Good News: EPA Permits Year-Round Sale of E15

Good News: EPA Permits Year-Round Sale of E15 Mar 30 2026 Good News: EPA Permits Year-Round Sale of E15 On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it was issuing a waiver to extend the nationwide sale of E15 during the 2026 summer driving season. Current regulations prevent the summer sale of E15 without a waiver, which is why I have long supported legislation to allow the year-round sale of E15 to provide certainty to the fuels industry. Year-round availability of E15 expands markets for Kansas farmers and ethanol producers, supports American energy independence and provides consumers with more affordable options at the pump. I applaud the administration’s action to help meet our nation’s energy needs, and I will continue working with my colleagues to make this change permanent. You can learn more about my efforts to support year-round E15 here . Urging Reinstatement of Sanctions on Russia & Iran This week, I spoke on the Senate floor, expressing my concern over the administration’s decision to relax oil sanctions on Russia and Iran. The 30-day waiver permits both countries to sell their oil at market prices, potentially providing billions of dollars that they otherwise would not have had. This windfall provides resources for both Moscow and Tehran to sustain their wars against Ukraine and in the Middle East. It makes no sense to give financial relief to two adversaries who actively work, in cooperation with each other, to threaten American lives and interests around the world. I called on the President to rescind these waivers now and for them to not be extended once they expire. I also highlighted the importance of investing in domestic energy production to reduce America’s reliance on foreign countries for energy. The U.S. military operations in Iran continue into its fifth week. As a member of the Defense Appropriations subcommittee, I received another classified briefing on the war. While there is potential for ceasefire talks to begin, I am monitoring reports of plans to send more forces into the region that could lead to introducing troops on the ground. You can watch my full remarks on the Senate floor here . Passing Legislation to End Partial Government Shutdown After weeks of trying to negotiate a deal in the Senate on funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), President Trump took action to provide emergency pay for TSA workers who were facing a third missed paycheck. While this action will provide relief for the TSA employees and alleviate strain on air travel, a DHS funding bill must be enacted to ensure our national security and make certain thousands of employees do not continue going without pay. Despite the Appropriations Committee negotiating a bipartisan DHS funding package that includes resources for body-worn cameras for ICE and increases funding for the DHS Office of Inspector General to conduct investigations and hold the department accountable, my colleagues across the aisle rejected this package and additional offers for reform. While Republicans worked in good faith to offer reforms for ICE and Border Patrol, defunding these critical agencies is not an option. Thanks to additional funding provided last year in the Senate Reconciliation Bill, ICE and Border Patrol operations will continue to be funded for the foreseeable future, and Senate Republicans will look for alternative ways to fund these agencies potentially through another Reconciliation Bill. Requesting Update from DHS on World Cup Security Plans As the U.S. prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, I led my colleagues in requesting an update from the newly appointed Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) efforts to support the safety and security of host cities across the nation, including Kansas City. Kansas City’s role during the FIFA World Cup presents a unique opportunity to showcase our state and country but also requires significant coordination between federal, state and local partners to address evolving security threats. Specifically, I requested additional details on how DHS is working with law enforcement and emergency management partners to prepare for the event, as well as how federal resources are being allocated and which special designations would be granted to host cities to make certain they have the necessary tools in case of an emergency. I appreciate the many Kansas-based law and fire departments that have visited with me in recent weeks to express their concerns and share questions ahead of the World Cup, and I look forward to remaining in contact with the emergency services community on the response we receive from Secretary Mullin. I remain committed to working to make certain our communities are as prepared as possible for the World Cup. You can read more from KSHB here . Calling for Briefing on Holding Perpetrators of Oct. 7 Attack Accountable This week, I led 13 of my colleagues in requesting that Attorney General Pam Bondi and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel convene a briefing on the Joint Task Force October 7 (JTF) to update Congress on efforts to investigate and prosecute terrorist networks such as Hamas. The task force was established in the wake of Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel and stands to investigate and hold accountable individuals connected to acts of violence and global terrorist organizations. In the letter, we requested an update on the task force’s progress, including the number of investigations underway, actions taken to hold perpetrators accountable and any additional authorities or resources needed from Congress to support the JTF’s critical work. As Chairman of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee, I