Capitol Letters: Delivering a conservative agenda for America

Randy Feenstra

On November 5th, 2024, the American people delivered a mandate for our government by electing President Trump and Republican majorities to Congress. Like me, our families and neighbors want secure borders, safe communities, a strong economy, and an affordable cost of living. It is now our responsibility to honor the will of the voters and get our country back on track.

First, we must secure our border. President Biden—and his less-than-effective border czar, Kamala Harris—allowed illegal immigration to balloon from the low levels we saw from President Trump’s first term. According to estimates from the Center for Immigration Studies, the illegal immigrant population grew to 14 million this year. This presents an incredible financial burden to American taxpayers to the tune of over $150 billion per year. I am committed to working with President Trump—and our new border czar, Tom Homan—to cut the flow of fentanyl and other illegal substances through our southern border. 

However, the flow of fentanyl often doesn’t just start in South or Central America. According to a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) intelligence report, China remains the primary source of fentanyl and related substances. This is just one entry in a long list of the subtle acts of aggression from China. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) continues to attempt to purchase American farmland and plots of land near airports and U.S. military bases. Threats of this nature should never come to our shores. In the 118th Congress, I introduced and co-sponsored numerous pieces of legislation to combat the growing threats on our freedom from China. The Protecting U.S. Farmland and Sensitive Sites from Foreign Adversaries Act and the Defend America’s Rural Energy Act both targeted the purchase of land by China. 

Second, we must rebuild our economy. It has been said many times, but it remains true—Bidenomics proved disastrous for American households, farms, and small businesses. The Senate Joint Economic Committee reported that the typical household now spends an additional $11,434 to maintain the same standard of living they enjoyed in 2021. Economic pressure has been felt on all fronts. One of the biggest priorities for the new Congress is the update and reauthorization of President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. In the past, I have cosponsored legislation to make the TCJA permanent. Serving on the House Ways and Means Committee, I will work with my colleagues to extend the TCJA and protect these important tax cuts for our families, farmers, and businesses.

Another priority for the 119th is restoring American energy independence. It’s no secret that the average household pays much more for their energy costs than they did when President Trump ended his first term in office. This burden is felt by farmers, small businesses, and manufacturers as well—increasing costs on our main streets. The Biden administration has also made our nation increasingly dependent on foreign energy. 

The U.S. Energy Information Administration notes that U.S. crude oil imports increased in 2023. For the past four years, foreign nations have been given the opportunity to surpass American energy production and threaten our national security by applying pressure to energy independence. The solution to these issues is grown right in our fields. Ethanol and other biofuels hold the key to cheap, American energy. 

Finally, we must continue to stand up for our farm producers. On my 36 County Tour of 2024, one of the most common reports from our communities was the importance of passing a new, revitalized Farm Bill. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats spent two years playing politics at the expense of the American farmer. In the 119th Congress, my Republican colleagues and I will work to finally provide our producers with the resources they need to prosper in the international marketplace and keep the prices in our grocery aisles low. We will address soaring input prices driven by rampant government spending and allow our producers to do what they do best without bureaucrats looking over their shoulders.

There is a lot to look forward to in the coming legislative calendar, but it won’t be easy. The Democrats will push back on every item of the Republican agenda. With the support of President Trump and the American people, we will make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous than ever before. I am honored to have the opportunity to represent the Fourth District of Iowa in the 119th Congress and look forward to hearing from Iowans on how we can improve our future—together.