Jerry Moran

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, today I want to recognize the first responders who responded to a tragic multi-vehicle wreck on Interstate- 70 on March 14 and remember the victims of this accident. Kansas is well-known for its windy plains and expansive prairies, but these features of our State can, on occasion, create dangerous weather conditions. Leading up to March 14, high sustained winds coupled with dry conditions on the plains had created the right conditions for a dust storm. In the afternoon of March 14, a dust storm ripped unobstructed across western Kansas, leading to a sudden and deadly dust storm on I-70. The storm led to low visibility and hazardous driving conditions on I-70 between the two rural communities of Colby and Goodland, near the Colorado border. What began as a few collisions on I-70 quickly spiraled into a hazardous pile-up involving more than 70 vehicles, including several semi-trucks. Despite the hazardous conditions, first responders from the neighboring communities rushed to the site of the accident still battling the low visibility and dangerous conditions brought on by the dust storm. In rural communities, the police and fire forces are small and are often supported by volunteers. These men and women dropped what they were doing and put themselves at great risk to help the folks involved in the massive crash. With limited resources and hazardous conditions, the first responders reacted quickly and with great skill to extract folks from their vehicles and transport them to the closest hospitals. Goodland Fire Chief Brian James summed up the emergency response like this: ``I don't think people realize the dedication these men and women give to make this community safe and secure. We had to think outside the box to get patients transported to hospitals in Goodland and Colby by using our fire department support vehicle with EMTs in the back to using patrol vehicles from Goodland Police Department, Sherman County Sheriff's Office and Kansas Highway Patrol. I'm sorry for the lives lost in this incident, but I'm grateful for the ones we could save.'' Emergency crews poured in from neighboring counties doing everything they could to help. This included firefighters, EMTs, police, highway patrol officers, sheriffs and dispatchers from the Goodland Fire Department, Brewster Fire Department, Northwest Kansas Ambulance Service, Colby Fire Department, Goodland Police Department, Sherman County Sheriff's Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Game Warden W300, Thomas County EMS, Wallace County EMS, Cheyenne County EMS, and Sherman County Dispatch. These men and women put themselves at great risk to respond to this accident; and I have no doubt that their efforts saved many lives. I want to thank all the first responders for their service to the Kansans and travelers who they assisted on I-70. I also want to thank the hospitals who received and treated the victims from the crash. Rural hospitals have small staffs and limited resources, but the medical centers in northwest Kansas did an outstanding job treating and transporting those who were injured. Citizens Medical Center in Colby treated 30 patients and transported 5 who needed additional care. Goodland Regional Medical Center treated 26 patients and transported 3 who needed additional care. Thank you to the nurses, doctors, and hospital staff who worked through the night and into the weekend treating patients and sending them safely on their way. I also want to express my gratitude to the Kansas Highway Patrol whose work continued through the evening, and into the weekend, clearing the interstate so it could be re-opened. This tragic accident led to the deaths of eight people. My heart goes out to the families who lost a loved one in this tragedy on I-70. Losing a loved one is painful, especially in sudden tragic circumstances. It is times like this that communities pull together, and we remember how blessed we are to have neighbors and strangers who are willing to risk their lives to help others. I hope everyone uses this tragic accident as a reminder to hold your loved ones a little closer and thank the men and women who put their own lives at risk for the sake of others. Stay safe and may God bless.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, today, I want to recognize Pete Bunce, the president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, GAMA, who is retiring next month. Pete is a dedicated leader and a stalwart in the aviation industry. He has done a remarkable job advocating for the interests of general aviation manufacturers, many of which call Kansas home. I first met Pete during my time in the House of Representatives, when he was the Director of the U.S. Air Force Congressional Budget and Appropriations Liaison in the House. We worked together on military, veterans, and transportation issues. When he went over to GAMA, I knew the association would be in good hands, and he has taken it to new heights during his illustrious 20 years at the helm. Throughout his storied career, Pete has engaged regulators, policymakers, and elected officials to promote general aviation. As part of his legislative affairs efforts, he led GAMA during the passage and implementation of the Small Airplane Revitalization Act, which modernized the certification standards and methods for small aircraft. He and his team have also provided valuable industry insights through numerous FAA reauthorizations, including the latest bill passed last Congress. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pete and his team strongly advocated for the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection (AMJP) program, which I helped successfully manage through Congress to strengthen the aviation industry's fragile supply chain and keeping highly skilled workers in the industry. Pete and his GAMA team were also was intimately involved with consideration and passage of the Advanced Air Mobility and Coordination Act. I hope that report, which should be delivered by the administration in the near term, will help lay the foundation for this critical industry and the innovations it will bring. Pete has been recognized for his noteworthy service to the general aviation industry with many accolades including being named the 2007 Aviation Industry Leader of the Year by the Living Legends of Aviation, awarded the ICAS Sword of Excellence in 2009, inducted as one of the 70 Living Legends of Aviation in 2010, inducted into the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame, presented with the NAA Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesman of Aviation Award in 2022, and bestowed with the EAA's Freedom of Flight Award in 2024. Pete has done so much to advance the welfare of the general aviation industry, one which he has loved and cherished since first learning to fly as a teenager and working at his local airport. Thank you, Pete, for your steadfast service to the general aviation industry, especially within the great State of Kansas. I wish you ``Blue Skies and Tailwinds'' during your well-earned retirement. I hope you enjoy retirement and spending more time with your lovely wife Patty.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, today, I want to recognize Jones Heritage Realtors of Pittsburg, KS, as they celebrate 120 years in the real estate business. Jones Heritage Realtors was founded in 1905 by Frank A. Jones in Pittsburg. In 1908, Frank's brother Ernest joined the business, and together, they established their family business selling real estate and insurance. Paul S. Jones joined his father Frank in 1946, and a few years later, Frank's daughter Ruth Jones Sherman joined the family business in 1953. Ruth was the first female realtor in the city of Pittsburg and worked for the agency for 34 years. Brian K. Jones, Paul's son, joined the business in 1979 and purchased his father's interest in the agency in 1985. Even after transferring his share of the company to his son, Paul remained active in the management of the family operation for several years. As the leader of Jones Heritage Realtors, Brian has served his community numerous ways, serving as a member of the local Rotary club, Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Pittsburg Land Bank Board of Trustees, Crawford County Mental Health Board, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Family and Children Together, Explore Crawford County, and the Pittsburg Board of Realtors. He is active in the National Association of Realtors and served as its