Tracey Mann: Fellow Kansan
Fellow Kansan,
Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter. The U.S. House of Representatives is back in session for another week of votes, committee hearings, and floor activity. For more information on what I'm working on this week, be sure to follow me on social media.
I do not serve in Congress to be a caretaker in the slow demise of America— I serve to fight and work to make it stronger. That’s what I am doing while believing our brightest days are yet to come.
Yours in service,
Tracey Mann
The Week Ahead
It’s already proved to be a busy start to the week in Washington, D.C.. This morning, I attended a House Agriculture Committee hearing on innovation in crop production. I’ll participate in another House Agriculture Committee hearing tomorrow morning to examine the impacts of California’s Proposition 12 on livestock producers and interstate commerce. While states have the right to govern affairs within their borders, California’s unscientific, overreaching proposition threatens the livelihoods of American hog farmers nationwide and sets a terrible precedent for interstate commerce. I look forward to hearing from tomorrow’s witnesses and coming up with a legislative fix to ensure our producers can stay competitive.
Meetings in the Office
Adelaide Foster
Farm Journal Foundation
National Beef
Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities
Strengthening American Food Security
Last week, I took to the House floor to emphasize the urgent need for Congress to pass a fiscally conservative, five-year Farm Bill that invests in agricultural research and disease prevention. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivered long-overdue relief for farmers, but we must keep our foot on the gas.
The Big First is home to some of the nation’s crown jewels in the animal health corridor: Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, and the Biosecurity Research Institute. These institutions lead the way in protecting our food supply and national security. We cannot afford to wait until the next outbreak. Let’s get this Farm Bill done right.
Securing our Border
Border security is national security, and the latest data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows President Trump's success in securing the southern border and keeping American communities safe. In June, the U.S. Border Patrol recorded just 6,072 apprehensions along the southwest border, a historic low, and for the second month in a row, zero illegal immigrants were released into the interior of our country. CBP also seized over 700 pounds of fentanyl, with meth, heroin, and cocaine seizures all increasing as cartel activity is aggressively targeted. I remain committed to supporting strong enforcement and proven policies that secure the border and defend the rule of law.
Investing in Animal Disease Prevention
The Big First is home to crown jewels of the animal health corridor, including Kansas State’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, which work to prevent disease outbreaks and proactively protect America’s food supply. I chaired a hearing for the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry to spotlight the crucial work of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and the importance of investing in the three-legged stool that protects our food supply chain from foreign animal disease outbreaks.
These labs are our nation’s first line of defense against diseases like Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, African Swine Fever, and New World Screwworm.
During the hearing, I emphasized how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivered historic investments into animal health research, giving labs like these the tools they need to detect, contain, and stop outbreaks before they happen. I’ll continue to advocate for adequate investments into disease prevention and animal health research as Congress develops our next iteration of a Farm Bill.
Honoring a Kansas Ag Hero
During the month of June, wheat farmers around our state were hard at work harvesting their grain. In honor of harvest, I recognized Lisa Schemm of Sharon Springs as our Kansas Ag Hero for the month. Lisa farms alongside her husband, David, and their son, Clay, representing the fourth and fifth generations to work their family’s land. Through drought, low prices, and long harvest days, Lisa leads with faith, strength, and hope, especially as her family honors the legacy of her late son Luke each season.
Lisa’s dedication to agriculture goes beyond her farm. She is a member of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership Class XVII and a powerful voice for producers across our state. Her story is one of resilience, service, and unwavering love for her family, her faith, and Kansas agriculture. Thank you, Lisa, for your leadership and the example you set for the Big First.
Lisa Schemm's Story
Saving American Taxpayers $9 Billion
I voted to pass the Rescissions Act of 2025, legislation that claws back $9 billion in wasteful, fraudulent, and abusive federal spending. President Trump ran on a promise to secure the border, lower taxes, and uproot reckless spending—and that’s exactly what this bill does.
For years, President Obama and President Biden talked about reducing our debt while pushing higher taxes on hardworking Americans. I was proud to support President Trump's efforts to stop the highway robbery of sending billions of taxpayer dollars overseas for programs like electric buses in Rwanda and voter education in Kenya. Kansas families work too hard to see their money wasted. Responsibly stewarding American tax dollars and restoring fiscal sanity in Washington is long overdue, and I was proud to support it.
Saving Kansan Tax Dollars
Discussing Aviation with Secretary Duffy
I questioned Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy during a House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee hearing about the Trump Administration’s efforts to improve efficiency, accountability, and innovation in our national transportation system. As someone who represents 60 rural counties in Kansas, I emphasized the importance of reliable infrastructure, from roads and rail to aviation and cargo.
I also highlighted Kansas’ role as home to the Air Capital of the World, where aviation manufacturing drives more than $20 billion in economic activity. Secretary Duffy and I discussed the FAA’s modernization efforts and the need for a strong U.S. aviation presence abroad to protect our export markets and keep America at the forefront of global aviation.
Questioning the DOT Secretary
Listening to Kansans' Voices
On Wednesday I hosted a telephone town hall to hear directly from Kansans in the Big First District about what was on their minds. It was great to hear your thoughts on border security and the One Big Beautiful Bill, and I enjoyed giving an update on what is happening in Washington. I hope you were one of the 4,516 Kansans who were able to tune in and be part of the conversation!
Investing in Military Families and National Security
I voted to advance the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act, which affirms President Trump’s commitment to peace through strength and gives our military the tools needed to keep our country safe. The bill includes a 3.8% pay increase for all service members, improves quality of life and readiness, and makes critical investments in our defense capabilities.
It also strengthens our national security by funding counter-drug operations, supporting the Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Program, and prohibiting taxpayer dollars from being used on abortion-related travel, drag shows, or COVID mandates. I will always back the brave men and women who serve our nation. God bless America and God bless our troops.
2026 Defense Appropriations
Cutting Red Tape for Veteran Families
I’m proud to cosponsor the Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act to ensure our nation’s heroes are laid to rest without unnecessary bureaucratic delays. This bill would require the VA to certify a veteran’s death within 48 hours of notification, allow local officials to step in if the deadline is missed, and direct the VA Secretary to report to Congress on delays. Families shouldn’t be forced to wait weeks for closure because of red tape. They deserve timely answers and a system that honors their loved ones with efficiency and care.
Meetings of the Week
Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with local leaders, educators, and ag producers both in Kansas and in Washington. We had important conversations about public safety, special education, and the future of Kansas agriculture. I’m grateful for the chance to hear directly from the people working every day to strengthen our rural communities, and I’ll always take your perspectives with me to the halls of Congress.
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