Working for Rural Iowans

Statement

As a lifetime farmer and proud Iowan, I have never forgotten where I come from and the needs of the rural communities I grew up in. That is why as your Congressman I have advocated for my fellow Iowans who raise our food, fiber, and fuel, and for the towns that support them.

Rural America deserves a strong voice in Congress. As a senior Member of the House Agriculture Committee, we have worked for bipartisan legislation that protects farmers at work, invests in fuels produced from Iowa crops, and extends support to farmers struggling to access stable credit.

In partnership with Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL), we introduced H.R. 843, the Agricultural Machinery Illumination Safety Act, to improve the safety of rural roadways by codifying minimum lighting and marking standards for farm equipment that may be operated on a public road. This legislation will improve the safety not only of farmers, but also of motorists who travel the roads of rural Iowa.

This Congress, I will continue to support Iowa's renewable energy industry by reintroducing the Renewable Pipeline Act with Congressman Lee Terry (R-NE) which will create jobs and provide a boost to the domestic alternative energy industry. This legislation will develop a pipeline to transport Midwestern fuels to the East Coast, and expand demand for biofuels. Iowa is a leader in the renewable energy industry, and we will continue to protect the Iowans it employs and the communities it supports.

With the credit markets still tight, I believe it is more important than ever that we help farmers who struggling to access loans for their operations. This Congress, I will reintroduce legislation to ensure that farmers receiving Farm Service Agency assistance still have access to these programs. Iowa farm families need help while times are still tough, and I will be there for them in the 112th Congress.

Iowans should be proud of the rich agricultural history of our state, and I will continue to support legislation that ensures this history will carry on in future generations. In order to move forward, we must continue expanding broadband to rural communities and make sure that these schools have the same resources and technology as larger districts.

I would love to hear from you on this issue or any others. As always, please feel to contact me in Washington D.C. at 202-225-2806 or in Des Moines at 515-282-1909/888-432-1984 (toll-free).

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