Email from Rep. Miller-Meeks Miller-Meeks Weekly Script May 24th, 2026 View as Webpage Bringing Back the American Dream of Homeownership This past week, the House passed the amended 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, and I was proud to support it. This legislation is about something simple but increasingly out of reach for too many Americans: the ability to afford a home, build a future, and achieve the American Dream. For generations, owning a home represented stability, opportunity, and the chance to build something lasting for your family. But today, too many Iowa families feel like that dream is slipping away. Young couples are working hard, saving responsibly, and doing everything right, only to find themselves priced out of the market. The average first-time homebuyer is now 40 years old, the highest age ever recorded. Families are spending years trying to save for a down payment while housing costs continue to rise. At the same time, burdensome regulations and years of inflation have made it harder and more expensive to build new homes, especially in rural communities like ours. And increasingly, massive Wall Street investment firms are swooping in to buy up single-family homes and entire neighborhoods, turning family homes into corporate assets. That is not how the American Dream is supposed to work. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act takes meaningful steps to address this crisis by cutting unnecessary red tape, encouraging new home construction, expanding lending opportunities, supporting workforce and rural housing initiatives, and increasing the housing supply so prices can come down. It’s common sense: when we build more homes, costs go down and more families have a fair shot at homeownership. But Congress must go even further. I strongly believe Iowa homes belong to Iowa families, not massive hedge funds and corporate investors. First-time homebuyers should not have to compete with billion-dollar Wall Street firms for the chance to buy a home in their own community. That’s why I’ve continued pushing efforts to stop large institutional investors from buying up single-family homes across Iowa and America. Homes should be places where families grow, children are raised, and communities are built, not just another investment vehicle for corporate profits. Housing affordability impacts every generation, from young families buying their first home to seniors looking to downsize and remain in their communities. We need policies that put working families first again and restore opportunity for the next generation.  I’ll continue fighting to lower housing costs, increase supply, protect homeownership, and ensure the American Dream remains alive and well for Iowa families. Let’s keep Iowa homes in Iowa hands. Representing Iowa's First District It was an honor to help clean the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall ahead of Memorial Day. I’m grateful to all of our Vietnam veterans, including my brother Michael, who served our nation and defended the freedoms we enjoy. Their sacrifice and service will never be forgotten. Enjoyed meeting with Genentech to discuss their work expanding access to lifesaving cancer screenings and early detection. Through partnerships with nonprofits and VA clinics, they are helping increase access to lung cancer screening for veterans while also raising awareness about the importance of breast cancer screening. Early detection saves lives, and I’m grateful for their commitment to improving outcomes for Iowans. Great meeting with A.B.A.T.E. of Iowa to discuss their priorities for Surface Transportation Reauthorization, including improving road safety, strengthening infrastructure, and protecting the freedoms of riders across Iowa and the nation. A.B.A.T.E. plays an important role in representing Iowa’s motorcyclists and promoting safe, responsible travel for everyone on our roads. Met with Iowans from the American Flood Coalition to discuss flood mitigation and the importance of strengthening our infrastructure to better protect Iowa communities. We also discussed solutions to reduce flood risk, improve resilience, and ensure Iowa families, farms, and small businesses are protected. Had a productive meeting with Iowa caregivers on behalf of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to discuss the challenges caregivers of veterans face and how we can better support the men and women who care for our nation’s heroes every day. Their dedication, sacrifice, and service to our veterans deserve our gratitude and continued support. It was a pleasure meeting with constituents from NAIFA and Finseca to discuss the important role financial professionals play in helping Iowa families and small businesses plan for the future, protect their assets, and build long-term financial security. I welcomed Rep. Taylor Collins and leaders from Southeast Iowa Development representing Des Moines, Henry, Lee and Louisa counties to our nation’s capital, where we discussed Community Project Funding and how it can support communities and strengthen local economic development across southeast Iowa. I then gave them a tour of the U.S. Capitol and showed them the incredible view overlooking D.C.! Wonderful meeting with Burlington Deputy City Manager Nick MacGregor during his visit to Washington to discuss the $6 million I secured to restore the historic Cascade Bridge and preserve an important piece of Burlington’s history for future generations. Nick also gifted me a beautiful photo of the bridge, a reminder of just how much this landmark means to the community. Great meeting with Delia Meier, Vice President of Iowa 80 Group representing NATSO, to discuss the Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension Act and the importance of providing certainty for Iowa farmers, lowering energy costs, and strengthening rural communities. We also discussed priorities for Surface Transportation Reauthorization and supporting America’s trucking industry. Wonderful meeting with the Iowa Society of Anesthesiologists to discuss protecting access to high-quality VA care, supporting our healthcare workforce, and ensuring Iowa families can receive safe and timely surgical care. Committee Hearings Rural communities should not be left behind when it comes to recycling infrastructure and economic opportunity. I spoke in a Full Energy & Commerce Committee Markup on my bill, Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act that would support recycling programs by supporting local partnerships, strengthening domestic supply chains, and creating jobs in communities that have historically lacked access to these services. My bipartisan EARLY Act Reauthorization passed the House Energy & Commerce Committee unanimously, 48-0. As a physician, I know early detection saves lives. This legislation expands breast cancer education, awareness, and screening access for young women across America. I joined the Energy and Commerce Committee to speak in support of the Self-Drive Act. If technology can lower crashes caused by impairment, distraction, fatigue, or human error, Congress should create a responsible framework for it. I joined the Energy and Commerce Healthcare Subcommittee to discuss the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, MACRA, and Opportunities for Payment Reforms. I believe we should be focused on strengthening physician-led care, preserving independent practices, and ensuring Medicare patients can continue seeing doctors they know and trust. Floor Speeches The House passed my Fisher House Availability Act, cutting unnecessary VA red tape so military and veteran families can stay close to loved ones during medical treatment. As a veteran and Chair of the Veterans’ Health Subcommittee, I’ll always fight to put veterans and their families before bureaucracy. Here to Help You As always, my office is here to help. If you need assistance, don't hesitate to contact us. We've responded to over 100,000 constituent emails, letters, and calls. We’ve also helped over 2,500 people who had issues with a federal agency and, as a result, returned over $5 million to those constituents. If you're having trouble with a federal agency, reach out, and we'll be glad to assist. My Indianola and Davenport District offices are open and serving constituents. If you have a casework issue or need help with a federal department please call the Indianola Office at (515) 808-6040 and the Davenport Office at (563) 232-0930. My Washington, D.C. office is open and answering your calls so your voice can be heard. Please feel free to contact us at 202 225-6576. If you want to stay updated on the work I'm doing, I invite you to visit my website. You can also connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, and YouTube. Let us know how we can help you with the following agencies and more: Medicare and Social Security Claims My staff has been able to recover tens-of-thousands of dollars for constituents who deserved benefits and did not receive them. Veterans’ Services If you are a Veteran, my office can help you navigate the bureaucracy so that you can get the services you deserve. Passport Assistance Reach out to my team for assistance with any issues you might have with your passport. Tours and Tickets Let us help you schedule your visit to: White House U.S. Capitol Building Supreme Court Library of Congress FBI Building Sincerely, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks Visit My Website ### Rep. Miller-Meeks | 504 Cannon HOB | Washington, DC 20515 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice