Summer Internships Available

Young Iowans interested in government and politics should consider applying for an internship in my office this summer.  Interning in a congressional office allows for a wide range of learning experience and exposure for students on Capitol Hill. It is a good way for college-age students and new graduates to learn more about the legislative branch of the federal government while gaining valuable experience.  Students in all areas of study who are interested in learning... Read more

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A Promise Made, A Promise Broken

As the weeks go by, President Obama’s one-time promise that if you like the health insurance you have, you can keep it, erodes more and more.  This time, those who are in danger of learning how the broken promise affects them are the older Americans who participate in Medicare Advantage.  This part of Medicare relies on private health care plans such as health maintenance organizations to provide benefits and services that beneficiaries might not receive under traditional Medicare... Read more

Crossing the Line on FDA Employee Monitoring

A federal agency has to keep tabs on its employees’ action.   But a federal agency can’t prohibit agency employees from contacting Congress with concerns in the public interest.  The Food and Drug Administration recently crossed the line in a damaging way by spying on whistleblowers.  Top House committee chairman Darrell Issa and I just released the results of a detailed investigation of the FDA’s treatment of a group of scientists who expressed concerns about the safety of certain devices under review by the agency... Read more

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President’s Budget is March to Madness

The President’s budget proposal arrived on Capitol Hill this morning.  Despite a fresh pitch for more federal spending, the reality is that Washington can’t tax, spend, borrow and regulate our way to prosperity.  The last five years have emphasized that reality.  Washington needs to let go of the idea that Washington knows best.  The real drivers of economic growth are job creators up and down Main Street.  The less time they have to spend on meeting too many regulations from Obamacare and the EPA, the more they can focus on building their business, raising wages, and hiring more workers.  Adding insult to injury, the President’s own political party abandoned even the pretense of producing a budget this year as required by law... Read more