remain committed to making certain the Department of Justice and the FBI have the tools necessary to carry out their mission of keeping Americans safe. You can learn more from Jewish Insider here . Touring Thales Group U.S. Headquarters On Monday, I visited Thales Group’s U.S. headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, and met with members of their team to learn more about the work they are doing to support air traffic control modernization. We also discussed Thales Group’s presence in Kansas, including its facility in Overland Park that repairs air traffic control navigation and surveillance equipment. Thank you to the Thales Group team for hosting me and for conversations on strengthening aviation safety. Leading Legislation to Protect Consumer Data Privacy This week, I reintroduced the Consumer Data Privacy and Security Act to strengthen laws that govern consumers’ personal data and create clear standards and regulations for American businesses that collect, process and use consumers’ personally identifiable data. As more states adopt their own comprehensive data privacy legislation and as consumers face new and evolving threats to the security of their personal data, the need for a clear federal standard for data privacy has become more pressing, both for consumers seeking to secure their data and for businesses contending with a patchwork of state laws governing how that data is to be handled. My legislation would establish a clear federal standard for data privacy protection, provide consumers with control over their personal data, create appropriately-scaled business requirements based on a company’s size and resources, require notification and consent measures, implement robust security programs and provide the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general with the resources and authorities needed to enforce this clear federal standard. As Congress works to develop a comprehensive federal privacy standard, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate and soliciting feedback from consumers and industry leaders to make certain that this legislation manages the risks to consumers’ data privacy in a way that American businesses can execute. You can learn my about my legislation here . Introducing Bill to Bolster Training on Dementia Detection & Treatment This week, I joined my colleagues, Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), in introducing the Accelerating Access to Dementia & Alzheimer’s Provider Training (AADAPT) Act . This bipartisan legislation seeks to bolster training for primary care providers so they can better diagnose Alzheimer’s and other dementia and deliver high-quality care in community-based settings. The bill would make certain primary care providers have the tools they need to deliver earlier diagnoses, improving access to care and outcomes for individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. I am committed to supporting robust funding for Alzheimer’s and dementia research to improve treatments and work towards a cure for these devastating diseases. You can learn more about this legislation here . Meeting with Kansans Fort Hays State University This week, I met with representatives from Fort Hays State University (FHSU), including President Tisa Mason and General Counsel Joe Bain, to discuss new initiatives at the university and its continued efforts to bring quality higher education to Kansas. During our meeting, we discussed FHSU’s collaboration with Fort Hays Tech North Central and Fort Hays Tech Northwest, which launched in July 2024. The partnership was created to share resources and expand educational opportunities across the region, and I am pleased to hear that these efforts have been going well and contributed to increased enrollment and improved student outcomes. We also discussed FHSU’s focus on strengthening the nursing, agriculture, social work and psychology workforce and ways the university is supporting students as they prepare for careers in Kansas. I appreciate the work FHSU does to prepare students for successful careers and to strengthen communities across our state. Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center On Wednesday, I met with representatives from Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute to discuss Neosho Memorial’s recent decision to join the Southeast Kansas Health Cooperative (SEK Co-op), a regional partnership formed to strengthen collaboration among healthcare providers in the region and improve access to care for patients across southeast Kansas. We also discussed the $222 million award Kansas received in the first year of the Reconciliation Bill’s Rural Health Transformation program, as well as the importance of supporting rural hospitals as they work to meet the health care needs of their communities. Through my role on the Senate Committee on Appropriations, I worked to secure federal investments that help strengthen rural health care systems in the FY2026 appropriations process, including $1.22 million in federal resources for Neosho Memorial to support renovations to its cardiac rehabilitation center and modernization of its imaging department. Investments like these help make certain rural hospitals have the tools and facilities needed to continue providing high-quality care close to home. Thank you to Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center CEO Wendy Brazil, Foundation Director Anna Methlin and Andy Garfinkel for taking the time to meet with me. City of Leavenworth On Tuesday, I met with leadership from the City of Leavenworth to discuss issues affecting their community and updates on projects in the Leavenworth area that support economic growth and opportunities for the city. Thank you to