Hello,

The Kansas State Fair has come to a close, the Congress has returned from the August work period, the breeze is getting cooler, football has returned to grace our weekends; so it’s a sure sign that fall has begun. And this year, much like the last several years, the start of fall means major budget battles in the halls of Congress.  Here’s a quick update:

Defund Obamacare
Over the next few weeks we will be asked to both pass a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government past October 1st and to extend the debt limit. It is my sincere belief that to give our over-spending, bloated government a blank check by simply passing a clean CR and extending the debt limit with no strings attached to serious spending cuts and debt reduction plans would be wildly irresponsible. I stand with my colleagues in the House, who just today voted to pass a CR that defunds Obamacare. We are $17 trillion in debt and have a health care train wreck just over the horizon. More of the same is simply not the answer, the Senate must act to cut spending, repeal Obamacare, and get our debt under control.

Working with Senators Cruz and Cornyn to Demand Benghazi Investigation
Senators John Cornyn (R-Tex), Ted Cruz (R-Tex) and I called for a joint select committee to investigate the terrorist attacks on the American consulate in Benghazi that resulted in the deaths of four Americans.

Over the last year since the terrorist attacks in Benghazi on September 11, 2012, I have been an outspoken critic of the Administration’s handling of the investigation and response to the attacks. As the most senior Marine in the Congress, I have urged the President to set the record straight about his Administration’s failure to help Americans murdered in this terrorist attack, because it causes Americans serving in harm’s way, especially members of the Armed Forces, to question the sacred bond of never leaving a comrade in distress or danger.

On Wednesday, Senator Cruz and I spoke on the floor about our fight for facts. To view that video you can click the link below. A complete transcript of my remarks can be found here.

Click Here to View

Update on the Syria Situation
The Senate met with President Obama before his address to the nation on the situation in Syria. President Obama said he wanted to delay a vote for military action. He knows there is no support for military strikes in the Congress or in the country. I remain firmly opposed to our intervention in the Syrian civil war.

Likewise, this past month at home, an overwhelming majority of Kansans told me how strongly they oppose military action. Not only that, they are discouraged, frustrated and upset with the lack of leadership within the Administration. I share all of these sentiments. The actions displayed by the President and the Secretary of State do not inspire confidence.

The President told the American people that he believes he can work with Russia and the United Nations. Not only is the United States expected to give credibility to the Russians who have provided Syrian President Assad with weapons throughout this conflict, but this President is asking us to give credibility to the United Nations as the ‘regulator’ for Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile.

There is nothing I trust about the UN, Russia, or the Assad regime. By offering this diplomatic path, we are simply providing a delayed mechanism for the President to pursue his goal of a military strike when the regime does not comply. At that time, I believe Kansans, and all Americans, will feel the same as they do today-- opposed to military strikes in Syria.

As we reflect on the anniversaries of the deaths of four Americans in Benghazi and of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Americans are reminded of how much we have lost. But they also know when there is nothing to win.

Click Here to View

EPA Continues War on Coal
The Environmental Protection Agency today proposed yet another regulation that aims to kill the coal industry, which powers over 75 percent of Kansas. Under the newly proposed rules that circumvent Congress, the EPA wants to limit carbon emissions from all future coal and natural-gas plants. Furthermore, the media is reporting that the EPA also will separately tackle emissions from the thousands of existing power plants that are operating currently.

We’ve seen this before with the flawed Cap and Trade proposal that failed to pass Congress in Obama’s first term. This plan will not work. Firstly, it is a misguided attempt at climate manipulation that will undoubtedly raise energy prices for hard-working Americans still struggling to make ends meet in the Obama economy. Secondly, it is a fool’s errand, as any unilateral United States reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will simply be offset by emissions from largely populated countries like Brazil, China and India, thereby not improving the global environment.

Calling for Extension of CRP Grazing
Senator Moran and I have come together to ask U.S. Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) Tom Vilsack to extend emergency grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands to help livestock producers hit hard by lingering and intensifying drought.

The USDA has the power to permit farmers and ranchers in drought stricken states that have been approved for emergency grazing to extend grazing on CRP land through November 30, 2013, without incurring an additional CRP rental payment reduction. This is essential to protect the Kansas economy and world food supply.

USDA agencies and personnel have forged a partnership with farmers, ranchers, local communities and state government agencies to utilize every available resource and program authority for survival and sustainability until weather patterns improve. Without adequate forage, the Kansas cattle industry, which generates more than $7 billion in cash receipts annually, will be negatively impacted as producers will be forced to sell their cattle. Irreplaceable genetics and traits bred for generations could be lost in the open market, jeopardizing our state’s leading industry. I am hopeful that the USDA will quickly respond to our request and allow CRP grazing to continue.

Wrapping up August Kansas Tour and Washington Visitors
Over the last few weeks we wrapped up the August work period back in Kansas and, since returning back to Washington, I have hosted many Kansans coming to the Capitol to share issues important to them and get a tour of the Capital City.

Here are some of the groups I was able to spend some time with over the last few weeks.

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with the Overland Park City Council including Mayor Carl Gerlach and Fire Chief Bryan Dehner.

My wife Franki and I were able to make it to the Kansas Legislators Day at the Kansas State Fair. We spent a lot of time talking to the folks and had a blast as we do every year. Here are some of the highlights:

…Dropping by the Health Awareness and Cancer Screening booth that we help sponsor each year…

…Joining my friends and colleagues Senator Jerry Moran and Governor Sam Brownback for an hour long interview with the Kansas Ag Radio Network…

…seeing our friends at the American Legion booth…

…and of course spending time at my office’s booth and talking to Kansans about issues important to them…

After returning to Washington, the Kansas Council of Health-System Pharmacists came by my office to discuss the latest in the realm of health care.

The Overland Park Chamber of Commerce came in for a meeting to discuss the good work they are doing to keep OP growing and the Kansas job market humming along.

And the Johnson family came in for a tour of the Capitol building.

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 Twittersites.

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