I had the pleasure of presenting a $28,000 check this week to help rehabilitate older homes in Bourbon County. Investments like this from USDA Rural Development can help keep more homes in use and make housing more attainable for Kansas families.

Great meeting with Kansans active in the International Franchise Association to discuss the small businesses and entrepreneurs that help keep Kansas communities strong. Franchises give Kansans the opportunity to go into business for themselves, while having the support of an established brand behind them. We also discussed bipartisan legislation that can help Kansas franchise owners invest, grow, and create jobs with confidence.

I appreciated the opportunity today to join Kansas business leaders in Washington, D.C., for a Q&A and to hear directly about the issues facing Kansas employers, small businesses, and communities. Conversations like these are important to identifying ways we can support continued growth and opportunities across Kansas. Thank you to the Kansas Chamber for hosting and for bringing Kansas business leaders together for a productive discussion.

I believe in cutting taxes and putting more money back in your pocket. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which I supported, we delivered historic tax relief for Kansas families and Americans across the country. Kansans received about 10% more in their federal tax refunds this year as a result. That’s real money staying in the hands of working families - and that’s a win for Kansas.

Last stop of the day, I joined USDA officials in presenting a grant award to the Coffey County Housing Authority to support rehab of older houses. Thank you to USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development Glen Smith for coming to Kansas and spending the day with us learning about some of the economic development needs and work in SEK!

Took Undersecretary Smith on a quick visit to the Mitchell Career and Technology Center at Neosho County Community College. The Mitchell Center, which was financed in part with help from USDA Rural Development, is a terrific example of the growing focus on career and technical education that is critical to regional economic development. Thanks to the NCCC team for taking time to share their work!.

Second stop of the day, we connected Undersecretary Smith with the economic development tour previously arranged by State Rep. Dale Helwig in Galena and then toured U.S. Assets Recovery to learn about the work they are doing with precious metals and discuss expansion plans.

Delighted to host Glen Smith, Undersecretary for Rural Development at USDA, in Southeast Kansas today. Started the day with a rural housing roundtable discussion in Fort Scott. Thank you to all who participated. And thank you to USDA for presenting a $28,000 check to help with specific housing needs in Bronson.

An overwhelming majority of Americans agree that only U.S. citizens should be allowed to vote in U.S. elections - federal, state, or local. How to enforce that requirement is where disagreement may arise. Voter ID and strong election-security measures help ensure that every legal vote is protected and that our elections remain secure.

Every child deserves to be safe - online and offline. I’m proud to cosponsor the bipartisan STOP CSAM Act, legislation that strengthens reporting requirements, increases accountability for online platforms, and gives law enforcement and victims additional tools to combat the sexual exploitation of children online. Protecting children is an ongoing priority, and I’ll continue working with both political parties to keep kids safe and hold those who exploit them accountable.

Thank you to Kenny and the crew at Gearhaul for taking time to show me your operation and discuss issues. This is another Kansas small business that is a great American success story--dream it, build it, grow it. Made in U.S.A.!

I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Growth Energy to discuss priorities that matter to Kansas agriculture, energy producers, and consumers. We had a productive conversation about year-round E15, supporting our farmers and producers, and strengthening our domestic energy economy. Thank you to Growth Energy for the conversation and for sharing your perspective on these important issues.

Chateau Avalon is getting some big renovations and has big plans for more. So much happening in the Legends area--new American Royal, new Buc-ee's, and of course the planned new Chiefs stadium. Thank you for the visit!

Small businesses need access to capital and a fair shot at growing without being weighed down by unnecessary costs and uncertainty. I met with Kansans active in the Asian American Hotel Owners Association to hear directly about the challenges facing hotel owners and discuss ways to support small businesses. I appreciate the conversation and will keep working to make sure small businesses have the tools and certainty they need to succeed.

Dropped by the National Agricultural Hall of Fame yesterday, a congressionally chartered institution with quite a collection! The arrival of the American Royal just a bit up the road presents new opportunities for Wyandotte County to promote American agriculture in a metro location readily accessible to many. Thank you for taking time to show me the Hall of Fame and its related attractions!

Thank you to the American Network of Community Options and Resources for stopping by this week to talk about how we can make sure the right programs and resources are there to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and the professionals who provide care.

Quindaro Townsite in Kansas City, Kansas, is an important part of American history and should be nationally recognized. This week, the House Natural Resources Committee had a productive hearing on my bipartisan bill that would designate Quindaro a National Historic Landmark. This bill will help preserve Quindaro’s legacy and ensure future generations can learn from this important chapter in our nation’s history. This was an important step in the process, and I'm proud to help advance this legislation.

Every child deserves the opportunity to build a strong financial foundation. This week, I joined @RepDavids to introduce the bipartisan Born to Invest Act, legislation that would help parents and guardians learn about tax-favored savings and investment options available for their children. Kansas has already created a framework to connect families with information about Trump Accounts, 529 college savings plans, and ABLE accounts. This bill would take that plan national. When families have the information they need, they can make informed decisions about saving and investing for their children’s future.

Yesterday, the House passed the National Fraud Enforcement Division Act. I was proud to cosponsor this bill to strengthen and make permanent the DOJ’s ability to crack down on fraud and hold criminals accountable. We must protect every taxpayer dollar and ensure those who steal from Americans face consequences.

Our 2nd congressional district is home to Wolf Creek, making us the center of nuclear power generation in Kansas. During a recent House Small Business Committee hearing, I explored how Wolf Creek's presence might be an advantage for building next-generation small nuclear reactors nearby. piped.video/watch?v=xWm-KAsf…