Jerry Moran: Kansas Common Sense
July 28, 2025
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Advancing Space Exploration & Manufacturing
This week, I addressed the Space Foundation’s Innovate Space: Global Economic Summit, which gathers industry leaders, government officials and other space stakeholders to discuss the dynamic space economy, priorities for the space sector and opportunities for growth in the industry. The global space economy reached a record value of $613 billion in 2024, driven by commercial industry partners’ revenue and significant government investment in space. Large companies like Blue Origin, SpaceX, United Launch Alliance and Lockheed Martin have found an able supply chain in Kansas, and Kansas colleges and universities are educating the next generation of space science researchers, engineers and aerospace manufacturers.
During this event, I discussed my support for the space economy in my role as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS), which funds NASA and other space interests. The Senate Committee on Appropriations recently approved the FY26 CJS appropriations bill, which includes nearly $25 billion for NASA to support the agency’s ambitious space exploration, scientific research and aeronautics advancement missions. I also chair the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation, which plays an instrumental role in authorizing space agencies like NASA.
Thank you to Meghan Allen and Cameron Bradshaw, a Jetmore, Kansas-native, of the Space Foundation for the invitation and opportunity to discuss U.S. leadership in the global space economy.
Considering Appropriation Bills in the Senate
On Wednesday, I spoke on the Senate floor about the importance of passing the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026. As chairman of the subcommittee that produced this legislation, I urged my colleagues to support this legislation to make certain we are fulfilling our constitutional duty of funding the government in a timely manner. The Senate Committee on Appropriations approved this bill on a bipartisan basis last week, and it funds critical programs at the Departments of Commerce and Justice and independent science agencies like NASA and the National Science Foundation.
I am grateful to Senate Majority Leader Thune for his commitment to bring appropriations legislation to the floor for consideration, and I am hopeful that, as the Senate moves forward in the appropriations process, this bill will receive proper consideration and support from members of the full Senate.
You can watch my full remarks on the Senate floor here.
Questioning VA Nominees
On Wednesday, I led a Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing to consider the nominations of John Bartum to be Under Secretary for Health at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Jeremiah Workman to be Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training at the Department of Labor (DOL).
John Bartum is currently a senior advisor at the VA and has more than 40 years of military experience in the Air Force. Jeremiah Workman currently serves as a senior advisor in DOL’s Office of Disability Employment Policy and is a Marine Corps veteran. During the hearing, we discussed the importance of allowing veterans to seek the health care that is in their best medical interest and how the VA workforce could improve to best serve our nation’s veterans. With their combined military experience and willingness to continue serving veterans, I look forward to their nominations being advanced out of committee.
You can watch my opening remarks and questioning here and here.
Confirming the VA Chief Financial Officer
On Thursday, the Senate confirmed Captain Richard Topping as the Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA must have a Chief Financial Officer who puts veterans first and prioritizes accountability and transparency. As someone who was raised in a military family and served in the United States Army himself, Captain Richard Topping understands the importance of this responsibility to help the VA fulfill its mission. His real-world experiences will help enhance the VA’s financial systems and make certain taxpayer dollars are used effectively and transparently. I look forward to working with him to improve the lives of veterans, caregivers, survivors and military families in Kansas and across the country.
You can watch my floor remarks before his confirmation here.
Passing the Stop GREED Act
The U.S. House of Representatives passed my legislation, the Stop Government Rewards Enriching Executives in the District (Stop GREED) Act of 2025, as part of the Protecting Regular Order for Veterans (PRO Vets) Act of 2025. My bill prevents PACT Act Critical Skills Incentive (CSI) bonus payments from going to senior executives at the VA. I initially introduced this legislation when the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report last year that found, under the previous administration, senior executives paid themselves $10.8 million in improper bonuses. This legislation provides greater transparency on how the VA is spending taxpayer dollars to help prevent further abuse of these funds. I appreciate the House passing this legislation last week and look forward to it being signed into law.
You can learn more about the Stop GREED Act here.
Introducing Legislation
Bolstering Airport Security
This week, I introduced legislation with Sens. Van Hollen, Boozman and Bennet to bolster airport and aviation security. The SAFEGUARDS Act ends a years-long diversion of revenues from the Passenger Security Fee (PSF) and directs those funds to aviation and airport security, as intended.
After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the PSF, a $5.60 charge per one-way ticket, was established to fund aviation security. However, since 2014, more than $13 billion of the revenue from those fees has been diverted for non-security purposes. This legislation ends that diversion and invests the revenues from those fees back into airport security. As the volume of air travel continues to reach record highs, serious investments in security technology are essential to keep travelers safe and alleviate congestion in airport security lines.
The SAFEGUARDS Act allocates the first $500 million in PSF revenue annually for checked bag explosive detection systems (EDS) and the next $250 million for checkpoint technology improvements, including at exit lanes. As chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation, I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this legislation and support critical investments in aviation security.
You can learn more about this legislation in Reuters here.
Increasing VA Benefits
This week, I introduced legislation with Sen. Blumenthal to make certain the rate of disability compensation and other financial benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans and military survivors keeps pace with rising costs and inflation. The Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment of 2025 (COLA) Act increases certain VA benefits for surviving spouses and children to reflect the reality of increases in the everyday cost of living.
These adjustments will help the VA support veterans living with a disability, as well as their dependents and survivors, by keeping pace with inflation and Social Security benefit increases to provide veterans and their families with the financial stability they deserve. You can learn more about this legislation here.
