Des Moines Sun

Congressman Zach Nunn, who represents Iowa's 3rd congressional district, recently used his social media platform to discuss legislative efforts on issues ranging from the aftermath of the Afghanistan withdrawal to agricultural regulations affecting Iowa.

On August 18, 2025, Nunn referenced ongoing support for Afghan allies and Americans left behind following the U.S. military's departure from Afghanistan. He stated, "After Biden's disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal, we formed Taskforce Argo to rescue Americans and Afghan allies left behind. Now, we're backing bipartisan legislation to ensure those who served alongside us can rebuild their lives in the U.S."

The following day, Nunn addressed California’s Proposition 12 and its impact on Iowa pork producers. On August 19, he wrote, "California’s Prop 12 bans the sale of pork raised in Iowa if it doesn’t follow its unworkable rules. Out-of-state mandates shouldn't dictate Iowa commerce, which is why we're fighting back with legislation to overturn Prop 12 and keep Iowa pork under Iowa rules." Proposition 12 requires that certain meat products sold in California must meet specific animal confinement standards regardless of where they are produced.

Later that same day, Nunn highlighted a bipartisan initiative aimed at assisting young farmers in Iowa by modernizing federal loan programs. He posted on August 19: "In Iowa, farming is a way of life, and starting out shouldn't mean three years of red tape and outdated regulations. Our bipartisan bill updates USDA's loan program, helping young farmers access the funds they need to get started earlier and carry on feeding and fueling the" The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers various loan programs intended to help new farmers establish themselves; however, critics have noted these programs can be encumbered by regulatory hurdles.

Taskforce Argo was created as a private volunteer effort after the U.S.'s rapid exit from Afghanistan in August 2021 left many American citizens and Afghan partners stranded; it has since worked with lawmakers such as Congressman Nunn to advocate for additional resettlement resources.

California’s Proposition 12 has faced opposition from several states including Iowa due to concerns about interstate commerce implications and increased costs for pork producers outside California (source). The Supreme Court upheld Prop 12 in May 2023 despite these challenges.

Efforts to update USDA loan programs reflect broader discussions within Congress regarding how best to support new generations entering agriculture while reducing administrative barriers.