State DOGE saves taxpayers millions

I was honored to have Emily Schmitt as my guest at President Trump’s joint address to Congress.

Emily is the chair of Iowa’s DOGE task force. In just 18 months, Gov. Reynolds’ alignment of state government has saved taxpayers $217 million, surpassing initial projections for the first four years. Our state could not be in better hands with Emily building on this success.

At the federal level, DOGE has uncovered a ridiculous amount of government waste. What the Trump administration has already accomplished in just over a month is phenomenal. I look forward to working with him to continue securing the border, cutting wasteful spending and unleashing American energy.

Everywhere I go around my district, folks tell me they feel like they are finally being heard and their hard-earned taxpayer dollars are finally being respected. Our work is just getting started.

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As a member of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, I spoke at a hearing about AI becoming a vital tool for small businesses, farmers, schools, and hospitals — all of which are often the bedrock of our communities, especially in rural Iowa.

Iowa’s farmers use AI to boost crop yields, conserve resources and improve supply chains, while small businesses rely on it to streamline operations and enhance customer service.

In Congress, we must ensure our industries have access to these innovations while protecting them from cyber threats and data breaches — especially as China expands its AI capabilities and exploits American workers.

I will continue leading efforts to counter the Chinese Communist Party’s threats to our security and economy.

I enjoyed meeting with Colleen Frein last week about Mason City Chamber priorities, including their innovative strategies to increase wages for child care providers.

I appreciate Colleen’s leadership and perspective as we help local job creators.

I had a wonderful meeting with the Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children. Their commitment to advocating for early childhood professionals — who are dedicated to enriching the lives of young children — is making a real difference in Iowa's Second District and across our great state.

I’m thankful for their partnership in supporting early childhood education and helping shape Iowa’s future leaders.

I also had the privilege of meeting some of Iowa’s incredible firefighters this week. From battling dangerous fires to rapidly responding to natural disasters and medical emergencies, they stand ready to serve at a moment’s notice.

I’ll forever be grateful for their dedication to serving Iowa communities.

Closing out the week, I had a great meeting with the Dubuque YMCA. I appreciate their team for coming in and giving an update on their programming for kids and seniors in Iowa.

My D.C. and district offices are now accepting applications for the summer of 2025. This is an incredible opportunity to gain hands-on experience and invaluable insight into the legislative process and the workings of the U.S. Congress.