Wichita Standard

Rep. Ron Estes of Kansas has been appointed to the House Budget Committee's newly formed Budget Oversight Task Force. This development follows the committee's approval of a budget resolution aimed at reducing the deficit by $16 trillion and achieving a balanced federal budget within ten years.

Rep. Estes expressed concern over current government spending practices, stating, "Our government currently borrows one out of every five dollars it spends, which is completely unsustainable, and yet too often taxpayer dollars are used for federal programs that are failing to deliver." He emphasized that the task force will address wasteful spending in an effort to implement solutions for fiscal responsibility.

Oversight Task Force Chair Jack Bergman from Michigan highlighted the task force's objectives: “By promoting accountability, transparency, and program integrity, the Task Force will focus on three key areas of reform: reining-in wasteful spending, right-sizing the bureaucracy, and unleashing economic growth through deregulation.”

The seven-member task force aims to enhance fiscal transparency and responsibility within the federal government. This initiative aligns with Rep. Estes' ongoing efforts to curb federal spending. He recently helped establish the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum to tackle Washington's spending issues and supports constitutional amendments for a balanced budget. Additionally, he proposed an amendment in the previous Congress to cut non-defense spending by 1%.