Tag: Kansas

Dole announces he has stage four lung cancer

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole announced Thursday that he has been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.

Dole, 97, served as a Republican senator from Kansas for 27 years, starting in 1969. He was in the U.S. House of Representatives for eight years before that. He was the GOP presidential nominee in 1996. A World War II veteran, he was wounded in action. After a long recovery period, he became a Kansas House representative and a county attorney.

Dole’s statement: “Recently, I was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. My first treatment will begin on Monday. While I certainly have some hurdles ahead, I also know that I join millions of Americans who face significant health challenges of their own.”

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, released this statement:

“I am saddened to hear that Kansas Senator Bob Dole has been diagnosed with cancer. Sen. Dole is someone I respect as a leader and consider a friend to me and Robba. We are praying for him and Sen. Elizabeth Dole as they tackle this new challenge. I know I speak for Kansans when I say we are all thinking of Sen. Dole and wishing him comfort and healing.

“Bob, as you face the news of this illness, I am reminded of the words from your favorite song.

“Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone.”

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, issued this statement:

“I have not known a better public servant, a man with a bigger heart, someone more focused on the good of the nation, more opposed to political drama, or a more incredible negotiator than Senator Bob Dole. I am luckiest person on earth to have him as one of my greatest role models, a mentor, and a dear friend.

“Most every day as I walk the halls of the Capitol, I recognize the boots I wear now, were once worn by Senator Dole and on days like this, those boots look mighty large. From his signature legislation for people with disabilities, to helping feed hungry children at schools in impoverished nations across the world, he has been a positive influence for our nation and the world.

“I have zero doubt in my mind Senator Dole will take this challenge head on the same way as other challenges he faced in his life. Just as he did as one of the heroes from our greatest generation, in this battle, Senator Dole will continue to show us the way through hope, resiliency, and perseverance.

“Senator Dole, just as you taught me that when there is ‘any problem too big, just go listen to the people of Kansas,’ please know that the state we both love is behind you, and Laina and I and my entire family of course are behind you. We join all of Kansas in praying for God’s comfort and His healing hand, and peace for you, for Elizabeth, for Robin, and for your entire family during this difficult time.”

Kansas’ two senators vote ‘not guilty’ in Trump impeachment trial

Two U.S. senators from Kansas, Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall, both Republicans, voted not guilty on Saturday in the impeachment trial of former president Donald Trump.

Trump had been charged with inciting an insurrection, in the Jan. 6 event at the U.S. Capitol, in which a mob overran the Senate and the Capitol at a time when the Senate was certifying the Electoral College vote for the presidential election.

The impeachment charges did not pass the Senate on Saturday. The vote was 57 guilty, 43 not guilty, and a two-thirds majority was required to pass. Besides Democrats, seven Republican senators and two independent senators voted guilty.

U.S. Congressional and Senate officeholders went into hiding during the riot, fearing for their lives. During the Jan. 6 event, according to the impeachment proceedings, a mob went through the Capitol, shouting, “Hang (former Vice President) Mike Pence.” Five people, including a Capitol police officer, died in the riot.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, issued this statement after voting not guilty:

“The violence at the United States Capitol on January 6 was an attempt to subvert democracy, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. Rioters and extremists sought to prevent Members of Congress and Vice President Pence from performing their constitutional obligation to affirm the results of an election, and President Trump was wrong to continue to spread allegations of widespread fraud and not immediately discourage the reprehensible and unpatriotic behavior.

“The Constitution does not clearly state whether a former president can be tried for impeachment by the Senate, but I believe the impeachment process is intended to be used for considering whether or not ‘The President’ should be removed from office. Because former President Trump is no longer in office, I voted to acquit. Establishing the precedent that the Senate has jurisdiction to convict a former president would cause extreme damage to our country and the future of the presidency.”

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, issued this statement after he voted not guilty:

“This impeachment trial has kept us from doing the work we need to be focused on: getting the COVID-19 vaccine in to peoples’ arms, opening our economy back up, getting Americans back to work, as well as confirming an agriculture secretary to get the $1.5 billion in CARES funding out to farmers, ranchers, and folks who need help putting food on the table.

“This trial has brought to light just how much was known about the planning of the riot prior to January 6th and questions now linger as to what was known by Nancy Pelosi and security officials in the Capitol and across federal agencies ahead of time. One question does not remain and that is: What was the motivation of this trial? The motivation was political hatred and was simply a continuation of the four-year impeachment fixation on the part of the House Managers and the Democrat Party.

“Let me be clear, both sides of the aisle are guilty of heated rhetoric. But, equally guilty are the House Managers and the Democrats for their hypocrisy, and President Trump’s defense team painted that picture clearly.

“While I believe this entire trial was unconstitutional from the start, I hope that the failure to convict will put an end to the Democrat’s obsession and allow temperatures to finally settle and for us to work in a bipartisan fashion moving forward. It’s true, we face many challenges ahead as a nation. But, I remain confident there are brighter days ahead for Kansas and our entire country. It’s time for congress to get back to the work of the American people.”

Emergency delivery of propane allowed

Gov. Laura Kelly issued an executive order today allowing faster delivery of propane and other essential home heating fuels during the extreme cold weather blanketing the state.


Executive Order #21-03 suspends federal motor carrier regulations contained in Title 49 C.F.R. Parts 390-399 through Feb. 28, 2021. All other applicable state and federal regulations still apply.


“Kansans who heat their homes and businesses with propane or other fuel cannot afford an interruption in service right now,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. “This order will allow those deliveries to continue during this dangerous weather.”


Among other provisions, the order extends allowable working hours to ensure motor carriers can transport propane through poor weather conditions as quickly as possible. These exceptions apply only to motor carriers actively participating in response efforts.