End of the year wrap-up

As 2016 and the 114^th Congress come to a close, I want to thank you for the honor of representing Kansas in the U.S. Senate. In just the last few weeks, we’ve added to our accomplishments and are already at work on an aggressive agenda for the new year. I will again chair the Senate Agriculture Committee in the next Congress and will continue to be the voice for farmers, ranchers and consumers.

21^st Century Cures Act

The president signed the 21^st Century Cures Act. This was legislation I was proud to work on in both the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. This bipartisan bill is a true victory for every patient and our health care system. It includes countless benefits for Kansans, giving healthcare providers new tools and drugs to heal, reducing the time it takes to get treatments from the research bench directly to patients.

Keeping GITMO Terrorists out of Kansas

The Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act – a bill that provides critical funding to our military. It again confirms that the president cannot transfer terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to the mainland. Fortunately, we have been able to stop President Obama from accomplishing his campaign promise to close GITMO. I remain vigilant, and I will continue to ensure detainees are not moved to the mainland to protect our national security.

Toys for Tots

It’s that time of year when we participate in the Marine Corps’ annual Toys for Tots. As the most senior Marine in Congress, I joined my staff and the Marines in their effort to give every child a Merry Christmas.

Progress on the Eisenhower Memorial

As Chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, I’m pleased to announce we are one step closer to completing the national memorial to Kansas’ favorite son, Dwight D. Eisenhower. The design modifications recently made by Frank Gehry have been approved by the Eisenhower Memorial Commission. The new design further captures President and General Eisenhower’s broad range of contributions to our nation and the world, in times of both war and peace. I’m especially happy to see the renewed focus on Kansas and Ike’s home town of Abilene, by incorporating his famous quote when he returned home from World War II, “The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene.” For more information on the memorial, go here.

Meeting with Nominees

I have had good, candid discussions with many of President-elect Trump’s cabinet nominees, including Rep. Tom Price for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education, Andy Puzder for Secretary of Labor, Steven Mnuchin for Secretary of the Treasury, and Seema Verma for Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. I look forward to their confirmation hearings.

Holiday Greeting for the Troops

Here’s a special message to our troops fighting overseas during this holiday season, away from their loved ones and in harm’s way. Thank you for your service!

Merry Christmas!

Franki and I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!