director and region 9 vice president in 2015. As a member of the Kansas Association of Realtors, Brian served as the 2010 president, the chairman of Real Estate Business Resources, the Associations for Profit Company, and is on the board of directors and executive committee. Brian was also awarded the 2002 Kansas Realtor of the Year and 2013 Distinguished Service Award. Brian has invested his time and resources into his community, and individuals in Pittsburg have expressed their gratitude for Brian and Jones Heritage Realtors. Blake Benson, the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce President said, ``Jones Heritage Realtors is among Kansas' most notable corporate citizens. From its beginning in 1905 through today, the company has always prioritized community involvement among its brokers and realtors and our region has benefitted greatly from their support. We look forward to continuing this relationship well into the future.'' Kim Froman, city of Pittsburg Director of Community Development and Housing, said, ``Brian's extensive knowledge and experience with real estate has made him an ideal advocate for housing initiatives within the City of Pittsburg. He dedicated nine years of service to the Pittsburg Land Bank Board of Trustees, including three years as chairperson, while also holding multiple other positions on community boards. All of this combined experience has greatly impacted the housing market and community within the City of Pittsburg, and we look forward to continuing to work together in the future.'' Today, Jones Heritage Realtors is an integral component of the growth and economic development of the Pittsburg community. The firm has handled numerous commercial, industrial and residential transactions and has developed several residential and commercial areas throughout the city. With 120 years and three generations of knowledge and experience in the Pittsburg community, Jones Heritage Realtors has a prominent influence in the local real estate industry and will continue their legacy of excellence for years to come. Congratulations to Brian and his team on this milestone.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, in my conversations with Kansans, I frequently point to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs as proof that we can still work together, that unity is attainable, and that we are able to set aside our partisan differences and frustrations to find a way to work together to put our Nation's veterans first because they did that for us when they put on the uniform and took a vow to defend and protect our country. The Senate has to work together with the administration, with the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans service organizations, and the broad veteran community across the country. This resolution divides the Congress and the administration and makes it more difficult for us to find consensus. We should work together. We should work together to determine what is the right kind of workforce at the VA--a workforce that enables the Department to better care for veterans. Approving this resolution drives a wedge between this body--this Senate, this Congress--and the executive branch, and I don't see how that helps veterans. Additionally, this resolution was designed to lock in at the VA the status quo as of January 19. I don't know if any of my colleagues believe the VA was doing everything just right prior to this administration. I commit today to all my colleagues to work with them to make certain the VA retains an effective workforce that can deliver our promises to veterans, but we will only achieve that by working together and working with the Department of Veterans Affairs to find the desirable outcomes. We need more information, and we need to be working together to achieve that. Therefore, I object.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, this amendment is unnecessary. Full funding to carry out the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson PACT Act is not in jeopardy. The PACT Act received widespread bipartisan support, bicameral commitment, because we care about toxic-exposed veterans and their families, and this is not a partisan issue. Republicans have always fought to fully fund the VA. When the VA comes back to Congress asking for more money, like they did last September, because of unexpected shortfalls, we said yes. The administration and this Congress will continue to prioritize full and uninterrupted funding of the VA, including funding necessary to fulfill the laws, like the PACT Act, that Congress enacted. I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment. Vote on Amendment No. 659

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, today I want to speak about a program that has shaped our Nation's humanitarian efforts and made a significant impact on my home State of Kansas, a program called Food for Peace. In 1953, agricultural surpluses had reached an alltime high, but the price of storing excess commodities was too expensive to rationalize, and it was at risk of going to waste. Kansas farmers, like Cheyenne County's Peter O'Brien, worked hard to cultivate and grow these commodities. Looking for a solution, Peter suggested at a local Farm Bureau meeting that maybe the excess food could be sent to countries in need. Peter understood that, out of our abundance, we have a moral duty and opportunity to feed the hungry. His idea sparked the origin of a program we now know as Food for Peace. Another Kansan, one of my predecessors, Andy Schoeppel, led the Food for Peace Act in the Senate, which was signed into law by President Eisenhower, another Kansan, in 1954, and Senator Bob Dole from Russell, KS, later championed the reauthorization of Food for Peace. The program's premise was simple but impactful: By leveraging the food surpluses we produce in Kansas and across the Nation, we could address famine around the world, while creating new markets for our commodities and bolstering our agricultural economy. The first shipments of American wheat and corn were sent to Korea and Greece in 1954, and by the end of Food for Peace's initial year of operation, it had fed 1.2 million people. Over the last 70 years, the program has fed more than 4 billion people in more than 150 countries, all with American-grown commodities. Hunger, whether driven by price increases or food shortages, can act as a catalyst for protest and armed conflict. We have seen how food can be used as a weapon of war as radical Islamic groups in Syria used food as a means to recruit soldiers. We have witnessed regions of the world that are critical to America's strategic interest descend into chaos due to people not having access to affordable food. In a turbulent world, stricken with conflict, American leadership is more than just our military and our economic might. Food aid provided by the United States reduces despair and increases stability within fragile countries by enabling economic productivity and minimizing the risk of radicalization. For countless individuals around the world, their survival is dependent upon the resources provided by the American people. These vulnerable populations rely on the strength and prosperity of the United States. However, much work remains in the ongoing battle against hunger, and part of that battle is improving the process and programs that administer our aid. Food for Peace is administered by the USAID, and the inefficiency of USAID has been a growing concern. The Agency struggles with bureaucratic delays, mismanagement, and a lack of coordination, which undermines its ability to deliver effectively aid to those in need. This inefficiency not only wastes taxpayer dollars but also diminishes the impact of America's foreign aid in addressing global crises. Reports suggest that millions of taxpayer dollars have been allocated to promoting tourism in Lebanon and Egypt, funding the purchase of electric vehicles for Vietnam, and inadvertently supporting the cultivation of opium in Afghanistan. Even more concerning, it has been confirmed that $9 million intended for civilian food and medical supplies in Syria fell into the hands of terrorist organizations linked to al-Qaida, due to the failed oversight of USAID. Amid these concerns of corruption, President Trump has taken steps to dismantle USAID. In conjunction with the President's action and with approval of the White House policy team, I have introduced a bill with Senator John Hoeven and Senator Roger Marshall and Representative Tracey Mann to move Food for Peace from the