Iowa reps learn nothing from history

In 2018, Iowa’s entire congressional delegation signed a letter cautioning President Trump’s threat of tariffs. Donald Trump disregarded this input and pushed his tariff agenda through congress.

They were right. In 2018, U.S. farmers received $12 billion in federal aid to offset losses caused by retaliatory tariffs from China, particularly soybeans. By the end of 2019, total aid to farmers had reached $28 billion, which consumed over 92% of the revenue collected from Trump-era tariffs on Chinese goods. Not to mention the $125,000 loophole that allowed relatives of farmers to qualify for $125,000 even if they had no direct role in farming.

Fast forward to 2025. Trump is president again and pushing tariffs again by implementing the National Emergencies Act. In September 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to block Congress from challenging his tariff declarations until March 2026. All 4 of Iowa’s representatives voted in favor. They were Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Ashley Hinson, Zach Nunn and Randy Feenstra.

Once again, China and soybeans are the main concern, Trump is considering monetary support to farmers and again his response is threats of more tariffs. However, this time China has found another source for their soybeans.

The definition of insanity is “Repeating the same action and expecting a different result.” We need to get rid of those who learn nothing from history and thus repeat it and replace them with those who strive to run the country for the good of all, not run for office for the good of themselves.

Steve Springer

Cedar Rapids