River Bend Times

U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who serves Iowa’s 1st district in Congress, used her social media platform to criticize Democratic lawmakers over the recent government shutdown.

On October 1, 2025, Miller-Meeks wrote, "This shutdown is not an accident, it’s a choice. Democrats are choosing to hold America hostage for their radical priorities. They could reopen the government right now with a simple, bipartisan extension. Instead, they put illegal immigrants first and the American people last."

Later that day, she posted another message stating, "The Democrat Government Shutdown has reached the skies. Airlines are warning of major disruptions because Democrats shut down the government to chase $1.5T in new spending and benefits for illegal immigrants." This tweet referenced potential travel disruptions resulting from the ongoing budget impasse.

On October 2, 2025, Miller-Meeks addressed efforts within Congress to resolve the situation: "Democrats in both the House and Senate joined us in voting to keep the government open. But it wasn’t enough. We are still 5 Senate Democrats short, and until they step up, like they did 13 times during the Biden administration, veterans, seniors, families, and troops will keep"

Miller-Meeks has represented Iowa’s 1st congressional district since replacing Dave Loebsack in 2021. Before her tenure in Congress began that year, she served as a member of the Iowa Senate from 2019 to 2021. Born in Herlong, California in 1955 and currently residing in Le Claire at age 67,^[source] Miller-Meeks earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Christian University in 1976.