Jerry Moran: Kansas Common Sense
August 4, 2025
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Six-Month Anniversary Since the DCA Crash
Receiving National Transportation Safety Board Briefing
On Tuesday, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy briefed my colleagues and me on the status of the NTSB’s investigation into the tragic midair collision of American Airlines Flight 5342 with a U.S. Army Black Hawk just over six months ago near Ronald Reagan National Airport. As Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation, I have met regularly with Army and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) leadership, received updates from the NTSB and listened to the family members of the victims of this devastating crash.
Chairwoman Homendy’s briefing came the day before the NTSB began a three-day investigative hearing on the collision to gather information that will support the NTSB’s completion of the investigation, determination of probable cause and further recommendations to improve air safety.
Introducing ROTOR Act
Later on Tuesday, I joined my colleagues in introducing the ROTOR Act. As chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation, I joined Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) at a press conference announcing the legislation with family members of the DCA crash victims, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, NTSB Chairwoman Homendy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford.
The ROTOR Act would require the installation and use of broadcast technologies, known as ADS-B Out, for aircraft operating in busy airspaces, and would close an FAA loophole that allowed Army aircraft to fly without transmitting this safety-critical technology. The bill would also require the FAA to review helicopter routes near airports, direct the Army Office of Inspector General to initiate a safety coordination audit and initiate an FAA study on dynamic restricted areas for helicopters operating near airports.
You can watch my remarks at Tuesday’s press conference here.
Response to Three-day Investigate Hearing
While there is no single factor that led to the crash on January 29, it is alarming that FAA failed to act on years of data and near misses indicating serious problems with the design of the mixed airspace around DCA. The FAA blamed their inaction on bureaucracy but did not take action to try and alleviate the bureaucratic roadblocks within the agency. That is no excuse.
The NTSB uncovered long-term staffing issues at the control tower that were compounded by a culture of distrust among DCA air traffic controllers and a toleration for unacceptable risks; found inaccurate altitude readings on the helicopter; and discovered the ADS-B Out technology was not transmitting on the Blackhawk likely due to faulty equipment that the Army failed to identify and has now been found to be an issue on numerous other Army helicopters as well.
Despite numerous warnings signs of serious problems over the last several years, little was done to try and correct them, and these failures by the FAA, the Army and air traffic control cost 67 lives. I know the last few days were painful for the families of the victims, and I assure them that Congress will not let these failures go unanswered. We cannot undo the tragic loss of life, but we can work to make certain it never happens again.
Calling on Congress to Pass Funding Bills
On Thursday evening, I spoke on the Senate floor on the importance of the Senate appropriations process and the need for a bipartisan effort for Congress to do its job and fund the government. Last year, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed 11 appropriations bills, and Sen. Schumer chose to not bring a single one to the Senate floor for a vote. As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, I worked with my colleagues to craft a bipartisan bill that supports law enforcement, funds NASA’s Artemis program, invests in critical scientific research to help us compete with China and makes targeted reductions in spending.
Now, the entire FY2026 CJS Appropriations Act is being delayed over a disagreement on where the FBI headquarters should be located. It is not within the jurisdiction of the CJS subcommittee to make that decision, and this delay is significantly harming bipartisan efforts to fund important federal programs. I went to the Senate floor twice this week to ask for unanimous consent to adopt language that would allow the Senate to include the CJS bill in a larger funding package, but both times this effort was blocked despite the bill having bipartisan support.
It is imperative that Congress funds the government, and I am committed to bringing this bill to the Senate floor for debate.
You can watch my full remarks on the Senate floor here.
Questioning USDA Deputy Secretary on Reorganization Plan
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry held a hearing this week on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) recently announced reorganization plan that would relocate USDA employees from Washington, D.C. to new locations across the country, including Kansas City, Missouri. Following the COVID pandemic, overused work-from-home policies led to many USDA offices sitting mostly vacant. I emphasized to USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden the importance of employees returning to in-person work and bringing federal employees closer to the taxpayers they serve. We also discussed the importance of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, and making certain it has the people and resources needed for its mission. I look forward to further discussions with USDA on how we can bring talent to our state and the Kansas City region while bolstering the department’s ability to serve farmers and ranchers.
Honoring Fallen Kansas Law Enforcement Officers
Introducing Senate Resolutions
This week, Senator Marshall and I introduced Senate resolutions to honor the lives of two fallen Kansas law enforcement officers lost this year: Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Gaede of the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office and Deputy Sheriff Elijah Ming of the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office. These brave heroes made the ultimate sacrifice to protect their communities. While we can never repay them, we do have a responsibility to make certain their legacies of service are not forgotten. Robba and I offer our prayers and condolences to their loved ones in their time of loss.
Offering Condolences to Wyandotte County Sheriff
On Monday before traveling to Washington, D.C., I met with Wyandotte County Sheriff Dan Soptic to offer my condolences on the passing of Deputy Sheriff Elijah Ming. Officer Ming was shot and killed in the line of duty while responding to a civil disturbance call. Sheriff Soptic praised Deputy Ming’s dedication to the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office and the community he served. My prayers continue to be with the family, friends and loved ones of Deputy Ming and the entire Wyandotte County community during this difficult time.
Confirming VA Under Secretary of Memorial Affairs
This week, I spoke on the Senate floor in support of retired Army Captain Sam Brown to be Under Secretary of Memorial Affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Captain Brown is a West Point graduate, Afghanistan combat veteran, husband and father of three. During his testimony before the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs earlier this year, he spoke about his military service and how his experience sustaining severe burns in Afghanistan will inform his work as Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs. Captain Brown is well prepared to lead the National Cemetery Administration in honoring and remembering our nation’s heroes. I am grateful to him for his service, sacrifice and willingness to continue serving our country in this new capacity, and I congratulate him on his confirmation.
