Op-Ed

Public safety is the foundation of any free society. In the United States, our families deserve to live in safe communities without the constant fear of violent crime and lawlessness threatening their personal security. 

In today’s volatile world, the best offense is a strong defense. Between war, disease, and financial uncertainty, America’s enduring status as the world’s economic and military superpower is critical to our national sovereignty, economic prosperity, and food security – and we must maintain it. But our adversaries – particularly the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) – are counting on us to let our guard down where we least expect, our own backyard.

During his recent State of the Union address, President Joe Biden shamelessly lied to the American people about the priorities of the House Republican Conference in the 118th Congress. His sorry accusations – while entirely predictable – couldn’t be farther from the truth. In our Commitment to America, House Republicans pledged that we would protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare so that our seniors can retire with dignity and live long, healthy lives.

With our total output ranking second in the nation, Iowa agriculture is truly a productivity powerhouse. We are blessed to grow and raise significantly more than we, ourselves, can consume. Therefore, we have both the opportunity and the responsibility to help provide for consumers all over the globe. And Iowans can be immensely proud of that. In our individual roles as Iowa Secretary of Agriculture and as a Member of Congress on the U.S.

Commitment. It’s a word that evokes hope, promises leadership, and delivers results. No other word in the English language constitutes a more ironclad bond between individuals than a commitment. Roughly four months ago, House Republicans made our own commitment – a Commitment to America – that we would rebuild our economy, end wasteful spending, stand up to the Chinese Communist Party, and defend the American Dream for every person, family, and community who calls our great nation home.

Between July of 2021 and June of 2022, more than 107,000 Americans tragically died from a drug overdose, cementing opioids as the leading cause of death among people ages 18 to 45 in the United States. In Iowa alone, 210 lives were lost to these drugs in 2020. These individuals are not just statistics; they are parents, siblings, husbands, wives, grandchildren, friends, and loved ones.

January 3^rd marked the beginning of the 118^th Congress and our new Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Across our nation, more than 54 million Americans entrusted Republicans with their confidence and their vote. Now, they rightfully expect us to deliver conservative victories for our country and our communities.

President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress charged taxpayers $6 trillion for their liberal spending spree over the last two years. From the American Rescue Plan, which failed to rescue our economy, to the Inflation Reduction Act, which failed to reduce inflation, Democrats have fueled price hikes for everyday necessities and taxed families to pay for their wasteful agenda.