Ron Estes

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the remainder of my time. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, we try to endeavor to look at how do we prepare students and young adults for their career and look at ways to prepare them not just from starting with an engineering degree or a technical degree at college, but actually making sure that in their K-12 education they are better prepared as well. As an engineer, I saw this firsthand how my education through high school and into college helped prepare me for the career that I had in the private sector before I went into the public service role. We see this continuously with the importance of having a trained workforce ready to work in our industries. In my district, Wichita is known as the Air Capital of the World, and the one thing that I hear over and over again from aerospace companies is there is a shortage of trained, skilled workforce ready to work. STEM education plays such a critical role in terms of how we educate and prepare the next generation of America's workforce, and so we need to encourage public and private partnerships in order to increase computer science education in K-12 classrooms. It is just a commonsense solution to try to increase STEM education in the United States. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H. Con. Res. 95, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3669) to improve and streamline security procedures related to general aviation and commercial charter air carrier utilizing risk-based security standards, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to represent the Fourth District of Kansas. My hometown, Wichita, Kansas, is proud to be known as The Air Capital of the World. Over 100 years ago, Clyde Cessna began manufacturing planes outside of Wichita. Since then, Wichita has grown to be the leading center for aviation manufacturing around the world. In fact, 67 percent of the world's embedded general aviation fleet is manufactured in Kansas. We are proud of the work we do in Wichita, and general aviation has a good home in Kansas. I worked for many years in the general aviation industry as a process improvement engineer. That is why I am putting forward this important piece of legislation that will help ensure general aviation remains safe and secure. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 3669, the Securing General Aviation and Commercial Charter Air Carrier Service Act. General aviation, which includes all noncommercial flights and commercial charters, accounts for nearly two-thirds of all towered operations in the United States. This does not account for the thousands of untowered operations in the United States that are only served by the general aviation community. However, general aviation and commercial charter air service represent a small fraction of TSA's stakeholder community, causing their issues and concerns to fall to the bottom of the agency's priorities. This bill seeks to elevate some of these important but often overlooked security issues. The general aviation community has important safety concerns that deserve to be heard and acted upon by TSA. Commercial charters are forced to use antiquated and unsecure systems to ensure their passengers' safety. Currently, the software needed to connect to TSA's Secure Flight system for vetting passengers costs tens of thousands of dollars. Commercial airlines serving 2\1/2\ million passengers a day can easily adopt the software; However, smaller operators do not have the passenger volume to absorb the cost. Currently, TSA emails commercial charter operators large datasets in spreadsheet format that their operators must then check against passenger manifests. This unsecure method presents a serious security risk for this data, which could include sensitive personal information. I have heard from commercial charter operators that access to the Secure Flight system is a top priority so that they can ensure the safety of the airspace and their passengers. TSA should explore creating a web-based program that these operators could access that would have realtime passenger vetting information and would prevent the unintended distribution of sensitive security information. Currently, private charter air carriers must use their own flight crews or private screening companies to screen passengers. In certain instances, these carriers would like to occasionally use on- or off- duty TSA agents to screen passengers due to the expertise and training that these agents possess. However, when private charters are performed on short notice, carriers are unable to bring off-duty TSA screeners into their own program due to certain FAA regulations. Language in this bill would allow private charters the flexibility to request and pay for this service without cost to the taxpayer. Additionally, the Aviation Security Advisory Committee has approved several recommendations regarding improvements to security rules and regulations for general aviation and commercial charter air carrier programs. These important recommendations have yet to be implemented by TSA. This legislation requires TSA to develop an implementation plan and timeline in which to execute these outstanding recommendations. The final issue this bill addresses is a lack of a full-time subject matter expert at TSA to interact with general aviation stakeholders and handle general aviation security issues. The industry has been forced to rely on individuals who are often given this portfolio temporarily and struggles to find a reliable point of contact for matters that arise. This bill authorizes the appointment of a full-time employee to handle this portfolio, thus giving the industry a knowledgeable and reliable liaison with TSA. General aviation and the commercial air charter industry are important components of the aviation community. I believe that their important safety concerns deserve to be heard and acted upon by TSA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his help and assistance. I urge all Members to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko).