turbulent USAID program and move it to the Department of Agriculture, in an effort to prevent waste and bring the program closer to farmers that depend upon it. USDA has a long and proven history of managing agricultural policy and programs that support American farmers, food distribution systems, and global security efforts. USDA has boots on the ground and the infrastructure already in place to support the logistics for food assistance. The Agency understands how to move crops efficiently, sustainably, and quickly. This knowledge is indispensable when responding to international crises, where speed and reliability can mean the difference between life and death. By placing Food for Peace under USDA's authority, we make certain that the program is in good hands and can continue to bring revenue to American agriculture. As of just a little over an hour ago, the Senate confirmed the new Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins. I have no doubt she will be an excellent advocate for our Nation's farmers, and I appreciate the conversations we have already had on this legislation. The Secretary has told me she is excited about this proposal and looks forward to working together on this issue. We produce more than we can consume in this Nation. So without programs to export to, our ability to make a living in agriculture in Kansas and across the country disappears. In fiscal year 2023 alone, $713 million of U.S.-grown commodities were purchased by the Food for Peace program, putting money back into the hands of farmers. In rural America, food assistance programs like Food for Peace put American-grown products in the hands of the hungry, and this food is a tangible extension of the hard work and dedication of farmers and ranchers. I am pleased to help find ways to make our delivery of food aid more effective, more efficient, and remove the challenges and things that we have seen that are so disturbing. America is the greatest country on Earth and the most prosperous. Food for Peace bolsters the farmers who feed us, creates a more stable world, and feeds the hungry. I yield the floor.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Madam President, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs has adopted rules governing its procedures for the 119th Congress. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 2, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, on behalf of myself and Ranking Member Blumenthal, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the committee rules be printed in the Congressional Record.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I appear before the U.S. Senate today to ask for support and for adoption of a resolution honoring the memory of 67 lives that were lost in a tragic accident that occurred last week over the Potomac River and to recognize the heroic efforts of hundreds of first responders who supported the rescue and the recovery operations in the aftermath. Last Wednesday, January 29, American Airlines flight 5342 traveling from Wichita, KS, to Washington, DC, and U.S. Army Aviation Brigade Priority Air Transport 25 collided over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National. There were no survivors. This collision is the deadliest aviation incident America has witnessed in nearly 25 years, and I am heartbroken at the loss of life and the pain experienced by family, friends, and loved ones of the victims. This loss is personal. It is Kansas. This loss is personal; I have taken this flight many times. My wife and I have taken this flight, as have thousands of other Kansans traveling from our home State to the Nation's Capital. Since this crash we have learned that, as expected, Kansans were among the victims. And I extend my prayers and deepest condolences to the friends and family of all 67 victims from across the country and even around the globe. Among the victims are husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, sons and daughter, friends and coworkers. There are not words we know to express the devastating loss that families and friends of victims are now experiencing. Even as we mourn the 67 killed in this tragedy, we are reminded of the American spirit of solidarity and support displayed over the course of the last 8 days. I trust that this spirit will persist as we continue to mourn and to heal. I am joined by several of my colleagues whose constituents are among the victims. Their participation demonstrates that this loss is felt not only at home in Kansas but across country. We are all grieving and, together, we can help bear each other's burdens. Immediately following the crash, hundreds--hundreds--of first responders from more than 40 local, State, and Federal Agencies responded to the scene, working tirelessly through the night and into the days that followed on rescue and recovery operations. The first responders from the District of Columbia, from Virginia, from Maryland, along with various Federal Agencies, acted bravely, swiftly, and courageously in harsh conditions. This resolution commemorates the victims and acknowledges their loved ones' deep loss. And we will promise, in this resolution, to continue to help carry those burdens for them. This resolution also expresses gratitude to law enforcement and to emergency medical personnel, to all the first responders who arrived to try to make a difference. And they did. I yield the floor.

Mr. MORAN. I thank the gentleman from Virginia. Mr. President, with your permission, I would like to yield to my colleague from Kansas, Senator Marshall.

Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I yield to the Senator from Virginia, Senator Warner.

Mr. MORAN. I very much value the remarks of my colleagues from Virginia and my home State colleague from Kansas. I would use this moment to thank all the folks in this Chamber. Colleagues and staff, people I work with and know, people I work with and sometimes don't know have been so gracious and kind in their care and concern for people, in most instances, they don't know. It is this reminder that tragedy brings us together. It is a reminder that the Senate could use on a daily, frequent basis that there is more that brings us together than pulls us apart. But the expression of care and concern for the people who were on this flight once again demonstrates that in the human heart, there is something that still exists about how we value and appreciate the lives of others. Mr. President, as if in legislative session and notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 64, which is at the desk.

Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I am here this morning--now, this afternoon--because, in just a few moments, we will be asked to make a decision as to whether or not Congressman Doug Collins should be confirmed as the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs. I am speaking today to encourage my colleagues to make that happen. I believe caring for the men and women who have served our Nation in uniform, for the loved ones they leave behind, and for their families is one of our Nation's most sacred obligations. We owe those who served all that they are entitled to and perhaps more. I remember making a commitment when I was in high school to express my gratitude and respect for those in uniform. I never envisioned being a U.S. Senator and, now, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, where our responsibilities are greater than just respect and gratitude. That is certainly important, but now we are here to make certain that all the promises we made to those who serve are kept. I want a VA Secretary who understands the VA's mission. I want a Secretary who will put veterans first. I want a Secretary who recognizes the VA's importance in serving veterans and contributing to a safe and successful future for our Nation. The success they had in uniform, I want them to have that success as a veteran, as a civilian, as a citizen. Congressman Collins is that person. Through his own service, which continues in the Air Force Reserve, Congressman Collins knows firsthand service in the uniform, and he knows the benefits and challenges that veterans face and the challenges their families face. In his testimony before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, he demonstrated significant understanding of the policies he will be expected to administer at the Department of Veterans Affairs and proved to me and to others that he is prepared to lead the VA into the future. He is committed to working closely with Members of Congress and certainly the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs and to make sure that our input is understood, taken into account, and, hopefully, implemented. His nomination was reported out of the committee in an overwhelmingly bipartisan manner. On a rollcall vote, the vote was 18 to 1. I am thankful for Congressman Collins' interest in serving in this capacity. I ask my colleagues to support his nomination, and I look forward to working with him to improve the lives of veterans, caregivers, survivors, and military families. I yield the floor, but before I do, I ask that the vote scheduled at 12:15 occur immediately.