{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-hosts-derecho-assistance-forum-fema-and-local-leaders-cedar-rapids", "Finkenauer Hosts Derecho Assistance Forum with FEMA and Local Leaders in Cedar Rapids", "2020-09-04", "2020", "2020-09", "Democrat", "House", "IA", "Abby Finkenauer", "F000467", "finkenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer hosted a forum on Friday allowing legislative, county, and local officials from Linn County to meet with federal disaster relief officials about ongoing derecho recovery efforts.\nCongresswoman Finkenauer led the event, which featured Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Federal Coordinating Officer DuWayne Tewes as well as representatives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. They were joined by about a dozen local elected officials and state legislators.\n\"Since day one after this storm, my office has been committed to opening clear lines of communication between folks who need help on the ground, local officials and our disaster-relief partners at the state and federal level, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. Today was an opportunity to raise awareness around the work FEMA is now doing on the ground in Cedar Rapids, but also give local officials the opportunity to voice their concerns and get answers for their constituents.\"\n\"The ongoing issues are many  from questions about aid applications and appeal processes to continuing housing insecurity with cold weather just around the corner, FInkenauer said. I want to thank Mr. Tewes for taking the time to meet with us, and all the Linn County leaders who came to hold all of us accountable to Iowans in need.\"\nFriday's forum was attended by:\n FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer DuWayne Tewes\n\tIowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Representative Dennis Harper\n\tDepartment of Housing and Urban Development Field Office Director Steve Eggleston\n\tCedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart\n\tCedar Rapids Councilwoman Ann Poe\n\tCedar Rapid Councilman Scott Olson\n\tCedar Rapids Councilman Dale Todd\n\tFairfax Mayor Bernie Frieden\n\tIowa State Sen. Todd Taylor\n\tIowa State Rep. Tracy Ehlert\n\tIowa State Rep. Louie Zumbach\n\tIowa State Rep. Kirsten Running-Marquardt\n\tLinn County Supervisor Brent Oleson\n Friday's forum continued Finkenauer's ongoing bipartisan efforts to help people in Iowa's First Congressional District who have been devastated by the derecho.\nFinkenauer's Ongoing Derecho Relief Efforts:\nThe rare derecho storm affected more than 20 counties across Iowa, producing straight-line winds that exceeded 100 mph in several locations. Much of the damage took place in counties included in the First District. 550,000 homes were left without power and the total estimated damage is more than $3.9 billion.\nOn Tuesday, 9/1, Finkenauer issued a statement regardingFEMA's approval of individual disaster assistancefor10 additional Iowa counties affected by the Aug. 10Derecho, including Benton, Marshall, Poweshiek and Tama in the First District.\nOn Friday, 8/21, Finkenauer was joined by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) on Friday in calling on President Donald Trump to approve federal disaster aid for the Meskwaki Nation.\nOn Friday, 8/21,sent a letterto U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue seeking information on potential USDA relief for farmers and producers affected by the derecho disaster.\nOn Thursday, 8/20, Finkenauer released astatement on theAdministration's approval of Individual Assistance for Linn County residentsimpacted by thederecho.\nOn Thursday, 8/20, Finkenauer visited the Meskwaki Nation in Tama to meet with tribal leaders and view damage from the derecho. Finkenauer alsosent a letterto President Donald Trump on Thursday imploring him to approve the tribe's request for federal disaster aid.\nOn Wednesday, 8/19, Finkenauer released a Disaster Resource Guide for constituents. \nOn Wednesday, 8/19, Finkenauer wrote to President Trump urging him to fully approve Iowa's request for an expedited major disaster declaration, which includes individual assistance, and urged a waiver of local cost match.\nOn Monday, 8/17, Finkenauer took part in an electric restoration briefing with Alliant Energy.\nOn Monday, 8/17,Finkenauervisited Benton County to hear about local storm damagefromlocal leaders andemergencymanagement officials, and visited the Iowa Veterans Home.\nOn Sunday, 8/16,Finkenauerjoined the full Iowa federal delegationin sending a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to accept Governor Kim Reynolds' request for an expedited presidential major disaster declaration.\nOn Friday, 8/14,Finkenauer visited storm damage in Marshalltown, including the Iowa Veterans Home.\nOn Thursday, 8/13, Finkenauer hosted a briefing with Iowa Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Joyce Flinn.\nOn Thursday, 8/13,Finkenauerurged Reynoldsto call for an expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration andjoined Cedar Rapids city officialsat a press conference to call for expedited federal aid and additional state resources as Cedar Rapids and communities across Iowa work to recover from Monday's derecho storm.\nOn Wednesday, 8/12, sheattended a briefing with Cedar Rapids emergency officials.\nOn Tuesday, 8/11, Finkenauersent a letterto Governor Kim Reynolds seeking information and offering assistancein the wake ofMonday'sstormsthat knocked out power and caused widespread damage across eastern Iowa.\nIf you need or someone you know has been affected by the storm and needs help, call1-800-RED-CROSS.For information about state aid for food and health assistance,click here. To volunteer through the United Way of East Central Iowa,click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-hosts-derecho-assistance-forum-fema-and-local-leaders-cedar-rapids"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7880181074142456, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}