Kansas Common Sense July 14, 2025

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 Vietnam War Dustoff Pilot from Kansas 
On Tuesday, I was honored to present Kansan Chief Warrant Officer Chris Crowley of Leawood with an interim Congressional Gold Medal for his service in the Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War. Mr. Crowley enlisted in the United States Army to serve as a Dustoff pilot in 1967. The Dustoff crew, during the Vietnam War, staffed with a pilot, a crew chief and medic, would conduct perilous rescue missions of wounded civilians and soldiers. Many of these missions were executed during the fiercest parts of the battle, in uneven terrain, in complete darkness and bad weather.

I cosponsored the Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act when it was first introduced in Congress in 2023. I am thankful for the heroic actions made by the Dustoff crew, including Mr. Crowley, who fulfilled his servicemember oath of “no man left behind.” Thank you to VFW Post 7397 Commander Cheyne Worley and the Crowley family for the invitation, and thank you Mr. Crowley for the courageous sacrifices you have made for this country.

Hearing from Advocates on Type 1 Diabetes Research
On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Appropriations held a hearing focused on accelerating breakthroughs and finding a cure for type 1 diabetes. Panelists at the hearing included Children’s Congress advocates and the Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the institute at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) which is responsible for research into type 1 diabetes. The panelists shared their stories, the challenges faced by individuals with type 1 diabetes and the breakthroughs we have seen in the past decades that improve the quality of life for the type 1 diabetes community. In my role on the Appropriations Committee, I support federal investment in the Special Diabetes Program and the NIH, with the goal of finding a cure for type 1 diabetes.

You can watch my discussion with the witness panel here.

Questioning Department of Commerce Nominees
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation convened a hearing this week to consider the nomination of Dr. Neil Jacobs to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA). During the hearing, I questioned the nominee on the importance of fully staffing the National Weather Service (NWS)’s Weather Forecasting Offices (WFOs) and the widespread adoption of improved weather prediction technologies, including in rural and underserved communities. I also asked him about NOAA’s radar infrastructure and Hurricane Hunter fleet and the importance of receiving timely budgetary updates and other data from federal agencies.

After learning that a federal hiring freeze had resulted in understaffing at several NWS WFOs, including in Goodland, I introduced legislation that would exempt certain safety-critical NWS employees from federal hiring freezes. I also worked with the Department of Commerce and the Office of Personnel Management to secure an exemption for these employees. I will continue to work to make certain these offices are fully staffed to meet the pressing needs of the communities they serve, and I look forward to working with Dr. Jacobs, if confirmed, to support NOAA’s mission and make certain Americans are safe and informed.

You can watch my questioning here.

Speaking on Ukraine’s Fight Against Russian Aggression
On Wednesday, I spoke on the Senate floor on the importance of continuing support for Ukraine following President Trump’s commitment to resume the shipment of congressionally-authorized resources to aid the people of Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression.

I was pleased when the President announced his administration will resume sending defensive weapons to Ukraine. This commitment is critical to making certain Ukraine has the capabilities it needs to protect its people and its territory against ongoing aggression. America’s security is closely linked to the stability of the free world. If Ukraine fails to repel Russia’s invasion, the consequences will extend far beyond Eastern Europe, threatening the safety, economic strength and global leadership of the United States.

The U.S. must continue our resolute support for Ukraine, showing our adversaries that we are a reliable partner and that attacks on democracy will not go unanswered.

You can watch my full remarks here.

Discussing Improvements to Irwin Army Community Hospital Services at Fort Riley
This week, with Sen. Roger Marshall and Rep. Derek Schmidt, I hosted the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (DHA), Dr. Stephen Ferrera, and the acting Defense Health Agency Director, Dr. David Smith, to discuss opportunities to sustain services at the Irwin Army Community Hospital (IACH) on Fort Riley. The current facility opened its doors in October 2016 and is one of the nation’s premier military hospitals. It is in the best interest of the Fort Riley community, military medical community, veterans, servicemembers and their families that the hospital maintains its full suite of inpatient and outpatient capacity. During our meeting, we discussed opportunities to increase the utility of the hospital by expanding inpatient access to greater segments of the veteran community. I will continue to work towards a solution that supports the beneficiaries of our veteran and military health systems. I am thankful for DHA’s engagement on this crucial issue, and I look forward to reaching a solution that maintains the critical inpatient services provided by IACH.

