Rep. Hinson in The Washington Times: Washington Should Follow Iowa’s Lead for a Smaller, More Accountable Government

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson
The Washington Times
February 9, 2025

In November, Americans overwhelmingly rejected the Washington status quo because it was ruining our country. Now, with a Republican trifecta and initiatives like DOGE, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save taxpayer dollars, take a sledgehammer to the administrative state, and restore American economic prosperity. We cannot squander this moment, and Congress should follow Iowa’s example under the conservative, commonsense leadership of Governor Kim Reynolds. 

As Governor Reynolds noted in her recent Condition of the State address, Iowa was streamlining government before DOGE was even on the radar. By cutting government bureaucracy, eliminating red tape, and lowering taxes, Governor Reynolds has gotten government out of the way so families, farmers, and small businesses can thrive. It’s time for the federal government to follow suit. As DOGE takes shape, Iowa’s success story offers a proven roadmap to fiscal responsibility nationwide.

One of Governor Reynolds’ most significant accomplishments has been her government alignment model, which has consolidated agencies, eliminated over 1,200 burdensome regulations, and leveraged new technology. This effort not only saved Iowa taxpayers $217 million in just 18 months but also paved the way for greater tax cuts. By tearing down regulations, reducing the number of government entities, and ensuring resources are used efficiently, Iowa has returned money to taxpayers while strengthening essential services.

This is the blueprint Congress should follow. A smaller, more efficient government means lower taxes, less intrusion into people’s lives, and a stronger economy for everyone. Iowa’s model proves that small government, fiscal responsibility, and tax cuts aren’t just possible – they’re sustainable.

Unfortunately, the federal government has persistently moved in the opposite direction, especially under Joe Biden. And when the government gets bigger, it doesn’t get better—it just gets more expensive and intrusive. Federal bureaucrats layer red tape on top of red tape, making it harder for small businesses to grow, farmers to farm, and families to succeed. The alphabet soup of federal agencies churns out expensive one-size-fits-all regulations without considering their real-world impact. The administrative state needs to be reined in, and that’s exactly what DOGE is working to do.

DOGE has already taken major steps to cut waste, saving taxpayers approximately $1 billion per day simply by ending DEI-related contracts, but there’s much to be done. One of the most effective ways to tackle bureaucratic bloat is to decentralize power from Washington and bring agencies closer to the communities they serve. That’s why I introduced the bipartisan SWAMP Act, a bill to move federal agency headquarters out of D.C. and place them in states where their decisions have the greatest impact. For example, headquartering the Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Iowa would ensure farmers have a direct voice in shaping policies that impact their ability to feed and fuel the world. Putting agencies, like the USDA, in the heartland where they have to answer directly to the farmers they serve – instead of Washington, where most folks have never stepped foot on a farm – is just common sense. 

Governor Reynolds has shown it is possible to cut government waste while keeping the economy strong and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are put to better use. If Washington follows Iowa’s lead, we can build a future where hardworking Americans keep more of their paycheck, businesses can thrive without burdensome regulations, and economic and personal freedoms are protected.  

I will never stop fighting for a smaller, more efficient, and more accountable government. After all, it’s your money, not the government’s money. We would all be better off if Washington ran a lot more like Iowa.

This piece was originally published in The Washington Times on February 9th, 2025.