Email from Rep Feenstra In this week's roundup: Kicking off my 5th biannual 36 County Tour, leading a letter to protect producers and their flocks, and advocating for Iowa biofuels.     Dear Friend, In this week's roundup: Kicking off my 5th biannual 36 County Tour, leading a letter to protect producers and their flocks, and advocating for Iowa biofuels. 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! LEADING THE NATIONWIDE EFFORT TO COMBAT THE BIRD FLU OUTBREAK AND PROTECT OUR PRODUCERS AND FLOCKS On Wednesday, I led a letter with 22 of my colleagues to Secretary Rollins asking that USDA do everything possible to resolve the bird flu outbreak, proactively prevent the spread of foreign animal disease, and promote farm biosecurity. We must also look towards an aggressive strategy to protect our flocks from disease, establish a Strategic Initiative to combat the spread of bird flu, and make indemnity payment rates fairer for our producers. Representing the top egg-producing district in the country, it is a top priority for me to get the bird flu outbreak under control, support our producers as they work to repopulate their flocks, and bring egg prices down for our families. LAUNCHING MY 5TH BIANNUAL 36 COUNTY TOUR On Thursday morning, I officially launched my 5th biannual 36 County Tour with a town hall in Cherokee! Nearly 25 Iowans joined me to talk about everything from tax policy and border security to U.S. energy production and Iowa agriculture and biofuels. I’ll always be a strong voice for Iowa! TOWN HALL WITH THE NEXT GENERATION OF IOWA'S LEADERS On my second stop of Thursday’s 36 County Tour, I held a town hall with students at OABCIG High School in Ida Grove to help them prep for their government class test tomorrow! Other topics they asked me about: cellphones in schools, FAFSA, executive orders, Pell Grants, and community college dual credits. MEETING WITH LOCAL NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AGENTS IN SAC CITY For stop number three on Thursday’s 36 County Tour, I met with New York Life insurance agents in Sac City. We talked about my work on the House Ways and Means Committee to extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and my bill to help our small businesses offer paid family and medical leave to their employees. STOPPING BY FAREWAY IN ROCKWELL CITY I wrapped up Thursday’s 36 County Tour at Fareway in Rockwell City with store management. I am happy to see Fareway continuing to invest in our rural communities to provide healthy food for our families in rural Iowa. HOSTING A TOWN HALL WITH THE SIOUXLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE This morning, I hosted a town hall with the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce in Sioux City. 40 people joined me for a productive conversation. We talked about the Farm Bill, crop insurance, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the 185th ARW, FAFSA, rural hospitals, maternity healthcare, and much more! TUNE IN FOR MY CONVERSATION ON THE GROW SIOUXLAND RADIO SHOW TOMORROW! After my town hall in Sioux City, I joined my friend — Chris McGowan — on the “Grow Siouxland” radio show to talk about my work for Iowa families, farmers, and businesses. It’ll air tomorrow morning at 8:05 AM CT on KSCJ and will be posted on [link removed]! HEARING FROM CAREGIVERS AND PHYSICIANS ABOUT THE NEEDS OF RURAL HEALTHCARE For the second stop of my 36 County Tour today, I visited Burgess Health Center in Onawa and participated in a town hall with healthcare providers. I’ve supported policies to ensure that our rural hospitals stay open, physicians are paid fairly, and access to telehealth in rural Iowa is protected. LUNCH AT DAIRY SWEET WITH IOWA HOG FARMERS On today's third stop of the 36 County Tour, I had lunch with hog farmers and members of the Iowa Pork Producers Association at Dairy Sweet in Dunlap. Dairy Sweet — which serves an impressive 40,000 pork tenderloins every year — was named Iowa’s BEST breaded pork tenderloin in 2024! I enjoyed meeting owner, Lori, and other Iowans! DISCUSSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR NEXT GENERATION WITH THE DENISON JOB CORPS I wrapped up today’s 36 County Tour with a roundtable discussion at the Denison Job Corps, which celebrated its 60th birthday this past summer. As a father of four, ensuring that our students have the resources and opportunities to learn and grow is very important to me. HONORING THE INCREDIBLE SACRIFICES THAT OUR BRAVE MARINES MADE 80 YEARS AGO ON IWO JIMA 80 years ago, the Battle of Iwo Jima began. Nearly 7,000 U.S. Marines gave their lives and roughly 20,000 were wounded after weeks of combat. May we never forget their sacrifice, courage, bravery, and valor in defense of our country and our freedoms. ADVOCATING FOR IOWA BIOFUELS It was great to be in Nashville on Tuesday for the Renewable Fuels Association's National Ethanol Conference to talk about my work in Congress to advocate for Iowa biofuels through our tax code. I also had the chance to meet with fellow Iowans! I’ll always be a strong voice for our farmers and ethanol producers. CELEBRATING NATIONAL FFA WEEK! This week, we recognized National FFA Week! I always enjoy meeting with the next generation of our ag community and the future leaders of our great state and country! ACCESSIBLE RURAL HEALTHCARE IS IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITIES On Wednesday morning, our Regional Director based out of Fort Dodge — Jim — attended the ribbon cutting for the new MercyOne Iowa Heart Center at Van Diest Medical Center in Webster City. In Congress, I’ll keep working to ensure our families have access to healthcare in rural Iowa. CONNECTING WITH OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND JOB CREATORS IN MARSHALLTOWN This week, our District Director — Emily — attended the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook Breakfast. My