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I condemn the violence and destruction at the U.S. Capitol in the strongest possible terms. It is completely unacceptable and unpatriotic. This is a sad day for our nation and it is an unwelcome reminder that our democracy is fragile.
God Bless Capitol Police and our law enforcement officers. Please pray for our nation.
I spoke with veteran service organization leaders from across Kansas today, as well as veteran caregivers associated with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, to see how I can be of further help to Kansas veterans as chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. We discussed work they are currently doing to address mental health and suicide prevention for veterans in our communities and how my landmark mental health legislation that was recently signed into law will further benefit their work.
We also discussed further steps we can take to help servicemembers transition to civilian life. Connecting veterans with the VA directly after they separate from the military will help them receive the benefits and health care that they have earned, including mental health care and coverage for exposure to toxic substances. I appreciate the work these leaders undertake for our veterans each day and their insight on how we can better serve veterans in Congress. Thank you to everyone who joined the call and shared their thoughts and experiences.
VFW posts offer a place of community for veterans after returning home, and this post in Wichita has been helping veterans in Kansas for 100 years.
Recently, they have been offering free mental health clinics to area veterans and first responders, but due to COVID-19, they are at risk of shutting down. More on how to help ⤵️
Like many nonprofits, the post, which has been open since January 1920, is struggling this year due to the pandemic.
The bombing in Nashville on Christmas morning was an intentional act of evil. This afternoon, I spoke with ATF Special Agent in Charge of the Nashville Field Division to receive an update on their response and investigation. While much is still unknown, I trust that the ATF and FBI, as well as the state and local law enforcement, are working diligently to bring those responsible for this heinous act to justice.
The response and coordination by federal, state and local agencies, particularly on Christmas Day, has shown once again the sacrifice our nation’s law enforcement make to keep our communities safe. If not for the quick action by the Nashville Police Department the consequences may have been much worse. I would like to thank those who have responded to this incident, as well as all law enforcement professionals across this country, for putting the lives and safety of their fellow citizens first. As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that both our federal and state law enforcement agencies have the tools and resources they need.
The suspect allegedly behind the Christmas Day bombing in downtown Nashville has been identified as 63-year-old Anthony Quinn Warner, two law enforcement sources confirmed to Fox News.
Robba and I want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. This holiday season may look different for many of us, but as we celebrate this time of year, I encourage everyone to remember the better and brighter days to come.
During this season, I am thinking of the many men and women in uniform at home and abroad who are unable to be with their loved ones, and I am grateful for their dedicated service to their fellow Americans. I am also grateful for all of our essential health care workers on the frontlines of this pandemic working tirelessly to care for their fellow Kansans. As a nation, we are humbled by the sacrifices they make each and every day. We pray for your health and wellbeing, and wish you a Merry Christmas.
[Jesus Said]
Peace I leave with you;
my peace I give to you
...Do not let your hearts be troubled,
and do not let them be afraid.
John 14:27
“We’re going to be monitoring, encouraging, riding hard on the VA to make sure those vaccines are available to veterans across Kansas.”
Read more about my work as the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee chairman to get vaccines to Kansas VA facilities from KWCH 12 Eyewitness News ⤵️
Wednesday morning, the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center received its shipment of the Moderna vaccine. Sen. Jerry Moran was there to help unpack the doses.
First COVID-19 vaccines administered
First COVID-19 vaccines administered
Great to be with The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center today as they received their first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
As we approach Christmas, this vaccine is providing hope to veterans, those that care for them and their loved ones. Thank you to the VA staff members in Kansas and across the country that continue to care for our nation’s veterans each day throughout this pandemic and during this holiday season.
Incredible sight to see as the first shipment of the Moderna vaccine arrived at The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita this morning!
Dole VAMC will administer the 1,000 doses that arrived this morning (pictured here) to front-line workers and community living center residents by the end of this week.
As chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I am working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to secure vaccines for Kansas VA facilities, with three locations receiving vaccine shipments today: Wichita, Topeka and Leavenworth.
