U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa)

December 12, 2021: All Over Iowa’s First Congressional District

Before heading to Washington this week, I was out on the road in Fayette County, Bremer County, and Black Hawk County meeting with constituents, small businesses, and community organizations.

I visited the Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging in Fayette County to learn more about the services they provide to ensure seniors in Iowa have a great quality of life and can remain independent. It’s vital for seniors to have a place to come together — I talked to several folks who explained how important this sense of community is to them.

I also had the opportunity to meet with small businesses in Waverly. Eight new small businesses have opened their doors in Waverly recently and are doing their best to navigate worker shortages, supply chain breakdowns, and price increases. It was great to see these local shops innovating and succeeding despite many challenges!

I also had a productive meeting with Black Hawk County Veteran Affairs to learn more about the services they provide to veterans in our area and ways we can work together to ensure those who have served our country receive the care they deserve. I’m truly grateful for all they do to improve the quality of life for veterans in our community and look forward to continued work with them on behalf of our service members and their families.

It is a pleasure to spend time with Iowans and listen to the stories they share with me so I can best serve our district in Congress. Read on below for updates from the week and information on my new bipartisan legislation, the Defend the Blend Act.

BBB Exposed: Tax Breaks for the Wealthy

Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s “Build Back Better” Act was over 2,000 pages long, rings in at $1.7 trillion, and would add hundreds of billions to our deficit over the next decade.

One of the worst – and most expensive – provisions in the bill is a tax cut for the wealthy. This legislation increases the State and Local Tax Deduction from $10,000 to $80,000, giving ultra-rich Californians and New Yorkers a big tax break. According to the Tax Policy Center, Americans who earn more than $867,100 a year (the top 1% of earners) would benefit the most from this tax break, while middle- and low-income Americans receive no benefit.

This tax break for the wealthy is the lion’s share of this legislation; it is the second most expensive provision in the entire bill. There is no justification for including this massive tax cut for six-figure earners over helping working families in Iowa and across the country.

This is one of the many reasons I opposed this mammoth spending bill – it benefits the wealthy while leaving regular families with the tab. I’ll continue to expose and explain the long list of ways “Build Back Better” is harmful to Iowans and our country.

Iowa Ag Updates: Bipartisan Defend the Blend Act

Iowa corn farmers use biotechnology to increase outputs while reducing overall carbon emissions and food waste.

Under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA), Mexico agreed to maintain a transparent and an efficient regulatory framework for accepting agricultural biotechnology products – like Iowa grown corn.

In response to this potential reckless action, I introduced the Defend the Blend Act. This legislation would prevent the EPA from retroactively cutting blending requirements– this will hold the Administration accountable for maintaining the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard and give biofuel and ethanol producers the certainty they deserve.

I’ll always stand up for Iowa’s biofuel producers and make sure our agriculture industry is heard in Washington.

Read more here: https://hinson.house.gov/media/press-releases/hinson-introduces-defend-blend-act-provide-certainty-iowas-biofuel-producers

Iowa Ag Updates: Iowa Pork Producers

I had a great meeting with Iowa Pork Producers this week! We discussed ways we can continue to work together to support our incredible Iowa pork producers who raise and distribute the very best products nationwide!

Community Highlights

My team recently attended a welcome home ceremony for the 3654th Support Maintenance Company of the Iowa National Guard. Thank you for your service!

This week, my team dropped off books from the Library of Congress Surplus Book Program to the Kirkwood Community College (KCC) Horticulture Department. KCC’s new Horticulture Resource Room opened a few months ago to focus on educating, inspiring, and empowering students in the Horticultural field – enjoy the new books!

Intern in My D.C. Office

My D.C. office is now accepting applications for our Spring Internship program! Students and other interested applicants should apply on my website here: https://hinson.house.gov/services/internships.