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ArticlesPress Release: Gov. Kim Reynolds Confirmed Speaker for 2025 FAMiLY Leadership Summit
June 11, 2025

Press Release: Gov. Kim Reynolds Confirmed Speaker for 2025 FAMiLY Leadership Summit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 11, 2025 Governor Kim Reynolds Joins The Family Leader as Speaker for the 2025 Family Leadership Summit URBANDALE, IOWA – The FAMiLY Leader Foundation is pleased to…
Kate McGovern
ArticlesPress Release: Defund Planned Parenthood
March 6, 2025

Press Release: Defund Planned Parenthood

March 6, 2025 Bob Vander Plaats Calls for Immediate Defunding of Planned Parenthood DES MOINES, IA – Bob Vander Plaats, President and CEO of The FAMiLY Leader, is calling on…
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ArticlesTFL June Newsletter
June 24, 2025

TFL June Newsletter

Dear Friend of the Family, I long to see a revived America that honors God and blesses people. And I know you do, too.
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ArticlesGov. Reynolds Signs Landmark Prenatal Education Bill
June 12, 2025

Gov. Reynolds Signs Landmark Prenatal Education Bill

In a bold affirmation of life and family values, Governor Kim Reynolds has signed the Prenatal Human Development Education Bill (Senate File 175)—known nationally as the “Baby Olivia” bill—into law.
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3: The ripple effect of “woke.”
June 6, 2025

BVP’s Top 3: The ripple effect of “woke.”

The excess of the LGBTQIA+ movement has taken it's toll on Americans, and they've had enough. BIG IDEA: We were warned about the ripple effect of "woke." 1. SATAN LOVES…
Kate McGovern
ArticlesBVP’s Top 3: Freedom marches on, if …
May 29, 2025

BVP’s Top 3: Freedom marches on, if …

Memorial Day reminds us of the price paid for our freedoms. But the fight is far from over. BIG IDEA: You and I have some work to do. 1. FREEDOM…
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3: Bob breaks big news on Steve Deace Show!
May 21, 2025

BVP’s Top 3: Bob breaks big news on Steve Deace Show!

Iowa's annual FAMiLY Leadership Summit plays a major role not only in shaping culture, but also in shaping the first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses. Which makes this news all the more interesting…
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ArticlesTFL’s Podcast – Big wins, big plans: Here’s what really happened this session!
May 20, 2025

TFL’s Podcast – Big wins, big plans: Here’s what really happened this session!

In this special recap episode, TFL's Capitol Team breaks down the top 3 wins from the legislative session — plus how a dangerous bill was defeated. We’re also pulling back…
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ArticlesThe Family Leader Foundation, Inc. seeks a Deputy Director
June 18, 2025

The Family Leader Foundation, Inc. seeks a Deputy Director

The Family Leader Foundation, Inc. seeks a Deputy Director to: Serve alongside the director in casting vision and setting overall direction of Iowa Church Ambassador Network (a ministry focused on…
Kate McGovern
ArticlesStill Waiting: Why aren’t schools enforcing Iowa’s law against sexually explicit books?
May 20, 2025

Still Waiting: Why aren’t schools enforcing Iowa’s law against sexually explicit books?

by Ryan Benn It’s been over two years since Iowa passed SF496 — a bill to get sexually explicit books out of public school libraries. The law’s requirements are straightforward…
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3: Life is on the line!
May 14, 2025

BVP’s Top 3: Life is on the line!

Both at the federal and state level, America is at a tipping point on the abortion issue. BIG IDEA: Leadership on life matters. 1. Defunding abortion is on the table…
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ArticlesBVP Column: The abortion pill crisis Big Pharma doesn’t want you to see
May 14, 2025

BVP Column: The abortion pill crisis Big Pharma doesn’t want you to see

by Bob Vander Plaats The following column originally appeared on May 6, 2025, on TheBlaze.com. A bombshell new study has discovered that women are suffering serious harm from chemical abortions…
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3: Bombshell study makes abortion a federal issue
May 6, 2025

BVP’s Top 3: Bombshell study makes abortion a federal issue

An explosive new study blows the lid off the lie that abortion is merely a "state issue." BIG IDEA: D.C. must step up in the abortion debate. 1. The abortion…
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ArticlesTFL’s Capitol Connection – A GOOD news episode!
May 2, 2025

TFL’s Capitol Connection – A GOOD news episode!

