Kansas Common Sense - Working Toward a Victory for Common Sense

Statement

Dear Friend,

Welcome to "Kansas Common Sense." Thank you for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter. Please feel free to forward it on to your family and friends if it would interest them.

McConnell Air Force Base KC-135 Tanker Aircraft Crash

Saturday, I was saddened to hear that a McConnell KC-135 Tanker Plane crashed in Kyrgyzstan. The three crew members on board were working to protect our country and keep our freedom within reach, and we should all be grateful for their service. I ask that all Kansans join me in keeping the family and friends of these crew members in their thoughts and prayers.

Working Toward a Victory for Common Sense

On Thursday, I joined Democratic Senator Blumenthal of Connecticut to lead 41 U.S. Senators in calling on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to immediately end the planned closure of 149 air traffic control towers. These towers, part of the FAA's Contract Tower Program, are scheduled to close on June 15 unless the Administration takes action. The closing of these towers -- including Air Traffic Control facilities in Topeka, Hutchinson, Olathe, and Manhattan -- would cause damage to local communities, impair access to rural areas, and increase safety risks for those who travel.

The Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013, which overwhelmingly passed Congress on Friday, April 26, and was signed into law by the President, gives the FAA an additional $253 million in funding flexibility to prevent furloughs for air traffic controllers and keep all contract towers open. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has acknowledged that this funding flexibility is enough to protect both air traffic controllers and the 149 contract towers, and the strong, bipartisan coalition of Senators behind our letter seeks to hold Secretary LaHood to his word.

The Contract Tower Program has been targeted for a 75 percent cut as part of the FAA's attempts to implement sequestration budget cuts, while other accounts within the agency are subjected to only 5 percent reductions. It is my hope that the FAA will soon announce its intent to use their additional funding authority to avoid the damaging closures of 149 towers, in a tremendous victory for common sense.

Sending a Message to President Obama About the Veterans Claim Backlog
The backlog of disability claims within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a persistent and expanding problem that is unacceptable. This week, I joined my colleagues in signing a bipartisan letter to President Obama requesting his involvement to provide our veterans with the timely assistance they deserve to end this backlog. No veteran should have to wait up to a year, or in the worst cases multiple years, to have decisions made vital to their well-being. If you are a veteran who is having difficulty completing your claim with the VA, please contact my Wichita office at (316) 631-1410. You can read a copy of the letter here.

Visiting Paola High School

This week, I visited a senior government class at Paola High School (PHS) to get acquainted with them prior to speaking at their commencement in a few weeks. We had a great conversation about the pride they have for their community and school, and that it's really the students who make it a special place. I also met PHS Student Body President Tanner Morris. Thank you to PHS Principal Phil Bressler and government teacher Christie Sims for allowing me time with this great class of students.

Visiting Sabetha Kiwanis Club

I also had the opportunity to speak to the Sabetha Kiwanis Club. Just as I have always believed that we change the world one person at a time, members of Kiwanis Clubs strive to help one child at a time, and I strongly support their mission.

I enjoyed hearing the perspectives of attendees on a range of topics -- from the importance of protecting Second Amendment rights to making certain those in rural American have access to quality health care. Thanks again to Doug Clark for the invitation to visit, and to the Sabetha Kiwanis Club invite and Club President Roger Young for the warm welcome.

Touring SKF Sealing Solutions

In 1976, SKF Sealing Solutions, an international company with plants in nine different countries, opened a plant in Seneca, Kansas, with a mission that could mutually benefit the Nemaha County community: create jobs in rural America and provide their manufacturing plant with a labor base that understands the meaning of a Midwest work ethic. Almost 40 years later, SKF Sealing Solutions employs more than 140 workers and continues to make a great product right here in Kansas. This week, I had the opportunity to tour the SKF plant, which manufactures more than 2,800 types of sealing parts and provides jobs to folks in five Northeast Kansas counties. I also was glad to hear that the production out of North Carolina, will be transitioning to Seneca. Thank you to SKF Plant Manager Keith Imholte for the invitation and the opportunity to learn more about one of the good things going on in our state.

Touring New Century AirCenter

I had the opportunity to tour and meet with staff from the New Century AirCenter along with Johnson County Commissioners. I learned it was built for military purposes, but is now used for business and flight training. The AirCenter is also fully funded by the New Century Business Park and requires no county subsidies -- a rarity. Thank you to Johnson County Airport Commission Executive Director Lee Metcalf for the opportunity to learn more about the resources the airport provides the business community.

Olathe's FAA Air Route Traffic Control Center

I toured the Olathe Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Route Traffic Control Center this week and was joined by Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland and leadership of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. The control center is one of 20 in the United States that directs air traffic in our country, and it was fascinating to see how the controllers, equipment and technology work together to keep our skies safe for air travelers. Also housed at the center is a national weather office, which allows staff members to work together in providing alternate routes during storms and turbulence. Thank you to National Air Traffic Controller Association Representative Alan MacDonald for the invitation to see a critical component of the FAA.

Never Contract with the Enemy Legislation

Last week, I cosponsored the Never Contract with the Enemy Act, which is based on the belief that U.S. government contracts should not be used to funnel money to enemies. This legislation aims to make certain taxpayer dollars remain out of the hands of organizations or entities that seek to do harm by quickly terminating contracts or agreements across the federal government, regardless of the contract location, that allow taxpayer dollars to reach enemies.

An audit released last month from the Inspector General on contracts in Afghanistan provided various recommendations to improve this oversight function, all of which are included in this legislation and are supported by top military officials. Tax payer dollars should never be wasted, but especially not on the unacceptable circumstance of falling into enemy hands.

Baldwin City Rotary

I attended Baldwin City Rotary Club at Baker University. I was glad to have the opportunity to meet with Baldwin City residents and discuss some of the concerns they have regarding the future of our nation. They agree that we must stay focused on addressing our fiscal crisis and continue to bring the Kansas perspective to Washington D.C. Additional concerns from club members included gun control, crop insurance and reducing the regulatory burden on small businesses and community banks. Thank you to Riley Winkler for the invitation to attend.

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