My Weekly Column
At the end of this year, significant portions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which was signed into law in December of 2017, officially expires. That means that – absent congressional action – taxes for Iowa families, farmers, and businesses will increase. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I will be working closely with President Trump, Chairman Jason Smith, and my colleagues to reauthorize the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, build upon the major successes of this law, and prevent massive tax hikes on Iowans and Americans everywhere.
On November 5th, 2024, the American people delivered a mandate for our government by electing President Trump and Republican majorities to Congress. Like me, our families and neighbors want secure borders, safe communities, a strong economy, and an affordable cost of living. It is now our responsibility to honor the will of the voters and get our country back on track.
2024 was a busy and successful year representing our families, farmers, businesses, and rural communities in Congress. I made over 320 stops on my biannual 36 County Tour, launched the second iteration of my Feenstra Agriculture Tour, held several town halls with Iowans, and advocated for our shared values on Capitol Hill. It is truly the honor of a lifetime to be entrusted by the good people of the 4th District to serve our communities every day and be a strong voice for our families in our nation’s capital. It is a responsibility that I take very seriously.
On Wednesday December 18th, President Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) delivered yet another blow to the American auto industry and affordability for our families. The EPA announced that it granted California permission to phase out the sale of gas-powered cars in the state. In doing so, the EPA put radical Green New Deal policy agenda items over the economic interests of American consumers.
Our national security depends on a strong military laser focused on defending our country and our values. China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, terrorist groups, and other diabolical forces are intent on destabilizing our nation, dismantling our economy, and sowing chaos across the globe. We cannot let this new Axis of Evil and their proxies undermine American leadership on the world stage nor can we let them get away with openly disregarding the rule of law, international norms, and global security interests.
Based on a 2021 analysis, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) recently determined that it would remove 36 Aids to Navigation (ATONs) along the Missouri River north of Blencoe, Iowa. The removal process is projected to be completed by May 2025, and if implemented, this would be devastating for our farmers, businesses, and manufacturers that rely on the Missouri River to ship their goods and serve their customers in an efficient and effective manner. It would also severely curtail ongoing investments in the Missouri River and slow economic growth in Iowa and across the Midwest.
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 5th, 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 11th 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.