The FAMiLY Leader's top prolife priority this session has passed! PLUS: Praise and prayer resound at the Iowa Capitol, and more ... Watch the "Baby Olivia" video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-lQOooYAs8&t=1s
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ArticlesTFL’s Capitol Connection – Top 5 bills yet to pass this session
April 25, 2025

TFL’s Capitol Connection – Top 5 bills yet to pass this session

As time draws short this legislative session, The FAMiLY Leader's Capitol Team discusses the top 5 bills we want to see pass before the gavel drops - including a pro-life…
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ArticlesTFL honors legislators for championing family values
April 24, 2025

TFL honors legislators for championing family values

DES MOINES, Iowa - The FAMiLY Leader held its annual Family Champions Dinner on Tuesday, April 22, to honor the men and women who work in Iowa’s government to advance…
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3: This Easter was different. Why?
April 23, 2025

BVP’s Top 3: This Easter was different. Why?

What a holiday! This Easter, America witnessed a radical difference in how presidents talk about faith, and the world woke up the next day to learn the Pope had died.…
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ArticlesEaster Column: Jesus modeled the leadership we need, not what we expect
April 21, 2025

Easter Column: Jesus modeled the leadership we need, not what we expect

by Greg Baker The following column appeared in the online edition of the Des Moines Register on Easter Sunday 2025. Over 2,000 years ago, the most powerful person in the…
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3: As America’s top governor steps away, what about Bob?
April 16, 2025

BVP’s Top 3: As America’s top governor steps away, what about Bob?

Iowa's exemplary Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that she will not be seeking reelection in 2026, leaving Iowa Republicans with a tough task ahead. BIG IDEA: Leadership is a higher calling…
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ArticlesTFL’s Capitol Connection – Special, pro-life episode
April 11, 2025

TFL’s Capitol Connection – Special, pro-life episode

Iowa's pro-life movement is taking ground, though not in the way everyone might expect. In this special episode, TFL spotlights the history of saving babies in Iowa and the new,…
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3 – Trump’s tariffs require us to wise up
April 9, 2025

BVP’s Top 3 – Trump’s tariffs require us to wise up

Trump's tariff plans are dominating the news, and even some of his own party are pushing the panic button. BIG IDEA: We must persist to win. My top 3 takeaways…
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ArticlesTFL’s Capitol Connection – Great news at ‘2nd Funnel’ deadline!
April 4, 2025

TFL’s Capitol Connection – Great news at ‘2nd Funnel’ deadline!

The Iowa Legislature's "second funnel" has arrived, narrowing which bills live - and die - this session. And The FAMiLY Leader is excited to report a banner year for pro-life…
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3 – Wake up to corporate ‘wokeism’!
April 2, 2025

BVP’s Top 3 – Wake up to corporate ‘wokeism’!

America may be rejecting "woke" ideology, but its tendrils run thicker and deeper than we realize. BIG IDEA: We need to wake up on "wokeism." 1. CORPORATE AMERICA WILL FORCE…
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ArticlesTFL’s Capitol Connection – Critical deadline approaching!
March 28, 2025

TFL’s Capitol Connection – Critical deadline approaching!