Mayor Nancy Bauder and City Manager Scott Peterson for their time and conversation. Kansas Association of Conservation Districts On Thursday, I met with representatives from the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts to discuss their partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help landowners and farmers adopt effective conservation practices, as well as the important Farm Bill programs that are awaiting reauthorization. I appreciate their commitment to keeping Kansas farms and ranches healthy and productive, as well as their dedication to preserving our natural resources for the next generation of agriculturalists. Thank you to Dan Meyerhoff, Amanda Scott, Bill Simshauser, Sarah Diamond and Dana Schmelzle for meeting with me. Coalition for Deep Space Exploration - Artemis Suppliers This week, I met with several Kansas manufacturers who supply NASA’s Artemis mission, including AMI Metals, Inc. and Mid-State Aerospace. Kansas has a long history of aerospace leadership, and that tradition continues today through advanced manufacturing, composite materials, avionics and precision machining. AMI Metals, Inc. serves as a supplier of aerospace raw materials like aluminum and stainless steel to programs and contractors involved in the NASA Artemis mission to return to the Moon. Mid-State Aerospace provides specialized aerospace hardware and custom hose assemblies. When American astronauts return to the Moon and plant our flag on the lunar surface, they will get there because of the work being done every day by suppliers across this country, including the men and women of Kansas. Kansas Bar Association I met with leadership from the Kansas Bar Association to discuss issues impacting legal services and access to the justice system across our state. Attorneys play a critical role in supporting Kansans, particularly in rural communities where access to legal representation can be limited. During our meeting, we discussed the work of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), which helps provide civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and rural communities. Last year, through my role as a senior appropriator, I worked to make certain that LSC maintained funding so that Kansans facing challenges related to housing, employment and family stability would be supported. Thank you to Angela Meyer of Pittsburg and Rachel Pirner of Wichita for their work supporting a strong and accessible legal system for all Kansans. Morris County 4-H Students On Wednesday, I met with 4-H members from Morris County during their visit to our nation’s capital. I appreciated learning more about their 4-H experiences and the opportunity to share with them what my day-to-day work as a U.S. Senator looks like. I commend 4-H’s mission to help young people build leadership skills, develop career and life competencies and engage in their communities, all grounded in the importance of agriculture and leadership. Thank you to the parents and club leaders who invest their time and energy in helping these young leaders grow. Special thanks to Cooper Andres, Laramie Mayer, Ronald Mayer, Nolan Effland, Korbyn Platz, Daylen Nielsen and Brayden Jarvis for visiting and for their thoughtful questions. American Lung Association On Wednesday, I met with Jennifer Johnson, a Kansas volunteer with the American Lung Association (ALA), as well as Alicia Nickles and Hannah Green from ALA. During our conversation, Jennifer shared her personal story of fighting lung cancer and spoke about the hope that continued research and new treatments are providing to patients and their families. Advances in cancer treatment are made possible through strong federal investments in biomedical research. As a senior member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, I will continue to support funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other research initiatives that help scientists develop new therapies and improve outcomes for patients facing serious diseases like lung cancer. I appreciated hearing Jennifer’s story and thank her for advocating on behalf of patients and families affected by lung cancer. National MS Public Policy Conference This week, I met with members of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society who were in Washington, D.C. for their annual Public Policy Conference. MS is an unpredictable disease that affects the central nervous system, impacting more than 2.8 million people. We discussed the Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), a program described as “high risk, high reward” trials and tests into understanding and preventing chronic diseases like MS. I am dedicated to working with my colleagues to make certain funding is provided for programs like CDRMP and other agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that support cutting-edge research to strengthen care for Americans. Thank you to Meg Godderz from Overland Park and Jeff Peier from Wichita for meeting with me. Lakeside High School On Tuesday, I enjoyed visiting with senior class students at Lakeside High School in Downs during their tour of the U.S. Capitol. We discussed their favorite parts of their visit to D.C. and their plans after graduation. Thank you to the students and teachers for taking time to meet with me during their visit. Attending Kansas Children’s Discovery Center Sunflower Breakfast On Friday, I attended the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center’s Sunflower Breakfast. It was great to visit with community leaders and supporters who are committed to expanding educational opportunities for Kansas children. The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center has positioned itself as not only a leader in Kansas, but also as