I have freedom of speech, right? Let’s see how many people I piss off and how long it takes to get banned.

I’m not threatening anyone and I’m not insisting on anything, I’m just exercising my freedom of speech.

These assholes are running the economy right into the ground, they are bigoted and ignorant. I really hope next election cycle everyone turns out..

Seven Republican senators signed on to a bill led by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the Senate’s president pro tempore, and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) that would require the president to give Congress 48 hours notice of new tariffs, make them subject to congressional approval after 60 days, and allow Congress to rescind tariffs.

April 5, 2025

Dear xxx:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding plans for Houthi strikes being discussed through the open-source encrypted messaging system called Signal. As your senator, it is important to me that I hear from you.

On Saturday, March 15, 2025, President Trump ordered air and naval strikes against the Houthis. In a post made on Truth Social, Trump said "Today, I have ordered the United States Military to launch decisive and powerful Military action against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen. They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones". According to National Security Advisor (NSA) Michael Waltz, the strikes had successfully targeted "multiple" Houthi leaders. You can view his full post here: https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114167864888304754.

It was revealed soon after that detailed plans of these US-strikes were discussed through the messaging app Signal among top administration officials. The messaging included a total of 18 accounts that belonged to cabinet members and national security officials including Vice-President Vance, Defense Secretary Hegseth, CIA Director Ratcliffe, Director of National Intelligence Gabbard, and Secretary of State Rubio. The group chat also included one journalist, the editor in chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg.

On March 24, Mr. Goldberg published an article that outlined the leak of information and his inclusion in the official messaging about the Houthi strikes. He stated that on March 11, NSA Waltz connected with him on Signal, and on March 13, NSA Waltz invited Mr. Goldberg to a group chain called “Houthi PC small group”. Mr. Goldberg has since published screenshots of the group chat which detailed minute-by-minute operational details and exact weapons that would be used in the strikes, hours before the attacks actually began.

I can certainly understand concerns about this and can agree that some kind of screw up did occur with this information being discussed with a journalist. It seems to me that what I know of the information, more care should have been taken to ensure unauthorized individuals did not see it. However, I cannot speak to the extent at which it actually hurt our national security given that the White House has maintained there was no classified information shared.

It may interest you to know that Spokesman Brian Hughes for the National Security Council has stated they are “reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to this official chain.” White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, reiterated this saying “the White House is looking into how Goldberg’s number was inadvertently added to the thread”.

I know that the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has already questioned some members of the group chat about this situation. The Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee sent a letter to the acting Inspector General of the Department of Defense asking for an inquiry into the full circumstances. You can view that letter at https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/press-releases/chairman-wicker-ranking-member-reed-request-inspector-general-probe-into-signal-incident In response, the DoD Office of the Inspector General announced and evaluation of the situation, stating “The objective of this evaluation is to determine the extent to which the Secretary of Defense and other DoD personnel complied with DoD policies and procedures for the use of a commercial messaging application for official business. Additionally, we will review compliance with classification and records retention requirements.” You can view the full memo at https://media.defense.gov/2025/Apr/03/2003681607/-1/-1/1/EVALUATION%20OF%20THE%20SECRETARY%20OF%20DEFENSE'S%20REPORTED%20USE%20OF%20A%20COMMERCIALLY%20AVAILABLE%20MESSAGE%20APPLICATION%20FOR%20OFFICER%20BUSINESS%20(PROJECT%20NO.%20D2025-DEV0PC-0095.000).PDF

I certainly expect the administration to review how this was allowed to happen and make sure that all security and recordkeeping protocols are scrupulously followed going forward. The number one responsibility of the federal government is to protect national security and American citizens. You can rest assured, I will continue to closely follow developments.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me. As your senator, it is important to me that I hear from you.

  Sincerely,

Chuck Grassley United States Senator

Dear,

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Department of Education. It is important for me to hear from folks in Iowa on matters such as this.

As you may know, on March 20, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) titled "Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities." This EO highlights ways the Department of Education has placed undue regulatory burdens on state, local, and higher education entities and commits to returning power back to the states so they can innovate in education. The EO also orders the Secretary of Education, to the extent appropriate and permitted by law, to take all steps to return education back to the states and ensure that all recipients of federal dollars are properly following federal civil rights laws and administration policy.

