Estes, Ron RSS Articles

Rep. Estes Introduces Resolution Celebrating American Cowboy Cattle Trails

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) and Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) introduced a House resolution to recognize and celebrate the monumental contributions of the American cowboy and historic cattle trails to the United States. As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary on July 4, this resolution honors the spirit of independence and the economic foundation laid by the cattle industry in the post-Civil War era.

The resolution highlights the critical role of historic routes such as the Chisholm, Shawnee, Western, and Goodnight-Loving trails. These pathways were the lifelines of the post-Civil War economy, moving millions of Texas longhorns to markets in the north and providing the breeding stock that established the modern American beef industry.

This resolution is supported by Texas Chisholm Trail Association, International Chisholm Trail Association. Historic Cattle Trails Coalition, National Cattleman’s Beef Association, Kansas Livestock Association, Western Wordsmiths, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Nebraska Cattlemen, North Dakota Stockman’s Association, New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, and South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association.

"The American cowboy is more than just a figure of our past; it is a global symbol of the courage, determination, and independence that define the American spirit," said Rep. Estes. "From the Chisholm Trail to the Great Western Trail, these routes through Kansas and the heartland didn't just move cattle, they rebuilt the American economy and fed a growing nation. As we celebrate our 250th year, it is only fitting that we honor the group of individuals who shaped our frontier and our national identity."

“The great cattle drives didn't just move longhorns across the plains—they helped stitch a divided nation back together and built the foundation of a modern American economy. Those herds crossed the Colorado River on the Chisholm Trail through Travis County, driven by cowboys of every background,” said Rep. Lloyd Doggett. “As we mark 250 years of American history, the House should honor that legacy and the full, diverse story behind it.”

“Kansas heritage has long been connected to cattle and cowboys—from the days when historic trails like the Chisholm carried herds to market, to the ranchers who continue that legacy today,” said Kansas Livestock Association Chief Executive Officer Matt Teagarden. “This resolution recognizes not only the enduring impact of those early cattle drives, but also the generations of cattlemen and cattlewomen who have built upon that foundation to sustain a vital industry and way of life. We appreciate Rep. Estes’ leadership on this important recognition.”

“We applaud Congressman Estes and Congressman Doggett for introducing this resolution to honor cowboy history as part of America 250,” said Carrie Murdoch, CEO of the Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum in Cleburne, Texas and President of the Texas Chisholm Trail Association. “Our museum sits proudly along the Chisholm Trail where the cowboys and historic cattle drives helped shape the history of our nation.”

“Thanks to these Congressmen for taking the lead on recognizing cowboy history as part of America 250,” said Dennis Katzenmeier of Ellsworth, Kansas, president of the International Chisholm Trail Association. “As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, it is an ideal time to honor the American cowboy who has become an international symbol of strength, courage, and independence.”

“Generations of American farmers and ranchers have been feeding our country and managing millions of acres of range and pastureland for the last 250 years. From the early settlers raising cattle at the Jamestown colony in the 1600s to the iconic cattle drives across the West in the 19th century, cattle production is a major part of American history. NCBA is proud to celebrate America 250, reflecting on how far our industry has come while continuing to innovate and preserve our heritage for future generations,” NCBA President and Virginia Cattleman Gene Copenhaver said.

You may click HERE to read the full resolution.

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Rep. Estes, Sen. Capito Introduce Bill to Unleash Domestic Investments for U.S. Companies

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kan.) introduced the Ensuring Better Interest Treatment and Deductibility (EBITDA) Act. The legislation builds on the Working Families Tax Cuts Act’s—also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill—pro-growth policy by restoring globally competitive interest deductibility standards and unleashing domestic investment for U.S.-headquartered companies. Companion legislation is being introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.).

“As it currently stands, our tax code is penalizing American businesses for growing — when a manufacturer borrows money in the United States to expand their global business, they shouldn’t be slammed with a surprise tax bill because they’re investing in their operations,” Rep. Estes said. “This commonsense solution restores the post-TCJA landscape that encourages investment and makes it easier for job creators to innovate, increase opportunities, and keep America competitive on a global stage.”

