Weekly Wrap Up
Friend,

As your Representative in Congress, I’ve held nineteen town halls throughout Iowa’s First Congressional District. At every single one of those town halls, I’ve heard from Iowans who are concerned about the worsening crisis at our Southern Border. 

This week, I brought those concerns directly to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Mayorkas during his first in-person testimony before the House Appropriations Committee.

During the hearing, I pressed Secretary Mayorkas on the Administration's failed border policies. I asked Secretary Mayorkas about the Administration's plans to lift Title 42 when they know it will incentivize a huge surge of illegal immigration our Border Patrol agents are not prepared to handle. I also asked him about the Administration's troubling plans to shift doctors and nurses from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to aid illegal immigrants at the Southern Border – instead of caring for our veterans. This shouldn't even be up for discussion. That's why I helped introduce legislation, the Veterans First Act of 2022, to ensure that the Biden Administration cannot divert resources from American veterans to illegal immigrants. 

The Biden Administration has failed to secure our border and Iowans have had enough. Secretary Mayorkas and President Biden could secure the border today by restarting border wall construction, meaningfully enforcing the Remain in Mexico policy, ending catch and release, and keeping Title 42 in place. 

Read on for more details on my efforts to hold the Administration accountable for the border crisis and about my work for Iowans this week!
Pressing DHS Secretary Mayorkas on Failed Biden Administration Border Policies
Check out highlights of the hearing with Secretary Mayorkas HERE.
Bremer County THM
I hosted my 19th in-person town hall this week in Bremer County! We talked about improving mental health care for veterans in rural areas, building our workforce, and the need to regain American energy independence by ramping up domestic production. 

The stories Iowans tell me will continue to drive my work in Washington—thanks to everyone who joined the conversation!
Clayton County Town Hall
I am excited to host my 20th in-person town hall this coming Friday, May 6th, in Clayton County! As always, questions will not be filtered or screened. I'm looking forward to a great conversation!

Clayton County Town Hall
Johnson’s Reception Hall
916 High Street
Elkader, Iowa
11:15 AM CT
Honoring the Sullivan Brothers of Waterloo
On January 3, 1942, a month after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, George, Frank, Joe, Matt, and Al Sullivan, of Waterloo, Iowa, enlisted in the Navy. 

At the time, Navy policy separated brothers, but they enlisted under the condition that they could serve their country together. And they did, until November of that year when a Japanese torpedo sunk their ship—the USS Juneau. Nearly all of the sailors aboard the USS Juneau died, including all five of the Sullivan brothers. Shortly after their passing, a Fletcher-class destroyer was named in their honor. 

Earlier this month, a leaky hull caused the ship to start sinking at its berth in the Buffalo Naval Park. Thankfully, divers are working to repair and refloat the ship.

I was honored to share the legacy of the Sullivan brothers—and those who are working to preserve it—on the House floor this week. 
Hearing from Iowans
Pries Enterprises in Buchanan County
It was great to tour Pries Enterprises, a family-owned aluminum manufacturer in Independence, to learn more about their operation and expansion!
Ideal industries in Benton County
I visited Ideal Industries in Vinton this week and learned more about the products they fabricate and distribute across the country.
University of Northern Iowa
I enjoyed meeting with University of Northern Iowa leadership, including President Mark Nook, this week. We talked about how they’re setting up their students for success and the launch of the Industry 4.0 initiative. This initiative will strengthen Iowa’s workforce, foster new job opportunities, and ensure our state remains globally competitive in advanced manufacturing. It’s also critical for our national security!
Iowa Restaurant Association
I met with members of the Iowa Restaurant Association in Washington this week. We talked about challenges facing restaurants throughout Iowa, including supply chain issues and the workforce shortage.
Community Highlights
Special guest at Monday’s town hall in Waverly: Vera from Retrieving Freedom! Retrieving Freedom is an awesome local organization that matches service animals like Vera with veterans living with PTSD.
This week, my team attended the Boulevard Apartments groundbreaking ceremony in Marion! We are excited about this new housing opportunity in our community.
Headline Highlights & Social Media
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