Email from Rep Feenstra In this week's roundup: Meeting with Iowans in D.C. and voting to protect telehealth for our veterans.     Dear Friend, In this week's roundup: Meeting with Iowans in D.C. and voting to protect telehealth for our veterans. 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! MEETING WITH ROCK VALLEY CITY OFFICIALS AND FEMA This week, I welcomed local leaders and city officials from Rock Valley – including Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo and City Administrator Tom Van Maanen – to our nation’s capital to discuss ongoing flood recovery efforts and the way forward. We had a substantive meeting with FEMA representatives where we continued to press for answers about outstanding relief dollars. Those conversations included a status update on the Swift Current program, housing buyouts, and other resources available to Rock Valley. Too many families in Rock Valley are paying double mortgages waiting on the federal bureaucracy, and I made clear that there is not a moment to spare to get these dollars unlocked and delivered. My promise is that I will not stop until our neighbors in Rock Valley get the full relief they need and deserve. I will also continue to work with officials in Spencer, Cherokee, Sioux City, Correctionville, and other cities to ensure that these communities can fully rebuild. SECURING $1.8 MILLION FOR ROCK VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT After working with FEMA, I’m glad to announce that we secured $1.8 million for Rock Valley Community School District for ongoing flood recovery efforts. I’m continually impressed by the resilience of our neighbors in Rock Valley and their commitment to rebuilding stronger than before. This funding will help get students back in the classroom and ensure that they can learn in a safe environment. I will not stop until the people of Rock Valley receive the full relief that they need and deserve. NW Iowa school district to receive $1.8 million in flood aid from FEMA Rock Valley schools to receive $1.8 million in funding to recover from June 2024 flooding damage Read More HONORING THE LEGACY AND REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF CHARLIE KIRK On Monday night, I participated in a prayer vigil in memory of Charlie Kirk at the U.S. Capitol. He practiced civil discourse and respectful dialogue, which are fundamental pillars of our society, and reassured young Americans that their voice matters. The impact that he had on our college campuses as a conservative voice was enormous and immeasurable. I was also proud to support a congressional resolution honoring Charlie’s life and legacy while condemning political violence in the strongest terms possible. We will always remember Charlie and his important work elevating the voices of young Americans and promoting conservative values. MEETING WITH THE IOWA CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION It’s always good to sit down with the Iowa Cattlemen's Association and talk about our world-class cattle industry. We all agreed that we need to pass a new Farm Bill, improve the CRP for cattle producers, and open new export markets for our beef. Iowa cattle producers make our rural communities strong! EXPANDING ACCESS TO EARLY DETECTION SCREENINGS FOR CANCER Receiving a cancer diagnosis is devastating news for patients and can be confusing and scary for families and loved ones. However, through new advancements in medicine and early detection, there is real hope for recovery. It’s why, as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I voted to expand early detection screenings for many types of cancer so that we can catch cancer early when it is most treatable. This legislation will help our seniors receive the routine screenings and early tests that truly save lives. WELCOMING THE IOWA TURKEY FEDERATION TO WASHINGTON, D.C! I had a great conversation with the Iowa Turkey Federation about how we can support our turkey farmers and increase demand for turkey nationwide and across the globe. We also discussed the importance of foreign animal disease prevention and response. I’ll always stand up for our turkey growers! SHOWING THE BOUSEMA FAMILY AROUND THE CAPITOL It was great to welcome my friends from Sheldon — Joel and Amy Bousema and their daughter Erica — to Washington, D.C. and give them a tour of the Capitol. I always enjoy seeing Iowans in our nation’s capital and showing them around. Our shared Iowa values guide my work in Congress. PROTECTING ACCESS TO TELEHEALTH FOR OUR VETERANS Telehealth is a vital lifeline for our veterans, especially those living in rural Iowa, to get the prescriptions and care that they need. Without reliable telehealth services, too many veterans would be forced to travel long distances for medical appointments or forgo seeing the doctor entirely. That’s unacceptable, and it’s a threat to