“Stop the Billionaire Giveaway” National Bus Tour Holds Community Town Hall in Cedar Rapids
Fair Share America Brought the 14-State National Campaign to Iowa to Highlight the Harmful Impacts of the GOP’s Federal Budget + Tax Bill
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (June 30, 2025) – Yesterday afternoon, Fair Share America and Unrig our Economy brought the “Stop the Billionaire Giveaway” national bus tour to Cedar Rapids, IA for a Community Town Hall to highlight the devastating impact of the GOP’s budget and tax proposal on Iowa’s families, communities and economy.
The town hall in Cedar Rapids is the second stop in Iowa, following a Faith-based Morality Rally in Davenport. The 45-foot tour bus, wrapped in a giant trillion-dollar bill, sent a clear message to elected officials: working families should not have to pay the price so billionaires and big corporations can get more tax breaks.
To request video or photos from the event or to set up an interview, please contact kristin@fairshareusa.org.
Kristen Crowell, Executive Director of Fair Share America, grounded the town hall in both urgency and hope:
“We’re here because we know that if the wealthy paid their fair share in taxes like the rest of us, we wouldn’t be fighting off brutal budget cuts that come at our communities’ expense. Right now, we’re focused on stopping this dangerous, immoral, egregious reconciliation bill. It’s not a done deal—the pressure is mounting, and we have to keep it up. There’s energy, there’s anger, and there’s momentum. This is a defining moment, and what happens in the next few days is critical.”
“We’re creating a public record—town by town, coast to coast—of people who oppose this bill. And I want to offer some hope. Because after 27 years of organizing, I’ve never seen this kind of awakening. Regardless of who people voted for eight months ago, folks are seeing clearly whose side this budget is on—and they’re choosing to stand up. Beyond this bill, we’re building something more durable than elections—something rooted in care, solidarity, and action.”
State Representative Tracey Ehlert, who represents Cedar Rapids' west side, spoke from her dual perspectives as a legislator and educator:
“I think we all understand how severe these cuts will be at home—for families, for households. But we also have to think about how dire these cuts are going to be for our school system. The National Education Association reports that Medicaid helps fund things like our school nurses, speech therapy, special education, and mental health supports—and it goes on and on. If this bill passes, it’s not just families that will be hurt. It’s our students, our schools, and our entire community.”
Dr. Emily Boevers, OB-GYN , who serves rural communities across Iowa, spoke to the devastating stakes for maternal health:
“I can tell you without a doubt: Medicaid saves lives. Medicaid is the backbone of rural health care access in Iowa. Many of the families I care for rely on it for prenatal care, hospital births, and acute care for their babies. Without it, they simply wouldn't be able to access these services or keep their families healthy. Families make up healthy communities, and that should not be a partisan issue. When Senator Ernst was asked how she could support a bill that would cause people to die, she shrugged and said, ‘Well, we’re all going to die.’ As a physician, I find that response unacceptable. Shame on her.”
Michele Steepleton, whose sister relies on Medicaid for care, a retired elementary school teacher, shared the story of her sister Sue:
“Before last year, I didn’t know the difference between Medicare and Medicaid. Then my sister Sue—recently widowed, chronically ill, and laid off—lost her health insurance and couldn’t afford her medication. When she moved to Cedar Rapids, we went to the free clinic, and they helped us apply for Medicaid. Thanks to that care, she went from using a walker to walking on her own and living independently. But now I’m scared. If this bill passes, people like my sister could lose the care that’s helping them survive. And all these new work requirements? They’re just more hoops—meant to make people give up.”:
Garret Frey, a disability rights advocate from Iowa, and quadriplegic who relies on Medicaid, gave an emotional plea to protect civil rights and community care:
“I’m 43 years old and I’ve lived with disabilities since the age of four. I’m healthy, happy, and hopeful—but this big, bad bill threatens everything. I believe it’s not about me—it’s about us. Every one of us. Anyone could become disabled at any moment. And when that happens, you should have the right to live in your own home, be part of your community, and receive the care you need. Right now, my mom is my primary caregiver. We’ve built a support system over 13 years, but with these budget cuts, all of that is at risk. I know people—friends—stuck in nursing homes today because they can’t get the support to live independently. This is about dignity. This is about civil rights. And Iowans with disabilities deserve better.”
Tommy Hexter, Policy Director of the Iowa Farmers Union, challenged the priorities of the proposed legislation:
“Iowa’s farmers and families both need a fair share. But right now, this so-called ‘big, beautiful bill’ is gutting the farm bill and ripping out SNAP, which brought 51,000 Iowans—including 23,000 kids—out of poverty every year. Meanwhile, $11 million for local food programs was canceled with no warning, and the next week, $910 million quietly flowed to big commodity operations. That’s not supporting farmers—that’s enriching corporations like Bayer and John Deere. We need a unified farm bill that feeds people, supports local farmers, and strengthens our communities. This isn’t just about agriculture—it’s about who gets to thrive in this country.”
** The full swing through Iowa included two stops:
Sunday, June 29