There are important provisions for virtually all health care providers in this bipartisan bill, including doctors, pharmacists, rural hospitals and home health care providers. Seniors deserve to have this law enacted as soon as possible so they can continue to get the high quality health care they need and deserve.

Senator Roberts was pleased to see the Department of Defense acknowledged mistakes in the procurement process that selected Airbus over the Boeing Company to build the nation’s new aerial refueling tanker and will re-compete the contract in an expedited process.

Roberts said the move will restore the confidence of the Congress and the American people with this decision to re-compete the contract. "There have been critical errors in the procurement of this tanker, and we will work to ensure this does not happen again so that the best possible tanker is selected for the warfighter," Roberts said. "We will need to see the details of the next request for proposal, but this is certainly the right step forward."

Roberts said the bipartisan work of the Kansas and Washington state congressional delegations will continue as Senators and Representatives seek more detailed briefings from the Department of Defense on this new process. "Of course, we continue working closely with Boeing officials as they work through this detailed process to ensure complete fairness," Roberts added.

On June 18th, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) sustained The Boeing Company’s protest of the United States Air Force’s decision to award the $35 billion KC-X Next Generational Aerial Refueling Tanker contract to Airbus. This overwhelming decision vindicates the arguments and efforts made by Senator Roberts and his colleagues over the past three months. The GAO agreed that the Air Force made "significant errors" in the KC-X competition. Contrary to Air Force arguments at the time of the contract award.

Senator Roberts, a former Marine, voted in favor of legislation, signed into law, to significantly expand GI Bill benefits to veterans. The bill updates the educational benefit by increasing overall funding and flexibility for those who have served since September 11, 2001. "Let there be no doubt that those who go in harms way to fight the War on Terror, our men and women in uniform, will be afforded every opportunity to continue their education after serving their country," Senator Roberts said.

The bill increases the educational benefit by providing veterans with a sum equivalent to the highest state school tuition of where they are enrolled. Participating schools can provide additional funding. There is also a monthly housing stipend for living expenses and additional funds for books and other educational materials. The measure also extends the amount of years the veteran has to use the benefit from 10 years to 15 years.

To educate Senate colleagues on the dangers of relocating Guantanamo Bay detainees to Ft. Leavenworth, Senator Roberts and Senator Brownback sent a letter to all Senators urging against the action.

Roberts said, "Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, we must debate practical solutions for detention of these terrorists. When you learn the facts, it becomes clear that Fort Leavenworth is not a practical, affordable or safe solution. Leavenworth will be filling up with military prisoners as a result of base closures throughout the nation, creating a logistical nightmare if you add those held at Guantanamo into the mix. In addition, the facilities at Leavenworth are not adequate to hold terrorists of this type. It will cost the taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars to make Ft. Leavenworth even partially compliant with the security standards at Guantanamo. At the same time, we would be putting Kansans and all Americans at an increased and unnecessary risk of terrorist attacks. That just doesn’t make sense. I welcome the opportunity to make this case to any of my colleagues who suggest that we move these terrorists to Kansas. My first question to them will be to ask if they would support moving these terrorists to their state."

On June 11, a tornado ripped through Dickinson, Riley and Jackson counties, causing severe damage especially to the towns of Chapman, Manhattan and damage near Soldier. Senator Roberts was on the ground the next day assessing the damage and meeting with Kansans affected by the storms.

In order to get much needed assistance to the affected areas, Senator Roberts, along with Senator Brownback and Congressman Moran, sent a letter to President Bush regarding the urgency of releasing Public Assistance funds for the affected counties, especially Chapman. "Every school in Chapman was demolished in the storm. In order to rebuild in time for the coming school year, which begins in six weeks, funds are needed immediately to begin construction." Senator Roberts said. "We ask that particular attention be paid to the needs of our youth who are affected most directly my this destruction."

At Senator Roberts’ request, FEMA just approved expedited federal aid for Dickinson and Riley counties to help the local governments rebuild public facilities including the three destroyed schools. "Work can get underway thanks to this assistance," Roberts said.

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