WATCH: Nunn Meets with Iowans Impacted by Longest Shutdown in U.S. History

DES MOINES, IA - On the day that marked the longest government shutdown in American history, Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) met directly with Iowans on the frontlines of the crisis. At each stop, Rep. Nunn listened to firsthand stories of how the ongoing shutdown is creating uncertainty and hardship for working families, and called for immediate bipartisan action to reopen the government. Photos and videos from each event are linked below and available for press use.

"Senate Democrats just broke Washington's record for dysfunction," said Rep. Nunn . "As we hit the longest shutdown in American history, I spent the day with Iowa farmers, veterans, small business owners, families, and volunteers stepping up to fill the gap. Across the board, the message was clear: stop the political games and open the government."

Heartland Co-Op Farmer Roundtable, Carlisle, Warren County

Rep. Nunn kicked off the day at Heartland Co-Op's Avon facility in Carlisle with a roundtable discussion alongside Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, Co-Op CEO Tim Hauschel, and producers from across central Iowa. The conversation focused on urgent shutdown-related challenges facing Iowa farmers, as well as recent international trade announcements that directly align with priorities Rep. Nunn laid out in a letter to the administration last week.

Roundtable participants described how the shutdown is making an already stressful harvest season even harder. Delayed USDA payments, stalled rural development loans, and missing market reports are compounding uncertainty and leaving producers without critical support.

"Harvest is already one of the most demanding and stressful times of year for Iowa farmers," said Rep. Nunn . "Iowa producers told us loud and clear: the shutdown is increasing uncertainty, delaying support, and making it harder to get crops out of the field and into the market."

"We appreciate Congressman Nunn's willingness to listen and find solutions," said Iowa Institute for Cooperatives Executive Director Bobby Martens . "The entire grain sector is struggling-farmers, our member grain and farm supply cooperatives, and supply chain partners. Demand from trade and increased domestic production of renewable fuels is critical."

"I would like to thank Congressman Zach Nunn and Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig for meeting with the members and management team of Heartland Co-Op and for everything they're doing for Iowa's farmers and ranchers," said Heartland Co-Op CEO Tom Hauschel . "The roundtable discussions gave our members the opportunity to share the challenges facing Iowa's crop and livestock farmers and work with Congressman Nunn to find solutions."

"I want to thank Congressman Nunn for organizing this week's roundtable to hear directly from Iowa farmers about the state of Iowa's ag economy and how the political gridlock in Washington D.C. is having very real, negative impacts on our family farms and fall conservation planning," said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig . "I appreciate the leadership of Congressman Nunn who is doing everything he can to reopen the government and support Iowa's hardworking farm families. The shutdown has gone on for far too long and it's unfortunate that Democrats continue to play partisan politics by refusing to pass a clean continuing resolution."

Photos of the visit are available here .

B-roll video is available here .

Drake University Head Start Visit, Des Moines, Polk County

Rep. Nunn visited the Drake University Head Start program in Des Moines to tour classrooms and meet with staff, families, and program faculty. While the Drake program is currently funded, Rep. Nunn heard firsthand how the ongoing shutdown is creating instability for Head Start centers across the country-including two in Iowa-as federal grants run out, potentially impacting more than 65,000 children.

The visit came just weeks after Nunn received the National Head Start Association's PROMISE Award for his leadership in early childhood education and robust support for Head Start programs.

"Head Start is a lifeline for Iowa kids and working parents," said Rep. Nunn . "I appreciate the Drake faculty's advocacy not just for their own students, but for the hundreds of Iowa families at risk of losing access if the shutdown continues."

"While Drake University Head Start is not currently impacted by the shutdown and we're grateful to continue serving families, we recognize we're among the fortunate," said Drake Head Start Director Lisa Proctor . "Across the nation, hundreds of programs-including two in Iowa-are at risk of closure without federal funding. Head Start provides more than preschool; it offers families education, nutrition, childcare, and stability. Sustained funding is essential to child development, working families, and local economies-every dollar invested in Head Start returns up to $9. The ongoing shutdown threatens critical services that local families depend on every day."

