My Weekly Column

At the end of July, our national debt peaked at $35 trillion – a figure once considered unthinkable. However, just 118 days later, our country surpassed another sobering milestone – $36 trillion in debt. This rapid accumulation of debt threatens our economic security, weakens the value of the dollar, emboldens our adversaries like China and Iran, and jeopardizes our longstanding status as the world’s reserve currency.

Earlier this year, our communities were hit by severe floods and powerful tornadoes that devastated homes, farms, businesses, hospitals, and schools. Crops were damaged, personal property was destroyed, and vehicles were totaled. Months later, families are still picking up the pieces and working to rebuild. But, even amid unthinkable tragedy, Iowans rallied around our neighbors to lend a helping hand because that’s just how we do things in Iowa. We help where we can and support our fellow Iowans when they need it most.

On November 5^th, the American people elected President Trump and Republican majorities in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives to deliver conservative victories for our country and put America first. With over 76 million Americans casting their ballot for President Trump, Republicans have received a mandate to undo the damage caused by the Biden-Harris administration and get our country back on track.

Every year, we pause on November 11^th to honor America’s heroes – our veterans. Our nation is stronger, more secure, and more prosperous because of the sacrifice of millions of men and women who selflessly answered the call to serve. Our veterans are extraordinary Americans who deserve our appreciation and gratitude not only on Veterans Day, but all 365 days of the year. We cannot truly thank these heroes enough for all that they have done to protect our freedoms, defend our values, and ensure that our nation remains free.

In October, I completed my fourth biannual 36 County Tour, which takes me to all 36 counties in Iowa’s 4^th Congressional District at least twice every year. My visits, meetings, and conversations contribute greatly to my work in Congress for our families, farmers, businesses, and rural communities. It’s through my discussions with Iowans that policy ideas take shape, and we begin to roll out solutions to the challenges facing our communities, state, and nation.

On Thursday October 24^th, I officially completed my fourth biannual 36 County Tour – making at least two stops in every county in the 4th Congressional District every year. This is a promise that I made to Iowans when I first ran for Congress, and I’ve kept my word by registering more than 320 stops over the last four years.

While I’ve been out on the road traveling from town to town on my 36 County Tour, the sights and sounds of this year’s harvest are on full display. Combines, tractors, and grain carts dot the fields, farmers are hauling their crops to market, and our farm families are preparing for winter. Our annual harvest serves as an important reminder that agriculture powers our economy and supports our rural communities.

Over the last several weeks, we’ve received negative reports and forecasts about the economy and our fiscal outlook. Inflation rose in September – opposite expectations – and was up 2.4% from just a year prior while the National Federation of Independent Business’s Small Business Optimism Index registered at 91.5 in September, which is the 33rd consecutive month under the 50-year average of 98.