Email from Rep Feenstra In this week's roundup: Opening new markets for Iowa ag products and holding fraudsters accountable for their crimes.     Dear Friend, In this week's roundup: Opening new markets for Iowa ag products and holding fraudsters accountable for their crimes. 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! LOWERING THE COST OF CROP INSURANCE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF IOWA FARMERS AND PRODUCERS To keep our farmland in the hands of Iowa farmers and away from China and our foreign adversaries, we need to cut operating costs for our young and beginning farmers so that they can grow, compete, and succeed – instead of calling it quits because of financial barriers. That's why, today, I introduced the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act to lower the cost of crop insurance for the next generation of Iowa farmers during their first ten years in operation – the most vulnerable of any business. Ensuring that the next generation of Iowa farmers and producers can continue long-held family traditions and grow the food and fuel that our nation and the world depend on is important to me, vital to our economy, and critical to our national security. OPENING NEW EXPORT MARKETS FOR IOWA AGRICULTURE Opening new export markets for Iowa farmers is critical to increasing demand for Iowa agricultural products and putting more money in the pockets of our producers. However, for four years, our country did not negotiate a single new trade agreement, nor did the Biden administration hold our trading partners accountable for violations. This indifference toward Iowa farmers and producers left our agricultural economy weakened and emboldened foreign nations – especially our enemies – to take advantage of our country. I’m glad to work with my colleague from Washington state, Rep. Dan Newhouse, on legislation to double funding for two critical export-market promotion programs – the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program – to give our farmers a voice in new markets. Serving on both the House Agriculture Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, I’ll keep supporting policies that grow our export markets, help our farmers succeed financially, and increase demand for Iowa agricultural commodities. MEETING WITH THE IOWA ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY PROVIDERS On Tuesday, I sat down with representatives from the Iowa Association of Community Providers, including Matt Buley from Hope Haven in Rock Valley. I appreciate everything that our direct support professionals do for our neighbors living with developmental disabilities. GROWING NEW MARKEST FOR HOMEGROWN IOWA BIOFUELS Just like we’ve done with jet fuel, we need to expand the use of renewable fuels across more transportation sectors, including boats and ships, to promote homegrown fuels and support our agricultural community. I’m teaming up with my Iowa colleague, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, to introduce legislation to support the use of biodiesel and other biomass-based diesel for ships, boats, and other ocean-going vessels. SUPPORTING AGRICULTURE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH IN IOWA Representing the second largest ag-producing congressional district in the country, supporting agriculture education is important to me and crucial to maintaining and strengthening Iowa’s ability to feed and fuel our country and the world. I’m glad to introduce legislation to reauthorize the Food and Agricultural Sciences Education account in the Farm Bill and fully fund the Agriculture in the Classroom program, which promotes agricultural science literacy nationwide and supports approximately 160,000 students and roughly 3,000 teachers across Iowa. These investments will encourage the next generation to pursue a career in agriculture, help our educators teach the importance of agriculture to Iowa, and strengthen the future of Iowa agriculture. Feenstra Leads Legislation to Support Agriculture Education and Research in Iowa Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) introduced the Future Funding for Agricultural Research, Mentorship, and Education Reauthorization (Future FARMER) Act. This legislation reauthorizes the Food and Agricultural Sciences Education account in the Farm Bill, which includes secondary education, two-year postsecondary education, and several other important agriculture education programs. This helps to promote several critical programs such... Read More PROTECTING IOWA FARMLAND AND OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES FROM FLOOD DAMAGE 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. I joined forces with my colleague from North Carolina, Rep. Don Davis, on 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. Davis, Feenstra reintroduce flood prevention bill Reps. Don Davis, D-N.C., the ranking member of the House Agriculture Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee, and Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, who is also a member of the House Agriculture Committee, last week reintroduced H.R. 1858,... Read More CHATTING WITH THE IOWA COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK I enjoyed meeting with Iowa Community Action Network about helping our neighbors in need. We also had a great conversation about the important role that Head Start plays in educating the youngest Iowans and helping them develop, grow, and thrive. MAKING WOTUS FAIRER FOR OUR FARMERS AND RURAL LANDOWNERS For years, I have called for the Biden administration's radical interpretation