Iowa is model for limited government

Last week, [Iowa] Gov. [Kim] Reynolds testified before the House Oversight Committee for a hearing entitled “Rightsizing Government” because Iowa is a model for limited government and respecting taxpayers.

As Gov. Reynolds noted in her recent Condition of the State address, Iowa was streamlining government before DOGE was even on the radar. By cutting government bureaucracy, eliminating red tape, and lowering taxes, … Reynolds has gotten government out of the way so families, farmers and small businesses can thrive.

As DOGE takes shape, Iowa’s success story offers a proven road map to fiscal responsibility nationwide.

We’ve all seen that the federal government has persistently moved in the opposite direction, especially under Joe Biden. And when the government gets bigger, it doesn’t get better. It just gets more expensive and intrusive.

Federal bureaucrats layer red tape on top of red tape, making it harder for small businesses to grow, farmers to farm and families to succeed.

Iowa has shown the nation that it is possible to cut government waste while keeping the economy strong and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. If Washington follows Iowa’s lead, we can build a future where hardworking Americans keep more of their paycheck, businesses can thrive without burdensome regulations and economic and personal freedoms are protected.

I will never stop fighting for a smaller, more efficient and more accountable government. After all, it’s your money, not the government’s money. We would all be better off if Washington ran a lot more like Iowa.

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This week, the Ag-FDA Subcommittee on House Appropriations held a round table with experts from USDA to discuss efforts to combat avian influenza and protect farmers and ranchers from losing their flock or herd.

Agriculture is the backbone of Iowa’s economy, and I will continue to closely monitor this situation as we explore ways to protect our food supply chain, Americans' health, and the livelihood of our farmers.

In July 2024, provisions from the FAFSA Simplification Act altered the federal formula for determining student aid, disadvantaging family farms and small business families by including non-liquid assets — like farmland and equipment — into the calculation.

This means many family farmers and small business owners are unfairly punished through reduced financial aid for their college-age kids, which jeopardizes educational opportunities for students in rural America.

I helped introduce the Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act to ensure Iowans can afford higher education and invest in their children’s future without putting their livelihoods at risk. This bill corrects this ridiculous inequity and levels the playing field for these students and their families

Every year, Iowa community colleges assist thousands of young men and women in obtaining affordable, quality education that prepares them to enter the workforce and contribute to Iowa’s growing and vibrant economy.

It’s past time to end the stigma that traditional four-year degrees are the only pathway to success — community colleges in Iowa and across the country help students discover their passions and thrive in their eventual careers

Iowa community health centers provide affordable, comprehensive health care services to Iowans, especially those in rural areas.

I enjoyed meeting with their team and am honored to receive their distinguished advocate award. I will continue working to ensure rural Iowans have access to top-quality care.