DOCTOR’S NOTE: Feb. 10

Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.

Friend,

Before you sent me to Washington D.C. I made you a promise. I told you that funding our military was a top priority for me, and after many attempts, today I can happily say Congress has fulfilled this promise. This morning we passed a two-year budget plan that will fully fund our military, this is a huge victory for our country and our national security. This budget package eliminates the caps on crop insurance policies for livestock producers and clears a pathway to speed up the Farm Bill by including citrus, dairy, and cotton fixes.

In this bill, Congress explicitly recognized our Kansas producers who suffered huge losses from blizzards and wildfires in 2017. The budget included two bills introduced by Senator Moran and I that retroactively fix payment limits for affected livestock producers. As Kansans are rebuilding following the natural disasters, I am glad that this agreement recognizes the impact of these losses and aims to help make it right.

All in all, this agreement is far from a perfect bill, but after reviewing it, I truly believe this deal has many wins for Kansans. In the video (below) I share a few of my thoughts on my vote to pass the bipartisan budget.

The State of our Rural Economy: This week I also got to meet with the Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue (pictured above). In a House Agriculture Committee hearing on the state of the rural economy, Secretary Perdue made it very clear that he understands our farmers need certainty, especially with regard to trade agreements. Perdue described farmers as the most resilient and optimistic people in America but said the state of our rural economy was ‘fragile.’ As we get closer to work on a Farm Bill, it is critical that we continue this type of solution-based discussion where our Ag community can come together and brainstorm. At the hearing, I advocated to open up more trade markets for our farmers. It is no secret overseas that Kansas products are top quality. I want our farmers to be able to prosper while giving people what they want – GOOD QUALITY BEEF.In the video (below) you can see my exchange with the Sec. of Agriculture.

This week I also got to meet with the Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue (pictured above). In a House Agriculture Committee hearing on the state of the rural economy, Secretary Perdue made it very clear that he understands our farmers need certainty, especially with regard to trade agreements. Perdue described farmers as the most resilient and optimistic people in America but said the state of our rural economy was ‘fragile.’ As we get closer to work on a Farm Bill, it is critical that we continue this type of solution-based discussion where our Ag community can come together and brainstorm. At the hearing, I advocated to open up more trade markets for our farmers. It is no secret overseas that Kansas products are top quality. I want our farmers to be able to prosper while giving people what they want – GOOD QUALITY BEEF.

In the video (below) you can see my exchange with the Sec. of Agriculture.

Section 199a and Grain Sales:

One issue that many producers and rural businesses have called my office to express concerns about involves an update of so called, “Section 199a” provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. While we have been hearing story after story of the benefits of tax reform, this appears to be a provision with unintended consequences for our local feedlots, dairies and grain handlers.

This week I meant with members of the Kansas Grain and Feed to discuss the need for a legislative fix that will ensure fair competition in grain purchasing. Representative Bob Gibbs, and I both questioned Secretary Perdue about the policy change during a hearing in the House Agriculture Committee hearing this week. I was glad to hear the Secretary affirm the need and support for a fix. You can see that hearing here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQweKTeDxPI&feature=youtu.be The 199a discussion starts at about the 45 minute mark.

National Prayer Breakfast:

“America is a nation of believers, and together we are strengthened by the power of prayer,” President Trump said this week at the 66th annual National Prayer Breakfast. The Prayer Breakfast is a tradition that brings thousands of people from across the globe together in the spirit of peace and unity through Christ. I was honored to attend and join the president in prayer. I think it’s important to remember the history of this annual event that was started by President Eisenhower in 1953. Read more on the Kansas history involved with this event here: https://www.facebook.com/RogerMarshallMD/posts/402735420171474

Evening Tours of the U.S. Capitol:

In closing for this week, I’d like to share with you one of my favorite things to do in Washington, evening tours of the Capitol with constituents. My staff and I guide evening tours where we discuss the architecture and reminisce about the history of our great nation. This week Laina and I had the pleasure of taking Kansas Wheat leaders on a tour.

For me as a history buff, it’s important not to forget the hard work past leaders put in to make our country the best in the world. Too often, in these hyper-partisan times we forget about our history and the pragmatic leadership it took to become the great nation that we are today. Below are some pictures from the tour, and call my office if you would like to set up a tour. We’d love for you to join us.