Despite being the nation’s largest landlord, Uncle Sam will never win a round of Monopoly, the classic boardgame where players try to make money—and avoid going bankrupt—by buying, renting, and selling property. That’s because Uncle Sam, who is already $36 trillion in debt, refuses to ...
High on a hill overlooking the Iowa River are two homes surrounded by woods and animals, including dogs, horses, goats, birds, deer, and more. From her vantage point in the Meskwaki Settlement, Shelley Buffalo watches the seasons change and nature flourish as she works to update her house. To ...
Avoca, Persia, Panama, Portsmouth, Westphalia, Kirkman, Tennant, Earling, Exira, Brayton, and now, Iowa’s largest metro, Des Moines. These are just some of the communities I’ve seen recently with water advisories or restrictions in place. Given the seriousness of the situation, I’m ...
Q: How will the Senate version of the One Big Beautiful Bill impact Iowans? A: Based on my county meetings, emails and phone calls, Iowans are paying close attention to the One Big Beautiful Bill moving through Congress. After passing the House of Representatives, the committees of ...
For small, rural communities across Iowa, the local pharmacy is more than just a place to pick up prescriptions. It's often a vital health care hub, a trusted source of advice, and a cornerstone of the local economy. According to the Iowa Pharmacy Association, over 200 Iowa pharmacies closed ...
Q: Why did you convene a Judiciary Committee hearing about 23andMe? A: More than 15 million Americans are customers of 23andMe, a genetic testing company whose services include analyzing one’s DNA to provide ancestry information and insights on inherited genes that may reveal ...
I’ve disagreed with Sen. Joni Ernst and her policies before. But I’ve never felt more insulted and embarrassed for Iowa by her actions than I was on May 31 by her non-apology for saying “we all are going to die” at a town hall in Parkersburg. Saying we’re all going to die is ...
Despite record-high wind and solar generation, the U.S. renewable energy sector faces uncertainty. Tariffs and potential repeals of federal funding are creating roadblocks to the further buildout of energy projects. Wind, solar, and other renewable energy projects have helped revitalize rural ...
Q: What is the Big, Beautiful Bill Act? A: The House of Representatives passed a 1,000-plus page bill in May that includes key measures to enact President Trump’s domestic policy agenda, including a once-in-a-generation opportunity to cut government bloat and prevent the biggest tax hike in ...
The 2025 legislative session is over, we adjourned “Sine Die” in the early morning hours of Thursday, May 15, after a 22 hour marathon session. This has been another historic session, there is so much to write about, but so little space in these newsletters. I will touch on a few key pieces ...