Representative Ron Estes

.With Tax Day now behind us, I want to take a moment to share the positive impact the Working Families Tax Cuts are having across our district. These common sense reforms aren't just about numbers on a page – they’re about making sure you keep more of your hard-earned paycheck.

By making the standard deduction increases permanent, we’ve ensured that the average Kansas family sees meaningful savings year after year – rewarding your hard work rather than penalizing it.

For a family of four in south central Kansas, these tax cuts mean having more flexibility to invest in a home, plan for a child’s education, or simply have the breathing room to save for the future. We’ve also made it a priority to look out for our seniors with a historic deduction that provides direct relief to those on fixed incomes. Our seniors spent their lives building this state, and they deserve to keep more of what they've earned.

These policies are also a massive win for the Air Capital of the World. By securing permanent tax incentives for research and development, we’ve given our aviation industry the certainty it needs to innovate and grow right here in Wichita. These tax cuts are a promise kept to you – supporting our families, honoring our seniors, and ensuring Kansas remains a global leader in flight for generations to come.

If you’d like to dive deeper into how we’re securing a stronger fiscal future for our state, you can read my full op-ed by clicking here.

.During a House Budget Committee hearing earlier this week, I had the opportunity to discuss the administration’s fiscal priorities for the coming year with Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought. As we look toward America’s 250th anniversary, it’s more critical than ever that we build a stable economic foundation that allows our families and the hardworking people of Kansas to thrive.

I'm encouraged to see a budget request that prioritizes cutting wasteful programs and rooting out the rampant fraud that cost taxpayers at least $162 billion in improper payments in 2024 alone. In our discussion, I highlighted the 3% Resolution, a bipartisan effort I joined to reduce the federal deficit to 3% of our GDP or lower within five years. We must prioritize efficiency and modernize our systems to ensure that the federal government is focused on results and respects the taxpayers who fund it.

A budget only succeeds when it recognizes that growth comes from the "Main Streets" of our towns – like Wichita, Newton and Winfield – not from the Washington bureaucracy. To achieve our fiscal goals, we have to build on the success of these pro-growth policies that boost our country’s GDP year over year. I’ll continue to fight for a roadmap that rewards your hard work and secures a prosperous future for all Kansans.

You may click HERE or on the image below to watch my full remarks.

.The Ways and Means Committee held a full committee hearing where I questioned Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the roadmap for the health of our nation. The statistics we are facing today are staggering – six out of every 10 Americans live with at least one chronic disease, and 90% of our national health care spending is now dedicated to fighting these conditions. It’s clear that we must pivot away from a reactionary "sick care" model and toward a system that prioritizes true wellness and preventative medicine.

The work of the MAHA Commission is a vital part of this effort. By focusing on the root causes of chronic disease through better nutrition and healthier lifestyles, we can ensure a more vibrant future for all Americans. However, a healthier nation fundamentally relies on patients having reliable access to quality providers, especially in our rural communities. In south central Kansas, institutions like the Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine and the future Wichita biomedical campus are working hard to train the next generation of doctors, but federal policy must support, not hinder, their mission.

During the hearing, I specifically addressed the future of air ambulances, which are an absolute lifeline for the 4th District. When an emergency happens in rural Kansas, these helicopters are often the only way a patient can reach a trauma center in time. Right now, bureaucratic logjams and outdated Medicare rates are putting these bases at risk of closing. I pressed Secretary Kennedy for a firm commitment to finally move forward with required data collection so we can keep these life-saving services in the air.

We also discussed the looming retirement wave among physicians, which threatens access to specialty care in rural areas. While we work toward a healthier America, we must ensure that our government is lean, effective, and works for the American people, not for the interests of the Washington bureaucracy. I’ll continue to fight for reforms that root out waste, prioritize prevention, and keep our rural medical workforce strong.

You may click HERE or on the image below to watch my full committee remarks.