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Capitol Notebook: Iowa delegation introduces resolutions honoring National Guard members killed in Syria
Also in the Notebook, Iowa reaches settlement with Menards over rebate program
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Iowa’s congressional delegation has introduced resolutions in the U.S. House and Senate honoring two Iowa National Guard members killed in a weekend terrorist attack in Syria.
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley, both Republicans, are leading the Senate resolution recognizing the lives and service of Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown. Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, is sponsoring the companion resolution in the House.
The soldiers were members of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division and were deployed as part of the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group in Syria.
They and a U.S. civilian working as an interpreter were killed Dec. 13 during a counterterrorism mission near Palmyra, Syria, when a lone gunman believed to be affiliated with the Islamic State opened fire on U.S. and partner forces. The attack also injured three other Iowa National Guard members.
The measures honor Howard and Torres-Tovar for their service and sacrifice in the global campaign against terrorism. The resolutions also commend the bravery of Guard members and partner forces who responded under fire and cared for the wounded, express gratitude for U.S. and allied personnel who neutralized the attacker and prevented further loss of life, and strongly condemn the terrorist assault.
Ernst, a combat veteran and former member of the Iowa National Guard who served as a company commander in Iraq and Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, spoke on the Senate floor Thursday to honor their lives.
She said the two men represented the best of the nation’s armed forces, calling their service a reminder of the sacrifices made by National Guard members and the debt Americans owe to those who put their lives on the line.
She described Torres-Tovar as a “selfless, goofy and kindhearted” soldier who joined the Iowa Army National Guard before graduating high school in 2019, becoming the first in his family to serve.
Ernst also spoke of Howard as a devoted husband, father and man of faith who enlisted after graduating from Marshalltown High School. She cited Howard’s stepfather, Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn, who said Howard wanted to serve from a young age, and offered prayers for his wife, Arianna, and their son.
Ernst noted Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered flags lowered statewide in honor of the fallen and pledged continued support for their families and fellow service members.
Grassley, in a statement, said the two “paid the ultimate sacrifice” and pledged that their “sacrifice will not be forgotten, and will be written in the Senate’s history books forever.”
Nunn said Iowa “lost two of our finest,” adding that the resolutions ensure their courage “will not be forgotten.”
“Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar and Sergeant Nate Howard are heroes of the highest order,” Nunn said. “ … Their legacy will live on — not just in the hearts of their families and fellow Guardsmen, but in the history of this nation.”
Fellow Iowa U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra, Ashley Hinson and Mariannette Miller-Meeks also joined the effort, praising the guardsmen’s service and condemning the attack.
The resolutions follow a dignified transfer Wednesday at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where President Donald Trump, Reynolds, members of Iowa’s congressional delegation and National Guard leaders joined the families as the remains were returned to the United States.
Iowa reaches settlement with Menards over rebate program marketing
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has secured a multistate settlement with Menards, resolving claims that the home improvement retailer improperly marketed its popular 11 percent rebate program.
The settlement stems from allegations raised in 2020 that Menards did not clearly disclose the terms and limitations of the rebate offer. Under the agreement, Menards will more clearly communicate all rebate terms and conditions to customers, and improve transparency around how the program works, according to a news release.
Menards also agreed to give customers at least one year from the date of purchase to submit rebate claims, update its online rebate tracker within 48 hours of receiving a claim, and provide additional tracking information, including how product returns affect rebates.
As part of the settlement, Menards will pay Iowa $446,832, according to the AG’s office.
Iowa joined Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois in leading the settlement, along with attorneys general from Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio and South Dakota.
“Iowans deserve to know the best ways they can spend and save their hard-earned money,” Bird said in a statement. “We are happy to work with Menards to make sure the details of their rebates are transparent to the many Iowans who shop there and take advantage of the program.”
Iowa approves projects to expand E15, biodiesel access
Iowa agriculture officials have approved 108 renewable fuels infrastructure projects across 46 counties aimed at expanding access to higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel at gas stations statewide.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program Board approved nearly $4.6 million in cost-share grants during its Wednesday meeting. The projects include 93 ethanol-related upgrades totaling about $4 million and 15 biodiesel projects totaling about $600,000, supporting expanded availability of E15 (Unleaded 88) and biodiesel blends.
The grants help fuel retailers upgrade equipment to offer higher blends, lowering costs for drivers while supporting Iowa-grown biofuels, Naig said in a statement. Since the program began in 2006, the state has invested nearly $70 million in renewable fuels infrastructure, leveraging about $280 million in private investment from fuel retailers, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
The investments also help stations comply with Iowa’s E15 Access Standard, which requires most fuel retailers to offer E15 by Jan. 1, 2026. Iowa is the first state to enact such a requirement.
State officials said additional funding remains available, and applications for future cost-share grants are open through the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
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