{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-secures-child-care-and-rural-broadband-investments-iowa-s-first", "Finkenauer Secures Child Care and Rural Broadband Investments for Iowas First Congressional District in Appropriations Package", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "IA", "Abby Finkenauer", "F000467", "finkenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01)) voted to provide new investments in high-quality child care, rural broadband, registered skilled apprenticeship programs, as well as a historic five-year extension of the biodiesel tax credit. These Iowa priorities were secured as part of a legislative package to fund the government through Fiscal Year 2020. The package included both appropriations and tax provisions and passed with bipartisan support.\n\"From day one, I have worked across the aisle to get this done for our district and state. From passing legislation through committee, to holding hearings with biodiesel producers testifying, it has been a bipartisan effort to get here,Finkenauer said.I came to Congress to make sure Iowa's voices and working families were heard. From constituents visiting the office to roundtables and town halls in the district, this package covers the priorities we heard and its effects and funding will be felt in homes across Iowa. Provisions included will help doctors serving patients in rural communities, invest in our crumbling infrastructure, expand access to high-quality child care, fund rural broadband projects, and provide certainty for our biofuel and soybean producers who work hard every day for a strong Iowa economy. Without a doubt, the package we passed today is a big win for Iowa.\nThe House passed two separate appropriations packages today, both with significant bipartisan support. The packages fund federal departments and agencies, along with the nation's military. In addition, they include a package of tax provisions that are being extended and expired last year, like biodiesel and second-generation biofuels.\n  Finkenauer Priorities Included in the Appropriations Package\n Early childhood programs get an increase of $1.1 billion, helping ensure that northeast Iowans can access child care and early education no matter where they live\n\tProvides $175 million for registered skilled apprenticeship programs, a $15 million increase over last fiscal year\n\tRepeals the Cadillac Tax which would have made it harder for employers to offer high-quality health care plans. \n\tInvests $640 million in the expansion of broadband in rural areas.\n\tIncludes increased funding for rural bridge repairs and replacements.\n\tKeeps tax relief in place for our small brewers and distillers.\n\tExtends important health care programs that help improve access to healthcare in Northeast Iowa, including the Work Geographic Index Floor which ensures fair reimbursements for physicians in rural areas and has been a legislative priority for Rep. Finkenauer as well as the Conrad 30 Program to address health care workforce shortages.\n\tIncludes the increased federal fundingthat Rep. Finkenauer fought forto help entrepreneurs grow and start their businesses, including Small Business Development Centers, Women's Business Centers, and the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) program.\n\tProvides $41.7 billion for NIH, an increase of $2.6 billion above the previous year, to develop life-saving treatments and make sure that the United States continues to lead the way when it comes to medical innovation.\n\tIncreases investments in K-12 education.\n\tRestores the Short Line (45G) railroad tax credit.\n\t\t\n Finkenauer's Work on Extending Biodiesel Tax Credit The biodiesel tax credit has been expired since 2018 and is important to farmers and biofuels producers around the country. Finkenauer helped lead a bipartisan effort in the House to bring attention to the credit through new legislation, pass it through the House Ways and Means Committee and include it in this final package. Monday, Finkenauer alsooffered an amendment to H.R. 5377 This is part of her efforts to make sure the biodiesel tax credit is extended before the end of the year.\nCongress had previously extended the tax credit retroactively for 2017, but left it expired for 2018 and beyond. This year, Finkenauer was joined by Senators Grassley and Ernst, as well as industry leaders, at a press conference supporting the legislation. Finkenauer testified before the Ways and Means Committee earlier this year, sharing the stories of Iowa producers and businesses that would benefit from the legislation.", 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-secures-child-care-and-rural-broadband-investments-iowa-s-first"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.3095878530293703, "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"}