Jerry Moran: Kansas Common Sense

Hello,

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.

Honoring NW Kansas First Responders for Life-Saving Response to I-70 Tragedy
This past March, a dust storm caused a massive pile-up of more than 70 vehicles between Goodland and Colby on I-70. Tragically, eight people were killed. This week, we honored the first responders, hospital staff and law enforcement departments from Goodland and Colby by presenting them with copies of the Congressional Record recognizing their quick and strategic actions to rescue victims and get them the help they needed. 

Their actions saved many lives, and I am grateful to them for their service to Kansans in their time of need. In particular, I want to thank members of the Thomas County EMS, who answered a service call during the event and had to leave early, underscoring their commitment to serving their communities.

Touring Citizens Medical Center Site in Colby
Following the ceremony honoring Colby first responders, Citizens Medical Center CEO David McCorkle and his staff provided me a tour of the future site of the Citizens Medical Center. I attended the groundbreaking ceremony for this new facility in 2022, and I appreciated seeing the progress being made toward its completion by the end of this year.

Introducing Legislation to Bolster the Conservation Reserve Program
I joined Sens. Thune, Klobuchar and Smith in introducing the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Improvement and Flexibility Act. Administered by the Farm Service Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), CRP has proven to be an effective tool for improving wildlife habitat, water quality and soil health on private lands through voluntary conservation efforts. This legislation seeks to bolster CRP by improving access to grazing, maximizing enrollment options for producers and expediting emergency haying in response to drought and other weather-related disaster events. This bill would also provide greater flexibility for producers to improve their economic stability while conserving agricultural land and wildlife habitat for future generations to benefit from and enjoy.

Commending Progress at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) recently announced that it will not secure water rights for the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in 2026. I met with FWS Administrator Brian Nesvik and emphasized the need for long-term solutions led by stakeholders at the local level, and I am pleased by the recognition of the progress that is being made. I have been a longtime advocate for the creation of the Rattlesnake Creek Stakeholder Working Group to find voluntary solutions, and their progress has helped lead to this positive decision. I am encouraging FWS to continue working closely with Kansas producers toward a sustainable future for the watershed, agriculture and wildlife refuge.

Removing Lesser Prairie-Chicken from Endangered Status
A recent ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas removed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) 2022 listing of the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act. The decision to list the lesser prairie-chicken as an endangered and threatened species three years ago, despite voluntary efforts by landowners to protect the bird’s habitat, put burdensome regulations on Kansas producers. The court’s ruling to remove the listing is an encouraging step forward, and I will continue to support local efforts to promote voluntary solutions that will protect the habitat of the lesser prairie-chicken without placing unnecessary burdens on our agricultural community.

Supporting Disaster Declaration for Kansas Following Severe Storms
On Friday, I led the Kansas delegation in supporting Governor Laura Kelly’s request to the White House for a major disaster declaration. This request comes following severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred in our state from June 3 through June 7, 2025. As our state experiences natural disasters, especially during the summer months, it is imperative that sufficient resources are provided in support of restoration efforts. I am committed to making certain Kansas communities have the resources needed to rebuild, and I thank my fellow Kansas colleagues for their support of this effort.

You can read the full letter here.

Touring Kansas Hospitals
Smith County Memorial Hospital
On Tuesday, I toured Smith County Memorial Hospital. I appreciated learning about the life-saving services they provide to communities and how they continue to care for rural Kansans. Thank you to CEO Sarah Ragsdale for hosting me.

Norton County Hospital
Later on Tuesday, I visited Norton for a tour of Norton County Hospital. During my visit, I met with staff to discuss their work to provide quality care to the community and my efforts to secure federal resources for rural health care facilities. Thank you to CEO Kevin Faughnder, CFO ReChelle Horinek and Chief Nursing Officer Sarah Mohr for hosting me. I also appreciated meeting Kayla Peterson, the new Norton Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, and Chamber Economic Development Director Dallas Gosselin.

Visits Across Kansas
Viega Manufacturing
On Monday, I toured the Viega manufacturing facility in McPherson. Director of Metals Manufacturing Jordan Rose provided me a tour of the facility, and we discussed the importance of expanding global exports of U.S. products to maintain our country’s position as a global market leader. I appreciate Viega’s continued investment in the McPherson community, and their focus on producing high-quality, U.S.-made plumbing technology and bolstering the workforce talent in Kansas.

MKC Agricultural Services
Later on Monday, I stopped by Mid Kansas Cooperative (MKC)’s Sterling location and toured their facility. MKC is a full-service, farmer-owned cooperative serving agricultural producers in Kansas and the surrounding states. I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about how MKC provides supplies and services for grain, agronomy, feed and more. Thank you to the MKC staff for hosting me.

Rice County Commissioners Meeting
I met with local leaders at the Rice County Commissioners meeting in Lyons this week. I appreciated hearing updates from Rice County EMS and Rice County Health Department on their efforts to provide care and support for Kansans in their community. Thank you to the Rice County community for welcoming me.

Sterling Rotary Club
This week, I traveled to Sterling to meet with members of the local Sterling Rotary Club. I enjoyed learning about the recent volunteer work that members of the Rotary Club have accomplished for the Sterling community. Thank you to Rotary Club President Hunter Morgan for hosting me.

Jewell Community
On Tuesday, I stopped by Jewell to meet with members of the community. While there, I visited Jewell Implement and appreciated learning more about their work to support the agricultural community by providing new and pre-owned agricultural equipment. I also made stops at City Hall, Guaranty State Bank, Bohnert Welding and City Park. Thank you to all those who took the time to visit with me.

Oakley Community
I traveled to Oakley to visit with folks in the community on Wednesday. During my visit, I stopped by the Logan County Courthouse and Logan County Hospital. I also made stops at Jamboree Grocery and Mitten’s Truck Plaza. Thank you to the Oakley community for the conversations.

Brewster Community
After visiting Oakley, I stopped by Brewster to meet with community members. While in Brewster, I visited Farmers Bank and Trust, S&T Communications, WCC Certified Public Accountants and Frontier Ag. I also stopped by the local post office and the Brewster Senior Center. Thank you to everyone who met with me during my visit.

Remembering NASA Astronaut and Navy Veteran Jim Lovell
NASA astronaut and Navy veteran Jim Lovell was an American hero. Jim and I met at the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson for the 50th anniversary celebration of the Apollo 8 mission. He was one of the astronauts who made the historic 10-orbit journey around the moon on Apollo 8. Jim was also part of the crews for Apollo 1 and 13, as well as Gemini 7 and 12. He dedicated his life to serving his country, and his contributions helped pave the way for America’s leadership in space exploration. My prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

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