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.

Combatting the Aggressive EPA EV Mandates

Last spring, when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a mandate to transition two-thirds of all new vehicles to electric by 2032, it left little room for states like Iowa that rely on our renewable fuel industry. 

In Iowa, our beautiful plains fuel the nation and are home to some of the richest farmland and renewable energy resources. Iowa is the top fuel ethanol and biodiesel producing state in the nation. Our ethanol plants can produce nearly 4.7 billion gallons per year, which is about one-fourth of the nation’s total production capacity. Additionally, our biodiesel plants produce 470 million gallons per year, which makes up one-fifth of the nation’s total capacity. 

The biofuel industry in Iowa is not just good for the environment, it creates and supports more than 48,000 jobs throughout the state, creating over $2 billion in income for households in our communities. 

We have the infrastructure to support and provide ethanol-based fuel and biodiesel. 

But, unfortunately, in the eyes of the EPA, our state and our communities are no different than the state of California, a state that imposes oppressive electric standards on their communities. 

The aggressive EPA mandate has severe consequences and drastically impacts not only the production line, but it also restricts consumer freedoms, puts alternative fuel options on the backburner, and prioritizes reliance on our foreign adversaries.

For one reason or another, the Biden Administration has relentlessly pushed it’s fixation on electric vehicles (EVs), or vehicles that have an electric motor in place of an internal combustion engine, on every day Americans. 

As a consequence, flex fuel vehicles (FFVs), or vehicles that are capable of operating on gasoline and fuel blends of gasoline and ethanol, are often left behind during the mandates or programs to incentivize dealerships and manufacturers. 

To counter that narrative and check the Biden Administration’s fixation on EVs, I introduced the "Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2023" with Rep. Angie Craig. This legislation aims to level the playing field for FFVs as a practical alternative to EVs. 

I also supported H.R. 4468, the "Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act," which was introduced by Rep. Walberg. This legislation prohibits the Biden Administration’s tunnel vision strategy of an Electric-Vehicle-only energy future that serves to make the U.S. completely reliant on our foreign adversaries and lead to an expensive, unreliable electric grid. 

This bill passed the House of Representatives this week and will move us one step closer to reining in the EPA’s excessive overreach.  

This week, the House Energy and Commerce committee led an important hearing on America’s energy dominance and I look forward to continuing to work with the committee to advocate for consumer freedoms, American-mined and refined products, as well as work to find the best approach to creating a clean energy future. 

Weekly Wrap Up

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's always great to catch up with the rest of the Iowa delegation at our quarterly breakfast.

I met with representatives from the Corn Refiners Association. Thank you for sharing how Roquette, which has facilities in Keokuk and Clinton, IA, is working to meet the needs and demands of consumers to grow the rural economy.

I met with Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird to discuss the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill, human trafficking, and services available to victims.

Thank you, National Association of Christian Lawmakers, for inviting me to join you this week.

Floor Speeches

I was proud to recognize Kelby Telander on the House Floor this week. Kelby is a former "Kid Captain" and patient at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. Now, over a decade later, he is a lineman on the University of Iowa football team.

Congratulations, Aaron Bartholmey, on your Guinness World Record collection of 69,255 pencils.

The Indianola Rotary Club has given Indianola third graders over 5,280 dictionaries since its first year in 2003. Thank you for the time and effort that you all have dedicated to our community.

HNI Corporation - located in Muscatine, Iowa - was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy for reaching reduced emissions goals as a partner in the Better Climate Challenge. Congratulations, HNI, on this achievement.

Committee Hearings

This week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed H.R. 5555, the "Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Relief Act." Thank you, Rep. Paul Tonko, for joining me in introducing this legislation that impacts the quality of life for so many.

I spoke in support of H.R. 2880, the "Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act" introduced by Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-1), during this week's House Energy and Commerce Committee markup. I also highlighted the need to de-link PBM compensation from the actual cost of drugs to ensure savings at the pharmacy counter and lower premiums for Medicare beneficiaries.

I was proud to speak in favor of my legislation H.R. 5390, the "Critical Manufacturing Feasibility Act." This legislation protects the U.S. from global supply chain issues and determines which rural communities are best suited to manufacture products here in America.

This week, I participated in the Energy & Commerce Committee "America’s Future: Leading a New Era of Energy Dominance, Security, and Environmental Stewardship" hearing. I highlighted that a cleaner, healthier environment is not mutually exclusive from abundant, reliable, secure, and affordable energy.

I was proud to speak in support of my bill, H.R. 6545, the Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act, during this week's House Energy and Commerce Committee markup.

Legislative Roundup

This week, I introduced the following legislation:

The "Commission to Study Acts of Antisemitism in the United States Act," legislation that addresses the uptick of antisemitism in the United States, establishes a commission to investigate the causes of antisemitism, evaluates the evidence and circumstances, and reports the findings and recommendations to the President and Congress. 

The "Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act," legislation that would allow companies to preserve RIN credits under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for renewable fuel used for ocean-going vessels.

I voted in favor of the following legislation:

H.Res. 894, Strongly condemning and denouncing the drastic rise of antisemitism in the United States and around the world.

H.R. 4468, The "Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act", legislation that  limits the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with regard to regulating emissions standards for new motor vehicles.

H.R. 5933, The "DETERRENT Act", legislation that reduces the foreign gift reporting threshold for colleges and universities from $250,000 to $50,000, and $0 for specific countries and entities of concern.

H.R. 542, The "Elizabeth Dole Home- and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act", legislation that would expand community-based services for aging veterans by increasing the expenditure cap for non-institutional care alternative programs from 65% to 100% of nursing home care costs.

H.R. 3848, The "Housing our Military Veterans Effectively Act", legislation that would increase the fees that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) charges borrowers for home loan guarantees in 2032. It would also make changes to VA programs that provide housing and other assistance to veterans experiencing homelessness.

H.R. 1547, The "One Seat Ride Act", legislation that would This bill requires the Department of Transportation to conduct a study on the benefits of commuter rail passenger transportation and major obstacles to providing commuter rail passenger transportation that does not involve a transfer for passengers.

H.J. Res. 88, Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Improving Income Driven Repayment for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program".

H.Res. 914, Censuring Representative Jamaal Bowman.