🚫 Shutdowns Fail Iowa Families

Last year, Iowans endured the longest government shutdown in American history. During that time, I focused on one thing: reopening the government and restoring the services our communities rely on — because shutdowns aren’t a political tactic, they’re a failure of responsibility. 

That’s why it’s so frustrating to be here again.

Zoom in: This year, the House did things differently. We passed all 12 funding bills individually and transparently — not crammed into a massive, last-minute package negotiated behind closed doors. That approach delivered real wins for Iowa families. But the job isn’t finished.

The problem: A group of Senate Democrats refused to pass full funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), tying it to partisan policy demands and triggering a partial government shutdown.

This isn’t a repeat of last year’s shutdown. ​​Because most funding bills are already law, many essential services are continuing: 

✅ Federal employees are still getting paid 

✅ Farm assistance is reaching Iowa’s producers 

✅ SNAP benefits are continuing for families who rely on them 

Why it matters: DHS plays a critical role in securing our border, stopping fentanyl trafficking, and keeping our communities safe. Holding up that funding over political leverage is Washington dysfunction at its worst — and it makes our communities less safe.

Bottom Line: Shutdowns and short-term fixes fail Iowa families. I’ll keep fighting for steady leadership, on-time funding, and a government that actually works — for Iowa and for America.