Media

There are many reasons to pass the Farm Bill this year. Prices for corn, soybeans, and other commodities have fallen well below producers’ break-even point, over 100 million birds – including turkeys, broilers, and layers – have been infected by bird flu since 2022, and net farm income is estimated to fall by $10.2 billion this year alone. Inflation also remains a painful tax on our farmers who already face unnecessary and punitive red tape like WOTUS and looming expirations on important pro-growth tax provisions in 2025.

The other week, I spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Marshalltown on my 36 County Tour. I had the opportunity to tour this incredible facility and speak with members of the community who assisted in making this project possible.

In a major blow to Iowa farmers and biofuel producers, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it expects to finalize biofuel blending volumes for 2026, 2027, and 2028 at the end of 2025 – more than a year after federal law requires. This decision will have far-reaching implications for the agriculture and biofuels industry that both support hundreds of thousands of jobs in Iowa and strengthen American energy security while lowering gas prices for American families.

Our rural communities depend on volunteer firefighters to respond to emergencies, help staff local fire departments, and keep our families safe. These men and women dedicate their time to public safety and put their lives on the line to save others. They volunteer many hours to ensure that any call for help is answered swiftly and professionally.

Access to high-quality, affordable healthcare is critical to the health and wellbeing of our families and communities. From routine checkups and bloodwork to cancer screenings and surgeries, patients rely on trained healthcare professionals, doctors, and nurses to deliver exceptional — and at times lifesaving — care for ailments and injuries that range from minor to severe. A major component of a functional and resilient healthcare system is strong hospitals.

When severe storms strike or deadly animal disease spreads, cattle producers in Iowa and nationwide need a safety net that they can depend on. During economic downturns, our farmers deserve a fair price for their deceased livestock. Through local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices, farmers often enroll in the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) – an important tool that helps deliver economic relief to producers and their families who have been impacted by adverse and unpredictable events that cause cattle deaths and financial losses.

Agriculture is the backbone of our economy in Iowa. This vital industry supports over 810,000 jobs, creates more than $50 billion in total wages, and generates more than $250 billion in economic output – just in Iowa alone. These economic benefits also extend to our main-street businesses and our families, which keep our rural communities strong and make rural Iowa a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

For decades, China has threatened our national security through both overt and covert measures. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and affiliated individuals and entities have rapidly increased purchases of American farmland, stolen valuable intellectual property and other critical technologies, infiltrated our schools and universities, and violated our trade laws with impunity. As the world becomes increasingly volatile, we have a duty to protect our country and the American people from CCP influence and interference.