My Weekly Column

In the United States, there are approximately 370,000 children in the foster care system with about 117,000 waiting to be adopted. While the number of kids in foster care has fortunately declined over the decades, there is still more work to be done to ensure that every child can find a permanent, loving home as quickly and safely as possible.

Instead of my usual thoughts on policy debates or various pieces of legislation that I have either introduced or support, I decided that I wanted to share a week in my life representing our families, farmers, workers, and businesses on Capitol Hill. The week spanning from Monday April 7^th to Friday April 11^th encapsulates a good snapshot of what a typical week looks like for me representing Iowa in Congress.

Opening new export markets for Iowa farmers increases demand for our agricultural commodities and puts more money into the pockets of our producers. This is an especially important mission after four years of indifference and inaction under the Biden administration when President Biden failed to negotiate a single new trade agreement that would benefit agriculture. The Biden agenda instead pushed electric vehicles onto American families, curtailed American energy production, and imposed regulations like WOTUS on our farmers.

Beginning on March 24^th, we observed Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa. Every year, this week serves as an important reminder of the precautions that we should all take to keep ourselves and our families safe. Stocking up on bottled water, keeping flashlights and batteries in accessible areas, and having an emergency plan are just a few examples of common safety measures. Prioritizing safety plans and procedures today will help mitigate the impacts of tomorrow’s severe weather challenges that we will undoubtedly face.

Domestic energy production is a critical component of both our short- and long-term economic growth, bolsters our national security, and strengthens our international competitiveness. From getting to work and heating and cooling homes to keeping the lights on and growing crops, our families, farmers, businesses, manufacturers, and many other sectors of our economy rely on reliable, affordable, and abundant sources of energy.

As the only member of Congress serving on both the House Agriculture Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, it is important to me that we support the next generation of Iowa farmers and producers. The volatile nature of input costs, insurance rates, regulations, and international affairs makes farming – an already challenging industry – even more difficult.

Nine years ago, on January 31^st, 2016, tragedy struck the Root family. 21-year-old Sarah Root, who was driving home to celebrate with her family and friends after graduating from Bellevue University in Nebraska, was hit and killed by an egregiously drunk driver. Instead of answering for his crimes, Edwin Mejia—an illegal immigrant driving three times over the legal limit—posted bail, fled our country, and was not seen from again. 

The core principle of the American Republic is that it functions at the will of, and with the consent of, the people of the United States. This is outlined in the preamble of our Constitution. It’s a deeply American principle that the rest of the world has admired since our nation’s birth. In the 119^th Congress, the people are making their voices heard.