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Delivering Results, Defending Iowa: A 2025 Year in Review

Over the past year, I’ve heard from countless Iowans, families struggling to keep up with rising costs, farmers concerned about their land, small business owners worried about burdensome regulations, and seniors trying to stretch their retirement. I’ve traveled to all 20 counties in Iowa’s First District not once, not twice, but three times over this year, meeting people where they are and listening to what matters most to them.

Through this work, my office has returned over $1.1 million to constituents, closed more than 500 constituent cases, and responded to over 55,000 emails, letters, and phone calls. That’s what public service is all about, delivering real results for real people.

And in 2025, we did just that. Together with President Trump and House Republicans, we advanced the most aggressive agenda for working and middle-class Americans in recent memory. Despite one of the narrowest House majorities in modern history, we delivered meaningful, lasting change for the people who sent us here.

We passed the largest tax cuts for working and middle-class Iowans in history, relief that is permanent and targeted at those who need it most. That includes a $6,000 tax deduction for seniors and a $2,200 child tax credit for families. We eliminated most taxes on overtime and tips, created $1,000 investment accounts for newborns, and delivered a 20% tax cut for small businesses. And because farmers and ranchers shouldn’t have to sell their land to pay a tax bill, we delivered permanent relief from the estate tax so they can pass their legacy on to the next generation, not the IRS.

After four years of open borders and chaos, we’ve restored law and order. Illegal crossings are down 97%, and for the first time in years, more people are leaving than entering illegally. Our communities are safer, and our immigration system is finally back under control.

As a 24-year veteran myself, it is critical to support our nation's veterans for all their hard work defending our country. As Chair of the Health sub-committee on Veterans Affairs, I have fought to improve access to health care and quality care for our troops. Whether it's cutting red tape so veterans can get the care they've earned, expanding mental health resources, or ensuring our VA facilities have the tools they need.

We unleashed American energy dominance, rolling back Biden’s anti-energy regulations and cutting red tape to build pipelines, plants, and refineries. As a result, gas prices are at five-year lows! Iowa families are starting to feel the difference.

We passed my Lowering Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, legislation that lowers costs by 11% across the board, expands choices for families and small businesses, and puts patients and doctors back in the driver’s seat, not bureaucrats or insurance companies.

And we protected Iowa farmland from being bought up by the Chinese Communist Party, because Iowa land belongs to Iowa farmers, not foreign adversaries.

In short, we delivered. But the job isn’t finished.

As we head into 2026, my mission remains the same: to lower the cost of living, strengthen our economy, lower health care costs, support our veterans, secure our communities, and put Iowa first in everything I do. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, and I’m even more excited about the work ahead.

Let’s keep going.

Legislative Victories

In 2025 alone, I introduced 37 bills and proudly co-sponsored 189 pieces of legislation focused on strengthening our economy, protecting Iowa families, and delivering real results for our communities.

Largest Tax Cut in History

I fought to deliver the Working Families Tax Cut, the largest tax cut for working and middle-class families in U.S. history. This legislation delivers:

• A $6,000 deduction for seniors
• A $2,200 Child Tax Credit for Iowa families
• $1,000 investment accounts for newborns
• A 20% tax cut for small businesses
• Cuts taxes on tips and overtime
• Strengthens American manufacturing

Working and middle-class families deserve to keep more of what they earn and benefit from one of the largest tax cuts in history!

$6,000 Tax Cut for Seniors

The $6,000 senior tax credit is available to eligible taxpayers aged 65 and older. This bill protects senior’s savings and gives them the security they earned. Couples filing jointly receive $12,000 ensuring the vast majority of seniors no longer pay federal tax on their social security. Seniors deserve respect, not higher taxes. They deserve to keep the money they worked tirelessly for their whole lives.

$2,200 Child Tax Credit

We are committed to making life more affordable for the families who are raising the next generation of Iowans. The $2,200 child tax credit from the Working Families Tax Cut delivers real relief for Iowan families providing $2,200 per child.

Fighting Against Fraud

I introduced the Welfare Abuse and Laundering Zillions (WALZ) Act in response to the massive fraud scandal uncovered in Minnesota, where an estimated $9 billion or more in taxpayer funds were lost to fraudulent claims and shell operations. This comprehensive legislation is aimed at preventing similar fraud across the nation. The WALZ Act will enhance verification and real-time audits, trigger mandatory investigations on an unexplained spike in claims, strengthen accountability for state agencies, protect benefits for legitimate recipients, and establish uniform national safeguards.

Protecting Iowa Farmland

In Iowa, farming is the backbone of our communities and a family business passed down through generations. Yet the death tax has long threatened this tradition, forcing families to sell the very land they worked for just to pay the IRS inheritance taxes. That's why I supported legislation to repeal the death tax exemption. We worked hard to deliver, allowing families to pass their farms down to their children.

