U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) spoke with the Great Bend Tribune Wednesday morning via telephone to talk about his expectations for the 119th Congress.

The Republican Congressman said he is excited to once again serve on the House Agriculture Committee and he will continue to fight for a five-year, fiscally conservative Farm Bill to be signed into law as soon as possible. He took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday to applaud the dedication of Kansas farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers for their perseverance and dedication during last week’s winter storms. During his speech, Rep. Mann reminded the nation of the plight that the agricultural community faces to keep the rest of the country fueled, clothed, and fed:

“Mr. Speaker, last week in the nation’s capital, 6.8 inches of snow closed federal office buildings. Nearly 1,300 miles away in Kansas, blizzards brought more than 18 inches of snowfall to parts of the Big First District. Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers in the Big First didn’t have the luxury of closing down for the week. When you answer the call to feed, clothe, and fuel the world, you’re required to show up – even when the temperatures outside are below freezing.”

“It’s amazing,” Mann told the Tribune. “This place closes down. In Kansas, we don’t have that choice; we just plow ahead - literally and figuratively.” 

Farm bill

Rep. Mann said he has been to the floor of the House 27 times to urge Congress to pass a five-year Farm Bill. In May 2024, he voted to advance the Farm, Food, and National Security Act out of the House Agriculture Committee.

“My priority is to pass a five-year, fiscally conservative Farm Bill that provides certainty to farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers.” He said this needs to be signed into law as soon as possible to provide continuity on matters such as crop insurance rates and oversight of the program.

Early highlights 

Mann said his early legislative victories in 2025 include his support of the H.R. 28, the Protection of Women and Girls’ Sports Act, and his support of the Laken Riley Act. Both bills have passed the House with bipartisan support.

The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 218-206. Mann’s office said it ensures that women and girls have a fair playing field in sporting competitions by preventing schools from allowing biological men to compete in athletic programs for women and girls. Additionally, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act defines gender under Title IX on genetics and biology, not on identity. 

Laken Riley was murdered by an illegal alien who had previously been arrested. The bill that bears her name would lead to the deportation of a non-citizen who commits a crime such as theft.

Since being sworn in on Jan. 3, Rep. Mann noted he has introduced legislation to protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens and cosponsored a bill to protect babies who survive attempted abortions. The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act would establish nationwide reciprocity for concealed carry license holders and for residents of constitutional carry states.

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act was passed by the House but not the Senate in 2023.

“We are reintroducing it,” he said. “Any baby that’s born alive should receive medical care.” While rare, Mann said there have been examples of late-term abortions in other states where this law would apply. “It’s just common sense,” he said of both bills.

He has also cosponsored a bill to add a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Other priorities

Some of Rep. Mann’s other priorities for this Congress include: 

• Securing the border 

• Unleashing American energy independence 

“The Biden Administration made it harder than it should be to drill new wells,” Mann said.

• Ending the weaponization of the federal government 

• Reducing and reprioritizing federal spending 

• Making the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent.

“If Congress doesn’t act by the end of the year, Kansans will see a tax increase. We need to extend our current tax policy.”