Iowa's "second funnel" deadline, which determines which bills live and die this session, is week away! The FAMiLY Leader's Chuck Hurley and Ryan Benn update the status on key bills…
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3 – Time to act on judges … again
March 25, 2025

BVP’s Top 3 – Time to act on judges … again

Unelected bureaucrats undermined President Trump after his first election in 2016. Today, unelected judges are doing the same. BIG IDEA: Trump needs to act on judges. 1. UNELECTED JUDGES ARE…
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ArticlesTFL’s Capitol Connection: Taking a stand against gambling
March 21, 2025

TFL’s Capitol Connection: Taking a stand against gambling

The FAMiLY Leader stands not on political parties, but on biblical issues. In this episode, TFL's Drew Zahn, Chuck Hurley, and Ryan Benn discuss why TFL is opposing a GOP-led…
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ArticlesTFL’s Capitol Connection podcast: Devil in the details
March 14, 2025

TFL’s Capitol Connection podcast: Devil in the details

Why is it so difficult to get common sense legislation - like protecting children online - passed through Congress? With insight you won't get anywhere else, TFL's Chuck Hurley and…
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3 – ‘Saved to make America great again’
March 11, 2025

BVP’s Top 3 – ‘Saved to make America great again’

https://youtu.be/em8egFa5-Dg President Donald Trump is professing a new sense of purpose, asserting since the failed attempts on his life that he was "saved to make America great again." BIG IDEA:…
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ArticlesTFL’s Capitol Connection – Life at conception and first funnel
March 8, 2025

TFL’s Capitol Connection – Life at conception and first funnel

As the Iowa Legislature's "first funnel" deadline passes, some bills survived to be debated, and others - like "life at conception" - did not. TFL's Chuck Hurley and Ryan Benn…
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3 – March 3, 2025
March 3, 2025

BVP’s Top 3 – March 3, 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XDU3cRNeS4   Common sense is making a comeback.1. RESTORING COMMON SENSE IS A TEAM EFFORTIt took a "trifecta" of Republican governor, House, and Senate to remove "gender identity" from Iowa's…
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ArticlesTFL’s Capitol Connection: Historic victory on sex & gender!
March 1, 2025

TFL’s Capitol Connection: Historic victory on sex & gender!

TFL's Chuck Hurley describes this week's win as "one of the most significant in my 34 years at the Iowa Capitol." Listen in as The FAMiLY Leader team discusses the…
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ArticlesFACT SHEET: Gender Identity and the Iowa Civil Rights Code
March 1, 2025

FACT SHEET: Gender Identity and the Iowa Civil Rights Code

What so-called "rights" are lost when "gender identity" is removed from the Iowa Civil Rights Code? Here, we dispel the myths about what this will, and will not, mean for…
Kate McGovern
ArticlesWATCH: Closing Remarks on the Sex & Gender Clarity Act
March 1, 2025

WATCH: Closing Remarks on the Sex & Gender Clarity Act

WATCH: Representative Holt's closing remarks on the Sex & Gender Clarity Act, which restores the rights of women by removing Gender Identity, based on feelings, as a protected class in…
Kate McGovern
ArticlesBVP’s Top 3 – Iowa leads America on restoring “gender” reality
February 25, 2025

BVP’s Top 3 – Iowa leads America on restoring “gender” reality

https://youtu.be/-O7emEIl_N8 Bob Vander Plaats explains how YOU can make a difference in restoring common sense to "gender" laws. 1. IOWA GOES WHERE NO STATE HAS GONE BEFORE 23 U.S. states…
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ArticlesTFL’s Capitol Connection – Calling on YOU to restore common sense on ‘gender identity’
February 21, 2025

TFL’s Capitol Connection – Calling on YOU to restore common sense on ‘gender identity’

Legislators introduced an explosive new bill this week that defines sex as male and female — not "gender identity." The FAMiLY Leader’s Capitol insiders Chuck Hurley and Ryan Benn join…
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3 – February 18, 2025
February 19, 2025

BVP’s Top 3 – February 18, 2025

Bob Vander Plaats breaks down why the news media can’t handle President Trump’s latest moves—and why that’s a good thing.
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ArticlesTFL’s Capitol Connection – Doctors, DEI, and a special election
February 14, 2025

