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.

Join Me for a Town Hall in Warren County!

Join me for a town hall in Indianola on Monday evening! We will be in the auditorium at the Warren County Administration Building at 301 North Buxton Street from 6:00-7:00pm CST!

Understanding the Origin of COVID-19 Will Prepare us for the Future

As a doctor and former Director of Public Health in Iowa, I believe Americans deserve to know how the devastating COVID-19 pandemic began. Our nation has lost faith in the government institutions that oversee the scientific community, and the only way to restore their trust is through full transparency. All of us remember the constant attacks and censorship from media and so-called experts of anyone who suggested the Wuhan lab leak theory needed a deeper look. Fast forward to 2023, and the Department of Energy and FBI have both concluded that COVID-19 most likely emanated from a lab leak at the Wuhan Virology Institute in Wuhan, China. 

We have extraordinary evidence that the virus originated from a lab, so why did the scientific community dangerously suppress that evidence? Was it for personal financial gain? Was it to provide cover for U.S. funding to the Wuhan Institute of Virology? Or to hide “gain of function” research prohibited in the US? I would state with confidence that this suppression has led to the exact mistrust and conspiracy theories government bureaucrats tried to avoid.

Understanding the origins will help prevent and prepare for futures pandemics by addressing and reinforcing lab safety, immediate disclosures of virulent viruses, and the ethics of types of research, i.e. gain of function.

This week, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic held its first hearing on the origins of the Coronavirus to answer these very questions. For two years, House Democrats have refused to conduct any meaningful investigation into the origins and are even making baseless claims that our investigation is rooted in white supremacy and hatred. This dangerous rhetoric is nothing more than a weak attempt to distract the American people from realizing just how much information was concealed during the early pandemic days.

The U.S. Senate and House have now unanimously passed a bill that would require the Director of National Intelligence to declassify all records relating to the origins of COVID-19. This critically important legislation will now be sent to President Biden’s desk for final approval and is one more key step in providing Americans with the transparency they deserve. We can only hope that President Biden agrees and will sign the bill. 

I will always fight to keep the people of Iowa both safe and informed. We can’t afford to be caught off guard if another virus arises that could have been prevented. I hope that folks will keep an eye on the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis as we fight for answers that all Americans deserve. 

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.

It was a pleasure to meet with Ryan and Brandon from the Iowa Professional Fire Fighters! Their hard work and commitment to top tier training continues to keep Iowans safe.

I had wonderful time speaking at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Conference followed by a great meeting with OBGYNs from Iowa. We’re lucky to have such impressive physicians in our state!

I had a great meeting with folks from the Wounded Warrior Project. We had a very productive conversation about mental health access for veterans, as well as the Major Richard Star Act to give combat disabled veterans the military benefits they deserve.

I enjoyed meeting with several members of the Iowa Dental Association. I appreciate them taking the time to speak with me about the many issues facing dental practices around the country.

I want to thank AMVETS for taking the time to meet with me to talk about their efforts to enhance the quality of life of veterans and their families. I will always fight for all who honorably served in the U.S. military.

I had the pleasure of meeting with folks from the Iowa Wildlife Federation to discuss important priorities for the upcoming Farm Bill.

Floor Speeches

On Tuesday, I spoke on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize Major General Benjamin Corell of Strawberry Point, Iowa for his outstanding service as a 37-year member of the Iowa National Guard. Maj. General Corell retired last week after serving as the Iowa National guard’s top general since 2019, leading the guard through the COVID pandemic. Throughout his decorated career, Maj. General Corell has deployed overseas to Iraq, Afghanistan, Romania, and Kuwait, and has led several of the National Guard’s infantry divisions.

I also recognized O’Hara True Value Hardware in Ottumwa, Iowa which is closing after 83 years in business.

Martin and Florence O’Hara opened the doors of O’Hara Appliance in January of 1940, but before long the appliance store quickly shifted into a hardware store, too. The O’Hara’s valued being family owned and operated, and their children each grew into employees at the shop—including their son Mike, who ultimately took over the business.

For years, Mike O’Hara has continued his family’s legacy in Ottumwa offering the best service and advice for all things plumping, electrical, automotive, construction, and repairs. I’m proud to know Mike and his family, and I wish him the very best in his retirement. I know the town will cherish the memories from O’Hara’s, and will miss going there for all their home repair needs.

Legislative Roundup

This week I reintroduced the Better Interoperability for Devices (BID) Act, legislation to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to review the interoperability, safety, and effectiveness of medical devices.

I was also proud to join Representative Julia Letlow (LA-05) in introducing H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights. Allowing parents to have a say in their children's eduction will ensure a brighter future for our students.

I also voted in favor of the following bills:

• H.R. 502 - “To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs repays members of the Armed Forces for certain contributions made by such members towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance, and for other purposes.”
• H.R. 815 - “To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements relating to the eligibility of veterans to receive reimbursement for emergency treatment furnished through the Veterans Community Care program.”
• H.R. 1226 - “To amend title 38, United States Code, to allow for the electronic request of certain records.”
• H.R. 1123 - “To direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to submit to Congress a report examining the cybersecurity of mobile service networks."
• H. Res. 199 - “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 140) to amend title 5, United States Code, to prohibit Federal employees from advocating for censorship of viewpoints in their official capacity, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 27) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'"; and providing for consideration of the bill (S. 619) to require the Director of National Intelligence to declassify information relating to the origin of COVID-19”
• H.R. 753 - “To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to use on-site regulated medical waste treatment systems at certain Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.”
• H.R. 140 - “To amend title 5, United States Code, to prohibit Federal employees from advocating for censorship of viewpoints in their official capacity, and for other purposes.”
• H.J. Res. 27 - “Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'".”

Committee News

This week I spoke at a joint House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearings. To view my remarks, click HERE.

I also spoke at our first Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Hearing entitled, "Investigating the Origins of COVID-19" to gather facts about the origination of the global pandemic. To view my remarks, click HERE.

In the News

This week I joined Spicer & Co.on Newsmax to talk about the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing examining the administration's emergency evacuation from Afghanistan.

We can’t forget the tragedy that ensued as a result of President Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. We must hold this president, and future presidents, to a higher standard.

To watch my interview, click HERE.