News From the Kansas Delegation
Members of the Kansas congressional delegation have been active in July on a range of health care and related policy matters.
1. On July 15, Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01), chair of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, led a hearing focused on the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and its role in preventing and responding to foreign animal diseases such as High Pathogenic Avian Influenza, African Swine Fever and New World Screwworm. During the hearing, Representative Mann highlighted the importance of institutions like the Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in strengthening animal disease detection, research and prevention.
🔗 Read the press release: Chairman Mann Leads Subcommittee Hearing on Safeguarding U.S. Agriculture, Disease Prevention in Animal Health
2. On July 8, Representative Derek Schmidt (KS-02) announced that he has cosponsored the Credit for Caring Act, legislation that would establish an annual tax credit of up to $5,000 for family caregivers. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Sharice Davids (KS-03) are also cosponsors of the bill. The Credit for Caring Act is intended to provide financial relief to caregivers, many of whom are unpaid and spend an average of 26 percent of their annual income on care-related expenses. In Kansas, approximately 20 percent of adults are caregivers, and unpaid caregivers deliver roughly 85 percent of long-term care services.
🔗 Read the press release: Schmidt Supports Bipartisan Effort to Provide Financial Relief to Family Caregivers
🔗 Read the bill language: Credit for Caring Act of 2025
🔗 Read more from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services: Kansas Caregivers
3. On July 24, Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03) alongside Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the bipartisan ABLE Employment Flexibility Act, designed to support workers with disabilities to build financial security.
🔗 Read the press release: Davids Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand Savings Options for Workers with Disabilities
🔗 Read the bill language: H.R. 4644 ABLE Employment Flexibility Act
4. On July 8, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the National Farm Security Action Plan, the new pillar of the Make Agriculture Great Again initiative which was created to protect American agriculture from foreign threats. Senator Roger Marshall joined Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem at USDA headquarters to announce the plan. In his brief remarks, Senator Marshall emphasized that the security of America’s food supply is a critical national security issue, raising concerns about foreign land ownership and potential biothreats to agriculture. He highlighted Kansas’ role as a hub for agricultural research and biosecurity and noted recent federal actions to strengthen support for farmers, protect rural communities and enhance the resilience of the food supply. The comprehensive plan addresses seven priority areas:
- Secure and protect American farmland
- Enhance agricultural supply chain resilience
- Protect U.S. nutrition safety net from fraud and foreign exploitation
- Defend agricultural research and innovation
- Put America first in every USDA program
- Safeguard plant and animal health
- Protect critical infrastructure
🔗 Read more from the Hays Post: Kan. U.S. Senator helps reveal Farm Security Action Plan
🔗 Read more from AgWired: USDA Unveils National Farm Security Action Plan | AgWired
🔗 Read more from the USDA: Farm Security is National Security
🔗 Read the action plan: National Farm Security Action Plan
5. On July 23, Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) joined Senator Micheal Bennet (D-CO) in introducing the No Suprises Act Enforcement Act, which seeks to strengthen enforcement of the 2020 No Suprises Act, designed to stop surprise medical billing, by increasing penalties for non-compliance with payment deadlines. It also aims to improve transparency and close gaps in the current dispute resolution process. A companion bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives by a group of bipartisan policymakers.
🔗 Read the press release: Senators Marshall & Bennet Introduce Legislation To Strengthen Existing Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills
🔗 Read the bill language: No Surprises Act Enforcement Act
6. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) joined a bipartisan group of senators in introducing the Streamlining Rural Housing Act of 2025, which would require the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the USDA to align housing standards through a memorandum of understanding. The bill would reduce the need for separate inspections and environmental reviews for projects that receive grant funding from both governmental agencies. Supporters of the legislation state the changes are intended to lower costs, reduce administrative barriers, shorten project timelines and improve the development of affordable housing in rural communities.
🔗 Read the press release: Sens. Moran, Ricketts, Shaheen, Gallego Introduce Legislation to Streamline Rural Housing Regulations
🔗 Read the bill language: Streamlining Rural Housing Act