Email from Rep Feenstra In this week's roundup: The Democrat-led shutdown continues.     Dear Friend, In this week's roundup: The Democrat-led shutdown continues. 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! DEMOCRATS HAVE NOW KEPT THE GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN FOR 10 DAYS As you've probably seen, Democrats have now kept the government shut down for 10 days to give free healthcare to illegal immigrants and spend an additional $1.5 trillion in taxpayer dollars. Now, during the peak of harvest season, farmers can’t go to FSA offices, get paperwork processed, or report acreage. Our troops and border patrol agents will also miss paychecks the longer that this shutdown lasts. It's unacceptable. Back in September, I voted to keep the government open so that we could continue the appropriations process, properly steward taxpayer dollars, and cut wasteful government spending from the federal budget. This Democrat shutdown is hurting our families, farmers, seniors, veterans, and small businesses. It's past time for Democrats to come to their senses and vote to reopen the government. MARKING THE SOMBER TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE OCTOBER 7TH ATTACKS ON ISRAEL On October 7th, 2023, vicious Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, murdered nearly 1,200 innocent Israelis, and took 251 people hostage — about 50 of whom remain captive. Hamas targeted defenseless civilians as they slaughtered entire families and scorched their homes, raped women and attacked a music festival. On this somber anniversary, we mourn the fallen and demand the release of all remaining hostages. Read my full op-ed with my friend and co-chair of Iowans Supporting Israel, Charles Schneider, below. On the second anniversary of Oct. 7, Iowa stands with Israel Let us honor the memory of those who died by recommitting ourselves on a regular basis to condemning antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head. Read More PREVENTING THE LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN U.S. HISTORY This summer, Republicans passed, and President Donald Trump signed into law, legislation that prevented the largest tax increase on American families, farmers, workers, and small businesses in history. Had the first Trump tax cuts been allowed to expire at the end of this year, the average Iowa taxpayer would have seen a 25 percent tax hike while a family of four would have been forced to fork over an extra $1,400 — the equivalent of about eight weeks of groceries — to the federal government. As the only member of Congress serving on both the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Agriculture Committee, I played a central role in making these tax cuts permanent while expanding tax relief for workers, seniors, and manufacturers. Allowing every taxpayer and family in Iowa to face a significant tax increase was not an option for me. Through the pro-growth provisions of the Working Families Tax Cuts, our economy will ignite and taxpayers and families will benefit tremendously. Feenstra: Stopping the largest tax increase in U.S. history This summer, Republicans passed, and President Donald Trump signed into law, legislation that prevented the largest tax increase on American families, farmers, workers, and small businesses in history. Read More PRESIDENT TRUMP DELIVERS PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH I thank President Trump for delivering peace through strength across the globe. He has worked around the clock to secure the release of every remaining hostage and bring stability and security to the Middle East. President Trump continues to make our world a stronger and safer place. WWII VETERAN LAID TO REST IN GLENWOOD While serving our country during WWII, Iowan and Second Lt. Blaine Wilcox was killed in action, but his remains were just recently identified. About 80 years since his death, he was buried in his hometown of Glenwood this week. We can never adequately thank our men and women in uniform who made the ultimate sacrifice. May Second Lt. Wilcox rest in peace. World War II airman killed after being shot down laid to rest 80 years later More than 80 years after his death, a World War II soldier has been laid to rest. Read More ONE LAST THING: CONGRATULATIONS TO DEPUTY JESSICA DORHOUT ON BEING RECOGNIZED BY THE IOWA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS Congratulations to Sioux County Sheriff's Deputy Jessica Dorhout on being recognized by the Iowa Association of School Resource Officers for her service to Sioux County and her work as a School Resource Officer at MOC-Floyd Valley. After three students tragically lost their lives in a house fire last month, Deputy Dorhout was on campus the next day supporting grieving classmates and school staff. We cannot thank our law enforcement officers enough for all that they do for our communities. Sioux County Deputy honored by Iowa Association of School Resource Officers The Iowa Association of School Resource Officers (IASRO) has named Deputy Jessica Dorhout of the Sioux County Sheriff's Office as its October Monthly Highlight. Read More MY WEEKLY COLUMN: MOURNING THE LIVES TAKEN ON OCTOBER 7, 2023 In the aftermath of the brutal October 7th attacks, what should have been a total rejection of this barbarism was shattered by pro-Hamas, antisemitic rallies on college campuses across our country. Instances of antisemitism have skyrocketed, especially on college campuses, with some estimates suggesting that roughly 3.5 million Jewish Americans have faced antisemitism and other forms of hate since October 7th. Two Israeli Embassy staffers – Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim – were even murdered this past May outside of the Jewish Capital Museum in Washington, D.C. These trends are alarming and unacceptable, and it requires everyone who rejects hate to speak out. Read more in my weekly column below. My weekly column: Mourning the lives taken on October 7, 2023 Two years ago on October 7th, 2023, the world watched in horror as vicious Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, murdered nearly 1,200 innocent Israelis, burned entire communities to the ground, and took hundreds of people hostage. Hamas is a terrorist organization that has no regard for human nor any remorse for its violent actions. Read More CLOSING POLL FOR THE DAY Do you support an additional $1.5 trillion in government spending? Yes No Unsure / Indifferent LAST WEEK'S POLL RESULTS: Do you support free healthcare for illegal immigrants? Yes - 7% No - 89% Unsure/Indifferent - 4% 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