Headed into another extended weekend, Iowa’s congressional delegates addressed Chinese “shell companies,” stillbirth prevention, prosthetic affordability and more. Additionally, one of Iowa’s senators celebrated a birthday.
Check out what Iowa’s lawmakers were up to this week:
Nunn national security bill makes it to floor
Rep. Zach Nunn’s legislation aimed at strengthening regulations on foreign businesses registered in the U.S. passed the House Financial Services Committee.
The legislation, introduced in August, is co-sponsored by Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio. It aims to prevent foreign businesses from operating through “shell companies.” It amends the Corporate Transparency Act, passed in 2020.
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The 2020 act attempted to prevent shell companies, but according to Nunn’s office, implementation deviated from the initial intention of the legislation.
Nunn’s legislation, which the House will now consider, would strengthen regulations on foreign businesses registering in the U.S. by requiring a submitted report within 90 days of registration and preventing companies from omitting information.
“The Chinese Communist Party will do anything to jeopardize our national security, steal our intellectual property and undermine our economy,” Nunn said in a news release. “Passing this bipartisan bill is a critical step towards ending their ability to operate shell companies that harm national security and real American businesses.”
Grassley introduces Secure the Border Act
A border security bill, which passed the House in May, has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Chuck Grassley.
The Secure the Border Act passed the House along party lines, with all four Iowa representatives voting in favor and two Republicans voting against.
According to Grassley’s office, it is “the most comprehensive border security legislation in decades.” The bill would resume border wall construction, increase border patrol agents, criminalize those who stay in the country past their visa, ensure U.S. Customs and Border Protection has criminal databases of all countries of origin and transit and more.
“The first obligation of government is to protect our national security,” Grassley said in a news release. “… Simply put, border security is national security. Our bill presents commonsense solutions that will protect Americans by putting a stop to the border crisis.”
Grassley and Hinson promote stillbirth awareness
In proposed resolutions, Grassley and Rep. Ashley Hinson asked Congress to make Sept. 19 National Stillbirth Prevention Day.
“The stillbirth rate in the United States is unacceptably high, especially for low-income and rural moms, and we must do more to help them have healthy pregnancies,” Hinson said in a news release. “We can and must do better by these moms and their babies.”
Hinson also spoke on the House floor regarding the matter.
Both Hinson and Grassley have authored legislation to improve maternal care, including a bicameral effort in July to increase research funding for stillbirth prevention.
“We can and should be doing more to save babies’ lives and improve pre-natal care – that’s what this resolution is all about,” Grassley said in a news release. “Too many families know the heartbreak of stillbirths, yet such tragic losses are often avoidable.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 175 births are stillborn, and Black and Pacific Islander Americans are affected at more than double the rate of white Americans.
Nunn looking for Russia to repair Ukraine
Nunn, saying “actions have consequences,” is calling for frozen Russian assets to be used to fund the reconstruction of Ukraine. He announced the proposal this week ahead of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington, D.C.
“Putin and his oppressive regime alone are responsible for the murderous destruction in Ukraine,” Nunn said in a news release. “Actions have consequences, so they alone should likewise be responsible for the costs of their unprovoked war.”
The funds Nunn referenced are $300 billion in assets frozen by the U.S., the European Union and Japan in February 2022.
In a resolution by Nunn, he calls for Russia to “immediately cease all hostilities, withdraw forces from Ukrainian territory and engage in diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict.”
The resolution also states that the United States expresses its commitment to provide humanitarian assistance and to help rebuild and stabilize the region.
Miller-Meeks asks for medical equipment affordability
Legislation to adjust Medicare payments for medical equipment such as prosthetics and orthotics was introduced this week by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
The legislation, if passed, would direct the secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to adjust both competitive and noncompetitive bid rates for medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies until the end of 2024.
The bill has the support of Democrat Rep. Paul Tonko of New York and two Republicans, Hinson and Rep. Larry Bucshon of Indiana.
The legislation would direct HHS to make adjustments to make Medicare payments consistent with payments in 2021’s competitive bidding program.
“Supply chain issues and rising costs extend far beyond the production line,” Miller-Meeks said in a news release. “The Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies Relief Act of 2023 works to ensure that essential products like ankle orthotics, wheelchairs and walkers, are not delayed by supply chain issues and that they are still affordable and available for patients to use.”
