2013: Time to Address Spending

According to the Congressional Budget Office this week, the federal government ran a $293 billion deficit during the first quarter of 2013 (the 2013 fiscal year began in October 2012). If we continue on this track, our annual budget deficit will top $1 trillion for the fifth-straight year under President Obama.  

The lack of leadership from Washington on having an honest debate to curtail our spending problem is one of the most frustrating parts of my job. For far too long, even modest spending reforms have been met with extreme, political rhetoric as we saw with the recent fiscal cliff debate and previously with the House-passed budget. Now, with the Treasury Department having reached its legal borrowing limit yet again, it is time for the President to put real spending reforms on the table.

Every budget expert has warned it is impossible to tackle our annual deficits and our more than $16 trillion debt without addressing mandatory spending programs like Medicare and Social Security. Until we can discuss ways to strengthen and reform these programs, funding problems will only get worse and future changes will become even more drastic. It is impossible to control spending when you refuse to touch 60 percent of the budget.   

Having the courage to act now, will ensure we will be able to protect current seniors and those near retirement age from seeing their benefits changed. However, the longer we take to fix these programs, with Medicare insolvent in 12 years and Social Security a few years later, the larger the risk of negatively affecting the health and well-being of our parents and grandparents. The only way we can make sure these programs are here for future generations is by having these discussions today.

Forbes Field Selected as Finalist for Air Force KC-46A Tankers

On Wednesday, the United States Air Force announced the selection of both Forbes Airfield in Topeka and McConnell Air Force Base (AFB) in Wichita as finalists for the basing of the KC-46A tanker program. Forbes Airfield is a finalist for one of two Main Operating Bases competing against other Air National Guard-led, Active Association bases.

Last August, I met with Kansas National Guard 190th Air Refueling Wing leadership and was advised about this possibility. I am very pleased to receive confirmation that Forbes Field is indeed a strong candidate for the new KC-46A air-refueling tanker. Kansans play an essential role in our national defense and Forbes Field’s ideal, central location, exemplary personnel, and capable facilities make it an excellent choice as the Air Force updates its missions. I applaud the decision, and look forward to the potential final outcome with regards to the future sustainability and viability of the 190th as they continue to serve in this critical role.

Due to rising costs, the United States Air Force has made transitioning from 50-year-old KC-135 tankers to KC-46A tankers a top priority. The 190th Air Refueling Wing stationed at Forbes Field has provided air-refueling capabilities since 1978, and currently flies the KC-135R Stratotanker air-refueling tanker.

Kansas Soybean Expo in Topeka

On Wednesday, it was a pleasure to attend a reception at this year’s Kansas Soybean Expo hosted by the Kansas Soybean Association and Kansas Soybean Commission. I spoke to many farmers about their concerns, including the need for a five-year farm bill. Like many farmers, I was disappointed with the short-term extension passed by Congress, and will continue pushing for a long-term solution to allow farmers the certainty to plan for their future production.

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, soybeans are Kansas’s third most valuable crop, next to corn and wheat. This week the Topeka Capital-Journal reported, “pressures to find clean, renewable fuels and make foods healthier have pushed Kansas soybean farmers into new markets.” Representatives from the Kansas Soybean Commission displayed some of the exciting news uses for soybeans, including biodiesel, plastics and even a form of artificial grass. I am looking forward to hearing more about further innovative developments in the soy industry.



Congratulations

This week, the Associated Press ranked all three Kansas Division I Men's Basketball teams in the top 25 in the nation. According to theWinfield Daily Courier, this is the first time in nearly five decades Kansas University (#6), Kansas State University (#18), and Wichita State University (#23) have all been in the top 25 at the same time. Congratulations to each team and keep up the good work!