Joco Today

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas has led a bipartisan effort to secure full funding for the U.S. Department of Defense’s STARBASE program for fiscal year 2026. The program offers Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education opportunities to elementary and middle school students in Kansas.

In a letter addressed to the Senate Appropriations Committee leadership, the senators emphasized the importance of STARBASE programs, which are located on military bases and utilize military personnel as role models. "This collaboration provides students with not just technical knowledge but also a sense of patriotism and pride," they stated.

Major General Michael Venerdi, Kansas Adjutant General, highlighted the unique benefits of STARBASE Kansas: "We’re fostering critical thinking and igniting a passion for innovation that will empower our students to become the leaders of tomorrow."

Briar Conner, President of the STARBASE Board in Kansas, expressed enthusiasm about the bipartisan support: "As the non-profit organization for Kansas STARBASE, we are enthusiastic about this recognition of STEM-based learning experiences for children."

The letter was co-signed by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Christopher Murphy (D-Connecticut), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Jon Ossoff (D-Georgia), James Risch (R-Idaho), Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Jeffrey Merkley (D-Oregon), Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia), Andy Kim (D-New Jersey), Angus King (I-Maine), Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), Margaret Hassan (D-New Hampshire), Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico), Mazie Hirono(D-Hawaii ), Tim Kaine(D-Virginia ), Edward Markey(D-Massachusetts ), Gary Peters(D-Michigan ), Brian Schatz(D-Hawaii ), Jeanne Shaheen(D-New Hampshire ), Chris Van Hollen(D-Maryland ), Mark Warner(D-Virginia ), Ron Wyden(D-Oregon ), Adam Schiff(D-California ), Ruben Gallego(D-Arizona ) ,and Elissa Slotkin( D - Michigan ).