For regular updates on my work in Washington and information on when I’ll be in your neighborhood, sign up here for my e-newsletter. 

Friends, 

From working to lower gas prices to voting to cap the price of insulin at $35 per month, announcing new grants for meat processors with the U.S. Department of Agriculture under secretary, and much more, it's been a busy two weeks working to bring your voice to Washington.

To learn more about what I've been working on and how I'm making your voice heard, keep reading. 

Working to Lower Gas Prices and Make E15 Available Year Round 

Ensuring E15 remains available throughout the summer months will not only help alleviate America's pain at the pump, but it will also maximize carbon reductions from biofuels and create more opportunities in rural Iowa.

That's why I led 28 of my colleagues on the House Biofuels Caucus in a bipartisan letter urging President Biden to make this happen. It's the right thing to do.

Capping the Cost of Insulin at $35 Per Month

I've heard so many heartbreaking stories from Iowans living with diabetes about the crushing costs of insulin. Many have skipped meals or risked their lives by rationing their insulin to be able to afford it, and that's unacceptable. Yesterday, I voted with a bipartisan majority of my colleagues to cap the out-of-pocket price of insulin at $35 per month to make this life-saving medication more affordable and accessible. I'll never stop fighting to lower drug costs for patients here in Iowa and across the country.

New Opportunities and Support for Meat Processors

Check out my interview with USDA Under Secretary Moffitt!

Last week, I welcomed U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt to Iowa to announce $23.6 million in grant funding available to help meat processors expand capacity and a new technical assistance program to help processors apply for and use those funds. 

Local processors throughout the Third District have gone above and beyond to meet the national demand for meat, and this new funding will be critical to scaling up production and ensuring Iowa producers have more options. Find more information about the new funding and program here.

New Bills to Combat the Mental Health and Addiction Crises

Our country's worsening mental health and addiction crises are taking a devastating toll on Iowans, and they demand immediate action. This week, I introduced two bipartisan bills to combat these crises and save lives. 

There's no question that our young people have been bearing the brunt of the mental health crisis. That's why I introduced the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, which would authorize an increase of over $10 million per year for critical youth suicide prevention services and get our young people the support they deserve.

Also, nearly 70,000 Americans lost their lives to opioid addiction in 2020, and we need to be doing everything we can to help those living with addiction get to and stay in recovery. 

Right now, due to current federal guidelines, people living with opioid addiction are being turned away from medication-assisted opioid treatment just because they haven't been addicted to opioids for a full year. That's unacceptable. This week, I introduced the Timely Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Act, to eliminate that requirement and make treatment more accessible. 

I'm proud to join my colleagues in these bipartisan efforts to cut through the red tape that's preventing folks from getting the care and treatment that they need to live their healthy lives. 

2022 Congressional Art Competition

2021 Congressional Art Competition Winner for Iowa's Third District: Eli Clayton of Bondurant-Farrar High School

Attention all high school artists in the Third District: I'm excited to announce that the 2022 Congressional Art Competition is NOW OPEN! Student artists are invited to submit one piece of original artwork to the competition for a chance to have their work displayed at the U.S. Capitol for one year and on the Congressional Art Competition website.

Students have until Monday, May 2 at 5 p.m. CT to enter. More information about the competition and submission details are available on the art competition section of my website.

Be well, 

Cindy