WASHINGTON – Iowa’s U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Cindy Axne, and Randy Feenstra were sworn into the 117th Congress on Sunday, January 3, 2021.
Hinson, a Republican from Marion, was sworn in as the freshman congresswoman representing Iowa’s 1st Congressional District.
She offered the following statement after being sworn in:
“Iowans sent me to Congress to help end the chaos and dysfunction in D.C. and tackle tough issues that impact them each day. From fixing our broken health care system, to helping families keep more of their paychecks, I will work with anyone to help Iowans and move our country forward.
“Regardless of if you voted for me or not, I will fight for you in D.C. and work to serve you every day. I will be your voice, and a voice of reason, in Congress. It is the honor of my lifetime to represent Iowa’s First District and I’m ready to get straight to work.”
Miller-Meeks, a Republican from Ottumwa, was provisionally sworn in as a freshman congresswoman representing Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District.
She offered the following statement after being sworn in:
“I am humbled and honored to have taken the oath of office as Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District representative and I wish my predecessor, Congressman Dave Loebsack, well in his future endeavors.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to the voters of Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District for their confidence in me to address the issues that matter most to them. To those whose support I have yet to earn, I will listen to you, I will fight for you, and I will work to be your representative too.
I pledge to do my best to help Iowa workers and businesses get back to work and to get our children safely back to school. I will also work hard to prepare for future pandemics, and I will work for efforts that will ensure affordable and accessible health care, lower the cost of prescription drugs, create higher take-home pay for working families, deliver more skills training so that our workers are prepared for the jobs of today and tomorrow, and support trade deals that are fair for Iowa farmers and manufacturers.
I will not let partisan gamesmanship stand in my way to deliver results for the people of Iowa. Iowans sent me to Congress to fight for them and I am determined to fulfill that wish. Now is the time to put the 2020 election behind us, unite our country, and work together to tackle the pressing issues that face our country.”
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., seated Miller-Meeks, but the election results are being challenged by her Democratic opponent Rita Hart in the U.S. House Administration Committee. Miller-Meeks defeated Hart by six votes after a district-wide recount.
Axne, a Democrat from West Des Moines, was sworn in to serve her second term in Congress representing Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District.
After taking the oath of office, she offered the following statement:
“It is my honor and privilege to represent central and southwest Iowa in the United States Congress for a second term, and I am ready to continue serving Iowans and ensure their voices are heard in Washington.
The past two years presented incredible challenges to our communities, including devastating natural disasters, a destructive trade war, economic turmoil, and a pandemic that has claimed the lives of thousands of Iowans. As I renew my service to my constituents, I know that the top priority of this Congress must be supporting the Iowans affected by these crises.
In this new term, I also look forward to working with my colleagues from both parties to craft solutions that will deliver for our constituents by strengthening our economy, lowering the costs of health care, creating good-paying jobs and more opportunities to succeed, supporting our farmers and working families, protecting our environment, tackling systemic inequities and structural racism, reinforcing crucial programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, and eliminating corruption and red tape to ensure government is working for the people.
I promise to continue listening to my constituents, hearing their concerns, fighting to secure the relief and assistance they need, and championing bipartisan commonsense legislation that will improve the lives of Iowans.”
Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, was sworn into as the freshman congressman representing Iowa’s 4th Congressional District.
He offered the following statement after being sworn in:
“I am truly humbled that Iowans in the 4th District elected me to represent them in the halls of Congress, and starting today, I will work tirelessly to make sure they have a seat at the table when making decisions that affect our farmers and main streets,” said Rep. Feenstra. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in Iowa and throughout the country on delivering conservative solutions that will create a booming economy for taxpayers and allow our rural communities to grow and thrive.
“Along with 4th District Iowans, I’d like to thank my wife and family for their love and support. Guided by faith and family, it is my solemn promise to Iowans that I will defend the Constitution of the United States and faithfully discharge my duties as a United States Representative.”
