Last week, the House passed 3 bills safeguarding against human trafficking:

– The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Act, which reauthorizes $130 million to fund the prevention of human trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute traffickers

– The Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act, which ensures the Department of Labor can effectively train its employees to spot the illegal trade of people

– The Empowering Law Enforcement to Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act, which allows law enforcement agencies to qualify for federal funding for the development and execution of programs that fight sex trafficking

In the House

Meeting with new KU Chancellor
Thank you to Dr. Doug Girod (shown left), new Chancellor of the University of Kansas, for joining me in my office last week! I am looking forward to working closely with Chancellor Girod and his administration.

House Passes NDAA
Our military men and women face more threats today than ever before. Time and time again, Members of Congress have failed in equipping and supplying them to meet the multi-faceted threats that face our country. I am glad that we took a large step in rectifying that.

This fall, the Dagger brigade, stationed at Fort Riley, will travel to Europe for a nine-month deployment, in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. This legislation helps ensure readiness for Brigade Combat Teams, such as the Dagger brigade, and gives our troops a much deserved 2.4% military pay raise. It also allows for over 17,000 more Army personnel, and allocates $2.3 billion over the Administration’s request for necessary maintenance and repair.

I am particularly pleased that – on a bipartisan basis – we were able to defeat an amendment that would have allowed for a costly and ill-advised Base Realignment and Closure round.

I refuse to send our troops to a gun fight with knives. This legislation helps with that, and I’m proud to have voted in favor of it.

Kansan joins Science Committee
I had the honor to welcome Kansan Steve Hirsch to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology meeting, where he testified on the U.S. Fire Administration and Fire Grant Programs. See my intro below.

Cattle Transport
Last week, I led a Congressional letter which supported language in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Act that would provide a one year delay in implementation of electronic logging devices for livestock haulers. This language was included in the THUD bill. The one year delay is critical in allowing work to continue between industry and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that makes motorist safety a top priority without compromising the welfare of our livestock.

MealSpot
It was great to join the MealSpot (shown right) last week in Emporia! They are doing a lot of hard work this summer to help combat childhood hunger in their community. I am always impressed when different groups from around the community, state and country can come together for the good of our young people.

You can read more about my visit here.

Internships
Students: This week is the deadline to apply for fall internships in our D.C. and district offices! These are great opportunities to work closely with us, and to serve the Big 1st.

If you, or someone you know, have any interest in this opportunity, please check out the internship form on my website.

Emporia Roundtable
Last Monday, I joined small business owners (shown below) who have or currently work with the Emporia State University Kansas Small Business Development Center. Small businesses are the lifeblood of Emporia, and account for more than 75% of all new jobs created. I’m grateful for what these community and business leaders are doing to keep our district thriving and innovating!

As always, if you have any questions, concerns or know of ways my office can be of assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us.