Roberts Report - March 3, 2017

It was a great week in Kansas with stops in Garden City, Wichita, Manhattan, and more. I appreciated hearing from constituents on numerous issues and visited with those exercising their First Amendment rights.

 

Getting Started on the Farm Bill in the Heartland

As the Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman, I was proud to start the journey to a successful and timely 2018 Farm Bill right in the heartland at Kansas State University. I appreciated the opportunity to hear from farmers, ranchers, producers, and ag stakeholders where it matters most – on our farms, ranches, businesses, and city and county halls across the countryside. Producers, agribusinesses, and our rural communities are the ones who sign up for programs, comply with regulations, and feel the pain first-hand of over-burdensome or under-supportive policies.

Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) joined me for this field hearing and together we heard from two panels of agriculture stakeholders about their needs in the next Farm Bill. No one understands the impacts of Farm Bills or policies set in Washington like America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Your experience – your story – is what we need to hear before we start writing a new Farm Bill.

To view the hearing, click the image below.

 

Tragedy in Olathe

I extend my deepest thoughts and sympathy to the friends and family of Srinivas Kuchibholta, and my prayers are with Alok Madasani and Ian Grillot as they begin to recover from their wounds from last week’s tragic shooting in Olathe. I commend Ian Grillot and the other Kansans in the restaurant for coming to the aid of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani. Their acts of heroism and kindness represent Kansas values, not the senseless violence rooted in ignorance and prejudice that led to the tragic murder of Mr. Kuchibholta. I appreciate President Trump strongly condemning the 'hate and evil' of these tragic shootings, leading his joint address with unity against evil in all of its ugly forms. I am proud this unity against violence and ignorance is already on display in Olathe and around our state.
 

President Trump’s Joint Address

President Trump gave an inspirational and optimistic speech this week providing a positive outline for the direction of our nation. The president laid out some of the most critical issues our nation faces. After eight years under the Obama administration, President Trump is working to take our nation in a new direction towards a better economy, a stronger military, and a health care system that actually works. I hope to hear more on the administration’s plans for trade agreements and policies that champion agriculture and rural America.

Watch the video below for more of my thoughts on the address.

 

Relief from the WOTUS rule

I was pleased to accept President Trump’s invitation to the White House to watch him take swift action to get rid of the Obama-era “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule. WOTUS has been a thorn in the sides of rural America for too long.

The Obama administration’s EPA claimed they listened to farmers when writing this rule; they did not. I’m pleased to see the Trump administration is actually listening to rural America with this executive action, and I hope to work with him more to establish more policies that benefit farmers and ranchers.

Touring Kansas State University with Rep. Marshall

I had the pleasure of touring K-State’s Wheat Innovation Center with Congressman Roger Marshall prior to the field hearing. We saw the cutting-edge research they are doing to keep our wheat growers the most efficient in the world.

Exercising First Amendment Rights

II was glad to meet face to face with Kansans exercising their First Amendment rights. I always want to hear the thoughts and concerns of Kansans.

 

Garden City Community College

I had a great visit to Garden City Community College, meeting with President Herb Swender, students, and faculty, and touring their impressive facilities. We learned more about the many programs they have to offer - including the John Deere tech program, the Task Force Broncbuster, the meat judging team, and many more. President Swender and his talented team really understand what the word "community" means and are dedicated to serving it in a hundred valuable ways.

 

Touring Wichita State’s Innovation Campus

I also enjoyed visiting the new Airbus facility at Wichita State University's Innovation Campus and the National Institute for Aviation Research. I saw the latest at Airbus - robotics, reverse engineering and even some virtual reality.

 

Touring Wichita State’s Innovation Campus

Congressman Marshall and I also spoke to the Wichita Rotary Club, where we took questions from Rotarians and gave an update on what is happening in Washington..

 

 

Check Senator Roberts’ Website, YouTube and Facebook Sites for Updates

You can visit my YouTube site for more information on what’s happening in Washington, D.C., and Kansas by visiting my YouTube page. It's a great place to find speeches and debates on the Senate floor, press conferences, interviews and Senate hearings. You can also stay updated on all these happenings on my Facebook and Twitter sites.