Email from Rep Feenstra In this week's roundup: Protecting our farmland from China and connecting foster kids with loving homes.     Dear Friend, In this week's roundup: Protecting our farmland from China and connecting foster kids with loving homes. 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! INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO PROTECT OUR FARMS AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION FROM CHINA AND OUR FOREIGN ADVERSARIES It is in the interest of the United States to review purchases of American farmland by foreign entities to protect our farms and agricultural production from our foreign adversaries, especially China. But for far too long, our government has repeatedly failed to enforce the laws on the books, monitor foreign purchases of our farmland, or assess financial penalties on those who break our laws. That’s why I introduced the FARMLAND Act to develop new oversight measures for foreign farmland purchases, bolster the USDA’s ability to report the threats of foreign acquisition of American farmland, and close security gaps that allow foreign adversaries to evade disclosing farmland purchases. I firmly believe that American farmland belongs to American farmers, and I will continue to lead the fight to protect our farmers and ensure that our farms are passed onto the next generation, not our foreign enemies. ENSURING ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY HEALTHCARE FOR OUR SENIORS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES In rural Iowa, access to dependable and affordable telehealth services is critical to the health and wellbeing of our families and seniors. When severe weather prevents road travel or broadband connectivity is unreliable, we must ensure that our families and seniors can visit with their doctors and receive care over the phone. However, at the end of March, Medicare coverage of audio-only telehealth services expires absent congressional action. I’m glad to work with my colleague from New Hampshire, Rep. Chris Pappas, to introduce legislation to permanently extend Medicare coverage of over-the-phone telehealth services so that Iowans can receive the care and advice that they need when they need it. PROVIDING OUR COMMUNITIES WITH THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO MITIGATE AND RAPIDLY RECOVER FROM NATURAL DISASTERS Last summer, our communities were devastated by historic flooding that left homes, schools, hospitals, farms, and other infrastructure severely damaged. While we need rapid emergency response to floods, we also need to take proactive measures to protect farmland and our rural communities from devastation and equip our producers with the tools that they need to safeguard their land from excessive water damage. That's why I introduced legislation to improve the Emergency Watershed Protection program so that the USDA has greater flexibility to repair aging flood infrastructure, help cover the costs of needed improvements, and support farmers and rural landowners with protecting their land from flooding. By acting before floods strike, we can keep our farmland in production, save money in the long run, and help our rural communities mitigate and respond to flooding. WORKING TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CAPITAL FOR OUR FAMILIES, FARMERS, AND SMALL BUSINESSES One of my top priorities as a member of the Ways and Means Committee is to enact policies that bring jobs and investment to rural communities. That’s why I introduced the ACRE Act to ensure that our families can buy homes in rural areas, our producers can access the capital that they need to feed and fuel our country and the world, and our community banks can offer credit at lower rates. This legislation will help young families plant their roots in rural Iowa, strengthen our state’s status as an agricultural powerhouse, and support rural lenders who drive economic growth up and down our main streets and across our rural communities. Rep. Feenstra introduces bill to provide rural communities with better access to loans - Financial Regulation News U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) introduced legislation that seeks to make loans more accessible and affordable, particularly for farmers and those in rural communities.© Shutterstock The Access to Credit for our Rural Economy (ACRE) Act (H.R. 1822) would allow community banks to administer agricultural real estate loans by granting them tax exempt status on earned [...] Read More DELIVERING RELIEF FOR IOWA'S TURKEY FARMERS Iowa turkey farmers are facing production and financial losses at the hands of avian metapneumovirus. As the seventh largest turkey-producing state in the nation, we need to help our turkey farmers combat this devastating disease and get the relief that they need to keep family traditions alive and survive this downturn in production. I’m working to deliver relief to our turkey growers through the Livestock Indemnity Program so that they can keep their operations strong. Iowa delegation joins push for aMPV indemnity payments "Without immediate support, the viability of these farms - and the stability of the U.S. turkey industry - is in jeopardy," lawmakers tell USDA officials. Read More PROTECTING OUR RURAL HOSPITALS AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS After kicking off my 5th biannual 36 County Tour on February 20th with a town hall in Cherokee, I kept my travels going with a visit to Burgess Health Center in Onawa. I’ll always work to support our rural hospitals and dedicated healthcare professionals! Fourth District Focus: Touring Burgess Health Center and participating in a town hall with healthcare providers - The Mapleton Press After kicking off my 5th biannual 36 County Tour on Thursday, Feb. 20 with a town hall in Cherokee, I kept my travels going on Friday, Feb. 21 to hear more about the concerns and perspectives of ... Read More SUPPORTING IOWA'S VETERANS IN CONGRESS On Monday morning, our District Director — Emily — and our caseworker — Ann — attended the ribbon cutting for the remodel of the Carroll VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic. I will always support our veterans and ensure that they receive the high-quality healthcare that they deserve. FINDING SOLUTIONS TO THE BIRD FLU OUTBREAK As the Congressman for Iowa's 4th District — the top egg-producing district in the country — I'm working to combat the bird flu outbreak. Through strategic measures, we can support our producers and lower egg prices. Read more in my column for the Congressional Western Caucus below: Working with the Trump administration to combat bird flu and lower egg prices Working with the Trump