Ron Estes

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, that is right. We have an innovative aerostructure environment in Wichita. In fact, Wichita is known as the air capital of the world. We are always looking for skilled employees to fill those jobs, to help keep planes running, keep parts being produced through the process. Our businesses have worked with community colleges and partnered with Wichita State University and are partnering with high schools to help make sure that the skills are available so those employers can have the employees that they need to help keep their operations running. It has been a great transition we have made as we have gone through the baby boomers, who are now starting to retire and starting to leave the workforce. We need to make sure that we have enough skilled employees to replace them as they are retiring and make sure that we keep America's economy growing strong.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address one of the important drivers of our economy: The way we develop the workforce of tomorrow. Since the founding of our country, American workers have led the way in being the most productive and innovative in the world. However, technology and changing demands require that we identify new ways to maintain our competitive edge. After nearly 10 years of stagnant growth, our economy is, once again, booming, thanks to cutting taxes and cutting regulations. Yet today, our economy faces a new challenge. At this moment, there are a record 6.6 million job openings in our country. While we currently have the lowest unemployment rate in 18 years, there are still millions of Americans looking for a job. However, every day, I hear from employers throughout Kansas, and our country, about their difficulty filling open jobs because our workforce does not have all the skills it needs. I believe this is because, for decades, politicians, educators, and even parents, have told students that the only way to succeed is to get a 4-year college degree. While a college degree is extremely important, some jobs are critical in requiring that. Today, we are seeing that many college students are graduating with crippling student loan debt and have trouble finding a job, while we have a shortage of skilled labor positions, such as welders, machinists, truck drivers, and people with other needed skills. Because of this, I believe we have no choice but to change the way we are developing our workforce. We need to empower students to have more opportunities to prepare for the careers they want, whether through technical schools, community colleges, or universities. Kansans have led the way with this by passing Kansas Senate bill S. 155, which allows high school students to graduate with either, or both, a technical or college-ready certificate. Through this effort, I believe Kansans can serve as a model for this country on how we train our workforce. As a Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, I have been proud to work on several ways to do this, including amending the Prosper Act, which will reform higher education and student aid, to allow students to complete work studies as apprentices in the fields that they are studying. That amendment will help students to be more marketable once they finish their degrees, and builds on our need to support apprenticeship programs throughout the country. This also helps minimize outlandish student loan debt too many students and families are racking up. In addition to working on the Prosper Act, I have also proposed the HOPE Act, which will allow TANF assistance dollars to go toward a successful workforce development program, one which is called Jobs for America's Graduates, or JAG. Earlier this month, I met with some JAG students at Newton High School in Newton, Kansas, and heard about how the program has prepared them for their careers after high school. Allowing more TANF dollars to go toward this program can help many at-risk students and get more people off of assistance and on to successful lives. These are part of our overall goal of making sure every American can get the skills they need to fulfill their potential. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Foxx and the Education and the Workforce Committee for their work towards this goal. Together, we can advance legislation which will maintain and grow America's leadership in our global economy.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Chair, I rise today to propose an amendment to section 232 of H.R. 4, the FAA Reauthorization Act. As a Representative of the Fourth District of Kansas, which includes Wichita, also known as the Air Capital of the World, I have a deep appreciation for the importance of the aviation industry in our region and country. For more than 100 years, our community has pioneered aviation and manufacturing. Today, the greater Wichita area is home to many of the world's largest aviation manufacturers and produces nearly 50 percent of all general aviation planes built. Without question, aviation is a great source of pride for all Kansans, and I want to thank Chairman Shuster and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for their efforts to support the industry and modernize the FAA. As part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, Congress has tasked the FAA administrator to establish a task force on flight standards reform. I believe creating this task force to improve aviation safety standards is a needed and overdue initiative.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. H.R. 4 mandates the task force be comprised of representatives from air carriers, general and business aviation, repair stations, unmanned aviation systems, flight schools, and aviation safety inspectors. Today, I am offering an amendment to the task force to also include representatives of aircraft manufacturers. I believe those responsible for producing our Nation's aircraft can play a valuable role in updating aviation standards and should have a voice. I want to thank our colleagues for their attention to the industry and consideration of this amendment, and ask that they support the FAA Reauthorization Act.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 154.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5444 . . . the Taxpayer First Act . . . which would reform the IRS to focus on serving the taxpayers instead of the federal government. This commonsense approach should be just that. However, under the previous administration, we saw how the IRS was weaponized against certain citizens and groups. This is unacceptable and the American people deserve better. This bill would require the IRS to focus on customer service by improving the dispute resolution process within the agency; requiring the IRS to maintain the free file program; ensuring the IRS notifies taxpayers when they are conducting an audit; and requiring the IRS to submit plans to improve customer service and efficiency to Congress. These reforms will make sure taxpayers are respected and treated fairly by the IRS. As President Reagan famously said, ``The most terrifying words in the English language are: `I'm from the government and I'm here to help.' '' That's a scary prospect but should not keep us from working to make government more accessible and customer friendly. This bill would refocus the mission of the IRS