My Weekly Column
If Democrats had succeeded and President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts were not passed on July 4th this year, families, farmers, and small businesses would have faced the largest tax increase in U.S. history. Over 210 million American taxpayers would have seen an average 22% tax hike, and the tax increase on an average family of four would have been the equivalent of almost two months’ worth of groceries. 40 million families would have also seen their child tax credit cut in half, draining dollars from budgets and wallets.
Two years ago on October 7th, 2023, the world watched in horror as vicious Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, murdered nearly 1,200 innocent Israelis, burned entire communities to the ground, and took hundreds of people hostage. Hamas is a terrorist organization that has no regard for human nor any remorse for its violent actions. Killing entire families, raping women, attacking a music festival, and setting homes and neighborhoods ablaze is despicable and shameful.
In October, our country celebrates Manufacturing Month and recognizes the critical importance of manufacturing to our economy. Domestic manufacturing supports good-paying jobs in our communities, strengthens our supply chains, and helps reduce our dependence on foreign nations for the goods and products that Iowans need and rely on. During this month, we also honor Iowa workers in the manufacturing sector who keep our economy moving and make invaluable contributions to our communities.
Born and raised in rural Iowa, expanding access to high-quality, affordable healthcare in our rural communities is personal for me. Regardless of zip code, our families, seniors, and veterans should not have to travel long distances or jump through headache-inducing hoops to get the care they deserve or the prescriptions they need.
Meeting with Iowa veterans and ensuring that, as a grateful state and nation, we support these heroes through the best healthcare and services that we have to offer is a top priority for me. Earlier this September, I had the pleasure of sitting down with fellow Iowan and new National Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Carol Whitmore, who is the first Iowan elected to the position. We discussed the challenges our veterans face and effective solutions to barriers like access to healthcare.
In 1961, the United States Congress passed the first National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Then, and in every conflict since, our brave men and women at home and overseas relied on Congress to authorize new programs, procure advanced weapons, and make quality-of-life improvements for servicemembers.
When President Trump returned to the Oval Office early this year, he immediately announced a new and much-needed plan for the United States’s national security — “Peace through strength.” President Trump assumed the presidency with the world on fire. Conflicts raging across the Middle East and eastern Europe, a nuclear Iran enriching uranium to dangerous levels and supplying arms to our other adversaries, and an emboldened China. “Peace through strength” was not just a moniker, it was a message to our enemies across the globe that we were no longer going to lead from behind.
In the 1930s, the Social Security Act was enacted to protect American seniors from poverty, unemployment, and other issues. Over the years, the benefits provided by this law have grown to become a crucial safety net for our seniors and retirees. Each year, approximately 57.6 million people aged 65 or older receive Social Security benefits and about 40% of older Americans rely solely on Social Security for their retirement income. Without Social Security, 37% of older adults would fall below the poverty line.
On Wednesday August 20th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it would begin to formally implement legislation that I introduced to lower the cost of crop insurance for the next generation of Iowa farmers and producers. My bill – the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act – was included in President Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” that was signed into law on Independence Day and marked the largest investment in the farm economy in decades. With this bold and rapid action spearheaded by U.S.
Among several issues that Americans report as their highest priorities, a strong economy usually tops the list. That makes complete sense. After all, a strong economy means bigger paychecks, more jobs, and greater opportunities for families, farmers, workers, and businesses in Iowa and nationwide to thrive. Like my fellow Iowans and Americans, a strong economy where businesses can grow, farms can invest, and families can keep more of their hard-earned money is also a top priority for me.