Friend,

Ensuring women have access to over-the-counter birth control pills at their local pharmacy has long been a priority of mine. Millions of American women safely use oral contraceptives, and it is just commonsense policy to allow women to pick up these pills at their local pharmacy. 

I introduced the Allowing Greater Access to Safe and Effective Contraception Act. This bill would enable women 18 and older to access FDA-approved, routine-use birth control pills without a prescription. This is especially important for women who live in rural areas and may have to drive an hour or more to see their doctor. Additionally, the bill ensures the FDA gives priority review to already-approved, safe oral contraceptives for routine use to make more options readily available over-the-counter.

More recently, I introduced the Access to LARCs (long-acting reversible contraception) Act. The inequality in access to effective, FDA-approved contraception leaves many women who live in health care deserts unable to receive long-acting birth control such as IUDs or arm implants, even if that is the best option for them. My bill will help ensure Community Health Centers have the resources necessary to help women and offer more birth control options.

It’s been frustrating to watch politicians use contraception as a political football rather than work across the aisle to solve this challenge for women. This isn’t a game, and it shouldn’t be treated like one.

While many of my colleagues play politics, I will continue working on real solutions to the issues Iowa women face – whether it’s expanding access to contraception, improving maternal care and helping women navigate pregnancy, or increasing child care options.

Best,

Child Care Roundtable

Child care is a women’s issue, a family issue, and an economic issue. It was great to join Congressman Zach Nunn (and special guest Aliya!) and small business owners for a discussion on the importance of expanding child care access!

Bluffton Campground Resort

It was great to visit the Bluffton Campground Resort in Iowa’s unique Driftless Area last weekend. We discussed my legislation to empower Driftless Area landowners with conservation tools to keep this Iowa gem thriving for generations to come.

100th Anniversary Celebration of the Fayette County Courthouse

I was on hand to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Fayette County Courthouse this weekend! Built by Waterloo architect John Ralston in 1924, the courthouse has been a beautiful landmark for a century.

McGregor Fall Art Festival

Fall festivities are here! It was great to spend a beautiful fall afternoon visiting with Iowans at the McGregor Art Festival and checking out local artists! 

On the Record with CPA's Michael Stumo

Thank you the Coalition for a Prosperous America's (CPA) CEO, Michael Stumo, for joining me for a conversation on my bipartisan Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act. This legislation will hold Communist China accountable for violating America's trade laws and undermining our workers.

We discussed the status of this bill, efforts made by Chinese companies to skirt our laws and exploit loopholes, and the harm this causes U.S. workers and our entire economy. Watch the full conversation here.

Investing in IA-02: Sumner Daycare and Learning Center

Improving access to child care is a top priority. I secured funding for Sumner Daycare and Learning Center to construct their own stand-alone facility in the community to expand child care access and ensure our littlest Iowans have early learning opportunities.

Headline Highlights

KWWL: Fayette Co. Courthouse Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Telegraph Herald: Politics: Student loan woes, relief spotlighted in recent local political stops

Independence Bulletin Journal: Hinson Introduces Legislation to Increase Safe Birth Control Options for Women in Rural Areas