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, for the entire time that I have been a Member of the U.S. Senate, I have had the privilege of having on my team a Kansan who invests his time, his energy, his passion--he gives his heart for helping my constituents, for helping our constituents, for helping Kansans and Americans. Tyler York has worn many hats in my office. He was a district representative, a caseworker, a videographer, and a legislative adviser. Tyler and I first met when he was completing his degree at Kansas State University and I needed some help and he helped me in 2010 on my Senate campaign. As a result of being a recent graduate of Kansas State University, Tyler was open to new opportunities and got the job driving me across Kansas. And during a 2-hour drive on I-70 from Manhattan to the airport, it became apparent to me that this young man was someone I wanted on my team and I benefited from his service every day. At least, in this instance, I was right about him. Tyler York joined my newly formed Senate team in Washington, DC, doing both constituent services and legislative work. A Kansan through and through, after a few years in Washington, DC, like many, Tyler decided to continue his work as a district representative to get back home to Kansas. Tyler quickly became integrated, became a part, became familiar with the communities in South Central Kansas. And whether he was meeting with local leaders, making community visits, or assisting Kansans with problems they were having with the Federal Government, you could always count on Tyler to be diligently working with a smile on his face to solve a problem, to help people, to get things done. Through his time assisting folks with Federal issues, doing what we all here call casework, Tyler became our go-to guy for issues related to many things, including the U.S. Post Office. As many of my colleagues know, we had lots of casework involving the challenges of the U.S. Post Office getting the mail delivered. Ready, willing, and able, he stepped up to every task. Tyler worked, especially in rural areas, to improve the consistency and the quality of the Postal Service. His work on this issue and others certainly did not go unnoticed. I would like to share some of the comments I received from community leaders once they learned that Tyler was moving on. Lona DuVall, president and CEO of Finney County Economic Development Corporation shared: We so appreciated Tyler York's role in expanding Senator Moran's southwest Kansas presence. Senator Moran recognized that our region was growing and we had needs that differed in many ways from other areas of the State [of Kansas], and he chose well in appointing Tyler, a native of our region, to create southwest Kansas office. Tyler did a great job of providing connectivity between our region and the Senator's office in Washington, DC, and we will be forever grateful for Tyler's leadership in representing [us for] our region's needs at the Federal level. We wish Tyler only the best in his future endeavors. Steve Dyer, former president of the Garden City Chamber: Tyler's dedication to serving Kansans on behalf of Senator Moran was always evident. He was responsive to our needs, always prompt and available, and he worked his tail off to ensure that our voices were heard, our questions were answered, and our needs were met. And then Megan Barfield, president and CEO of the Great Bend Kansas Chamber of Commerce: I have had the privilege of knowing Tyler for 5-plus years now during my time at the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce. He's always presented himself as one of the most engaged and truly genuine people I know. I had little experience in legislative affairs coming into my role, and I could always call on Tyler and trust him with whatever questions or direction I needed. Great Bend and Barton County thank you and we will miss you, Tyler. Much of Tyler's most important work happened during times of hardship and adversity. In March of 2017, a wildfire burned across western Kansas, stirred up by high winds and fueled by dry prairie grasses. The fire lasted nearly a week and burned more than 450,000 acres across Kansas. Farms, ranches, businesses, and homes were lost to the fires. And this fire occurred around Ashland, KS, in the county that is Tyler's hometown and home county and it was one of the main victims of that fire. So his hometown, his neighbors, the people he grew up with were in jeopardy. It was a devastating time for the community, but they had a great ally in Tyler. They knew him and they trusted him. In the weeks following the fire, Tyler worked nonstop connecting first responders, landowners, and local leaders with Federal emergency resources. He kept me informed and updated on the situation on the ground and helped create legislation that changed the way the Federal Government delivers aid to help pay for fencing and the loss of cattle. That legislation became law and made a significant difference then and continuing. He took great care of the people of Ashland, not just because it was his job, but because he truly, truly cared about them. Tyler's help also extended beyond the borders of Kansas to the country of Afghanistan. Following the U.S. military's abrupt withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, we began receiving calls--as I recall, we received more than a thousand inquiries from Kansans asking what I, what we could do to help people who were stranded in Afghanistan; people who helped our soldiers, our interpreters, people who had a religion different than what the Taliban's beliefs are. A thousand-plus Kansans said: We need your help to get somebody out of Afghanistan that we know. Tyler quickly became personally invested in these cases. This was a very difficult time for all of us and Tyler worked day and night making phone calls, contacting embassies. He was one of those individuals who took the people's problems, which in this case were life and death, to heart. It was a difficult time for Tyler and for our office, as he wanted to have success in getting every individual that he learned about out of Afghanistan. He helped rescue 23 people, including children, from Kabul, Afghanistan in 2021. One set of Kansans Tyler helped was the family of U.S. Army veteran Fatima Jaghoori. She had this to share about Tyler: Tyler truly embodies the American spirit, helping others see the vision of American Dream by building ties with community members, listening to Kansans and working tirelessly for Americans. In one of the most uncertain times in history, Tyler acted to ensure all Kansans were heard, welcomed, and supported. Words cannot express my gratitude for Tyler [and for Senator Moran]. Tyler is the compass, pointing at the direction to be a great American and a greater man. Tyler became friends of those people he helped escape from Afghanistan. He became a part of their families. I know that this job often took Tyler on the road, driving around Kansas and missing valuable time with his family--with Alyssa, his wife. I want to express my gratitude to Tyler's family for supporting him in his work and for being gracious when he had to miss dinner or an important event because he was pulled away for work. Tyler spent his entire career on Capitol Hill in my office, and for that, I would like to express my gratefulness to him. While I am saddened that his time working for me has concluded, I am thankful to have had the opportunity to work with him and beside him over the last 14 years. He kept good stats on the work that he did. It is quite impressive: 4,091 meetings; 2,053 individuals, families, and organizations he has assisted with casework; 761 reports or memos drafted; 105 counties visited--that is every county in Kansas; 11 years of working to pass legislation to reform the post office; 3 new USDA programs developed as a direct result of the 2017 fires in Clark County. In the next phase of his career, Tyler will still be helping Kansans as an executive officer with the Wichita Area Builders Association in supporting homebuilders, their customers, and the regional industry in South Central Kansas. Tyler, with your invaluable experience, joyful attitude, and your constant drive to improve not only yourself but those around you--and I include me as being improved by your presence in my personal and professional life--you are and will be dearly missed. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors, and I look forward to hearing of your continued service to our State and its people. I yield the floor.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, for the past 8 years, I have benefited from the service, hard work, and loyalty of my communications director and deputy chief of staff Tom Brandt. Tom has worked in three congressional offices and is well-known and respected in the Senate by reporters, staffers, and my colleagues. His career as a staffer on Capitol Hill is concluding, and I am sad about that; but he will continue serving the American people as he pursues one of his other passions, and that is a passion for space exploration and NASA. I want to express my gratitude to him for his service to the people of Kansas and to me. Tom is from Oakland Park, KS, and comes from a long line of Kansans. He embodies Kansas values of hard work, determination, and generosity, and I know he learned these traits from his role models, his parents Carl and Nancy Brandt. You have raised a great son, and I thank you for that. His career on Capitol Hill began in Missouri Senator Roy Blunt's office, first in the House and then in the U.S. Senate. He earned Roy's trust early on as a driver. That is how we often meet some of our best members of our staff. And he, too, maintained a relationship with Roy during his tenure here in the U.S. Senate. I asked Roy to tell me something about Tom, and he said: Tom Brandt came to work for me in the House and was such an asset that I asked him to join our Senate press team. Tom always understood how to take advantage of the moment and the value of a clear message. I know Senator Moran and his office will miss Tom when he leaves as much as we did. Tom's career took him to work on various campaigns and, eventually, back to Capitol Hill where he worked for Kansas Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins during her time as the House GOP conference vice chair. It was in her office that Tom was able to first pursue his passion for NASA. Lynn provided me with some thoughts, in her words, that she wanted to share about Tom: Tom is one of my all-time favorite co-workers. When I asked her--this is me talking now--when I asked her whether I should hire Tom Brandt, she said: He is the best I ever hired. He is hardworking, honest, intelligent, kind and funny. Tom has a deep appreciation for his home State of Kansas and served it extremely well in his time in my office. That is Lynn Jenkins speaking. But, in many ways, it was his penance, as you see Tom is perhaps the worst kind of traitor a native Kansan can be--he chose to attend college at the University of Missouri. Tom's interest in NASA and space policy is lifelong. Again, Congresswoman Jenkins speaking. Years ago, when he worked as my communications director, he requested to handle my office's space legislative portfolio. Given I represented a district with no NASA presence and didn't serve on any committee of jurisdiction, no one [in our office actually handled that topic.] In response, my Chief of Staff told Tom, ``Sure, go for it, but it never comes up.'' Tom did take it and immediately reached out to NASA staff. Soon after, he set up my office's first of many interactions with NASA. That is the end of Lynn Jenkins' quote. After working in the House and private sector, Tom began working in our office in 2017. It became evident to me early on that one of Tom's greatest strengths is his ability to quickly build friendships and collaborations. He can quickly put folks at ease with his warm smile and personality. I always thought that smile, he was smirking at me every time I saw him. I got accustomed to that smile as something much better than a smirk. He will take the time to talk with frustrated constituents to assure them they have been heard and that he will do his best to help. And Tom always follows through on his promises. The relationships he formed over the years expands from everyone-- House Members, U.S. Senators, staff in both places--and these relationships have aided Tom in his work. Early on in his time in my office, he took a trip to Taiwan and established relationships with officials he met in the Taiwanese Government, and he maintained those relationships after returning home. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan generously offered to send face masks and personal protection equipment to the United States. Tom reached out to his individual friends he had made, and he asked them if any of that equipment could be sent to Kansas to help the hospitals that were in desperate need. Tom's request resulted in Taiwan sending 100,000 surgical masks to Kansas. In a moment of great need, Tom found a way to bring help and aid to the people of his home State. In his role as communications director--I expected a lot of press to be sitting in the Gallery, but I see none. In his role as communications director, Tom has been a steadying hand helping me untangle my own thoughts and express my positions in a way that is more clear and winsome. When I have had to speak after taking an unpopular stand or something that had caused me to be misunderstood--either on policy or legislation--Tom always had my back, advocating for me and my positions, even when he had to face the anger of those who disagreed. He has helped clear the way for tough but important legislation. I would highlight one, the Empowering Olympic and Amateur Athletes Act that was born out of our investigation into the abuses of gymnasts and other American athletes. He has shown compassion toward veterans suffering from illnesses as the result of their service, and we worked together to pass the PACT Act to help those who had encountered Agent Orange and burn pit victims. And he has always shown grit and determination, working through the night on many occasions, helping me find exactly the right words to say to express my position to my constituents and the world. As an Eagle Scout, Tom lives by the Eagle Scout motto: ``Be prepared.'' He is always prepared with the right answer and for the tough questions from reporters, like the time a reporter reached out to see if ``Senator Jerry Moran was playing golf with Vice President Pence.'' Tom, in all his wisdom, responded, ``Mike Pence golfs?'' Again, he has the gift to communicate. While I congratulate Tom on his new job at NASA, his absence will be felt not only by me and by our team but by his many friends and colleagues on Capitol Hill. Tom, we will miss your communications and policy expertise, your humorous quips and one-liners, your loyalty to the Kansas City Chiefs and Red Friday, and, above all, your friendship and passion for making the world a better place for Kansans and Americans. I will miss, Tom, our nearly daily walks as I come over here to vote. It is a difficult job to be a comms director for a Senator who almost always shies away about visiting with reporters. Thanks for helping me explain my errors and celebrating our accomplishments. You had no responsibility for the errors and a great deal to do with the accomplishments. Thank you for doing your job so well--pretty good for a Mizzou grad. I yield the floor.