Dear Friend,

In this week's roundup: Welcoming House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith and House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson to Iowa. 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 HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JASON SMITH AND HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN G.T. THOMPSON TO IOWA

In August, I welcomed both the Chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee – Representative Jason Smith from Missouri – and Chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee – Representative G.T. Thompson from Pennsylvania – to hear directly from Iowans about their suggestions for everything from tax reform to agricultural policy.

As the only member of Congress who serves on both the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Agriculture Committee, I’m so grateful that the leaders of two of the most powerful committees on Capitol Hill could make the trip to Iowa.

These visits were extremely meaningful for Iowa and represent an important example of giving our families, farmers, and businesses a seat at the table when policies are considered, written, and implemented.

VISITING THE ELDERBRIDGE AGENCY ON AGING IN CARROLL

On Wednesday morning, I kicked off another day of my 36 County Tour at the Elderbridge Agency on Aging in Carroll.

We talked about the Older Americans Act — which supports Meals on Wheels, transportation, and in-home services — and the impact of recent flooding on our communities.

I will always be a strong voice for our seniors and protect Social Security and Medicare 100%!

TOURING BRUN KO FARM IN EXIRA

Later on Wednesday, I continued my 36 County Tour and Feenstra Ag Tour at Brun Ko Farm in Exira.

We talked about the importance of passing the Farm Bill and my Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act, which would lower the cost of crop insurance for the next generation of Iowa farmers and producers.

PROTECTING OUR RURAL AND VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS FROM UNNECESSARY GOVERNMENT RED TAPE

Our rural communities depend on volunteer firefighters to respond to emergencies, help staff local fire departments, and keep our families safe. These men and women dedicate their time to public safety and put their lives on the line to save others. They volunteer many hours to ensure that any call for help is answered swiftly and professionally.

Earlier this year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration – better known as OSHA – proposed a major overhaul of the Fire Brigade Standard, which has governed the way that fire departments and other fire services operate. Enacted in 1980, this standard has worked well for decades, but that’s not good enough for the Biden-Harris administration.

That’s why, in May, I joined my colleagues in requesting that the Biden-Harris administration repeal these proposed regulations on rural and volunteer fire departments that lack both the financial resources and the manpower to comply with more government red tape. It is not the role of the federal government to impose blanket regulations on firefighters who are working around the clock to respond to emergencies and protect our communities.

Reducing the red tape for firefighters

MEETING WITH THE SHELBY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND RECEIVING THE "ADVOCATE FOR AMERICAN BUSINESS AWARD" FROM THE U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

I wrapped up Wednesday’s 36 County Tour with the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.

We discussed the need to reauthorize and improve the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that cut taxes for our families, strengthened the child tax credit, supported our farmers, helped our small businesses, and powered our economy forward.

I was also honored to receive the "Advocate for American Business Award" from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for my work to support our small businesses and job creators.

WE NEED TO PASS THE FARM BILL

It’s been 105 days since I voted for, and the House Agriculture Committee, passed the Farm Bill.

Listening to farmers and producers in Iowa and around the country, we wrote a Farm Bill that supports American agriculture and our rural communities.

Our bill strengthens crop insurance, increases reference prices, supports ag exports, invests in ag education, and keeps China away from our farmland.

Unfortunately, Senate Democrats still haven’t bothered to do anything and have decided instead to play politics with our farmers and their families.

RECOUNTING MY TRIP TO ISRAEL AT AN EVENT WITH IOWANS SUPPORTING ISRAEL

Yesterday, on my 36 County Tour, I talked about my recent trip to Israel at an event hosted by Iowans Supporting Israel, my friend Charles Schneider, and Chris McGowan, President of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.

The people of Israel are bravely fighting back against vicious Hamas terrorists.

I will always stand with Israel.

CHECKING OUT NOR-AM COLD STORAGE IN LE MARS

I finished yesterday’s 36 County Tour and Feenstra Ag Tour at Nor-Am Cold Storage in Le Mars.

I enjoyed touring their incredible facility and talking about my FRIDGE Act, which will help build refrigeration infrastructure and make port improvements to ship Iowa ag products worldwide.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY FARM BUREAU ANNUAL MEETING

On Tuesday, my Agriculture and Manufacturing Liaison — Wes — attended the Plymouth County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting where Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson from Manson was the keynote speaker.

We need to pass the Farm Bill to support our farmers and producers!

SPEAKING WITH THE NORTHWEST IOWA ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS IN HULL

Today, on my 36 County Tour, I spoke with the Northwest Iowa Economic Developers about our work to grow our rural communities and strengthen our economy.

I also answered great questions about the expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, our $35-trillion national debt, and the Farm Bill.

ONE LAST THING: 2024 INTERNATIONAL MOTOR CONTEST ASSOCIATION SUPER NATIONALS IN BOONE!

This week, the 2024 International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) Super Nationals officially kicked off in Boone!

According to an estimate by the IMCA, this event generates nearly $61 million in Iowa and almost $17 million locally.

MY WEEKLY COLUMN: WE CAN'T LET THE TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT EXPIRE

In 2017, Congress passed, and President Trump signed into law, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) – the single largest and most comprehensive reform of the tax code in decades. As promised, this legislation boosted our economy, strengthened our global competitiveness, and let American families, farmers, and small businesses keep more of their hard-earned money.

However, without congressional action, these pro-growth policies are set to expire at the end of 2025. Beginning, in 2026, a family of four making $75,000 can expect to see their taxes increase by $1,500, small businesses will face a top tax rate of 43.4%, the child tax credit will be cut in half, family farms and small businesses will have to consider the impact of a more costly death tax on their finances, and economic growth will subside as key provisions to promote investment expire.

All in all, American families, farmers, and businesses would face a combined $7 trillion in tax hikes.