Friend,
In Washington, I'm focused on cutting through the chaos and dysfunction and working on real solutions to the challenges we face. This week, three bipartisan initiatives I've been leading advanced and are now awaiting a vote on the House Floor.
Ensuring Iowa agriculture has a seat at the table is a top priority for me in Congress. I'm excited that the House Agriculture Committee advanced my bill, the PRECISE Act, with unanimous bipartisan support. This legislation will make it easier for Iowa farmers to access precision agriculture technology through USDA programs they already know and trust. As a result, farmers will be able to increase crop yields while lowering input costs (which is critical as inflation continues to drive costs up) and helping the environment. The House Agriculture Committee also passed the Strengthening the Agriculture Food Supply Chain Act, bipartisan legislation I helped introduce to help shore up our food supply chain to bring prices down and prevent future shortages of essential items.
I'm also excited to share that the bipartisan National Weather Service (NWS) Communications Improvement Act unanimously passed out of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee this week. This bill will improve the NWS's chat system, which disseminates critical information to broadcasters, emergency mangers, and the general public during severe weather events, to ensure Iowans have the information they need to stay safe when severe weather strikes. I was proud to introduce this legislation alongside Congressman Randy Feenstra (IA-04) and the rest of the Iowa delegation on this bill--we'll continue working together to improve our disaster preparedness.
Read on for more updates about my work for Iowans this week.
Best,
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Solutions to the Baby Formula Shortage |
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Over the past few weeks, I've heard heartbreaking stories from Iowa parents who are going from grocery store to grocery store in search of baby formula and coming back empty-handed.
The Biden Administration's incompetence led to this shortage. This crisis requires practical, immediate, and bipartisan solutions. Instead of holding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accountable for its failures, House Democrats put forward legislation that gives the FDA $28 million without requiring the agency to present a plan to restock baby formula.
Throwing more money at this problem won't get formula on the shelves. This shortage wasn't caused by a lack of funding at the FDA—it was caused by the agency's delayed and incompetent response—and that is why it is critical that we require the FDA to present a real plan to address this shortage and minimize future supply chain disruptions for products that families need. Here's what I'm working on to help parents find the baby formula they need and prevent future shortages:
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Voted for bipartisan legislation to ensure that low-income families who rely on the Women, Infants, and Children’s (WIC) program can access additional formula sources in the event of another shortage.
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Introduced the Babies Need Formula Now Act, legislation that temporarily lifts imports of safe baby formula options to get product on shelf as soon as possible, increases oversight over the FDA to prevent future shortages, and will help bring additional, safe formula options to the market.
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Proposed a plan that would redirect $5.75 million unused pandemic funds to get formula back on the shelves immediately and require the FDA to report to Congress on the shortage so that families know exactly what the Administration is doing to get formula back on the shelves. My plan also requires an assessment of all baby formula stockpiled by the federal government so that we can determine if it can be redirected to the marketplace for American families.
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Border Crisis Accountability Update |
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There were 234,088 illegal immigrants encountered at the Southern Border in April—the crisis continues to worsen on the Administration’s watch.
This week, I had the opportunity to bring Iowans’ concerns directly to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Tae Johnson. I asked him why the Biden Administration is cutting their funding request for detention beds when there are record numbers of illegal immigrants crossing our border. Acting Director Johnson defended the Administration's catch and release policy, and confirmed the Administration will continue releasing illegal immigrants into our country instead of deporting or detaining them.
This is unacceptable. We need to enforce our immigration laws—not undermine Border Patrol with lax enforcement. I won’t stop fighting for accountability from this Administration and for a secure border.
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Honoring our Law Enforcement |
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This week was National Law Enforcement Week, a time to honor the brave law enforcement officers who protect our communities, and those who have given their lives doing so.
Our law enforcement officers put on their uniforms every single morning, ready to run toward danger to keep us safe. 619 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty last year, including nine in Iowa. I helped introduce a resolution to honor the 619 law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2021, including nine officers in Iowa. Our resolution honors their sacrifice, and that of their families, and reaffirms our unwavering commitment to support law enforcement officers nationwide.
I'll always back the blue and work to ensure our law enforcement officers have the tools they need to do their job!
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Over the weekend, thousands gathered in DC to honor fallen law enforcement officers, including Sgt. Jim Smith and Trooper Ted Benda, who tragically died in the line of duty last year. God Bless our law enforcement officers and their families. |
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Hearing About Your Priorities |
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Officials from Dubuque and Cedar Rapids |
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Enjoyed having local officials from Dubuque and Cedar Rapids in Washington this week! We’ll continue working together to improve our communities in Iowa. |
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Enjoyed meeting with leaders from the Salvation Army USA this week—grateful for the work they do to help Iowans and Americans in need. |
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It was great to meet with FUEL Iowa to discuss ways we can work together to support Iowa biofuels and lower prices at the pump. |
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The average cost of a gallon of gas is $4.12 in Iowa right now—that’s entirely too high. In Congress, I’m advocating for policies that will bring some relief at the pump. My all-of-the-above energy strategy calls on the Administration to unleash our domestic resources, including Iowa biofuels, to increase our fuel supply and bring costs down today. |
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Have you cut down on driving to save on gas?
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At long last, a Pearl Harbor hero has come home. Thankful to all who helped lay to rest David Tiball in his native Independence. He embodied the best of the Greatest Generation. I’m so grateful for our servicemembers and the sacrifices they have made for our freedoms.
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My team welcomed the Eastern Iowa honor flight to Washington this week—thank you for your service! |
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Headline Highlights & Social Media |
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