Derek Schmidt

Rep. Derek Schmidt Applauds House Passage of Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) today applauded House passage of the Farm Bill, highlighting its strong support for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across Kansas. The legislation expands investment in rural America, lowers energy costs, improves producers’ access to credit, and strengthens conservation programs for working lands - helping ensure long-term stability and growth across the agricultural economy. “The Farm Bill will deliver meaningful support for Kansas farmers and ranchers,” said Congressman Schmidt. “It strengthens our food system, bolsters rural communities, and provides the certainty producers need to plan for the future.” Schmidt also secured inclusion of his amendment to promote domestic production of crops used in natural color additives. The amendment directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate research aimed at expanding the ability of American producers to grow crops used in natural food colorings—an emerging market driven by increasing consumer demand. “This amendment is about creating new opportunities for American agriculture while supporting innovation in our food system,” Schmidt said. “By investing in research, we can help farmers diversify, strengthen domestic supply chains, and meet growing demand for natural ingredients.” Under the provision, USDA and HHS will establish formal interagency agreements within one year of enactment and implement a competitive, merit-based research process. The effort encourages collaboration among federal agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector partners. The amendment also supports research infrastructure, workforce development, and public-private partnerships to position American agriculture for long-term success in this growing sector. ###

Rep. Derek Schmidt Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Police Background Checks

Position: The release advocates for legislation that clarifies federal law to allow state law enforcement training and certification agencies to access FBI criminal history records when screening and certifying police officers.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) and Representative Deborah Ross (NC-02) introduced the Criminal History Access Act, bipartisan legislation to ensure that state law enforcement training and certification agencies can access the criminal history information they need to properly screen and approve officers. The Criminal History Access Act clarifies existing federal law to explicitly authorize the exchange of criminal history record information between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and state Peace Officer Standards and Training agencies. These agencies are responsible for setting standards for the hiring, training, certification, and ethical conduct of law enforcement officers. “Public trust in law enforcement begins with accountability and high standards,” said Rep. Schmidt. “This legislation ensures that the agencies responsible for certifying officers have access to the information they need to make informed decisions and prevent individuals with disqualifying criminal histories from serving in positions of authority.” “It’s essential that we give police departments in North Carolina and across the country the tools and resources they need to hire qualified, trusted officers,” said Congresswoman Ross. “This bipartisan legislation will ensure local law enforcement can access critical data when vetting and hiring new officers. This bill is a commonsense solution that will prevent bad actors from gaining employment and strengthen trust between our local communities and law enforcement.” This legislation is an updated version of a bill Rep. Schmidt introduced last year, H.R. 5211. The Criminal History Access Act is expected to be considered by the House Judiciary Committee this week, with a potential floor vote during National Police Week in May. The bill is supported by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training.

