Friend,

We completed our eighth 20-county tour this week! From walking down rural Main Streets, to visiting family farms, touring manufacturing shop floors, and hearing from law enforcement and child care providers – I want to thank everyone who shared their stories with me and everyone we met along the way.

No matter where I go, or who I talk to, one thing is clear: Iowans are facing serious challenges as a result of the Biden-Pelosi agenda. One-party Democratic rule in Washington is harming Iowa: inflation is raging and everything is more expensive, our border is open and drugs are pouring into our communities, and families are scraping to get by. 

I will continue to go everywhere across our district and hear from you about the challenges you’re facing so that I can go back to Congress and pursue solutions that will help, and be a strong check on the Biden Administration agenda. Iowans need commonsense, accountable leadership.

It is the greatest honor of my life to represent Iowa in Congress, and I’ll continue working around the clock for you and your family.

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

Best,

It was great to be in Iowa, Poweshiek, Tama, Bremer, Linn, Marshall, Benton, and Delaware Counties this week to wrap up our eighth 20-county tour! 

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig joined me in hearing directly from our Iowa farmers and agriculture community in Iowa, Poweshiek, and Marshall Counties about this year’s harvest, expanding agritourism, and innovation. Watch our update below!

Secretary Mike Naig, State Senator Dawn Driscoll, and I visited Heartland Co-op in Marengo last Friday and enjoyed learning more about their operation and hearing how we can help Iowa farmers expand into new markets!

We visited Sunset Hills Bison Ranch in Malcom. We learned more about their premium products and growing agritourism business.

On stop number three with Secretary Naig last Friday, we toured the Corteva Agriscience facility in Toledo. They have such a rich history of seed production and innovation right here in Tama County, home of some of the greatest farmland in the world.

We walked down Main Street in Denver with the Denver Chamber of Commerce! Our rural Main Streets are what make Iowa so great, and I'll continue to pursue common sense policies that help all of our communities thrive.

I toured IFP Motion Solutions in Cedar Rapids and met with their team. I enjoyed seeing their operation firsthand and answering questions about ramping up energy production and increasing opportunities in the trades!

I met with the Vinton Municipal Electric Utility to hear more about the services they provide in the Vinton area. Folks are stressed about making ends meet, especially as home heating costs are expected to increase even more this winter. We talked about the need to unleash domestic production to lower the cost of energy so that Iowans can afford their utility bills.

I had a very informative roundtable with the Mid Iowa Drug Task Force. Task force members told me about the increased drugs — particularly meth and fentanyl — coming into Iowa from across our Southern Border. We have to secure the border to keep Iowans safe and keep deadly drugs out of our communities.

It was great to tour Gibbs family farm in Hopkinton. We learned more about how they use cover crops to improve soil health and retain nutrients for the next crop. We also discussed the importance of making sure farmers can pass on their land to the next generation. I always appreciate our family farmers taking time out of their busy schedules to show me around!

I joined hundreds of folks in welcoming home veterans on the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight. It was truly inspiring to see people of all ages and walks of life gather together to thank our veterans -- it was a powerful experience, and an important reminder that there is much more that unites us than divides us. Our veterans are the best of our nation, and their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten!

Tuesday was a very exciting day for Cedar Rapids as we welcomed BAE Systems, Inc. to our community. We celebrated 800 jobs and new opportunities to support our nation’s military while growing our local economy. I can’t wait to see all that we accomplish through this new partnership!

Last week, my team attended the grand opening of the Romper Room Childcare Center. This is their second location in Dubuque, providing more than 100 spots for families in the community!

My team attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Marion 7th Ave Streetscape last week -- great to see the community coming together to celebrate!

📰 The Gazette: BAE Systems’ site marks economic development milestone