At Register Soapbox, Zach Nunn lays out 'the ABCs of being a much better government'

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn said the federal government should learn "their ABCs" and focus on policies that put America first, secure the border and improve communities.

Nunn, a Republican in his first term representing Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, spoke Friday at the Des Moines Register's Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair.

He stood onstage on the fair's Grand Concourse with his wife, Kelly Nunn, and three of their young daughters and a niece.

As Nunn spoke, the kids snacked on vanilla ice cream that dripped onto the stage, prompting him to joke, "I know that we've got some ice cream melting behind me so I'm going to be quick."

"As we’ve worked through these little girls going into preschool to kindergarten, we’ve taught them a lot about their ABCs, the basics of just getting a good education," Nunn said. "And I think it’s time that Washington start learning a little bit about the ABCs of being a much better government."

Nunn said that the "A" in his alphabet is "an America-first policy, one that really puts our priorities at the top of the line."

He said he does that on the House Agriculture Committee, where he's working to have his priorities included in the next five-year farm bill. Action on a new farm bill has been repeatedly delayed, and lawmakers have said Congress is unlikely to pass the legislation this year.

The next step, Nunn said, is "B" for border security.

"We need to be able to protect our nation," he said. "That begins with border security. It’s the number one thing I hear about when I go to all 21 counties across the Third District is how every county now has sadly become a border county."

He touted his support for a Republican-backed border bill that passed the House last year but did not receive a hearing in the Senate. And he complained that the Senate pulled its own bipartisan border deal without a vote.

Senate Republicans had voted to filibuster the bill after Donald Trump urged them to reject it.

The third letter in the ABCs, Nunn said, is "what it means for our community."

He talked about his work cutting taxes and the importance of cutting federal spending.

"When Iowans have more money in their pocket, guess what they do?" he said. "They invest it right here in our local economy. We cannot have a situation where the federal government continues to spend more than it actually brings in."

More: 3rd District Democrat Lanon Baccam highlights military service in first general election ad

Nunn faces Democrat Lanon Baccam in the Nov. 5 election, which is expected to be one of the most competitive in the country this year. Nunn won his 2022 race by just over 2,000 votes, and national Democrats have made the contest a top target this year.

Libertarian Marco Battaglia is also on the ballot. Battaglia will speak at the Soapbox on Sunday, and Baccam will speak on Monday.

Nunn leaned into his bipartisan credentials, telling the audience about legislation he's introduced to stop members of Congress from trading stocks and to stop members of Congress from collecting a paycheck during a government shutdown.

"I’m proud that I am one of the top 10 most bipartisan members of Congress," he said. "But I’m more proud that I have 750,000 great bosses back here in Iowa who give me the opportunity to serve this district."

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Nunn pushes America first policy, border security at Register Soapbox