Representative Ron Estes

.The Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on Strategic Partnerships to Secure Critical Resources and Supply Chains. Secure and reliable supply chains for critical minerals are central to our national security, our global competitive posture, economic growth, and domestic manufacturing.

In the Air Capital of the World, our workforce designs and builds world-class commercial aircraft, defense platforms, and space components. Our aerospace and defense products require reliable access to critical minerals and processing capabilities. Currently, China holds dominant control over the processing and refining of these minerals. If we work with partners in Central Asia and Africa, who hold major reserves of the critical resources we need, then we won’t have to depend on a single country.

You can watch my full remarks below.

.Cattle ranchers across Kansas have faced droughts, natural disasters, disease threats, and other challenges that have driven the nation’s cattle herd to its lowest level in 75 years. To rebuild and expand our national herd, we must provide cattle producers with the certainty they need to continue raising cattle and investing in their operations.

Recently, I signed a letter to President Trump highlighting longer-term solutions to strengthen America’s beef industry, including expanding overseas markets for American beef, relying on the Working Families Tax Cuts, and a modernized Farm Bill. I will continue supporting our nation’s ranchers and working to ensure America’s cattle producers have the tools they need to grow their herds and keep producing the high-quality beef Americans depend on.

.Recently, Democrats voted to endorse the Democratic Socialists of America and their radical agenda, which includes defunding the police and “freedom for all incarcerated people.” It should be common sense to reject these extreme ideas, yet many Democrats were unable to do so. I supported the resolution condemning socialism and stood with House Republicans in defending the principles that have made America the greatest nation on Earth – freedom, individual liberty and the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. We must reject socialism and ensure its failed policies never take root in America.

.Throughout August, I traveled in the state to meet with Kansans and learn more about what policies will benefit them, their families, and their businesses. Here are some of the places I enjoyed visiting recently.

Jump Start, founded in Wichita, has more than 30 gas stations and convenience stores throughout the Sunflower State. They opened their newest location at Central and Woodlawn, where Beard’s 66 Service operated for decades. It was great to join the Wichita community in celebrating the opening of Jump Start’s newest location.

I toured ILS Beef in Larned, one of their ten feed yards throughout Kansas and Nebraska. We talked about their plans for expanding their feed yard and policies that are beneficial to the cattle industry. They drove me throughout their property to see the cattle, infrastructure, and feed mills.

Midway Manufacturing in Kinsley manufactures tie rod hydraulic cylinders and accessories, and they’ve been doing so since 1975. I enjoyed touring their manufacturing facility, meeting employees, and discussing anti-dumping tariffs. Kinsley is known as “Midway USA” because it is the halfway point between New York City and San Francisco, which is where Midway Manufacturing gets its name.

The Stafford County Port Authority celebrated their grand opening recently, and I enjoyed being at their ribbon cutting ceremony. The Port Authority will bring economic growth to St. John through an increase in tax revenue, cheaper transportation options, and improved local grain prices for farmers. This project has been in the works for over a decade, and I’m looking forward to all that will come from this new port authority.

I visited Goodwill to talk with them about Kansas adult education programs and their partnership with WSU Tech. Goodwill’s adult education program is the second largest in Kansas, and they work to connect Kansans to in-demand jobs in aviation and manufacturing.

HopeNet of Wichita has provided counseling and compassionate care to Kansans for nearly 35 years. It was great to tour their office and hear about how they’re uplifting our community through their services.

The Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink visited McConnell Air Force Base in August, and it was great to welcome him to Wichita. At McConnell, we had lunch with the Airmen and discussed the base’s transition to KC-46 aircraft. We also talked about the Point Defense Battle Lab Mission that the 184th Wing of the Kansas National Guard is supporting. The dedicated men and women at McConnell are doing incredible work, and it was encouraging to see their demonstrations.

I enjoyed speaking to the Realtors of South Central Kansas in Wichita where we talked about the latest updates from Congress and their legislative priorities. Wichita was ranked in the top ten cities in the nation for first-time homebuyers in a Neighbors Bank study earlier this year. Our region continues to shine in national rankings, and the great work of Kansas realtors certainly contributes to those results.