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D.C. Dispatch: Lawmakers call for Russian reparations, border security, Senate neckties
Headed into another extended weekend, Iowa’s congressional delegates addressed Chinese “shell companies,” stillbirth prevention, prosthetic affordability and more. Additionally, one of Iowa’s senators celebrated a birthday. Check out what Iowa’s lawmakers were up to this week: Rep. Zach Nunn’s legislation aimed at strengthening regulations on foreign businesses registered in the U.S. passed the House Financial […]
GOP presidential candidates focus on abortion, Israel, parental rights at evangelical event
Republican presidential candidates emphasized their support for abortion restrictions, parental rights and Israel while working Saturday night to win over evangelical Iowa caucusgoers. More than 1,000 people gathered in Des Moines for the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition annual fall banquet. The conservative Christian organization has played an influential role in the Republican presidential race […]
D.C. Dispatch: Miller-Meeks seeks national monument oversight
During a short week in Washington headed into the Rosh Hashanah holiday, members of Iowa’s congressional delegation announced legislation addressing suicide prevention, affirmative action, national monuments and more. Check out what the delegates were up to this week: Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks introduced legislation Thursday to require congressional approval for the designation of new national monuments. […]
D.C. Dispatch: Lawmakers highlight meatpacking, weapons safety, health care
During their August recess, Iowa’s members of Congress were back in their home state, touring with presidential candidates, making state fair appearances and making progress on county tours. Rep. Randy Feenstra showed presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott around parts of the 4th District, Rep. Ashley Hinson completed her 22-county tour, Rep. Zach Nunn completed his […]
Suspended licenses for failure to pay fines a ‘circular problem,’ Grassley says
More than 62% of Iowans with suspended driver’s licenses are barred from driving due to non-payment of Iowa fines, failure to satisfy non-Iowa citations or non-payment of child support. In total, 181,418 Iowans have at least one sanction on their driver’s license. Given the limited public transportation options, many Iowans rely on their own driver’s […]
Nearly $40 million granted for Iowa housing units
Iowa’s most rural counties have been granted $20 million to redevelop abandoned, empty or dilapidated properties. Iowa’s 11 highest-populated counties received $18 million, to make a statewide total of $38 million in workforce housing credits granted to support more than 2,000 residential units, the governor’s office announced Friday. “When Iowans have the opportunity to live […]
Democratic challengers to President Joe Biden speak at Iowa State Fair
While much of the political attention at the Iowa State Fair was focused on the Republican 2024 presidential contenders, two Democratic challengers to President Joe Biden also took the stage Saturday at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox. Democrats Marianne Williamson and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who are running for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination, […]
Reynolds appoints former staff attorney to Court of Appeals
Samuel Langholz, chief deputy attorney general for Attorney General Brenna Bird, will sit on the Iowa Court of Appeals, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced. Langholz previously served in Reynolds’ office as senior legal counsel for over two years and was the assistant solicitor general for former Attorney General Tom Miller. “I’m pleased to name an accomplished […]
County-by-county distribution of education savings accounts released
Of the 29,025 students who applied for an Education Savings Account during the month of June, 18,627 have been approved, according to the Iowa Department of Education. The department says less than 1,000 applications remain under review. The savings accounts are not available for all Iowans this school year. The program, currently in the first […]
GOP presidential candidates rally at Iowa fundraiser
In the wake of former President Donald Trump’s most recent indictments, his opponents in the campaign for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination railed against the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice at a fundraising event Sunday for U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson. More than 300 people attended Hinson’s BBQ Bash at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids. […]
Four national security bills sponsored by Nunn await House vote
Rep. Zach Nunn has four national security bills waiting for votes by the U.S. House when the body returns to Washington in September. Each of the bills focuses on foreign countries’ influence on U.S. national security, particularly discouraging global reliance on Russian agriculture and Chinese finances impacting terrorists groups, and money laundering surrounding fentanyl distribution. […]
Nearly 80% of Iowa motorcycle fatalities have no helmet
Nearly 80% of Iowa motorcyclists killed in 2022 were not wearing a helmet, Iowa Department of Transportation data shows. And as hundreds of thousands of bikers flock to Sturgis, South Dakota, the Iowa State Patrol is urging vehicle operators to be safe on Iowa roadways. Seventy-eight percent of motorcyclists killed in 2022 were not wearing […]