Wichita Standard

U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) marked the 90th anniversary of Social Security by publishing an op-ed in the Washington Examiner, reflecting on the program’s history and recent legislative changes. Estes, who serves as Chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee on the House Ways and Means Committee, emphasized his commitment to protecting and strengthening Social Security for future generations.

Estes wrote, “The United States observed the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act in August. This monumental piece of legislation has provided a supplemental income to retirees in America for decades. Millions of Americans have paid into the system their entire working lives and received the benefits they earned. As Chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee on the House Ways and Means Committee, I’m committed to protecting and strengthening one of America’s most vital programs for future generations. President Donald Trump shares my commitment.”

He highlighted bipartisan efforts to improve Social Security administration, noting that “Last year, Congress passed the Social Security Fairness Act which fixes a loophole that prevented police officers, firefighters and teachers from receiving their full Social Security benefits.” He also credited recent administrative actions: “Earlier this year, the Trump Administration began paying Social Security beneficiaries the retroactive payments they were owed ahead of schedule, after Chairman Jason Smith (R-Missouri) and I urged the administration to implement the Social Security Fairness Act.”

Estes acknowledged improvements in customer service at the Social Security Administration (SSA), stating: “Since then, SSA customer service assistance has increased handling calls, lowered the phone call wait time, decreased field office wait times, all while increasing scheduled appointments compared to last year under the Biden administration. There is still much work to do – as my office in Wichita continues to assist Kansans with Social Security cases – but this is moving in a positive direction.”

Addressing concerns about long-term funding for Social Security, Estes noted: “We need to do all we can to administer Social Security benefits in the most efficient manner possible, because the program is quickly going insolvent. There are not enough workers paying into the system to support retirees.” He referenced findings from June’s report by The Board of Trustees confirming ongoing insolvency concerns.

He called for bipartisan cooperation: “Republicans and Democrats in Congress need to work together in a bipartisan manner to address these issues together for the benefit of everyone.”

Estes described meeting with SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano during a visit to Wichita’s field office where they discussed ways Congress and SSA could collaborate further.

He concluded: “My colleagues and I must work together to keep the benefits efficiently and correctly disbursed and the Social Security program functional. As Chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee, I promise to keep fighting for Americans – like those in my district in Kansas – who rely on Social Security benefits today and in the future.”

Ron Estes has represented Kansas’ 4th District since 2017 after replacing Mike Pompeo in Congress. Born in Topeka in 1956, he currently resides in Wichita. Estes holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee Technological University.