This Week in Congress
By U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran
Last Updated: December 27, 2010
Kansas workers were given two reasons to be thankful this holiday season when the House of Representatives voted this week to require the Department of Defense (DOD) to level the playing field in the Air Force refueling tanker competition and when Hawker Beechcraft announced their plans to keep operations in Wichita.
Kansas aerospace workers must be given a fair opportunity to support our men and women in uniform with the best tanker. The Defense Level Playing Field Act, which I helped to introduce last week, would require the Department of Defense to take into consideration the impact of illegal foreign subsidies in the tanker competition. Though the Senate did not act before adjourning, House passage of this bill sends a message to the Pentagon to account for European subsidies that have put American workers and taxpayers at a disadvantage. This is a message I will take to the Senate next year as I continue this fight.
Also this week, we received welcome news from Hawker Beechcraft CEO Bill Boisture, Governor Parkinson, and Mayor Carl Brewer of an agreement between Hawker and state and local officials that will keep 4,000 jobs in Wichita for the next decade. Especially during these difficult economic times, Hawker’s commitment to remain in Wichita is good news for thousands of Kansas workers, as well as for the Kansas economy.
Government Should Not Tell Farmers How to Farm
On Tuesday, I voted against H.R 2751, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. While I believe Congress should continually look to improve food safety, I do not believe this legislation is the answer. For the first time ever, this legislation would allow the federal government to tell farmers how to farm. While I believe there should be safety standards for our food, the federal government should not be involved in determining the best way to grow produce on the farm. In addition, there are other parts of this legislation that I believe will grow the size of government, result in increased food prices, and do little to improve food safety. Despite my objections, this legislation has passed both houses of Congress and is on its way to President Obama, who is expected to sign it into law.
Annual Listening Tour Continues
This week, I continued to host town hall meetings across the Big First. Unfortunately, I missed the meeting on Tuesday in Hunter, because I had to return to Washington, DC for several important votes. One of those votes was to approve legislation I helped sponsor to level the playing field in the Air Force refueling tanker competition.
I was able to return to Kansas in time to meet with residents of Graham County in Bogue, followed by a visit with Rooks County residents in Stockton. The citizens of Graham and Rooks counties are rightfully concerned about the spending practices of Congress. We also discussed the new health care law, changes in Social Security and Medicare, and the future of agriculture.
We have a special way of life in rural America that we must fight to preserve. I appreciate the time these citizens took to let me know about the issues that are important to them and their families. Click here to view a photo from my visit to Bogue, and click here to view a photo from my visit to Stockton.
I’ll continue to host town hall meetings in the Big First district this week. Listed below are my upcoming stops. If you are in the area, I hope you will stop by.
Tuesday, December 28
Gove County, Quinter
Time: 10:15-11:15 AM
Location: First National Bank
Address: 400 Main Street
Tuesday, December 28
Sheridan County, Hoxie
Time: 12:30-1:00pm
Location: Trish’s Steak House
Address: 744 Main Street
Wednesday, December 29
Gray County, Montezuma
Time: 10:15 – 11:15 AM
Location: Community Center
Address: 307 N. Aztec Street
Wednesday, December 29
Haskell County, Sublette
Time: 12:30-1:00pm
Location: American Legion
Address: 206 S. Inman Street
Thursday, December 30
Comanche County, Coldwater
Time: 10-11:00am
Location: Comanche County Courthouse in the basement meeting room
Address: 201 South New York
Thursday, December 30
Clark County, Ashland
Time: 12:30-1:00pm
Location: Ranch House Restaurant
Address: KS Highway 160
Friday, December 31
Trego County, WaKeeney
Time: 9:00-10:00am
Location: Trego-WaKeeney State Bank
Address: 134 Main Street
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