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I rise this afternoon to address my colleagues about a circumstance in Kansas and, really, in the country, the pressing need for reform at Haskell Indian Nations University following serious allegations and finding of wrongdoing by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Education. Haskell University is a university located in Lawrence, KS. Haskell is the sole Tribal Nations University in the country and was established by the Department of the Interior for the purpose of maintaining the Federal Government's trust responsibilities and treaty agreements to the Native Americans. Haskell University serves as a custodian of Tribal culture, offering students the opportunity to receive tuition-free higher education in an environment that understands and prioritizes indigenous values. Yet despite its critical importance, Haskell has faced significant challenges. Haskell's campus, which once served as a sanctuary for Native American art and history, has for years been neglected by the Bureau of Indian Education. Various buildings on campus, many which serve as U.S. National Historic Landmarks, are in disrepair or no longer in use. Many of the residential buildings on campus are not equipped with heating, ventilation, or air-conditioning, and the campus is not--not-- compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is the responsibility of the Bureau of Indian Education, as described in the Indian Education Act of 1972, to ``insure continued and expanded educational opportunities for Indian students.'' Yet the BIE has failed to maintain Haskell's infrastructure or to provide a safe campus for students and employees. Since 2017, I have been working to bring attention to the BIE's mismanagement of the university, and on multiple occasions, I have called on leadership at the Department to address the wide array of problems and challenges at Haskell. In 2022, serious allegations were reported to my office regarding improper treatment of students and the wrongful termination of an employee at Haskell Indian Nations University. In response, I contacted the Director of Indian Education, urging the BIE to address these issues. Although the BIE, of course, assured me in March of 2023 that changes would be made to alleviate my concerns, we continued to hear and continue to hear from students and staff reporting the problems and reporting that those problems that were reported back then were not being addressed adequately. In October 2023, I was informed of a confidential, on-campus investigation into the issues at Haskell. In April of 2024, a report was released due to an investigation by a government watchdog Agency, which revealed serious problems, including failures to adequately establish and follow policies regarding sexual assault, wrongful termination of employees, and intimidation of faculty and students. With these findings, I called for a systemic overhaul within BIE, but as has almost always been the case, the Department of the Interior chose to delegate the responsibilities to an Assistant Secretary and refused to directly address the issues at hand. Since April 2024, I have made repeated requests to meet with Deb Haaland, the Secretary of the Interior, to discuss these issues. Every attempt for a discussion was rebuffed. This ongoing neglect is unacceptable. It is past time for real change at Haskell. To address these issues, last month I released a draft piece of legislation to provide a Federal charter for Haskell Indian Nations University and to remove the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Education from direct oversight of the university. The legislation will empower Haskell with self-governance, providing an organizational structure that reflects its mission, community, and needs of its students. The marker bill calls for the establishment of a new governing body at Haskell, a board of regents composed of Native American leaders, educators, and community members who will be directly accountable to the students, staff, and to the Tribes that Haskell serves. The board would manage the university's budget, make decisions regarding academic programming, faculty, and facilities, ensure that the institution is providing a high-quality educational experience for students that attend Haskell University--an educational experience that they deserve. I appreciate the support from the Haskell Board of Regents, the president of the board, Brittany Hall, said this: These challenges underscore the critical need for a more tailored governance model empowered by a U.S. Congressional charter--one that enables the University to thrive while better serving its students and communities. By moving Haskell outside the purview of BIE, we remove the bureaucratic ambivalence that has hindered the university's growth and damaged in significant ways its potential. I would like to request that members of the Native American, Lawrence, KS, and higher education communities submit feedback to my office or to my colleague who is leading this effort in the House of Representatives, Congressman Tracey Mann, on the proposed legislation to ensure this bill effectively addresses key issues. We are looking for comment and input. The history of the Federal Government's treatment of Native Americans is filled with broken promises. We should not allow Haskell, a cornerstone of Native higher education, to become another promise we fail to keep. The students who walk through the doors of Haskell deserve better than the inefficiency and mismanagement and the neglect they have faced under the current governance system. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to refine the draft legislation and request my colleagues join me in my efforts to secure a prosperous future for Haskell University. I yield the floor.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Madam President, this afternoon I rise here on the Senate floor to recognize a fellow Kansan, to honor the life of a soldier, a servant, a great man, Olen Mitchell. While Olen was born in Oklahoma, Kansas is the place he called home, and we are honored to call him our own. Growing up in Western Kansas teaches you a lot about discipline, service, and hard work, and I know that Olen's time in Elkhart and Hutchinson, KS, taught him valuable lessons. The values he learned in Western Kansas provided him with a love of country and taught him to love his neighbors as himself. His character was further defined alongside thousands of other young men like him who fought in World War II. Olen received a Purple Heart after being shot 2 weeks before D-Day in 1944 during his service in Italy. Even after being injured, he continued his service to his country in the military police. After his service, Olen received a Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and several other medals and service ribbons. In June of last year, I had the opportunity to call Olen on the 80th anniversary of D-Day while he was visiting Normandy and seeing the beaches of France. It was my honor to thank him for his service during World War II and let him know how much of a privilege it was to know him and his story. The ``greatest generation'' has left a permanent impact on the world, and that is why the loss of another World War II veteran is cause for mourning in this Nation and around the globe. We remember not only their grit, sacrifice, and bravery but also their kindness, their dedication, and their humility, which has changed communities across America, and changing those communities changed America. Olen embodied the compassion, kindness, and courage we all remember, and he changed the Hutchinson community for the better. I know every time I was in Hutchinson, I had the opportunity to be with him. It was just a great experience for me, but you could also tell that those around us admired and respected him. He was a pillar in the community and so often involved in everything good. Occasionally, he would drive me in the Fourth of July parades, and you could tell how the community responded not to the U.S. Senator going down Main Street but about how good it was for them to see their friend Olen. He was a loving husband who was married for 68 years until his wife passed away. Olen was also an uncle, a great-uncle, and a great-great uncle. Three generations of family and loved ones had an exemplary role model as an inspirational figure who showed them kindness, love, and devotion. A few times a year, veterans visit Washington, DC, on Honor Flights, and Olen visited our Capital in 2014--10 years ago. Meeting veterans during these visits brought me, certainly, great joy, and I am always moved by the veterans who see for themselves the memorial built to honor their comrades and themselves. My own father was able to see the World War II Memorial. Before he saw it, I called him to tell him about it. So I am at the World War II Memorial with my flip phone. I call my dad at home in Kansas to tell him I love him, I respect him, and I thank him for his service. I told this story before. My dad then calls me back and says: Gerald, you left me a voicemail, but I didn't understand it. Would you repeat it? Olen is no longer in a position in which I can tell him what I told my dad, nor is my dad. So on behalf of all of us and communicated to Olen and all of his comrades, we today again say: We love you. We respect you. We thank you for your service. After Olen's passing, the Kansas Honor Flight Foundation shared in their post that ``Heaven needed a hero just in time for Christmas.'' Olen is a hero to his country, to his family, to his loved ones, and to his community. His story will not be and should not be forgotten, and the State of Kansas, our country, and the world are forever grateful for his life of service and dedication. Olen, thank you for your life of service. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for being such a great member of a great family. I yield the floor.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, today, I want to recognize Salina, KS, native Jeff Reh upon his well-earned retirement after more than four decades of dedicated service. Jeff is a graduate of Kansas State University and American University Washington College of Law. While pursuing his degrees, Jeff worked as an intern on Capitol Hill for Senator Bob Dole, worked at the Pentagon, and, tapping into his entrepreneurial spirit, started a consulting business during law school. Jeff's career then led him to join the oldest active firearm manufacturer and one of the oldest continuously operating companies in the world, Beretta. Initially working as a consultant to Beretta USA Corporation, he played an integral role in Beretta successfully signing a contract to make the M9 the service pistol for the U.S. military in 1985. Jeff was brought in- house to be the general counsel for Beretta USA in the mid-1980s, a position he held until his retirement 41 years later. After the Maryland Legislature passed strict anti-gun legislation that prevented Marylanders from purchasing legal firearms manufactured in their own backyard, Jeff helped Beretta USA relocate its manufacturing plant to Gallatin, TN. Jeff was instrumental in the founding of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Heritage Foundation in 1999 and served as chairman of its firearms litigation support committee. Since 2002, Jeff has served on the board of governors of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearm and ammunition industry trade association, and since 2007, served as vice chairman of the board. He also served on the board of directors of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute, the industry's ANSI-accredited standard setting organization, for 23 years, including 6 years as chairman and 4 years as vice chairman. Beretta is renowned in the industry for superior quality and performance. According to his peers, the same can be said of Jeff. He is a man of high caliber. Not only is he a skilled skeet shooter and an avid upland bird hunter, but Jeff is also a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Jeff's passion and professional commitment is highly respected among those in the firearm industry. As Jeff enters this next chapter in his life, I congratulate him and wish him, his wife Vickie, and their entire family all the best.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Madam President, last month, we celebrated National Aviation History Month. We celebrated that across America, and I want to make certain that we recognize the air capital of the world and the State of Kansas and their contributions to the aviation industry both historically and still today. My home State of Kansas is an aviation hub. It has a rich history in aviation manufacturing. This tradition dates back to a gentleman named Albin Longren, who developed Kansas's first aircraft, the Longren Flyer, which was fully designed, produced, and successfully tested in Topeka in 1911, less than a decade after the Wright Brothers' first historic flight. Clyde Cessna went on to develop his pioneering aircraft, the Silverwing, in 1911, which was designed and built in Kingman County, KS. Clyde Cessna, Lloyd Stearman, and Walter Beech partnered to found the Travel Air Manufacturing Company, which would later be spun off into three companies with global recognition--the Cessna Aircraft Company, Stearman Aircraft, and the Beech Aircraft Company, all of Wichita, where they were headquartered. Cessna, Stearman, Beech, and over a dozen other aviation entrepreneurs in Wichita produced 120 airplanes each week at the outset of Wichita's aviation dominance in the late twenties. It was then that Wichita earned its title as ``Air Capital of the World.'' During World War II, tens of thousands of Kansans contributed to the war effort by working in aircraft plants, making nearly 26,000 planes, including over 1,600 B-29 Superfortress heavy bombers. Following the war, the Boeing Company started testing midflight refueling using the B-29 Superfortress and eventually delivered the KC- 135 Stratotanker to the U.S. Air Force in the fifties--still one of the premier midflight refueling aircraft for the U.S. Armed Forces. Many of these tankers are stationed at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita and some at Forbes Field in Topeka. Other than agriculture, the aviation and aerospace industries in Kansas support more jobs than any other sector, including more than 65,000 aerospace and defense jobs across more than 450 world-class suppliers. Kansas is the global leader in general aviation, producing 35 percent of all general aviation aircraft in America and supplying 75 percent of all general aviation aircraft since the Wright Brothers' first flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903. If you fly on a private plane, you are flying on a plane that was either built in Kansas or the parts were manufactured in Kansas. At the end of November, Bombardier, which has its defense headquarters in Wichita, KS, delivered its first Global 6500 to the U.S. Army in support of its next generation of intelligences surveillance, and reconnaissance, the ISR platform. One week later, Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research received a Boeing 747-8i as part of a strategic partnership with Sierra Nevada Corporation on the Air Force's ``doomsday'' program. I would also like to highlight that NIAR, the National Institute for Aviation Research, a component headquartered on the campus of Wichita State University, was recently ranked by the National Science Foundation as the number one research and development expenditure university in the country for aerospace engineering. Our State is also diversifying its aviation and aerospace work with companies like General Atomics and now has 17 Kansas manufacturers working on NASA's Artemis program. We are also developing essential components for commercial space providers such as SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, Sierra Space, Rocket Lab, and Blue Origin. Additionally, Kansas is home to Crew-9 astronaut Nick Hague of Hoxie, who is currently stationed at the International Space Station. Museums across our State highlight our history, highlight our future. They include the Kansas Aviation Museum in Wichita, the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum in Atchison. I also should highlight the importance of Amelia Earhart being one of the Kansans who is a significant component of our aviation history and whose statue now resides here in the U.S. Capitol. There is a B-29 Museum in Pratt; the Mid-America Museum in Liberal; and the Cosmosphere--world renown. Incidentally, when I talked to the Artemis astronauts, they brought up the topic and said: ``Do you know that you have the best space museum in the world in Kansas?'' And they were talking about the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson. It showcases the rich aviation history. They point to the continued legacy of excellence in aviation and aerospace in Kansas and represents a bright spot for our entire nation. I wouldn't want to talk about aviation without talking about Kansas. Kansas has played a key role in cultivating America's leadership in aviation and is home to thousands of engineers and manufacturers who have supported America's aviation heritage now for more than a century. We are, and we will continue to be, air capital of the world not only because we build airplanes, but because we have leaders and students driving the industry forward with innovation, ingenuity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. We will continue to be the air capital of the world because we have the educational institutions across our State to train and educate engineers, flight mechanics, the whole array of the people necessary for the industries that are located in our State and that will soon locate in our State to have a highly trained, educated, motivated workforce for aviation today and in the future. I yield the floor.

