Hello,

It has been a busy month both in Washington and Kansas, and I’m pleased to bring you an update on what I’ve been working on and what it means for Kansans.

Regulation Reform

This past week I continued my push for regulation reform by giving two speeches on the Senate floor. The first was on energy regulations, where I focused on Obama administration regulations and polices adding to energy costs for consumers at the worst possible time, when gas prices are already rapidly rising and hurting America's economic recovery. You can click here to watch the speech. Or press play below:

I also gave another speech about health care regulations, particularly those in Obamacare that hurt patient access to quality care and cause undue burdens on providers. You can click here to watch the speech. Or press play below:

These speeches are part of a series of speeches I’ve been giving on a bill I introduced last month called, “The Regulatory Responsibility for our Economy Act,” which ensures the president’s Executive Order that he issued in January is carried out to review, modify, streamline, expand, or repeal those significant regulatory actions that are duplicative, unnecessary, burdensome, or would have significant economic impacts on Americans.

Gas Prices

Just last week I was in Kansas for several events, including the Kansas State-ISU game. Besides watching the Wildcats win, one of the highlights of the trip was attending a townhall meeting in Johnson County. While there I heard complaints from many of you about the rising gas prices and our dependence on foreign oil and the need to develop our own domestic resources. I completely agree. I know times are tough and gas prices keep rising. And, there’s no escaping it.

Even as the price of crude continues to climb above $100 a barrel, this administration continues to promote domestic energy policies that are making it more expensive for Americans to fuel their cars, heat their homes, and power their businesses.

Rest assured, I will continue to fight for a comprehensive energy strategy for our nation.

Obamacare Anniversary

On the one year anniversary of the passage of Obamacare, health care costs are still soaring for patients. The misguided and critically flawed law needs to be addressed to actually improve access to affordable, quality health care in America.

I was an outspoken opponent of the bill back then, and I continue to be today. This week, I attended a press conference along with several of my Republican colleagues to talk about our concerns with the law. You can click here to listen to my comments there. Or press play below: 

Earlier that same day, I also questioned Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at a Senate Finance Committee hearing about health care reform and the lessons learned during this first year Obamacare has been law. I told her about the stakeholders meeting I held last month in Kansas with workers from every aspect of the health care field and their concerns with health care reform and regulations. You can click here to hear my discussion with her. Or press play below:

This next week I will be in Kansas again for a series of meetings with business and health care folks from around the state. I look forward to meeting with them and having frank discussions on how we can make things better for everyone.

Visits from Kansans

Over the last few weeks I have met with a number of Kansans in my Washington, D.C. office, as well as in Kansas. I appreciate their willingness to meet with me and express their thoughts and concerns to me on a regular basis about the issues on their minds. I didn’t get pictures with everyone, but I managed to snap a few. Please enjoy these photos of the Kansas Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the Congressional Youth Leadership Council Students from Kansas, and Boy Scout Troops 83 and 21 from Olathe. Thanks for stopping by! Please know my door is always open to my fellow Kansans.

Congratulations to Senator Jerry Moran

I was proud to see my friend, and now partner in the Senate, Jerry Moran, deliver his maiden speech on the Senate floor this week. Maiden speeches are traditionally given by freshman senators sometime during their first few months of taking office. Senator Moran did an outstanding job on his speech, outlining his legislative priorities and stressing the importance of getting our fiscal house in order. I once again welcome my friend to the Senate and congratulate him on a job well done. I look forward to working with him on behalf of the people of our great state.

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 www.youtube.com/SenPatRoberts. 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.

If you wish to contact me about an issue or want more information, please visit my website, roberts.senate.gov.