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Blog Posts

💸 No Work, No Pay

It’s day six of the government shutdown — and we’re just over a week away from our servicemembers missing a paycheck. The problem: When Washington shuts down, nearly every federal employee is either furloughed or required to work without pay. That...

🌽 Bring USDA Research to Iowa

From corn and soybeans to pork and biofuels, Iowa farmers keep our country fed and fueled. Our state is the heart of American agriculture — and it’s the best place for USDA projects that drive innovation.  Zoom out: Farming covers more than 30...

🎖️ U.S. Service Academy Applications

Serving in the United States Air Force for over two decades taught me lessons I carry in Washington every day: Duty, discipline, and the power of service.  Now, one of my greatest privileges is helping Iowa students pursue a similar path by...

Government Shutdown: What to Know

As of 12:01 a.m., the federal government officially shut down after Congress failed to reach an agreement on a short-term funding bill. The result? Some agencies are closed, services are delayed, and families across Iowa are left wondering what...

🚨 A Crisis of Trust

The facts are now clear: Ian Roberts was under an active deportation order while he served as the Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools. Parents deserve clarity, accountability, and answers on how this happened. Driving the news: The...

🛑 Democrat Shutdown

Washington is barreling toward a government shutdown — and if the Democrats refuse to act, it's Iowa families who will pay the price.  Zoom in: Unless Congress acts by 12:00 a.m. on October 1, the government will run out of money.  That means: 🪖...

💡 Powering Rural Growth

Rural Iowa towns are full of promise. But too often, they’re held back by outdated infrastructure and a lack of capital to grow. A small investment can go a long way to create jobs, improve services, and strengthen Main Street. One of the best...

🇺🇸 Pay Our Troops

Today, more than 1,800 Iowa National Guard troops are deployed to the Middle East to support Operation Inherent Resolve — many stationed at the same base where I once served during my own combat deployments. These are fathers, mothers, sons, and...

🚫 Stop Robo-Voting

Iowans work hard for every dollar they make whether it’s on the farm, in a small business, or putting in long hours at work to save for the future. But right now, Wall Street power brokers are using a tactic called robo-voting to drown out the...

✅ Suicide Prevention

As a father of six, I can’t imagine the heartbreak of losing a child to suicide. Yet in Iowa, too many families have faced that unthinkable loss.  Right now, suicide is the third leading cause of death for Iowans aged 10 to 24. This is a wake-up...

💻 AI Guardrails

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere right now. From President Trump’s push to supercharge American leadership to the tools already reshaping our classrooms and workspaces, it’s clear this technological revolution is here to stay.  Zoom out:...

📈 Building Iowa’s Workforce 

In Iowa, we teach our kids to work hard and make the most of every opportunity — but there’s a growing disconnect between what schools are pushing and what our economy actually needs. The problem: Too many students are told the only path to success...

📢 Cure Rally

This year alone, more than 20,000 Iowans will hear the life-changing words: “You have cancer.” Tragically, over 6,000 of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones won’t survive it. Why it matters: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in...

🌽 Hearing from Farmers

Iowa’s farmers don’t just feed our state — they feed and fuel the world. Over the weekend, I joined Iowa growers and producers in Madison County for a roundtable to hear directly from the folks who put food on our tables and bring their priorities...

🏡 Opening Doors

For too many young families, the dream of owning a first home feels out of reach. Rising costs and outdated federal rules are making it harder to build a life in our rural communities. Why it matters: Affordable housing is the foundation for strong...

🇺🇸 Strengthening America’s Defense

This week, the House passed the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) — and we led more amendments than any other Member of Congress to strengthen our military, counter global threats, and keep Iowa communities safe. Why it matters:...

🇺🇸 Never Forget

24 years ago today, our country changed forever.  On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 Americans — moms and dads, first responders, and ordinary citizens — were taken from us in a single morning of unimaginable loss. But in the face of tragedy, we...

🌾 Stronger Farms After the Storm

Iowa farmers feed the nation and fuel the world. They work hard every day, but when disaster hits, decades of investment can be wiped out in minutes. Zoom out: Over the last five years, Iowa farmers lost more than $1.5 billion in crops to natural...

💸 Take It To The Bank!

A few weeks ago at the Iowa State Fair, I caught up with the Curry family. They weren’t asking for much. Just a fair tax code that lets them keep more of what they earn and invest in their three kiddos. That's exactly why we passed the Working...

🏈 CyHawk Saturday

Whether you’re a Cyclone or a Hawkeye, CyHawk Saturday is bigger than football — it's about community, tradition, and everything that makes Iowa home.   From the tailgates to the packed stands draped in black and gold or cardinal and white,...