Newsletter: Roberts Report - November 24, 2014

Statement

President Obama's Irresponsible and Unconstitutional Executive Order

President Obama issued an executive order that provides amnesty to more than four million illegal immigrants. President Obama's executive order directly defies the clear message the American people sent with their vote on election night.

The President apparently has no interest in a constructive working relationship with Congress. He has no intention of listening to the will American people, and he has no respect for the Constitutional boundaries of his office.

We are a nation of laws. The President swore an oath to uphold those laws, and this action flies in the face of that promise.

I also swore an oath to uphold the laws of this nation, and, while the President may have forgotten his promise, I assure you I have not. I will fight to roll back this executive order and stop amnesty, and I will endeavor to responsibly reform our immigration system by first securing our borders.

Condemning Democrat Obstruction on Keystone Pipeline

The Senate finally took up a vote to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats blocked the measure keeping the Keystone Pipeline in mired in gridlock.

However, this mistake will be quickly corrected. One of the first acts of the new Republican Senate Majority will be to pass the Keystone Pipeline. The Keystone Pipeline can deliver 42,000 American jobs, and inject billions into our economy. Keystone is the single largest shovel-ready project in America, and construction of this critical project is long past due.

Meeting with Kansas' Future Farmers of America and the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce

I was pleased to meet with the 2013-2014 Kansas FFA Association State Officer Team. All Kansas State University students, these Kansas FFA officers present workshops and conferences across the state and challenge FFA members to serve their communities and the agriculture industry. The team represents more than 8,700 Kansas FFA members. We discussed the importance of career and technical education.

It was great to see Kansas leaders from the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce including Chamber President Tracey Osborne. We had a good discussion on federal issues including transportation, taxes and economic policies. As always I was glad to receive their advice and counsel.

Blocking Travel from Ebola Infected Nations

The Ebola crisis is still very real, and, though the media may have moved on, I remain vigilant in my efforts to protect Americans from this deadly disease. I have joined Senator Marco Rubio from Florida in introducing legislation to protect us from Ebola by restricting travel to the U.S. from nations where the disease is emerging.

It is commonsense to limit travelers entering the United States who may be exposed to deadly diseases like Ebola. As global travel becomes more commonplace, our policies on disease management and national security need to be re-assessed especially given the recent spread of Ebola within our shores.

Additionally, last Wednesday, I voted for a bill in the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee that would add Ebola to the Food and Drug Administration's Priority Review Voucher Program. This will allow the FDA to incentivize the development of treatments and vaccines for Ebola, speeding up research to fight the disease.

Meeting with Republican Senators-Elect and Renewing Commitment to Repealing Obamacare

Since the Election Day, I have had a chance to meet with all the newly elected members of the United States Senate. I'm looking forward to working alongside my new Republican colleagues to break the gridlock and deliver commonsense, conservative solutions for our country.

My first priority in the new Republican Senate is to repeal and replace Obamacare. Obamacare is crushing our employers and driving up costs for patients. Just this month, many Americans are learning that the second year of Obamacare coverage will bring premium increases of nearly ten percent.

Facts are stubborn things, and the fact is Obamacare has failed to live up to its paramount promise of reducing costs for patients. We must repeal Obamacare and start over. I look forward to doing just that in the new Republican Senate Majority.

Bipartisan Bill to Improve Child Care for Families in Need Passes Senate

I voted for bipartisan child care legislation that gives low-income working parents greater access to quality child care. The Senate passed the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act with a vote of 88-1. The bill now is on the President's desk waiting to be signed into law.

The Child Care and Development grant program helps low-income parents pay for child care while they work or receive employment training. We improved the program by giving greater power to the states to ensure federal dollars are being spent wisely, while at the same time making sure children are in safe environments that free their parents to become productive members of the workforce.

The bill also protects the health and safety of children by requiring states to ensure child care providers are qualified, trained, regularly inspected, and undergo criminal background checks.

In 2012, the program helped an average of nearly 20,000 Kansas children per month receive child care because of the vouchers awarded through this legislation.

Spring Intern Application Deadline December 1

My Washington, D.C., office offers internships throughout the year, and our deadline for spring intern applications is December 1st. The internship program provides a unique opportunity for students to work closely with me and my Senate staff, while experiencing the federal government in action.

Interns in Washington, D.C. carry out responsibilities such as researching legislation, attending hearings, conducting tours of the U.S. Capitol, assisting with constituent concerns and mail, answering phones, and providing support to the administrative and communications staff. Visit my website HERE to learn more and apply.

Check Senator Roberts' Website, YouTube and Facebook Sites for Updates

You can visit my YouTube channel 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, Twitter, and Instagram sites.

Source