Streamlining Rural Housing Regulations
I joined Sens. Ricketts, Gallego and Shaheen in introducing legislation to better align regulations for rural housing projects. When a developer uses funds from both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, they are often required to complete nearly identical forms and assessments for both agencies. Ending this duplicative practice by aligning environmental and inspection standards will make it simpler and less expensive to build affordable rural housing. Kansans across the state need more options for housing, and this bipartisan bill will help eliminate barriers that make building homes more difficult.
Protecting State and Local Judges
This week, I joined my colleagues in reintroducing the bipartisan Countering Threats and Attacks on Our Judges Act. The bill would establish a State Judicial Threat Intelligence and Resource Center to provide technical assistance, training and threat monitoring for state and local judges and court personnel. Our judges in Kansas perform critical community service at every level of our justice system. Regardless of how a judge rules on a case, any form of harassment or intimidation is unacceptable. This legislation would provide the necessary resources and support to local law enforcement tasked with protecting judges and courthouses.
Meeting with Amtrak President Roger Harris
On Tuesday, I met with Amtrak President Roger Harris to discuss Amtrak's operations and Kansas’ efforts to extend the Heartland Flyer route, which currently connects Forth Worth with Oklahoma City, north to Newton where it will connect with the Southwest Chief line. Mr. Harris and I also discussed Amtrak and the administration’s broader efforts to invest more in the National Network, beyond the Northeast Corridor, to introduce the benefits of passenger rail to a broader user base.
As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, which provides federal funds to Amtrak, I supported and secured federal funding for the National Network. I look forward to working with Mr. Harris and with the administration to identify additional opportunities to grow Amtrak’s service in Kansas.
Meeting with Acting Commander of Army Materiel Command
On Thursday, I met with Lieutenant General Christopher Mohan, the acting commander of Army Materiel Command (AMC), located in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. We discussed his recent visits to the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) in Wichita and AMC’s efforts to leverage some of the advanced manufacturing technologies that NIAR affords the Department of Defense. The growing partnership between AMC and NIAR is an important one, and I look forward to supporting their vital work to make certain the Army remains the world’s most lethal land force.
Resuming Federal Grant Disbursement
This week, the U.S. Department of Education (DoE) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began distributing federal grants previously frozen by the administration. The Volunteer Fire Assistance grant provided by USDA goes to local volunteer fire departments to purchase equipment and protective gear and to provide training to better prepare for and respond to wildland fires. DoE’s 21st Century Learning Center grants fund afterschool programs, such as local Boys and Girls Clubs, in Kansas and across the country. I advocated for the unfreezing of these federal funds, and the administration has acknowledged my concerns by unfreezing these funds that positively impact our Kansas communities.
Disaster Relief Declaration Approved for Kansas
This week, President Trump granted a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Kansas. I joined my Kansas colleagues in requesting that he grant this disaster declaration which will allow for the release of funding to support communities impacted by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred throughout our state between May 18-19, 2025. This critical funding will support our resilient communities in rebuilding buildings and restoring emergency management functions. I will continue to advocate for Kansas to make certain that sufficient resources are made available to support our local communities.
Meeting with Kansans
Kansas 2024 Harry S. Truman Scholar Adelaide Easter
This week, I met with Adelaide Easter of Salina, who was previously an intern in my Washington, D.C. office. Adelaide recently graduated from Kansas State University and is spending the summer in D.C. as part of the Truman Foundation’s Summer Institute Program, where she has been interning with a local nonprofit and meeting with policymakers. Thank you to Adelaide for her continued commitment to public service.
Visits Across Kansas
Wamego Telecommunications Company
This week, I toured the Wamego Telecommunications Company (WTC) facility in Wamego. While there, I met with WTC CEO Jeff Wick and Manhattan Market Manager Jeff Sackrider to discuss how WTC is working to advance communications technology and provide Kansas communities with higher speed broadband services. Thank you to Jeff Wick and Jeff Sackrider for providing the tour and for their continued investment in Kansas.
Community HealthCare System of Northeast Kansas
On Friday, I toured the Community HealthCare System of NE Kansas in Onaga. During my tour, I learned more about the services they provide and their commitment to administering quality health care to rural communities. Thank you to CEO John Fitzthum for taking the time to show me around.
AdventHealth Lenexa City Center
Before traveling to D.C. on Monday, I toured the new AdventHealth Lenexa City Center. AdventHealth Lenexa City Center opened its doors for patient care on July 15, 2025, and is the first inpatient hospital in Lenexa. I look forward to supporting them as they serve Kansans in Lenexa and surrounding communities.
Remembering Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Deputy Elijah Ming
On Saturday, July 26, Kansas lost one of their finest, Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Deputy Elijah Ming, in the line of duty. My prayers continue to be with his family and the Wyandotte County community as they mourn this loss.
You can read more about Deputy Ming's life in WDAF here.
Now Accepting 2025 Service Academy Applications
Applications are now open for students to apply to a United States Service Academy for the Class of 2030. One of my favorite duties as a U.S. Senator is appointing Kansans to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.
For the list of requirements and to apply, you can visit my website here. All application materials are due to my Olathe office by Friday, October 4, 2025. After applications have been reviewed, applicants will be notified of interviews with my Service Academy Selection Board.
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
My email address is only equipped to send messages. I encourage you to send me a message through my website: www.moran.senate.gov. To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please click here.
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