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Blog Posts

🌽 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 Rising costs and outdated federal rules are making it harder to build a life in our rural communities.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,...

🛠️ Investing in Recovery

Addiction doesn’t discriminate — it touches every zip code in Iowa. But so does hope. This week, we visited St. Gregory’s Recovery Center in Jefferson where a team of dedicated health professionals are helping Iowans break free from alcohol and...

💧 Safer Water

Earlier today, I joined Mayor Doug Elrod and Bondurant community leaders to dedicate a major new investment in the city’s future: a one-million-gallon water tower that will serve families, schools, and businesses for decades to come.Two years ago,...

❌ Ban Insider Trading

In Iowa, service means putting your community first — not cashing in on insider information. Yet too many in Washington have forgotten that, using their public office to line their own pockets instead of delivering for the American people. Zoom in:...

💊 Fighting Fentanyl

Fentanyl is now the number one killer of Americans — from my son’s high school classmates to parents my age. In 2023 alone, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized more than 20,000 pounds of fentanyl — enough to kill 4 billion people. Zoom in: We...

💈 Keep Tips in Iowa

Iowa’s service industry is powered by the hardworking folks who cut hair, serve meals, pour coffee, and keep Main Street moving. Zoom out: More than 150,000 Iowans — and 17 million Americans — earn their living serving others, working in...

🚓 Overtime Relief, Safer Streets

When a storm knocks out the lights, a fire threatens a family home, or crime strikes a  neighborhood, Iowa's first responders don’t hesitate. They show up, no matter the risk, to keep our families safe. For our officers in blue, that duty has...

🐾 Ending Dog Racing

In Iowa, dogs aren’t just man’s best friend — they are an essential part of our families. Whether it’s a farm dog keeping an eye on the livestock, a loyal companion waiting by the front door for the kids to come home, or a service animal standing...

📈 Permanent Relief, Lasting Growth

Main Street Iowa is powered by entrepreneurs who take risks, reinvest their profits locally, and work tirelessly to keep our economy strong.  For many small business owners, one thing makes a big difference between just staying afloat and growing:...

🇺🇸 Remembering Abbey Gate

Four years ago today, America’s longest war came to an end in a tragic and completely avoidable disaster. On August 26, 2021, during the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, a suicide bomber struck the Abbey Gate of Kabul Airport. Thirteen U.S....

🩺 Training More Nurses

There’s one challenge we’re hearing again and again from hospitals and healthcare providers across Iowa: we don’t have enough nurses.  From rural clinics to major hospitals, the shortage is making it harder for Iowans to get the timely care they...

🎙️ Iowa Ideas in Action

There’s something powerful about a conversation at the Iowa State Fair. It’s where Iowans come together each year — not just to celebrate our state’s history, but to talk ideas, ask tough questions, and expect real answers. It’s the kind of...

💵 No Tax on Tips

From the barista pouring your morning coffee to the server working a double at your local diner — Iowa’s service workers are the backbone of our Main Streets.  Zoom out: ➡️ More than 17 million Americans work in the service and hospitality...

🗣️ What They’re Saying

At the Iowa State Fair, I heard from so many of you about what matters most, and what you want to see fixed in D.C. One of the best parts of this job is listening to Iowans and bringing your ideas back to Washington. Whether it's tax relief,...