Each month I want to provide you with regular updates about what’s going on in our nation’s capital and throughout the 4th District of Kansas. Here’s what has happened in October.
Introducing the Down Syndrome Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act
As October is recognized as Down Syndrome Awareness Month, I am happy to champion the Down Syndrome Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act to protect the unborn and the most vulnerable in our society. Individuals with Down syndrome enrich countless lives and communities and deserve the same protections and opportunities under federal law, beginning with the fundamental right to life.
The bill will make it illegal for a doctor to knowingly perform an abortion being sought because a baby has or may have Down syndrome. The legislation also prohibits anyone from forcing a woman to have an abortion because the baby has Down syndrome.
Approximately 67% of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome while in the womb in the United States are aborted. Numerous countries in Europe have higher rates including France at 77%, Denmark at 98%, and Iceland at nearly 100%, where late-term abortions are allowed if the baby is diagnosed with Down syndrome.
I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this common sense pro-life legislation.
Impeachment
The impeachment inquiry continues to dominate Congress’ time, despite needing to focus on more important issues like passing the USMCA, the federal budget, lowering prescription drug prices and fixing our broken immigration system.
During the month of October, I signed on to a resolution to censure Chairman Adam Schiff following his false retelling of a conversation between President Trump and the president of Ukraine in last month’s House Intelligence Committee Hearing. Additionally, several of my colleagues and I attempted to view the testimony of the former U.S. special representative to Ukraine Kurt Volker. However, we were denied access.
Finally, the Democratic majority brought forth a formal resolution to begin an impeachment inquiry, more than 30 days after closed-door hearings began. I voted against the resolution, because Kansans are tired of this years-long attempt to bring down the duly-elected President.
To be sure, the Constitution provides the House of Representatives the sole authority to impeach, which is a serious charge given to us by our Founding Fathers. But the desire to impeach President Trump started before he even took office – with a Washington Post headline from inauguration day reading, “The campaign to impeach President Trump has begun.” This has never been about facts or crimes, but about a hatred toward the president. That’s not how this process should be run.
China phase one
Kansas farmers, ranchers and manufacturers deserve open markets and free and fair trade. The October announcement of securing phase one of a trade deal with China, which includes a commitment to purchase more American ag products, is a big win for hard-working Americans.
I applaud President Trump for securing the start of a deal that makes our economy stronger and look forward to further negotiations and a comprehensive trade deal.
Taking down the leader of ISIS
Terrorism has no place in this world. I’m grateful for the special operations forces and intelligence personnel who successfully executed the mission of taking out ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in October, as well as the number two and heir apparent. I also applaud President Trump’s leadership and commitment to destroying ISIS and rooting out cowardly terrorists around the globe.
These actions show that under President Trump, the United States remains committed to destroying ISIS and to forging peace and stability in the region between Turkey, Syria and other stakeholders.
I am hopeful that by uniting behind our country’s foreign policy and military, we can continue to promote peace through strength around the world.
Thank a farmer
Oct. 12 was National Farmers Day, yet I’m thankful every day for the hardworking Kansans who are up before the sun to feed the world. I hope you’ll join me in continuing to thank your Kansas farmers.
More recent legislation
In October I introduced several pieces of legislation with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, including the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (AICA) with Congressman John B. Larson (D-Connecticut), the Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act with Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-West Virginia) and Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (R-Indiana), and the the Tax Fairness for Youth Act of 2019 with Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI).
You can read more about these bills on my website at estes.house.gov.
Presidential Advisor Ivanka Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Kansas
I was honored to welcome Presidential Advisor Ivanka Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Wichita to celebrate our robust workforce and discuss ways that we can continue growing our economy.
The morning began at WSU Tech with a tour of their exceptional programs that are helping to fill the skilled workforce gap.
During a roundtable, we heard from four bright students who are benefiting from our booming economy. Because of their hard work and the opportunities in Kansas, they have a renewed optimism. “I’m excited for the future,” one student said.
Following our time at WSU Tech, Advisor Trump and Secretary Pompeo, Sen. Jerry Moran and I toured Textron Aviation’s Cessna Citation Longitude manufacturing plant in Wichita.
During both visits, we talked with students and workers who are benefiting from the positive impacts of the current administration’s economic policies. Their stories, especially from the WSU Tech students and graduates, pointed to the promise of a brighter future that is available through our unprecedented economic climate.
Connect with Me
Interested in getting regular updates about what’s going on in Congress? Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter at https://estes.house.gov/ and please don’t hesitate to reach out to my District Office in Wichita at 316-262-8992 if you have questions or concerns.
Ron Estes is a 5th generation Kansan and represents Kansas’ 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means.
