Email from Rep Feenstra

Dear Friend,

In this week's roundup: Day 38 of the Democrat-led government shutdown. 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 38 DAYS

It's now been 38 days since Democrats recklessly shut down the government to advance their own radical agenda.

I know you've heard this before, but it bears repeating. Democrats are preventing the SNAP program from being funded and blocking pay for our troops, border patrol agents, and Air Traffic Controllers all to give free healthcare to illegal immigrants.

Liberals even want to add $1.5 trillion to our already $38-trillion national debt.

Back in September, I voted with my Republican colleagues for a clean funding bill that would have kept the government open and allowed us to continue the normal appropriations process. This would have let us cut wasteful spending from the federal budget and begin to get our fiscal house in order.

Unfortunately, just like they've done for the last 38 days, Democrats refuse to be reasonable and end this liberal shutdown.

Democrats must come to their senses and reopen the government.

Transportation Department may close parts of airspace if government shutdown continues, Duffy says

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday that the U.S. might be forced to close parts of its airspace if staffing shortages amid the government shutdown continue

A BIG TRADE WIN WITH BANGLADESH ON SOYBEANS!

President Trump and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins continue to deliver for Iowa farmers and open markets for our agricultural products!

Bangladesh will purchase $1 billion worth of U.S. soybeans over the course of the next year, supporting our soybean farmers and rural communities.

This deal is a huge win for Iowa agriculture and our soybean growers!

Rollins: U.S.-China Soybean Deal Spurs Big Buy from Bangladesh

According to Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins, the top three soy-crushing companies in Bangladesh agreed to buy $1 billion worth of U.S. soybeans over the next year.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ADDS PHOSPHATE AND POTASH TO CRITICAL MINERALS LIST

I’m grateful to President Trump for delivering for Iowa farmers and adding both phosphate and potash to the final Critical Minerals List.

This is a request that I helped lead to ensure that our farmers have access to the affordable inputs they need to feed and fuel our country and the world.

The inclusion of phosphate and potash to the final Critical Minerals List will help us lower input costs, increase domestic production, and protect Iowa farmers from outsized dependence on foreign countries for phosphate and potash.

I will continue to work to bring down fertilizer costs and ensure that our farmers and rural communities are successful.

Feenstra Applauds President Trump for Adding Phosphate and Potash to Final Critical Minerals List

HULL, IOWA - Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of the Interior released its final Critical Minerals List, which includes phosphate and potash.

ADVOCATING FOR THE 185TH AIR REFUELING WING IN THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT

I’m proud to lead the full Iowa delegation in urging leadership in the Senate and House Armed Services Committees to fully fund military construction projects at the 185^th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) in Sioux City as part of the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

This is the first time in U.S. history that support for the 185^th ARW was included in any version of the NDAA, which is a huge win for the Iowa Air National Guard and the community of Sioux City.

These projects will help repair and replace the airport’s runway, replace the aircraft parking apron, and construct a warm-up and holding pad for the KC-135 Stratotanker.

I will keep advocating that these critical military investments are funded and completed so that the 185^th can continue to execute its mission flawlessly and professionally.

CONVENING OUR FOURTH DISTRICT MILITARY ACADEMY BOARD IN FORT DODGE

This week, our Fourth District Military Academy Board met at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge to interview students for nomination to one of our nation’s military academies.

I appreciate these Iowans for volunteering their time for this important process and thank all the students who participated.

ONE LAST THING: STUDENTS FROM ROCK VALLEY VISIT LOCAL NURSING HOME

This is such a great and heartwarming story!

For the last three years, third graders from Rock Valley Elementary have visited with residents at Whispering Heights, a nursing home in Rock Valley.

Both residents and students play board and card games together, which is a positive experience for everyone.

You can read the full story below!

Rock Valley third-graders visit nursing home

ROCK VALLEY-Connections span generations when Rock Valley Elementary third-grade teacher Julie Van Otterloo's class visits Whispering Heights, a nursing home, to play games, create crafts and bond with the residents

MY WEEKLY COLUMN: PRESIDENT TRUMP DELIVERS IMPORTANT WINS FOR IOWA FARMERS

It has now been a little over a year since more than 77 million Americans voted for President Trump in a landslide victory. From stopping the largest tax hike in U.S. history to completely shutting down our border, President Trump and Republicans in Congress have worked hard to deliver on this mandate and usher in an era of American greatness and prosperity.

One of President Trump’s main focuses since his election has been supporting our farmers and producers. He knows that agriculture is the backbone of states like Iowa, and I’m working with him, as the only member of Congress serving on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and the House Agriculture Committee, to support our farming community.