of WOTUS to be thrown in the trash. This blatant government overreach saddles our producers with unnecessary red tape, increases operating costs, and empowers bureaucrats over landowners. I am very appreciative to President Trump and EPA Administrator Zeldin for working to write a new and much fairer WOTUS rule that will support Iowa farmers and our rural communities. EPA moves to change WOTUS rules Several senators supporting agriculture-based states were in attendance for the announcement. Read More WE MUST CONTINUE TO LOCK DOWN OUR BORDER Fentanyl-related deaths are now the No. 1 cause of death among adults 18-49, and the drug is responsible for 77 percent of adolescent overdose deaths. That’s why I voted for, and the U.S. House of Representatives passed, the HALT Fentanyl Act, which intends to cut the flow of these illicit opioids into American communities. This legislation would permanently establish the class-wide scheduling order for fentanyl-related substances — which is temporary and soon to expire. The bill also ensures that law enforcement agencies have the tools and resources that they need to keep deadly drugs like fentanyl out of our communities. Feenstra: Bolstering our border and keeping fentanyl out of communities There's no denying that the United States has an opioid crisis. Unregulated, deadly drugs have found their way into our urban centers, our suburbs and even our rural main streets. Read More WE NEED PERMANENT, YEAR-ROUND ACCESS TO E-15 NATIONWIDE! On my way to vote, it was great to run into my friend and an unwavering advocate for homegrown Iowa biofuels, Kelly Nieuwenhuis from Primghar. Like his pin says, I support permanent, year-round access to E-15 at gas pumps in all 50 states! Thank you to our corn farmers and ethanol producers! CONNECTING MORE FOSTER KIDS WITH LOVING HOMES AND CARING FAMILIES Last week, my bill to connect more foster kids with caring families unanimously passed the House of Representatives. As a father of four, I believe that every child deserves a loving family to call their own. HOLDING FRAUDSTERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR CRIMES Criminals who actively defrauded the American taxpayer and stole unemployment benefits from those in need during the COVID pandemic must be held accountable for their actions. These fraudsters robbed more than $100 billion of taxpayer dollars without any remorse. It’s shameful and unacceptable. I voted for the Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act so that we can extend the statute of limitations – which is set to expire on March 27th of this year – by five years to punish these lawbreakers and recover as much of the stolen money as possible. WELCOMING THE INTERNATIONAL DAIRY FOODS ASSOCIATION TO OUR OFFICE Yesterday, our Legislative Assistant — Heath — met with members of the International Dairy Foods Association for its annual Women’s Summit, including Sharon and Kyleigh with Wells Enterprises in Le Mars. Serving on the House Agriculture Committee, I’ll always stand up for our dairy farmers. IOWA PBS WILL BROADCAST IHSAA CHAMPIONSHIPS BEGINNING THIS FALL! Big news for Iowa high school sports! Beginning this fall, Iowa PBS will broadcast IHSAA championships for boys' basketball, football, and wrestling. Very soon, Iowans in all 99 counties will be able to watch the championships and support our student athletes. Iowa PBS to showcase IHSAA championships starting in 2025-26 For the first time ever, three Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) championships in football, wrestling, and basketball are coming to Iowa PBS. Read More ONE LAST THING: CONGRATULATIONS TO LISA SHIMKAT! I want to congratulate Lisa Shimkat from Fort Dodge on her appointment as Associate Administrator of Field Operations for the U.S. Small Business Administration. Under her leadership in Iowa, the Iowa SBDC assisted more than 24,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners! MY WEEKLY COLUMN: LOWERING THE COST OF CROP INSURANCE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF IOWA FARMERS As the only member of Congress serving on both the House Agriculture Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, it is important to me that we support the next generation of Iowa farmers and producers. That’s why I recently introduced the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act to lower the cost of crop insurance for our young, beginning, and veteran farmers during their first ten years in operation – the most vulnerable of any business. Supporting policies that help alleviate these obstacles, encourage young people to pursue a career in agriculture, strengthen our main streets and rural communities, and keep our farmland in the hands of American farmers is a top priority for me in Congress. Read my full weekly column below! My weekly column: Lowering the cost of crop insurance for the next generation of Iowa farmers As the only member of Congress serving on both the House Agriculture Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, it is important to me that we support the next generation of Iowa farmers and producers. The volatile nature of input costs, insurance rates, regulations, and international affairs makes farming - an already challenging industry - even more difficult. Read More CLOSING POLL FOR THE DAY Do you support President Trump's work to secure the border? Yes No Unsure / Indifferent LAST WEEK'S POLL RESULTS: Do you support defunding the U.S. Department of Education? Yes - 41% No - 52% Unsure/Indifferent - 7% 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