State of Appearances

This week, President Biden delivered a lackluster State of the Union address that was divisive, touted empty policies, and swept the chaos at our southern border under the rug. 

I am not surprised that the President failed to mention the decline of our nation during his State of the Union Address, but I am disappointed. I am disappointed that the President prized appearances, the appearance of a strong nation, over the harsh realities that many Americans face. 

The President boasted about the economy. Yet, under Bidenomics, job growth has been stagnant, real wages are down by over 2%, and prices have risen 17.9%. Compared to three years ago, Americans spend $1,019 more on necessary goods and services per month. This is the direct result of Biden’s failed economic agenda. 

In Iowa’s First Congressional District, we have been hit hard by the skyrocketing inflation rates. We feel the impact at the pump and at grocery stores when we, at times, have to put items back on the shelf. We know all too well the impact of the fentanyl and opioid crisis that can be directly linked to the drug cartels and the illegal immigration crisis at our border. We rely on the energy industry, which offers good-paying jobs in our communities, but the President is waging an all-out war on the very industry that sustains our community.

Fortunately, House Republicans are acutely aware of what is going on in our communities. We are introducing and passing legislation to fortify our border and keep our communities safe. This Congress, we introduced and passed H.R. 2, a historic border and immigration bill that strengthens border security and immigration laws, deters illegals from taking advantage of our immigration system, and addresses the humanitarian crisis that the Biden administration created. 

This week, we passed the Laken Riley Act, legislation introduced by Representative Mike Collins (R-GA). This legislation honors the life and memory of Laken Riley and other victims of the Biden administration’s open borders policies and enforces immigration laws. The legislation also requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to take into custody aliens who have been charged with theft in the United States.  

As your representative, I will continue to acknowledge the realities of the state of our nation and correct the record on Biden’s failed policies. I will also continue to work for our communities, especially the rural communities, which, more often than not, feel the brunt of the President’s policies. 

Weekly Wrap Up

Iowans in D.C.

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.

An extra serving of common sense here in Congress is just what this doctor is ordering! We certainly have the best delegation in all of Congress.

Farmers are the best stewards of the environment. This week, I had the opportunity to attend the emPower Rural America Breakfast. We had a great conversation, and I highlighted the role American agriculture plays in reducing emissions.

This week, I met with the Quad Cities Chamber to discuss ways we can work to strengthen the business and economic landscape in the Quad Cities.

I met with representatives from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) to discuss preventing maternal deaths, physician reimbursement, and providing quality care.

I met with representatives from the Agricultural Retailers Association and discussed transportation and supply chain issues, the Farm Bill, and Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS).

It was a pleasure to meet with members of the Iowa VFW to discuss veteran mental health and their legislative priorities for the upcoming year.

It was wonderful to meet with Tom Vonderhaar, father of Rachel Vonderhaar, one of our military academy nominations who has been accepted into the Air Force Academy.

I met with Lynn Good, the chair, president, and CEO of Duke Energy, to discuss energy reliability.

Thank you to members of the Iowa Credit Union League for stopping by my office to talk about Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) fund transparency and rural credit access.

Israel, our greatest ally in the Middle East, has experienced some of the most heinous acts in recent history, and individuals are still being brutalized and held hostage by Hamas terrorists. This week, I met with families of Americans held hostage in Gaza and promised to keep advocating for the release of their family members.

PBMs have excessive influence over the prices patients pay at the pharmacy counter. I met with Michael Wright from American Pharmacies to discuss PBM reform and protecting patient’s rights.

This week, I spoke at the Alexion Rare Disease Week event. I mentioned the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act, which aims to improve access to life-saving care for children with complex medical conditions.

Thank you to the representatives from the Iowa State University Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) for the update on your programs and initiatives to support businesses in our community.

I met with the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) to discuss drug shortage issues and residency programs.

This week, I met with representatives from the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation. We discussed the HELP Copays Act, legislation that requires health plans to count the value of copay assistance toward patient cost-sharing requirements.

Power to the Patients

We must increase price transparency for patients. Thank you to Power to the Patients, Fat Joe, Chuck D, Valerie June, and the Foo Fighters for your continued advocacy.

20 County Tour

It is always great to meet with Iowans as I travel across the First District! It truly is my favorite part of serving in Congress. Speaking to Iowans allows me to stay informed about what is happening in their communities and what I can do to help.

I toured the Jackson County Regional Health Center in Maquoketa. Thank you, Patrick Peters, Matt Osterhaus, Julie Fenoglio, and the Jackson County Regional Health Center team for the informative discussion about Critical Access Hospitals, staffing, and PBM reform.

I joined the Clinton Rotary and covered the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2023, the child tax credit, and community project funding. Thank you all for inviting me to join you.

Recycling in rural America is no small feat! This week, I toured the Scott County Recycling Center and discussed recycling in our community, the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act, and protecting rare earth metals.

Floor Speeches

I was proud to introduce a resolution and give remarks on the House floor about basketball phenom Caitlin Clark! Congratulations, Caitlin, for becoming the NCAA Division I basketball leading scorer. 

I remembered Secretary Bill Northey on the House floor. Beyond his policy achievements, Secretary Northey was known for his genuine kindness, approachability, and dedication to serving the people of Iowa.

This year’s RAGBRAI route will cross southern towns in Iowa for the first time in 5 years! The route will extend 424 miles from Glenwood to Burlington, and at the end of the ride, cyclists can power their way up Snake Alley.

Congratulations to the Community Foundation for 25 years of transforming lives and creating opportunities in Muscatine.

Committee Hearings

As an ophthalmologist, let me just say hindsight is 2020. During this week's Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic hearing, I highlighted lessons learned from the government-wide COVID pandemic response and the need to establish protocols and agency coordination for the next pandemic.

Legislative Roundup

This week, I introduced the following legislation:

H. Res. 1058, Congratulating Iowa native Caitlin Clark on becoming the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I basketball leading scorer.

I voted in favor of the following legislation:

H. Res. 1061, the "Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024," legislation that provides FY2024 appropriations for several federal departments and agencies.

H.R. 7511, the "Laken Riley Act," legislation that would amend federal law to require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to issue detainers and take custody of illegal aliens who commit theft-related crimes, such as shoplifting, as defined by state and local law.

H.R. 2799, the "Expanding Access to Capital Act," legislation that reduces various securities regulations applicable to certain companies, brokers, and advisors. The bill also allows more investors to invest in specified types of ventures.

H.R. 3843, the "Action for Dental Health Act," legislation that reauthorizes through FY2028 grants for states to support dental health workforce activities in areas that face a shortage of dental health providers.

H.R. 3821, the "Firefighter Cancer Registry Reauthorization Act," legislation that reauthorizes through FY2028 the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer. 

H.R. 3838, the "Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act," legislation that reauthorizes through FY2028 and otherwise modifies federal support for state-based efforts to improve maternal mortality review committees; enhance surveillance of pregnancy-associated and -related deaths; and otherwise improve, and reduce disparities in, maternal health outcomes.

H.R. 3391, the "Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0," legislation that reauthorizes through FY2028 a pediatric disease research initiative within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and requires the NIH to coordinate pediatric research activities to avoid duplicative efforts.

Sincerely,