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Made in America Manufacturing Tour: Building Jobs and Restoring American Strength

Iowa’s First District is the manufacturing heart of our state, and I was proud to lead a Made in America Manufacturing Tour to showcase the real results we are delivering for workers, businesses, and families. From Indianola to Pella to Muscatine, I met with employees, managers, and industry leaders who are already seeing the benefits of the pro-growth provisions passed in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

At Cemen Tech in Indianola, company leadership shared how the 100% immediate expensing provisions are giving them certainty to reinvest in new equipment and expand production and employees told me they appreciated knowing the company could continue to thrive. At Vermeer in Pella, the President and administration told me how permanent R&D expensing will help them keep innovating while hiring hundreds of skilled workers. And at SSAB in Muscatine, steelworkers described the value of lower taxes on overtime pay and the long-term stability created by making the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent. These policies aren’t abstract, they directly benefit workers who put in long hours, and companies that are competing with China and the rest of the world.

President Trump’s leadership has been key. His America First agenda is restoring manufacturing, strengthening supply chains, and driving investment back into the United States. Across the country, trillions in new U.S. and foreign investment have been announced, much of it in advanced manufacturing, energy, and technology. Here in Iowa that means higher wages, security of current jobs and creation of new ones, stronger families and communities, and renewed confidence in the future of American industry.

The reconciliation bill also frees up $500 billion for trade schools and workforce development. This is a game-changer for Iowa, where employers need skilled workers and young people deserve good-paying careers without being forced into debt at a four-year university. By empowering our trade schools, manufacturers and community colleges, we are equipping the next generation to build, design, and innovate right here at home.

The message from my tour was clear: America is open for business, and Iowa is leading the way. By cutting taxes, reducing red tape, and putting American workers first, we are building a stronger, more self-reliant nation. That is how we end our dependence on China, rebuild our industrial base, and secure a prosperous future for Iowa and for America. 

Made in America Manufacturing Tour

Monday I kicked off my Made in America Manufacturing Tour to highlight the major manufacturing wins delivered through President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

First stop: Cement Tech in Indianola!

I met with company leaders and employees to talk through provisions that will benefit their work and answered their questions on how these policies will affect them:

We discussed:

• $500 billion for trade schools & workforce development
• 100% immediate expensing to help businesses reinvest & grow
• Lower taxes on overtime pay
• Permanent extension of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act

These investments mean more jobs, more skills, and more opportunity for Iowa workers and families.

Stop 2 of my Made in America Manufacturing Tour: Vermeer in Pella!

Vermeer is booming and hiring hundreds of skilled workers thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). With immediate expensing, permanent R&D support, and the permanency of tax provisions in the OBBBA, this law is fueling growth in Iowa and across our nation.

Stop 3 of my Made in America Manufacturing Tour: SSAB in Muscatine!

SSAB produces some of the world’s best steel, powering our energy, defense, construction, and transportation sectors. With nearly 500 workers, they’re not only one of Iowa’s largest recyclers, but also a hub of good-paying, family-supporting jobs.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is giving manufacturers like SSAB the certainty to keep leading, hiring, and building Iowa’s future.

To wrap up my Made in America Manufacturing Tour, I led a manufacturing town hall in Muscatine County with over 60 hardworking manufacturing laborers.

I answered questions on tax-free overtime, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, increasing workforce and trade. We also had a great conversation about how President Trump's agenda will improve their lives.

Nothing beats hearing directly from the men and women who are building Iowa, strengthening America, and keeping our manufacturing strong.

Representing Iowa's First District

I visited Oertel Metal Works in Davenport for a shop tour and a roundtable with their team. We discussed how the Made in America and small business provisions in the reconciliation bill, including 100% immediate expensing for capital investments, No Tax on Overtime, and permanent 199A deduction, are fueling growth, creating jobs, and strengthening Iowa, and America’s economy.

I convened my second hospital roundtable in Davenport with Iowa HHS Director Kelly Garcia and leaders from 7 hospitals across Southeast Iowa. We focused on implementing the first-of-its-kind $50B Rural Hospital Transformation Fund from the reconciliation bill to maintain rural hospitals, cut red tape, and continue care in our communities.

I led a roundtable in Clinton with restaurant and hotel owners from across the district to discuss reconciliation’s pro-growth provisions like 199A, No Tax on Overtime, and No Tax on Tips. I’m grateful for their insights as we work together to grow jobs and opportunity in Iowa.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks

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