Hello,

At a commencement speech in Ohio this month President Obama told the graduates that they had, “Unfortunately grown up hearing voices that…warn that tyranny [sic] always lurking just around the corner. You should reject these voices.”

I disagree with the President, especially in light of the suppression of Benghazi whistle blowers at the State Department, IRS targeting of conservative groups, and a secret Justice Department investigation into the nation’s largest newsgathering source.  Instead, I would refer him to a statement made by the great Ronald Reagan: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”

Constant vigilance is required to be an active member in protecting our bold experiment of American democracy, and with that thought in mind, here’s what we’ve been working on in Kansas and Washington:

IRS Violates Public Trust
The American people are demanding and frankly deserve a full and transparent accounting from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of its actions to intimidate conservative political groups by subjecting them to targeted audits based on political key words like, patriot, conservative, constitution, and tea party.

The IRS’ misconduct was most certainly agenda driven politics and partisan bias gone unchecked, despite the IRS’ best attempts to claim otherwise. Simple apologies will not be sufficient to ensure Kansans, and all Americans, will not be singled out and harassed for their political beliefs by one of the most powerful agencies in the federal government. This week I called on Chairman Baucus and Ranking Member Hatch to hold a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee to give the American people a full accounting of efforts by the IRS to address this problem immediately and to determine if there are other problems at the agency.  I am happy to report that the hearing has been scheduled for next week, and I look forward to posing many questions to the folks at the IRS who oversaw this deplorable violation of American values.

Last year, I joined Senate Finance Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT) in sending letters to the IRS requesting information about the improper reviews of conservative groups. The three letters can be found on the Senate Finance Committee’s website here.  The response we received from the IRS made no mention of the unconscionable targeting that was taking place. I had the opportunity to speak with Neil Cavuto of the Fox Business Network about those letters and other aspects of IRS scandal click the video below to watch the segment.

Click Here To Watch

Farm Bill Marked Up in the Agriculture Committee
This week, the 2013 Farm Bill was marked up in the Senate Agriculture Committee. I offered a series of amendments to improve the bill, including attempts to end sweetheart deals for rice and peanut producers and to restore integrity to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program while saving billions in taxpayer dollars. Unfortunately, these amendments and others did not gain sufficient support. As a result, I voted against this flawed legislation because, unlike the reform bill that we passed with bi-partisan support last year, this year’s bill looks more like a rear-view mirror bill. 

To watch my opening statement at the Farm Bill markup, which more fully explores my opposition to this bill, click on the video below, or read the transcript of my remarks by visiting my website here.

Click Here To Watch

Progress Made on Pharmacy Compounding Legislation
Following the tragic deaths of 55 people in the recent meningitis outbreak due to contaminated compounded medications, there is a dire need to increase the scrutiny by which industrial pharmacies are mixing and blending medications, most especially for use in mass production.  Quite frankly, we had to get this right. Which is why, following months of negotiations and examination of potential legislation to protect patients and improve oversight of pharmaceutical compounding, Senators Alexander, Harkin, Franken and I have introduced S. 959, the Pharmaceutical Compounding Quality and Accountability Act—that would improve the safety of compounded human and animal drugs by making clear the compounding oversight responsibilities of state and federal authorities.

I am very proud of this legislation as it represents months of analysis and bipartisan work to get it right. After reviewing stakeholder comments, we made a concerted effort to address their concerns in this legislation. This bipartisan bill is balanced, clear and will leave no questions about the regulatory oversight of compounded drugs.

Still Unanswered Questions On Benghazi
Last week, we heard emotional testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform by three whistleblowers regarding the attacks on the U.S. Consulate and Annex in Benghazi, Libya.
I applaud the three public servants who came forward with their firsthand accounts of attacks in Benghazi on September 11, 2012. Their firsthand experience during the attack and their frustration with the Administration’s bungled response and subsequent cover-up of the circumstances surrounding the murder of four Americans is the closest to the truth we have seen to date.
The Administration and the Congress should not consider this case closed. No one has been arrested in connection with the murders of four Americans. We need a more thorough investigation of the actions that led to their deaths and why we still can’t get it right with regard to the truth following the attacks. Given the time passed, the Administration’s distortions and the need to rely on whistleblowers, I am very concerned we may never know the full truth.

According to the witnesses, State Department employees with firsthand knowledge of the attacks were not even interviewed by the Department’s Accountability Review Board. Why is that? What else have they missed? What does that say about the reforms the State Department has put in place to protect Americans based on recommendations of the Board’s report? Why were these witnesses told not to speak to members of a Congressional delegation investigating the attacks without other State Department officials present? Why were they muzzled?

Last week’s testimony further proves that not only did we have a cover-up of major mistakes and failures to protect Americans serving our nation in harm’s way, but now we have learned that we can’t trust the investigation the State Department conducted to determine lessons learned.

I deeply regret the precedent this sets for those who serve our nation in harm’s way. The continued dissembling and evasions by this Administration on the Benghazi attacks are undermining our national security by shaking the faith Americans have that the full force of the American government is behind them should they find themselves in trouble protecting our nation.

Secretary Clinton once asked, “What difference does it make?” It makes a difference to every single Marine, soldier, sailor, airmen and diplomat who has risked his or her life in defense of our freedom.

Click Here To Watch

Returning to my Alma Mater, Kansas State University
I had the immense pleasure recently of returning to my alma mater, Kansas State University.  While at K-State it was a thrill to see so many tried and true long-time friends at the Centennial luncheon of KSU's Pi Kappa Alpha's Alpha Omega chapter. My father, Wes, delivered the key note address at the 50th anniversary; I delivered the 75th anniversary keynote, and to have the opportunity to repeat for the big 100th was especially meaningful to me. My thanks to all the PKA brothers and their families for giving me this opportunity.

I also had the chance to drop by and see Coach Snyder and his boys for the K-State spring football game. They looked great and I look forward to seeing them hit the field next fall!

Washington Visitors
In addition to my trips back home to Kansas, it is always a treat when Kansans come up to Washington to visit my office.  Here are some of the groups who we able to make it to Washington in the last few weeks.

The Yardley family dropped by for a tour of the Capitol.

I had the honor of meeting with folks from the US Army War College.

The Army Corps of Engineers made their annual trip to the Hill to discuss water management policy in Kansas.

And we bid farewell to our two great spring interns James and Ed.

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.