Rep. Derek Schmidt statement on military operations in Iran

Position: Rep. Schmidt supports continued U.S. military operations in Iran, characterizing them as a justified response to decades of Iranian attacks on Americans and asserting that the operation must be completed with full support for troops and the Trump administration.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-2) released the following statement: "Since U.S. combat operations in Iran began, I have expressed support for our servicemembers in harm’s way but have taken care not to rush to judgment. Engaging American military forces in combat is a matter of enormous consequence. Every person in a position of public responsibility should assess his or her duty with serious mind and with only the best interests of our country for a guide. Therefore, I have studied the public reports, consulted with congressional leadership, sought the opinion of Kansans experienced in U.S. military engagement in the Middle East, listened to the input of my constituents, and received a briefing on the situation from Secretaries Rubio and Hegseth, General Caine, and Director Ratcliffe. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I continue to receive updates including an additional briefing earlier today. I will continue to listen carefully as this military operation proceeds. Based on the information gathered to date, I have formed the following views: First, after nearly half a century of Iran waging war against America, our country is fighting back with overwhelming force and precision. Since seizing power in 1979, the Islamist fundamentalists in Tehran have murdered more than 1,000 Americans and maimed or kidnapped countless more. The death toll includes 241 U.S. Marines in Beirut in 1983, 19 U.S. airmen in Riyadh in 1996, more than 600 U.S. servicemembers in Iraq from 2003 through 2011, 46 U.S. civilians in Gaza in 2023, and 3 U.S. soldiers in Jordan as recently as 2024. They have maimed or kidnapped hundreds more Americans while hijacking airplanes, bombing cafes and bus stops, and planting roadside bombs. They have bombed our embassies. They have killed U.S. diplomats and sought to assassinate our country’s national security adviser, secretary of state, and president. They thought they could continually attack us without consequence by hiding behind proxies. They expected a lack of American resolve. Second, the Tehran regime remained determined to carry on its fight against America and our allies into the future. It refused to abandon nuclear-weapon ambitions even after the United States destroyed the regime’s principal weapons facilities last year, continued to develop missile and drone delivery systems with expanding range, and smuggled likely terror cells into our country across our once-open southern border. This is not a war of choice for America; only the time and place of our fighting back were of our choosing. Third, now that the fight is joined we must stand with our troops and succeed. The Trump administration and our U.S. forces abroad and law enforcement here at home have my full support. Today I voted against cutting off support for our dedicated troops in combat, against stopping short of completing their mission underway in Iran, and once again in favor of funding the Department of Homeland Security so it remains vigilant against the terror threat here at home. The U.S. military mission in Iran is to protect America by degrading to the point of elimination the Tehran regime’s warfighting abilities—notably its abilities to build a nuclear bomb; to project power through its navy, missiles and drones; and to equip and support terror networks. In my view, we must remain focused on that America First mission and guard against mission creep. Kansans do not favor another protracted involvement in a foreign war. Fourth, I am convinced the president had ample legal authority to join this fight. Although engaging Congress sooner might have been prudent, Congress is now engaged. My vote today supports our troops in combat. We did not seek this fight but speaking with one voice, we must support our warfighters as they finish their mission. I take no joy in our country finding itself in this position. Like all Kansans, I mourn the six Americans killed in action as of this date. And I pray for the safety of all our troops, for the full recovery of those wounded, for the American civilians still trapped in the theater of operations, and for the families who love and support them. God bless them all."

Rep. Derek Schmidt introduces bill to strengthen state and federal cooperation, streamline deportation of criminal aliens

Position: Rep. Schmidt supports legislation to streamline deportation of criminal aliens by authorizing state and local prosecutors to represent federal immigration authorities in removal proceedings and expanding the definition of crimes that trigger deportation eligibility.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – (February 26, 2026) – Earlier this week, Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-2) introduced H.R. 7664 – the State Partnerships to Enhance Removal of Criminal Aliens Act – that would strengthen state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement for criminal aliens. “This bill focuses on what most Kansans agree should be the top priority for immigration enforcement – swift deportation of illegal aliens who also commit crimes while present in the United States," Schmidt said. "Public safety is best served when there is common sense cooperation among federal, state and local law enforcement authorities." The bill would authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enter into voluntary agreements with state and local prosecutors to represent DHS in removal proceedings before immigration courts, streamlining the process to obtain removal orders for aliens convicted of crimes in state courts. “The vast majority of crimes in Kansas and across the country are prosecuted in state courts by capable state and local prosecutors,” Schmidt said. “It only makes sense to empower those prosecutors – who are already conversant in the facts of the case – to obtain the federal removal order soon after the state criminal conviction. This will help ensure that once criminal aliens have completed their incarceration in state prisons or jails, they can be immediately deported without waiting for the federal immigration bureaucracy to catch up.” In addition, H.R. 7664 closes dangerous loopholes by expanding current law’s “aggravated felony” definition to include all alien felons and clarifies that aliens who are convicted felons are ineligible for admission or asylum in the United States. The full text of the bill is available here.

