Friend,

Accountability in government – that’s a topic that comes up a lot with Iowans, especially following two years of unchecked one-party rule in DC.

I serve on the House Appropriations Committee – Biden Administration cabinet officials have to come before us to defend their budget requests. While there are some areas of agreement, accountability is sorely needed across the board as many unelected bureaucrats overreach and overspend.

This week, I questioned several Administration officials on behalf of Iowans, including CISA Director Jen Easterly, TSA Administrator David Pekoske, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, SEC Chair Gary Gensler, and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.

While I will always strongly call out policies that harm Iowans, I will continue working to find common ground where possible to deliver for Iowans.

Read on for more about my efforts to provide accountability for Iowa taxpayers!

Best,

House Appropriations Hearing Highlights

Homeland Security Subcommittee Hearing

with Director Jen Easterly

During our hearing with CISA (Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency) Director Jen Easterly, we agreed to work together to bolster communications systems that deliver life-saving information when severe weather strikes, and agreed on the importance of safeguarding Americans’ data and privacy online. Watch more here.

Homeland Security Subcommittee Hearing

with TSA (Transportation Security Administration) Administrator David Pekoske

I was able to find common ground with TSA Director David Pekoske, and secure his commitment to work with me to ease the difficulties our disabled veterans and their service animals face when going through security at an airport. Watch more here.

Homeland Security Subcommittee Hearing

with Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas

Secretary Mayorkas has failed to secure our border. I asked him if he knew how many Americans had been attacked or killed by illegal immigrants since he took office. He was unable to answer because his department has not prioritized tracking this information. I also pressed him on the Administration's lackluster approach to taking on the cartels. It has never been clearer to me that Secretary Mayorkas should resign, and on behalf of Iowans, I will continue calling on him to do so. Watch my first line of questioning here, and my second line of questioning here.

Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Subcommittee Hearing

with Chair Gary Gensler

Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler has abused his power and sprinted far outside the jurisdiction of the SEC by trying to enforce his climate disclosure rule. This includes his expansive reporting requirement for Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions – an onerous burden that I consistently hear about from our farmers and businesses in Iowa. On behalf of Iowa farmers, businesses, and workers I told Chair Gensler to rein it in. Watch the exchange here.

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (Ag-FDA) Subcommittee Hearing

with Secretary Tom Vilsack

I questioned Secretary Vilsack on opportunities for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to increase trade opportunities and market access for our farmers, ways to mitigate animal disease, and the EPA restricting access to crop protection tools. Watch my first line of questioning here, and my second line of questioning here.

Restoring Energy Independence

This week, the House passed the Lower Energy Costs Act! President Biden has waged war on domestic energy production since his first day in office, sacrificing our energy security and raising costs across the board. This package will incentivize domestic production rather than curtail it, and is the first step toward restoring our energy independence and reducing inflation. I'll continue fighting for an all-of-the-above energy strategy that harnesses the power of our domestic resources.

Dubuque Chamber of Commerce

I enjoyed catching up with members of the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce while they were visiting Capitol Hill this week. It was great to discuss their legislative priorities – we’ll work together to keep Dubuque thriving, bring investments home, and foster opportunity in the community.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Great to meet with Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director, Kayla Lyon this week! Thank you for the informative update about conservation efforts in Iowa.

Headline Highlights

Telegraph Herald: Hinson, Vilsack talk agriculture spending during hearing in D.C.

Fox News: Rep. Hinson clashes with Mayorkas over budget request

Breitbart: Rep. Ashley Hinson Grills SEC Chair Gary Gensler over Climate Change Disclosure Rule