Blog

Aug 19, 2023

Vote on Debt Ceiling Agreement

Defaulting on our National Debt in no way Benefits Kansans or Americans Reckless

Defaulting on our National Debt in no way Benefits Kansans or AmericansReckless spending can be the demise of our country's well-being and endless deficit spending will eliminate the American dream for our children and grandchildren. The Fiscal Responsibility Act is not legislation I would introduce. However, no deal is not a solution, and defaulting on the national debt in no way benefits Kansans or Americans.Defaulting on our debt would send a message to the world that we are a nation that cannot be trusted to pay our bills. China is watching our ability to govern and would like nothing more than for our standing in the world to be damaged due to default. It is vital to our economy and our national security that we do not default and we preserve the dollar as the world's primary reserve currency. Governing in a divided government is challenging. It requires negotiation and finding common ground. Unfortunately, President Biden refused to negotiate with House Republicans for months in an effort to intimidate Republicans and pass an unaltered debt increase. This would have opened the door for the Democratic majority to spend even more with no strings attached.The debt-ceiling agreement does accomplish key conservative priorities that will benefit America and help put our nation on a better path towards fiscal responsibility. This legislation will slow the rate of spending through implementing non-defense caps, cutting COVID-19 relief funds, blocking new tax hikes, slashing billions in funding to the IRS, adding new work requirements for SNAP and promoting American energy production. Additionally, we must fulfill the most important responsibility of the federal government: to protect and defend our country and to keep our promise to the men and women who served our country. The debt-ceiling deal delivers on our commitment to support our veterans. The deal also secures the full funding for toxic-exposed veterans as authorized by the recently passed PACT Act.Raising the debt limit is not something I or any of my colleagues should take lightly. The debate cannot end with President Biden signing the Fiscal Responsibility Act into law. Congress should not have to wait for a crisis or the debt ceiling to consider fiscally responsible measures. The federal government must spend less, set limits and stop waste. This should become the norm for every Member of Congress and the President. Without a serious long-term plan and subsequent action to reduce spending, we will be back in this position way too soon and will jeopardize the American dream. We must confront this threat head on and – using the debt-ceiling deal as a blueprint – develop a more fiscally responsible legislative agenda.You can watch my full remarks on the debt ceiling agreement here.

VA Deputy Secretary Nominee Testifies before Senate VA CommitteeAs lead Republican of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I led a hearing this week to consider the nomination of the current Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Chief of Staff Tanya Bradsher to be the next Deputy Secretary of the VA. The Deputy Secretary position, often described as the Chief Operating Officer of the department, was left vacant when Donald Remy resigned on April 1.If confirmed by the Senate, Ms. Bradsher would direct organization and policy for the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration and the National Cemetery Administration while also carrying primary responsibility for the rollout of the new Oracle Cerner Electronic Health Record across the VA health care system.Ms. Bradsher is a combat veteran and Bronze Star recipient who served for 20 years in the United States Army. I appreciated meeting Ms. Bradsher and her family at the hearing and the opportunity to hear her testimony about her priorities for the VA if confirmed to this important role.You can watch my remarks here.

Senate Votes to Repeal Biden's Student Loan Forgiveness PlanOn Wednesday, I voted in favor of a resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the Biden administration's decision to forgive federal student loan debt. The decision to forgive federal student loan debt is an overreach of executive power, circumvents the authority of Congress and the Supreme Court is currently reviewing its constitutionality after hearing oral arguments this past spring.According to the Congressional Budget Office, President Biden's student loan cancellation plan is estimated to cost taxpayers $400 billion. The student loan cancellation program reflects unprecedented executive overreach by ignoring the fiscal powers vested exclusively in Congress. Where the President has failed in his duty to faithfully execute the law, it is the province and duty of Congress to remind him of that obligation.

