From the September 2024 edition of The Prairie Progressive, Iowa’s oldest progressive newsletter. The PP is  funded entirely by reader subscription, available in hard copy for $15/yr.  Send check to PP, Box 1945, Iowa City 52244. Click here for archived issues

Iowa Congressional Double-talker of the Year

by Tom Cook

Iowa 1st District Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks has received the 2024 Iowa Congressional Double-Talker of the Year Award.

A pool of ordinary, concerned Iowans has conscientiously reviewed the public and social media statements of all four of Iowa’s congressional representatives and unanimously concluded that Rep. Miller-Meeks deserves to be recognized for her persistent and skilled use of double-talk to convince her constituents that she represents their values and interests in the U.S. Congress. The fact that she is only now receiving this prestigious award, after three years in office, is a tribute to just how masterful her deception has been.

Rep. Ashley Hinson of the 2nd District, also a skilled double-talker, was a close second.  Randy Feenstra, who can say whatever he wants in the 4th district, came in third. Zach Nunn, who never says or does anything in the 3rd district, was fourth.

Here are just a few examples of the award-winning double-talk that earned this coveted recognition for Rep. Miller-Meeks.

RURAL HEALTH: “I met with the Iowa Rural Health Association to discuss ways that we can work to improve access and quality health care for rural Americans.”

BUT she voted against a bill that is funding 62 health projects in her district.

SAFETY: “I met with Warren, Mahaska, and Marion County law enforcement agencies to discuss the importance of making sure our local law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to do their jobs.”

BUT she voted against bills that are funding an ambulance and medical equipment in  Mahaska County; emergency response radios and upgrades to the jail, courthouse, and Law Enforcement Center in Marion County; and assistance to firefighters and support for the Justice Center and sheriff’s projects in Warren County.

INFRASTRUCTURE: “I met with Iowa county officials regarding the need for  infrastructure in southeast Iowa.”

BUT she voted against bills funding 148 transportation projects and over 300 other  projects intended to improve infrastructure in the district.

VETERANS: In her meeting with officials from the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs. She posted, “I will continue to fight for these men and women every day in Congress.”

BUT in 2022 she initially voted against the Honoring our PACT (Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics) Act that expanded VA health care and benefits for veterans
exposed to burn pits, radiation, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances, a bill supported by eleven veterans service organizations.

DRUG PRICES: She says controlling prescription drug costs will “interfere with the doctor.”

BUT she voted against the Inflation Reduction Act to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, to establish a cap on out-of-pocket costs, and to lower healthcare premiums
for millions of Americans. She accepted $135,000 in donations from Big Pharm.

BORDER SECURITY: “I have visited the border multiple times and have spoken with law
enforcement about the need for increased border security…”

BUT, after months of negotiations in the Senate, Rep. Miller-Meeks and colleagues followed Donald Trump’s order and refused to even vote on the bipartisan package to secure the border.

REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM:  In 2021, she cosponsored the Life at Conception Act, legislation which would criminalize abortion entirely but would not allow the woman having the procedure to be prosecuted. When Roe v Wade was overturned, she issued a celebratory statement and said she would “continue to ensure women have access to affordable contraceptives.”

BUT the following month she voted against the Right to Contraception Act, a bill designed to safeguard the right to birth control. In the current legislative session, she has helped pass four anti-abortion bills. She has also renewed her support for legislation that would
include a national abortion ban, with no exceptions.

—Tom Cook is a University of Iowa professor emeritus of occupational and environmental health.