Sam Brownback links(Washington Times commentary) Senate immigration buffoonery: Sen. John Ensign offered an amendment to deny illegal aliens Social Security benefits, and it failed by just 50-49, with 7 Republicans who had voted to grant guest workers permanent status voting for the Ensign amendment. We’re happy they did so, but the logic of those senators’ votes escapes us (as logic had escaped them). For the record, Sens. Sam Brownback, Lincoln Chafee, Mike DeWine, Lindsey Graham, Chuck Hagel, Richard Lugar, Mel Martinez, John McCain, Arlen Specter, Ted Stevens and George Voinovich voted to give illegals Social Security benefits.(Wichita Eagle) Is this his time?: Andy Brownback is in Derby, playing for third place in Kansas’ high school regional doubles. His father, Sen. Sam Brownback, is in Detroit, running for president. On this night he’s the main speaker at the annual Ronald Reagan dinner sponsored by the Republicans of Michigan’s 9th Congressional District. He and other Republican hopefuls are making the rounds as they gauge their chances to lead the party in 2008. The visits connect candidates with party activists who give time and money to campaigns. The choices voters make in November ’08 start at Reagan dinners, where the right message, the right friends and the right background could make an ambitious senator from Kansas a presidential nominee.(LA Times) First N. Korean refugees admitted to U.S. arrive: Six North Korean defectors — the first refugees the United States has admitted from the totalitarian nation — arrived in Southern California on Saturday bearing accounts of famine, sexual enslavement, torture and repression. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., who was instrumental in getting the refugees to the United States, said the meeting he and Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and two U.S. representatives had with the refugees “was one of the most profound I’ve ever had.”Jim Ryun links(Topeka Capital-Journal) Home called sweet deal: Folks who come to see him speak in Topeka, Manhattan, Lawrence and other cities in the district don’t care about inside-the-beltway minutiae, (Jim Ryun) said. That includes questions Ryun’s detractors are raising about his acquisition of a Capitol Hill home from a political organization with ties to admitted felon and former lobbyist Jack Abramoff and indicted Rep. Tom “The Hammer” DeLay, R-Texas. Ryun’s critics say the deal for the historic townhouse taints the congressman at a time when ethics scandals are shaking this monument-laden city. “I haven’t had a single question on it,” said Ryun, recounting a recent two-week tour of Kansas. “Not a single question.”Jerry Moran links(Southwest Farm Press) Energy production offers opportunities to farmers: Agriculture still has champions in both houses, however. Buis cited Jerry Moran, Republican from Kansas; Frank Lucas, Republican from Oklahoma; Stephanie Herseth, Democrat from South Dakota; and Tom Harkin, Democrat from Iowa, as strong supporters in the House.How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation here.