In this episode of The Energy Question, David Blackmon talks with Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn about the state of play related to this year's elections, along with national security and energy policy in the nation's capital. 

A sixth generation Iowan, Cong. Nunn was raised in a family of public school teachers, nurses, and farmers. While growing up, Zach helped out on his family’s Century family farm raising sheep, poultry and growing row crop. He was raised on Des Moines’ east side and went to Southeast Polk High School before attending Drake University. He went on to get master’s degrees from the Air Command and Staff College and the University of Cambridge.

Zach served our country for almost two decades in the United States Air Force. As an airborne intelligence officer, Zach flew recon missions off the coasts of Russia and China. After 9/11, he deployed three times to the Middle East and flew over 700 combat hours. He served as Director of Cybersecurity at the White House’s National Security Council combating cyber-attacks from foreign adversaries. Zach currently serves as a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Following his active duty military service, Zach served in the Iowa House of Representatives and the Iowa Senate. While working in the state legislature, he helped pass the state’s largest tax cuts three times over, growing Iowa’s economy and putting more money back into the pockets of Iowans.  

In Congress, Zach continues to be a pragmatic problem-solver pushing common-sense policies to benefit Iowans in all 21 counties he has the honor of representing. He serves on the House Financial Services Committee and the House Agriculture Committee where he is bringing Iowa’s big voice in the insurance industry and agricultural industry to our nation’s capital. Nunn also serves on the General Farm Commodities, Risk Management and Credit subcommittee and the Commodity Markets, Digital Assets and Rural development subcommittee.  

Zach is honored to call Bondurant his home and is happily married to wife Kelly and dad of six kids, two of which are adopted.

Enjoy!

Highlights of the Podcast

00:30 - Congressman's Background and Greeting

00:59 - Congressman's Roles and Responsibilities

02:18 - Cybersecurity Threats and National Defense

03:22 - Legislation and Bipartisan Support

05:31 - Daily Briefing at the White House

08:22 - Supply Chain and Critical Infrastructure

10:40 - China's Influence and Rare Earth Minerals

13:57 - Rare Earth Resource Discoveries

14:43 - China's Market Manipulation

16:38 - LNG Infrastructure and Russia

20:08 - Iowa's Political Landscape

23:10 - Impact of California and New York Residents Moving to Iowa