & Ranchers
The "One, Big, Beautiful Bill" contains huge wins for farmers and ranchers across Kansas. The version of the bill signed into law by President Trump improves crop insurance affordability, strengthens farm safety net programs, protects America's farmers from foreign competition, and roots out waste, fraud, and abuse throughout the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Though Congress delivered wins to our farmers before leaving for our extended district work period, we MUST pass the long overdue Farm Bill when we return to Washington. I recently joined KVOE to discuss how important it is to enact this legislation and what I hope to see included.

I truly believe there's a large appetite for a bipartisan farm bill on Capitol Hill. Everyone recognizes how important it is to provide long-term stability to our nation's agricultural producers. As my colleagues and I work to provide our farmers and ranchers with increased foreign market access, we must ensure they have the resources they need to succeed at home. Simply kicking the can down the road - which Congress has done for years - doesn't cut it. I'm committed to passing a comprehensive package that ensures those who feed, clothe, and fuel our country can achieve both short- and long-term success.

Summer Interns
Thank you to Jackson, Fayaz, and Halle, who recently completed their internships with my office!

All three of these Kansans worked hard to provide the people of the Second District with excellent service all summer. I'm truly grateful for their dedication; they certainly have bright futures ahead of them!

If you or someone you know is interested in applying for an internship in my office, please click here.

Though it often seems like there's a lot going on - and there is - I'd ask you to remember this: your representatives in government - including myself - are working hard to enact the changes you expect us to. Progress can seem slow at times, but I truly feel we're well on our way to righting the ship and restoring our nation's greatness.

As always, my office is here to serve you. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. Be sure to also follow me on social media at the links below for timely updates from my office.

It's an incredible honor to represent our Second Congressional District in Congress!

Sincerely,

Derek Schmidt

Member of Congress