Townhall meetings reveal Iowans’ perspectives

There is nothing more important to me than hearing from Iowans. That's why I frequently hold in-person and virtual town halls to hear what's on your mind, answer your questions, and get your perspective on what's happening in D.C.

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As I work to make D.C. run more like our home state, these town halls are so valuable, and I genuinely appreciate everyone who takes time out of their busy schedules to speak with me.

Veterans Day

Last weekend, we celebrated Veterans Day. For generations, brave men and women have answered the call to serve, putting their lives on the line to defend our way of life.

Though we will never be able to fully repay our veterans and their families for their sacrifices, I am committed to working across the aisle to ensure veterans receive the full scope of care and benefits they have earned.

I am proud to have led the bipartisan Sergeant Ketchum Rural Veterans’ Mental Health Act — legislation that was signed into law in 2021 — to expand mental health access for veterans in rural areas.

I also supported the PACT Act to ensure veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service receive the care they need.

America’s veterans are the best of us. I will never waver in my support for our troops and veterans. America is the land of the free because of the brave.

Replacing Chinese telecom equipment

There are an estimated 24,000 pieces of Chinese-made communications equipment throughout U.S. networks. If communication flows through this compromised equipment, it should be treated as if it is being downloaded back to a server in Beijing with a full access pass for the Chinese Communist Party.

I introduced the bipartisan Defend Our Networks Act to help remove Chinese-made telecommunications equipment from American networks. Discarding this equipment is critical to protecting Americans' privacy, as well as our national security, from CCP spying.

Telephone Town Hall

Thanks to everyone who took the time out of their evening to join my telephone town hall last week. I enjoyed sharing an update and taking questions on the border crisis, inflation, and the importance of standing with Israel.

During the call, I asked Iowans to vote on their top policy priority and let me know what issue they'd like me to prioritize in Congress. Check out the results below:

What is your top policy priority?

Securing the border — 51%

Fighting inflation — 21%

Standing with Israel — 17%

Lowering energy costs — 11%

Iowa Rural Broadband

It was great to meet with the Iowa Rural Broadband Association to hear how federal programs, like USDA’s ReConnect, are expanding connectivity in rural communities. I'll continue working to eliminate regulatory barriers to broadband connectivity and bolster security in American communication networks

Iowa Renewable Fuels

Iowa biofuels are key to unlocking American energy independence. It was great to catch up with the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association to discuss our work to expand the use of biofuels and my work to promote the GREET model for sustainable aviation fuel