Friends,

Thank you for taking time to read my weekly update. Below you'll learn more about what I'm doing in Washington to support Iowans in the first district.

In-Person Listening Post

Join me next week in Anamosa for an update about what’s happening in Washington. I’ll be at the Lawrence Community Center from 2-3pm CST. I look forward to seeing you there!

Border Visit

Last weekend I visited the border for the fourth time since being elected to Congress. I joined my colleagues Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), Senator Katie Britt (R-AL), and Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04) to meet with our border patrol agents. The Biden administration's lack of response to the crisis at our southern border is not only alarming and irresponsible but dangerous to our nation. This trip allowed us to see firsthand the number of drugs coming into our country and the challenges our border patrol agents are facing each day. We cannot afford to let the president continue to ignore this crisis—it's past time to enact policies that have been proven to work.

We also visited the San Sysidro Port of Entry, which is one of the busiest land border crossings in the world. During our meeting we learned about the different technologies and trainings that are in place to combat the influx of illegal immigrants and illicit drugs into the United States.

Telephone Town Hall

This week I hosted my first telephone town hall of 2023. I had a great time catching up with folks in the first district. Thanks for calling in—I look forward to hosting more in the future!

The Real State of our Nation

This week, President Biden upheld his constitutional obligation and reported on the State of the Union to Congress. While I was hoping to hear a unifying message from President Biden, instead our nation heard more exaggerations and more partisan talking points. 

Thankfully, Iowans saw through President Biden’s partisan politics and know the true state of our nation under this administration. While Congressional Democrats were applauding President Biden’s economic performance, working families across the country are still feeling the effects of record inflation and high interest rates. When President Biden took office, inflation was 1.5%. Now after two years of wasteful government spending, inflation is now 6.5%. If President Biden’s economic policies were working, Americans would not still be suffering under record-high inflation. 

President Biden disappointed me, and millions of families across the country, by failing to adequately recognize the harm that fentanyl has caused. Since President Biden took office, over 4.5 million illegal immigrants have crossed our border—that’s more than the entire population of Iowa. Some of these immigrants are criminals, human traffickers, and drug smugglers, bringing with them fentanyl and other illicit drugs. Last weekend, I joined my colleagues Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04) at the southern border to see firsthand how the Biden administration is failing our border patrol agents. Republicans are committed to supplying our border patrol agents with the necessary tools to secure our border and stop this flood of crime and drugs. 

Lastly, President Biden failed to recognize American energy during his State of the Union address. Iowa has been a net exporter of energy since 2008. With over fifty percent of electricity generated from clean energy sources, Iowa leads the nation in renewable energy production. Additionally, Iowa leads the country in biofuel production, which the Biden administration continues to ignore. It’s time to turn to our nation’s vast natural resources as a way to create jobs, stimulate the economy, and transition to energy independence, while reducing emissions. 

While President Biden and his administration continue to ignore the struggles of the American people, House Republicans have not. In just one month, we have passed legislation to unleash American energy and protect our strategic petroleum reserve, protect taxpayers, and end the overdue public health emergency. We are determined to restore faith in our government that has been failing you the past two years.

Iowans in DC

It is always great to meet with Iowans while they are in Washington! It truly is my favorite part of serving in Congress. Speaking to residents of the First District allows me to stay informed of what is going on in their communities and what I can do to help.

This week, presidents from private universities and colleges stopped by to talk about Free Application for Federal Student Aid reform to make college more affordable.

Ducks Unlimited also stopped by my office to meet with me about their facilities in Southeastern Iowa and their efforts to conserve Iowa's wildlife.

This week I also met with folks from Iowa Rural Water Association to talk about how Congress can support water and wastewater systems in rural Iowa.

I met with presidents of Iowa community colleges to talk about our priorities this year and how to increase access to higher education.

I had a great time meeting with Iowa Farm Bureau to talk about their farm bill priorities and mission to expand the biofuel industry in the United States.

I finished my week by meeting with Larry from QTC to talk about their strategies to implement the PACT Act and how to ensure our veterans have access to mental health resources.

Floor Speeches

On Monday I spoke on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize Annie Palmer of Indianola for receiving the Grow Your Future Award from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

Each year, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation offers the Grow Your Future Award to young Iowans who work in agriculture to help grow their businesses. Last year, Annie submitted her business, H8R Acres, which

raises Berkshire hogs and Navajo-Churro sheep for their meat and wool.

Congratulations to Annie and the rest of the winners of this year's Grow Your Future Award!

Legislative Roundup

This week I joined Representative August Fluger (TX-11) in introducing legislation to require universities to disclose donations over $5,000 to the Secretary of Education that originated from entities affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party.

I also voted in favor of the following bills:

• H.R. 548 - "To take certain Federal lands in Tennessee into trust for the benefit of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians."
• H.R. 423 - "To take certain land located in San Diego County, California, into trust for the benefit of the Pala Band of Mission Indians."
• H.R. 302 - "To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to provide financial assistance to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers pursuing certain courses of study relating to cybersecurity and energy infrastructure."
• H.R. 185 - "To terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers."
• H.Res. 104 - "Condemning the Chinese Communist Party's use of a high-altitude surveillance balloon over United States territory as a brazen violation of United States sovereignty."
• H.J.Res. 24 - "Disapproving the action of the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022."
• H.J.Res. 26 - "Disapporivng the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022."

20 County Tour

It is always great to meet with Iowans as I travel across the first district! It truly is my favorite part of serving in Congress. Speaking to Iowans allows me to stay informed about what is happening in their communities and what I can do to help.

This week I stopped by MAGNA in Williamsburg to learn more about their manufacturing process for automotive parts.

Other News

This week, I had the honor to preside over the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives!

I also invited David Barker to join me as my guest for the State of the Union Address. David serves on the Iowa Board of Regents as well as the Governor's Rural Empowerment Initiative and is committed to Iowa's economic growth.

Floor Debate

This week I spoke in favor of ending the travel vaccine mandate for foreign travelers. Canada, Australia, and Germany, who had stricter restrictions than the United States, have suspended their vaccination requirements. It is time we do the same.

Committee News

This week I spoke at the Energy & Commerce Hearing "Unleashing American Energy, Lowering Energy Costs, and Strengthening Supply Chains" and questioned witnesses about how the United States can create affordable energy to remain competitive globally.

To view my remarks click HERE.

I also spoke at the Energy & Commerce Hearing "The Federal Response to COVID-19." I questioned our witnesses on the failures of the CDC, FDA, and NIH during our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To view my remarks click HERE.

In the News

This week I joined Just the News, Not Noise to discuss the crisis at our southern border. We must equip our border agents with the resources needed to secure our southern border.

To watch my full interview click HERE.

I also joined the Evening Edit on Fox Business to talk about Dr. Fauci's role in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I have a feeling we will be hearing from him at the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis.

To watch my full interview click HERE.