Sen. Moran Opens vaccine shipment at Dole VAMC
Sen. Moran Speaks in Memory of Sheriff Allan Weber
Sen. Moran Urges Timely Action on Relief
Sen. Moran Questions Big Tech CEOs
Sen. Moran Meets with Judge Amy Coney Barrett
Sen. Moran Joins Pete Mundo on KCMO Talk Radio
Eisenhower Memorial Dedication
Sen. Moran Speaks on Abraham Accords
My Time in the Air Capital of the World
Sen. Moran Visits USP Leavenworth
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.
Sen. Moran Introduces Toby Crouse to the Senate Judiciary Committee
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.
Sen. Moran Introduces Russell Native C.J. Mahoney
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. ⤵️
Sen. Moran Speaks on the Senate Floor to Encourage Colleagues to Support Veterans Suicide Prevention Bill
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)
Sen. Moran Recognizes Independence Day
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.
Sen. Moran Question Commerce Committee Panel on NIL
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.
Sen. Moran Questions FCC Chairman Ajit Pai
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
Serving Our Nation's Heroes
It is an honor to serve our nation’s heroes as chairman on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Honoring Our Heroes on Memorial Day
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