Congressman Derek Schmidt

Last year, I cosponsored the Major Richard Star Act after Kansans brought to my attention the unfair "wounded warrior tax" that can prevent combat-wounded veterans from receiving full military retirement pay and the full disability compensation--both of which they have earned. The bill would eliminate the offset so veterans who qualify for both would receive both. Today, we finally were able to pass it in the House, and I was proud to vote for it. A second, narrower version of the bill also passed the House earlier this week. Difficult questions about how to "pay for" these expanded benefits within the federal budget remain to be resolved by the Senate. But the House has moved the issue forward after nearly two years of work, and I'm hopeful the Senate can find a path to get it done.

It was a pleasure to welcome Dr. Jackie Vietti, Interim President of @KansasCityKSCC, to my office in Washington, D.C. We had a great conversation about the college, its impact on students and the Kansas City Kansas community, and the important role higher education plays in preparing students for success. Thank you, Dr. Vietti, for taking the time to visit and for your leadership at KCKCC!

Good news for Kansas agriculture! USDA is investing nearly $4 million in Kansas meat processors to expand capacities and strengthen local processing opportunities for Kansas ranchers. I’m especially pleased to see three of these investments in our Second Congressional District: -Diamond A Processing (Junction City): $182,094 -Mitchell Bolling (Moran): $197,338 -Plainview Beef Company (Peabody): $2 million These investments will support local businesses and improve opportunities for Kansas cattle producers.

Last night, the House of Representatives voted to refer proposed Articles of Impeachment against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee. In my view, that was the right thing to do. Accusations and concerns involving Secretary Hegseth’s conduct in office deserve to be considered seriously. Only two cabinet secretaries have been impeached by the House in our country’s history – Secretary of War William W. Belknap in 1876 and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas in 2024. In both cases, the impeachment process properly began in a House committee that was tasked with fact-finding and making a recommendation to the full House whether the committee believed facts sufficiently support the allegations and whether the alleged conduct, if proven, satisfies the constitutional standard for impeachment by the House. Impeachment is reserved by the Constitution for cases involving “high crimes and misdemeanors,” not for policy or personality differences no matter how serious those may be. The Framers of our Constitution considered but rejected the lesser standards of "malpractice" or "maladministration" as a basis for impeachment. Bypassing the ordinary fact-finding process in favor of snap votes on allegations against a cabinet secretary without thoughtful investigation would cheapen this serious constitutional process and, in my view, would not serve our country well.

Today, we honor the men and women who have served our nation. Their courage, sacrifice, and dedication deserve our gratitude every day. Kansas has a special place in this holiday’s history. Emporia proudly holds the distinction of being the founding city of Veterans Day, a tradition that began in 1953 to honor all who served. I was proud to recognize Emporia’s place in our nation’s history on the House floor. To all our veterans and their families, thank you for your service and sacrifice. Happy Veterans Day!

Good news for rural Kansas! The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is investing nearly $225.9 million MORE through the Rural Health Transformation Program for the coming year. That’s an increase of $4 million above last year’s award for a two-year total of nearly $450 million--among the most for any state. I was proud to vote for and support the legislation that established this program to deliver critical resources for rural healthcare providers and communities across Kansas. Ensuring Kansans have access to quality healthcare, no matter where they live, remains an important priority. I’ll continue working to support rural communities across our state and especially in our 2nd Congressional District.

One of the joys of serving in Congress is the opportunity to nominate young Kansans to attend one of the U.S. service academies. Today we met with applicants at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka. I always come away reassured that America's future will be in good hands. Thank you to all the students who are applying and to the families who support them.

Had the pleasure today of joining community leaders for groundbreaking on the expansion of Atchison's hospital. The new facility will make possible cancer care without traveling to nearby cities (as well as housing other services). Congratulations to the community for making this happen!

Thank you to AFP Kansas for presenting me your Defender of the American Dream Award. I work toward lower taxes, smaller government, less regulation, more liberty.

It was our privilege to host Acting Secretary of the Army Adam Telle today at Fort Riley. The 1st Infantry Division is a storied Army unit, and it is always inspiring to visit with the soldiers and to stand up and fight for them and for America's national security in the United States House of Representatives.

Congratulations to the Topeka Area Builders Association on your new home office and education center! It was a pleasure to join you for today's ribbon cutting.

Dropped by the Orion Ranch Boo Bash for Special Olympics this morning. Beautiful fall day, and everybody was having a blast! Thanks for inviting me!

Enjoyed visiting with folks at Emporia State's homecoming game last night. Congratulations to the Hornets on winning big over Central Missouri!

Yesterday's change of command ceremony for the 1st Infantry Division concluded with the cavalry charge. Old and new together in the rich tradition of the frontier fort. The photos are worth sharing.

Welcomed U.S. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling yesterday at HME, Inc., in Topeka. Skilled workforce needs were front and center as booming investment in domestic manufacturing has created strong demand for building materials like the steel HME fabricates. wibw.com/2026/10/23/labor-se…

Honored to attend the 1st Infantry Division change of command ceremony at Ft. Riley. It has been a privilege to work with General Rone and his team, and I'm looking forward to working with General Williams and his team going forward.

Congratulations to everybody who worked together to make the new First Steps Child Learning Center in Atchison a reality. It was a privilege to join in today's ribbon cutting and to support new federal policies that help make quality childcare more available and affordable.

Congratulations to AllWays Community Health Center in Atchison County on being awarded $544,502 to reduce missed appointments and strengthen referral coordination. This is a new grant, announced today, that comes from the Rural Health Transformation Program we enacted last year. I was proud to advocate for and support this $50 billion RHTP specifically to help sustain rural healthcare. Today's award brings total RHTP funding for hospitals and clinics with operations in Kansas’s Second Congressional District to more than $17.3 million. Much more is to come. Access to quality health care is essential to strong, thriving rural communities. These investments help strengthen our local health care providers and ensure Kansans have access to the care they need, close to home.