You can watch my floor remarks here.
Meeting with Nominee for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
This week, I met with Mr. Keith Bass, nominee to be the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. During our meeting, we discussed the Irwin Army Community Hospital (IACH) at Fort Riley and the Defense Health Agency (DHA)’s consideration to downgrade the facility.
Current law allows for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to downgrade the scope of a military medical treatment facility if the facility volume does not justify the capacity, and if the surrounding community can absorb the capacity. I included language in this year’s defense appropriations bill to add additional restrictions to DHA’s ability to modify the scope of facilities, which passed committee this week.
I am thankful to Mr. Bass for taking the time to visit with me and discuss opportunities to support IACH and the DoD healthcare system more broadly. I look forward to working with him, if confirmed, in this critical capacity to make certain that servicemembers, their families and other beneficiaries are receiving the care and training necessary through DHA.
Receiving Update from DEA Administrator Terry Cole
On Thursday, I met with the newly confirmed Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Terry Cole. During our meeting, we discussed the challenges faced everyday by the brave men and women of the DEA. Administrator Cole shared with me about case developments that highlight the impact that DEA has in dismantling international drug trafficking organizations and how the transnational criminal organizations prey on the citizens of the U.S. As chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, I look forward to working with Administrator Cole to make certain the DEA is adequately funded so its federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners can continue to keep our communities safe from the illicit drugs peddled by the cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
Supporting Critical Scientific Research Funding
This week, I joined my colleagues in urging Director Vought at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to fully implement the funds that Congress appropriated for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for this fiscal year. Robust funding for the NIH is critical to supporting cutting-edge biomedical research and addressing health challenges facing Americans. After receiving this letter, OMB released the remainder of NIH’s funding for this fiscal year to be disbursed. On Thursday, the Senate Committee on Appropriations passed, with my support, legislation to increase funding for the NIH for the next fiscal year. I will continue to support the NIH and its mission of scientific research to improve lives for Kansans and all Americans.
Supporting Our Nation’s Veterans
Passing Legislation Out of Committee
On Wednesday, I led a Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs markup of 24 pieces of legislation that would improve the lives of veterans, caregivers and survivors across the country. Of the bills that passed, several were key legislative priorities of mine, including the Veterans’ ACCESS Act, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act and the HOPE for Heroes Act. The ACCESS Act would empower veterans with greater flexibility and control over when, where and how to use their VA healthcare benefits, along with providing life-saving support to veterans struggling with mental health conditions and addiction. I am grateful to all the sponsors of these bills for their work on these proposals, and to the VA and our veteran service organization partners for their support in achieving their passage out of committee.
You can learn more about the legislation that passed out of committee here.
VA Home Loan Reform Signed Into Law
This week, President Trump signed into law the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, a bill I championed as chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. This legislation would help an estimated 20,000 veteran homeowners nationwide who are behind on their mortgage payments avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes. The establishment of this program will bring greater consistency between the VA Loan Guaranty program and the home loan programs provided by the Federal Housing Administration and USDA. I am pleased that President Trump has signed this legislation into law, and I am grateful to my colleagues from the House and Senate for their continued work to make certain that no veteran falls through the cracks.
You can learn more about the legislation here.
Honoring Gene Merry of Burlington
This week, I spoke on the Senate floor to pay tribute to a remarkable Kansan and longtime resident of Burlington, Kansas, for his contributions to the community and his leadership. Gene dedicated decades of public service as the mayor of Burlington and spent 12 years as a Coffey County commissioner. Over his more than 40 years in the community, Gene restored 26 homes, cleared over 100 lots, and revitalized 28 downtown buildings. His commitment and service have made him a beloved figure among his neighbors, and he will be greatly missed as he embarks on a new chapter with his wife, Linda, in Salina.
Although Gene is leaving Burlington, his legacy will live on in the hearts of those he touched. Thank you, Gene, for your servant leadership.
Watch my full remarks on the Senate floor here.
Global Business Travel Association’s 2025 Navigator Award
On Thursday, I received the 2025 Global Business Travel Association’s (GBTA) Navigator Award from GBTA Vice President for Government Relations Shane Downey. GBTA presents this award to two lawmakers championing business travel in the U.S. I am grateful to GBTA for its support for the Sustainable Aviation Caucus, which I co-founded, and for its continued support of efforts to increase domestic sustainable aviation fuel production. I will continue to work to bolster business travel in the U.S., particularly in the leadup to major global sporting events hosted in the U.S., like the World Cup and Olympics.
Touring Orange EV
This week, I joined Orange EV President Kurt Neutgen and his staff for a tour of their battery module plant in Kansas City, KS. During the tour, we discussed how the stability of legislative policy related to electric vehicles is critical to their business and ability to plan for the future. Orange EV employs 380 team members, has made a $30 million investment in their headquarters in Kansas and invests $40 million yearly in the Kansas City Metro area. Thank you to Kurt Neutgen and the Orange EV team for the invitation, and I look forward to Orange EV’s continued growth and contributions to the Wyandotte County Community.
Visiting with Kansans in Washington, D.C.
I appreciated visiting with a group of Kansans in my Washington, D.C., office before they received a tour of the U.S. Capitol. Thank you to Ervin and Kristin Underwood, their children, Aaron and Allison and Jada Eilert 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.
Celebrating National Intern Day
On July 31, our nation celebrated National Intern Day. Thank you to my D.C. office interns this summer – Chloe, Ellena, Evelynn, James, Josiah, Will, Cody and Ethan. I also appreciate the work of my state office interns – Kara, Kendall and Madison. Thank you to all of my summer interns for their hard work, dedication and service to Kansans. I wish them all the best as they continue their academic and professional careers.
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 Monday, September 8, 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
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