GOP senators want dress code enforcement
A decision by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, which Grassley said stinks, may lead to fewer ties on the Senate floor.
The majority leader instructed the Senate’s sergeant-at-arms this week to stop enforcing the unwritten business casual dress code.
“This rule change stinks and it’s unprecedented,” Grassley said in a news release. “I’ll be wearing a suit and necktie on the Senate floor as I’ve always done and has been expected of senators for nearly 240 years. If you can’t count on the Majority Leader of the United States Senate to uphold decorum, who can you count on?”
Forty-six Republican senators, including Sen. Joni Ernst and Grassley, sent a letter to urge Schumer to “immediately reverse this misguided action” regarding the clothes worn in a place “of honor and tradition.”
“The Senate floor is where we conduct the business of the American people,” the letter states. “It is where we debate the policies which impact every American family and, when necessary, it is where we must make the gravest decision imaginable – whether to send our fellow Americans into battle to defend the freedoms we all hold dear. The world watches us on that floor and we must protect the sanctity of that place at all costs.”
Ernst, Hinson take aim at federal work-from-home jobs
In a months-long effort by multiple Iowa lawmakers to change the way federal employees have managed work-from-home policies since the COVID-19 pandemic, Hinson and Ernst have introduced companion legislation to address their grievances.
“It’s no secret that Washington is broken and deeply dysfunctional, and Iowans are sick of it,” Hinson said in a statement. “Serious reforms are needed to clean this place up and root out corruption, shrink the ever-growing administrative state, and take power from bureaucrats and give it to people. My Make Washington Work Again package will restore integrity to public service, cut burdensome regulations and ensure Washington is accountable to Iowans.”
A package of bicameral legislation would move federal agency headquarters outside of Washington, ban senior administration officials from lobbying on behalf of foreign governments, require agencies to implement pre-pandemic telework policies and more.
Ernst posted this photo illustration of the White House on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday.
Washington’s “work from home” turned the capital into a ghost town.
Biden’s bureaucrats can come back or we’ll repurpose vacant buildings.#TrickorTreat? ð» pic.twitter.com/bt6BOqKP02
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) September 21, 2023
Ernst has made several statements, including on the Senate floor and in the New York Post on the topic and has requested an investigation into the effect on delivery and response times of services due to telework.
According to a July report from the Government Accountability Office during a three-week period in early 2023 saw 17 out of 24 federal agencies’ buildings were at 25% or less capacity.
Grassley’s birthday
Grassley, the second oldest serving senator, turned 90 years old on Sunday. The senator received surprise Dairy Queen blizzards and birthday wishes from politicians representing Iowa, including congressional delegates, Gov. Kim Reynolds and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.
Happy Birthday Sen @ChuckGrassley! You’re next Diary Queen Blizzard is on me pic.twitter.com/qo4nWZSOgl
— Dr. Miller-Meeks (@millermeeks) September 17, 2023
Best counties to raise a family in Iowa
Best counties to raise a family in Iowa
For people looking to find a home to raise a family in, choosing a county is an important decision. Most families place affordable homes, safe neighborhoods, a quality school system, and family-friendly activities at the top of their wish lists.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in Iowa using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
The list features counties that boast some of the top schools and fun, family-friendly activities for every season. Keep reading to explore the best counties to raise a family. Maybe you’ll find one that suits your brood.
