Guest post: Congress needs to stop the handouts to the rich

Iowans work hard and deserve a government that works for them, not one that rigs the system in favor of the rich and powerful.

As a new Congress takes shape in Washington, Iowans are counting on their representatives to fight for policies that lower costs and prioritize working families. We deserve to see our elected officials do their jobs and represent the best interests of their constituents.

Working-class Iowans have a clear to-do list for Representative Zach Nunn and his colleagues: lower our costs and stop padding the pockets of billionaires and big corporations. Nunn should oppose extending or expanding the 2017 Trump tax cuts that were a massive handout to wealthy corporations and the rich, especially if it’s paid for by Trump’s tariffs that will drive up prices for everyone—including the working class—or cuts to critical health care and food assistance.

The 2017 Trump tax law was a massive tax giveaway to the wealthy that slashed the corporate tax rate and did next to nothing for working Americans. Many provisions of this law expire after next year, and ending these cuts for the rich would be a first step toward fairness in our tax system. But Congress shouldn’t stop there. They also should oppose the additional handouts Trump is planning for the rich, close loopholes that allow massive corporations to avoid taxes, and ensure that the rich pay their fair share.

Trump’s obsession with higher tariffs poses a direct threat to the financial stability of Iowans. Tariffs function as a tax on imports, and their costs get passed down to consumers. From groceries to clothing, appliances and household goods, these tariffs would raise the price of nearly everything at a time when prices are already high. Worse yet, Trump wants to use tariffs to pay for Congress’ tax giveaways to the wealthiest Americans. Iowans deserve better than policies that siphon money from their wallets to prop up the ultra-wealthy and massive corporations.

The math is simple: Higher tariffs mean higher prices, and tax cuts for billionaires mean fewer resources for schools, health care, and infrastructure that working families rely on. Every Trump handout funneled into corporate pockets comes from taxpayer dollars that should be strengthening our communities.

It’s about values.

Iowans work hard and deserve a government that works for them, not one that rigs the system in favor of the rich and powerful. Congress must end Trump’s corporate tax scam and handouts to the rich, oppose harmful tariffs, and support a tax system that prioritizes the working class. Anything less is a betrayal of their constituents’ interests.

Congressman Nunn’s constituents need him to fight against these lopsided policies and champion measures that support everyday Iowans. We’ve already witnessed what happens to legislators who attempt to put their constituents first, but Nunn has the responsibility and opportunity to make a real difference with such a small Republican majority in the House.

Working Iowans’ agenda for Rep. Nunn is clear: Stand up to Trump’s handouts to the rich, oppose tariffs that will raise prices and hurt Iowa’s working families, and represent the hardworking people who elected you. Time to get to work.

Paula A. Martinez of Carlisle is the president of the South Central Iowa Federation of Labor. She can be reached at [email protected].