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Delivering a historic pay raise for our troops

When I was elected to serve the people of Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District, I swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. That oath includes my unwavering commitment to our men and women in uniform who are willing to sacrifice their lives to protect our families and defend our freedoms. On this promise, I will never falter. Upholding my commitment to our troops, I voted for the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation fully funds the deployment of the U.S. National Guard to help secure our southern ...

Help homeless families at Christmas time

During Christmas season, many people with the Christmas spirit like to pick a family from a giving tree or work with an organization or church to select a family to provide support for a few Christmas gifts and other items. These thoughtful gestures are always appreciated by these families that have little or nothing. For some, it gives them a Christmas they might not be able to afford on their own. But have you ever wondered how a homeless family with children can even have a Christmas without a home? Today, one out of four children and teens live in a household that is in poverty ...

This Christmas season, visit downtown shops

As of this writing (Friday), there are 10 shopping days left before Christmas morning. It’s the same date every year, yet it still comes upon many unexpectedly. By then, shoppers are usually running out of steam and are frustrated with gift options or shipping deadlines and delays. But when you shop on Main Street, everything changes. There is a meme on a Facebook post recently that says, “All I’m saying is, I’ve never had to do self-check-out at a small business.” Wow. That one hits home. In fact, according to American Express, the founder of Small Business Saturday, 54 ...

Coming Home

As Christmas music fills the air, twinkling lights shine in the darkness and white snow falls around us, I’m reminded what a magical time of the year this is. There really is something special about being home for the holidays and spending time with family. No matter what you’re doing this holiday season – going sledding, watching classic holiday movies, or baking your favorite Christmas treats – the most important thing is that you’re spending time with loved ones. It reminds me of all the blessings in my life – and I hope you’re reminded of those blessings in your life, ...

Overturning President Biden’s costly mandates on Iowa families

For the last three years, the Biden administration has been defined by reckless government spending, rising prices, and crushing red tape and regulations. These misguided policies have fueled inflation and harmed our economy — making life unaffordable for our families, increasing operating costs for our Main Street businesses, and stifling investment in American jobs and manufacturing. Unfortunately, President Biden’s only “solutions” call for more government intervention in the economy and more government mandates to advance his agenda at the expense of American families and ...

Competition is what’s needed to break drug pricing fever

Decades of drug price inflation have reached a fever pitch that finally has lawmakers in both political parties itching for action. But, as is often the case in Washington, good intentions don't always equate to good ideas or outcomes. The government's drug price controls enacted last year in the Inflation Reduction Act are already killing innovation, as drug makers abandon research into therapies for certain cancers and blindness. A study warns the law will result in 135 fewer new drugs, and that may well be a conservative estimate. While government-based price controls choke ...