Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas should continue, build on his bipartisan efforts
Republicans are understandably nervous about the effect their tailspinning presidential nominee, Donald Trump, will have on down-ballot races essential to retaining control of Congress. One candidate presumed to be safe from the fallout is Jerry Moran, the junior senator from Kansas who is seeking his second term.
Moran faces opposition from Democrat Patrick Wiesner, a tax lawyer from Lawrence who advocates for a simplified tax code but offers an economically risky plan to dedicate 3 percent of the GDP each year to paying down the debt. The third candidate in the race is Libertarian Robert Garrard, who aims to help his party’s future by winning at least 10 percent of the vote.
Moderate and liberal Kansans can find numerous reasons to vote against Moran, who has contributed to destructive gridlock in Washington. This spring, for example, he said he would likely disagree with President Barack Obama’s pick to fill a U.S. Supreme Court vacancy, but felt it was the Senate’s duty to proceed with a hearing and a vote. Shortly afterward, he did an about-face, choosing to leave the seat empty and join GOP leaders in their shamefully partisan refusal to fulfill their constitutional obligation.
Moran also has exhibited little variance from conservative orthodoxy in his views on health care reform, environmental protection and other challenges that would benefit from a more broad-based discussion. He supported his party’s ill-advised move to shut down the federal government over budget disagreements in 2013 as well.
Even so, Moran is better positioned than his opponents to represent Kansas in the Senate. A six-term veteran of the U.S. House, he has maintained a strong presence in his home state and has gained a leadership role in his party after helping campaign for Republicans in their successful effort to reclaim the Senate majority. He serves on the influential appropriations, veterans affairs and transportation committees, and he has been protective of agriculture and defense, two industries important to Kansas and the nation. He also has been a strong advocate of rural health care and additional funding for medical research.
On occasion, Moran shows a streak of independence, such as his support for reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, despite vocal opposition from some in his party. He has reached across the aisle on less contentious issues, pushing for post offices to remain open and for a role for Gold Star Families in the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress.
A second term in office will present an opportunity for Moran to build on those bipartisan efforts and return to the sense of civic obligation he displayed in his initial stance on hearings for the Supreme Court nominee. He can — and should — take on a role in promoting civility and consensus-building in Washington. Those values are important to Kansans and all Americans — especially in an election year filled with rancor far greater than anything we’ve seen in our lifetimes.
This story was originally published October 27, 2016 at 6:14 PM with the headline "Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas should continue, build on his bipartisan efforts."