From the office of Rep. Ron Estes

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kan., said Sunday the government shutdown reached day 19, with House Republicans having passed a clean funding bill one month earlier to keep the government open for the American people.

Estes said Senate Democrats held the government hostage in exchange for $1.5 trillion in out-of-touch demands. He urged colleagues to vote to fund the government.

The Kansas Air National Guard's 184th Wing was selected to host the U.S. Air Force Point Defense Battle Laboratory at McConnell Air Force Base.

The 184th Wing is located at McConnell Air Force Base. The Point Defense Battle Lab will contribute to the nation's security capabilities by advancing counter-unmanned aircraft systems and point defense, according to Estes' office.

Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research will help with the mission. The town of Dexter was officially founded in 1873 and named after his notable animal, according to Estes' weekly newsletter.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported that Republicans' Working Families Tax Cuts lowers Affordable Care Act premiums for Americans, according to Estes.

Estes said in his weekly newsletter that the legislation removes waste, fraud and abuse within the ACA, including improper enrollments. He said the legislation will make health care more accessible to Kansans and improve health care for illegal immigrants.

The Congressional Budget Office reported the legislation is beneficial to the American people and was unanimously opposed by Congressional Democrats, Estes said.