“U.S. based companies are at a disadvantage when competing in global markets for leveraged acquisitions, as foreign-headquartered rivals often benefit from more favorable interest deductibility rules and can therefore finance transactions more efficiently,” Senator Capito said. “This bill will help ensure pro-growth policy by increasing globally competitive interest deductibility standards and will help unleash domestic investments for U.S. companies.”

The legislation is supported by: the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Celanese, Asurion, Dell Technologies, Illinois Tool Works, and the American Chemistry Council.

“H.R. 1 was the investment of a generation in America’s manufacturers. Thanks to the leadership of President Trump and this Congress, the U.S. tax code is now set up to drive manufacturing investment and job creation. A critical component of H.R. 1’s pro-manufacturing agenda was the restoration of a pro-growth interest deductibility standard, a longtime NAM priority given debt financing’s importance for capital-intensive sectors like manufacturing,” Connor Rabb, Senior Director for Tax Policy for NAM, said. “The Ensuring Better Interest Treatment and Deductibility (EBITDA) Act from Sen. Capito and Rep. Estes would build on this progress, setting the stage for job-creating investments across the industry. Manufacturers strongly support the EBITDA Act, and we commend Sen. Capito and Rep. Estes for their leadership in making America the best place in the world to make things.”

“The Ensuring Better Treatment and Deductibility Act is an important step toward preserving a competitive, pro-growth tax environment for American companies. Restoring a more balanced approach to interest deductibility – consistent with longstanding standards – will help businesses invest in long-term growth and compete globally. Asurion applauds Senators Capito, Cornyn, Blackburn, and Husted for introducing this important legislation,” Asurion said.

“Dell Technologies supports the Ensuring Better Interest Treatment and Deductibility Act (EBITA) because it enhances financing flexibility for U.S. businesses. We appreciate Senator Capito, Representative Estes and their colleagues for working to advance this legislation,” Tom Vallone, Senior Vice President of Taxes at Dell Technologies, said”

“Senator Capito’s leadership recognizes that tax policy plays a critical role in U.S. competitiveness and in keeping the United States the world’s most attractive place to invest and borrow. Modernizing Section 163(j) will help strengthen American competitiveness by lowering financing costs for capital‑intensive manufacturers and encouraging more investment, innovation, and job creation here at home,” the American Chemistry Council said.

BACKGROUND:

In July, President Trump signed into law the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which provides major business tax benefits, including making the 20% Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction permanent, restoring 100% bonus depreciation for investments, and increasing the Sec. 179 deduction cap to $2.5 million and increasing limits on business interest deductibility. Because of the hard work of President Trump and Congress, the U.S. tax code has finally put American businesses first and will help increase U.S. manufacturing. However, U.S. businesses are prevented from including global income (Subpart F income, GILTI inclusions, and Section 78 gross-up amounts) from their Adjusted Tax Income (ATI), which undercuts the restoration of the EBITDA standard. This anti-competitive provision shrinks the ATI base and reduces allowable interest deductions, even when such global income is fully subject to U.S. tax. This limitation undercuts the key pro-growth outcome in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.

The Ensuring Better Interest Treatment and Deductibility Act (EBITDA) would build upon the pro-U.S. business policies in OBBB by repealing the ATI limitation exclusion of global income, allowing U.S. companies to remain competitive on the world stage.

Full text of the EBITDA Act can be found here.

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Rep. Estes Leads Resolution on Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) introduced a resolution, H. CON. RES. 76, that recognizes the visionary leadership of Chief Richard LaMunyon and the profound global impact of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

In 1979, Wichita Police Chief Richard LaMunyon was inspired by a heartfelt encounter with a Special Olympics athlete to champion the cause. Looking to eliminate financial barriers for participants, Chief and his officers created the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) in 1981. After demonstrating the program’s powerful impact on athletes to founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, LaMunyon received her blessing to take the initiative global. With the 1983 endorsement of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the movement expanded rapidly. Now, the LETR spans all 50 states and over 25 countries, involving more than 150,000 officers, known honorably as “Guardians of the Flame,” annually. Today, LETR stands as the largest grassroots movement for Special Olympics, fostering community and stability for athletes everywhere. From a modest $300 raised during the first run in Wichita, the movement has now raised over $1.1 billion to support those with intellectual disabilities worldwide.