I also had the opportunity to see first-hand how the Dole VAMC is setting up their vaccination center for the benefit of patients and medical staff. I will continue to make certain that the VA has necessary resources to effectively administer the vaccine to our nation’s veterans and the staff that care for them. Thank you to director Candace Ifabiyi and her team, Associate Pharmacy Chief of Operations Scott Hood, Chief of Pharmacy Susan Duquaine, Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor Anna Johnson and Pharmacy TechnicianRachel Newby, for allowing me to be a part of this incredible moment and for all they are doing to help our veterans navigate the vaccination process.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak virtually with the Hays Rotary Club. We discussed the COVID-19 relief bill that passed through the House and Senate last night. While this targeted relief package should have been completed months ago, it will now help provide needed aid to small businesses, health care workers and families that have been hit hardest by this pandemic.
We also discussed the importance of rural broadband across the state, as access to high-speed internet in rural areas is critical to community health, especially as many Kansans have turned to teleworking throughout COVID-19. Thank you to Kay Werth for organizing this meeting and to all Rotarians who joined.
Last night, I spoke in memory of Gove County Sheriff Allan Weber on the U.S. Senate floor. Sheriff Weber served his community faithfully for over two decades, protecting and enforcing the rule of law.
In places like Gove County, the sheriff oftentimes wears multiple hats. Sheriff Weber was no exception: he also served his community as Public Information Officer and the Operations Center Community Liaison, as well as serving as Interim Sheriff in Sheridan County, making him sheriff of two counties at the same time, a first in Kansas history.
For those that knew Allan, it was clear that family meant everything to him. He worked hard and loved gently. Sheriff Webber will be missed by many, and Robba and I will continue to pray for his family and friends.
BREAKING: The Senate just passed a COVID-19 relief package to provide targeted federal relief during this ongoing pandemic.
Last week marked the beginning of our return to normal with the distribution of the first COVID-19 vaccines in Kansas and across the country. This was a historic moment as we work to end this pandemic, and today we are providing additional targeted relief to support front-line workers, schools and hospitals. This targeted relief package also includes additional funding for the successful Paycheck Protection Program, which will help keep small businesses open and employees on the payroll, and a second round of aid to families during the holiday season.
This targeted relief package should have been completed months ago, but ultimately I’m pleased that many of my priorities were included and that it provides necessary resources to continue manufacturing and distributing the vaccines to our communities.
To view more of my priorities included in this package, please click below.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today released the following statement after voting to pass the targeted COVID-19 relief package: “Last week marked the beginning of our return to normal with the distribution of the first COVID-19 vaccines in Kansas and across the country.....
As chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I’ve worked closely with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to make certain Kansas veterans have access to the COVID-19 vaccine. This morning, the VA announced 3 VA facilities in Kansas - Wichita, Topeka & Leavenworth - will receive the Moderna vaccine.
➡ Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth
➡ Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center in Topeka
➡ Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita
The Moderna vaccine will be ideal for distribution in Kansas because it can be re-distributed to secondary VA sites throughout the state, including rural areas, to reach more veterans.
Strong community banks are vital to our rural communities in Kansas, and often are a key indicator of the well-being of small towns. I was pleased to see the FDIC’s report on community banking indicate that, even while relatively small, community banks far exceed their relative size for lending in categories important for Kansans. While they only account for 15% of overall loans in the banking industry, they hold:
➡️ 30% of all commercial real estate loans
➡️ 36% of small business loans
➡️ 70% of agricultural loans
Local access to credit strengthens the special way of life found in Kansas and rural America, and I will continue to support community banks in Washington, D.C.
Today, we released a new long-term study on the state of our nation's community banks. These are banks that have historically played a critical role in providing access to credit in several key areas of the U.S. economy, particularly commercial real estate, small businesses and agriculture.
