Senator Jerry Moran

07/10/2021

USDA Implements Sens. Moran, Bennet’s Legislation to Provide Assistance to Small Meatpackers

Small meatpackers in Kansas and across the country have been working long hours to keep our meat supply in stock during the pandemic. Following an announcement yesterday, I’m pleased to see the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be reducing inspection overtime fees for small and very small meatpackers by implementing my legislation with Senator Michael Bennet, the Small Packer Overtime and Holiday Fee Relief for COVID-19 Act. This decision will support small meatpacking plants that were operating longer hours during the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to process a high number of livestock to meet increased consumer demand for locally-grown meat products.
https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=94F55F16-040A-48E6-AEDC-ECD940B3F59A

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be reducing inspection overtime fees for small and very small meatpackers by implementing U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Michael Bennet’s (D-Colo.) legislation, t...

07/08/2021

I’m pleased to announce a $2.1 million investment in Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research, (NIAR) today from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. This investment will further advance the mission of NIAR and expand its testing capabilities.

The productive partnerships between Wichita State and many local aviation manufacturers are key to the innovative solutions and technologies developed in the Air Capital of the World, and I’m looking forward to the seeing the new Flight Test Research Center and the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Facility made possible by this investment once completed.

I’m pleased to announce a $2.1 million investment in Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research, (NIAR) today from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. This investment will further advance the mission of NIAR and expand its testing capabilities.

The productive partnerships between Wichita State and many local aviation manufacturers are key to the innovative solutions and technologies developed in the Air Capital of the World, and I’m looking forward to the seeing the new Flight Test Research Center and the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Facility made possible by this investment once completed.

07/07/2021

WSU Tech, Textron Aviation launch flight training program in Wichita - Wichita Business Journal

Congratulations to WSU Tech on their new partnership with Textron Aviation to bring the first college-based flight school to the Air Capital of the World. These valuable partnerships between WSU and local industry – like the Top Hawk program – will continue to attract talent to Wichita.

Students will complete the program eligible for five pilot ratings from the FAA.

07/06/2021

Sen. Moran, Rep. Estes, U.S. DOT Host AMJP Information Session

Aviation Manufacturers – the deadline for the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program is July 13! Learn more here: https://www.transportation.gov/AMJP

The aviation manufacturing industry in Wichita plays a critical role in providing Kansans good jobs and supporting commercial and general aviation across the country. That’s why Congressman Ron Estes and I created a federal program to help protect the valuable aviation manufacturer workforce as we continue to recover from the pandemic. Last month we hosted an information session on the program’s application process with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

07/04/2021

We live in the greatest country on Earth, and on the day we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence we must remember the countless sacrifices that have been made to protect our freedoms, democracy and way of life.

Freedom isn’t free. God bless our veterans and those who are currently serving to defend our liberties. I also want to take this opportunity to thank our law enforcement for the brave work they do each and every day to serve our communities.

Watch my Fourth of July interview with Fox News below ⬇:

07/04/2021

Independence Day offers us a time to come together as Americans and celebrate our nation’s founding and freedoms. Today, I hope you are once again able to safely gather and celebrate with family, friends and loved ones, and I hope you take a moment to reflect and thank our veterans and servicemembers who have defended our principles of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” It is because of these ideals and sacrifice that America is still the land of opportunity and the greatest nation on Earth. Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸

Independence Day offers us a time to come together as Americans and celebrate our nation’s founding and freedoms. Today, I hope you are once again able to safely gather and celebrate with family, friends and loved ones, and I hope you take a moment to reflect and thank our veterans and servicemembers who have defended our principles of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” It is because of these ideals and sacrifice that America is still the land of opportunity and the greatest nation on Earth. Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸

07/04/2021

This afternoon, I hosted a town hall meeting in Johnson County at the American Legion Post #153 in Olathe. Over 300 Kansans attended and everyone was very engaged on a number of issues important to our country. Topics included the need to better protect our borders, the January 6 commission, federal election laws, supporting our law enforcement and my work to defend the Constitution.

We also discussed my leadership role on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and my efforts to help veterans receive better access to care and those who are struggling with mental health. If there is one thing we could all agree on today it was our appreciation for our nation’s veterans and those who serve our communities. We also discussed infrastructure, taxes, the rising national debt, gas prices, China’s negative influence on the world, the FASD Respect Act and COVID-19 vaccines.