the health and wellbeing of our fellow Iowans who made incredible sacrifices to serve our country. It’s why I supported passage of legislation to permanently authorize VA healthcare providers to prescribe medications for veterans via telehealth. There is no reason that veterans should be denied the care that they deserve because of where they live or unnecessary government red tape. Feenstra Supports Passage of Legislation to Protect Access to Telehealth for Iowa Veterans WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, with the strong support of U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull), the U.S. Read More TALKING ABOUT IMPORTANT PRIORITIES FOR IOWA CORN FARMERS It’s always a pleasure to chat with my friend from Primghar — Kelly Nieuwenhuis — who serves on the Corn Board of the National Corn Growers Association. We agreed we must pass a new Farm Bill and secure permanent, year-round access to E-15 to support our corn farmers and invest in our rural communities. MEETING WITH THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION I enjoyed meeting with the Director of the Iowa Department of Transportation, Scott Marler, and DOT commissioners about investing in Iowa’s infrastructure. From roads and bridges to airports and waterways, we are focused on transporting Iowa-made products and keeping Iowans safe. CHATTING WITH THE IOWA ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY It was great to meet with the Iowa Association of Business and Industry and discuss how we can make Iowa the top state for agriculture, business, and manufacturing! We also talked about how — by passing our package of pro-growth tax cuts — we delivered certainty for Iowa businesses to invest, expand, and hire. DISCUSSING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN IOWA I had a great discussion with Iowans from the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the Quad Cities Chamber, and the Ames Regional Economic Alliance about how we can make Iowa the friendliest state for business, manufacturing, and agriculture. We also talked about the importance of investments in research, especially for ag and manufacturing. MEETING WITH THE ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF AMERICA On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to chat with the Associated General Contractors of America and representatives from businesses in Ida Grove, Des Moines, West Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Granger, and Sioux City. The pro-growth policies that we passed will help support the construction industry and the jobs it creates. SITTING DOWN WITH THE IOWA ORTHOPAEDIC SOCIETY I enjoyed meeting with members of the Iowa Orthopaedic Society and the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons. We had an important discussion about investing in rural healthcare, making care more accessible for Iowans, and keeping healthcare professionals practicing in Iowa. ONE LAST THING: OBTAINING 12 MEDALS AND ACCOLADES FOR VETERANS FROM FRANKLIN COUNTY I’m glad that our office could honor two veterans from Franklin County by presenting to their family a combined 12 medals and accolades that they earned serving our country in uniform. The late Roy Spangenberg, who served during World War II, and the late Arvin Stadtlander, who served during the Vietnam War, received these honors for their courage, character, and sacrifice. It is a top priority for me to ensure that the men and women who have served in our armed forces are properly recognized for their contributions and valor. I encourage any veteran or family member to contact our office online at Feenstra.House.Gov or by phone at 202-225-4426 if we can be helpful with navigating the VA or receiving earned medals. MY WEEKLY COLUMN: SUPPORTING OUR VETERANS AND HONORING THEIR SERVICE Less than 1% of the U.S. population is currently serving in the military, and about 6% of the population are veterans. This incredible sliver of our population has done the overwhelming duty of protecting our American way of life and our cherished freedoms. In years to come, many more will answer the call of duty and fill the boots of the soldiers who served before them. I will always advocate on behalf of our troops and our veterans and will forever be thankful for their service and sacrifice. Read more from my weekly column below. My weekly column: Supporting our veterans and honoring their service Meeting with Iowa veterans and ensuring that, as a grateful state and nation, we support these heroes through the best healthcare and services that we have to offer is a top priority for me. Read More CLOSING POLL FOR THE DAY Do you support the expanded $2,200 child tax credit? Yes No Unsure / Indifferent LAST WEEK'S POLL RESULTS: Do you support a pay raise for our troops? Yes - 85% No - 10% 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