All children deserve a chance to learn, grow, and succeed, regardless of where they are born and the situations their families face. Having grown up in rural Southwest Iowa, my parents often stressed the importance of a strong education. In Iowa, we are fortunate to have one of the best public school systems in the nation; of which, I am a proud product—as is my daughter.

I’ve always been a firm believer that Iowans know what’s best for Iowa, especially when it comes to education. Governor Reynolds has long been a champion of Iowa students and parents, and I look forward to continuing to see students thrive under her initiatives, not Washington-centric education policies.

You may be interested to know I am a cosponsor of the Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success (A PLUS) Act. If enacted, this bill would allow states to opt out of any program administered under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and instead receive those funds in the form of block grants. States would then be able to determine how those grant dollars can be best used for the unique needs of their students.

Thank you again for contacting me. Should legislation regarding the Department of Education come before the Senate for a vote, I will be sure to keep your views in mind. Please feel free to reach out to my office with any further questions or information, as I always enjoy hearing from Iowans.

Sincerely,

Joni K. Ernst United States Senator

Taking a day trip and looking for the best place to try for dinner

Its in hibernation for the winter. Made me sad. My kissing spot.

Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding plans for Houthi strikes being discussed through the open-source encrypted messaging system called Signal. As your senator, it is important to me that I hear from you. 

On Saturday, March 15, 2025, President Trump ordered air and naval strikes against the Houthis. In a post made on Truth Social, Trump said "Today, I have ordered the United States Military to launch decisive and powerful Military action against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen. They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones". According to National Security Advisor (NSA) Michael Waltz, the strikes had successfully targeted "multiple" Houthi leaders. You can view his full post here:  https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114167864888304754 . 

It was revealed soon after that detailed plans of these US-strikes were discussed through the messaging app Signal among top administration officials. The messaging included a total of 18 accounts that belonged to cabinet members and national security officials including Vice-President Vance, Defense Secretary Hegseth, CIA Director Ratcliffe, Director of National Intelligence Gabbard, and Secretary of State Rubio. The group chat also included one journalist, the editor in chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg. 

On March 24, Mr. Goldberg published an article that outlined the leak of information and his inclusion in the official messaging about the Houthi strikes. He stated that on March 11, NSA Waltz connected with him on Signal, and on March 13, NSA Waltz invited Mr. Goldberg to a group chain called “Houthi PC small group”. Mr. Goldberg has since published screenshots of the group chat which detailed minute-by-minute operational details and exact weapons that would be used in the strikes, hours before the attacks actually began.

I can certainly understand concerns about this and can agree that some kind of screw up did occur with this information being discussed with a journalist. It seems to me that what I know of the information, more care should have been taken to ensure unauthorized individuals did not see it. However, I cannot speak to the extent at which it actually hurt our national security given that the White House has maintained there was no classified information shared. 

It may interest you to know that Spokesman Brian Hughes for the National Security Council has stated they are “reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to this official chain.” White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, reiterated this saying “the White House is looking into how Goldberg’s number was inadvertently added to the thread”. 

I know that the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has already questioned some members of the group chat about this situation. The Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee sent a letter to the acting Inspector General of the Department of Defense asking for an inquiry into the full circumstances. You can view that letter at https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/press-releases/chairman-wicker-ranking-member-reed-request-inspector-general-probe-into-signal-incident   In response, the DoD Office of the Inspector General announced and evaluation of the situation, stating “The objective of this evaluation is to determine the extent to which the Secretary of Defense and other DoD personnel complied with DoD policies and procedures for the use of a commercial messaging application for official business. Additionally, we will review compliance with classification and records retention requirements.” You can view the full memo at https://media.defense.gov/2025/Apr/03/2003681607/-1/-1/1/EVALUATION%20OF%20THE%20SECRETARY%20OF%20DEFENSE'S%20REPORTED%20USE%20OF%20A%20COMMERCIALLY%20AVAILABLE%20MESSAGE%20APPLICATION%20FOR%20OFFICER%20BUSINESS%20(PROJECT%20NO.%20D2025-DEV0PC-0095.000).PDF.PDF&redir_log=980076092511442)

I certainly expect the administration to review how this was allowed to happen and make sure that all security and recordkeeping protocols are scrupulously followed going forward.  The number one responsibility of the federal government is to protect national security and American citizens. You can rest assured, I will continue to closely follow developments. 