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Brady for his efforts to get this tax reform bill done. Our outdated and uncompetitive Tax Code has led to slow economic growth over the past decade in America. Today, we are taking an important step to fix that. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will reform the Tax Code and help foster economic growth. For more than three decades, families have paid a growing cost for our country's increasingly complex and burdensome Tax Code that is chockfull of special interest loopholes. This is not fair. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will simplify the process of filing taxes by doubling the size of the standard deduction and removing the need for millions to itemize their deductions. It will provide tax cuts to millions of middle-income working families. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act also includes many tax reforms for businesses in order to spur economic growth. The bill makes it easier for entrepreneurs to start businesses, and it brings down the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent to be in line with our competitors around the world. This will help spur economic growth by encouraging businesses to move their capital and jobs back to the United States and will help lower prices for Americans, who are the ones who ultimately pay for high corporate taxes through higher prices. I'm proud that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is focused on growing the economy, bringing jobs back to Main Street, and increasing paychecks for workers. This bill is committed to helping families because the family unit is the cornerstone of our nation. We made a promise to families that we'd deliver them tax relief--and we're holding to it. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will fix our bureaucratic tax nightmare and puts families first again.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from Colorado holding this Special Order hour tonight. Serving my fellow Kansans for a little over the last 6 months has been a very humbling experience. I can't help but walk onto the House floor and feel the weight of history in this hall. I am often reminded of Jesus' words in Mark chapter 9: ``Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.'' This verse touches on why each of us should be here not for our own gain, but in service to others. Throughout our country tonight, people are in Bible study classes. We are all attempting to seek how we humble ourselves before the Lord. When I consider our Founding Fathers' vision for this Republic, I think they set in motion with a servant's heart. The Founders made clear that religious liberty was to be cherished, and so they enshrined it in our Constitution. From the time of the Puritans crossing the Atlantic in search of freedom to practice their faith to today, millions of Americans have taken the Bible as the cornerstone of their faith. Our President's have chosen to take the oath of office on their Bibles. President Lincoln chose his Bible to be open to Matthew 7:1, ``Judge not, that ye be not judged.'' President Reagan chose to have his Bible open to II Chronicles 7:14, ``If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face. . . . '' With the Bible as our guiding compass, these leaders chose to serve their fellow Americans with humility and strength. As we honor National Bible Week, I hope that individuals across this country, regardless of their faith background, will take a moment to reflect on the gift of religious liberty and their role to serve others around them. The future of our great Nation rests in the servant hearts of her people.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3441, the Save Local Business Act. Too often, under the previous administration, radical policy shifts were taken by unelected bureaucrats and activist judges, which harmed our society. An example of this was in 2015, when the National Labor Relations Board decided to unilaterally change a longstanding definition of what constitutes an employer-employee relationship. That changed the definition of a joint employer from an employer that has ``actual, direct, or immediate'' control over the terms and conditions of employment to someone who has ``potential'' or ``indirect'' control. It should be obvious to you who your employer is. It is the one who hired you and who signs your paycheck. As Chairwoman Foxx said in a recent op-ed: ``When you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail.'' That is so true for so many in Washington. I encourage my colleagues to support this bill because it defines joint employer in a commonsense way in order to do away with the current, convoluted status. This bill will also prevent future overreach from bureaucrats, and allows businessowners to manage their own businesses.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, after a decade of inadequate economic growth across America, there is new growing optimism that our economy is about to be set free again. Consumer confidence in the economy is the highest it has been since 2000. Why? I believe this is because the American people expect us to reform our broken Tax Code, and they are excited about it. Our outdated and overly complex Tax Code has held our economy down for the past decade. It is time we fix this and empower working families in America. Real tax reform will be the best way to help America climb up the economic ladder. A stronger economy will bring higher wages and better jobs. The goal is to make our Federal Code simple and to make it fair. The Tax Code, as it is, only benefits the rich and well-connected who can hire an army of lawyers to protect their interests. This is why Republicans are looking to enact real reform for all Americans. The argument against tax reform is this: the plan is just a tax cut for the rich. The reality is, this tax reform framework is focused on helping middle class families. The tax system is laid out by Republicans that allows low- and middle-income workers to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks in order to save for their children's college, for their retirement, or any other things that they want. I implore my colleagues across the aisle to do what is right and help to fix our antiquated Tax Code.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. This bill would prohibit late term abortions on unborn babies who can feel pain. As we now know, babies can feel pain as early as 20 weeks. This means during dismemberment abortion and induction abortions, babies feel the pain from these procedures, while in the womb. We are one of seven countries that still allows late term abortions, putting us in the company with North Korea and China. In fact, one of my staffers great niece was born at 26 weeks, weighing just 2 lbs, 11 oz. It's unconscionable that we allow babies such as her niece to be aborted. This bill is one step closer to achieving our goal of protecting these innocent lives. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and to protect the sanctity of life.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 2824, the Increasing Opportunity and Success for Children and Parents through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act. We need more support for early childhood, and to support families in that effort. They need to be evidence-based programs to ensure that we get more of the right beneficial programs implemented. This bill seeks to strengthen the home visiting services to families in at-risk communities, and that is important because it will help reduce infant abuse and neglect across America. The law's six benchmark areas will improve maternal and newborn health and will increase families' economic self-sufficiency. It also looks to better the coordination between community resources. I would like to thank Chairman Brady and Chairman Smith for putting forth this piece of legislation.