I came to Washington, D.C. to make some changes, and that mission hasn’t always made me the most popular guy. In fact, after introducing a few bills aimed at getting the swamp focused on the needs of the American people instead of their pocketbook, I had a more “senior” member come up to me and say: “Hey Freshman! What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
But it’s no skin off my back that folks around here aren’t my biggest fan. I’m focused on getting work done for the people I represent – Iowans. When I served in the Iowa legislature, we were able to balance the budget, return money to taxpayers, and get things done. Now, I’m fighting to bring that same Iowa commonsense to D.C.:
This isn’t an easy fight, but I’m determined:
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On day 1 in Congress, I introduced a balanced budget amendment to get D.C. back to living within its means the same way Iowa’s families, farmers, and businesses do.
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We’re leading the bipartisan effort to ensure Members of Congress aren’t using the information they gain in D.C. to make stock trades. The Prohibit Insider Trading Act will prohibit members from trading stocks and impose a massive fine for violators.
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I’ve also done my part and fulfilled my commitment to sell all my individually owned stock—even in retirement accounts—prior to being sworn into Congress. I’ll be honest, this wasn’t an easy financial decision for my family, but it was the right choice.
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Members of Congress shouldn’t be getting into public service to get rich, which is why I introduced the End Automatic Pay Raises Actso that Members don’t automatically get a raise year after year.
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We must slow the revolving door from Capitol Hill to lobbying jobs. That’s why I introduced the Ban Members from Becoming Lobbyists Act to triple the amount of time a Member of Congress must wait between leaving public service and starting a job as a lobbyist.
Bottom line: Our government is supposed to of the people, for the people, and by the people. We must bring transparency, accountability, and integrity back to the Halls of Congress. This isn’t an easy mission, but it’s one that we cannot fail.