Feenstra, Nunn, Hinson, Miller-Meeks state support for ‘Big Beautiful Bill’
The four Republicans who represent Iowa in the U-S House voted to approve the “Big Beautiful bill that implements President Trump’s priorities, including an extension of the tax cuts he signed into law in 2017. Fourth district Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull gave a speech on the House floor Thursday morning.
Feenstra added that President Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill will dramatically grow the economy. The bill also includes the largest tax cut in American history for families, farmers, workers and small businesses.
Feenstra says the bill will virtually eliminate the estate tax by permanently raising the amount someone can inherit — without paying federal taxes — to 15 million dollars.
The bill phases out tax credits for wind and solar production — a move U-S Energy Secretary Chris Wright says removes distortions in the market and will unleash energy production that works without subsidies. Iowa’s three other representatives in the U-S House posted video messages online about the bill. Third district Congressman Zach Nunn of Bondurant recorded his reaction to the passage of the bill just as the sun was rising Thursday.
Second district Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion is emphasizing the new tax provisions in the bill.
First district Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Davenport says she’s delighted House Republicans were able to get the bill across the finish line and to the president’s desk.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig has issued the following statement after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was passed by the House and sent to President Trump for his signature:
Naig said: “The passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act marks a significant victory for Iowa’s farmers and rural communities, delivering permanent tax relief, enhanced death tax exemptions, extension of the 45Z tax credit, and strengthened crop insurance and commodity reference price provisions that help our farmers at a time when there is uncertainty in the ag economy.”
Need for Cautious Boating
Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources say recent rain is creating a potential hazard on rivers across the state.
As more people hit the water to enjoy some sun and fun, Susan Stocker (stock-er) with the Iowa DNR says to use some extra caution when swimming and boating.
Stocker says staying sober is also essential, since alcohol and drugs contribute to half of all boating fatalities in Iowa. That’s higher than the national average.
Stocker also notes that life jackets save lives, and by law, anyone under the age of 13 must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on a watercraft, even a canoe or paddleboard.
Meals from the Heartland breaks record for Iowa meals
Meals from the Heartland passed the one million mark for meals distributed to Iowa food banks and pantries on June 1st, which beat the record total of 952-thousand meals for all of 2024. Marketing Manager Daniel Rieck (Reek like leak) says it’s good that they can produce that many meals, but sobering that they need to.
Rieck says higher food prices have driven the increased need. They get a big start on packaging meals in January and she says things tend to slow down in the summer.
The Hunger Fight is October 6th through the 11th and they have some four-thousand volunteers who help package two million meals. Those meals go out internationally. The meals they make for Iowa are called the Taco Mac meal, with macaroni noodles, soy protein, taco seasoning and cheese inside the bag.
Rieck says the finished meal is similar to Hamburger Helper. The meals they send internationally are called hearty pack.
To learn more about the organization of find out how you can volunteer, go to mealsfromtheheartland.org.