Mr. MORAN. Madam President, I have served on the House and now Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee since I came to Congress, so about 14 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and about 15 years in the U.S. Senate. It has been a privilege to serve as a member and, from time to time, a leader of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs and, preceding that, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. For the last 4, almost 5 years, Senator Jon Tester and I have led the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee. Not only did Jon and I both raise daughters and grow up in rural America, but we both share the same sentiment that there is no one we hold in higher regard than our Nation's veterans. This shared sentiment has allowed us to work together for those we respect so much. I will certainly miss the starting of our hearings in which Senator Tester always said, ``Hello, Jerry.'' And you could hear that from time to time as we met going down the Senate halls. I have worked with Jon on the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs since 2013, and we have introduced and sponsored and cosponsored many, many pieces of legislation together. His leadership on the committee in recent years has resulted in major pieces of legislation that have now become law, that provide support and opportunities for veterans, their loved ones, and their caregivers. Some of those landmark and historic pieces of legislation include, in the 115th Congress, VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018--a lot of words that really boil down to what we call the MISSION Act--designed to help make certain that services for veterans, wherever they live and whatever kind of services they need from the VA, are available to them. In later Congresses, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020; Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, implemented and designed to make certain that we reduce and eliminate the number of veterans who commit suicide; Fairness for Korean DMZ Veterans Act of 2019; a COVID fix for GI bill benefits to make sure our veterans, during COVID, were able to maintain their educational benefits while their schools were shut down. Later in the 117th, the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act; the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022--what we refer to as the PACT Act-- designed to make sure those who encounter toxic substances in Southeast Asia and in Iraq and Afghanistan were eligible for benefits and healthcare; the Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act of 2021. Just within the last few days--in fact, within the last week--the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, an additional veterans' benefits improvement act. I rise today here at my seat on the Senate floor to express my gratitude for the time that Jon has spent in his career in improving the lives of veterans and reforming the VA system that millions of veterans rely upon. Jon Tester has made a lasting impact on thousands of individuals, their families, and their caregivers, those who serve veterans, and those who are veterans, and their family members. He has made a lasting impact upon their lives and well-being and helped us keep our commitment to our promises that have been made to those who serve in our military. I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize Senator Tester's team for their extraordinary work. We all know in the Senate the importance of having a strong staff that researches well, that is intentional with our constituents and values what we do. I would like to thank: Tony McClain, who is from Salina, KS, and who has led this committee for many years; Dahlia Melendrez; Carlos Fuentes; Elizabeth Mackenzie; Janko Mitric; Faye Fernandes; Bill Van Saun; Tess Wrzesinski; Abby Roubal; Weston Haycock; Liz Timmons; Cameron Kroetz; Katie Adams; and Jackson Haney. Your work--each of you--your work on this committee didn't go unnoticed. Thank you for your kindness that you extended to me while you were serving the chairman of the committee. Thank you for your kindness to me when I was the chairman of the committee and you were serving the ranking member. We know that without your help, without your willingness to work with our staff and our team, we would not have been able to provide the benefits and critical resources that our veterans deserve and earned. Finally, Jon Tester, certainly I say this on my behalf, but I say it also on behalf of the other Members of the Senate, certainly the other members of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and especially on behalf of our Nation's veterans, thank you. Thank you for your leadership, your friendship, and your dedication. Thank you for serving, as you did so well, our Nation's heroes. Kansas Aviation

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I am sorry that I am here at this hour of the day on Monday, the beginning of what we hope to be the last week of this congressional session, as we recess for about a week before returning for the new session of the U.S. Congress. I am here this evening to hope to express my hope that things that have not happened that have created challenges for farmers and ranchers across Kansas and around the country are addressed in legislation pending before the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. We have made mistakes, errors. We have failed in a couple of significant ways this congressional session in regard to the appropriations process and the consequences that the failure to pass a farm bill has upon farmers across my State and around the country. First of all, I am saddened that we have not completed the appropriations process, the 12 appropriations bills that should have marched across this Senate floor and across the House and already been sent to the President. In the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which I am a senior member, we passed all but one of those bills and reported them to the Senate floor with no further action. As a result of that, one of the items that has not occurred is that there is no appropriations bill dealing with agriculture that is ready for the President's signature or that should have been signed by September 30, earlier this year. Secondly, the Senate Committee on Agriculture has not provided us with a renewed, improved farm bill. We are operating under an extension, and I would expect, before the end of the week, we will extend the farm bill one more time. As a result, we are combining the effort to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers in this process by which we will pass a continuing resolution funding the Federal Government, presumably, to March; and included in that continuing resolution is what we call disaster assistance. The disasters that occurred across the country--Helene, Milton; the damage that was done by tropical storms in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee--and the storm damage in many places across the country are to be addressed this week in an addition to the continuing resolution that funds the Federal Government. I support that. There are significant challenges to people that have occurred through no fault of their own. One of those challenges is to farmers and ranchers, who, through no fault of their own, have no farm bill-- therefore, no safety net--and who have no opportunity to address the needs as they go to their bankers--their financial bankers--to plan for the new year--no farm bill in place to provide a safety net and, without passage of disaster assistance, no assistance to help them get through the planting season for agriculture commodities across the country. So before the end of this week, we need to do serious and significant work. And the point I want to make tonight is that, without the inclusion of assistance to farmers and ranchers in the continuing resolution, I will not vote for the continuing resolution. I despise voting for them regardless, all the time. I have because I so oppose government shutdowns. But in the absence of solving the challenges that farmers and ranchers meet--through disaster assistance, through financial assistance to those farmers--the CR will not attain my vote. So the negotiations are ongoing, as I understand it. They were to have been completed, perhaps a long time ago, but they were certainly to have been completed last night and filed. It has not happened yet, and the deadline is December 20, before there is a government shutdown. The circumstances that we face is no--let me repeat this so I can make it perhaps clearer. Without a farm bill, there is no safety net. The safety net that was present under the old farm bill, even if extended, does not meet today's current challenges that farmers face. The cost of inputs--fuel, fertilizer, seed, labor, land values, interest rates, in particular--have skyrocketed, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has determined that ``on the farm'' income will be down more than 43 percent over what it was when we passed the last farm bill, now 6 years ago--no farm bill to meet the needs, no farm policy to meet the needs of the challenges that ranchers and farmers have. And then, unless we provide the disaster assistance--the natural disaster assistance that is so needed--and, again, I mentioned States that have had hurricanes. I will highlight that, in the State of Kansas, we have been in a drought for the last 4 or 5 years. This is the most severe year yet. Seventy-nine percent of Kansas agriculture experienced drought across our State, most of it in severe fashion. This past year, Kansas wheat farmers experienced their smallest crop since 1961, largely due to lack of moisture. So you add these things together--terribly high input costs, low commodity prices, and then if you have no commodity to sell because you couldn't grow anything--one of my staffers told me, when I said: You should be home for harvest earlier this year. He said: Jerry, we plant wheat; we don't harvest wheat. And that is exactly what happened across the State this year and, unfortunately, for past years. Some will say we have crop insurance to deal with this issue. Crop insurance is hugely important to producers around the country, but it doesn't work when there are multiple-year disasters because the average for which you can receive compensation is based on previous years. So we have never figured out--RMA, the Department of Agriculture have never figured out--a crop insurance product that meets the needs of farmers who, year after year after year, have less production. The point I want to make is, this is a real circumstance that has huge consequences, not only on the farmers of Kansas and other States across the country but upon the need to meet our hunger needs around the world and the need to meet the nutrition and safety and well-being of Americans across the country. Again, I ask my colleagues to make certain that the continuing resolution include assistance to agriculture producers and it be done in a way that actually meets their needs. And then, let's make certain we get a farm bill done--again, already late, but can we get it done early in 2025? I yield the floor.

Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the rollcall vote scheduled at 5:30 begin immediately.