Friend,
I am standing with our producers against this trade war with China.
This week the U.S. and China traded multiple rounds of tariff threats as the President Trump looks for ways to reign in China’s predatory industrial policies. While today, many of the announcement have only been threats, I’m afraid we are spiraling farther away from a solution and toward policies that will hurt Kansas producers and consumers in both countries.
Our ag industry is always the tip of the spear for retaliatory actions which we have seen several times over the last two months. Kansas’ top six ag products: beef, corn, soybeans, wheat, sorghum, and pork have all been targeted by the Chinese in retaliation to the U.S. government’s section 201, 232 and 301 trade cases.
Our farmers and ranchers are already facing decade low incomes. Now more than ever this we should be focused on opening new markets for U.S. products, rather than taking unilateral actions that cause more harm than good.
We must address China’s predatory industrial policies, but our producers can’t be expected to bear the brunt of this trade war. We must find proactive trade deals that recognize the benefits of free and open trade while penalizing the bad actors that abuse it.
This week, Jeff Wick, President and General Manager of WTC Communications in Wamego, announced that the company will now be contributing to employee’s 401K retirement accounts due to the savings from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. We are continuing to see positive outcomes from these tax cuts that not only give workers a few extra dollars but are providing stability for the future for many companies and employees around the country. WTC offers telephone, broadband and video services to Wamego and surrounding communities and by this new savings, WTC and other similar companies, will be able to make plans for future growth, creating more well-paying jobs for working Americans.
Spread the Word
We are still accepting submissions for the Congressional Art Competition! This contest is open to all high school students from the Big First. Each student can submit up to two entries of their work by April 27th.
The winning artist will have their masterpiece displayed in the U.S. Capitol. I will post the runner-up’s artwork in my DC office, and 3rd and 4th place will be on show at my district offices.
To submit your work of art, please e-mail Nikki.Meagher@mail.
Congrats, Cole!
Manhattan High School Senior Cole Dudley received an offer of appointment from not one but TWO military service academies, the U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Naval Academy, for attendance beginning this fall. What an honor, for a very hardworking and ambitious young man.
Dudley is the son of Mark and Gina Dudley of Manhattan. Cole participated in my Military Service Academy nomination process in November 2017. He now has until May 1 to determine which academy he will attend.
Good luck Cole, we are so proud!