It was a full house, and I appreciate everyone who joined me during their Independence Day weekend to share their thoughts and ideas. A special thank you to all of the state and community leaders who attended, including Sheriff Cal Hayden and Undersheriff Daryl Reese, Police Chief Mike Butaud, Council members Kevin Gilmore, Wes McCoy and Karin Brownlee, County Commissioner Mike Ashcraft and Charlotte O’Hara, Kansas Speaker of the House Ron Ryckman, Kansas Senators Beverly Gossage, Kellie Warren and Mike Thompson, Kansas Representatives Chris Croft and Megan Lynn, Will Ruder, JCCC Board of Trustees Vice Chair Paul Snider, Lenexa Mayor Mike Boehm, Mike Kuckelman, Fabian Shepard, Curtis Mullen, Mike Brown, Ken Selzer, as well as former Secretary of State Kris Kobach and former Governor Jeff Colyer.

I’m especially grateful to The American Legion Post #153 for hosting me during the holiday weekend.

07/03/2021

I was pleased to participate in the ribbon cutting for the Lunette Blair-Blockhouse at the Fort Scott National Historic Site in southeast Kansas today. Over the last decade, I have worked to introduce and pass the Fort Scott National Historic Site Boundary Modification Act, to improve the Fort Scott National Historic Site by allowing for the care of the Lunette Blair Civil War Block House to be transferred to the National Park Service.

This weekend I gathered with the community to celebrate passage of the legislation and officially welcome the Blockhouse onto the National Park Service grounds. Thank you to Park Superintendent Betty Boyko and Friends of the Fort Chair Reed Hartford for the invitation to speak at the ribbon cutting and for their support throughout the process. Congressman Jake LaTurner joined me at the event along with Mayor Josh Jones and City Commissioner Kevin Allen.

I was pleased to participate in the ribbon cutting for the Lunette Blair-Blockhouse at the Fort Scott National Historic Site in southeast Kansas today. Over the last decade, I have worked to introduce and pass the Fort Scott National Historic Site Boundary Modification Act, to improve the Fort Scott National Historic Site by allowing for the care of the Lunette Blair Civil War Block House to be transferred to the National Park Service.

This weekend I gathered with the community to celebrate passage of the legislation and officially welcome the Blockhouse onto the National Park Service grounds. Thank you to Park Superintendent Betty Boyko and Friends of the Fort Chair Reed Hartford for the invitation to speak at the ribbon cutting and for their support throughout the process. Congressman Jake LaTurner joined me at the event along with Mayor Josh Jones and City Commissioner Kevin Allen.

07/02/2021

I enjoyed catching up with folks in Smith County yesterday during my town hall at the local VFW post. Members of the community shared with me their concerns and questions on strengthening our border to prevent human trafficking and illegal drugs from entering the U.S. We also discussed our nation’s care for veterans and complications people were facing with the IRS.

I appreciate the opportunity to visit with Kansans and learn how I can better serve them in Washington, D.C.

I enjoyed catching up with folks in Smith County yesterday during my town hall at the local VFW post. Members of the community shared with me their concerns and questions on strengthening our border to prevent human trafficking and illegal drugs from entering the U.S. We also discussed our nation’s care for veterans and complications people were facing with the IRS.

I appreciate the opportunity to visit with Kansans and learn how I can better serve them in Washington, D.C.

07/02/2021

While in western Kansas yesterday, I hosted another town hall in Phillips County. I appreciate the Sand Trap Bar and Grill in Phillipsburg for allowing me to host a town hall where I was able to hear from folks in the community about their thoughts and ideas. We discussed Kansas’ election laws, protecting rights for gun owners, assistance for veterans, support for meat packers and expanding rural health care.

The COVID-19 pandemic has especially put a strain on rural health care, and my conversations emphasized the need for more flexibility in rural communities to allow nurse practitioners and other health care providers to step in and fill various roles when doctors and physicians aren’t accessible.

While in western Kansas yesterday, I hosted another town hall in Phillips County. I appreciate the Sand Trap Bar and Grill in Phillipsburg for allowing me to host a town hall where I was able to hear from folks in the community about their thoughts and ideas. We discussed Kansas’ election laws, protecting rights for gun owners, assistance for veterans, support for meat packers and expanding rural health care.

The COVID-19 pandemic has especially put a strain on rural health care, and my conversations emphasized the need for more flexibility in rural communities to allow nurse practitioners and other health care providers to step in and fill various roles when doctors and physicians aren’t accessible.

07/02/2021

Sen. Moran Discusses Infrastructure on Fox Business

I joined the bipartisan infrastructure group to try and get Kansans a good deal on infrastructure – one that doesn’t raise taxes, doesn’t change the Trump tax cuts and doesn’t recklessly spend trillions of dollars. We must focus on the real infrastructure needs for our country and not a Democrat wish list.

I joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business this week to discuss the current infrastructure negotiations. Watch below:

07/01/2021

It was great to be back in Rooks County for a town hall at the local VFW in Stockton. I appreciated talking with members of the community about a range of issues including assistance for veterans, strengthening our border, bolstering law enforcement across the country, protecting the filibuster and my legislation to help small meat packers. As a Kansas Senator, it’s important to me that rural America has a voice in Washington, D.C.

I appreciate the folks who came to my town hall to help me understand what issues are important to their community and how I can help tackle those issues for them in Washington, D.C.

It was great to be back in Rooks County for a town hall at the local VFW in Stockton. I appreciated talking with members of the community about a range of issues including assistance for veterans, strengthening our border, bolstering law enforcement across the country, protecting the filibuster and my legislation to help small meat packers. As a Kansas Senator, it’s important to me that rural America has a voice in Washington, D.C.

I appreciate the folks who came to my town hall to help me understand what issues are important to their community and how I can help tackle those issues for them in Washington, D.C.

07/01/2021

While it has rained everywhere I have been in Kansas this past week and farmers need a break to get the wheat cut, it’s good to see my hometown’s Big Creek is full bank-to-bank and over the spillway. I grew up always thankful for rain no matter when or how much.

While it has rained everywhere I have been in Kansas this past week and farmers need a break to get the wheat cut, it’s good to see my hometown’s Big Creek is full bank-to-bank and over the spillway. I grew up always thankful for rain no matter when or how much.

06/30/2021

Today, I hosted Blue Origin in the Air Capital of the World to meet with leading aviation and aerospace manufacturers and learn more about their operations, from building individual aircraft components to assembling complex machined components. We spoke with businesses who develop cutting-edge engineering and innovation that continues to further our flight and space capabilities. With the highest concentration of manufacturing workers in the U.S., Wichita is the future of flight and we have the talent to prove it.

During our visits, I got to learn more about several impressive supply chain capabilities, including state-of-the-art surface finishing and plating as well as high-tech desk top assemblies. I had the opportunity to speak with folks who dedicate their lives to this specialized and highly-talented ecosystem, as well as ask questions about how Blue Origin can further contribute to the recovery and diversification of our state's aerospace industry. Thank you to Globe Engineering CEO Jeff Teague, Harlow Aerostructures President Jim Barnes, Metal Finishing Company President Rob Babst and all the employees we met with today for demonstrating to Blue Origin how Wichitans work hard every day to earn the title Air Capital of the World.

06/30/2021

This evening, I welcomed Dr. Bob Smith, CEO of Blue Origin, and his team to Wichita where over 120 community and industry leaders attended to learn more about the company. Tomorrow, I will have the opportunity to showcase Wichita as the “Air Capital of the World” as we tour several aerospace manufacturers throughout the day.

Nowhere else in the world can you find this cluster of industry workforce and educational institutions working together to develop the aviation and aerospace industry for generations to come. I thank the Blue Origin team for traveling to be here, as well as the Greater Wichita Partnership and Wichita State University for hosting us tonight.

This evening, I welcomed Dr. Bob Smith, CEO of Blue Origin, and his team to Wichita where over 120 community and industry leaders attended to learn more about the company. Tomorrow, I will have the opportunity to showcase Wichita as the “Air Capital of the World” as we tour several aerospace manufacturers throughout the day.

Nowhere else in the world can you find this cluster of industry workforce and educational institutions working together to develop the aviation and aerospace industry for generations to come. I thank the Blue Origin team for traveling to be here, as well as the Greater Wichita Partnership and Wichita State University for hosting us tonight.

06/29/2021

A few photos from McConnell AFB’s 22d Air Refueling Wing Change of Command Ceremony yesterday! Thank you to Outgoing Commander Colonel Richard Tanner for his leadership at McConnell. I also welcome Incoming Commander Colonel George Vogel back to Kansas, who was stationed at McConnell from March of 2002 to July of 2005, and look forward to watching him lead McConnell AFB as he takes on this new role.

06/28/2021

While in Kansas City today, I had the opportunity to visit Union Station’s recently opened exhibition, “Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.” This is the most comprehensive Holocaust exhibit about Auschwitz ever displayed in North America, and the only exhibit in the U.S., with 700 original artifacts and 400 photographs and unpublished memoirs which have now been made available to the public through January of 2022.

When I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau, I wrote, “To the victims and the survivors – may all humans every day have the courage to never look away.” This exhibit allows us to look and to remember the 1.1 million lives lost inside Auschwitz alone, providing anyone who visits a stark reminder of the atrocities committed during one of the darkest eras in human history. Thank you to Union Station COO Jerry Barber for your time this afternoon. As people travel from across the country to visit “Not long ago. Not far away.”, I encourage Kansans to visit and witness this powerful exhibit.