Rep. Estes wrote a letter to President Trump recommending awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Chief Richard LaMunyon of Wichita for his visionary leadership and extraordinary contributions to individuals with intellectual disabilities through the founding of the LETR for Special Olympics.

You may click HERE to read the full resolution.

You may click HERE to read the full letter to President Trump.

Rep. Estes Statement on Lesser Prairie Chicken Regulations Removed

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) released the following statement today after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) officially finalized the removal of the lesser prairie-chicken from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.

“Today is a massive win for common sense, for Kansas, for the hardworking farmers and ranchers who have been the true stewards of our land for generations, the energy producers, and our community partners,” said Rep. Estes. “For too long, D.C. bureaucrats attempted to weaponize the Endangered Species Act to implement a hostile land grab, ignoring the stable population data and the successful voluntary conservation efforts already in place.

By officially stripping these overreaching protections, we are liberating Kansans from an unscientific and burdensome mandate that threatened our local economies and American energy independence. I have fought this battle in Congress since I came into office, and I am proud to see the Trump administration follow through on restoring local control and protecting private property rights. We have proven that we can protect our natural resources without the heavy hand of the federal government crushing the very people who feed and fuel this country.”

Rep. Estes Statement on POTUS State of the Union Address

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) released the following statement following President Trump’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday night:

“Throughout the course of the last year, Republicans have united to put America First, leading with results both in the administration and here in Congress. The President is right to be optimistic – we have accomplished a great deal, but there is still more work to be done,” Rep. Estes said. “Because of the Working Families Tax Cuts we passed in July, Americans and Kansans alike aren’t just hearing about tax cuts; they’re seeing them right on their kitchen table. These savings exemplify the hard work being put forth to provide real money for real families nationwide. Additionally, this year marks the United States’ 250th Birthday – which is a huge celebration across our country to see how far we have come as a nation. It was my honor to be here to listen to President Trump talk about our victories and see how much we can accomplish when we are unified to put Americans First. I will always fight for the best interest of Kansans in Congress.”

Rep. Estes Votes in Favor of ROTOR Act

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) voted in favor of the ROTOR Act, aviation safety legislation following the tragic mid-air collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger aircraft in January 2025.

“I’m grateful for the work of the NTSB and the Senate, and realize there is always more that can and should be done to enhance aviation safety. There are 50 recommendations from the NTSB in their final report and many more findings that warrant legislative consideration, which should be similarly prioritized and considered as quickly as possible.

This collision involved an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines flight that originated from my hometown of Wichita. This tragedy has left our community shocked, and I am heartbroken that several Kansans were among the victims. No family should ever have to endure such heartbreak.

It is imperative we in Congress work to ensure tragedies like this never happen again, and that our skies are the safest in the world. The ROTOR Act is a step in the right direction. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to continue this important work to identify and implement ways to ensure that flying in the United States remains the safest of anywhere in the world,” Rep. Estes said.

Rep. Estes Introduces Legislation to Delay Efficiency Adjustment; Benefiting Kansas Doctors

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) introduced legislation, H.R. 7520, that addresses the efficiency adjustment in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule by delaying the adjustment to ensure it is more targeted and thoughtful. Currently, the CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule introduced a new “efficiency adjustment” policy, and this mandate assumes perpetual efficiency gains in physician services, leading to recurring reimbursement reductions.

The policy reduces work Relative Value Units (RVUs) and intra-service time for all non-time-based codes by 2.5% in 2026, with additional cuts every three years. CMS assumes services are becoming faster, yet studies show 90% of procedures had the same or longer operative times in 2023 compared to 2019.

Additionally, the 2.5% cut is a flat rate based on general economy-wide labor productivity rather than actual clinical work or direct patient complexity. Because many physician employment contracts use work RVUs to calculate pay, these cuts will decrease compensation and threaten patient access.

Lastly, this cut occurs as practice operational costs have increased 59% since 2001, resulting in a 33% decline in inflation-adjusted physician pay.

Rep. Estes legislation addresses concerns voiced by Kansas Doctors and National Doctors groups regarding this efficiency adjustment which calls for a delay while we work through how to ensure the adjustment is targeted and thoughtful to physicians nationwide.

