This freeze isn’t funny: My Letter to Rep. Feenstra
Farmers, hungry kids, and overworked nonprofits—this isn’t politics, it’s a disaster.
Who doesn’t love a surprise Monday night memo from the White House, throwing an immediate freeze on all public loans, grants, and aid?
At 5 p.m. Tuesday, billions of dollars in federal assistance will suddenly be put on ice. This freeze hits everything—farm loan funding, food banks, homeless shelters, disaster recovery programs, school lunch funding, and small business relief—you name it.
To put it in perspective: in 2024 alone, $3 trillion was spent on federal assistance programs. That’s now in limbo.
And the consequences? Devastating for the people who depend on these programs to keep their farms, families, and communities afloat.
This federal funding freeze is going to have devastating consequences, but why the cruelty?
Is this bureaucratic gridlock in Washington?
Is this a stunt in the never ending chaos machine perfected by this administration?
Is this part of a deliberate strategy to dismantle our democracy and pave the way for authoritarian rule?
Regardless of the motivation, this latest action is making life harder for farmers, kids, and nonprofits here in Iowa. This isn’t just some political game; it’s people’s lives.
So, I wrote to Representative Randy Feenstra to remind him what’s at stake and demand action.
Here’s the letter I sent—and yes, I hope it made him uncomfortable.
Dear Representative Feenstra,
I’m writing to you with deep concern about the federal funding freeze that just went into effect and the devastating consequences it’s already having on Iowa’s farmers, families, and nonprofits. As a farmer, business owner, and someone who works closely with nonprofits, I’m seeing the ripple effects in real time, and I need to know that you’re standing up for Iowans as this crisis unfolds.
Here’s what I’m seeing:
Farmers are being left in the lurch. Federal loans and grants through the FSA are frozen, halting essential funding that helps farmers secure equipment, supplies, and operations ahead of planting season. Without these funds, families like mine may have to delay planting or go without upgrades we need to stay competitive. Farming is already a precarious business, and this funding freeze puts livelihoods at risk.
Kids are going hungry. Across Iowa, thousands of kids rely on federal meal programs for breakfast and lunch. With funding uncertain, schools are scrambling to keep meals available, but they can only stretch local budgets so far. We’re talking about kids not getting the nutrition they need to focus and thrive. That should never happen in a country as abundant as ours.
Nonprofits are stretched to their limits. Nonprofits are the backbone of our communities, often stepping in when federal programs fall short. But the organizations I work with can’t cover the gaps left by this freeze indefinitely. They’re already struggling to meet demand for food, housing assistance, and mental health services. This funding pause only increases the strain, leaving vulnerable Iowans with nowhere to turn.
Representative Feenstra, these aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet—these are real people, our neighbors, suffering from decisions made in Washington. Iowa farmers need stability, kids need meals, and nonprofits need funding to keep our communities strong.
I urge you to fight for an immediate resolution to this funding freeze. Iowa cannot afford for Congress to drag its feet while families go hungry and farmers are left without critical support. Please prioritize swift action to restore these funds and advocate for the people you represent.
We’re counting on you to lead with urgency and compassion.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City, Iowa]
Now, let’s be real. This letter shouldn’t even have to exist, but here we are.
We need to stay vigilant and recognize what’s really happening here—our communities are being put at risk by decisions that prioritize power over people. If you’re as fed up as I am, let’s make some noise about it.
It’s worth noting that Representative Feenstra has a history of voting on issues that directly impact our community.
Let’s take stroll down memory lane:
Voted for fear-mongering bills like HR 30 instead of addressing real violence against women.
Targeted transgender athletes with HR 28, fueling division instead of unity.
100% anti-choice rating, ignoring the reproductive rights many Iowans support.
Just 6% on environmental protection, despite Iowa’s floods and climate risks.
Backed tax cuts for the rich, leaving working families to pick up the tab.
While these votes address important issues, it’s crucial that he also focuses on the immediate needs of his constituents, like the current funding freeze that’s putting our farmers, children, and nonprofits at risk.
Here’s what you can do to help:
Contact Your Representatives: Find your senators and representatives here and let them know how this funding freeze is hurting you or your community. Be loud about it. They need to hear from us.
Support Local Nonprofits: If you’ve got time, money, or resources to spare, give them to the organizations keeping our communities afloat right now. They’re doing the hard work Washington isn’t.
Stay Informed: Keep up with what’s happening and don’t let this issue fade into the background. Knowledge is power, and when we’re informed, we can hold our leaders accountable.
I’ll keep pushing for the change Iowa needs. Will you join me? Let’s remind Representative Feenstra and everyone in Congress that Iowans deserve better than this nonsense.
Enough is enough.
Hi 👋 we’re Letters to Randy! After our congressman, Randy Feenstra, U.S. Representative, Iowa 4th Congressional District, stopped responding to our emails, we figured — why not make them public?
Our goal? To hold him accountable, make some noise, and remind him who he actually works for.
Why share? Because the louder we are, the harder we are to ignore. Every share puts more pressure on Feenstra to actually do his job. Read the letter that started it all.
Want to support financially? Your support helps cover website costs, outreach, and keeping this movement going strong. Chip in here.