Listening to Iowans Should Come First

Over the past few weeks, thousands of Iowans have been following along with my updates from the Capitol on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. I started posting those videos to explain what’s happening in the Iowa Senate in plain language, and the response has been incredible. More importantly, the conversations remind me how many people across Iowa are paying attention to what’s happening at the Statehouse.

Those Closest to the Pain Should Shape the Solution

This week I shared a video about something that’s been on my mind a lot lately: the idea that those closest to the pain are often closest to the solution.
Since I announced my cancer diagnosis, many of my colleagues have shown real care and concern. I’m grateful for that. Moments like that remind you how important it is for people in positions of power to listen to the folks living with the consequences of their decisions.

But when I look at what the Iowa Senate majority has been doing this week, I worry they’re losing sight of that.

When Leadership Stops Listening

City councils across Iowa passed civil rights protections because they saw a need in their communities. Instead of listening, the majority party stepped in and said they knew better.

Historians and educators warned lawmakers not to weaken access to Iowa’s historical archives. Instead, the legislature changed the law so the state could walk away from that commitment while a lawsuit is still ongoing.

And Iowans have been crystal clear about the challenges they’re facing every day: finding childcare, stagnant wages, access to cancer screenings and prevention.
Yet those priorities still aren’t at the center of the work happening at the Capitol.

When the people living the consequences tell you what’s wrong, you can listen… or you can push ahead anyway.

Right now, too often at the Capitol, power is speaking louder than pain.

Watch the full video update here.