Introducing Legislation to Expand Defense Community Partnerships
This week, I introduced legislation that would expand the ability of military installations to partner with their local communities. Current law limits the use of Intergovernmental Service Agreements (IGSA) through certain funds and does not allow for inter-agency collaboration on agreements with the surrounding community. This legislation would expand the scope of IGSAs, saving taxpayer money while enabling military communities and installations to increase investment in one another. Fort Riley recently entered into an IGSA with a local school district on two major barracks renovation projects. The partnership saved the Army roughly 50% on project costs, delivered over 80% procurement time savings, stabilized the contract workforce supporting the Geary County Schools and invested more than $14 million in funds back into the school district, which invests significantly in our military families.

Fort Riley’s innovative use of the IGSA program highlights the value that military communities can bring to our men and women in uniform, and we should do everything possible to expand this collaboration. As the co-chair of the Senate Defense Communities Caucus and a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to work to make certain that our installations and their surrounding communities have the resources and authorities necessary to support one another in their shared mission.

Confirming Bryan Bedford as FAA Administrator
On Thursday, I voted to confirm Bryan Bedford to be the next Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator. In this role, Administrator Bedford is tasked with executing critical aviation safety reforms and administering funding approved as part of the budget reconciliation process to modernize America’s aging Air Traffic Control systems, implementing the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and, most importantly, ensuring the safety of the flying public.

I appreciate Administrator Bedford’s dedication to addressing the significant challenges facing the FAA and America’s aviation industry, and I look forward to working with him to solidify and advance American leadership in aviation and air safety. Congratulations to Administrator Bedford on his confirmation.

Meeting with Kansas Motor Carriers Association
On Wednesday, I met with members of the Kansas Motor Carriers Association to discuss their priorities for the commercial trucking industry, including workforce development, workplace safety and cargo theft prevention. As a senior member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, which authorizes the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the federal agency responsible for regulating motor carriers, and as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, I will continue to support America’s trucking industry, which provides essential supply chain stability and moves goods to and from the smallest rural markets to the largest urban centers of commerce. Thank you to the Kansans who took the time to visit with me on these important topics.

Visiting Kansas Hospitals
Community Memorial Healthcare
On Friday, I traveled to Marysville to tour the Community Memorial Healthcare facility. I appreciated hearing from President and CEO Curtis Hawkinson on how Community Memorial Healthcare is continuing to provide quality health care to the Marshall County community. Thank you to Marysville Mayor Todd Frye, City Administrator Josh Haverkamp, Executive Director of One Marysville, Wayne Kruse and Don and Paula Landoll for joining me during my visit.

Washington County Hospital
Later on Friday, I visited Washington County Hospital in Washington. During my visit, I learned more about how the hospital has enhanced its health care services and saw firsthand Washington County Hospital’s commitment to serving the community. Thank you to CEO Roxanne Schottel and all those who met with me during my tour.

Community Visit to Barnes
This week, I also had the opportunity to visit Union State Bank and Hometown Café in Barnes. I appreciate the Kansans who took the time to speak with me and update me on what is happening in their local community.

Visiting with Kansans in Washington, D.C.
I visited with a group of Kansans before they received a tour of the U.S. Capitol. Thank you to Ricky and Leta Deines of WaKeeney, as well as Sally Standard, Lincoln McEntarfer and Leah McEntarfer of Overland Park 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.

Now Open: Applications for USDA Disaster Relief Program
Farmers who experienced crop losses due to weather or natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 are now able to apply for the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP). This program will issue supplemental payments for farmers who have crop insurance or participate in the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Producers with uncovered or shallow losses will be able to participate in the program this fall.

For the past few years, depressed commodity prices and weather events have threatened the livelihood of the agriculture industry in Kansas and across the country. I appreciate the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s commitment to providing relief for farm country through funding I worked to secure.

To streamline the delivery of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program, USDA is sending pre-filled applications to producers. Producers do not have to wait for their pre-filled application to apply and can visit their local Farm Service Agency office.

More information on the SDRP can be found here.

Small Business Administration Disaster Relief Assistance
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering assistance for Kansans impacted by the severe weather and flooding in Butler County and surrounding counties on June 3-7, 2025. Businesses, homeowners, renters and private nonprofit organizations are eligible. SBA assistance includes low-interest loans, losses not covered by insurance, help with business operating expenses and funding for mitigation projects. SBA has in-person disaster loan outreach centers in Butler and Sedgwick counties that are currently open and available to help.

For more information about the Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Butler County or to apply for assistance online, click here.

Butler County
Butler County Historic Courthouse
1st floor – former driver’s license room
205 W. Central Ave
El Dorado, KS 67042

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM. The center closes on Thursday, July 24, 2025.

Sedgwick County
Sedgwick County Register of Deeds
Ruffin Building
100 N. Broadway, Suite 105
Wichita, KS 67202

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM. The center closes on Thursday, July 17, 2025.

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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