NW Kansas News

Senator Jerry Moran, a U.S. Senator from Kansas, posted several updates on his social media account regarding legislative activity and federal policy decisions in early August 2025.

On August 1, Moran criticized the lack of progress on appropriations legislation, stating: "Last year, not a single appropriations bill was brought to the Senate floor for a vote. Now, the entire Commerce-Justice-Science bill is being delayed over a disagreement on where the @FBI HQ should be located. It's not in the jurisdiction of our subcommittee to decide the" (August 1, 2025). This statement highlights ongoing delays in congressional budgetary processes due to disputes unrelated to subcommittee authority.

Later that day, Moran addressed concerns about funding for medical research. He wrote: "I joined @SenKatieBritt in urging OMB to disburse @NIH funding allocated by Congress this fiscal year. Delaying these congressionally directed funds poses a risk to life-saving research conducted at NIH & limits America’s leadership in biomedical science." (August 1, 2025). The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) plays a key role in releasing funds approved by Congress for agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which supports crucial scientific and medical research across the United States.

On August 2, Moran commented on changes to abortion policy within veterans' healthcare services: "In 1992, Congress passed the Veterans Healthcare Act, which specifically prohibited VA from providing abortions in most circumstances. Today, the administration reversed a Biden-era expansion of abortion services at the department to return to following the 1992 law &, in doing" (August 2, 2025). The Veterans Healthcare Act of 1992 established restrictions on abortion services through Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. A more recent policy under President Biden had expanded access before this reported reversal.

Congress has faced repeated delays and disagreements over government funding bills in recent years. Appropriations bills are critical for funding federal agencies and programs but often become stalled due to political disputes or unrelated policy issues. For example, debates over specific projects or agency locations can hold up broader legislative packages.

The NIH relies heavily on timely federal appropriations for its operations and research grants. Congressional allocations are essential for supporting ongoing biomedical innovation and maintaining America's global position in science and health ([source](https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/budget)).

Abortion policies at VA facilities have shifted according to changes in federal administrations' interpretations of longstanding laws like the Veterans Healthcare Act ([source](https://www.congress.gov/bill/102nd-congress/house-bill/6070)). Policy reversals can impact access for veterans seeking reproductive health services through government healthcare systems.