My Weekly Column
As tax season begins, families across Iowa are taking a closer look at their paychecks, refunds, and household budgets. After years of historic inflation and economic uncertainty, many families have tasked our government with correcting the economic failures of the previous four years. That’s why I am proud to have worked alongside President Trump to deliver meaningful tax relief for working families, seniors, farmers, workers, and small businesses.
Since being elected to Congress, I have been committed to ensuring Iowa taxpayer dollars are used correctly and safeguarded from fraud. Families who work hard for their money do not deserve to have their taxpayer dollars wasted by their government. That’s why I am working with President Trump and my Republican colleagues to crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs meant to help our most vulnerable.
Family farms, small businesses, and hardworking Iowans are the backbone of our economy and local communities. Iowa agriculture feeds and fuels our nation, small businesses keep our Main Streets vibrant, and our neighbors make Iowa truly a special place to call home.
As a lifelong Iowan and proud representative of one of the most productive agricultural districts in the country, I will always stand up for Iowa farmers and our rural communities. Since my first day in office, I have been committed to delivering real results for the farmers who feed and fuel or country and the world. Whether that be keeping our farmland out of the hands of foreign adversaries, keeping farmers safe on the job, or ensuring Iowa has a strong voice at the federal level, I take my job serving our producers very seriously.
As a father of four and former volunteer EMT for 15 years in my hometown of Hull, I know the vital importance of affordable and accessible healthcare for Iowa families, particularly our neighbors in rural Iowa. Traveling across our district, I’ve had countless conversations with Iowans about the skyrocketing cost of healthcare and declining access to care in rural communities. Iowans are paying too much for routine checkups and prescription drugs and traveling long distances for doctor’s appointments and emergency care. It’s unsustainable and must change.
This year, working with President Trump, I was laser-focused on lowering costs for Iowa families, farmers, seniors, workers, and small businesses after four years of the Biden administration’s disastrous economic policies and skyrocketing inflation. As the only member of Congress serving on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and the House Agriculture Committee, it was my mission to advance policies that drove economic growth in our communities, helped to create new jobs, and let Iowans keep more of their hard-earned money.
On December 13th, while conducting a routine patrol in Palmyra, Syria as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, two members of the Iowa National Guard and a U.S. civilian interpreter were killed, and three other soldiers from Iowa were injured, by a lone ISIS gunman. This despicable terrorist act was not only a targeted and deadly attack on our troops, but also a direct assault on the United States’ work to ensure a more stable Syria after over a decade of civil conflict.
On Wednesday December 10th, I voted for, and the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed, the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This annual legislation sets defense policy, authorizes funding for military operations and projects, and ensures that our troops and military families have the support that they need and deserve.
When I’m traveling across Iowa, I’ve had important conversations with Iowans from communities large and small about how we can make life more affordable for our families, farmers, workers, seniors, and small businesses. From health insurance to housing to grocery bills, I’m working with President Trump and my Republican colleagues to lower costs and ensure that Iowans can keep more of their hard-earned money – just the way that it should be. Affordability is a top priority for me as Iowa’s voice in Congress.
Every year, Thanksgiving is a time to pause and reflect on God’s endless grace and blessings. I’m grateful for my loving wife of 32 years, my four wonderful kids, friends, and neighbors. I’m thankful that Iowans have placed their faith and trust in me to represent our communities in Congress with integrity, dignity, and professionalism. I’m grateful to be an Iowan and live in the greatest state and the greatest country on Earth.