TFL’s Capitol Connection – Doctors, DEI, and a special election

The FAMiLY Leader’s Capitol insiders Ryan Benn and Josiah Oleson join the podcast after standing in gap for you, testifying before legislators on issues like: Doctors' rights to serve patients…
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3 – February 11, 2025
February 11, 2025

BVP’s Top 3 – February 11, 2025

Bob Vander Plaats, President and CEO of The FAMiLY Leader, shares his top 3 news stories of the week.
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ArticlesFeb. 7, 2025 – Conflicts erupt, arrests made at Iowa Capitol
February 7, 2025

Feb. 7, 2025 – Conflicts erupt, arrests made at Iowa Capitol

The FAMiLY Leader’s Capitol insiders Chuck Hurley and Ryan Benn join the podcast after an explosive week under the Golden Dome that included dueling rallies, protests, and arrests. Today's topics:…
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ArticlesTFL’s Capitol Connection: Life, homeschooling, more
February 2, 2025

TFL’s Capitol Connection: Life, homeschooling, more

The FAMiLY Leader's Capitol insiders Chuck Hurley and Ryan Benn join the podcast after testifying on 20+ bills in the first two weeks of the Iowa legislative session, including: Life…
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3 – January 28, 2025
January 29, 2025

BVP’s Top 3 – January 28, 2025

Bob Vander Plaats shares his top 3 reflections on President Trump's immediate impact just one week into his presidency.
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ArticlesPrayer Rally for Life: ‘A person’s value comes not from size, but from God’
January 28, 2025

Prayer Rally for Life: ‘A person’s value comes not from size, but from God’

DES MOINES, Iowa - Hundreds of Iowans joined with The FAMiLY Leader, The Coalition of Pro-Life Leaders, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds at the Iowa…
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3 – Bob’s key takeaways from the inauguration
January 21, 2025

BVP’s Top 3 – Bob’s key takeaways from the inauguration

Bob Vander Plaats and BlazeTV's Steve Deace watched President Donald Trump's Inaugural Address, and Bob shared his top 3 takeaways.
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ArticlesTop 5 takeaways: Gov. Reynolds’ Condition of the State
January 16, 2025

Top 5 takeaways: Gov. Reynolds’ Condition of the State

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds delivered her 2025 Condition of the State speech from the Iowa Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Here’s a countdown of top takeaways you need to know:…
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3 – January 13, 2025
January 14, 2025

BVP’s Top 3 – January 13, 2025

Bob talks with BlazeTV host Steve Deace about this week's top 3 stories: L.A. wildfires spark political change, megaphone of truth on Joe Rogan podcast, and bringing God back to…
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ArticlesElecting Donald Trump is not enough
November 11, 2024

Electing Donald Trump is not enough

What are door-knockers hearing on the street? "Home prices are too high." With Americans trusting Trump over Harris on the economy, this is advantage Trump. Especially in the rust belt…
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3: Polls, predictions, and prayers
November 4, 2024

BVP’s Top 3: Polls, predictions, and prayers

If Kamala Harris really is up 3 in Iowa, like a recent poll says, she will be the next president. But I don't buy it. This pollster has been wrong…
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ArticlesChrist warned Christians about sitting out elections
October 30, 2024

Christ warned Christians about sitting out elections

What are door-knockers hearing on the street? "Home prices are too high." With Americans trusting Trump over Harris on the economy, this is advantage Trump. Especially in the rust belt…
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3: Pastors, Joe Rogan, and Trump
October 29, 2024

BVP’s Top 3: Pastors, Joe Rogan, and Trump

41 million American Christians reportedly won't vote in this election. That's negligent and irresponsible. Pastors, this is an opportunity to teach. We are called to be salt and light; if…
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ArticlesBVP’s Top 3: Home prices, global leadership, and our citizenship
October 23, 2024

BVP’s Top 3: Home prices, global leadership, and our citizenship

What are door-knockers hearing on the street? "Home prices are too high." With Americans trusting Trump over Harris on the economy, this is advantage Trump. Especially in the rust belt…
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