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.

Calling on USDA to Support Farmers & Ranchers Impacted by Wildfires 
Beginning last Tuesday, wildfires spread up from Oklahoma and across western Kansas, forcing many to evacuate their homes, businesses and communities. Firefighters across the state, including many volunteers, have worked around the clock to put out these prairie fires and protect the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers. I’m grateful to these firefighters, the other first responders and the Kansas emergency departments that are currently working to keep Kansans safe.

Our agriculture community in Kansas knows too well the devastation that can occur from natural disasters. After fires ravaged Kansas in 2017, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) strengthened its disaster programs to better assist farmers, ranchers and producers impacted by natural disasters. To make certain these programs are utilized, I led my colleagues, Sen. Roger Marshall (Kan.) and U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01), in urging U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins to take immediate action to support those affected by the wildfires. You can learn more here.

For more information on these recovery resources and others, visit my website here, as well as the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) website here.

USDA Announces Farmer Bridge Payments Enrollment Period 

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the opening of enrollment for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program to provide $11 billion in one-time payments to row crop producers. The enrollment period will run from February 23 through April 17, 2026. Producers with eligible commodities who filed their 2025 crop acreage report can access their pre-filled FBA application utilizing their Login.gov account or may request a pre-filled application from their FSA county office. For more information regarding the FBA program, you can visit the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) website here or visit your local FSA office with any additional questions you might have.

Briefing from U.S. European Command & Visiting Kansas Sailors on USS Bulkeley
It was an honor to meet and personally thank the sailors serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the Destroyer USS Bulkeley – including two Kansans, Navy Chaplain Joshua Keatts of Olathe, and Kendal Bebb of Mound Valley. The USS Bulkeley is currently deployed to conduct maritime security and support our NATO partnerships, deterring aggression from Russia, Iran, and other adversaries in the region. Prior to visiting the USS Bulkeley, I was briefed by Four-Star General Grynkewich, the Commanding General of U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and the Supreme Allied Commander Europe. He briefed us on current activity on the European continent and on our NATO allies’ efforts to meet their defense spending commitments, which contribute to this critical alliance. We also discussed the interconnectivity of the European theater and our nation’s other threats, including Iran. EUCOM has and continues to provide critical security in support of troops, partners, and allies in the European and surrounding theaters. I am grateful to our men and women in uniform for their service to our country and their commitment to protecting freedom.

Applauding Kansas Federal Judicial Nominations
This week, President Trump announced the appointments of Jeffrey Kuhlman, Tony Mattivi and Anthony Powell, dedicated public servants whom I was pleased to recommend to the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. After a lengthy process where I had the opportunity to meet with many qualified candidates who expressed interest in serving on the bench, these individuals stood out for their deep commitment to serving Kansas and our country, pursuing justice and upholding the rule of law. I am grateful for the President’s confidence in these candidates, and I look forward to their confirmation process in the Senate.

You can read more about these three nominees from The Topeka Capital-Journal here.

Securing Federal Resources for Kansas Hospitals
As a senior appropriator, I worked to secure federal resources for Kansas hospitals, including $20 million for The University of Kansas Health System (TUKHS). TUKHS will use these resources to purchase equipment for the new KU Cancer Center building to help fight and cure cancer and help support the expansion of the psychiatric-safe emergency department at the main hospital campus, making upgrades to provide life-saving resources and care for patients in Kansas and the region. You can read more about this investment from the Lawrence Journal-World here.

I also worked to secure more than $7 million in federal support for rural Kansas hospitals and community centers. Rural hospitals and health care providers play a critical role in sustaining communities across our state, with access to quality medical care often being the deciding factor for families determining whether they can remain in the rural communities they call home. These resources will help providers improve patient outcomes, invest in new medical capabilities and strengthen access to care in some of our state’s smallest communities. You can read more about this investment from KSN here.

These investments build on the nearly $222 million that Kansas received this year through the Rural Health Transformation Program, which I worked to establish during the reconciliation process last year. Together, these efforts will make certain hospitals across our state remain strong and able to serve Kansans for years to come.

Supporting Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced this week that it would no longer report veterans who are appointed a fiduciary by VA to help manage their financial decisions and VA benefits to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Previously, when VA appointed a fiduciary to a veteran who needed assistance managing their finances and VA benefits, VA reported that veteran to the FBI’s NICS list, effectively stripping them of their Second Amendment right to legally purchase and own a firearm, without any findings by a court of law that the veteran may be a danger to themselves or others.

Since 2024, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) and I have worked to secure language in annual appropriations legislation to provide temporary due process protections for veterans and, last year, we introduced legislation to permanently end this wrongful practice. No veteran should be penalized or stripped of their right to legally purchase and own a firearm without due process simply because they sought assistance from VA regarding their finances or earned benefits. I applaud VA for correcting this practice, as it will allow veterans in Kansas and across the country to obtain the necessary and critical help they need to manage their benefits, without jeopardizing their constitutional rights, and I will continue to work toward passage of the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act to make certain this breach of due process cannot occur again under any administration.

You can learn more about the legislation here.

Commending Retiring Adjutant General of Kansas National Guard
This week, following more than three decades of distinguished service, Major General Michael Venerdi announced his retirement as Adjutant General of the Kansas National Guard. Major General Venerdi has served Kansas, the men and women of the Kansas National Guard and our entire country well during his time as Adjutant General of the Kansas National Guard. Our state has benefited from his steady leadership, integrity and commitment to bolstering readiness and supporting the mission of our Guard members. I’m grateful to Major General Venerdi for his service in our work together on behalf of Kansans, and I congratulate him on a well-deserved retirement. I look forward to working with Brigadier General Paul Schneider as he assumes the role of Adjutant General for Kansas.

Sen. Moran with Major General Venerdi at Kansas National Guard’s new Joint Force Headquarters Ribbon Cutting in May 2025

Supporting Aerospace Innovation
I recently introduced legislation with Sens. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), John Curtis (R-Utah), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) to bolster emerging aviation technologies and American leadership in aerospace innovation. The Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act would direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update and streamline the type certification process for new aviation technologies – including Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft – to make certain that the process is transparent and reliable.

This legislation will build on my bill that was signed into law in 2022, the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act, which directed the Department of Transportation to establish an AAM interagency working group to plan and coordinate efforts necessary to improving the AAM ecosystem and integrating AAM into the airspace.

You can learn more about the legislation here.
 

Supporting Small Businesses Using AI
Rural small businesses face limited resources and workforce shortages, and artificial intelligence (AI) has tremendous potential to fill in the gaps. I introduced legislation with Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) that would support small businesses seeking to use AI to meet their needs, expand and innovate. The Small Business Artificial Intelligence Training Act would authorize the Department of Commerce to work with the Small Business Administration to create and distribute AI training resources and tools to help small businesses leverage AI in their operations. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation.

You can read more about this legislation from KCLY here.

Newman University & GCCC Announce Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree
This week, Newman University and Garden City Community College (GCCC) announced a joint partnership to offer a new bachelor’s degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. This announcement builds on the strong partnership between Newman University and GCCC, while helping address the critical need for health care professionals in rural Kansas. With the addition of this new program, students in southwest Kansas will have the opportunity to learn the high-demand skills needed to provide quality care to their local communities. Just as importantly, this effort will help to retain Kansas talent and make certain that young students who want to pursue careers in health care can achieve that success right here at home. I look forward to seeing the positive results this program will provide Kansas students when it launches this fall.

You can read more about this announcement from Newman University here.

Remembering Verlin Pfannenstiel
I was saddened to hear of the recent passing of my longtime friend Verlin Pfannenstiel. Verlin was a staple in Ellis County who made a difference in the lives of many. From his childhood roots in Munjor to his career as owner of Heartland Building Centers in Hays, Russell and Stockton, Verlin dedicated his life to serving his local communities. He graciously supported his alma mater, Fort Hays University, and served on numerous boards including those of the FHSU Endowment Association, Hays Community Assistance Center and St. Francis Catholic Church of Munjor. Verlin also organized the annual City Wide Festival of Faith and, along with his wife, Elaine, was instrumental in the construction of the new Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas office in Hays.

Verlin’s strong faith, devotion to his family and belief in the good of others were central to his life. I was grateful to call him a friend and for the impact he made on so many lives. He will be deeply missed. My prayers are with Elaine, their children, Christi, Cindy, Russ and Ryan, and their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

You can learn more about Verlin’s life from the Hays Post here.

Information for Kansans Traveling in Mexico
Due to cartel violence in parts of Mexico, Kansans in the impacted regions should follow travel guidance from the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico which can be found here and enroll in the State Department’s Smart Travel Enrollment Program which can be found here.

Kansans in Mexico who are in need of assistance can also reach out to my office by calling 202-224-6521 or emailing [email protected].

Now Accepting Summer 2026 Internship Applications
My own interest in public service was sparked by an internship for Kansas First District Congressman Keith Sebelius in 1974. As an intern, I had the chance to learn firsthand how a Congressional office operates and how the legislative process works. I am glad to be able to offer this same opportunity in my Senate office today, where I have interns year-round working closely with my staff to serve Kansans.

Applications for internships in my Washington, D.C. and Kansas offices for the Summer 2026 session are due Sunday, March 8. Congressional internships are open to qualified undergraduate and graduate students who have an interest in public service and have achieved academic excellence.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Now Accepting Summer 2026 Page Applications
Applications are now open for the Summer 2026 Senate Page Program. High school students are afforded a unique opportunity to work in the Senate and learn about Congress and the legislative process. Summer Page eligibility is limited to students who have completed their sophomore year of high school and who will be 16 or 17 years old on or before the date of appointment. The deadline to apply is Sunday, March 22. You can learn more about the Senate Page program here.

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. You can contact me by email by clicking here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C., office.

Very truly yours,

Jerry 

Garden City
312 N. 8th Street, Suite B
Garden City, KS 67846
Phone: (620) 260-3025