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 October.
Democrats Admit Government Shutdown is a “Leverage Time” On Sept. 19, 2025, House Republicans passed a clean funding bill to keep the government open for the American people. Disappointingly, Senate Democrats have held our government hostage in exchange for $1.5 trillion in out-oftouch demands. Among their outrageous demands, Democrats are requesting the removal of the Rural Health Transformation Program from Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill. If Democrats get their wish, rural Kansans will lose out on health care. At the same time, Congressional Democrats are demanding American taxpayers fund $200 billion of health care for illegal immigrants. Reopening the government rests with the Senate Democrats, and I hope they will do what is right for our country, and our state, and vote to fund the government.
Even more disappointing is that Congressional Democrats are admitting the government shutdown, and Americans suffering as a result, is “leverage time.” Democratic Whip Katherine Clark said in an interview, “of course there will be, you know, families that are going to suffer,” but that a government shutdown is “one of the few leverage times we have.” Then, Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) admitted that though the shutdown is “unpleasant,” it is their “only moment of leverage.” Democrats are leveraging the suffering of American families to demand their radical agenda.
$50 Billion Deficit Decrease
This fiscal year’s deficit was $50 billion less than last year’s, according to the Joint Economic Committee. President Trump’s economic policy is responsible for this great fiscal news – his tariffs brought in $195 billion this fiscal year. Coupled with responsible economic policies, like the ones included in Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts this summer, our nation’s fiscal health is on the right path. There is still a lot of work to be done, but Republicans are committed to reducing wasteful Washington spending, cutting taxes for hardworking Americans, and restoring regular order in Congress.
Kansas Air National Guard’s 184th Wing The 184th Wing of the Kansas Air National Guard was selected to host the U.S. Air Force Point Defense Battle Laboratory. The 184th Wing is located at McConnell Air Force Base. The Point Defense Battle Lab will contribute to our nation’s security capabilities by advancing counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems and point defense. Additionally, Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) will help with the mission. I’m happy that our district will help lead our nation in aviation and defense.
Illegal Crossings
President Trump promised to secure our southern border, and he has delivered on his promise. In fact, the latest U.S. Border Patrol data on the illegal crossings reveals they’re at their lowest annual level since 1970. In fiscal year 2025, Border Patrol captured 238,000 illegal immigrants. When Joe Biden was president, 2.2 million illegal immigrants were apprehended at the southern border, nearly ten times this year’s figure.
Supporting Kansas Ethanol
I joined a letter written by Sen. Chuck Grassley to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin. We requested the finalization of their proposed rule about Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) levels. The new RFS levels prioritize Americamade energy, supporting Kansas ag and biofuel producers.
Disaster Declaration From July 17 through July 22, 2025, our state was hit with severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding. I joined my Kansas delegation colleagues in sending a letter to President Trump requesting federal support for the communities affected by the storms. We wrote in support of the governor’s request for a major disaster declaration.
Fixing Social Security Social Security provides an economic lifeline to Kansans in the Fourth District and tens of millions of Americans. As Chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee of Ways and Means, my priority is to protect and strengthen the important program. President Trump shares my commitment, and his implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act this year has ensured that Americans receive the benefits they deserve.
Recently, I met with the Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano in Wichita, and I shared the need to improve customer service at the Social Security Administration. I’m looking forward to continuing to advocate for improvements to Social Security in Congress. I wrote more about Social Security in my latest op-ed for the Washington Examiner.
In the Nation’s Capital Music has an important role in bringing our nation together and inspiring generations. That’s why I’m happy to share that I will serve as the cochair of the Congressional Musicians’ Caucus. Earlier this year, I led the charge to help introduce and pass the Help Independent Tracks Succeed Act (HITS Act), which was included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The HITS Act is a tax provision that benefits sound recording producers and artists. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to support the music industry. Recently I was happy to speak to the Aero Club of DC about the aviation industry. I enjoyed speaking about my role on the House Aerospace Caucus and the benefits for aerospace in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, or the Working Families Tax Cut.
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.
