NW Kansas News

Last weekend, Hays Police Sergeant Scott Heimann was killed while on duty. In response, Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced a Senate resolution with Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) to honor Heimann’s service and spoke about his life on the Senate floor. Moran attended Heimann’s funeral alongside members of the Hays community and the officer’s family.

“Sgt. Heimann embodied the very best of Hays, a tight-knit place where people look out for their neighbors, care for those in need and protect the vulnerable. In Hays and across Kansas, we will not forget the sacrifice Sgt. Heimann made, and we will honor his service. Robba and I are praying for his wife, Beth, his children, Victoria and Patrick, and the entire law enforcement and Hays community during this difficult time,” said Moran.

Senator Moran also addressed efforts to avoid a government shutdown after the Senate failed to pass a short-term funding package intended to keep federal operations running while appropriations bills are finalized. He criticized Senate Democrats for blocking the continuing resolution over unrelated issues.

“The Senate Appropriations Committee has passed 11 of the 12 appropriations bills and, for the first time since 2018, three of the 12 appropriations bills were passed in the Senate before the August state work period. I am committed to working toward ending this shutdown and finishing the appropriations process the American people have tasked us to do,” he stated.

Moran discussed recent actions by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding food security programs important to Kansas farmers. He highlighted USDA’s release of funds for the Dole-McGovern Food Program—originally named after Kansas Senator Bob Dole—which supports global food aid efforts as well as local producers facing economic challenges due to low commodity prices.

The senator led a request from Kansas’ congressional delegation urging President Trump to declare a major disaster in Kansas following severe weather events between July 17-22, 2025. Governor Laura Kelly formally submitted this request on September 17.

In meetings with eye care professionals from Kansas who are part of the American Optometric Association (AOA), Moran discussed access to vision services and legislative efforts such as bipartisan support for recognizing VA optometrists at physician level through legislation he introduced—the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act.

Moran visited Wichita County High School to learn about academic programs preparing students for higher education or workforce entry; met with Black & Veatch leaders about permitting reform related to energy development; stopped in Healy at several local businesses; visited establishments around Hays after attending Sgt. Heimann’s funeral; and noted that Yom Kippur was observed by Jewish communities in Kansas during this week.

He announced that applications are open until October 19 for spring internships in his Washington D.C. or Kansas offices as well as for high school students interested in participating in next year’s Spring Senate Page Program.

Finally, Moran listed Kansans who recently visited his office or participated in Capitol tours along with representatives from various organizations including healthcare associations, mental health advocates, educators recognized nationally, military personnel from Ellis County, among others.