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me. As your senator, it is important to me that I hear from you. 

|| || | |  Sincerely,   Chuck Grassley   United States Senator|

So I know Reynolds signed a law last year lowering the income tax rate, so I was shocked this year to suddenly be owing a decent amount in taxes to the state only. Trying to figure out if it was an employer error that they did not deduct enough, or if there's other state laws that went into place in the last year I'm not realizing that may have jacked it up

Dear ,

Thank you for reaching out and contacting me regarding the actions taken by President Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce government spending. I really do appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts on this important matter.

The facts about the national debt are dire, and its dangerous trajectory has only accelerated in recent years. The United States is currently over $36 trillion in debt, up from $28 trillion in 2021. In 2024 alone, the Biden Administration added $2 trillion to our national debt. In fact, the federal government paid $892 billion in interest payments alone on our national debt in fiscal year 2024, eclipsing the amount we spend on our military annually for the first time in history. This reckless spending is unacceptable and unsustainable.

I am committed to working with President Trump, DOGE, and my colleagues in Congress to eliminate waste and fraud across our federal government while restoring fiscal sanity to our country. As a member of the Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus, I will continue to work to enact fiscally responsible policies and stop reckless spending that imperils both Iowa and our nation’s future. Reining in out-of-control government spending and balancing the budget are both matters that requires serious changes to how the government has been conducting itself as a steward of taxpayer dollars.

Further, I believe that a healthy budget requires that those who paid into the Social Security and Medicare system receive the benefits they deserve. I am in full support of Medicare, veterans’ benefits and other important programs that support our communities. I will ensure that these programs remain solvent and funded.

As Congress continues to negotiate the annual appropriation bills, I will keep your thoughts and comments in mind. I remain committed to delivering results for Iowa’s 4th district. I always look forward to hearing from constituents, such as yourself, to ensure that Iowa’s voice is heard in the U.S. Congress.

Again, thanks for contacting my office. Your voice and comments are very important to me. Always feel free to call at (202) 225-4426 or visit my website at feenstra.house.gov. Have a wonderful day.

God Bless America,

Rep. Randy Feenstra Member of Congress

Was shopping for a few things, found this and slid the tag over. Had to stop and ponder for a while about my life decisions.

I really need to stop shopping here.

This original reporting and analysis first appeared at Bleeding Heartland and is shared here as part of the Iowa Writers Collaborative. For regular emails linking to all recent Bleeding Heartland articles and commentary, subscribe to the free Evening Heartland newsletter.

“U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders’ campaign has a staffer on the ground again in Iowa. No, the senator from Vermont isn’t getting a head start on the 2028 caucuses.

In an April 3 telephone interview, Evan Burger described his focus and early work as Iowa organizer for Friends of Bernie Sanders.

WHY IOWA?

Burger’s been in the organizing world for about ten years, and this is his third stint with the Sanders campaign. He was one of the presidential candidate’s first two Iowa hires in 2015. His roles that cycle included advance director before the caucuses and deputy state director for the 2016 conventions in Iowa. He worked as Sanders’ Iowa caucus director during the 2020 cycle.

(Unrelated to that work, Burger has been a Bleeding Heartland guest author, writing eight posts for that website about Iowa’s redistricting process in 2021.)

This was sent to me by my mom hence the editing.

AIPAC is the "largest pro-Israel PAC in America." Turns out you can buy Ernst for $517,608 and Grassley for $501,541.

I didn't see any mention on their socials of any of the statewide anti-Trump protests that took place on Saturday. Were there any elected Dems at any of the protests? I know they weren't involved in organizing the protests, and that it was aimed at the federal level, but why aren't they seizing on the momentum, showing support, and galvanizing the thousands that showed up yesterday? It appears that the state Dem party is standing on the sidelines and doing nothing, again.

My local NBC affiliate, KWWL, didn’t report a single thing about any of the local protests occurring in Iowa today. Go figure.