Rep. Derek Schmidt: New U.S.–India Trade Framework includes Key Agricultural Trade Provisions for Kansas

WASHINGTON, D.C. – (February 9, 2026) – The new U.S.–India trade framework announced last week by the two countries includes provisions designed to expand Kansas agricultural exports that Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-2) advocated. On May 20 and May 29 of last year, Schmidt asked the U.S. Trade Representative to prioritize agricultural exports and specifically sorghum, dried distillers’ grains (DDGs), and soybean products in the negotiations with India. The new framework includes all three. "The Indian market potential is enormous and is vital to Kansas agriculture exporters as the dynamics with China continue to evolve," Schmidt said. "I am grateful to the Trump administration for prioritizing Kansas agricultural exports in this new framework and will continue to work closely with our trade officials to make sure Kansas producers and agribusinesses see the benefits." Kansas produces more grain sorghum than any other state, and is a major producer of DDGs. The Second Congressional District in particular produces significant amounts of soybean oil at facilities in Cherryvale and Emporia. "The economy in farm country is challenging," Schmidt said. "So, this good news is particularly welcome. I’ll keep fighting to open markets and to support Kansas farmers, ranchers, and our rural economy."

Schmidt Votes to Reopen Federal Government

WASHINGTON, D.C. – (February 3, 2026) – Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-2) today voted in favor of legislation to fund the Departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Treasury, State, and related agencies. Today’s passage of H.R. 7148, which includes five appropriation bills funding those agencies, will reopen those parts of the federal government that have been shut down since January 31. The House of Representatives today voted 217–214 after the Senate passed the House bill, as amended, last Friday, 71–29. The bill was signed into law by President Trump earlier this afternoon. Congress has now passed 11 of the 12 annual appropriation bills that fund operations of the federal government. That is the most individual appropriation bills enacted in a single year since the 1990s. The one remaining bill under congressional consideration includes funding for the Department of Homeland Security. “I ran for Congress to help get Washington, D.C., working again as it is supposed to, and part of that means enacting the annual spending bills rather than enormous omnibus spending measures,” Schmidt said. “Today’s action is a big step in the right direction. While far from perfect, the eleven appropriation bills enacted so far move overall spending down not up, establish America First priorities rather than Biden-era priorities, and fund vital services like military pay raises, airport security, and national defense.” Within the overall spending limits, Schmidt secured provisions in the bill passed today to direct funding to community priorities in the 2nd Congressional District: $4 million for the Route 92 Centennial Bridge Replacement in Leavenworth County and $2.06 million for the Union Pacific Bridge Underpass in Wyandotte County. Issues: Congress

Schmidt-backed Human Trafficking Bill Signed into Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – (February 2, 2026) – Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-2) today applauded the signing of the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act (H.R. 4323) into law, marking a significant victory for survivors of human trafficking and an important step toward restoring justice for those who were coerced into committing non-violent crimes because of their exploitation. Schmidt is a cosponsor of the legislation, continuing the strong anti-human-trafficking framework he advanced as Kansas attorney general. “This bill ensures meaningful relief for survivors who were forced into committing crimes by their traffickers,” said Schmidt. “I am proud to be in the fight not only to hold accountable those who exploit others, but also to provide survivors a real opportunity to return to a sense of normalcy in their lives. I am grateful to President Trump for signing this critical legislation into law.” The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act establishes an affirmative defense allowing survivors of human trafficking to defend against charges that arose directly from their victimization. The law also provides critical post-conviction relief for survivors by authorizing vacatur of certain convictions, expungement of arrest records, and sentencing mitigation when offenses were committed as a direct result of trafficking. Under the bill, a court may grant a motion to vacate a conviction or expunge an arrest if the defendant demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that the offense was committed as a direct result of having been a victim of trafficking. The defendant must also establish, by clear and convincing evidence, that they were a victim of human trafficking at the time the offense was committed. The legislation limits eligibility for relief to non-violent offenses directly tied to trafficking victimization and explicitly excludes offenses involving a child as a victim. Schmidt’s support of this legislation reflects his continued commitment to strengthening protections for trafficking survivors and ensuring that victims are treated with fairness, dignity, and compassion under the law.