Friend,
One of my top priorities in Congress is ensuring Iowans are prepared for natural disasters and have the information necessary to stay safe during severe weather.
During the storms that swept across Iowa this past March, the National Weather Service (NWS) communications network malfunctioned, leading to delays in critical public safety warnings. With severe weather season upon us in Iowa, it is critical that we are prepared for what may come our way.
The NWS chat feature disseminates critical, time-sensitive information to broadcasters, emergency managers, and the general public during severe weather events. Our legislation would direct the NWS Director to review and select an off-the-shelf commercial alternative to the current system that prioritizes reliability and security to prevent future breakdowns or delays.
Every second counts during severe weather—this isn’t about politics; this is about public safety. I will continue to work in a bipartisan manner to ensure Iowans have the information they need to stay safe when severe weather strikes.
Read on for more information about my work for Iowans this week!
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Border Update: Ending Title 42 |
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Last week, the Biden Administration announced they intend to revoke Title 42 at the Southern Border. Title 42 allows border patrol agents to immediately process and deport illegal immigrants trying to come into our country.
Reversing Title 42 will be a recipe for disaster--and will take the crisis at our border from bad to worse. Officials are estimating that 18,000 illegal immigrants will surge toward our border every single day once Title 42 is lifted.
When I was at the Southern Border last year, border patrol agents told us about the importance of Title 42 and asked lawmakers to make this policy permanent. The Biden Administration is doing the opposite. This is bad news for border patrol agents and the American people, but great news for human traffickers, drug cartels, and smugglers who continue to exploit our open border.
The Administration should listen to border patrol agents instead of political activists, keep Title 42 in place, and work to secure our border for the safety of every American family.
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ICYMI: Shoring Up Domestic Supply Chains |
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The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the need for pro-American industrial policy. I'm working with Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) to bring manufacturing back home and shore up domestic supply chains. Read an excerpt of our op-ed in The Gazette below, and the full piece HERE.
A pro-American industrial policy will identify key industries — from food and energy to biotech, rare-earth minerals, and artificial intelligence — and pursue strategies to spur investment in them. Revitalizing these sectors in the U.S. will prove essential to weathering future storms and making sure the 21st Century is another American Century.
There are clear steps the Administration and Congress can take to fortify American industry. On the energy front, we need to secure our fuel supply and bolster our domestic resources by reopening the Keystone XL Pipeline project and lifting constraints on domestic energy exploration and production. To respond to Chinese competition in our medical supply chain, we should incentivize American innovation and hold the CCP accountable for stealing, and profiting from, our intellectual property. In addition, while our food production industry is a model for vulnerable supply chains, we can’t take it for granted. We need to embrace policies that scale up agricultural resiliency in the face of unforeseen circumstances.
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Pressing DHS Inspector General on Title 42, Improving Disaster Response |
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This week, I questioned President Biden's U.S. Department of Homeland Security Inspector General, Dr. Joseph Cuffari, on the Biden Administration's potential plan to shift medical personnel from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to the border, and about the Administration's efforts to improve FEMA's response to natural disasters. You can watch my questioning below! |
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Discussing National Security Issues with Doug Wagner |
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I joined Doug Wagner to talk about the need to strengthen U.S. national security by working with our allies, holding the Chinese Communist Party accountable, increasing our domestic fuel supply by utilizing biofuels, and the need to enforce Title 42, not repeal it. Listen to the full interview below! |
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Meeting with Iowans in Washington |
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Great meeting with firefighters from Iowa this week. I'm grateful for all they do to keep our community safe! |
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I enjoyed meeting with the University of Iowa's Undergraduate Student Government. We talked about student mental health, the cost of school, and the positive difference attending the University of Iowa has made in their lives. I was so impressed by their leadership and initiative--I have no doubt they’ll be running things one day! |
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I had an informative meeting with Iowa EMS practitioners this week. We talked about ways we can work together to ensure rural communities have access to reliable emergency care services. |
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Social Security Administration Offices Reopened |
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For the first time since March of 2020, many Social Security Administration (SSA) offices have resumed their in-office services. The SSA is encouraging individuals to schedule appointments before going to a SSA office.
To schedule an appointment: Call 1-800-772-1213 or find the contact for your local field office HERE.
If you need any assistance with the SSA, please contact my office at (319) 364-2288.
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2022 Congressional Art Competition |
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I am excited to kick off the 2022 Congressional Art Competition! The Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students in Iowa's First Congressional District. The winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol, alongside winning artwork from all participating districts from around the country. Visit my website for more information and application details.
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Last week, my team attended the retirement ceremony for Linn County Emergency Management Coordinator Steve O'Konek. I am thankful for his dedication to our community, and wish him well in his next chapter! |
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Headline Highlights & Social Media |
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