On the Record with Congresswoman Hinson: Passing My First Two Bills

My Work in Washington for IA-01

Friend,

I came to Washington to solve problems and deliver results on issues that matter to Iowans. This week, I am excited to share that two of my bipartisan bills to improve care for our nation's veterans passed the House with overwhelming support.

The Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act, sponsored by Congresswoman Cindy Axne and supported by the entire Iowa House Delegation, will ensure that veterans in rural areas have access to the care they need and deserve. The bill is named in honor of Sergeant Brandon Ketchum, of Davenport, Iowa. He sought care at an Iowa City VA hospital but was turned away. Shortly after, he tragically took his own life. Unfortunately, veterans who live in rural areas face increased challenges and barriers to accessing the treatment they need. Our bill will improve access to mental health services for veterans in rural areas and address the gaps in care.

This week, the House also passed the Improving VA Accountability to Prevent Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Act of 2021, legislation I led with Senator Joni Ernst to crack down on sexual harassment at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The care the VA provides for our veterans is critical, but VA employees cannot provide the care our veterans deserve if they are suffering in a hostile work environment.

Both of these bills are now on the way to the Senate for consideration. I will continue working in a bipartisan way to serve veterans in Iowa and deliver on issues that matter to our district!

Lastly, I am excited to announce that I will be hosting three in-person town halls this coming Tuesday, May 25th, in Benton County, Fayette County, and Delaware County. Time and location details are listed below:

Benton County

Vinton-Shellsburg High School Auditorium

210 W 21st St, Vinton, IA 52349

8:15 a.m.

Fayette County

Oelwein Middle School Auditorium

300 12th Ave SE, Oelwein, IA 50662

10:45 a.m.

Delaware County

Delaware County Fairgrounds - Pavilion

200 E Acers St, Manchester, IA 52057

1:00 p.m.

Read more about my week in Washington and new legislation below!

Best,

Advocating for IA-01 Ag

Broadband, Biofuels, & Community Development

I testified before the House Agriculture Committee to call on the committee to pass my PRECISE Act, work on policies that promote biofuels, and prioritize the needs of rural America. Following my testimony, the Ag Chairman pledged to work with my team and I to expand access to precision agriculture technology and support enhanced broadband access. Watch the full testimony HERE.

Locks and Dams

It was great to meet with the American Waterways Operators this week! We discussed critical investments for our lock and dam system that will help keep our rural and agriculture economy moving as we come out of the pandemic.

New Bipartisan Bills to Address Maternal Mortality in Rural Iowa

Expecting moms in rural Iowa often cannot access the care they need during pregnancy or for their infants after they are born. Six counties in our district are designated as “maternity care deserts” where maternity health services are limited or completely absent. This week, I helped introduce two bipartisan bills to address this maternal care crisis in Iowa and across our country. The BABIES Act seeks to improve the availability of high-quality maternal care by providing federal support for freestanding birth centers. The Midwives for MOMS Act would expand educational opportunities for midwives and nurse-midwives by establishing new grant options for midwifery education for students intending to practice in underserved areas. I will continue working on policies that expand access to health care for our rural communities.

Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act

I am excited that the Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act passed the House this week.

This legislation awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the 23^rd Headquarters, Special Troops, and the 3133^rd Signal Service Company, in recognition of their distinguished service as the “Ghost Army.” This tactical unit conducted deception operations in Europe during WWII. After learning about Iowans’ important role in the Ghost Army, I proudly co-sponsored this legislation. These heroes selflessly served our country, and they deserve this recognition.

Learn more about the Ghost Army here.

See the Crisis Act

This week, I introduced the See the Crisis Act, legislation that would block Vice President Harris from using taxpayer dollars to travel internationally before seeing the border crisis firsthand. It is wholly unacceptable that after nearly two months as the Administration's so-called point person on the border crisis, Vice President Harris still hasn't visited the Southern Border to hear from law enforcement officers about what they are facing on the ground. It's my job to hold the Administration accountable on behalf of Iowans, and I will continue to call on them to address the crisis at the Southern Border.