Press Releases

WASHINGTON—Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) issued the following statement on Friday in response to congressional action tying Hurricane Harvey relief to the federal debt limit:

“My heart goes out to all of those in Houston and the Gulf region who have had their lives turned upside down by Hurricane Harvey. Americans and private organizations who came to their aid without preconditions or expecting anything in return represent the best of the American spirit. While I was proud to support a relief bill without preconditions in the House, I could not support the Senate version that essentially used the relief bill to bailout Washington politicians who don't want to do the hard work of setting priorities and living within our means. Congress should respond to this terrible storm, but we can't ignore the approaching fiscal storm. We need to prepare for that storm today and bring down our debt, not put it off until tomorrow.”

Ron Estes is a 5th generation Kansan and represents Kansas’ 4th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and the House Committee on Homeland Security.