Friends,
It has certainly been a busy week! The Mueller report has finally put to bed this costly 2-year witch hunt, confirming what we all already knew, no collusion by our president or his team. This week we also passed legislation in the House honoring Senator Bob Dole, and we now have health care back in the headlines.
Our team has been working around the clock for years meeting with Republicans and Democrats to discuss and try to find solutions to fix our health care system, I am glad its back in the press, pushing more and more people to the table to make sure that we can solve this problem- that is, the cost of health care. Fixing our health care system is long overdue, and we need to focus in on a solution that allows patients and families to make their own choices!
Senator Bob Dole Legislation Passes!
Senator Roberts, Senator Moran and I have been working hard alongside the U.S. Army to push through legislation that would give Senator Dole an honorary military promotion. I am happy to announce that this week, the House unanimously passed this legislation!
I was so proud to see the House quickly recognize and pass this bill honoring our legendary Kansas Senator, Bob Dole. There is absolutely no one I can think of more deserving of this honorary promotion than our true Kansas hero, Senator Dole.
I was also thankful to have the opportunity to meet with Senator Dole and deliver the great news. Now with the legislation through both the House and the Senate, it will head to the president’s desk for final signage..
‘Nothing Burger’ Mueller Report
The witch hunt is finally over my friends. After two years and a price tag of $50,000 per day to the U.S. taxpayer, the Mueller Special Counsel has adjourned, reporting what we have been saying for years- no collusion! I am glad that we can now move past this embarrassing chapter of American politics.
This week I addressed the House Floor with one question for my fellow members, the national media, and nation- Can we please move on and work with our President rather than against him and focus on policy rather than fantasy?
Patient Choice V. Medicare For All
Behind the scenes, we are taking steps to address things that Obamacare did not—the cost of health care. I recently sat down with the President to discuss this very issue.
The narrative that health care has been forgotten up here is just not true.
Addressing the Needs of Our Vets
This week the Doctor’s Caucus met with the Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie to discuss ongoing improvements being made within the VA.
Secretary Wilkie explained to us the changes in protocol that they’ve made at their VA facilities across the country to improve customer satisfaction. I’m proud of the work being done in the VA under this Administration, they truly are trying to make the complicated, simple for our nation’s veterans.
We also chatted at length about some of the ongoing problems many of our veterans are facing. While this Administration, with support from Congress, has made great strides towards improving VA care, I am fully aware that there is still a lot of work to be done. We discussed the horrible reality of suicide rates among our veterans and how, along with homelessness and opioid addiction, it is one of the biggest continuing concerns. Regarding these top concerns, the Secretary discussed some solutions they are focused on like expanding the VA’s mental health staff so that anyone that walks into their clinics will have same-day access, and a 24 hour follow up call after discharging those at high risk.
I was glad to see the Secretary listening to our concerns and outlining their response to the top issues facing our nation’s veterans. I will continue to monitor and work with the VA to make sure that we are finding solutions to our service men and women’s concerns, and will continue to focus our efforts on working with the VA to find solutions.
Kansas Stands with Israel, Joining AIPAC Convention
This week, President Trump and Secretary Pompeo took the bold step to affirm Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights region. I support this Administration and our longtime friend and ally, Israel in this fight to protect their homeland.
I had a great time meeting with all of the delegates who were in DC for the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee Convention this week! The AIPAC convention was an excellent opportunity to meet with Kansans who share these beliefs and to discuss ways to strengthen the already great bond between our two nations. We discussed Trump’s recognition of the Golan Heights, the rise of anti-Semitism in the U.S. and around the world, Iranian aggression in the Middle East, and our shared opposition to the Boycott, Divest, Sanction (BDS) movement.
Israel is a vital strategic partner of the United States; for centuries they have been America’s eyes and ears in the Middle East. I thank the President and Secretary Pompeo for their bold action and will continue to assure them that Kansans stand with them.
Update on the ‘Green New Mess’
I know a bad deal when I see one, and from the beginning, I knew that the Green New Deal would be an absolute disaster. It was clear this week that Senate Democrats know how awful this deal would be for our country, considering they voted ‘present’ on the measure earlier this week rather than casting a yes or no vote.
As an avid outdoors man, I know the importance of leaving this world better than we found it, but this just is not the solution. It would hurt our farms, ranchers, and crush our economy completely.
Internet of Things Cybersecurity Act
Earlier this month, I joined a handful of colleagues in introducing H.R. 1668, the Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2019. As we dive deeper into the digital age, we are increasingly using devices such as fitness trackers, smartwatches and thermostats that connect to various networks, however many of these devices lack adequate cybersecurity protections. The number of cyber attacks is increasing, and with that comes the need to create more secure and resilient products and services, particularly when it comes to the use of “internet of things” devices by the federal government. This bill aims to address risks posed by these devices by establishing light-touch, minimum security requirements for procurement of internet-connected devices by the government.
Economic Development in Western Kansas
On Monday, our office hosted delegations from Garden City, Liberal, Great Bend, and Dodge City as part of their annual fly-in to Washington. I really enjoy when folks from back home come visit our team in D.C., and these communities in particular represent such a unique part of my district.
We had great conversations about economic development in Western Kansas, and how things like access to an affordable broadband connection as well as improving infrastructure in rural America can help these communities not only to grow, but thrive!
Looking forward to getting back out west today, because there really is no place like home!
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the Kansas First District Congressman.