Politics in a Nutshell

Senate rejects ACA funding and a Republican alternative with premiums set to spike

The Republican-controlled Senate voted Thursday to reject health care bills offered by each party, as the U.S. barrels toward a cliff with steep premium hikes for millions of Americans set to hit next month.

Trump announces $12 billion aid package for U.S. farmers - CBS News

American farmers have lost billions of dollars in soybean sales this year after China halted purchases in May in retaliation for the Trump administration's tariffs. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall estimates farmers' total losses will reach $34 billion amid broader economic headwinds. Republicans like Zach Nunn have said they didn’t want farmers to be in a position where they have to be bailed out by American taxpayers, yet here we are. 

Representatives on the Record

Give your representatives a call and ask them questions about the decisions they are making in Congress.

Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (202) 225-6576

Does Miller-Meeks have a plan for Americans’ healthcare? Does her party have one? Why have they failed to create a viable alternative when they’ve had over a decade to do so? Iowans don’t need any more false promises. They need solutions. So the question remains – do Republicans have any solutions to offer?

Representative Ashley Hinson (202) 225-2911

Does Hinson have a plan for Americans’ healthcare? Does her party have one? Why have they failed to create a viable alternative when they’ve had over a decade to do so? Iowans don’t need any more false promises. They need solutions. So the question remains – do Republicans have any solutions to offer?

Representative Zach Nunn (515) 400-8180

Does Nunn have a plan for Americans’ healthcare? Does his party have one? Why have they failed to create a viable alternative when they’ve had over a decade to do so? Iowans don’t need any more false promises. They need solutions. So the question remains – do Republicans have any solutions to offer?

Representative Randy Feenstra (712) 224-4692

Does Feenstra have a plan for Americans’ healthcare? Does his party have one? Why have they failed to create a viable alternative when they’ve had over a decade to do so? Iowans don’t need any more false promises. They need solutions. So the question remains – do Republicans have any solutions to offer?

Take Action

Volunteer with the Iowa Democratic Party below. Help take our state and country back from the brink of Republican chaos.

Join the IDP at one of the many events being hosted in every corner of the state. See the full list of events by visiting iowademocrats.org and clicking “Events” under the “Take Action” tab at the top of the page.

Iowa Democratic Party Holiday Party

When: December 18, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Where: Big Grove Brewery, 555 17th St., Des Moines IA, 50309

Description: Join the Iowa Democratic Party to close out a great year for Iowa Democrats and celebrate the holidays. A $20 donation is recommended but not required.

Humboldt County Drinking Liberally Event

When: Fri, January 2, 6:30 p.m. 

Where: Tractor Lift Brewing, 708 Sumner Avenue, Humboldt, IA 50548, USA

Description: Hosted by Humboldt County Democrats. Saving democracy one local brew at a time.

Note From the Chair

Hey folks! Rita Hart here.

After over a decade of Republicans vowing to come up with a high-quality, more affordable healthcare plan for Americans, what have their promises resulted in? Another failed vote to extend the ACA credits in the Senate.

Today, Iowa Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley voted against a bill to fund the Affordable Care Act while health insurance premiums are set to spike at the end of the year. 

On January 1, more than 117,000 Iowans are at risk of losing their coverage and families will see their health care premiums increase by an average of 114 percent – all because Senate Republicans refused to act. These statistics aren’t faceless numbers, they’re real Iowans; Angela Petsche, who works at the Crescent Community Health Center in Dubuque, said many who rely on the ACA are worried about whether they’ll still be able to afford rent after the price hikes. Grace Calvert, an Iowan with brain cancer, could lose access to her treatments if the subsidies fall through. Beth Hoffman, a farmer and writer in Monroe County has already seen her premiums increase by 50%, a rate that could skyrocket if her income climbs any higher.

Iowa Republicans are leaving working folks in the dust. It is getting harder and harder to make ends meet and Republicans are not doing anything to lower costs. Iowans deserve better. We need to elect leaders with good ideas and who appreciate the challenge of a good debate in front of the voters. To learn more about how you can get involved, visit iowademocrats.org.

Sincerely,

Rita Hart

IDP Chair