Op-Ed

Since 2000, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has governed the important trading relationship between the United States and 32 countries on the African continent. This agreement offers eligible African countries with duty-free access to the American economy for more than 1,800 goods and products with the mutual understanding that these countries would equally reduce trade barriers for American goods to enter and be sold in African markets.

As Americans, we have no greater duty than providing our veterans with the benefits that they have earned and supporting our troops and their families. These incredible men and women have made unseen and untold sacrifices – both today and over the decades – to keep our country safe, defend our flag at home and abroad, and promote American values across the globe.

Established in 1962, the 185^th Air Refueling Wing of the Iowa Air National Guard has been instrumental to the security of our nation and an immense source of pride for Sioux City and our entire state. Fast forward to today, and the 185^th has cemented its outstanding reputation as one of the nation’s finest refueling wings. It has been recognized multiple times as an “Outstanding Unit” by the U.S. Air Force and passed its last two major Air Mobility Command inspections with flying colors.

During her recent testimony before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen admitted what many of us have known all along. President Biden has no plan to keep Social Security solvent for our seniors. The President and officials in his administration like to parrot the talking point that they will never cut a penny from Social Security and accuse Republicans of targeting Americans’ hard-earned Social Security benefits.

On March 11^th, more than a month after federal law requires, President Biden finally submitted his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025 to Congress. Following the same tax-and-spend playbook that sent inflation skyrocketing, the Biden budget calls for $7.3 trillion in federal spending every year, includes tax hikes on families, farmers, and businesses to the tune of $5.5 trillion, and endorses the worst excesses of President Biden’s failed economic policies.

There are several factors that businesses consider when deciding where to invest, but it’s no secret that one of the most important considerations is taxes. Nations around the world understand this, and many try to define their code in a way that will attract investment, bringing jobs along with it. For many countries, that’s been one of their key selling points in a global competition to attract successful businesses. Singapore, for example, is a small country consisting primarily of its major city and capitol.

On March 20^th, President Biden authorized the largest government mandate of electric vehicles in American history. His administration finalized a rule first proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), dramatically increasing the number of electric vehicles that automobile manufacturers would be required to assemble, and dealerships would subsequently be required to sell.

The U.S. biofuels industry is a critical component of our economy, an important economic engine in rural America, and a vital source for good-paying jobs. These low-cost, low-carbon fuels support American energy independence, help our farmers, and lower prices at the pump for our families. While many Midwestern states tout strong biofuels production, our home states stand out. Iowa leads the nation in growing corn while Illinois leads in growing soybeans.