Kansas Common Sense - Working to Protect Air National Guard Cyber Red Team

Statement

Hello,

Welcome to "Kansas Common Sense." Thanks 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.

Tragic Violence in Johnson County

I am shocked and sickened by the violence that occurred in Overland Park and Leawood on Sunday afternoon. Kansas is a place where every person of every kind should be safe from violence or persecution. My deepest regrets are with the victims' loved ones and my thoughts are with the entire community, which has had its sense of comfort and safety threatened by these events. I join all Kansans in proclaiming that these horrific acts of violence have absolutely no place in our communities, our state or our country.

Working to Protect Air National Guard Cyber Red Team

This week, I met with Air National Guard Director Lt. Gen. Stanley Clarke to discuss the 177th Information Aggressor Squadron (IAS) of the Kansas Air National Guard. Lt. Gen. Clarke praised the talented Air National Guardsmen who make up the Cyber Red Team Squadron of the 177th. He affirmed his commitment to the Air Guardsmen by giving up plans to make any manpower changes to the Squadron in Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015, which was previously resolved in Section 933 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2014.

As a condition of Section 933 in the NDAA and maintaining the 177th, a study and report to Congress on "Mission Analysis for Cyber Operations of the Department of Defense" will assess the capabilities of the Squadron and their capacity to meet emerging threats in the cyber domain. I intend to continue working with Lt. Gen. Clarke and the United States Air Force to make certain the exceptional talent of the Cyber Red Team Squadron of the 177th will be retained to perform cyber missions and defend the nation.

Overregulation of Family Farms

Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Thomas Perez testified before the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services Subcommittee on Wednesday. As Ranking Member of the subcommittee, I took the opportunity to question him about the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) recent attempt at regulation of family farms.

Since 1976, Congress has prohibited OSHA from targeting small farms -- defined as those with fewer than ten employees -- for excessive regulation. Yet in 2011, OSHA issued a memo declaring the Congressional prohibition does not apply to many family farms by classifying certain farm operations -- such as the storing, drying or fumigating of grain -- as not being part of the farm. The intent by OSHA to circumvent Congress became clear in recent months when a family farm in Nebraska was fined $132,000 based on rules that should not even apply to them. On December 20, 2013, I joined 42 of my Senate colleagues, from both sides of the aisle, in calling on OSHA to immediately stop their unlawful regulation of small farms.

On Wednesday, Secretary Perez confirmed that DOL has withdrawn the OSHA policy memorandum and that the department takes the issue "very, very seriously." In response to my question, the Secretary stated: "We have instructed the team at OSHA that when you are in a circumstance where you discover that it is a family farm -- case closed." I hope this statement is reassuring to the thousands of family farms throughout Kansas and rural America, who can breathe easier knowing out-of-touch bureaucrats from Washington won't be knocking down their doors to tell them what does or does not count as farming. I will remain committed to working with my colleagues in the U.S. Senate to protect the values and individual rights of farmers of ranchers.

Commitment to Alzheimer's Research

On Tuesday, I attended the Alzheimer's Association National Dinner and was pleased to join nearly 1,000 advocates from across the nation who gathered in Washington, D.C. for the Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Forum to educate members of Congress on the urgent need to address Alzheimer's disease. During the dinner, I was honored to receive the Alzheimer's Association Humanitarian Award. I am humbled to be recognized by those who I consider to be the true champions for Alzheimer's patients and their families.

Nearly every minute, someone in America develops Alzheimer's disease. Experts predict that with the aging of the U.S. population, the number of Alzheimer's cases may triple by the year 2050. Furthermore, caring for those with Alzheimer's and other dementias is expected to cost $214 billion this year, with $150 billion covered by the federal government through Medicare and Medicaid. Without a way to prevent, cure or effectively treat Alzheimer's, the suffering and costs will only continue to climb.

We must strive to achieve not only an effective treatment, but a cure for Alzheimer's over the next decade, and I recently spoke to my colleagues on the Senate floor about the urgent need to pursue this goal.
Kansan Deb Miller Confirmed

On Wednesday, the Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Deb Miller for the Surface Transportation Board (STB). Ms. Miller served as Kansas Secretary of Transportation under three Kansas Governors -- both Democratic and Republican. The three-member STB is tasked with overseeing the rail industry, ruling on rate disputes between shippers and railroads.

The first woman to lead the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), Deb went on to become the longest-serving KDOT Secretary and only member of the Democratic cabinet retained by current Governor Sam Brownback. She has garnered high praise from all sides of the political spectrum for her drive for good transportation policy, as evidenced by her unanimous confirmation vote in the U.S. Senate. After being nominated in September, I am pleased Deb's nomination has been confirmed to fill the STB's vacant seat, restoring certainty for rail shippers who rely upon the board's timely case reviews.

Hunger Strike in Cuba

This week, the Washington Post reported that American Alan Gross has begun a hunger strike in Cuba. I am saddened to learn that detained Mr. Gross is now in a state of even greater suffering as he continues to be held unjustly by the Cuban government. The United States government must continue to push Cuba for the release of Mr. Gross. His return is long overdue, and it is extremely disappointing that it requires life-threatening action to draw attention to his plight. We must do everything possible to return Alan to the United States and bring his family's terrible nightmare to an end.

Great Bend Farm and Ranch Expo

It was good to kick off my weekend back in Kansas at the Great Bend Farm and Ranch Expo. The three-day event featured more than 700 exhibitors who highlighted the latest in farming technology and practices. Topics of conversation at the booths ranged from the farm bill and crop insurance, to the FAA to rural Kansas. I was glad to have the opportunity to visit with many Kansans, including Ned Brack from Great Bend -- a U.S. Navy Veteran who served during the Vietnam War. Thanks again to everyone who shared their thoughts and concerns with me.

Kansas Listening Tour Stop in Rush County

I continued my statewide listening tour in LaCrosse at the Rush County Courthouse. I enjoyed the opportunity to visit with more than 25 local residents about a wide range of topics including the need to protect rural hospitals, protecting 2nd Amendment rights, support for the Keystone XL pipeline and concerns about costly regulations coming out of the federal government that are hurting farmers, bankers, and hospitals in the area. Thanks to Rush Deputy County Clerk Tacy Keener for helping set up the town hall meeting.

The work I do in Washington and the issues I focus on are largely based on the conversations I have with Kansans. I greatly appreciate the hundreds of Kansans who take the time to visit with me at town halls because I learn something from every conversation. Check my website for upcoming Kansas Listening Tour stops.

Livestock Disaster Program Sign-up

I am pleased that on April 15 the USDA will begin signups for livestock disaster programs that were reauthorized in the new Farm Bill. These programs will be retroactive back to October 1, 2011. Livestock Indemnity Payments (LIP) provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather. Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses due to drought or fire. I would encourage producers to contact their local FSA office for more information.

Honored to Serve You in Washington

It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a form of letter, a Facebook comment or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.

Please let me know how I can be of assistance.

Very truly yours,

Jerry

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