DES MOINES, Iowa — Congressman Zach Nunn R-IA-03 was sworn in for his second term in Washington, D.C. on Friday, marking the beginning of a new chapter under a unified House Republican leadership. Nunn’s first term was notably delayed by the longest vote for Speaker of the House since 1859, where Speaker Kevin McCarthy secured his position after 15 rounds of voting. In contrast, Speaker Mike Johnson was elected in a single round, signaling a more streamlined start to the new session.
Reflecting on the early days of his Congressional career, Nunn shared his experience of the chaotic vote in his first term, which stretched into the early hours of the morning. “My family didn’t even get to see me sworn in,” Nunn said, recalling the long, exhausting process.
Now, Nunn is optimistic about the direction of the House under Speaker Johnson’s leadership, emphasizing the importance of a unified government focused on key issues such as border security, combating fentanyl and human trafficking, and extending crucial tax cuts to stimulate the economy. “This is bigger than Speaker Johnson. It’s about an agenda that is prioritizing national security, tax relief, and fiscal responsibility,” said Nunn.
Looking back on his first term, Nunn pointed to successes in legislation aimed at benefiting Iowa residents, including expanded leave policies for Iowa National Guardsmen and the extension of a farm bill. He also introduced an amendment this session calling for a balanced budget, which Nunn argued would curb government spending. “It helps rein in government spending and treats it more like a family does — only spending the amount of money you have coming in,” Nunn explained.
As the new session unfolds, Nunn and his fellow Republicans are focused on pushing forward a reconciliation bill that includes key initiatives from President-Elect Donald Trump’s campaign, such as border security, tax extensions from Trump’s 2017 tax reform, and energy policies. With a unified agenda, Nunn is preparing to continue his work in Congress with an emphasis on national security, fiscal discipline, and economic growth.