Weekly Script October 1st, 2023 WEEKLY SC℞IPT 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. Visit My Website A Commitment to Responsible Government Funding: Putting America First I want to assure my constituents and fellow Americans that I remain steadfastly committed to representing our district in Congress and working tirelessly to ensure the responsible funding of our government. Responsible government funding is not just a political matter but a moral and practical obligation. As elected officials, we have a duty to put the interests of our constituents and the nation first. This means finding common ground and passing a budget that reflects the needs and priorities of the American people. It means working collaboratively to address the challenges facing our nation, whether it's supporting our federal workers, protecting benefits, funding our military, securing our borders and acknowledging the threat of our deficit and debt. It means making sure you don’t wait hours to get through airport security or six months to get a passport renewed. Responsible government funding is not just a matter of dollars and cents; it's about ensuring that our government operates efficiently and effectively, providing essential services upon which our citizens rely. A government shutdown disrupts the lives of countless Americans, hinders essential services, and creates uncertainty for federal employees and their families. A federal government shutdown might seem like a great way to save money, but history shows us that closing the government actually costs more than keeping it open, and has significant costs to re-open. The loss of productivity is rarely recovered. Further, federal employees will eventually get their salaries for work they weren’t allowed to perform but their bills are still due. This is a lose-lose scenario that benefits no one. A failure to fund our government also jeopardizes our national security. It is our solemn duty as public servants to ensure that our government is equipped with the resources it needs to protect our nation and its people. National security encompasses a broad range of critical elements, from the safety of our borders to the strength of our military, and the readiness of our intelligence agencies. It includes building our aircraft carriers for our naval fleet and replacement airplanes and fighter jets. All of these components are intertwined, forming a web of defense that ensures the security of our nation. Therefore, the funding of our government is not merely a financial matter; it is a matter of national survival and resilience. The ongoing crisis at our southern border must also be a priority, having reached a critical juncture, with record numbers of illegal crossings posing a substantial threat to our national security. The Biden Administration has neglected their duty to keep our borders safe, putting the lives of Americans around the country at risk. We can continue to work on appropriations bills while gaining some time to do so through regular order. Since President Biden refuses to close our border and stop the deadly illicit drugs from pouring in, Republicans in Congress have acted to get our southern border under control and push this administration to enforce federal immigration law. It is abundantly clear that we should be shutting down our southern border, not the government, to address this pressing concern. I voted to do both. I am glad my fellow legislators came together, set aside their political differences, and prioritized the responsible funding of our government. Let us protect essential services, support our Veterans, and ensure that payments reach those in need without interruption. The well-being of our nation and its people depends on our commitment to this fundamental responsibility. 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. I had a great meeting with representatives from the American Academy of Physician Associates. Thank you for stopping by. I met with the Iowa Association of School Boards to discuss education initiatives across our state. Thank you for visiting with me. I met with Iowa HHS Director Kelly Garcia and representatives from Iowa HHS. Thank you all for the discussion. Thank you to the representatives from the Iowa Society for Respiratory Care for taking the time to meet with me. I appreciated hearing about how you are constantly working to improve patient care. It was great to meet members of the Paper Recycling Coalition and hear about the work they are doing across the country to foster the stability and growth of this industry. I had the distinct honor of meeting with some of our Gold Star Families this week. Every year, TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) hosts families from across the country to bring awareness to the survivor community. I met with Iowa representatives from the National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association and discussed their work across the state. Thank you for the productive discussion. Floor Speeches Shutting down the government should be a last resort. My priority has always been to protect and represent my constituents to the best of my ability and I cannot justify shutting down our entire government over obscure policy decisions. This Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, let us encourage women to learn about the risk factors and work together year-round to raise awareness about this deadly disease that affects countless women worldwide. Congratulations, Spencer Johnson of Troop 199 from Bettendorf, Iowa, for completing your Eagle Board of Review last month and attaining the rank of Eagle Scout! I was honored wish World War II Veteran Gordon Fowler a Happy 100th Birthday on the House Floor! Congratulations Grace Lynn Keller of Coralville, Iowa, for being named Miss Iowa USA! Per Mar's journey from humble beginnings to being named the 2023 Business of the Year by the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce is a remarkable testament to the power of determination, dedication and community support. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor. Committee Hearings I was proud to participate in this week's E&C Subcommittee on Environment hearing on the reauthorization of the Brownfields Program, which is an important opportunity to improve economic development in rural areas. Legislative Roundup This week, I voted in favor of the following legislation: H.R. 5860, Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act. H.R. 4367, Making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes. H.R. 4365, Making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes H.R. 4665, Making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes H.R. 5110, the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act, legislation that authorizes the use of federal elementary and secondary education funds to purchase or use dangerous weapons for purposes of training students in archery, hunting, or other shooting sports. I voted against the following legislation: H.R. 4368, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. Sincerely, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks Be sure to follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for more updates. ### Rep. 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