I have also been a strong advocate for keeping Iowa farmland in American hands. I co-sponsored the No American Land for Communist China Act to block the Chinese Communist Party and other foreign adversaries from purchasing U.S. agricultural land, protecting our agricultural land, national security, and Iowans jobs. I will continue to fight for our farm communities and to ensure they remain in the hands of Iowans for generations to come.

Most Secure Border in 50 years

Under Joe Biden and Democrat leadership, we had the worst border crisis in history, over 10 million illegal immigrants allowed to enter, catch‑and‑release running rampant, and communities overwhelmed.

Now thanks to President Donald J. Trump and House Republicans, illegal crossings have plunged to historic lows, with releases down to zero. This is what border security looks like, protecting our citizens.

Lowest Gas Prices in 4 Years

Nationally, the average price per gallon is $2.90, with even lower rates falling to $2.47 in Iowa. Under the Biden administration's policies, we saw gas prices rise to $4.88 a gallon. Higher energy costs and misguided policies drove up prices. This means that everyday trips to the grocery store, taking children to school, and going to work became a financial strain for families, until we fought to make this change.

In 2025, we rolled back President Biden’s anti-energy agenda and put America back on the path to true energy dominance. We’re building again, drilling again, and unleashing American innovation by powering our nation with reliable, affordable American energy instead of relying on foreign adversaries. This means lower costs for Iowa families, stronger national security, and good-paying jobs right here at home. I fight hard to make sure that the citizens of Iowa have access to affordable fuel to keep working hard without the added stress of stretching their pay checks thinner.

Strengthening Our Military

As a 24-year Army veteran, supporting and strengthening our military has been a top priority for me. I voted in favor of the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). It delivers a much deserved pay raise for our troops, invests in the next generation of military strength so that we can compete with China and Russia, and restores merit, not DEI, as the foundation of our armed forces. A stronger military means a safer, more secure future for every American. Peace through Strength.

Keeping Men Out of Womens Sports

I supported the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, to safeguard women's sports and protect girls from competing against men. There are significant, biological differences between men and women. 45 Senate Democrats voted against protecting women's sports and chose to put our daughter's at risk. We need to protect fairness and safety of women. I will continue to fight for a level playing field in women's sports.

Passed the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act

I introduced the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act. This legislation passed the House and will lower health care premiums, increase health care access, expand health care choices, and bring greater transparency to America’s health care system. This legislation puts patients and doctors first, instead of insurance companies.

Protecting our Youth Online

I introduced the Spy Kids Act to protect children online by prohibiting major online platforms from conducting market or product-focused research on minors and strengthen parental oversight of data practices. Children and teens should not be profiled, studied, or targeted for commercial advantage, especially without parental oversight.

Supporting our Veterans

I introduced the Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act which increases access to costly medications out of reach for severely disabled veterans in State Veterans Homes. As a 24-year veteran and physician, it is critical to increase access to life-saving medication for our veterans.

Over $5 Million Secured for Iowa in 2025

I successfully delivered over $5 million in Community Project Funding for three transformational projects in southeast Iowa, including major investments in childcare, rural health care, and workforce development.



Newton YMCA – $2.79 Million

This funding will expand the Newton YMCA to open 50 new childcare slots, helping address Jasper County’s severe childcare shortage. The expansion will also support youth programming, fitness access, and community wellness, strengthening economic growth and supporting working families.

Jones Regional Medical Center (JRMC) – $2 Million

Funding will expand and modernize JRMC’s west wing to build a permanent 17,000 sq. ft. Advanced Simulation Lab, replacing the temporary trailers currently used for nursing education. This new state-of-the-art facility will allow JRMC’s nursing program to graduate 14 additional nurses per year and expand advanced training opportunities for other high-demand medical professions. The project will secure long-term workforce development and help meet Iowa’s growing need for healthcare providers.

Keokuk Area Hospital – $825,000

This investment will help restore critical health services to Lee County, which has not had an operational hospital since October 2022. Funding will support facility improvements that allow the Rural Emergency Hospital to offer outpatient specialty services in addition to emergency care, filling a dangerous gap in access and strengthening health outcomes for the entire region.

Constituent Casework Summary

This year alone, my office:

• Responded to over 55,000 emails, calls, and letters
• Closed over 500 constituent cases
• Returned more than $1.1 million to Iowans

It’s been an honor to fight for every Iowan this year, whether in Washington, D.C. or right here in Iowa. And if you, a friend, or a family member ever need help navigating a federal agency in 2026, please know my office is always here for you.

I want to close by sincerely thanking you for an incredible year. Like any year, it had its ups and downs, but I remain deeply hopeful. I truly believe our nation is on a path that will make life more affordable, safer, and more prosperous for families across Iowa and across America.

Happy New Year, and God bless you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks

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