Kansas Common Sense - Maiden Speech
Statement
Dear Friend,
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Maiden Speech: Preserving Kansas Way of Life for Next Generation
From the Senate's earliest days, new members have observed the tradition of not joining floor debates for a period of time -- ranging from several months to several years -- until they have given their first speech. So it was a distinct honor to join my colleagues on the Senate floor this week to deliver my maiden speech about an issue of critical importance to our future -- our nation's fiscal health.
Our country is facing enormous fiscal challenges and if we fail to act, our children's future will be at risk. In just the last two years, government spending has grown nearly 25 percent and we've had record trillion dollar budget deficits. Today, our government borrows 40 cents of every dollar it spends and our national debt has soared to more than $14 trillion. Common sense tells us this pattern cannot continue.
The debate about government spending in Washington is often seen as a philosophical or academic issue, but the truth is this out-of-control borrowing and spending has very real consequences on Americans' daily lives. When we continually fail to balance the budget, it means increasing inflation, higher interest rates, and uncertainty in the economy -- resulting in less business investment and fewer jobs.
As I humbly begin my new responsibilities, I remain committed to leading with Kansas common sense, and to making the tough choices necessary today, so that tomorrow--and every day thereafter--our children and grandchildren can live in an America that provides them the opportunity to dream big and pursue those dreams. If I am successful, I will have fulfilled my responsibilities as a parent, just like my mom and dad, and as an American who believes our country's better and brighter days lie ahead.
Deficit Cuts Standoff Continues in Washington
On Wednesday, I voted in favor of passing legislation to reduce the federal government's spending for the rest of the current fiscal year by a total of $61 billion, and against the alternative proposal of only $6.5 billion in cuts. Both measures failed to receive the necessary votes for passage, leaving Washington in a continued standoff when it comes to reducing spending and restoring prosperity -- the most important issue of our generation.
Kansans may be looking at this debate and thinking "Politicians in Washington are just arguing one more time about an issue they don't agree on." But this is much more significant than a typical political fight; this is about the future of our country, the standard of living Americans enjoy, and whether or not there will be an American dream to be lived by our kids and grandkids.
The $4 billion two-week continuing resolution currently keeping our government from shutting down expires on March 18th, but I stand ready to make the tough decision this situation demands and hope the Democrats and President Obama come to the table with a serious proposal.
We need to get the issue of last year's spending behind us so we can do the real work of adopting a budget to reduce the deficit next year and into the future.
Subcommittee Hearing to Review USDA's 2012 Budget Proposal
The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Thursday to review the President's Fiscal Year 2012 Budget for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Witnesses included Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, as well as Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan; Joseph Glauber, USDA's chief economist; and Michael Young, USDA's budget officer.
During the hearing, I asked Secretary Vilsack about how USDA intends to spend funds allocated under the Agriculture Food Research Initiative (AFRI), which is USDA's competitive grant agriculture research program. Given limited resources, it is important USDA fund research projects that will have the greatest impact on agriculture. I am concerned USDA has lost its focus on production agriculture and is channeling funding away from important projects like plant disease resistance and crop genomic research. I will continue my dialogue with the Secretary to ensure USDA remains focused on research that will help farmers feed the world.
Robust Enforcement of Sanctions is Necessary
For the second time in a week, I wrote Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday about the urgent need for the State Department to enforce U.S. sanctions against Iran. Nine other members of the Senate joined me in expressing bipartisan support for the secretary to use the full measure of U.S. economic, diplomatic and political power to thwart Iranian nuclear ambitions.
My colleagues and I identified a number of foreign companies and banks that are believed to be doing business in Iran in violation of U.S. law. We asked Secretary Clinton to update us on State Department investigations of these and other firms by March 29 -- a deadline set by legislation I supported last year that is now law.
Failure to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability holds great danger for the United States and our allies who are in range of Iranian missiles. Emboldened by the nuclear backing of Iran, terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah could launch more aggressive attacks that would further destabilize an already shaken Middle East. Robust enforcement of sanctions is the best tool we have to persuade Iran to end its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Moran's Memo: New Bi-Weekly Column
In an effort to provide more information about my work in Washington, I have begun writing a twice-monthly column called "Moran's Memo." The column is published in various newspapers throughout our state and highlights issues that have an impact on the daily lives of Kansans. I will continue to send my weekly e-mail newsletter, recently renamed "Kansas Common Sense," but "Moran's Memo" is intended to provide more in-depth coverage of a particular topic.
Japan: Our Thoughts and Prayers Are With You
I join Kansans in offering my sincere condolences for the loss of life and damage caused by the earthquake and tsunamis in Japan. Japanese officials confirmed have 2,800 are dead and thousands more are missing. Hundreds of thousands of people are struggling to find food and water, and some 1.9 million households are without electricity.
The U.S. Government has offered immediate disaster relief assistance, and is working closely with the Government of Japan to provide additional help. U.S. consular officers in Japan and the United States are working to gather information and assist U.S. citizens in Japan who may have been affected by the earthquake.
Searching for Loved Ones:
* If you are aware of a U.S. citizen in Japan in need of emergency consular assistance, please e-mail JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov with detailed information about their location and contact information.
* If you are concerned about a specific loved one in Japan you have been unable to locate, you can use that same e-mail address, JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov. Please also send an update if you have information that your loved one is safe. Although telephone lines may be disrupted, the U.S. Department of State encourages you to try contacting your loved one by email, text (SMS) message, or other social media (Facebook, MySpace, Linked In, Twitter, etc.) that your loved one may use.
* If you have a loved one assigned to a U.S. military installation in Japan, know that the U.S. military reports all personnel have been accounted for, and there are no reports of injuries. You may call 1-800-342-9647 or send an email to Mosdrt@militaryonesource.com to inquire about your loved one or contact the individual unit command directly for more specific information.
* If you have concerns about a specific Japanese citizen who may be affected by the earthquake and tsunami, please contact the Japanese Embassy in Washington by calling 1-202-238-6700, or the nearest Consulate.
Donating to Japan Relief Efforts
Many Kansans are looking for ways to help those impacted by the disaster in Japan. You can also find information on that list about how to make a $10 donation to many of the organizations from your mobile phone by sending a text message, including the American Red Cross. The donation will appear on your cell phone bill.
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