Federal overreach into charities is a wake-up call for Iowa

Iowans have always believed in solving problems locally, through our churches, our nonprofits, our civic organizations, and our neighbors. That’s why the results of a recent survey sponsored by Freedom and Faith Defense Project should matter to all of us as we look ahead to the 2026 Senate race. The survey shows something unmistakable: Iowa voters are growing uneasy with the federal government’s increasing attempts to exert control over charities, ministries, and community organizations that form the backbone of our state.

According to the survey, if the 2026 congressional elections were held today, Iowa swing voters would favor a Democratic candidate by seven points. That’s a notable shift in a state known for its thoughtful, independent streak. But it’s not about party lines; it’s about protecting the community freedoms Iowans hold dear.

The survey found that 32 percent of Iowa swing voters believe nonprofits, charities, and religious groups should be regulated more by the federal government. But when voters were asked specifically whether they support the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress increasing federal control over these organizations, 50 percent of Iowa swing voters said they oppose it. Only 21 percent said they support such efforts.

Why the difference? Because Iowans know the difference between routine oversight and political overreach.

Perhaps the most powerful insight from the survey is what voters consider the most concerning action taken by the federal government. For 57 percent of Iowa swing voters, the biggest red flag is Washington directing federal agencies to investigate and prosecute privately funded charities, ministries, and religious organizations for allegedly supporting domestic terrorism, often using weak standards of proof and limited due process.

For people who know how much Iowa depends on faith-led and community-driven organizations, that concern is more than justified.

These groups do extraordinary work in our state. Churches often step in to provide foster families with the essential items they need to care for children — my own church, for example, houses a foster care closet stocked with diapers, car seats, cribs, new shoes, duffle bags, and clothing, all available to families across the metro and surrounding counties. Nonprofits support families facing economic hardship. Ministries walk alongside Iowans recovering from addiction or rebuilding their lives. None of this work is political. It is service. It is compassion. It is community.

So, when federal leaders begin labeling some of these organizations as “too political,” or threaten to revoke funding or tax-exempt status without clear justification, it sends a chilling message: stay quiet, or you may be targeted next. That is not the Iowa way. And, as new polling shows, it’s not something voters are willing to tolerate.

One of the clearest messages from the survey comes from a question about financial discrimination. When asked whether the federal government should require banks to close accounts or deny services based on political or religious beliefs, 76 percent of Iowa swing voters said they oppose such a policy. Only six percent support it. That level of agreement is rare in today’s politics, and it shows how strongly Iowans value fairness and freedom of expression.

As we look ahead to the 2026 Senate race, candidates on both sides need to pay attention to what Iowans are saying. People want leaders who will stand up for those who feed the hungry, shelter the vulnerable, and strengthen our communities — not leaders who sit back quietly while Washington grows its power at the expense of the very groups holding our communities together.

Iowa is at its best when our local organizations are supported, not threatened. I’ve seen with my own eyes the difference these churches, ministries, and nonprofits make in the lives of our friends, neighbors, and families. And I sincerely hope our next elected leaders choose to stand on the side of community freedom — and stand firmly against any effort to silence it.

Denise Bubeck serves on the board of directors for the Ruth Harbor Ministries in Des Moines.