Read our JUST-released 2020 Community Banking Study ➡️ https://go.usa.gov/xArMY
Congratulations to Kansas teenager Paslie Werth on breaking the world record for the largest ever non-typical whitetail ever shot by a female. Her 42-point buck was shot in Kiowa County just after the beginning of youth season, bringing her antlers to their official net score of 271-4/8 inches. The previous record was set more than 20 years ago in 1997 by Jamie Remmers in Marion County. What a feat.
A Kansas teen broke a world record for the largest largest non-typical whitetail ever shot by a female.
Today, another significant piece of legislation to benefit our nation’s veterans passed the House and is now headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 is named in honor of two former VA Committee chairmen, who worked to always do the right thing for our veterans. I am pleased to advance this legislation, which invests in the GI Bill and economic opportunities for veterans, so they can achieve the American dream they fought to defend on our behalf.
Equally as important, this bill improves care and reduces barriers for women veterans, so they can have greater access to the benefits they have earned. Furthermore, this bill expands resources for veterans hardest hit by this pandemic, whether that be financial hardship or limited access to community resources for homeless veterans. This legislation will impact every corner of our veteran community, both young and old, who each face unique challenges in their life after service. I look forward to President Trump quickly signing this important legislation into law to benefit our veterans.
Congress approved a bill Wednesday that increases resources for homeless veterans, creates a Department of Veterans Affairs advisory committee for Native American veterans and mandates that every VA hospital hire a dedicated women’s health provider, among dozens of other measures.
Today, I spoke with leaders from the VA, our Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) and the VA Eastern Kansas HealthCare System to receive confirmation that, once approved by the FDA, a batch of Moderna vaccines will be delivered to VA centers in Wichita, Topeka, Leavenworth and Kansas City.
This vaccine could reach Kansas veterans as early as next week, and will serve as a launching pad for bringing vaccines to veterans in rural communities. Moderna’s vaccine requires a less stringent refrigeration requirement, which makes it easier to store and transport to veterans in hard-to-reach places. The patients and staff at Community Living Centers and Spinal Cord Injury Centers are going to receive the vaccine first, followed by other high-risk patients and staff.
There is a ripple effect on the economy when the live event industry is out of work. Restaurants, bars, transportation, and many other businesses that thrive on live events bringing people in from the surrounding community are hurting. This means that when the lights are dark at the local live event venue, the economy of that community as a whole is suffering.
That is why I chaired a subcommittee hearing today to receive first-hand testimony from a Kansas business owner and others on what has worked so far in providing relief for the live event entertainment industry and what more needs to be done.
Music executives and venue owners urged Congress to aid the shuttered music industry in COVID-19 relief, warning that the industry is facing an "existential threat."
To each and every health care worker in Kansas and across our nation, thank you. Your dedication and sacrifices have not gone unnoticed, and our country owes you a great deal of gratitude for all you have done throughout this pandemic and will continue to do over the coming months.
WATCH LIVE: I am convening a Senate Commerce Subcommittee hearing to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the live entertainment industry at 10:00 a.m. ET. COVID-19 continues to negatively impact many industries throughout the American economy, and the live event entertainment industry is among the hardest hit.
I look forward to hearing from our witnesses, including Wichita native Adam Hartke who owns The Cotillion and Wave.
This is an historic moment and marks the beginning of our return to normal as the first COVID-19 vaccine was administered in Kansas.
The incredible success of Operation Warp Speed is an example of the exceptionalism that exists within American science and medicine. While we still have a long road ahead, Kansans will soon have access to this safe and effective vaccine.
Additionally, I encourage all Kansans to continue to take precautions to keep yourself and your families safe, including wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and frequently washing your hands. I also want to thank the health care workers who continue to care for Kansans across our state throughout this pandemic.
At 11:12 a.m. local time, Kristen Garrett, RN, Critical Care Nurse, Ascension Via Christi in Wichita, received the COVID-19 vaccine, along with four of her colleagues. Thank you to all who made this possible, and to caregivers at Ascension - and caregivers everywhere - for their selfless dedication to patient care.