a national leader in innovation in educational programming for children. Museums and community learning centers like this provide families with opportunities to explore science, creativity and problem-solving while also serving as important gathering places that strengthen our communities. I also want to congratulate Dené Mosier, President and CEO of the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, on becoming the first Kansan selected as an Aspen Institute Fellow. This accomplishment is a reflection of the important work being done here in Kansas to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators. Thank you for the opportunity to join you and for your continued commitment to providing meaningful educational experiences for young Kansans. Celebrating National Agriculture Day On Tuesday, March 24, our nation celebrated National Agriculture Day to highlight the dedication of our farmers and ranchers. I am thankful for the hardworking Kansas agriculture producers who tirelessly strive to feed, fuel and clothe our communities and the world. Honoring our Nation’s Heroes on National Medal of Honor Day Wednesday was National Medal of Honor Day, a time to celebrate and acknowledge those who have received the U.S. military’s highest honor. There have been 3,536 Medal of Honor recipients since the first Medal of Honor was awarded in 1863, including more than 20 recipients from Kansas. The individuals who have received this honor have displayed bravery, strength and love of country above and beyond the call of duty. They have helped to shape our history and remind us of the sacrifices those who serve our nation in uniform have made so that our freedoms remain protected. We thank all of those who have received this honor for their service and sacrifice to our nation, and for setting an example of true courage and love of country. Learn more about the Kansas Medal of Honor recipients here . Kansans in the Office Capitol Tour Breckin Albrecht of Downs Cooper & Shandi Andres of Alta Vista Landon Baetz of Downs Zayda Ballard of Cawker City Maddox Bergmann of Downs James & Sandra Billings of Leawood Lucien Bowles of Downs Nolan Effland of White City Kaden Frazier of Cawker City Makenna Goheen of Downs Anna, Caylyn, Eric & Hanna Gudde of Pittsburg Sadie Henke-Cheney of Downs Brayden Jarvis of Council Grove Christopher & Juli Jones of Shawnee Ginna & Jeremy Long of Downs Laramie & Ronald Mayer of Alta Vista Grant Middleton of Downs Tatum Miller of Downs Storm Myer of Miltonvale Amy & Daylen Nielsen of Council Grove Jessica & Korbyn Platz of Wilsey Dana Schmelzle of Seneca Addison Schmitt of Cawker City John Schoen of Cawker City Ginna Sharp of Downs Lillee Stephens of Tipton Bryan, Katharine & Savannah Weidler of Andover Hyland, Ryan & Traci Wright of Stilwell Amber Wyman of Downs Alliance for Breast Cancer Policy Molly Gutherie of Andover American Dental Association Lynne Barbour of Shawnee Stuart Dexter of Shawnee Americans for Prosperity Elizabeth Patton of Topeka Tanner Tempel of Topeka American Lung Association Jennifer Johnson of Overland Park Alicia Nickels of Kansas City Sara Prem of Overland Park American Osteopathic Association Kristen Elliott of Wichita Kelsey Gordon of Emporia Lauren Huelson of Olathe Ascension Living HOPE Jennifer Campbell of Wichita Alison Hodge Wichita Melissa Johnson of Wichita Bike Walk Wichita Ryan Makarerl of Kansas City Eric Rogers of Kansas City Holly Terrill of Wichita Children's Mercy Kansas City Lisa Horn of Kansas City Dallas Polen of Kansas City City of Leavenworth Nancy Bauder of Leavenworth Scott Peterson of Leavenworth Coalition for Deep Space Exploration Ryan Click of Wichita Sean Clyde of Wichita Robert Rogers of Olathe Robert Somers of Olathe Council of Autism Service Providers Mary Beth Patry of Overland Park Council of Chief State School Officers Dean Zajic of Topeka Eagle Picher Ron Nowlin of Riverton Emergency Medical Services Industry Chrissy Bartel of Norwich Charles Foat of Overland Park Morika Heller of Hutchinson John Hultgren of Abilene Craig Isom of Winfield Dave Johnston of Hutchinson Con Olson of Hott Frank Williams of El Dorado Fort Hays State University Joe Bain of Hays Tisa Mason of Hays Ground Water Protection Council Ryan Hoffman of Wichita International Dairy Foods Association 2026 Women's Summit Jennifer Brentano of Kansas City Carolina Mateus of Kansas City Kansas Association of Agriculture Educators/Kansas Association of Career and Technical Educators Laura Benscheidt of Overland Park Linda Chase of Oxford Laura Miller of Junction City Kansas Bar Association Angela Meyer of Pittsburg Rachel Priner of Wichita Kansas Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Stephanie Coleman of Gardner Madeline Guzar of Overland Park Peyton Hooper of Winfield Natalie Watkins of Olathe Lockheed Martin F-35 Supplier Fly In Damon Couthon of Wichita Kenton Hahn of Wichita Jacob Miller of Kansas City Fred Stipkovits of Shawnee Material Advantage Student Program Casen Legreid of Lenexa MOARC and KCIC Tom Poer of Overland Park Melissa Sieben of Lawrence Saran White of Kansas City National MS Public Policy Conference Meg Godderz of Overland Park Jeff Peier of Wichita National Sorghum Producers Andy Hineman of Dighton Craig Meeker of Wellington Jim Sipes of Mauler Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center Wendy Brazil of Chanute Andy Garfinkel of Chanute Thomas Keller of Chanute PRINTING United Alliance Jeff Peterson of Topeka Salina Family Healthcare Center Derek Pihl of Salina Travis Rump of Salina Textron Travis Tyler of Wichita Water Systems Council Eric Schriefer of Lenexa Patrick Sless of Lenexa Window and Door Manufacturers Association Steve Tourek of Kansas City Young People's Alliance Ava Lewis of Clearwater