Dear Friend,

In this week's roundup: My time at the Iowa State Fair and my 36 County Tour. That and more – remember to follow my Facebook page by clicking here and my Twitter page by clicking here to stay up-to-date throughout the week!

WELCOMING MY WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE COLLEAGUES TO THE IOWA STATE FAIR

Last week, I welcomed my Ways and Means Committee colleagues - including Chairman Jason Smith of Missouri - to the Iowa State Fair for a field hearing on the importance of reauthorizing and improving pro-growth tax policies from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

At the end of 2025, provisions like the doubled standard deduction, the increased child tax credit, the 20% tax cut for our small businesses, and other important policies expire.

That's why I'm working to extend these provisions and let our families, farmers, and businesses keep more of their hard-earned money.

CHATTING WITH IOWANS AT THE STATE FAIR

Talking with Iowans, listening to their suggestions and ideas, and representing our shared American values is the most important part of my job.

SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION OF IOWA FARMERS AND PRODUCERS

It was great to see my friend, Colton, show his cow — Squirt — at the Fair!

It’s my mission in Congress to support the next generation of Iowa farmers like Colton.

I'm glad that my Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act is part of the Farm Bill to lower the cost of crop insurance for our young and beginning farmers.

COMBATING BIRD FLU IN IOWA

Out of the more than 100 million birds that have been affected by bird flu since 2022, nearly 25% have been in Iowa.

That’s why I’m calling on the USDA to establish a Strategic Initiative to combat HPAI and protect our producers and their flocks.

Rep. Feenstra Urges USDA To Develop HPAI Strategic Plan

U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra (R-IA), along with colleagues from the House Agriculture Committee, is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a strategic plan to combat Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)" In a letter co-signed

MY VISIT TO PALO ALTO COUNTY HEALTH SYSTEM

I kicked off another day of my 36 County Tour at Palo Alto County Health System in Emmetsburg.

I had great conversations with employees and hospital officials and also talked about my Rural Hospital Stabilization Act, which will help keep our rural hospitals open and fully staffed.

STOPPING BY ATHLETICO PHYSICAL THERAPY IN GARNER

On my second stop of Thursday’s 36 County Tour, I stopped by Athletico Physical Therapy in Garner.

Serving on the Ways and Means Committee, I’m working to ensure that our rural clinics and healthcare facilities can keep their doors open and serve our families and communities.

CHECKING OUT THE HAMPTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

I continued my 36 County Tour on Thursday with a visit to the Hampton Public Library, which was built in 1905 and is recognized as a Carnegie Library.

Suzy was kind enough to show me around and talk about the history of the library.

We have so many great treasures in rural Iowa!

MEETING WITH IOWA STATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR JAMIE POLLARD

It was great to meet Iowa State University Athletic Director — Jamie Pollard — and talk about the athletic program at Iowa State and our amazing student athletes.

We’re fired up for some Big 12 football at Jack Trice this fall!

TALKING WITH EMPLOYEES AT CJ BIO IN FORT DODGE

On Friday, I started my morning with an employee town hall at CJ Bio in Fort Dodge as part of my 36 County Tour.

I answered great and thoughtful questions about American energy production, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, China’s unfair trade practices, costly EV mandates, and the border crisis.

TOUCHING BASE WITH CITY OFFICIALS IN EAGLE GROVE

I kept my 36 County Tour going on Friday meeting with the Mayor, City Administrator, and Director of Parks & Recreation of Eagle Grove.

In Congress, I will continue to work to power economic development, support our farm families, and help our rural communities grow and thrive.

HOSTING A TOWN HALL IN POCAHONTAS

I had a productive town hall in Pocahontas during my 36 County Tour on Friday.

We had a great discussion about our open border, the Farm Bill, biofuels, the need to reduce our $35-trillion national debt, and the importance of extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

HOLDING MY FIRST "GET THE SCOOP" TOWN HALL IN MANSON

I finished up my 36 County Tour on Friday in Manson with my Get the Scoop town hall at Double D’s Ice Cream.

We talked about the Farm Bill, affordable housing, telehealth in rural Iowa, and tax cuts for our families and small businesses.

Also grabbed some ice cream on my way out!

ONE LAST THING: THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR IS HERE!

I'm wishing all our students a great year of academic, athletic, and extracurricular excellence!

MY WEEKLY COLUMN: PROTECTING OUR PRODUCERS AND THEIR FLOCKS FROM BIRD FLU

Since 2022, more than 100 million birds have been impacted by bird flu – scientifically known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) – which is a contagious disease that is extremely fatal for domesticated turkeys and chickens. Of those over 100 million birds, nearly 25% have been in Iowa– making our state the epicenter of this crisis while devastating producers, destroying flocks, and impacting entire communities.

That’s why I recently led a group of my House Agriculture Committee colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to demand the USDA establish a Strategic Initiative to combat the spread of bird flu in Iowa and nationwide.