Friend,

Kansas is the largest wheat producing state in the country.

Last week nearly 100 people from across the world came to our state to meet with producers and see the crop for #WheatTour18. They took 24 vehicles, drove six routes across the state and surveyed the wheat crop.

Unfortunately, many of their findings met expectations of a crop that has been weather-stressed from the start. The group found that the crop was significantly behind normal development and short, due to the severe drought that’s been ongoing since October. The final projections show this year’s crop may be the smallest that Kansas has seen since 1989.

While in the district, I made a couple stops to check out our Kansas yields. I saw the same struggling crop that many on the tour did. While I can’t change Mother Nature’s course, I can promise you that I am working hard to provide support to our producers during these hard times. That relief starts with passing a 2018 Farm Bill that provides crop insurance to help our producers protect themselves against these drought conditions.

Last week we celebrated the 30 million small businesses across the nation for #SmallBusinessWeek. Recent studies have shown that small business optimism is at an all-time high. As a member on the Small Business Committee, I’ve seen that optimism first-hand in our hearings, as well as with the businesses I’ve visited throughout the Big First. I addressed the House floor to recognize the hard work and perseverance our small business owners have and acknowledged their critical role in our local communities.

Fort Riley

Last week, I had the honor of accompanying Secretary of the Army, Mark Esper and his wife Leah, on a visit to Fort Riley. The Secretary has jurisdiction over the recruitment, training and care of all 1.4 million active duty, National Guard, and Reserve Soldiers.

The day included a breakfast with soldiers, observing a Devil Prowl training exercise,a lunch and roundtable discussion with senior spouses. While there, the Secretary shared his vision for the Army’s future and his top priorities, including soldier readiness and modernization of the Army. I was thrilled to welcome the Secretary and his wife to Fort Riley and show them first-hand all the installation has to offer.

Trade War

I represent the largest sorghum-producing district in the country. So last week I met with a group of Kansas Sorghum producers to discuss the impact of Chinese tariffs and the need for new market access and opportunities. There was no disagreement in the room that we must address China’s predatory industrial policies, but our producers can’t be expected to bear the brunt of this trade war. The producers discussed their concerns, but they also had a great deal of optimism that the result of this back and forth would lead to better agreements.

I have worked tirelessly on trade and the farm bill to try and help our producers get certainty and more opportunities for their crops. I’ve met with the administration urging them to preserve NAFTA and to lessen the impact tariffs are having on our farmers and ranchers.

I have said time and time again; our agriculture industry is always the tip of the spear for retaliatory actions. Trade wars hurt our farmers, and I am in Washington fighting for new markets and better deals.

Farm Bill Impact

My work on the House Agriculture Committee and the new farm bill legislation not only helps farmers and ranchers but provides certainty for those industries that support the producers. Throughout the Big First are manufacturing companies that build equipment farmers use every day.

I had the opportunity to tour three agriculture manufacturing facilities last week and to meet the men and women who build tillage equipment, skid steers, and grain dryers. When agriculture thrives, so too do these manufacturers, which makes it important we work to improve prices and pass legislation that will protect our farmers and those that support the agriculture industry.

Local Pharmacy and Medical Center Visits

Local pharmacy owners play a vital role in many communities across the district, providing access to prescriptions and healthcare equipment. There are more than 90 independent community pharmacies in my district that account for more than 900 jobs and millions in local economic impact.

I discussed my efforts to lessen the financial burden on both the community pharmacy owners and their patients with Robb and Meredith Rosenbaum, owners of Funk Pharmacy in Concordia. As a physician, I understand the financial strain prescription drug costs can have on an individual or family and have continued to look for solutions to lowering the cost of medications, including the streamlining of the regulatory system to allow drugs to enter the market faster.

While in Clay County last week, I also stopped by the Clay County Medical Center. I want to give a big shout out to this center, as they just opened a new 28,000 square-foot expansion. With this expansion, they will be able to take in more patients and provide additional quality care and testing.

Rural healthcare is essential to the continued success of communities in the district and Clay County is a great example of a community hospital finding success and delivering quality healthcare.