Wichita Standard

U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) appeared on Mornings with Maria to discuss several current issues, including the upcoming stopgap funding bill, President Trump’s executive orders on crime in Washington D.C., digital services taxes, and cabinet appointments.

On the subject of the anticipated continuing resolution (CR) for government funding, Estes stated: “I think there's a good likelihood of it being a CR again. I think part of it's just been the problem over the last almost 30 years where we haven't passed appropriations on time. I think it's a bad habit that we've gotten into.

“In terms of working through that process, I'm not in favor of a CR. It's problematic. You can't plan for the year. You end up missing some very important provisions that you want to include, and being able to to help the military as they go out and buy spare parts. You need to be able to have appropriations to plan for that.

“It's an important part in the process. One of the things that, you know, a part of this bad habit that we've gotten into is, instead of using the authorizing committees to actually go out and make the limits and the criteria and approving different programs, we've relied on appropriations to do all of that. So it ends up being the last dog fight in terms of discussion about what's the right policy? What's the right dollar amount to spend?

“We're hearing some comments back and forth from some of the Democrats that, you know, if the president's going to look at rescissions to cut out wasteful spending, they're not going to agree to an appropriations process.

“I think it's going to be a difficult September as we work through that process, trying to figure out how do we keep the government open to provide those services that we want to provide for the American people?”

Estes also addressed President Trump’s recent executive orders aimed at ending cashless bail in Washington D.C.: “It's really harmful, this cashless bail process, where you end up having somebody who willingly goes out and breaks the law and then they're not held accountable for what they do. And then basically turned back out into the streets to cause more criminal acts through that process. So I'm happy that the president has issued this focus on cashless bail, particularly for the District of Columbia.

“The District of Columbia is special. It's not a state. It's a federal entity, that's set up [as a] special territory. So, the federal government has responsibility. There are some home rule provisions that allows the District of Columbia to do some things, but at the end of the day, the federal government still has ultimate responsibility. And we've seen crime increase … We want to make sure that our nation's capital is a safe place, a clean place, and it's an enjoyable place for Americans to go visit or for people from another country to come visit. We want to be proud of our capital city … We want to make sure that it's safe and cashless bail has not allowed that to happen.”

When asked about deploying National Guard troops in other cities facing rising crime rates outside Washington D.C., Estes said: “It's a little bit different dynamic within those cities, that are in a state like Illinois. Obviously there's an issue there; crime is running rampant in so many of these cities. We need to make sure there's good policies protect Americans. At end day should be driving force: how do we make sure Americans are protected?”

Regarding delays in confirming presidential cabinet appointments by Congress’ upper chamber: “It's part of process where Senate's not doing its job advise consent... To actually make sure president gets staff around [him] fill obligations laws on... House Senate have voted different provisions expect executive branch fulfill… It's important Senate doesn't slow down just because president happens different political party... We've seen it… throughout years lot Democrat appointments when Democrat president didn't agree policy but president needed team implement policy wanted do... So I think very important get those appointments confirmed through process.”

Estes also commented on digital services taxes (DSTs), stating: “There's lot things do... that's something we're working well Ways Means standpoint... obviously don't want other countries unfairly treating America unfairly treating American companies... OECD Organization Economic Cooperation Development was working on process address so had standard approach but got waylaid with other bad taxes trying target American companies so we've been pushing back well.”

Ron Estes currently represents Kansas’ 4th district in Congress after succeeding Mike Pompeo in 2017 (source). He was born in Topeka in 1956 and resides in Wichita [biography].

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