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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Survey: Iowans want improved access for rural communities
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Thank you to everyone who called in to my telephone town hall this week (April 4). We had over 8,600 Iowans join the wide-ranging conversation on trade and tariffs, prices of everyday goods like eggs and the Second Amendment.
During the call, I asked folks to rank their top priority for Congress and the Trump Administration to focus on. As promised, below are the results from the poll we took during the telephone town hall.
Ensuring I’m transparent and accessible to Iowans has always been a priority for me. Whether it is on the road during my 22-County Tour, at in-person town halls across the district or in virtual conversations, it’s always been important to me to connect with you and ensure we can talk about what’s on your mind.
I recently joined Sen. Tom Cotton in reintroducing the Repealing Illegal Freedom and Liberty Excises Act to repeal an unconstitutional tax on the transfer and purchase of firearms.
Law-abiding gun owners should not be forced to pay an unconstitutional firearm tax. I will always stand up to protect the Second Amendment rights of Iowans and Americans.
On my first stop, I toured BAE Systems, Inc. The first ever GPS signal was received in 1977 right here in Cedar Rapids, and BAE continues that legacy by developing cutting-edge technology and helping our military preserve our highest national security interests.
I continued my 22-County Tour by visiting Kirkwood Community College's Aviation Maintenance Technician Program. Less than two years after it began, this program is already preparing Cedar Rapids’ next generation for in-demand, high-skilled aviation careers.
With the federal funding I helped secure in 2023, this program has taken off and is already making a lasting impact on Cedar Rapids and the surrounding communities.
I also met with Tim Kindl of the Fun Not Fancy restaurant group. During this meeting, we had a great discussion about my support for ending tax on tips, the challenges that small businesses in Iowa regularly face, recovering from four years of rampant inflation and the need to preserve tax cuts for hardworking Iowans.
I ended Friday evening catching up with the Cedar Rapids business community at the Cedar Rapids Economic Alliance’s Policy on the Rocks event.
Hearing directly from local business owners about their challenges and successes is always invaluable — these entrepreneurs are essential to Iowa’s economy, creating jobs and driving growth across the region.
On Saturday (March 29), I traveled to Poweshiek County to serve as a judge in the Brooklyn Ruritan Club Chili Cook-Off. This event brought together community members from around Poweshiek County to show off their skills and support the Ruritan Club's 175-year celebration taking place this summer.
After the cook-off, I was honored to present the ribbons and congratulate the first-place winners.