“Paying physicians properly is one of the only ways to ensure continued access and quality care for patients nationwide. As your representative in Congress, it is my duty to respond to concerns and fight for our Kansas Doctors such as the concerns raised with this efficiency adjustment,” Rep. Estes said. “Our physicians in Kansas and across our country are committed to the health and wellbeing of all Americans, and I will continue to fight in their best interest in Washington.”

“Doctors are overwhelmed as it is. They’re suffering from record rates of burnout while spending more time filling out paperwork than with their patients. Asking them to work even faster without properly understanding what actually affects procedure times doesn’t make sense,” Rep. Tom Suozzi said. “This bipartisan bill delays an unvetted and potentially harmful policy from taking effect too haphazardly. Let’s take care of the people who take care of us and make sure they have the time, tools, and support to provide quality care for their patients."

“The 2.5% reduction to work Relative Value Units (RVUs) that went into effect on January 1 is detrimental to surgeons’ ability to provide quality care. Recent research shows that operative times have increased on average by 3% since 2019 as patient complexity has risen. This critical legislation will put a stop to the flawed across-the-board reduction until CMS is able to provide data on why it is necessary to do such an adjustment.

At a time when too many patients are seeing access to essential medical care delayed, we cannot allow another reduction in the structure of physician payments to drive even more physicians out of medical practice. We must stabilize payments to enable surgeons and physicians to keep their practices open so that they can continue to serve their patients.

Congress must step in immediately and stop the implementation of this flawed plan that will negatively impact surgeons and will limit access to care for millions of vulnerable patients. We thank Congressman Estes and Congressman Suozzi for their leadership on this critical issue,” Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA FACS, Executive Director and CEO of the American College of Surgeons said.

"As healthcare professionals, we all strive to provide timely, well-organized care to patients," Michael L. Parks, MD, FAAOS, Second Vice President of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons said. "The assumption from CMS that all services become more efficient over time, however, goes against established research and surgeons' firsthand experience. By ensuring that all codes are valued accurately, The Efficiency Adjustment Delay Act safeguards access to care by reducing financial strain for patients and physicians."

“The Efficiency Adjustment Delay Act builds on Congress’ recognition that cuts fuel consolidation to the detriment of physicians and their patients,” Alexander A. Khalessi, MD, MBA, Chair of the AANS/CNS Washington Committee for Neurological Surgery said. “It helps ensure any future changes to work RVUs are grounded in empirical evidence and stakeholder input. We applaud Representatives Estes and Suozzi for their leadership and urge Congress to advance this legislation.”

You may click HERE to read the full legislation.

You may click HERE to read a letter from over 30 organizations supporting this legislation.

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Rep. Estes Announces 2026 Annual High School Art Competition Dates

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) has announced the annual Congressional Art Competition dates.

“Each year talented young artists have the chance to enter their best work in a fun and competitive event,” said Rep. Estes. “About 200 students from across the district enter their artwork in the Congressional Art Competition annually, and it's incredible to see the talent and skills young Kansans bring to life through their creativity. I encourage all high school students in our district to enter and be part of this fun and unique competition. I’m looking forward to once again hosting this event and seeing the work that will represent the Sunflower State in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C."

High school students in Kansas' 4th District may submit up to two art pieces for the competition. The deadline to submit artwork is Tuesday, March 31, 2026. All artwork submissions that meet the competition criteria will be displayed at Mark Arts in Wichita April 10 to May 2, with a reception Saturday, April 21, at 2 p.m. The winning artwork will be framed and shipped to Washington, D.C., to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year along with other winners from around the country. Prizes may be awarded.

Students and high school art teachers interested in learning more about the Congressional Art Competition should visit estes.house.gov/art.

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ICYMI: Estes Questions Health Insurance CEOs at Ways & Means Hearing

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, joined a full committee hearing to question health insurance CEOs on the economic reality facing American families, and why the “efficiencies” of modern health care don’t translate into affordability for patients nationwide.

You may click HERE or on the image above to watch Rep. Estes’ full remarks.

Highlights from Rep. Estes’ remarks include:

“You’d think vertical integration and scale would result in lower prices and a better patient experience. Yet for the people of Kansas, the 2026 health care market is characterized as a physical and financial desert.”

