Weekly Wrap Up
Friend,

This week, I was at our Southern Border in Texas seeing the border crisis firsthand and hearing directly from border patrol agents and law enforcement on the frontlines. What I heard and saw this week underscores just how dangerous the situation at the border has become: the Administration has given up operational control of the border and business has never been better for traffickers and cartels shipping deadly drugs into our communities.

Here is my dispatch from the ground.

We toured two processing centers and received an operational overview from border patrol agents. With around 8,000 encounters daily, many border patrol agents are spending their time on administrative tasks in processing centers rather than guarding their posts at the border. That’s true in the Rio Grande Valley, as well. We also took a boat tour of the Rio Grande border sector – many illegal immigrants walk across shallow parts of the water into the country. Tragically, some who try to swim across don’t make it. 

We also visited the border wall. While the Rio Grande is the busiest zone in the country, there are 60 identified wall gaps in the area. Border patrol agents emphasized the importance of completing the wall and using innovative technology as a force multiplier to help with detection. Meanwhile, we saw border wall materials (already paid for by taxpayers) rusting on the side of the road instead of being put to use.

We also heard from local law enforcement, officials, and business owners who detailed the devastating impact this crisis has had on their community, and how much worse it will become if Title 42 is lifted. Border patrol agents told us they breathed a sigh of relief when a federal judge stopped the Biden Administration’s efforts to overturn Title 42—the Administration must commit to keeping it in place.

President Biden inherited a secure border, and it is past time for the Administration to return to secure border policies. The Biden Administration could secure the border today by:

  1. Meaningfully enforcing the Remain in Mexico Policy;
  2. Getting more boots on the ground to handle surges of illegal immigration and fight back against the cartels;
  3. End catch-and-release so that dangerous people, like suspected terrorists, can't roam our country freely;
  4. Complete the wall and use innovative technology as a force multiplier to bolster detection efforts;
  5. Keep Title 42 in place to help border patrol agents with influxes of illegal immigrants.

I will continue advocating for real solutions to secure our border and hold the Administration accountable for the border crisis.

Best,
PHOTOS: Seeing the Border Crisis
Pray for Ames
All Iowans are grieving with the Cornerstone Church and Iowa State University communities right now. I am horrified and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy in Ames. No one should feel unsafe in their place of worship. I am grateful for the quick response of law enforcement and will continue lifting up the victims and their families in prayer.
Memorial Day Recap
I spent Memorial Day in Black Hawk County honoring those who have laid down their lives for our freedoms.

We went to the Waterloo Memorial Day parade and then I had the opportunity to speak at the AMVETS Memorial Day service in Cedar Falls! It was such an honor to be with so many veterans in the community as we paid tribute to those who gave their lives fighting for our freedoms. Our freedoms aren't free; they came at a cost of millions of American lives cut short. We owe a debt of gratitude to all who have served.
On the Air with Doug Wagner
Enjoyed catching up with Doug Wagner this week to discuss my trip to the Southern Border and my efforts to hold the Administration accountable for the border crisis.
Serving You
I want to be sure you are aware of some of the ways my team can be of service to help you navigate the federal agency process and cut through the problematic red tape. From helping folks with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Social Security Administration (SSA), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to even helping with issues obtaining passports or visas--my team stands ready to assist.

Please visit or reach out to any of my district offices in Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, and Waterloo with any questions or to learn more about how we can serve you and your families. And make sure you are following along on social media to stay updated on my work for you!
Cedar Rapids Office
118 Third Avenue SE
Suite 206
Cedar Rapids, IA  52401
Phone: (319) 364-2288
Dubuque Office
1050 Main St.
Dubuque, IA  52001
Phone: (563) 557-7789
Waterloo Office
521A Lafayette Street
Waterloo, IA  50703
Phone: (319) 266-6925
Community Highlights
My team attended Governor Kim Reynolds’s volunteer awards earlier this week. She honored over 100 volunteers for their outstanding work to improve our community. Congratulations to all of the recipients and thank you for all you do!
My team attended the groundbreaking for the Douglas on 1st project in Cedar Rapids. Very exciting to see this new housing opportunity in our community!
Headline Highlights & Social Media
Stay Connected