My Weekly Column
Agriculture is the economic engine of Iowa. When our farmers and producers are successful, our economy grows, our main streets thrive, our businesses invest in new employees and finance expansions, and our rural communities grow stronger. As is obvious from our endless fields of corn and soybeans and our countless hog, cattle, and poultry operations, we grow and raise more than we can consume and sell in Iowa – or even our country.
In our free-market economy, Americans should have the freedom to purchase the car or truck of their choice without the federal government putting its thumb on the scale to advance a specific policy preference and distort the market. However, President Biden doesn’t see it that way. He prefers government intervention and costly mandates that support his Green New Deal agenda and further his vision to cripple the American energy sector through executive orders, burdensome regulations, and red tape.
Basic economic theory tells us that when too many dollars chase too few goods, the result is inflation. Americans don’t need to take a course in economics to understand this concept because President Biden personally delivered a real-world example. By wasting trillions of dollars – approved by Democrats in Congress – on more government programs, more red tape, and more bureaucracy, President Biden created the worst inflation crisis that our nation has faced in over forty years.
China poses the greatest threat to America’s economic and national security.
I’ve long believed that cutting taxes for our families, farmers, and small businesses spurs investment in our rural communities, promotes economic growth, and creates good jobs. When we let hardworking Iowans keep more of their hard-earned money, folks are encouraged to start their own enterprises, hire new employees, support businesses up and down our rural main streets, and put money aside for a rainy day.
President Biden’s open-border policies have rolled out the welcome mat for illegal immigrants, drug traffickers, terrorists, and foreign nationals with ties to China to unlawfully enter our country. Yet, he refuses to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and keep our families and communities safe.
It takes a tremendous amount of hard work to start a small business and run a farm. From balancing the books and maintaining inventory to paying employees and complying with burdensome rules and regulations, these enterprises require long hours and real commitment to be successful and profitable. In Iowa, many of our farms and small businesses are family-owned-and-operated, which is not only a testament to the grit and dedication of our families, but also a source of pride for our great state.
In 2019, the United States became energy independent for the first time in 62 years. However, on his first day in office, President Biden destroyed American energy production by killing the Keystone XL pipeline, banning energy development on federal lands, and outsourcing our energy needs to our enemies. His failed energy policies have not only raised gas prices for our families but have also threatened our national and economic security.
Last December, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that more than 302,000 illegal immigrants were apprehended at our southern border, the highest number of crossings ever recorded in a single month in American history. This figure also comes on the heels of a CBP report confirming that more than 785,000 illegal immigrants were encountered at our border since last October alone. The numbers don’t lie.
As Iowa’s voice in Congress, I take my job very seriously and work every day to advance strong policies that benefit our families, farmers, main street businesses, and rural communities. Serving on both the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Agriculture Committee, I’m proud to report that we’ve achieved many significant legislative victories.