Dear Friend,

In this week's roundup: Voting to overturn the Biden-Harris administration's EV mandates and the need to pass the Farm Bill ASAP. 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!

MY VOTE TO OVERTURN THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION'S EV MANDATES ON IOWA FAMILIES

Electric vehicles are more expensive and perform far worse in cold weather than their gas-powered counterparts, and the necessary components to build EVs are mainly sourced from China. These facts should serve as a warning to the Biden-Harris administration, but instead, along with the EPA, they have recklessly pushed forward with EV mandates on our families.

The EPA has no business telling Iowans what type of car or truck they can drive or what manufacturers can produce. That’s why I voted to overturn the Biden-Harris administration’s EV mandates and restore consumer choice in vehicle purchases.

Earlier this year, I also led two separate letters urging the Biden-Harris administration to stop its de facto mandates requiring that an unattainable percentage of cars, trucks, tractors, buses, and semis be electric in the very near future.

MEETING WITH THE CARROLL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit with the Carroll Chamber of Commerce.

We covered a wide variety of topics, including rural healthcare, the Farm Bill, Carroll’s new HUB 712 for entrepreneurs, and efforts to remove and replace trees impacted by Emerald Ash Borer.

WE MUST KEEP OUR FOREIGN ADVERSARIES AWAY FROM OUR FARMLAND

Representing the 2nd-largest ag-producing district in Congress, I've led the charge to keep China away from our farmland.

We can't let China, Russia, Iran, North Korea or any of our foreign enemies take control of our land or threaten our food security.

TALKING ABOUT THE FARM BILL WITH THE NATIONAL CONFECTIONERS ASSOCIATION

On Wednesday, I had the chance to meet with the National Confectioners Association, including my friend Marty Palmer with Palmer Candy Company in Sioux City and Shelly Clarey with Adams & Brooks, Inc. in Orange City.

We had a sweet discussion about the Farm Bill!

JOINING MY WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE COLLEAGUES IN SENDING A LETTER TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Without an ounce of input from Republicans, President Biden and Secretary Yellen forced our country into a terrible deal – constructed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – that will raise taxes on American businesses, harm our workers, and allow foreign governments to use our companies as their own personal piggybanks.

We can't tie our hands and let China and other foreign countries walk all over us and take our taxpayer dollars.

That's why I joined my Ways and Means Committee colleagues in sending a letter to the Secretary-General of the OECD to make clear that Republicans remain strongly opposed to this unfair and unworkable global tax deal.

THE GROWING AG TRADE DEFICIT AND DECLINING FARM INCOME MAKE THE CASE FOR A NEW FARM BILL

There are many reasons to pass the farm bill this year. Prices for corn, soybeans, and other commodities have fallen well below producers’ break-even point; over 100 million birds – including turkeys, broilers, and layers – have been infected by bird flu since 2022, and net farm income is estimated to fall by $10.2 billion this year alone. 

Inflation also remains a painful tax on our farmers, who already face unnecessary and punitive red tape like WOTUS and looming expirations on important pro-growth tax provisions in 2025. All in all, our farmers and producers need Congress to pass the farm bill as soon as possible to deliver relief and certainty to our agricultural community.

The newest development underscoring the urgent need to pass the farm bill is the Department of Agriculture’s latest Outlook for U.S. Agriculture Trade. According to this report, our agricultural trade deficit is projected to reach nearly $43 billion for fiscal 2025. Soybean and corn exports are estimated to fall by $1.5 billion and $900 million, respectively, while beef exports are expected to drop by $1 billion. 

Read my full op-ed below!

CHATTING WITH THE IOWA CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION

On Tuesday, while I was returning to D.C. for votes, my Legislative Assistant — Josh — met with participants in the Iowa Cattlemen's Association Leadership Program.

From making the Livestock Indemnity Program fairer to eliminating the death tax, I’ll always be a strong voice for Iowa cattle producers.

ONE LAST THING: COUNCIL BLUFFS FIRE DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZED WITH WELL-DESERVED AWARD!

Congrats to the Council Bluffs Fire Department on receiving the "Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award" for its work to hire veterans, reservists, and guardsmen.

Out of 1,700 nominations, only 15 organizations were recognized nationwide.

MY WEEKLY COLUMN: AMERICAN FARMERS NEED A FIVE-YEAR FARM BILL

We need to pass the Farm Bill as soon as possible to deliver relief and certainty for the hardworking men and women who feed and fuel our country and the world.

More than 115 days ago, Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee – along with four of our Democratic colleagues – did just that. We passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 – also known as the Farm Bill – out of committee well before the September 30th expiration of the one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill Congress approved last year.

Regrettably, Senate Democrats did not exercise the same foresight that House Republicans did. Over the last several months, Senate Democrats have done nothing to get the Farm Bill passed and signed into law. In fact, they haven’t even introduced an actual bill to help kickstart negotiations. It unfortunately appears that they are fine with another extension even if it means unnecessary struggles and uncertainty for Rural America.

Read more in my weekly column below.

LAST WEEK'S POLL RESULTS: Do you support the World Health Organization?

Yes - 22%

No - 68%

Unsure/Indifferent - 10%

If you have more thoughts on this week's question, feel free to leave your comments on my official website HERE.