Friends,
On July 20, 1969, people across the country and around the world watched in eager anticipation as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon. With this feat America won the space race and it amazes me to think of all of the advancements that have been made as a result of these Apollo missions.
At this very moment native Kansan from the Big First, Nick Hague, is currently 240 miles above Earth on the International Space Station continuing to advance scientific knowledge. I am a member of the Science Space and Technology Committee and gave a speech on the house floor in honor of this special anniversary, Click Here to view it.
The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum commemorated the occasion with a to-scale projection of the Saturn V rocket on the Washington Monument this past Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. And this weekend they will be performing the Apollo 50: Go For The Moon show, a full-motion projection using archival footage to simulate the actual launch.
Pro Life Update
The Trump Administration recently advanced our efforts to fight for the unborn. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that it will immediately begin implementing President Trump’s Protect Life Rule. This will stop any taxpayer-funded facilities from referring for abortions or commingling finances with abortion businesses, meaning abortion centers cannot serve as taxpayer-funded family planning centers. I want to extend the most sincere thank you possible to President Trump for making this happen and fulfilling another major campaign promise to the American people. Our fight to protect life certainly isn’t over however, and I want to assure you all that I am still fully committed to seeing abortion practices completely ended in this country.
Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics
Chairwoman Johnston and Ranking Member Lucas of the Science, Space and Technology Committee hosted a roundtable focused on the unique challenges facing rural communities in providing quality Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education programs. This has been a big priority for me, as an increase in STEM opportunities would be beneficial in workforce development across the Big First. At this roundtable we talked about the different ways rural schools can teach STEM and what federal agencies can do to help. We highlighted the specific geographical challenges faced by rural Americans and discussed the different ways federal funding could efficiently be directed towards meeting those challenges.
USDA Expanding Access to Capital
The USDA has announced new programs designed to help farmers get access to capital. They announced up to $16 million in available funding through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, also known as the 2501 Program. Since 1994, the 2501 Program has awarded 451 grants totaling more than $103 million and the 2018 Farm Bill boosted mandatory funding for the program through FY 2023.
They also launched a new service on Farmers.gov, the Farm Loan Discovery Tool. This resource asks a series of simple questions to help those interested in exploring financing options to operate a farm or buy land. The tool will then find the information on farm loans that best fit their specific needs and provide the loan application and additional resources. This new system is only one of the many tools on farmers.gov that help connect farmers to information that can help their operations and I am glad that they are constantly adapting their systems to meet modern needs.
Building Out Rural Broadband
Last week the FCC authorized $38.7 million in funding over the next decade to help expand broadband access in rural Kansas communities. This comes as part of last year’s Connect America Fund Phase II (CAF II) auction, which will help providers deploy high-speed internet to thousands of homes and businesses across the state that currently lack service. Closing the digital divide in rural Kansas remains a top priority not only for my office but also for the FCC. Our providers across Kansas are working hard to leverage federal dollars to build out networks in rural communities. IdeaTek in Buhler was one of the recipients of CAF II funding, and will work to expand access in Reno County. While much work still remains to be done and I had the chance to thank Chairman Pai in person on Tuesday for his continued efforts to ensure that all Americans have access to broadband, no matter where they live.
Working Towards RESULTS
On Tuesday, I had a chance to sit down with a few Kansas RESULTS advocates to discuss initiatives which will help Americans and our friends across the globe who are stricken by poverty and malnutrition. It is always nice to speak to young people about their goals for the future of our nation, and witness their passion for service firsthand. I look forward to helping carry out several of their initiatives, one of which includes a resolution that I am sponsoring H.Res.189 that will help combat malnutrition in children around the world. Click Here to read more information.
Talking Corn
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Kent Moore, a farmer from Iuka, and Dennis McNinch, a farmer from Utica, who were in town representing the Kansas Corn Growers Association. Among other issues, we discussed the urgent need to pass USMCA as well as the importance of other bilateral trade agreements to develop new markets for corn and corn products around the world. We also touched on the significance of year round E-15 sales and the value of ethanol in general to Kansas Corn farmers.
I am also pleased to share that Dennis will be serving on the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Corn Board next year, where he will provide a strong voice from the heartland to advocate on behalf of farmers in DC and around the country. Last month, NCGA’s “Off the Cob” podcast series caught up with Dennis to discuss some pressing issues facing farmers and to hear what inspired him to run for the position on the board. To listen to the full interview, Click Here.
Agribusiness Retailers in DC
It was great to catch up again with the “Tomorrow’s Agribusiness Leaders” (TAL) class for a meeting in my office after we took a tour of the Capitol building. A jointly sponsored initiative of the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association (KARA) and Kansas Grain & Feed Association (KGFA), the leadership development program is designed to teach the associations’ members about the state and federal legislative and regulatory process. During their visit to Washington, they met with the Kansas delegation and agency officials while also touring historical sites around the city. I really enjoyed meeting with the group to discuss transportation issues, trade, farm bill implementation, and ways I can help to continue to break down regulatory barriers that negatively impact the entire agricultural supply chain.
Kearny County Hospital
Thanks to my grandsons, I always keep a stash of toys in my office and it came in handy when the Kearny County Hospital leadership (and son) stopped by my office to discuss maternal health.
Benjamin Anderson has been the hospital’s CEO for the past 6 years and he’s made Lakin a leader in rural health service, and in particular, maternal health. Because of hospital closures in rural Kansas, women were losing access to maternal health services.
In order to address this, Kearny County Hospital partnered with the University of Kansas School of Medicine and implemented several strategies to improve access to care. As a result of their collaboration, local physicians were able to provide better care for high-risk pregnancies. They also implemented telehealth strategies like creating virtual support programs for pregnant and postpartum women. It was so successful, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) highlighted this partnership in her speech at the National Rural Health Association Annual Conference this past May. CMS is currently working on building out this model, and Kearny County Hospital continues to develop new strategies at the helm of the American Hospital Association’s Task Force on the Future of Rural Health Care.
I’ll be joining Benjamin and other members of the task force next month for their meeting and am looking forward to contributing to this important discussion.
Trump Honors Cobalt
Growing up near Lake El Dorado, I remember watching many families enjoy the water on Cobalt boats. Headquartered in Neodesha, Cobalt has been churning out American-made boats for over 50 years. This week the company was recognized by President Trump at the third annual Made in America Product Showcase at the White House. Thank you Cobalt Boats for your dedication to the American worker and manufacturing in Kansas!
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.