Friend,

This week, I joined Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) to host a roundtable discussion with student veterans and other local veterans at the University of Dubuque. We heard about the challenges facing veterans, particularly the hurdles in transitioning to higher education after service.

We had a great conversation about ways we can improve access to care, increase military retention, and address issues at the VA. Those who served our country deserve the care and benefits they were promised, but too often our veterans face challenges in receiving these services.

As your Representative, I will continue working across the aisle to support our veterans and ensure they receive the care they have earned.

Read on below for more information about my work for Iowans this week!

President Biden's strategy of begging other countries to produce oil has, unsurprisingly, failed. OPEC+ decided to cut oil production this week — now, Americans will pay an even higher price for energy because President Biden refused to unleash domestic production, despite it being cheaper and cleaner than foreign sources. 

President Biden must stop draining our Strategic Petroleum Reserve and relying on other countries for energy production while ignoring domestic sources. While Speaker Pelosi will come up with every excuse in the book to justify President Biden's disastrous energy policies, I'll continue advocating to ramp up domestic production and expand the use of Iowa biofuels to regain our energy independence and lower costs.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month, we remember the lives lost to breast cancer, celebrate the strength of survivors, and continue raising awareness about self-exams and how early detection can help save lives. I'm proud to have helped introduce the Mobile Mammography Promotion Act to help women in rural areas access life-saving mammograms.

I am proud to help lead a bipartisan resolution designating this week as National Midwifery Week. Improving access to maternal care is a top priority for me in Congress, especially for those who live in rural communities. Many women in rural areas often have to drive over an hour to get to an OBGYN. Midwives can help fill this gap in maternal care. Recognizing National Midwifery Week will help expand access to midwifery services and ensure that expecting moms and their babies can have safe, healthy pregnancies.

Civics education is incredibly important, and in Congress, I'm working in a bipartisan way to promote civic engagement for Iowa youth. I am grateful for Iowa teachers and educators who are teaching students about how our democracy functions and the importance of civic engagement. 

Watch my full conversation with Chris Kramer, the Director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, where we discussed civic engagement opportunities for young Iowans and the importance of in-person learning experiences!

October is National Pork Month! My team attended the Iowa Pork Celebration with The Big Show at Hy-Vee in Cedar Rapids this week. We love Iowa pork, and we hate Washington pork!

My team attended the 90th Iowa State Police Association's Annual Conference in Cedar Rapids. I'm thankful for our law enforcement officers across the district who are working to keep our communities safe everyday.

The Cedar Rapids Healthiest State Walk took place this week -- my team was there to participate in the walk and thank the volunteers for helping with this great event!

From October 3rd-7th, Leader Valley celebrated the very first Leader in Me Week in the Cedar Valley. Students, families, educators, businesses, and community leaders spent the week celebrating the impact of Leader in Me across the Cedar Valley. I was proud to secure federal funding for this exceptional program! 

📰 WCMY: Hinson concerned about 2023 input costs

📰 Telegraph Herald: Hinson, Ernst talk veterans' services at UD panel