On Friday, I had the chance to join a class at Creston High School to congratulate their students on winning the SIFMA Foundation’s Capitol Hill Challenge for Iowa’s Third District — a national competition that teaches students how to manage portfolios, trade stocks, and build real financial skills.
These students are learning to invest the right way: do your homework, learn the rules of the road, and build a strong foundation for your financial future.
Frankly, Congress should take notes.
The reality: Washington is $39 trillion in debt because too many lawmakers refuse to do what Iowa families do every month — live within a budget.
That’s why the first bill I introduced in Congress was a balanced budget amendment, and I pushed to bring it to a vote on the House floor. It didn’t pass — but I’m not backing down. The next generation shouldn’t be stuck paying for Washington’s failures to act responsibly.
And while these students are learning to play by the rules, some in Congress are still trading stock using information the public doesn’t have. When I came to Congress, I sold every individual stock I owned. I’m now pushing the Stop Insider Trading Act to make that standard the rule for every member — not just a personal decision.
Bottom Line: If high schoolers in Creston can learn discipline and accountability with their finances, Congress has no excuse. I’ll keep fighting until Washington is held to the same standard.