It’s been a busy few weeks in Kansas and Washington. I’m pleased to fill you in on what I’ve been working on and what it means for Kansans.

Farm Bill Passes Senate

Yesterday the 2012 Farm Bill passed the Senate on a bipartisan vote of 64 to 35.

I’m proud to say this Farm Bill reforms farm programs and saves taxpayers more than $23 billion. It consolidates and streamlines more than 100 programs and is indeed reform and progress. It moves farm programs away from subsidies and toward a safety net that aids producers only when they need help.

American agriculture and those who depend on it around the globe need a Farm Bill. They need to know what to expect from the federal government to make planning decisions, to be assured of a safe and affordable food supply, and to know that their businesses and families will have the opportunity to thrive. I take this responsibility seriously. You can click here to watch me on the Senate floor speaking to my colleagues about the importance of this bill.

Our work is not done. We can find more savings, especially in nutrition spending. The House must act, and we must have something in place before current programs expire September 30. I will continue to do everything I can to avoid adding to the economic uncertainties our farmers, ranchers and rural communities have already been forced to face, so that we can get the federal government out of the way of job creation and our nation’s economic recovery.

DREAM Act

The President recently announced a policy directive to enact the DREAM Act, which would grant deferred deportation action for immigrant children brought over illegally but raised in the United States. This is just another effort by this administration to bypass Congress.

Immigration reform is best addressed through comprehensive legislation – in open debate before the Congress. Instead, we have a serious situation on our hands. The President has bypassed regular legislative order, ignored current immigration laws, and enacted the DREAM ACT unilaterally. This go-it-alone approach leaves the American people on the sidelines.

The long-term and far reaching effects of such an immigration policy require more than a focus group. I do believe this issue is an important one to discuss and debate – in the context of comprehensive immigration reform – with an approach that secures our borders first.

This week, 20 of my Senate colleagues and I sent a letter to the President to remind his administration of its proper Constitutional role. The letter questions how the administration will handle the family members of those granted amnesty and how the administration plans to implement the law. We hope to have a response in the next few weeks.

ObamaCare Ruling Coming Down Soon

Next week, the long awaited Supreme Court ruling is expected to come down on the constitutionality of Obamacare. There are a few ways this could go. The Court could rule to uphold the entire law, it could throw out the entire law, or it may just find pieces unconstitutional – such as the individual mandate.

It’s no wonder it’s so unpopular – In two years, we’ve found the law cuts Medicare, raises billions in new taxes and increases premiums for families by more than $2,000 a year. We’ve found many employers are dropping the coverage they provide, and even more are planning to drop. So, if you like what you have now you may not be able to keep it. This law is so unpopular that the government has granted more than 1,700 waivers to exempt labor unions and others.

Let me make it clear – I believe the law’s mandates are unconstitutional. Other leaders from our state believe the same. It is for these reasons the law is in court in the first place. Twenty-five states, including Kansas, challenged those mandates before the Supreme Court, and that’s where we now stand.

As many of you know, I’ve been working to repeal and replace Obamacare since the day it was passed – it just plain doesn’t work for Kansas. We’ll see where the justices of the Supreme Court stand come Monday.

Out and About in Kansas

I had the honor last weekend of speaking at the Kansas Hall of Fame dinner. It was wonderful seeing my friend and predecessor Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker at the beautifully restored Great Overland Station in Topeka, where she was inducted into the Kansas Hall of Fame along with several notable Kansans. Congratulations to all of them.

In my office this week, I welcomed 23 young men and women to Washington, D.C. who are interning this summer for me and other members of the Kansas Congressional delegation. An internship can be an important path to starting a career in public service. I know firsthand because my service to Kansas started with an internship.

The experiences provided to interns on Capitol Hill are endless. If you, or a college student you know, is interested in our federal government and would like to join me for several weeks or a full semester, you can click here for more information on how to apply for the program.

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.