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Bob Redford, who founded the Walnut Valley Festival in the Fourth District of Kansas back in 1972, and served more than 40 years as its president. Bob Redford passed away in December of last year. Bob Redford's dedication to live music resulted in this legendary event, which is one of the longest running music festivals in U.S. history. For 46 years, pickers and music lovers have journeyed to this special place on the Kansas plains to celebrate life with music. Bob Redford gave so much to the community in Cowley County and dedicated years of service to leading and promoting this iconic festival that has become known as Pickers Paradise. There is no place on earth like the Walnut Valley Festival, which is home to national and international instrument championship contests and where thousands return year after year to experience outstanding live music, in the grandstands, performed by world famous musicians, along with legendary campground jams. Bob Redford's legacy lives in the community of musicians and music lovers from around the world, who will gather next weekend in the pecan grove along the Walnut River in Winfield, Kansas, for the 46th Annual Walnut Valley Festival.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of Representative Fitzpatrick's amendment. My career in the private sector required skills in identifying deficiencies in systems and processes. When I look at the program, or lack thereof, with the financial systems modernization effort, beset by poor management and lack of transparency, my last course of action would be to throw more money at it. Good systems require a good plan. Currently there is no plan, no path forward, and no guarantee to the taxpayers that this money is well spent. This effort has already cost $133 million, 50 percent more than originally expected, and it has failed to accomplish the designated task. When I go back to Kansas, I am accountable to every taxpaying constituent for every dollar spent in Washington. Therefore, I support this amendment to shift those tax dollars from this inefficient program to the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General, which protects those very same tax dollars. This money will provide operating funds to continue funding efficiencies and savings until a good plan is developed for the Financial Services Modernization effort. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and fiscal accountability to the American taxpayer.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American hero and one of Kansas' most treasured sons. I am pleased the House is acting today to award Bob Dole with our Nation's highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal. Bob's life and legacy stands strong, constant reminders of the fundamental values that are at the very core of Kansas and our Nation: honor, hard work, sacrifice, and a constant yearning to preserve our liberty and many blessings for future generations. When Bob was wounded by enemy fire in the mountains of Italy while trying to save a fellow soldier, his brothers in arms didn't know if he was going to make it. Bob, of course, wouldn't give up. He spent years recovering in hospitals and continued putting his life in service to others. He did so with distinction right here in this House and in the United States Senate. He also served in the Kansas House of Representatives and as chair of the Republican National Committee. Through it all, Bob Dole, a true servant leader, has stood as an example of how things are when our politics are at our best, when mutual respect is never lost, and when joy and good humor always have a seat at the table. Today, as Republicans and Democrats, we come together to honor Bob, not because we always agree, but because, like Bob, we agree that there are greater causes than ourselves. Addressing the Republican National Convention as Presidential candidate in 1996, Bob closed his remarks by saying: ``My life is proof that America is a land without limits. And with my feet on the ground and my heart filled with hope, I put my faith in you and in the God who loves us all. For I am convinced that America's best days are yet to come.'' Thank you, Bob, for your faith, for your most honored service to Kansas and to our country, and for all you sacrificed to bring America closer to her best days. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2825, the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act. America faces mounting threats to our national security from around the globe. This includes the increased threats faced by Islamist terrorism, foreign cyber attacks, and an unsecured southern border. This bill will improve the Department of Homeland Security by making it more efficient and improving its processes so that the DHS can face security threats head on. This bill promotes the domestic sharing of counterterrorism information and calls for regular reports to Congress on cost-saving and efficiency activities, including consolidation of facilities and response to operational surges. I believe this bill is vital to ensuring America's continued safety.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I was not present for Roll Call vote No. 380, on a motion to suspend the rules and pass H.J. Res. 92, Granting the consent and approval of Congress for the Commonwealth of Virginia, the State of Maryland, and the District of Columbia to amend the Washington Area Transit Regulation Compact. Had I been present, I would have voted Yea.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 60.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2353, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. I urge all Members to vote for this bipartisan bill that allows our educational institutions the ability to better adapt their programs to the specific needs of their students. This bill will give States and localities more flexibility in how to use Federal money for career and technical education programs, which will ultimately help Americans find the jobs they need.

Mr. ESTES

Mr. ESTES. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Jenkins and our entire Kansas delegation, and thank you to all the Members for serving. I also want to thank my wife, Susan Estes, who is up in the gallery tonight. My mother, Lou Estes, is also up there, my son, Brent Estes, and my daughters, Laura Estes and Grace Estes. As you all know, you can't run an election and you can't serve without the support of family and friends, so I appreciate the effort that they put in on my behalf. I look forward to serving with you. This is an honor to be a public servant and to work with you in the Chamber. I want to mention that my background, both in the private sector before I was elected county treasurer and then State treasurer, was to focus on how to make things more efficient and how do we get things done. The message that came through in the election was that the voters in my district, like the voters in your district, want to see us accomplish things and want to get them done. I appreciate the time, I appreciate the opportunity, and I look forward to serving with you to accomplish things for our country.