Each month I want to provide you with regular updates about what’s going on in our nation’s capital and throughout the 4th District of Kansas. Here’s what happened in July.
One Big, Beautiful Law is Pro-Family, Pro-Life At the first part of July, President Trump signed the One Big, Beautiful Bill into law. I penned an op-ed for the Daily Wire on how the One Big, Beautiful Bill is the most prolife, pro-family piece of legislation in history.
The legislation permanently doubles the Child Tax Credit, establishes savings accounts for newborns and boosts the adoption tax credit. At the same time, it increases the Employer-Provided Childcare Credit.
I’m proud of Republicans’ One Big, Beautiful Bill and its provisions that support Kansas families.
Boost for Aviation Manufacturing and Kansas Ag
The One Big, Beautiful Bill’s renewal of 100% immediate expensing is a huge win for business aircraft manufacturing and the Air Capital of the World.
A recent CNBC article predicts the Trump Tax Cuts included in the reconciliation bill will cause a surge in demand for business jets. Our legislation is promoting domestic manufacturing in the United States, and our tax provisions are benefitting Wichita’s aviation industry.
Additionally, President Trump signed a historic U.S.-Japan trade and investment agreement in July where he facilitated the sale of 100 Boeing aircraft to Japan.
The deal is beneficial for Kansas ag. Japan will purchase more than $8 billion in American corn, bioethanol, soybeans and more. I’m glad our president is securing trade deals that will benefit the 4th District of Kansas and our nation as a whole.
$26 Billion Budget Surplus in June
For the first time in more than nine years, the federal government had a budget surplus. In fact, June’s surplus totaled $26 billion. With $18 billion of the federal government’s revenue coming from tariffs, this surplus is proof President Trump’s trade policy is benefitting our country.
Republicans’ recently passed One Big, Beautiful Bill, or O-Triple-B as some are calling it, will bring economic growth through spending cuts. Our legislation cuts more than $1.5 trillion in mandatory spending.
Congressional Republicans are taking a step in the right direction toward restoring our nation’s fiscal health. I’m proud the O-Triple-B will bring tax cuts for Kansas families and strengthen our nation’s economy.
Social Security Joint Subcommittee Hearing As the Chair of the Social Security Subcommittee, I held a hearing recently with the Commissioner of Social Security, Frank J. Bisignano. The hearing was held jointly with the Work and Welfare Subcommittee.
The hearing was focused on improving and modernizing the Social Security Administration. I’ve heard many of your concerns about the security of your personal data at the SSA. That’s why the first question I asked Commissioner Bisignano was if Americans’ data is safe. He assured me that the agency has high levels of security and protocols on access to their data.
My priority is to ensure Social Security will be available to near, current and future beneficiaries. I’m also focused on improving the processes and customer service of Social Security. The hardworking Americans who have paid into this program deserve to receive its benefits.
U.S. Council for International Business The U.S. Council for International Business held an International Tax Conference with the OECD, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. I was happy to give the keynote address.
I spoke about the importance of having tax policy that supports American industries, jobs and the economy. We need fiscal policy that promotes innovation and lowers tax rates.
The conference was focused on international tax policy, and it was welltimed. Shortly following the conference, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced an agreement between the G7 countries.
The G7 countries, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, agreed that OECD Pillar Two taxes will no longer apply to American companies. The disastrous OECD Pillar Two tax scheme was agreed to by President Biden. Under his commitment, foreign nations were allowed to implement discriminatory tax practices against U.S. companies – something that would drain $122 billion out of our economy and into the coffers of other countries. Under President Trump’s leadership, a deal has been reached that will put Americans first.
This agreement is historic, and I’m happy to say America will save more than $100 billion as a result. I advocated for a protective measure against Pillar Two in the One Big, Beautiful Bill. My provision, known as Section 899, would increase tax rates on foreign countries with discriminatory tax policies. After this agreement had been reached, I agreed with Secretary Bessent that Section 899 could be removed from House Republicans’ reconciliation bill.
I’m grateful the Bidenera global tax surrender has ceased, and foreign nations no longer have control over American tax dollars.
Rescissions
Recently the House passed a rescissions package, a presidential request that rescinds previously appropriated funds by Congress. This was the first time in more than a decade that a president requested to rescind discretionary spending.
Our rescissions package pulled more than $9 billion of wasteful spending from NPR, PBS and USAID. Some of the examples we looked at when we pulled funding were NPR airing a program about drag queens for children, PBS hosting a panel on white privilege and USAID allocating $3 million to Iraqi Sesame Street.
It’s worth noting that when our government borrows approximately $70,000 every second, it’s imperative for Congress to closely examine spending and eliminate waste, allowing us to prioritize programs that truly benefit Americans, including some USAID programs that could be transferred to another agency.
Throughout my entire time in Congress, I’ve been advocating for reining in wasteful spending and balancing our budget. While we still have a lot more work to do, this was a great first step.
Service Academy Nominations
As a Member of Congress, I always look forward to nominating young men and women from the 4th District of Kansas to our prestigious United States Service Academies. Individuals who attend service academies receive a world-class education on a full-ride scholarship and commit to serving in the military for at least five years after graduating. Applications for this year are now open, and more information can be found at estes.house.gov/service.
Connect with Me
Interested in receiving regular updates about what’s going on in Congress? Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter at estes. house.gov and please don’t hesitate to reach out to my District Office in Wichita at 316-262-8992 if you have questions, concerns or need help with a federal agency.
Ron Estes, one of only a handful of engineers in Congress, worked to improve systems and operations in the aerospace, energy and manufacturing sectors before representing Kansas’ 4th Congressional District beginning in 2017. He is a fifth-generation Kansan, former state treasurer, and serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, Budget Committee and Joint Economic Committee. He is the chair of the Social Security Subcommittee and co-chair of the House Aerospace Caucus.