to actually help taxpayers, instead of only target and punish them. As a former state treasurer of Kansas, I understand the importance of being a good steward of taxpayer's hard-earned money. This bill works to accomplish that goal and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5445, the 21st Century IRS Act, which would modernize the IRS, making it safer and more accessible to taxpayers. It seems appropriate to discuss this bill on what has turned into the second tax day of 2018, after the IRS faced disruptive technical issues during yesterday's filing deadline. These glitches are a clear reminder of why we need to modernize the IRS. Today, many taxpayers use their smartphones to pay bills, conduct business, and order pizza. Banks, businesses, and others in the private sector have continued to meet the demand of our tech-savvy citizens and have provided them with first-class service. In addition to convenience and access, Americans deserve to have their identity protected when interacting with the public and private sector, whether that is offline or online. The IRS should be no different. That is why I am pleased this bill includes language about cybersecurity, identity theft, and information technology upgrades. Outdated systems from the 1960s are not the best way to protect the information of millions of Americans who interact with the IRS each year. This tax day was the last day taxpayers had to file using an antiquated Tax Code. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation so that taxpayers no longer have to file using antiquated and unsecure technology.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 2, proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States. This proposal comes at a critical time for our country. Years of unchecked spending have led to massive deficits. At the same time, threats at home and abroad, crumbling infrastructure, and natural disasters have forced the government to do more. These two parallel situations require tough decisionmaking, but that is what the American people expect us to do. As I talk to constituents in my district, one of the issues they continually ask about is the ballooning Federal debt that will be passed on to their kids and grandkids. Hardworking Kansans have to balance their checkbook every month. I served as Kansas State Treasurer where we also had to balance our budget for the State of Kansas. I don't think there is any reason that the Federal Government should get a pass. That is why I am proud to support this resolution, which requires the government to spend within its means. During the past year, we have accomplished a lot to help families across America. Cutting regulations and passing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act have helped get government out of the way and our economy growing. Workers are seeing bonuses and larger paychecks. Companies are reinvesting in America. This growth has allowed us to make significant investments in our military, disaster relief, agriculture, and other areas important to Kansans. However, to build on this progress, we need time to implement policies that will protect future generations from crippling debt. This proposal is a great start and long overdue. Let me be clear: this is not a silver bullet. Balancing our budget and reducing our debt will require reforming our entitlement programs and prioritizing our spending. I also believe it will require recisions to the budget, and today I call on the President and the Congress to implement those spending cuts which would work towards our goal of fiscal responsibility and stability. This amendment and recisions are a needed start to that difficult, yet immensely important, task before us. The future of our country depends on it, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4176, the Air Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2018. The Transportation Security Administration is responsible for securing all modes of transportation, and implicit in this responsibility is the security of air cargo. Air cargo represents more that 35 percent of global trade by value, which translates to approximately $6.8 trillion worth of goods annually. Given the impact that air cargo has on the U.S. and global economy, it is not surprising that this sector remains an appealing target for terrorists. Several incidents have demonstrated that terrorists may seek to target U.S.-bound shipments by exploiting weaknesses in air cargo security overseas. In 2010, explosive devices concealed in packages bound for the United States from Yemen went undetected by initial screenings. Authorities indicated that the explosives were probably intended to detonate mid- flight over a U.S. city. More recently, in July 2017, bomb-making materials were transported undetected from Turkey to Australia in an air cargo shipment. H.R. 4176, the Air Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2018, is a timely and necessary step towards a more secure and resilient industry. This legislation establishes an air cargo security division within the TSA to carry out all air cargo security policy and stakeholder engagement. Unlike the TSA's operational role in passenger screening at checkpoints, the TSA functions in an oversight and regulatory capacity with respect to air cargo screening. Initiatives like the Certified Cargo Screening Program and the Known Shipper Management System enable the TSA to leverage key partnerships with manufacturers, shippers, freight forwarders, passenger airlines, and all cargo airlines to meet the 100 percent screening mandate of all freight on passenger aircraft. H.R. 4176 requires the review of the Certified Cargo Screening Program and the Known Shipper Program to ensure that applicable regulations enhance program effectiveness. These initiatives are aided by cargo screening technologies designed to meet the logistical demands of the industry. H.R. 4176 requires the TSA Administrator to conduct a feasibility study and a subsequent pilot program on expanding the use of computed tomography--CT--and other emerging technologies for air cargo screening. Through October 2017, air cargo activity increased more than 10 percent from 2016 levels, the largest year-over-year growth in more than a decade, with the largest growth seen among international shipments to and from the United States. In coordination with the cargo industry, the Customs and Border Protection--CBP--and the TSA have been pilot testing a risk-based approach to vet air cargo shipments known as the Air Cargo Advanced Screening system, with an emphasis on improving inspections on overseas shipments. Accordingly, H.R. 4176 requires the full deployment of ACAS for inbound international air cargo. The Air Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2018 is a sensible and progressive solution that will help to modernize the security of air cargo shipments and operations while ensuring the flow of commerce. I thank the ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Thompson, for advancing this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4176) to strengthen air cargo security, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I once again urge my colleagues to support this common sense piece of legislation, 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. 