Kelsey Smith Act

One of the first pieces of legislation I have introduced in the new Congress is the Kelsey Smith Act. Joined by Senators Jerry Moran, Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), this legislation will help law enforcement save lives by requiring wireless communication providers to provide call location information to law enforcement officials when responding to a call for emergency service or in an emergency situation that involves the risk of death or serious physical harm.  Twenty-three states, including Kansas, have this critical measure on the books, but my bill will apply it to all 50 at the federal level.

This bill is named after Kelsey Smith, who was abducted in broad daylight from an Overland Park, Kansas department store and murdered. The abduction was captured on the store’s security camera, leaving little doubt of the emergency nature of the circumstances. Four days after she disappeared, authorities were able to locate Kelsey’s body after her wireless provider released the “ping” or “call location” information from her cell phone. Providing this information as fast as possible is critical to ensure law enforcement officials can rescue victims in imminent danger of death or serious harm when every second counts.

It also ensures that a professional law enforcement official in the field, not your phone company, is able to determine if your loved one is in an emergency situation. The privacy of every Kansan and American is extremely important and this legislation strikes the appropriate balance between the ability of law enforcement to help individuals in grave danger, while also ensuring the proper checks are in place to guard against government overreach.

Kelsey’s parents, Missey and Greg Smith, have fought to successfully pass this legislation in 23 states and are continuing to work to make it federal law.

The Kelsey Smith Act is supported by John Walsh, co-founder of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, CTIA – The Wireless Association, Sprint, the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), the Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), the National Association of Police Organizers (NAPO), the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA).

Click here to read more about the Kelsey Smith Act.

KC-46 Tanker Delivery

It was an honor to help welcome the long awaited first new KC-46 aerial refueling tanker to McConnell Air Force base in Wichita recently.

It’s exciting, and no surprise, that McConnell will lead the way with the next-generational aerial refueling aircraft, upgrading the Air Force’s fleet, expanding operational capabilities and enhancing flexibility for our airmen.

It was great to see the KC-46 touch down at McConnell for the first time. Back in 2001, as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Threats, I began fighting to replace the Air Force’s aging Eisenhower Era KC-135 tanker fleet with an American-made plane after learning that every 5 years, the KC-135 spent 400 days in depot receiving maintenance. 

McConnell Air Force Base will bed down a total of 36 aircraft.

Click here to read more about the KC-46. Click here to watch video of the ceremony.

Bob Dole legislation

I have also introduced legislation, along with Senator Jerry Moran and Rep. Roger Marshall to authorize the honorary promotion of former U.S. Senator Bob Dole to the grade of colonel in the U.S. Army.

Kansas’ favorite son, Senator Bob Dole, is a true American hero and has earned this honorary promotion to colonel by his countless acts of valor and contributions to the U.S. military during his time at war and later while serving in Congress. Senator Dole has always been an advocate for our men and women in uniform, and I’m proud to introduce this legislation to honor him with the promotion, which he has more than earned throughout his decades of service.

Dole enrolled in the Army Enlisted Corps in 1942, while a student at the University of Kansas. He was called to active duty the following year and served in World War II. While deployed to Italy as an infantry lieutenant, he was seriously wounded in combat and was twice cited for acts of heroism under fire. He finished his military service with two Purple Hearts and two awards of the Bronze Star Medal with “v” device for valor. He was also awarded the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

Protecting Life

I joined Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss. and James Lankford, R-Okla., in introducing the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2019,” S. 109. The measure would establish a permanent, government-wide prohibition of taxpayer funding for abortion. Similar policies, such as the Hyde Amendment, currently require annual passage and do not apply to Obamacare.

Under Obamacare, many Americans unknowingly pay for abortion services covered under their health care plan. Our bill will permanently prohibit any taxpayer dollar from being used to pay for abortions and protect the rights for consumers to choose an insurance plan that is in line with their beliefs and values. The bill is co-sponsored by 32 other senators including Jerry Moran, R-Kan.

And after media reporting on legislation proposed on the state level in Virginia to repeal restrictions on third-trimester abortions, Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) introduced, and I cosponsored, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (S. 130). This bill requires medical care for any infant born alive after an attempted abortion procedure.

Honoring Brave Men and Women of the Big Red One

Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and I also introduced legislation honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our nation in the Army’s First Infantry Division. The bill authorizes these fallen soldiers’ names to be added to the First Division Monument located on White House grounds in Washington, D.C.

The Fighting First are the true guardians of America’s freedoms. We must honor and remember the brave men and women of the Big Red One who in placing duty first, have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The First Infantry Division was established in 1917 and has been on continuous active duty for more than 100 years. The First Division Monument was developed by the Society of the First Division to honor the heroic efforts of those who fought in World War I. Additions have since been made to commemorate soldiers from the First Infantry Division who lost their lives in World War II, the Vietnam War and Desert Storm. Future additions will honor members of the First Infantry Division killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom and future U.S. operations.

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