Meeting with Chief of National Guard BureauOn Wednesday, I met with General Daniel Hokanson, the Chief of National Guard Bureau, to discuss the needs and priorities of the Guard. General Hokanson and his team effectively represent the interests of more than 430,000 guardsmen and women across all states and territories within the highest levels of the Department of Defense (DoD). However, the existing rank disparity for General Hokanson's Vice Chief limits its ability to advocate for soldiers and airmen at the same level and with equal authority as the sister services. I am committed to collaborating with the DoD to address this bureaucratic issue and make certain the Guard's voice is heard equally.We also addressed the Guard's recruitment efforts and its positive results despite the broader recruiting challenges faced by the military. The Army National Guard is projected to meet its recruiting goals, while the Air National Guard is expected to achieve nearly 97% of its target. This success speaks to the Guard's impact on our communities and its appeal to young men and women.Additionally, I expressed my support for extending the DoD STARBASE program in Kansas, especially to rural communities. General Hokanson emphasized the program's positive influence in engaging young minds and fostering interest in STEM. It is crucial to make certain that children have access to the resources necessary for them to achieve success right here in Kansas. I look forward to continuing to partner with General Hokanson to further achieve this goal for our state.As a steadfast advocate for our servicemembers, I will continue to fight for the resources and support needed to address the Guard's priorities and to support its critical role in national security and our communities. The Kansas Guard plays an important role, and I am dedicated to making certain that both the Kansas Guard and members of the Guard nationwide have the necessary tools for success.Speaking at 104th Annual Kansas American Legion State ConventionIt was a great crowd at the 104th Annual Kansas American Legion Convention in Topeka on Saturday morning. It is always an honor to address this group and to recognize their service to our nation.Kansans in the Office Capitol TourDavid Flint of Overland ParkDonna Flint of Overland ParkPatrick Flint of WestwoodMiles Flint of LeawoodBret Zikefoose of LenexaWendy Zikefoose of LenexaMadison Malcolm of TonganoxieTravis Statlander of Overland ParkSarah Statlander of Overland ParkReghan Statlander of Overland ParkGavin Statlander of Overland ParkJames Rainforth of Spring HillJeni Rainforth of Spring HillJadyn Rainforth of Spring HillJake Rainforth of Spring HillJackson Rainforth of Spring HillJohn Kratofil of Overland ParkErica Kratofil of Overland ParkAbigail Kratofil of Overland ParkLuke Kratofil of Overland ParkJack Kratofil of Overland ParkCaitlyn Kratofil of Overland ParkBryan Feauto of HaysAmy Feauto of HaysGarrett Feauto of HaysGrant Coffman of HaysPaige Coffman of WichitaDavid Pope of TopekaJulie Pope of TopekaMichael Perryman of LawrenceAnne Perryman of LawrenceJoseph Perryman of LawrenceBrian O’Neal of OlatheKristi O’Neal of OlatheResse O’Neal of OlatheCamden O’Neal of OlatheTrent Peterson of HavenErin Peterson of HavenCassidy Peterson of HavenBrady Peterson of HavenDr. Robert Miller of LouisburgKristen Miller of LouisburgPetunia Miller of LouisburgMabel Miller of LouisburgDeborah Miller of LouisburgJeffery Wetta of WichitaStacia Wetta of WichitaCaleb Wetta of WichitaMacy Wetta of WichitaEthan Wetta of WichitaScott Hanrath of LawrenceLaura Mielke of LawrenceHenry Hanrath of LawrenceEllen Hanrath of LawrenceDaniel Bortnick of WamegoJulia Bortnick of WamegoNathan Bortnick of WamegoTyler Bortnick of WamegoColby Bortnick of WamegoDiane Carver of El DoradoJames Stauffer of El DoradoKandice Granado of TopekaRyker Granado of TopekaBrett Long of Bonner SpringsShannon Long of Bonner SpringsEmily Long of Bonner SpringsOwen Long of Bonner SpringsBrennan Wilcox of TopekaJennifer Wilcox of TopekaAidan Wilcox of TopekaDeborah Combs of TopekaBrian Dwyer of WichitaJessica Dwyer of WichitaDevon Dwyer of WichitaDenise Hammond of OlatheKSU/State Department FellowJohn Leslie of ManhattanNational Guard BureauSara Thurston of ManhattanCindy Elliott of HaysFoundation for Rural Service Youth Tour Students & ChaperonesJacque Beckman of LenexaJulie Bergman of SenecaDarren McDorman of CaldwellMerit Carter of RansomAden Geisendorf of HiawathaJulia Kuhl of HaysKennedy Lowery of CaldwellAvrie Maloney of Medicine LodgeAshlee McDorman of CaldwellElizabeth Noble of HaysMadison Seyb of JohnsonKaden Smith of Horton