5099) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the Department of Homeland Security a fusion center technical assistance program.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 5099, the Enhancing DHS' Fusion Center Technical Assistance Program Act. Today, the Nation is facing a complex and evolving threat. Terrorist attacks, like the New York City vehicle attack and the Pulse nightclub shooting, have been carried out by individuals inspired by ISIS and other terrorist organizations. These type of lone wolf attacks appear to be the new normal. This means that now, more than ever, it is imperative that we have strong preventive activities in place, including intelligence and information sharing. Since 9/11, States and major urban areas established fusion centers to build up the preventive activities by creating an avenue for greater collaboration between Federal, State, and local governments with regards to terrorism and information sharing. These State and locally owned fusion centers have largely evolved from terrorist-focused centers to all-crimes, all-hazard centers working on a range of relevant Homeland Security issues, including cybersecurity. I was able to see the work of one of these fusion centers firsthand when I visited my home State's fusion center, the Kansas Intelligence Fusion Center--KIFC--earlier this year. I was very impressed with their operation. I want to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is fully supporting this center and the other 78 fusion centers across the United States. That is why I was troubled to hear about a key fusion center resource in the DHS not living up to its potential. In 2009, the DHS created a fusion center technical assistance program to provide fusion centers with assistance on a range of topics, including suspicious activity reporting and other relevant trainings. However, based on the findings from the committee's recent fusion center report and my meetings with fusion center personnel, this program is not meeting the needs of the National Network of Fusion Centers. This is why I introduced H.R. 5099, the Enhancing DHS' Fusion Center Technical Assistance Program Act. This bill provides formal authorization for the DHS fusion center technical assistance program and a clear set of directives on the services to be provided by the program, including assistance related to available grant funding and DHS terrorism prevention programs, as well as intelligence and information sharing. The bill expands the role of the program to include being a repository of best practices relevant to fusion center activities, including cybersecurity. This is a commonsense bill that should help strengthen the Nation's ability to prevent and protect against terrorist attacks and other Homeland Security relevant events. Earlier this month, this legislation was passed out of the Committee on Homeland Security by a voice vote. I would like to thank Chairman McCaul and Mr. Gallagher for cosponsoring this legislation. I urge all my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the ranking member for his support on this legislation. I would once again urge my colleagues to support this commonsense bill, 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. 4227) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to examine what actions the Department of Homeland Security is undertaking to combat the threat of vehicular terrorism, 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 on the bill under consideration.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4227, the Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Act, introduced by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta). H.R. 4227 requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to examine the threat of vehicular terrorism and develop a strategy to improve DHS support for the efforts of emergency responders and the private sector to prevent, mitigate, and respond to such a threat. Terror groups, including ISIS and al-Qaida, have urged supporters to carry out attacks in their home countries using any means necessary, including vehicle ramming. Terrorists and inspired homegrown extremists have heeded this directive and have carried out vehicle-based attacks in the past several years, including in France, England, Spain, Ohio, and, most recently, New York City. The majority of prevention, mitigation, and response activities related to vehicle attacks are carried out by first responders and the private sector. DHS has existing resources and programs that can be better utilized to prepare frontline personnel in local communities to address this threat. This includes guidance related to the use of existing grant programs, increased information sharing, promoting suspicious activity reporting, increasing available exercises and training programs, dedicated research and development targeting mitigation measures, and utilizing critical infrastructure protection programs for vehicle ramming prevention. H.R. 4227, the Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Act, requires the Secretary to develop a plan on how to improve and increase those capabilities. This bill passed by voice vote in the Committee on Homeland Security in early March. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Representative Latta for his work on this important measure, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta), the sponsor of the bill.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Ranking Member Thompson. I once again urge my fellow colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, many Americans who are charged with managing Social Security benefits for their elderly parents or for their children struggle to make the system work. I have heard stories from my communities in Kansas of the burdensome process that can be involved with the representative payee program. That is why I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4547, the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018. This important bipartisan piece of legislation reduces the burdens on families by eliminating the requirement to file an annual payee accounting form for spouses and for parents who live with their children. In addition, the bill protects the most vulnerable beneficiaries through improved information sharing between the Social Security Administration and their respective States' adult protective services, such as KDADS in Kansas. This will help identify whether a beneficiary is in foster care, reassess whether the payee is appropriate, and ensure the beneficiaries are provided for. The Social Security Administration has a great responsibility to ensure that Americans who need help managing their Social Security benefits get that help. I would like to thank Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Larson for putting this bill together that will strengthen the representative payee program so that it better protects beneficiaries and reduces burdensome government paperwork that rarely provides any real value to families. Too many Americans are counting on the Social Security Administration to get this right.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I was not present for Roll Call vote No. 45, a recorded vote on a motion to suspend the rules and pass S. 534. Had I been present, I would have voted Yea.

Mr. ESTES of Kansas

Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 45.