Too Little, Too Late
Dear Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson,
As decent Iowans who are Independents, Republicans, and Democrats, it is difficult to stomach the headlines and advertisements monopolizing our media, touting you and tearing down your opponent with deception, fabrication, and lies. Turning the truth upside down and pretending it is your record is your specialty. Unfortunately, most voters don’t have time to do the research necessary to distill all this manipulative dishonesty. Iowans are hard at work in this terrible economy trying to pay their bills. To make matters worse, your words, votes, and allegiances continue to harm your constituents and home state.
Please stop hurting Iowans and Iowa, our home.
The Iran War is hurting Iowans.
Even though you advertise you want the Iran War to come to an immediate end, you voted for it six times.1 You have spoken against the war all summer but continue to vote for it. As late as September 15, you voted “No” to direct President Trump to remove US forces from hostilities with Iran, even when seven of your Republican colleagues voted “Yes.”2 It has cost Iowa in service members’ lives and family hardships, exorbitant farming fuel and fertilizer prices,3 and higher costs at the pump and check-out lines. How have these votes helped end the war? Too little, too late, Ashley.
Steep insurance premiums and drug costs are hurting Iowans.
Even though you want people to think you are working on “premiums and drug prices,”4 and “tak[ing] on insurance companies,”5 you have received massive contributions from pharmaceutical, health care, and insurance interests.6 Your votes show it. You voted against ACA premium tax credits and drug caps for seniors and for the biggest Medicaid cuts in history. All of this resulted in 110,000 Iowans teetering on losing insurance and 100,000 Iowans seeing their insurance premiums double.7 How have these votes lessened premiums or taken on insurance companies? Too little, too late, Ashley.
Tariffs, diesel and fertilizer prices, and unstable export markets are hurting Iowans.
Even though you have been desperate to call for a diesel export ban,8 and stated our farmers “need a strong voice in Washington,”9 the reality is your votes caused this catastrophic farming situation. You voted three times to protect tariffs10 that raised input costs and endangered markets.11 You voted to cut funding for the USDA that eliminated needed local staffing and technical assistance for farmers.12 Your votes for the Iran War have disrupted trade through the Strait of Hormuz, tightened global supplies, and dramatically raised costs of diesel and fertilizer. This is causing “deep economic and mental stress.”13 How have these votes helped our farmers? Too little, too late, Ashley.
Cuts to veteran benefits are hurting Iowans.
Even though you stated, “veterans deserve a hell of a lot better,”14 your DOGE vote resulted in drastic cuts to services for Iowa’s veterans and VA hospitals.15 You also voted against the PACT Act to deny health care to victims of burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.16 Finally, you voted against streamlining veteran enrollment for health care during transitions out of service.17 How have these votes made anything better for our veterans? Too little, too late, Ashley.
Cancer-filled water is hurting Iowans.
Even though you claim you are “fighting for Iowa families,”18 your big agribusiness voting record shows differently. Iowa families are plagued with cancer, having the second-highest rates nationwide and still rising.19 After taking over “$300,000 from corporations linked to water pollution and cancer-causing chemicals,”20 you voted five times to limit federal oversight of Iowa’s drinking water by rolling back provisions in the Clean Water Act and allowing PFAS compounds.21 How have these votes fought for Iowa families when children are drinking cancer? Too little, too late, Ashley.
Inflation and reckless spending are hurting Iowans.
Even though you brag that you “put money back in [Iowans’] pockets,”22 the truth is consumer prices are 28% higher since you became a congresswoman.23 Your vote for the “Big Beautiful Bill” to curb federal spending by cutting SNAP benefits and Medicaid will actually add $3.4 trillion to the already high deficit of $40 trillion by 2034.24 Our future generations will be saddled with that bill. Additionally, your support for the Iran War and tariffs, plus your vote against the Inflation Reduction Act have all added to the affordability crisis.25 How have these votes put money back in Iowans’ pockets? Too little, too late, Ashley.
Historical corruption and political profiteering are hurting Iowans.
It is the definition of irony that you denounce your colleagues for using public office for personal gain.26 Your family’s income has ballooned to millions since taking office,27 and a complaint is being investigated by the Office of Congressional Conduct for official actions that directly benefit your husband’s business and clients.28 You claim that you will be “Trump’s top ally in the United States Senate,”29 aligning yourself with a convicted felon who has personally profited over $2.2 billion after a year in office,30 and brags about violating the law. After these corrupt leaders use the people’s resources for private advantage, decimate fraud enforcement, weaponize criminal prosecution, and sell executive clemency,31 our children will be paying the financial and moral tab. How have your unethical behaviors and staying silent on this historically corrupt administration made Iowans proud? Too little, too late, Ashley.
Trump-aligned voting record is hurting Iowans.
“Working across the aisle isn’t always easy…it’s how [to] get results.” 32 This is true; however, it is fiction for you. It is laughable that you are bragging about working with the House Democratic Caucus. According to the “Trump Scorecard,” you voted with the administration priorities 100%.33 Iowans needed you to advocate for Iowans, not the Trump Administration or MAGA Republicans. This extreme partisan behavior has led to endless wars, economic catastrophes, global alienation, and a dismantled democracy. How have these votes helped Iowans? Too little, too late, Ashley.
We realize now, close to the election, that you don’t want to stand by your record of votes and allegiances, which do not represent the decent values that we, as Iowans, hold so dear. This is why you do not hold town halls, you hide from your constituents’ questions, and you stay silent on major issues. You are trying to add daylight between you and this administration, even though you are happy to smile in the Oval Office for the Trump-created steel plant probable boondoggle election Hail Mary.34. The truth is you just want to win. You don’t want Iowans to know that you vote against them whenever it benefits YOU. Iowans are much smarter than you think. Your actions are too little, too late, Ashley. Unfortunately, you are not a public servant for Iowans, but a mere opportunist. We, as Iowans, can do better and must.
Sincerely,
Iowans for Decency Members
