The future of Congress

By Mariannette Miller-Meeks

The past two years Iowans have faced record-high gas and energy costs, food prices and crumbling American principles under the Biden administration. President Biden’s policies have hurt low income, working class families and seniors on a fixed income across the country and benefitted the coastal elites.

In January, I will work with my colleagues to deliver on the Republican’s Commitment to America. Our promise has four pillars: an economy that is strong, a nation that is safe, a future that is built on freedom, and a government that is accountable.

When President Biden took office in January 2021, inflation was 1.4 percent. As of October 2022, inflation is currently 7.7 percent and interest rates the highest in decades. Americans cannot afford record-high prices that continue to increase. In January, legislation will be introduced to curb wasteful government spending and lower costs of everyday necessities.

A strong economy is predicated on affordable energy and Iowa can be used as a framework for the country. Iowans have taken advantage of the resources available in our state and has become an energy exporter. By taking an “all of the above” approach, Iowa has helped the United States reduce reliance on foreign countries such as OPEC, Russia and China for energy needs.

The Biden administration’s energy and economic policies aren’t its only shortcoming, though. Under the Biden Administration, over four million illegal aliens have entered our country. This could have been easily prevented, but after inauguration, President Biden ceased funding of the border wall and immediately reversed commonsense immigration policies that were working and secured our border. A Republican Congress will fully fund effective border enforcement strategies, infrastructure, and technologies to help prevent illegal crossings, including cartel gang members, stem the flow of illegal drugs and people on the terror watch list.

Lastly, a Republican Congress wants to hold our government accountable. The Constitution was written to give the American people rights that could not be infinged upon by an overarching federal government. However, these rights have been under constant attack from the Democratic Party. In January, I will continue to fight to uphold free speech, guarantee religious freedoms and safeguard the Second Amendment.

These policies are not “radical,” rather they are commonsense initiatives that give the power of the government back to the people. I am looking forward to January so we can join together to start working for the American people.

Mariannette Miller-Meeks is a resident of Ottumwa who currently represents Iowa’s Second District in the United States House of Representatives.