“Families in my district are facing finalized gross premium hikes of 26.6% with benchmark deductibles as high as $6,000 for individuals and $12,000 for families.”

“When we talk about consolidation, we aren't just talking about companies. We're talking about the loss of local options. In 2026, 14 Kansas counties now have only one single insurer left available to them. When a local hospital in a community like Derby, Kansas, closes – it isn't just a business failure, it's a new, permanent expense for every patient in that town. A routine checkup has turned into an all-day event, including lost wages and travel costs that weren't covered by insurance.”

“I hope you can help me understand why American taxpayers who contribute the bulk of your revenue, particularly for what seems to be the Unaffordable Care Act, are seeing a diminishing return in the form of high denial rates and soaring out-of-pocket costs that are utterly unfair to them.”

“You own an insurer, you own a PBM, often own some physician practices – those should be designed to drive efficiencies and lower costs. However, your own data shows that the multi-billion dollar investments in integration, you still have an increase in health care spending. Naturally, it's up $5.6 trillion in 2025, and health care costs outpaced inflation by 300%, and insurance-owned specialty drugs now cost patients three times more than they did a decade ago.”

“Let's be clear, we have 15 years of the Democrats’ Unaffordable Care Act, and this has been the result. Americans cannot afford their health care, and the Democrats’ only solution is to cut another blank check to the insurance to paper over the inflationary prices.”

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Rep. Estes Reintroduces Legislation Benefiting Nursing Homes In-House CNA Programs

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON - Ron Estes (R-Kan.) and Rep. Josh Harder (D-Calif.) reintroduced the Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act. This bill allows nursing homes to continue operating their in-house CNA training program even if they incur fines above a certain amount, so long as the fines are issued for reasons unrelated to direct resident care.

“This common sense, bipartisan bill accounts for the current workforce challenges nursing homes face without compromising on a commitment to quality care for residents.” said Rep. Estes. “This bill ensures nursing homes continue to meet high standards without losing the staffing levels needed to provide high-quality care.”

Rep. Estes said, “The Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act prevents an in-house CNA education program from facing suspension due to non-care related clerical violations.” “That’s a commonsense solution to help keep CNA education programs operational and assist nursing homes across the country with staffing levels.”

"We should be doing everything we can to rebuild our workforce and make sure seniors get the consistent, high-quality care they deserve," said Rep. Harder. "This bill will help grow the pipeline of caregivers. I’m grateful to Congressman Estes for his leadership on this issue."

“We applaud Congressmen Estes and Harder for reintroducing the Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act to help develop more certified nursing assistants. As America’s population ages and demand for long term care grows, we strongly support this legislation and its goals to expand training pipelines and workforce capacity so that we can continue delivering high-quality, person-centered care. Addressing a key legislative priority of our Caregivers for Tomorrow initiative, this commonsense legislation represents the type of practical, collaborative policy solutions needed to support our caregivers and the people they serve,” Michael Bassett, Senior Vice President of Government Relations for American Health Care Association said.

Background

Today, current surveys show about 94-96% of nursing facilities are still actively hiring or struggling to fill roles, and rural areas have reported having to limit admissions to their facilities close to 50% their full capacity due to these challenges. We are pleased that we were able to roll back the Biden administration’s nursing home staffing mandate which would have worsened workforce shortages across the country and required nursing homes nationwide already struggling to find staff to hire more than 100,000 additional nurses and nurse aides. One estimate suggested nearly 300,000 residents would lose access to care – more than one-fourth of all residents – as nursing homes slow admissions to comply with the mandate. Rep. Estes wrote about this rule and his CNA bill in a November 2023 op-ed in The Hill.

Under current law, Medicare prevents nursing homes from operating a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) training program for two years if the facility is fined a certain amount. In making the decision to prohibit the training program, Medicare does not account for the seriousness of the underlying deficiency or activity the fine was related to. For example, a nursing home could be fined for a deficiency unrelated to direct resident care, like having expired crackers in a food pantry, yet would still be prohibited from operating a CNA training program for two years. While current law contains a waiver, it is seldom used and has proven inadequate. Rep. Estes' legislation addresses this issue.

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