Every year, during National Small Business Week, we recognize and celebrate the contributions that our small businesses make to our economy and our communities. From family-owned-and operated enterprises spanning generations to young entrepreneurs pursuing the American Dream, the spirit of hard work, resilience, innovation, and ingenuity is alive in small towns and flourishing cities across Iowa’s 4th Congressional District.

After I wised up and quit college, I installed skylights in giant houses in Berkeley, California. I still can't believe I did that way up there without a net. It didn't last long but it gave me a chance to experience entrepreneurship. Getting a job with an established business is one thing, being your own boss from scratch is something else.

I know I’ve spent the last several weeks talking about the different reasons we can’t reduce budgets so I feel it is necessary to tell you that we are working diligently to always find ways to be efficient and save money.  

April 29th marked 100 days of promises kept under President Trump. Like he pledged on the campaign trail, he has mobilized every tool at his disposal to make America strong again and reverse the failed policies pushed by the Biden administration.

When I moved to Iowa, I realized I needed a pickup to get my stuff out here from Spokane. I took Amtrack out to Portland and found that the only six cylinder, four speed, ¾ ton on two pages of the Portland Sunday classifieds was a 1963 Chevy. At that time it was only 14 years old.

Since I was first elected to Congress, I pledged that I would travel to all 36 counties in our district – Iowa’s 4th Congressional District – at least twice each year. From Tuesday April 22nd to Thursday April 24th, I upheld that promise by meeting with Iowans in 12 different counties, marking nearly 350 individual stops completed over the last few years.

When lawmakers return to Washington, D.C. from their April recess, I don’t have a good feeling about what’ll come next. They’ll begin the process of budget reconciliation, and it doesn’t bode well for rural America. Just look at the budget resolutions they passed before leaving town.

We were in the library in Dumont and there was a fellow there with a haircut, real short on the sides with a little landing platform on top. I complimented him on his haircut and asked if he got it cut at Bob's. He said, “No, Great Clips in Waterloo, like I used to before I moved here.”

Are you tired of hearing about budgets and numbers?  While the numbers are probably my favorite part of this job, even I get tired of hearing about them and talking about them, but….since the legislature is focused on property tax reform, it is so important that everyone has a clear picture of the financial situation within the county.  

In the United States, there are approximately 370,000 children in the foster care system with about 117,000 waiting to be adopted. While the number of kids in foster care has fortunately declined over the decades, there is still more work to be done to ensure that every child can find a permanent, loving home as quickly and safely as possible.

I try to remember to include a plea for dialogue at the end of this column each week. Well last night while I was in a tizzy about what to write today, I did receive an email from a thoughtful reader who had attended a “Hands Off” rally. Here is the last paragraph: “Your stories about your younger years are interesting. I hope you are being honest that you enjoy different points of view.”

Instead of my usual thoughts on policy debates or various pieces of legislation that I have either introduced or support, I decided that I wanted to share a week in my life representing our families, farmers, workers, and businesses on Capitol Hill. The week spanning from Monday April 7 th to Friday April 11 th encapsulates a good snapshot of what a typical week looks like for me representing Iowa in Congress.

The second legislative funnel at the Iowa statehouse came and went on April 4. That process winnowed down bills that are eligible for consideration so lawmakers can focus on legislation that has traction in both chambers in addition to spending bills.

The Franklin County Board of Supervisors held the public hearing on the proposed property tax levys for FY2026 on Monday March 24th, 2025, at 1:00PM.  We were pleasantly surprised to have 8 residents/landowners in attendance, and it was a great afternoon of conversation.  Those in attendance had great questions, the Supervisors & I offered answers.  Everyone was respectful and I feel everyone left with their questions answered and satisfie

Opening new export markets for Iowa farmers increases demand for our agricultural commodities and puts more money into the pockets of our producers. This is an especially important mission after four years of indifference and inaction under the Biden administration when President Biden failed to negotiate a single new trade agreement that would benefit agriculture.