U.S. Congress

Political analysts Megan Goldberg and Kelly Shaw break down why Iowa’s delegation waited for Trump’s approval before voting to release the Epstein files — plus insight on support for ACA subsidies, Texas redistricting, the farm bill and more.

The One Big Beautiful Bill, or HR 1, was signed into law on July 4, and includes sweeping changes to Medicaid, and is estimated by the Congressional Budget Office to cut federal Medicaid spending by $911 billion over 10 years and increase the number of people uninsured by 10 million.In this episode, host Ben Kieffer talks with a Des Moines resident who insured by Medicaid, about what these changes could mean for him, including new work requirements. Then, we hear more about how this overhaul will impact Iowans from UI professor and Rural Policy Research Director Keith Mueller. We also talk with a rural hospital administrator about how they expect to lose millions of dollars annually due to these changes, and we hear from a rural Emergency Medical Services responder on how this could widen the financial deficit they already face when providing care to Medicaid patients.Guests:Steven Kenyon, Des Moines residentKeith Mueller, Gerhard Hartman Professor in health management and policy, University of Iowa College of Public HealthKevin Kincaid, CEO, Knoxville Hospital & ClinicsJoe Klukow, paramedic supervisor, Forest City Volunteer Ambulance Service

The food assistance program, SNAP, is headed into November without federal funding. Gov. Kim Reynolds said the state will match cash donations to Iowa food banks up to $1 million to help fill the gap.

Farmers are hoping for relief as President Donald Trump visits Asia to resolve a trade war over tariffs and what's at stake for next week's local elections.

Greene County Attorney Thomas Laehn is running for the U.S. Senate as a Libertarian. He's the first and only Libertarian to be elected to public office in Iowa’s history. Laehn said Iowans are ready for something besides the two-party system.

State Rep. Shannon Lundgren is running for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District. The Republican said she is running on an America First agenda and is touting her early support of President Donald Trump. Lundgren is the fourth Republican to announce a bid for the seat so far.

As former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin was preparing to retire after serving 40 years in Congress, he founded The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement in 2013 to carry on his legacy and policy work.

As a new Postmaster General with ties to FedEx assumes control of the agency, postal workers and their customers are bracing for either scenario, especially as corporate America weighs in.

President Donald Trump’s priority tax and policy bill is headed to his desk after passing the U.S. House a second time. The bill's passage received support from Iowa’s four Republican House members.

More Iowa candidates have come forward with campaign runs for state and Congressional races in 2026.