Nunn, Miller-Meeks Put Trump’s Priorities Ahead of Iowa Families Again

Congressmembers back another $70 billion for ICE and DHS after voting for health care cuts, SNAP cuts, and tax breaks for billionaires

DES MOINES, IA — Representatives Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks voted this week to approve an additional $70 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection, continuing a pattern of supporting Trump’s priorities while Iowa families struggle under rising costs and economic uncertainty.

The vote comes after both members of Congress supported legislation that cut Medicaid, allowed Affordable Care Act tax credits to expire, reduced SNAP assistance, and delivered massive tax breaks to wealthy corporations and billionaires. Now, instead of addressing the affordability crisis facing working families, they have voted to spend another $70 billion on immigration enforcement.

Across Iowa, families are paying more for groceries, gas, and utilities than they were just a few years ago. Health insurance premiums have skyrocketed after Republicans allowed critical ACA tax credits to expire. Primary care facilities are closing rural hospitals and clinics warn of more service reductions and closures following historic Medicaid cuts. Inflation is up to 4.2%. Farmers continue to face uncertainty from tariffs and trade disruptions. Yet Nunn and Miller-Meeks continue to find billions of dollars for Trump’s priorities while offering no relief to the people they were elected to represent.

The new funding package comes on top of unprecedented billions already approved for immigration enforcement in previous Republican spending bills. Americans have questioned why congressional Republicans continue to prioritize new spending for enforcement while refusing to address rising household costs, health care affordability, and economic challenges facing working families.

"At a time when families are stretching every paycheck and making impossible choices between groceries, prescriptions, and utility bills, Iowans need leaders focused on lowering costs and strengthening communities," said Mazie Stilwell, Executive Director of Progress Iowa. "Instead, Nunn and Miller-Meeks keep finding more money for whatever Trump wants next while the people back home are left paying the price."