Email from Rep Feenstra In this week's roundup: Standing up for our veterans, introducing legislation to support brain health in our schools, and my "No Brainer" bill.     Dear Friend, In this week's roundup: Standing up for our veterans, introducing legislation to support brain health in our schools, and my "No Brainer" bill. That and more – remember to follow my Facebook page by clicking here and my Twitter page by clicking here to stay up-to-date throughout the week! FIRST VIDEO OF MY "FARM BILL BREAKDOWN" SERIES Yesterday, I launched my Farm Bill Breakdown — a video series where I’ll talk about provisions that I secured for Iowa agriculture and other priorities important to our farmers and producers. For our first video, I’m breaking down my Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act, which would lower the cost of crop insurance for the next generation of Iowa farmers. REESTABLISHING AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE On Tuesday, I had a large group with the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association in my office to discuss the importance of homegrown Iowa biofuels to our national and energy security. With the help of American biofuels, we can lower gas prices for our families and reduce our reliance on foreign oil and gas! IMPROVING BRAIN HEALTH IN SCHOOLS ACT Too many students struggle from depression, anxiety, and other challenges but lack needed support. I introduced the Improving Brain Health in Schools Act so that our schools can access the resources they need to provide our kids with the brain health treatment that they deserve. This legislation:  Allows K-12 schools to compete for brain health service grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Permits K-12 schools to fund counseling centers and evidence-based programs to help address student brain health needs. Allows K-12 schools and institutions of higher learning to use grant funds to establish Brain Health Retreat Rooms, which are defined as spaces where students can learn wellness strategies and connect with the resources that they need to help better manage their brain health. MY SAVE OUR SENIORS ACT WAS NAMED A "NO BRAINER" BY THE NATIONAL TAXPAYERS UNION! Social Security is a solemn contract between the federal government and America’s seniors that must always be honored. When retirement rolls around, our seniors should feel confident that they will receive the benefits that they earned and deserve. However, thanks to decades of reckless government spending and bloated budgets, Social Security is barreling towards insolvency at a rapidly increasing pace. That’s why I introduced the Save Our Seniors Act because lawmakers can no longer stick their heads in the sand and ignore the looming solvency crisis facing Social Security. Instead of wrongfully assuming Social Security will remain funded indefinitely, my bill will ensure that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office includes the honest projection of Social Security’s financial health in its annual ten-year outlook so that we can find solutions to keep Social Security solvent for generations to come. I thank the National Taxpayers Union for recognizing this important legislation as a "no brainer" because that’s exactly what it is. NTU's 14th Annual "No Brainers" List: 2024's Top 10 Bipartisan Bills for Taxpayers In this year's lame duck session, National Taxpayers Union (NTU) is happy to present its 14th annual "No Brainers" list of legislative reforms that can unite lawmakers across the political spectrum. Read More MILITARY ACADEMY SELECTION BOARD AND OUTGOING MEMBERS On Monday, my Military Academy Selection Board met to review candidates for our nation’s service academies. I appreciate their commitment to this process. I also want to thank outgoing board members — Terry Seehusen, Theresa Hildreth, Chad Reece, and Liz Doll — for their service. VOTING TO SECURE OUR FEDERAL ELECTION PROCESS On Monday night, I voted for legislation to require that ballots mailed for a federal election include a unique U.S. Postal Service barcode. This is an important reform for election security so that we can keep track of every ballot and efficiently count every legal vote. We need to stop election fraud like in the reports below. Thousands of Colorado ballots to be reexamined for evidence of fraud A criminal probe was launched in Mesa County after election staff discovered at least a dozen ballots had been fraudulently cast. Read More A UNIFIED REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT WILL DELIVER FOR AMERICA On November 5th, the American people elected President Trump and Republican majorities in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives to secure conservative victories for our country and put America first. We will deliver on this mandate! Unified Republican government will deliver for America On Nov. 5, the American people elected President Trump and Republican majorities in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives to deliver conservative victories for our country and put America first. With over 76 million Americans casting their ballot for President Trump, Republicans have received a mandate to undo the damage caused [...] Read More 36 COUNTY TOUR: TRIPS TO CARROLL COUNTY This year's 36 County Tour took me to Carroll County for two different stops! I held a roundtable with employees at Northwestern Mutual and visited Elderbridge Agency on Aging — both in Carroll. Meeting with Iowans and taking their suggestions back to Congress remains my top priority. VOTING TO DELIVER HARD-EARNED BENEFITS TO OUR HEROES Our veterans selflessly answered the call to serve our country and defend the freedoms that we hold dear. It is our responsibility to ensure that our nation’s heroes receive the high-quality healthcare, services, and benefits that they deserve and have earned. I voted for the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act to deliver the top-notch care that our veterans need, help reduce veteran homelessness, strengthen support for veterans in rural communities, and hold the VA accountable to our veterans and their families. As a grateful American, I will always work to ensure that our veterans are taken care of, respected, and honored. Feenstra Votes to Ensure America's Veterans Receive High-Quality Healthcare and Benefits WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) voted for, and the U.S. House of Representatives passed, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. Read More ONE LAST THING: TREE PLANTING COMMUNITY FORESTRY GRANT PROGRAM This year, on my 36 County Tour, I heard from city officials and local residents about the need to remove and replant trees impacted by disease, especially Emerald Ash Borer. As former City Administrator of my hometown of Hull, I know the cost of tree removal is not cheap. Fortunately, communities in need of funding for tree projects can apply for the Tree Planting Community Forestry Grant Program through the Iowa DNR. The deadline is December 30th! You can find more information at the link below. Urban Forestry The purpose of an community tree inventory is to gather accurate information about the composition and condition of a community's city-owned forestry resources. Read More MY WEEKLY COLUMN: SECURING DISASTER RELIEF FOR IOWA Earlier this year, our communities were hit by severe floods and powerful tornadoes that devastated homes, farms, businesses, hospitals, and schools. Crops were damaged, personal property was destroyed, and vehicles were totaled. Months later, families are still picking up the pieces and working to rebuild. But, even amid unthinkable tragedy, Iowans rallied around our neighbors to lend a helping hand because that’s just how we do things in Iowa. We help where we can and support our fellow Iowans when they need it most. President Biden recently requested nearly $100 billion from Congress to address ongoing recovery needs nationwide, and I will be working day and night to ensure that Iowa receives its fair share of the pie. Read my full weekly column below! My weekly column: Securing disaster relief for Iowa Earlier this year, our communities were hit by severe floods and powerful tornadoes that devastated homes, farms, businesses, hospitals, and schools. Crops were damaged, personal property was destroyed, and vehicles were totaled. Months later, families are still picking up the pieces and working to rebuild. Read More CLOSING POLL FOR THE DAY Do you think that every ballot mailed in the U.S. should have a barcode for tracking purposes? Yes No Unsure / Indifferent LAST WEEK'S POLL RESULTS: Do you support the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)?  Yes - 60% No - 32% Unsure/Indifferent - 8% If you have more thoughts on this week's question, feel free to leave your comments on my official website HERE. We are government together, and I am here to serve you. Your thoughts, concerns, and comments are very important to me. Always feel free to call (202) 225-4426 or visit my website at feenstra.house.gov. Sincerely, Rep. Randy Feenstra Member of Congress Rep Feenstra | 1440 Longworth House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice