Holding the SBA accountable for its lack of reporting

On Tuesday (Feb. 24), Sen. Tim Scott and a bipartisan group of cosponsors joined me in introducing the SBA Disaster Transparency Act to hold the Small Business Administration accountable for its lack of disaster relief reporting.

Families and small business owners deserve to know if relief funds will be there when they need them — and recent events have exposed this more than ever.

By allowing Congress and the public to gain real-time insight into the SBA’s disaster loan funding levels, we can quickly discern whether funding is sufficient to meet demand and adjust so that funds remain available before disaster strikes.

In Iowa, we are no strangers to natural disasters. Ensuring transparency standards are in place across federal disaster relief accounts will enhance disaster preparedness for Iowans and all Americans.

  Buy Photo

I am very proud to have introduced this common-sense measure to make this critical change. I will continue to explore ways to support small businesses and homeowners — especially those in rural areas — in the wake of natural disasters.

This week, I voted to overturn Biden’s ridiculous gas water heater ban, along with his “waste emission charge” — a costly rule that raises energy prices and stifles production.

I shouldn’t even have to say this, but obviously the government has no business choosing your water heater.

Biden waged war on American energy and the cost of everything went up for Iowans. We are undoing Biden’s Green New Deal agenda piece by piece. More work to be done.

On Wednesday (Feb. 26), I proudly voted for the House’s budget resolution that kick starts the reconciliation process so Republicans can take the next step toward enacting President Trump’s America First agenda that Americans and Iowans voted for.

Unlike other bills, the budget does not have the force of law, meaning it makes no changes to federal programs already in place. Essentially, it is a set of instructions to various congressional committees, directing them to draft specific legislation within a targeted budget for the upcoming reconciliation package.

Anyone who voted against this bill was voting for Biden's open borders, stagnant energy, and tax hikes — plain and simple. I look forward to continued work with President Trump to make America great and deliver on Iowans’ priorities.

Last week, I got the chance to speak with the University of Northern Iowa's public budgeting class. We talked about government spending, the federal budget and the appropriations process.

I loved hearing from such an engaged group of Iowa’s future leaders, and am thankful for Dr. Chris Larimer's invitation to join them.

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to meet with Iowa State University Student Government in D.C. These students are dedicated to making their school a better place, and I’m thrilled they’re already engaging in public policy that will impact Iowa.

If you or someone you know is interested in interning in Washington, D.C. or one of my district offices, encourage them to apply.

Interns will have the opportunity to work in a hands-on environment, develop a foundational understanding of the functions and roles in a congressional office and learn about the federal legislative process.

Both undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to apply.