The age of instant com­­munication and 24-hour news coverage have changed how politicians in Washington, D.C., think and act, Iowa Congressman Tom Latham told members of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s Ag Leaders Institute on a recent visit to the nation’s capital.

"A lot has changed here since 1995 when I was sworn in," the 66-year-old Latham said, reflecting on his career in Congress as he prepares to retire after this November’s election. "The cable news has done more to change the dynamic out here than anything else, except for possibly social media. Somebody can send out something on Facebook,...