From the office of Rep. Tracey Mann

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Kan., highlighted several legislative priorities and recent activities in multiple newsletters and communications, including recognition of a Kansas agriculture educator and responses to political violence.

Mann named Kara Quilter of Ellsworth as his Kansas Agriculture Hero of the Month. Quilter, an agricultural educator and FFA advisor at Ellsworth High School, grew up on her family's farm in central Kansas and helped develop 4-H and FFA projects. She works alongside mentor Karl Dawn Stover to lead one of Kansas' top FFA chapters, which has earned the Kansas FFA Triple Crown award five of the past seven years.

The congressman said Quilter embodies service through her teaching and advising work, helping prepare young people to carry Kansas agriculture forward. He noted that under her guidance, the Ellsworth FFA chapter has achieved strong recognition for community building, leadership development and agricultural education.

In response to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Mann called for prayer and unity in addressing political violence. He said political violence has no place in American society and expressed condolences to Kirk's family, including his wife Erika and two children.

Mann outlined upcoming congressional activities, including House Agriculture Committee hearings on specialty crops and USDA Rural Development programs. He said the House will consider legislation to make Washington safer by addressing soft-on-crime policies and will vote to unleash American energy dominance.

The congressman reported that House Republicans passed the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026, which he said strengthens military readiness, modernizes defense capabilities and provides pay raises for troops while securing the border.

Mann announced that military academy nominations for 2025 are open, with applications due by Sept. 29, 2025. He said he has the honor of nominating students from the Big First District to join the nation's service academies.

The representative led 14 colleagues in introducing bipartisan rural health care legislation, including the Modernizing Rural Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner Utilization Act and the Rural Health Clinic Location Modernization Act, aimed at improving access to rural health services.

Mann participated in hearings on SNAP accountability and Water Resources Development Act implementation. He said Farm Bill Nutrition Title accounts were estimated to account for 81% of Farm Bill spending in 2024, making congressional oversight vital.

The congressman met with various Kansas organizations including the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Hospital Association, Growth Energy, Kansas Pork Association and Kansas Automobile Dealers Association to discuss policy priorities and economic growth initiatives.

This summary is based on multiple communications from Rep. Mann's office.