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Wichita Standard

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

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  • Local Government

    Reps. Estes and Colleagues Seek Clarification on IRS Telework Policy Impact

    Reps. Ron Estes (R-Kansas), David Kustoff (R-Tennessee), and eight other members of the Ways and Means Committee have raised concerns about the telework policies at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In a letter addressed to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel, the representatives expressed their worries about the impact of remote work on the IRS's ability to provide reliable service to taxpayers."The IRS has a duty to provide reliable service to hardworking American taxpayers who are trying to follow the rules by paying their taxes – if working remotely is the main obstacle...

  • Local Government

    Sens. Moran, Sinema Introduce Legislation to Support Veterans’ Family Caregivers

    U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Kyrsten Sinema have introduced the Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act to provide support to former family caregivers of veterans as they transition back to work or into retirement. Sen. Moran emphasized the importance of supporting caregivers, stating, “This legislation answers a need I have heard about from veterans, caregivers and VA staff in Kansas and will make certain that support for former family caregivers does not abruptly end when the veteran the caregiver is caring for passes away, regains independence or...

  • Local Government

    Sen. Jerry Moran's Amendment to Protect Veterans' Second Amendment Rights Signed into Law

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee – authored a provision in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act of 2024 to protect veterans from losing their Second Amendment right to purchase or own firearms when they receive help managing their VA benefits. This legislation was signed into law by the President.The legislation prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from transmitting personal information through the VA fiduciary program to FBI’s National Instant Criminal...

  • Local Government

    Sens. Moran, Tester Introduce Legislation to Expand GI Bill Benefits for Guardsmen and Reservists

    U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Jon Tester have introduced the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2024 to expand GI Bill benefits for National Guard and Reserve members who perform federal duty statuses. Senator Moran emphasized the importance of ensuring equal benefits for guardsmen and reservists, stating, “Every day in uniform is a day in service to this nation.” Senator Tester echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to provide educational benefits to those who serve their country, saying, “our bipartisan legislation will ensure Guard and Reserve members who serve...

  • Local Government

    Rep. Estes Responds to State of the Union

    Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) recently issued a statement in response to President Joe Biden's State of the Union address. In his remarks, Rep. Estes expressed his disappointment with the address and outlined his vision for improving the state of the union."Kansans deserve better than what Joe Biden tried to tout as accomplishments in tonight's State of the Union – an open border, Bidenflation, historic debt levels, disregard for human life and a failure to advocate for America abroad is nothing to brag about," said Rep. Estes.Furthermore, Rep. Estes emphasized his...

  • Local Government

    Reps. Estes, Maloy, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to Protect Private Water Rights

    Reps. Ron Estes (R-Kansas), Celeste Maloy (R-Utah), Doug Lamborn (R-Colorado), Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), and Andy Biggs (R-Arizona) have reintroduced the Water Rights Protection Act to prevent the federal government from seizing privately owned waters. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) introduced a companion piece of legislation in the Senate."Kansas ranchers and farmers depend on the Sunflower State’s rivers and waterways and know how to steward them appropriately," said Rep. Estes. "The Water Rights Protection Act is an...

  • Local Government

    Ranking Member Moran Response to the State of the Union Address

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) – ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee – tonight released the following statement in response to President Biden’s State of the Union address:In his response to President Biden's State of the Union address, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran highlighted the significance of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act in supporting veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service. Senator Moran expressed his appreciation for President...

  • Local Government

    Rep. Estes Urges Fiscal Responsibility Amid Growing Debt Pandemics

    Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) recently penned an op-ed for FoxNews.com highlighting America's current fiscal challenges. In his article, Estes emphasized the importance of addressing the coinciding fiscal pandemics affecting both individual households and the federal government.Estes stated, "More and more, Americans are living on borrowed time and money – and so is their government." He pointed out the need to break free from overspending and live within means to secure a better financial future for all. He echoed the words of James Madison, who once warned that "A public...

  • Local Government

    IRS Commissioner Admits Massive Remote Working to Rep. Estes

    IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel admitted during a Ways and Means hearing that the staffing at the IRS is evenly split between 50% in-person and 50% remote work. The admission came after Rep. Estes raised concerns about issues with the Information Return Intake System (IRIS), lack of customer service, and staffing levels following the end of COVID-19.One specific issue highlighted by Rep. Estes was the case of Lubbers Cars in Cheney. The controller of the dealership had called the IRIS help desk multiple times but couldn't get through. In response, Commissioner Werfel...

  • Local Government

    Reps. Estes, Arrington, Colleagues Introduce Balanced Budget Amendment

    Reps. Ron Estes, Jodey C. Arrington, Rudy Yakym, Tim Burchett, Jeff Duncan, and Jake Ellzey have introduced H.J.Res. 113, the Business Cycle Balanced Budget Amendment. This proposed legislation aims to address the excessive spending and national debt of the United States by requiring the federal government to balance its budget.The need for this amendment is underscored by the alarming statistics. As Rep. Estes points out, "Our country borrows about $90,000 per second, each American is on the hook for $100,000 of debt, and our national debt is expected to increase from...

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