Increase Supply to Lower Gas Prices

This week, I voted to end the de facto moratorium on offshore oil and gas exploration in the United States and against higher taxes on U.S. production that would result in even higher gas prices at the pump. America needs a plan to expand domestic energy production of oil and gas, along with renewable energy sources and incentives for conservation. I also urged the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, to give final sign-off on the... Read more

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Salute to Graduates

Congratulations to all the high school and college graduates who this month celebrate hard-earned academic achievements and scholastic success. Enjoy the pomp and circumstance and school traditions, from the caps and gowns to the commencement speeches and graduation ceremonies. By earning a high school diploma or advanced college degree, our young leaders have earned the accolades and support from their family and friends gathering to... Read more

 

Helping Iowa Family Farmers Stay Competitive

In recent years, the meat-packing industry has become increasingly concentrated, and this concentration is one of the biggest challenges facing the family farmer. Right now, four meat-packing companies control almost 85 percent of the domestic slaughter capacity in the United States. That puts family farmers at a distinct disadvantage when marketing their own livestock. That's why I introduced legislation with three other senators that would... Read more

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Radio Silence on New Wireless Service Draws Concern

A new wireless Internet network project appears on a fast track for government approval, despite concerns that it could jam the existing navigational systems used in farming, trucking, air travel, law enforcement, by the military and in general consumer navigation, and that the person funding the operation is a controversial hedge fund founder who's reportedly under federal investigation for questionable financial dealings. If anything, the shadows around the LightSquared project should have led the Federal Communications Commission to proceed with caution rather than step on the gas. Yet the opposite happened. The agency originally planned to take public... Read more