friend, Debi Durham, was the keynote speaker! I’m working to extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to support our Iowa businesses and rural main streets. ENSURING OUR FARM KIDS GET THE SAME SHOT AT FINANCIAL AID FOR COLLEGE Our farm kids deserve the same shot at getting financial aid for college as kids living in big cities. That’s why I’m a proud cosponsor of legislation to exempt the value of farm assets — like farmland and equipment — when families fill out the FAFSA. Feenstra supporting legislation to exempt farm assets from FAFSA For years, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has not been kind to college students in farming families. Due to some flaws in the program, farmers must label their machinery, land, and small businesses as liquid assets, even though they are not liquid enough to be converted into college funds. Read More UPDATES ON MY WORK TO PROTECT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALONG THE MISSOURI RIVER In December, I led a letter to U.S. Coast Guard Captain Andrew Bender urging the USCG to reconsider its decision to remove 36 Aids to Navigation on the Missouri River north of Blencoe, Iowa. I’m glad to see this decision has been paused after our advocacy! Coast Guard Pauses Decision on Missouri River ATONs - The Waterways Journal The U.S. Coast Guard may be reconsidering its previously announced decision to remove 36 aids to navigation (ATON) from the upper Missouri River north of Blencoe, Iowa. Read More ONE LAST THING: PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION FROM SCAMS Due to recent reports of scams reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA), here is a message from the SSA on how to protect yourself and your information from nefarious activity: The Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is warning the public of a new scam tactic by criminals trying to lure potential retirement applicants to their site. This recent scam email appears to be from SSA and has the subject line: “Claim Benefits!” It states “Important: Apply for Your Social Security Benefits Starting in 2025”. The link within the phony email is disguised as SSA’s official website, www.ssa.gov or www.socialsecurity.gov. Clicking on the link within the email redirects individuals to a fraudulent site. THIS EMAIL IS NOT FROM SSA. One example of this new imposter email is shown here. It is important to see that the email is from “Social Administration,” and reflects a personal or non-government email address. Government agencies always have “.gov” as part of their official email address. SSA OIG is advising you to always be cautious of responding to unsolicited emails that appear to be from an official government entity, such as SSA, or another federal agency. These emails are a variation of government imposter scams. DELETE IT. Don’t click on links or respond to any text, email, phone call, or letter that has characteristics of a scam. See warning signs at ssa.gov/scam. To contact SSA for business purposes, visit ssa.gov to find the correct information. “Scammers use benefits, benefit increases, prizes, or problems to attract your attention so that they can entice or intimidate unsuspecting persons with their ploys,” said Michelle L. Anderson, Assistant Inspector General for Audit performing the duties of the Inspector General. “Our priorities are to educate consumers on how to avoid these vicious attempts and to help you keep your personal identifying information and money secure. We will continue to tell you when we become aware of tactics such as this one.” WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE A VICTIM • Stop talking to the scammer. Notify financial institutions and safeguard accounts. • Report Social Security-related scams to SSA OIG (oig.ssa.gov). • Contact local law enforcement and file a police report. • If you lost money, file a complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov). • Report other scams to the Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov). • Keep financial transaction information and the record of all communications with the scammer. MY WEEKLY COLUMN: FINDING SOLUTIONS TO THE BIRD FLU OUTBREAK  In 2014 and 2015, our producers were ravaged by a devastating outbreak of avian influenza. This outbreak, and corresponding depopulation efforts, killed roughly 43 million chickens and more than 7 million turkeys in flocks across 21 states while also impacting more than 960 dairy herds nationwide. Iowa—the number one egg-producing state in the country— alone accounted for about 30 million birds. Now, nearly ten years later, foreign animal disease threatens our flocks and herds once again. Read more below how I am working in Congress to keep our poultry producers and their flocks safe. My weekly column: Finding solutions to the bird flu outbreak In 2014 and 2015, our producers were ravaged by a devastating outbreak of avian influenza. This outbreak, and corresponding depopulation efforts, killed roughly 43 million chickens and more than 7 million turkeys in flocks across 21 states while also impacting more than 960 dairy herds nationwide. Read More CLOSING POLL FOR THE DAY Should farm assets be counted against farm kids when applying for college financial aid? Yes No Unsure / Indifferent LAST WEEK'S POLL RESULTS: Should students on international visas be sent back home if they intimidate their Jewish peers?  Yes - 71% No - 19% Unsure/Indifferent - 10% If you have more thoughts on this week's question, feel free to leave your comments on my official website HERE. We are government together, and I am here to serve you. Your thoughts, concerns, and comments are very important to me. Always feel free to call (202) 225-4426 or visit my website at feenstra.house.gov. Sincerely, Rep. Randy Feenstra Member of Congress Rep Feenstra | 1440 Longworth House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice