My Weekly Column

The defense of our nation is vital to the preservation of our freedoms and the protection of our families. There is no more important responsibility of the Congress than to secure our nation and provide for the safety of Americans everywhere. This is particularly critical as China, Russia, and North Korea flex their military capabilities, violate international norms, and threaten the sovereignty of free nations. We cannot let our guard down as our enemies double down on their dangerous and illegal actions.

In the 21st century, access to high-speed, affordable internet is critical to the success of our rural communities and our long-term economic vitality. Reliable broadband connection ensures that our families can work from home, our farmers can effortlessly monitor commodity prices online, and our main street businesses can utilize the technology they need to serve their customers and make a living. To promote economic development and grow our rural communities, dependable internet connection is a must.

From droughts and derechos to record inflation and rising interest rates, crop insurance is a vital safety net for Iowa farmers and producers. When mother nature strikes, crop and livestock protections can be the difference between turning a profit or facing financial ruin.

It’s no secret that fiscal responsibility is sorely needed in Congress. Our nation is $32 trillion in debt, American families hold a record $986 billion in credit card debt, interest rates are skyrocketing, inflation remains persistent, and small business optimism has plummeted to a 10-year low. Evidently, the American economy is in tough shape, largely due to President Biden’s wasteful spending policies and reckless regulatory agenda. For the sake of our children and grandchildren, we must do better.

As a father of four, ensuring that our kids receive a quality education is a top priority for me. From trade schools to four-year universities, our great state offers our students many opportunities to further their education, develop the skills they need to enter the workforce, and live fulfilling lives. I am also proud that Iowa – particularly the 4^th Congressional District – is home to phenomenal community colleges that prepare our students for the whatever the future holds.

On July 1, 2020, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) – which was signed into law nearly two years earlier – entered into force, formally replacing the North American Free Trade American (NAFTA). True to its original intent, this law reduced trade barriers for our farmers, opened new markets for American agricultural exports, and established a revitalized framework for free and fair trade between the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Our nation is more than $31.4 trillion in debt. It is a figure so daunting that it seems almost insurmountable to resolve. To put this number into perspective, every American taxpayer — already facing record-high inflation, skyrocketing interest rates, and economic instability — is on the hook for nearly $95,000 in federal debt. Our current fiscal trajectory is unsustainable and financially irresponsible. We need to implement commonsense spending reforms and promote policies that encourage economic growth and reduce our crippling national debt.

In Iowa, we respect our police and proudly back the men and women in blue 100%. They put their lives on the line every day to protect our families and communities expecting no recognition in return. Despite calls from some of my colleagues to dismantle our police departments and demolish the rule of law, I reject these dangerous proposals. We must defend – never defund – our brave police and law enforcement officers. Their service and sacrifice are to be commended and recognized, not dismissed and mocked.