Happy 384th Birthday to The National Guard!As always, I am particularly grateful for Kansas National Guard, whether it is COVID response, natural disaster, or helping to feed those in need, they embody the Guard’s motto of “Always Ready, Always There” #Guard384
The men and women serving in our military work every day to keep us safe here at home and to defend our freedoms from threats around the world. The FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that passed the Senate includes important measures to support our troops and give the military the resources they need.
The NDAA includes:
✅ A pay raise for our troops
✅ Invests in the development of new technology, weapons and cybersecurity
✅ Provides resources to help our military families thrive.
I am especially pleased that this year’s NDAA included my priorities to:
✅ Enable women serving in the National Guard and Reserve to receive maternity leave
✅ Honor fallen Big Red One soldiers from Fort Riley
✅ Authorize a study on the causes of high unemployment rates among post-9/11 female veterans
✅ Expand access to mental health care for servicemembers in the Guard and Reserve.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense – today released the following statement applauding the House and Senate’s passage of the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): “The men and women....
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USP Leavenworth’s plan to construct a Federal Correctional Institute and satellite Federal Prison Camp is one of the largest federal undertakings in Kansas in the last five years. Through my roll on the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked to secure the necessary resources to bring the Leavenworth prison system into the 21st century, replacing the prison built in 1903, while also providing hundreds of jobs during the multi-year construction of the facilities. During these uncertain times, this project will secure jobs for Kansans for decades to come.
During a committee hearing on the systemic abuse within the Olympics, one survivor asked the question – “why was there more than one athlete abused?” That question has stayed with me since spoken. Not only do we condemn the abuser, but we condemn those who allowed it to continue, who failed in their responsibilities as human beings as well as their professional capacity to care and to protect these young men and women. One person abused is too many. Today, the Senate passed legislation I introduced with Sen. Blumenthal that would implement sweeping reforms to protect and empower Olympic and amateur athletes so they can participate in the sports they love without fear of abuse.
TUNE IN: Today at 2 p.m. for a hearing examining VA Telehealth during COVID-19, including the challenges and opportunities in rural America.
This morning, I introduced Toby Crouse to the Senate Judiciary Committee for a hearing on his nomination to be a judge on the United States Federal District Court for the District of Kansas. Toby is a fellow University of Kansas Law School graduate and a well-qualified nominee, and I urge my colleagues to quickly move his nomination.
Had the opportunity to introduce Ambassador C.J. Mahoney before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week. A native of Russell, C.J. is currently the Deputy United States Trade Representative and has been nominated to become Legal Adviser for the Department of State. I shared with the committee that I was recently in Russell, and many were asking about C.J., a testament to how fondly he is remembered in his hometown. Watch my introduction of C.J. ⤵️
Tonight, I spoke on the Senate floor to encourage my colleagues to support the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act. Now is the time for the Senate to take a stand to protect the lives of veterans who have given so much for our nation. They have protected us and we need to protect them. As Chairman of the Senate VA Committee I have been working closely with the VA and the White House to improve upon and advance this legislation which will make necessary investments in suicide prevention services, innovative research and improvements to mental health care. We know there is not one single explanation or reason for suicide and there is no one single treatment or prevention strategy. While post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries are prominent among veterans and are known as an invisible wound of war, we now realize other conditions such as depression, anxiety and substance use disorder also contribute to suicide among veterans and all Americans. Our veterans are fighting new battles, and the stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these issues.
