Continuing to Monitor Emergency Response to Wildfires

Kansas has experienced the worst wildfire in state history. I am very grateful for the firefighters, first responders, and volunteers who helped contain the fire and who are continuing to manage the recovery effort. Farmers and ranchers are strongly encouraged to document their losses. There has been an incredible effort to help those with losses. For more information or for those needing assistance, the Kansas Department of Agriculture has a good site with links to recovery information. I will continue to monitor efforts to protect life and property around the state as wildfire warnings continue due to dry conditions.

EPA Funds Used to Attack Agriculture

Earlier this week it came to my attention that an anti-agriculture billboard in Washington State was actually funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The disturbing billboard is a bold example of exactly what Kansas farmers and ranchers complain about all the time: the EPA has an agenda that is antagonistic to producers.

Whether it’s overly burdensome and costly regulations or something as obvious as this malicious billboard message, the EPA has much to answer for in maligning those who grow the food and fiber needed to feed the world. Our farmers and ranchers are stewards of the land and want to see our natural resources protected as much as any other American.

While there are legal concerns with the lack of disclosure of EPA’s involvement, the billboard is another example of EPA’s improper practice of encouraging the lobbying of legislators. How and why the EPA has allowed taxpayer dollars to be used to attack any industry, including our vital agriculture producers, demands answers.

Shortly after I raised my objections, the billboards started coming down. But that’s not the end of it. The campaign funded by the EPA continues. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), who chairs the Committee on Environment and Public Works, and I have written the EPA’s Inspector General and asked him to investigate how this federal money could be used to target farmers. I will report back to you.  

More administration officials agree: It is still against the law to transfer GITMO prisoners to the U.S.

The president continues to state that he is going to close the detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay, despite more and more officials in his administration reiterating that is it against the law to transfer these terrorists to the U.S. mainland. The president submitted a plan to Congress that failed to find a suitable site in a U.S. community – because there is no suitable site on our shores.

Despite this failure and the law prohibiting it, the president continues to say he will still transfer detainees by executive order. I introduced a resolution last month to put senators on record against the president’s misuse of his executive power. We must continue to demonstrate to the president our clear opposition to this security risk. We must deter him from an agenda in which the wishes and the security of the American people are last on the list.

I also joined my colleagues on a resolution to detain ISIS fighters at Guantanamo Bay. America faces unknown threats as we confront the spread of ISIS, as the number of terrorist attacks grows, and as we deal with the president’s failed foreign policy decisions. GITMO remains the safest and most suitable facility to house future detainees.

In addition, administration officials have admitted that these released prisoners have killed Americans, giving all the more reason to keep Guantanamo Bay open and to keep these terrorists and their associates away from American communities.

I will continue to fight the president no matter where he wants to send terrorists to our shores – whether it’s Fort Leavenworth or any other U.S. location. It is incumbent upon senators to protect the security of their constituents and the American people. Over 16,000 Americans have already signed my petition to stop this reckless action. Join us and tell the president we do not want terrorists in our communities.

Pipeline Safety Act Approved in the Senate

I am very pleased to announce my legislation with Senator Moran to improve the safety of underground natural gas storage has passed the Senate. This is a very important step to reduce the risk of deadly disasters like the 2001 natural gas explosion in Hutchinson. As our nation begins to rely more and more on natural gas, we need to ensure there is a proper level of oversight to prevent dangerous explosions and any further loss of life.
 

Another step towards improving our nation’s mental health crisis

Earlier in March, we passed an important bill out of the Senate health committee to address our nation’s mental health crisis. This bipartisan legislation reauthorizes substance abuse and mental health services programs. While there is still much more to be done to address the deficiencies in our current system, this bill is a step in the right direction towards improving access to mental health services and eliminating the stigma of seeking treatment.

Around Kansas

I had a great discussion with the students in Mrs. Jacobson's American Government class at Topeka West High School who I encouraged to get involved in government and never forget to pursue a career they enjoy.

Thanks to Emporia State University where the students showed me everything from forensic sciences to how to fly a drone. Thank you to ESU President Allison Garrett and the many students for being such gracious – and informative – hosts.

I was glad to be back at the Ottawa and Olathe Rotary clubs where we discussed the many issues facing our nation, in particular the tragic terrorist attacks in Brussels and the continued growing threat of ISIS.

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

You can visit my website for more information on what’s happening in Washington, D.C., and Kansas. You can also stay updated on all these happenings on my Facebook and Twitter sites.