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Iowans deserve clean water — and we’re making progress

Every Iowan deserves clean, safe drinking water. That’s not negotiable. It’s fundamental to our health, our communities, and our quality of life. As Secretary of Agriculture, protecting our natural resources while keeping Iowa agriculture strong has been one of my top priorities. Those goals are not conflicting – they go hand in hand. Let’s start with the facts. Iowa’s treated drinking water meets national safety standards, which are regularly reviewed and updated, most recently in 2024 under the Biden administration. At the same time, we know there is more work to do ...

It’s time to pass the Iowa Healthy Water Act

Every Iowan, every human, needs water to survive. Whether to drink, to grow plants, to fish, swim, kayak, and paddle, or to uplift amazing local breweries, wineries, and cideries, the water we access simply must be healthy and plentiful for us to have a future. Right now, Iowans across the state are recognizing and speaking out about the fact that we have a real water challenge. And they are no longer asking us to make a change. Some are begging, some are demanding, and some are crying out from their children’s hospital rooms. And Iowa doesn’t start from a great position- unlike ...

Meskwaki Nation does not pay property tax, and that isn’t fair! An expose on the pernicious lie plaguing Tama County

Does this sound familiar? It may not sound familiar if you don’t live near Indian Country. I live in Tama County, Iowa. Tama County is home to the only federally recognized tribe in Iowa. I have heard this statement or something like it many times since I have lived in Tama County. What makes this statement more troublesome is that it provokes a mentality that divides; us vs. them. I have had many conversations and been in rooms where this common phrase is used, and a thinly veiled justification for division with Meskwaki Nation. I have been told that I do not understand because I ...

Feeling bad about a dumb injury? These dudes did it worse

I hurt my knee taking a step onto a riser in a performance at my kids’ elementary school the other day. I’m not sure yet how serious the injury is, but it’s the kind of incident that makes you feel about 100 years old and like a complete moron. I mean, who gets hurt taking the stairs? So, after it happened, I decided to make myself feel better in a manner passed down through the centuries as a sure-fire method for dispelling shame: Find someone who did something even dumber than you did. With that, I commenced to furious googling, turning up tales of some of the most ...

It’s time to pass a strong Farm Bill

Historically, Congress would pass a Farm Bill every 5 years with bipartisan support. Unfortunately, we are now nearing a decade since the last Farm Bill and Iowa farmers need Congress to act now more than ever. The Farm Bill strengthens American agriculture, protects our farmers, and supports ...

The Warme Wire: Week 8

Iowans deserve access to the best quality health care at the lowest possible cost. This week, I was the floor manager for a major health care reform bill toward that end, and it passed unanimously. HF 2635 works to remove administrative and regulatory barriers so our hard-working health care ...