HAPPENING NOW: I am chairing a hearing to discuss ways to protect Americans from COVID-19 scams. During this time of national emergency and coordinated recovery, there are fraudsters and scam artists that seek to take advantage of consumers, especially the nation’s most vulnerable communities like our nation’s seniors. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade and Consumer Protection, I invited Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt to share ways the state and federal government can coordinate to protect the public from scams. Witnesses: • The Honorable Derek Schmidt, Attorney General, State of Kansas • Mr. Andrew Smith, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission • Mr. Stu Sjouwerman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, KnowBe4, Inc. • Ms. Laura MacCleery, Policy Director, Center for Science in the Public Interest • Ms. Catherine Hermsen, Assistant Commissioner of Criminal Investigations, Food and Drug Administration (Witness will participate in writing)
Every Kansan and every American celebrates the Fourth of July in their own special way – whether that is with fireworks, family barbeques or visiting our nation’s monuments and memorials. However you choose to celebrate Independence Day, please do so safely and responsibly and remember to show respect to your fellow Kansans by wearing a mask in public where appropriate and practice social distancing. Independence Day is a time to honor the sacrifices made in the name of freedom and to come together as Americans to commemorate our nation’s founding by renewing our commitment to further our nation’s pledge and form a more perfect union. I also ask that you take time to reflect and thank our veterans as well as the current generation in the Armed Forces who continue to bravely defend our freedoms. It is because of these sacrifices that America is still the land of opportunity and the greatest nation on Earth.
Today, I questioned our country’s top health officials on Operation Warp Speed, the government project to research, manufacture and distribute a COVID-19 vaccine on an expedited timeline. NIH Director Collins and CDC Director Redfield shared with me the progress being made on developing the a vaccine for COVID-19 and the measures that need to take place to make certain a vaccine is safely and efficiently distributed when it is available. It is not only vital that we are prepared to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine, but that we also learn from this pandemic so we are better prepared for any future diseases that may threaten our country.
The NCAA’s rules around Name, Image and Likeness have not kept pace with an evolving world and now is the time to bring these rules in line with the modern student-athlete experience. While I believe the NCAA is making progress, there is more work to be done, and many questions remain unanswered surrounding this issue. I’m pleased to have had the opportunity to ask some of them during this week’s Commerce Committee hearing. As Chairman of the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade and Consumer Protection, with jurisdiction over the NCAA and amateur athletics, I have been working with my colleagues to preserve the collegiate model that has allowed so many young men and women to leverage their athletic ability into an education. I remain committed to finding a solution that will provide student athletes with the equity they deserve while also preserving college sports.
I asked FCC Chairman Ajit Pai why expediently deploying C-Band is important for Americans. Watch below for his three reasons:
WATCH LIVE: As Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I am overseeing a hearing with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie to review the FY2021 budget and conduct oversight on how funding from the CARES Act is being used by the VA.
Congratulations class of 2020! I teamed up with Kansan and NASA Astronaut Nick Hague to send you all a congratulations message. You’ve persevered through a difficult semester, and I’m proud of your hard work and success. Don’t forget NASA’s #LaunchAmerica begins at 12:15 p.m. this afternoon covering the first humans to launch to the International Space Station from American soil since 2011. Learn more here: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/coverage-of-landmark-nasa-spacex-commercial-crew-test-flight
It is an honor to serve our nation’s heroes as chairman on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
On Memorial Day, as we should every day, we take time as a nation to pause and remember the brave Americans who gave their lives in defense of our country and we honor the sacrifice they made to keep us free. It presents us a special time to formally show our gratitude to the men and women bravely serving our country, while teaching another generation to understand and respect the service of our nation. If you are looking for ways to commemorate Memorial Day tomorrow: -I will be at Fort Riley for a Virtual Memorial Day Ceremony beginning at 11:45am that will be streamed live from the Fort Riley Post Cemetery. I encourage you and your family to watch the event live here: https://www.facebook.com/FortRiley/ -I will also be participating in the Virtual Memorial Day Ceremony hosted by the National World War I Museum in Kansas City. To learn more about the virtual events beginning at 10am, click here: https://www.theworldwar.org/memorialday
John Chafee, United States Senator
456 Dirksen BuildingSaint Michael College of Allied Health
1106 Bladensburg Rd NEGW Center for Excellence in Public Leadership
805 21st Street NWKendall Demonstration Elementary School - KDE
800 Florida Ave NELangston Community Resident Council
667 24th Street, NE
Representative Elijah E. Cummings
2230 Rayburn Building