Photos of the visit are available here .

Small Business and Local Leaders Roundtable, Adel, Dallas County

Rep. Nunn hosted a small business roundtable at the Dallas County Sheriff's Office in Adel, bringing together representatives from the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the Greater Dallas County Development Alliance, and city leaders from Adel, Waukee, Clive, Urbandale, and Van Meter.

Participants shared how delayed federal approvals, frozen grant programs, and stalled permitting processes are disrupting both small businesses and local governments. Business leaders emphasized the cascading impact of the shutdown on project timelines, workforce stability, and long-term investments in the region.

"We appreciate Congressman Nunn's interest in listening to the concerns of our employers and community leaders," said Dallas County Development Alliance Director Rachel Wacker . "This conversation allowed us to advocate for policies that support economic growth, job creation, innovation, and investment right here in Dallas County. Decisions made in Washington have immediate and lasting effects on local economies and we welcome the open dialogue with federal leaders."

"Thank you to Congressman Zach Nunn for joining us in Dallas County to discuss economic development opportunities in the Greater Des Moines region," said Greater Des Moines Partnership Director of Government Relations Ryan Moon . "We will continue working with our Congressional delegation to cultivate a climate where businesses can grow and succeed."

Photos of the visit are available here .

B-roll video is available here .

Meeting and Food Drop-Off with Dallas County Sheriff, Adel, Dallas County

Rep. Nunn visited the Dallas County Sheriff's Office to drop off lunch for deputies and sit down with Sheriff Adam Infante and members of the sheriff's leadership team. The conversation opened with a discussion of how the government shutdown is impacting public safety operations, including delays in federal grant applications and law enforcement programs that many fast-growing counties like Dallas rely on.

"Law enforcement shouldn't have to worry about delayed federal support while they're working overtime to keep our communities safe," said Rep. Nunn . "I'm grateful to Sheriff Infante and his team for their leadership. Even in the face of shutdown disruptions, they're focused on protecting Iowans and tackling real threats like financial scams head-on."

Sheriff Infante and his team also raised growing concerns about the rise in sophisticated scam activity targeting seniors and working families. Rep. Nunn highlighted two bipartisan bills he is leading in Congress: the GUARD Act , which would equip local law enforcement with blockchain tracing tools and federal support to investigate scams, and the TRAPs Act , which brings together law enforcement, financial regulators, and the tech sector to build stronger fraud prevention systems nationwide.

"It means a lot when a member of Congress takes the time to sit down and really understand how scams are impacting our community," said Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante . "I'm grateful to Congressman Nunn for listening to our concerns and partnering with us to find solutions that make a difference locally."

Photos of the visit are available here .

B-roll video is available here .

WayPoint Resources Food Pantry Tour, Waukee, Dallas County

Rep. Nunn ended the day with a visit to WayPoint Resources, a local food pantry in Waukee, to speak with staff and volunteers about how the ongoing government shutdown is affecting vulnerable families across Iowa. More than 130,000 Iowa households rely on SNAP, and with the program only partially funded, food pantries across Iowa have already seen an increase in demand.

WayPoint staff also underscored that while the shutdown is raising anxiety for families, the community has stepped up to help fill the gap in powerful ways. However, while new volunteers signing up to help and more donations from local partners make a difference, no amount of local goodwill can replace federal programs like SNAP.

"When Washington falls short, Iowa steps up," said Rep. Nunn . "But we can't expect food pantries to carry the full burden. We need to end the shutdown and restore certainty for every family counting on these programs."

"The current pause in SNAP benefits is an urgent local issue.," said Waypoint Resources Executive Director Melissa Stimple . "Families who've never needed help before are walking through our doors every day. We've seen six times the number of new families seeking food assistance in just the past week. We appreciate Congressman Nunn for taking the time to see the impact firsthand and for his willingness to hear directly from the community about what's needed most."

Photos of the visit are available here .

B-roll video is available here .

Creative video is available here .

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