MAGA betrayed rural America

MAGA politicians promised “to put rural America first.” But, after two years of complete Republican control, rural communities are experiencing betrayal after betrayal. While rural Americans struggle to make ends meet, Washington insiders and corrupt politicians have gutted our health care system, sent costs soaring, and put our agriculture industry on the brink of collapse.

To pay for massive tax breaks benefiting the wealthiest few, Republicans in Washington are systematically devastating our nation’s rural health care system. Their Big, Ugly Bill ’s massive cuts to Medicaid put hundreds of rural hospitals and clinics at risk of closure, with some communities already experiencing closures .

In Kansas, this law has strained the 58 percent of rural hospitals that are already at risk of closing. Losing a hospital or clinic is devastating for rural communities, forcing patients to drive miles more to see a doctor while eliminating jobs from local economies. Despite warnings from healthcare providers and concerns from families and communities across the country, these cuts moved forward.

President Trump’s chaotic and failing trade war has wreaked havoc on our farmers. More than 70 percent of farmers report they cannot afford the fertilizer they need to grow their crops. Prices for tractors, harvesters and other critical agricultural equipment are spiking under the tariffs. Tariffs have also depressed commodity prices by cutting farmers off from some of their biggest customers.

Then, to add insult to injury, Trump’s reckless war in Iran, which I voted to end, has led to skyrocketing diesel prices , squeezing farmers’ already tight margins. This all while the administration cuts staffing at the agencies meant to support everyday farmers and pretends a temporary bailout will address their concerns, leaving many struggling to receive the basic services they pay for. It’s no wonder that farm bankruptcies are at a six-year high .

In Kansas, these extreme decisions in Washington have hit our communities especially hard. In addition to rising costs on everything and cruel cuts to our health care system, our state’s cattle ranchers have twice been undercut by the Trump administration greenlighting imports of now-recalled Argentinian beef and gutting the agency that could have prevented the screwworm outbreak.

Rural communities are looking for relief, and Democrats are focused on substantive ways to deliver it. In working to earn every vote in every corner of the country, Democrats are offering a forward-looking vision for rural communities, one where all Americans who work hard and play by the rules can achieve the American Dream.

That vision includes repealing the reckless tariff-taxes, ending the war in Iran, and restoring healthcare funding to our rural communities. While Democrats put forth plans to make life better for everyday Americans, extreme Republicans in Washington continue to push for more healthcare cuts and starve rural communities of the critical funding and services they rely upon.

In Iowa, whose rural communities have been hit hard by rising costs and challenges facing healthcare and agriculture, voters there are looking for change and representation from leaders laser-focused on making their lives better: lowering costs, protecting healthcare and public health , and sustainably supporting their state’s farmers, without solely relying on temporary bailouts .

In next month’s election, I am confident Iowans will elect Lindsay James for Iowa’s 2nd District, Christina Bohannan for Iowa’s 1st District, and Sarah Trone Garriott for Iowa’s 3rd District who will be champions for working Iowans — not just a rubber stamp for the corrupt Washington insiders.

In western North Carolina, communities are struggling to afford everyday necessities while still reeling from Hurricane Helene. Many residents continue to wait for the federal support they need to rebuild, leading Jamie Ager in North Carolina’s 11st District, a fourth-generation farmer, to challenge the broken government by running for office. In Congress, Ager will put western North Carolina first, working to strengthen hurricane recovery efforts, lower costs, and revitalize rural small businesses.

Rural communities deserve to know that Democrats are listening, showing up, and fighting for them. We are making historic investments to build trust within rural America and recruiting candidates whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the districts they are running to represent.

Rural communities are the heart of America, and they deserve a government that understands their way of life and will put their interests first. Democrats are taking no vote for granted and will continue to show up in every corner of this country to build a durable House majority.

Sharice Davids represents the 3rd District of Kansas and is a member of the House Agriculture Committee.