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‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ is jet fuel for economy

Among several issues that Americans report as their highest priorities, a strong economy usually tops the list. That makes complete sense. After all, a strong economy means bigger paychecks, more jobs, and greater opportunities for families, farmers, workers, and businesses in Iowa and nationwide to thrive. Like my fellow Iowans and Americans, a strong economy where businesses can grow, farms can invest, and families can keep more of their hard-earned money is also a top priority for me. As the only member of Congress who serves on both the House Ways and Means Committee and the House ...

A destination that doesn’t know it’s a destination

As a Webster County supervisor, I serve on a variety of boards and commissions that help shape and support our community. These appointments allow me to work closely with local and regional partners while making sure county priorities are represented. I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Visit Fort Dodge board since 2022. If you know me, you know how much I love promoting and celebrating what makes our area special, so this board was a natural fit. Formerly known as the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Visit Fort Dodge’s job is to bring people into our community. That’s the ...

Iowa State Fair showcases best of Iowa

In the mid-19th century leading up to the westward expansion, people traveled by covered wagon to attend the first Iowa State Fair in 1854 on a six-acre tract in Fairfield. Today, more than a million visitors stroll the historic state fairgrounds in Des Moines to soak in the sights, sounds and smells spanning 445 acres of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial exposition in the country. The 11-day Iowa State Fair showcases the best of Iowa agriculture and industry, food and entertainment, contests and exhibits. Fairgoers of all ages from all walks of life can indulge in ...

The ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ restores America’s manufacturing dominance

On July 4, President Trump signed one of the most consequential pieces of legislation in American history into law. Among a wide range of benefits, H.R. 1 — commonly known as the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” — shielded Americans from the largest tax hike in history, expanded on the successful tax cuts of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), funded security at our southern border, and enhanced our national security. Traveling through Iowa’s 4th Congressional District on my 36 County Tour over the years, I heard directly from small business owners and manufacturers about the ...

Reality check on climate alarmists

Q: How is the Trump administration working to restore sanity to climate policies? A: In the previous Congress, I served as ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee. The budget committee’s top job is drafting and enforcing the annual budget resolution that provides a public framework to manage the public purse. The budget resolution is the blueprint for congressional action on spending, revenue and the federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The committee also tracks the appropriations process to ensure spending levels abide by the budget resolution. However, despite there ...

Lots of unanswered questions need answering

One of the frustrations of being a **former** newspaper editor is no longer having a few dozen reporters to pursue answers to questions going unasked and unanswered each day. Two of my go-to questions were “why” and “why not.” And my favorite open-ended query to a newsmaker was “explain this to me.” I never believed newsmakers owed me answers to the questions I or my reporters asked. I was curious by nature. But the most important purpose, I sometimes reminded reluctant newsmakers, was the thirst for information John Q. Public and Jane A. Citizen had about the topics at ...