A fourth generation Kansan from Dodge City, Senator Pat Roberts' service to the people of Kansas spans more than two decades. First as an eight-term congressman from Kansas' First District and now in his second term as United States Senator, Roberts has built a reputation as a leader in national security and defense issues, agriculture and health care. He is an advocate of a strong education system, free and fair trade policies, increased investment in science and technology, focused foreign policy and a strong military —  all of which are necessary to keep Kansas competitive in today's rapidly evolving global marketplace.

As Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in the 109th Congress, Roberts is leading the effort to improve the country's intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities at a critical time in our nation's history. When concerns arose regarding the timing and accuracy of U.S. intelligence on pre-war Iraq, Roberts led the Intelligence Committee through one of the most sweeping and exhaustive reviews of U.S. intelligence ever conducted. Beginning in June 2003, the committee conducted over 250 interviews with members of the Intelligence Community. They poured over volumes of intelligence documentation on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction programs, ties to terrorist groups, Saddam Hussein's threat to stability and security in the region, and his repression of his own people. The Committee examined the objectivity, reasonableness, independence and accuracy of the judgments reached by the Intelligence Community and whether those judgments were properly communicated to policymakers. They also examined whether any influence was brought to bear on anyone in the community to shape their analysis to support policy objectives. The bipartisan report, unanimously approved by the members of the Intelligence Committee, revealed systemic failures within the Intelligence Community. The review led Roberts to propose critical and forward thinking intelligence reforms. Many of his proposals were included in the 9/11 Intelligence Reform Act of 2004.

Prior to 9/11, it was Senator Roberts who cautioned the country that an attack on America's homeland was possible. In fact, after September 11, 2001, columnist David Broder wrote in the Washington Post, "In words that now appear to be eerily prescient, Roberts warned (in 1999) that there was a 'real opportunity for a handful of zealots to wreck havoc on a scale that hitherto only armies could attain.'" Roberts has pledged his committee will work in the 109^th Congress to make the intelligence community stronger and our nation safer in the post-September 11 world.

While committed to ensuring a strong national defense for all Americans, Senator Roberts' legislative record speaks to the concern for Kansas communities, businesses and families. He is committed to preserving and protecting Social Security, enacting a prescription drug benefit for seniors under Medicare and ensuring Kansans access to quality health care services at a reasonable cost. As a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Senator Roberts has introduced childcare legislation, supports fully funding the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act and has introduced a bill addressing the critical nursing shortage facing our health care delivery system.

In agriculture, Senator Roberts' work on behalf of America's farmers and ranchers is well-known. As the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee from 1995-1997, Roberts led the reform of outdated federal farm policies.  His advocacy has continued in the Senate as a key member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.  In the first six weeks of 2003, Roberts helped write and pass critical legislation to assist in drought relief. In 2000, he wrote sweeping reforms to the federal crop insurance program. In addition, Senator Roberts has led efforts to help agriculture producers and businesses gain leverage in world trade negotiations. He advocates a more cohesive and aggressive U.S. trade policy, calling for reform of unilateral sanctions and passage of "fast track" trade authority.

Senator Roberts has a long-standing commitment to increasing Kansas' investment in math, science and technology, urging schools and universities to remain highly competitive by investing in research infrastructure. Calling this focus "an investment in our future," Senator Roberts in 1996 established his blue-ribbon Advisory Committee on Science, Technology and the Future to advise him on Kansas' technology needs.

Born in Topeka April 20, 1936, Senator Roberts is the son of the late Wes Roberts, Chairman of the Republican National Committee under President Dwight Eisenhower. His great-grandfather, J.W. Roberts, founded the Oskaloosa Independent, the state's second oldest newspaper. Following graduation from Kansas State University in 1958, Senator Roberts served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years, then worked as a reporter and editor for several Arizona newspapers. He joined the staff of Kansas Senator Frank Carlson in 1967. In 1969, Senator Roberts became Administrative Assistant to Kansas' First District Congressman Keith Sebelius. Senator Roberts was elected to Congress in 1980, succeeding Sebelius upon his retirement. He was first elected to the Senate in 1996 following the retirement of Senator Nancy Kassebaum (Baker) and won re-election in 2002. Senator Roberts and his wife, Franki, have three grown children – David, and his wife Mimi, Ashleigh and Anne-Wesley.