administration to combat bird flu and lower egg prices By Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA-04) As of Thursday February 27 th, more than 166 million chickens and turkeys in the United States have been affected by High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI), a highly contagious and deadly disease that impacts poultry, cattle, and can even spread to humans. Read More ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CRIMINALS AND JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES Last weekend, we got the great news that the illegal immigrant who killed Sarah Root in 2016 is now in custody in Honduras. In January, President Trump signed Sarah's Law, which I introduced, to detain and punish illegal immigrants who harm or kill American citizens. Accountability is coming. FEENSTRA COMMENTS ON ARREST OF SUSPECT IN DEATH OF SARAH ROOT - KSCJ 1360 IOWA 4TH DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN RANDY FEENSTRA SPONSORED SARAH'S LAW, WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO THE LAKEN RILEY ACT, WHICH REQUIRES FEDERAL DETENTION FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CHARGED WITH THEFT OR BURGLARY. SARAH ROOT WAS FROM COUNCIL BLUFFS AND DIED IN A TRAFFIC CRASH IN OMAHA JUST AFTER GRADUATING FROM COLLEGE THAT POLICE SAY INVOLVED AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT [...] Read More IOWA'S NEXT GENERATION OF FARMERS AND LEADERS The other week, my friend — Colton — from Moville was in Des Moines testifying about the importance of healthy and nutritious school lunches. He also got to witness Governor Reynolds sign a proclamation declaring May as Beef Month in Iowa! Colton even snagged the pen that she used! BRINGING IOWA'S COMMON SENSE AND CONSERVATIVE VALUES TO WASHINGTON, D.C. It was great to be with our ALL REPUBLICAN delegation from the great state of Iowa on Tuesday morning for breakfast. We will keep bringing Iowa common sense and our conservative values to Congress! STANDING UP FOR RURAL IOWA AND OUR FAMILIES After breakfast, I met with Sioux County Supervisors Craig Hoftyzer, John Degen, and Carl Vande Weerd. We talked about the Farm Bill, disaster response and relief, and the importance of local control for our rural communities. I’ll always stand up for rural Iowa and our families! ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF IOWA'S POULTRY INDUSTRY IN THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE On Tuesday, I spoke at a House Agriculture Committee hearing about the ongoing bird flu outbreak. It’s clear that we need to invest in biosecurity, deliver relief to our producers, and find proactive solutions to lower egg prices. I thank Secretary Rollins for her work on behalf of our farmers! STRENGTHENING OUR FAMILIES AND CONNECTING MORE FOSTER CHILDREN WITH LOVING PARENTS On Tuesday, I spoke on the House floor about my bill to connect more foster kids with loving families. It passed unanimously. This legislation will help ensure that more children are paired with caring families and that foster families are heard and supported. MY INCREDIBLE GUESTS FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP'S JOINT ADDRESS TO CONGRESS I was thrilled to have Brad Moline and his daughter Ava as my guests for President Trump’s joint address to Congress. At just 16 years old, Ava runs a successful business selling more than 2,000 turkeys every Thanksgiving. Our farm families are part of what makes Iowa special. FIXING FAFSA TO GIVE OUR FARM KIDS A FAIR CHANCE AT FINANCIAL AID Farm kids deserve the same shot at college as every other kid. That’s why I teamed up with Senator Joni Ernst, Rep. Tracey Mann of Kansas, and House Ag Committee Chairman Thompson to introduce legislation to exempt the value of farm & small business assets on the FAFSA — a long-standing policy. Feenstra: Seeking ways to fix FAFSA for Iowa's farm kids Last year, the Joe Biden administration oversaw the worst rollout of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in recent memory, leaving families and students in the dark for Read More KEEPING IOWANS CONNECTED AND INFORMED I enjoyed chatting with Iowa T.V. and radio broadcasters Wednesday about many important topics. We discussed my strong support for the Local Radio Freedom Act and the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. I appreciate all that our local broadcasters do to keep our rural communities informed. PROTECTING ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY CARE FOR OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN It was an honor to meet with the Iowa VFW on Wednesday. In Congress, I will continue to work to ensure that our veterans receive the high-quality healthcare, benefits, and support that they have earned and deserve. ENSURING IOWA'S YOUTH ARE THRIVING AND HEALTHY Wednesday, I also met with representatives from the YMCA, which serves nearly 7 million kids nationwide every year. I’ll keep working to expand access to affordable childcare for our families and ensure that our kids have the support that they need to grow, succeed, and thrive. ONE LAST THING: THANK YOU TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS! With winter weather hitting Iowa hard, I want to extend my thanks to our law enforcement officers and first responders who work overtime to keep our communities safe. Please remember to show your appreciation to our men and women in law enforcement whenever you see them. MY WEEKLY COLUMN: RESTORING SECURITY AT OUR SOUTHERN BORDER AND DELIVERING JUSTICE FOR SARAH ROOT Nine years ago, on January 31st, 2016, tragedy struck the Root family. 21-year-old Sarah Root, who was driving home to celebrate with her family and friends after graduating from Bellevue University in Nebraska, was hit and killed by an egregiously drunk driver. Instead of answering for his crimes, Edwin Mejia—an illegal immigrant driving three times over the legal limit—posted bail, fled our country, and was not seen from again. Read more below about recent developments and my continued work to protect Iowans and our communities: My weekly column: Restoring security at our southern border and delivering justice for Sarah Root Nine years ago, on January 31st, 2016, tragedy struck the Root family. 21-year-old Sarah Root, who was driving home to celebrate with her family and friends after graduating from Bellevue University in Nebraska, was hit and killed by an egregiously drunk driver. Read More CLOSING POLL FOR THE DAY Do you support defunding the U.S. Department of Education? Yes No Unsure / Indifferent LAST WEEK'S POLL RESULTS: Do you support the Trump Tax Cuts? Yes - 50% No - 45% Unsure/Indifferent - 5% 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