#30. Hamilton County, Iowa
– Population: 15,073
– Median home value: $105,600 (74% own)
– Median rent: $769 (26% own)
– Median household income: $62,183
– Top public schools: South Hamilton Elementary School (grade B+), South Hamilton Middle/High School (grade B+), Northeast Hamilton Elementary School (grade B minus)
– Top private schools: St. Thomas Aquinas School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Webster City (grade B), Lyon Township (grade B+), Jewell Junction (grade B)
#29. Humboldt County, Iowa
– Population: 9,622
– Median home value: $113,800 (73% own)
– Median rent: $619 (27% own)
– Median household income: $60,008
– Top public schools: Taft Elementary School (grade A minus), Humboldt Middle School (grade B+), Humboldt High School (grade B)
– Top private schools: St. Mary Catholic School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Humboldt (grade B+), Delana Township (grade B), Weaver Township (grade B)
#28. Carroll County, Iowa
– Population: 20,756
– Median home value: $143,700 (76% own)
– Median rent: $644 (24% own)
– Median household income: $61,157
– Top public schools: Carroll Middle School (grade B+), Coon Rapids-Bayard Elementary School (grade B+), Fairview Elementary School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Kuemper Catholic School (grade B)
– Top places to live: Carroll (grade B+), Manning (grade B+), Grant Township (grade B+)
#27. Delaware County, Iowa
– Population: 17,508
– Median home value: $146,400 (83% own)
– Median rent: $702 (17% own)
– Median household income: $69,319
– Top public schools: Johnston Elementary School (grade A), Delhi Elementary School (grade A), Earlville Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Happy Hearts Smiling Faces Preschool (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Manchester (grade B), Hazel Green Township (grade B+), Hopkinton (grade B)
#26. Buena Vista County, Iowa
– Population: 20,723
– Median home value: $126,300 (69% own)
– Median rent: $737 (31% own)
– Median household income: $53,645
– Top public schools: Newell-Fonda High School (grade B+), Albert City-Truesdale Elementary School (grade B+), Storm Lake High School (grade B)
– Top private schools: Storm Lake St. Mary’s Schools (grade A)
– Top places to live: Storm Lake (grade B), Hayes Township (grade B+), Lakeside (grade B+)
#25. Clinton County, Iowa
– Population: 46,589
– Median home value: $128,900 (75% own)
– Median rent: $703 (25% own)
– Median household income: $56,345
– Top public schools: Delwood Elementary School (grade A minus), Central Dewitt Middle School (grade B+), Ekstrand Elementary School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Prince of Peace Catholic School (grade B), St. Joseph Catholic School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: De Witt (grade B+), Camanche (grade B minus), Clinton (grade B minus)
#24. Poweshiek County, Iowa
– Population: 18,628
– Median home value: $153,400 (68% own)
– Median rent: $753 (32% own)
– Median household income: $56,080
– Top public schools: Montezuma Elementary School (grade A minus), Grinnell Community Senior High School (grade A minus), Davis Elementary School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Central Iowa Christian School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Grinnell (grade A minus), Sheridan Township (grade A), Malcom (grade B+)
#23. O’Brien County, Iowa
– Population: 14,139
– Median home value: $122,900 (75% own)
– Median rent: $634 (25% own)
– Median household income: $62,292
– Top public schools: East Elementary School (grade A minus), Sheldon Middle School (grade B+), Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School (grade B)
– Top private schools: Sheldon Christian School (grade unavailable), Sanborn Christian School (grade unavailable), Zion-St. John Lutheran School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Sheldon (grade B+), Highland Township (grade A minus), Summit Township (grade A minus)
#22. Wright County, Iowa
– Population: 12,978
– Median home value: $90,900 (75% own)
– Median rent: $658 (25% own)
– Median household income: $55,395
– Top public schools: Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School (grade B+), Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School (grade B+), Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School (grade B minus)
– Top private schools: Eagle Grove (grade B+), Clarion (grade B+), Grant Township (grade B+)
– Top places to live: grade B
#21. Mills County, Iowa
– Population: 14,658
– Median home value: $190,300 (82% own)
– Median rent: $815 (18% own)
– Median household income: $77,926
– Top public schools: West Elementary School (grade B+), Glenwood Middle School (grade B), East Mills Elementary School (grade B)
– Top private schools: Glenwood (grade B), Oak Township (grade A minus), Plattville Township (grade B+)
– Top places to live: grade B+
#20. Crawford County, Iowa
– Population: 16,555
– Median home value: $101,200 (70% own)
– Median rent: $690 (30% own)
– Median household income: $55,552
– Top public schools: Schleswig Elementary School (grade B), Denison High School (grade B), Boyer Valley Elementary School (grade B)
– Top private schools: Zion Lutheran School (grade unavailable), St. Rose of Lima School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Denison (grade B minus), Schleswig (grade B+), Stockholm Township (grade B)
#19. Grundy County, Iowa
– Population: 12,336
– Median home value: $148,300 (84% own)
– Median rent: $709 (16% own)
– Median household income: $74,552
– Top public schools: Grundy Center Middle School (grade B+), Dike Elementary School (grade B+), Grundy Center Elementary School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Timothy Christian School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Grant Township (grade A minus), Melrose Township (grade A minus), Dike (grade B+)
#18. Shelby County, Iowa
– Population: 11,750
– Median home value: $137,900 (75% own)
– Median rent: $778 (25% own)
– Median household income: $62,222
– Top public schools: Harlan Community Middle School (grade A minus), Harlan High School (grade A minus), Irwin Elementary School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Shelby County Catholic School (grade unavailable), Victory Christian School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Harlan (grade B), Fairview Township (grade A), Center Township (grade A minus)
#17. Winneshiek County, Iowa
– Population: 20,100
– Median home value: $196,100 (78% own)
– Median rent: $737 (22% own)
– Median household income: $65,330
– Top public schools: Decorah High School (grade A), Decorah Middle School (grade A minus), Carrie Lee Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: St. Benedict Catholic School (grade unavailable), St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School (grade unavailable), Crossroads Academy (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Decorah (grade A), Decorah Township (grade A minus), Springfield Township (grade B+)
#16. Calhoun County, Iowa
– Population: 9,962
– Median home value: $88,900 (79% own)
– Median rent: $620 (21% own)
– Median household income: $60,434
– Top public schools: South Central Calhoun High School (grade A minus), South Central Calhoun Middle School (grade B), South Central Calhoun Elementary School (grade B minus)
– Top private schools: Garfield Township (grade A minus), Lake City (grade B+), Twin Lakes Township (grade B)
– Top places to live: grade B+
#15. Marion County, Iowa
– Population: 33,381
– Median home value: $163,500 (75% own)
– Median rent: $767 (25% own)
– Median household income: $66,822
– Top public schools: Pella Middle School (grade A minus), Jefferson Intermediate School (grade A minus), Madison Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Pella Christian High School (grade B+), Pella Christian Grade School (grade unavailable), Peoria Christian School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Pella (grade A), Knoxville (grade B), Lake Prairie Township (grade A)
#14. Warren County, Iowa
– Population: 51,862
– Median home value: $210,800 (81% own)
– Median rent: $854 (19% own)
– Median household income: $85,189
– Top public schools: Lakewood Elementary School (grade A minus), Norwalk Senior High School (grade A minus), Norwalk Middle School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Victory Christian Academy (grade unavailable), Cadence Academy Before & After School – Norwalk (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Norwalk (grade A minus), Indianola (grade B+), Carlisle (grade B+)
#13. Lyon County, Iowa
– Population: 11,953
– Median home value: $167,900 (85% own)
– Median rent: $724 (15% own)
– Median household income: $69,113
– Top public schools: George-Little Rock Senior High School (grade A minus), George Elementary School (grade A minus), West Lyon Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Inwood Christian School (grade unavailable), Northwest Iowa Protestant Reformed School (grade unavailable), Doon Christian School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Wheeler Township (grade B), Larchwood Township (grade B), Larchwood (grade B)
#12. Marshall County, Iowa
– Population: 40,137
– Median home value: $106,900 (72% own)
– Median rent: $783 (28% own)
– Median household income: $63,591
– Top public schools: West Marshall High School (grade A minus), East Marshall Elementary School (grade B+), West Marshall Middle School (grade B)
– Top private schools: Marshalltown Area Catholic School (grade unavailable), Marshalltown Christian School (grade unavailable), Clemons Lutheran School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Marshalltown (grade B minus), Minerva Township (grade A minus), Vienna Township (grade B+)
#11. Woodbury County, Iowa
– Population: 105,102
– Median home value: $139,600 (69% own)
– Median rent: $838 (31% own)
– Median household income: $63,061
– Top public schools: Sergeant Bluff-Luton Middle School (grade A minus), Clark Early Childhood Center (grade B+), Lawton Junior/Senior High School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Bishop Heelan Catholic High School (grade A), Siouxland Community Christian School (grade B minus), Mater Dei School Nativity Center (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Sergeant Bluff (grade A), Sioux City (grade B), Woodbury Township (grade A minus)
#10. Plymouth County, Iowa
– Population: 25,543
– Median home value: $176,800 (76% own)
– Median rent: $760 (24% own)
– Median household income: $74,239
– Top public schools: Le Mars High School (grade A minus), Akron Westfield Elementary School (grade A minus), Franklin Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Gehlen Catholic Schools (grade A minus), St. Mary’s High School (grade B), St. Catherine-St. Mary’s Grade School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Le Mars (grade B+), Johnson Township (grade B+), Washington Township (grade B+)
#9. Bremer County, Iowa
– Population: 24,863
– Median home value: $173,600 (83% own)
– Median rent: $755 (17% own)
– Median household income: $76,782
– Top public schools: Denver Middle School (grade A), Denver Elementary School (grade A minus), Margaretta Carey Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: St. Paul’s Lutheran School (grade unavailable), Community Lutheran School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Waverly (grade A), Jefferson Township (grade A minus), Washington Township (grade A minus)
#8. Linn County, Iowa
– Population: 228,567
– Median home value: $167,000 (75% own)
– Median rent: $824 (25% own)
– Median household income: $70,360
– Top public schools: Oak Ridge School (grade A), John F. Kennedy High School (grade A), Indian Creek Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Xavier High School (grade A minus), Cedar Valley Christian School (grade B), LaSalle Middle School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Mount Vernon (grade A), Marion (grade A minus), Robins (grade A minus)
#7. Sioux County, Iowa
– Population: 35,647
– Median home value: $194,700 (80% own)
– Median rent: $744 (20% own)
– Median household income: $78,179
– Top public schools: Orange City Elementary School (grade A), Hospers Elementary School (grade A), MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Unity Christian High School (grade B+), Western Christian High School (grade B), Trinity Christian High School (grade B minus)
– Top places to live: Orange City (grade A), Sioux Center (grade A), Alton (grade B+)
#6. Johnson County, Iowa
– Population: 151,833
– Median home value: $248,100 (59% own)
– Median rent: $1,031 (41% own)
– Median household income: $67,414
– Top public schools: West Senior High School (grade A+), Lincoln Elementary School (grade A), Wickham Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Hillcrest Academy (grade A minus), Regina Catholic Education Center (grade A minus), Regina Catholic Elementary School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: University Heights (grade A+), Coralville (grade A+), North Liberty (grade A)
#5. Dubuque County, Iowa
– Population: 98,687
– Median home value: $183,700 (74% own)
– Median rent: $836 (26% own)
– Median household income: $68,198
– Top public schools: Cascade Elementary School (grade A), Peosta Elementary School (grade A), Farley Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Wahlert Catholic High School (grade A minus), Beckman Catholic School (grade B), St. Francis Xavier Elementary School (grade A)
– Top places to live: Asbury (grade A minus), Dubuque (grade B+), Dyersville (grade B+)
#4. Story County, Iowa
– Population: 98,106
– Median home value: $205,300 (56% own)
– Median rent: $947 (44% own)
– Median household income: $62,578
– Top public schools: Gilbert Elementary School (grade A), Gilbert Intermediate School (grade A), Gilbert Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools: St. Cecilia Elementary School (grade unavailable), Ames Christian School (grade unavailable), Nevada Seventh-day Adventist School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Ames (grade A), Huxley (grade A), Gilbert (grade A)
#3. Scott County, Iowa
– Population: 174,170
– Median home value: $172,100 (70% own)
– Median rent: $852 (30% own)
– Median household income: $67,675
– Top public schools: Hopewell Elementary (grade A+), Pleasant View Elementary (grade A+), Pleasant Valley Junior High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Rivermont Collegiate (grade A+), Assumption High School (grade A minus), Morning Star Academy (grade B+)
– Top places to live: Bettendorf (grade A+), Eldridge (grade A minus), Le Claire (grade A minus)
#2. Polk County, Iowa
– Population: 488,871
– Median home value: $201,300 (67% own)
– Median rent: $977 (33% own)
– Median household income: $73,015
– Top public schools: Northeast Elementary School (grade A), Prairie Trail Elementary School (grade A), Prairie Ridge Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A minus), Des Moines Christian School (grade A minus)
– Top places to live: West Des Moines (grade A+), Waterbury (grade A+), Urbandale (grade A)
#1. Dallas County, Iowa
– Population: 96,604
– Median home value: $273,800 (71% own)
– Median rent: $1,078 (29% own)
– Median household income: $93,492
– Top public schools: Grant Ragan Elementary School (grade A), Waukee South Middle School (grade A), Brookview Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: St. Francis of Assisi School (grade unavailable), St. Patrick’s Catholic School (grade unavailable), Dallas Center Christian School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Clive (grade A+), Waukee (grade A+), Adel (grade B+)