Kansas Politics | Your U.S. Senators

Everyone has an idea of the issues facing Kansas Politics. There are the coal plants, balancing the budget, the change in makeup of Legislature, and many other issues. What I have experienced, and must admit to myself, is that many people don't know much about who their political leaders are. They don't know what they look like, what they stand for, or what they've been doing. Although this information may not seem important, knowing your Legislators can pay huge dividends if you have any problems with anything in the future (I've seen first hand the work that Legislators can do for their constituents - it's worth giving it a shot). This holds true even if you have no interest in Kansas Politics.

In light of this lack of Kansas Politics knowledge, I thought I'd educate myself and you all by highlighting from time to time our Legislators. Today I've chosen our United States Senators.

Kansas Politics - U.S. Senate Background

The United States Senate is one of the two bodies of Congress responsible for making the laws we follow in the United States. Two Senators are elected from each state, for a total membership of 100. They serve six year terms and are generally more highly regarded than U.S. Representatives. U.S. Senators are responsible for, among other things, ratifying cabinet appointments and U.S. Supreme Court Justices by the President.


Kansas Politics - Sam Brownback

Sam Brownback is a Republican representing the State of Kansas in the Second Congressional District. Born in Parker, Kansas as the son of an agricultural family, Brownback has been a champion of Kansas Farmers both in Kansas Politics and national politics. Brownback attended Kansas State University and after receiving his degree earned his Juris Doctor at the University of Kansas.

Brownback is also known as a staunch conservative with deeply religious convictions. His religious conviction was most recently put to the test in his bid for President when in a debate he voiced his belief that evolution doesn't exist. Needless to say that may not have been the brightest moment for Kansas Politics.

Brownback is a member of the Judiciary Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee, and the Joint Economic Committee. As of August 12, 2007, Brownback has missed 123 votes due to campaigning (39.7%). His voting absence is second among the 100 senators.

Kansas Politics - Pat Roberts

Pat Roberts is a Republican Representing the First Congressional District of Kansas. He has been involved in Kansas Politics for quite some time, first as a reporter, and then as a representative. Born in Topeka, Kansas, Roberts' family has been the publisher of the Oskaloosa Independent, which claims to be the second oldest newspaper in Kansas.

Roberts graduated from Kansas State University in 1958 with a degree in Journalism. After college, Roberts worked for several Arizona newspapers before accepting a position on Kansas Senator Frank Carlson's staff. Since that time Roberts has been heavily involved in Kansas Politics.

Roberts served in the United States House of Representatives from 1980 until 1997, where he succeeded Nancy Kassebaum. He serves on the Committee on Finance, the Committee on Agriculture, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Generally, Roberts's voting record is staunchly conservative, stepping in line with Kansas Politics generally. He is pro-life, opposes same sex marriage, is for the Patriot Act, and loosening restrictions on wire tapping. He also voted to suspend Habeas Corpus for all those deemed to be "enemy combatants" by the Executive Branch and gave immunity to any violations of Habeas Corpus in this scenario for the preceding nine years.

Kansas Politics