Friends,

Thank you for taking time to read my weekly update. Below you'll learn more about what I'm doing in Washington to support Iowans in the first district.

Memorial Day is a time when we come together and honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to their country. Their sacrifices have allowed us to keep our freedoms and remain the great country that we are today. The experience and knowledge that I obtained serving in the Army has allowed me to be a voice for our armed forces and pass legislation to improve the lives of those who have served. I encourage every American to proudly fly an American flag to honor our veterans and all those who have given their lives for their country.

Securing Our Border and Protecting Americans

Maintaining security of our borders is essential to our national security, our sovereignty, and economic prosperity. The Biden Administration has neglected their duty to keep our borders safe, putting the lives of Americans around the country in danger. 

This month, 29 people in Iowa were arrested in connection to Mexican drug cartels. Those arrested are part of criminal organizations who have had a free-for-all on our southern border since Biden took office and pose a threat to Americans in every single state. It’s my responsibility as a member of congress to continue to speak out against President Biden’s dereliction of his most basic duty: to keep American citizens safe.

Earlier this month, I voted in support of H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, to put an end to the worst border crisis in American history and compel President Biden to do his job. Mexican cartels profits are in the billions through trafficking people and drugs over our border, yet President Biden has only visited the border one time in over two years since his inauguration. It’s unfair to our border agents, American citizens, and the immigrants who came to our great country for a better life and followed the legal path to citizenship. 

Since President Biden refuses to close our border and stop deadly illicit drugs from pouring in, Republicans in congress will continue to act to give law enforcement the tools that they need. I voted with House Republicans to pass H.R. 467, the HALT Fentanyl Act, to permanently classify fentanyl and its analogs as a schedule 1 drug and ensure our border patrol and police departments are able seize these extremely lethal poisons. Over 100,000 Americans died last year due to fentanyl overdoses because President Biden refuses to perform his most basic duty to keep Americans safe. 

Although Iowa is not a border state, our communities are deeply affected by the fentanyl crisis. Every time an Iowan loses a loved one to an overdose, it hurts my heart knowing that those lives could be saved if we secured our borders. It’s critical that congress acts now to stop the flow of fentanyl and protect innocent life. I have taken a stand with my vote and it’s time that President Biden enforces the laws of this nation. 

Weekly Wrap Up

We had another busy week in Washington! A few highlights include passing three bills to benefit veterans, the Supreme Court overturning President Biden's WOTUS rule, and passing the HALT Fentanyl Act.

Iowans in DC

It is always great to meet with Iowans while they are in Washington! It truly is my favorite part of serving in Congress. Speaking to residents of the First District allows me to stay informed of what is going on in their communities and what I can do to help.

It was a pleasure to meet with the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors this week.

I had a great time at the American College of Physicians fly-in this week. It was a pleasure to catch up with fellow Iowans and speak about important issues facing physicians around the country.

Committee Hearings

This week, I questioned witnesses during a House Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearing titled: "COVID-19 Supplemental Funding: Did it protect and Improve Veteran Care?"

Floor Speeches

I spoke in support of the HELP Copays Act, important legislation to address predatory practices of pharmacy benefit managers.

It was a pleasure to recognize SSAB Steel for their groundbreaking zero-emissions steel production process.

I was honored to speak on the House Floor in favor of the HALT Fentanyl Act.

Legislative Roundup

This week, I voted in favor of the following legislation:

H.R. 467, the HALT Fentanyl Act, legislation that permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule 1of the Controlled Substances Act.

H.R. 1669, the VET-TEC Authorization Act of 2023, legislation that requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to permanently implement a program under which it provides up to 8,000 covered individuals per year the opportunity to enroll in high technology programs of education that provide non-degree training or skills related to computer programming, media application, data processing, or information sciences. 

H.R. 1076, the Preventing the Financing of Illegal Synthetic Drugs Act, legislation to require the Comptroller General of the United States to carry out a study on the trafficking into the United States of synthetic drugs, and related illicit finance, and for other purposes.

H.R. 1156, the China Financial Threat Mitigation Act of 2023, legislation to require the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a study and report on the exposure of the United States to the financial sector of the People’s Republic of China, and for other purposes.

S.J. Res. 11, Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Control of Air Pollution From New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards."