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State Senate moves to address illegal immigration

This week the Senate passed several common sense proposals aimed at addressing illegal immigration. One of the first bills we passed was Senate File 2203, which requires the secretary of state to verify that those on voter registration lists are United States citizens. Last year, the secretary of state’s audit of the voter registration list found 277 non-citizens were registered to vote and 35 non-citizens had successfully voted in the 2024 general election. This bill is one more way we can help secure Iowa’s elections and ensure Iowans can have confidence in them. The bill ...

Grant Wood memorialized Iowa’s heritage

For 46 years in a row, I’ve traveled across our state to meet with Iowans in every county, every year. Each time, I learn something new in the county I’m visiting and enjoy getting a first-hand look at high-quality goods and services made here in Iowa. Some things never change, such as Iowans’ productivity and humility. Iowans don’t brag enough to showcase the innovation, pioneering spirit and community vitality that’s part of our heritage, anchoring our economy and enriching civic life. A century ago, a native Iowan captured the essence of self-reliance intrinsic to closely ...

Winning the war on waste at the Pentagon

Our armed forces are the most powerful, advanced, courageous, and capable team made up of the finest men and women ever assembled. President Trump’s call for a $1.5 trillion defense budget demonstrates an unwavering commitment to maintaining this might. If we are going to spend nearly as much on defense as the rest of the world combined, however, we must be able to defend to taxpayers how every dollar is spent. As a combat veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I know firsthand that billions of dollars meant for the military are missing the target. That’s ...

Hospital team reacted to crash with competence, compassion

This week our community was confronted with an emergency that no community wishes to experience - an incident of multiple injuries involving multiple people. Yes, I am speaking of the bus rollover of the Iowa Lakes baseball team. What I experienced and observed is worthy of disclosure to our entire community, coupled with a profound sense of gratitude and awe. When the word came into Trinity Regional Medical Center that multiple casualties with presumed life-threatening injuries would arrive presently at our emergency room, it was all hands on deck with a professionalism and ...

Opposes dropping vaccine requirements for students

Thanks to everyone who came out to Eggs and Issues on Jan. 31. We had a good turnout and great conversations. Our first legislative funnel is in two weeks, Feb. 20. This means that any legislation that originated in the House needs to pass a full committee by this date or it dies. This excludes appropriations (spending) bills and ways and means (tax) bills. This process is the same for the Senate. A bill I have received a lot of emails about is HF 2171, a bill that would remove vaccination requirements for K-12 students. This is a bill that went through the Education Committee, not ...