Press releases
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1,392 rows where chamber = "House", state = "IA" and year = 2020 sorted by date descending
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| url | title | date ▲ | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-leads-inquiry-use-debit-cards-next-round-economic-impact-payments | Rep. Axne Leads Inquiry on Use of Debit Cards for Next Round of Economic Impact Payments | 2020-12-29 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) led a letter to the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) seeking information about plans to use debit cards to distribute the second round of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) approved by Congress last week. The letter, signed by 10 of Rep. Axne's colleagues on the House Financial Services Committee, asks the Treasury Department to clarify if they plan to use debit cards to distribute this round of EIPs and urges changes to the program in the event that they are used again. Now that Congress has passed, and the President has signed into law, a second round of similar direct payments, we would like to know whether you plan on distributing some of these via debit card again, the members wrote. If so, we ask that you explain how you plan to improve communication, ensure there are no fees for the user, and simplify the agreement they have to sign, removing any mandatory arbitration clauses. Rep. Axne and her colleagues seek three areas of improvement in the event that debit cards are used for the second round of EIPs: Better Communication:The members encouragesignificant improvements in communicatingthe plans for debit cards to the general public to avoid skepticism and potential disposal of cards, which was widely reportedafter the Treasury failed to tell people these cards were a possibilityin the first tranche of payments thisspring. Complete Elimination of Fees:As the debit cards are set up to provide Americans with the full amount of their EIP as approved by Congress and the President, Rep. Axne and her colleagues urge the Treasury Department and IRS to eliminate any fees associated with using or transferringa card'sbalance. Simplification of the Cardholder Agreement: The debit cards used in the first round of EIPs contained a dense and confusing cardholder agreement, including an arbitration clause that prevents card recipients from forming a class action suit in the case of similar problems with the card. The members demand that any potential second… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-bipartisan-house-vote-override-veto-defense-policy-bill | Rep. Axne, Bipartisan House Vote to Override Veto of Defense Policy Bill | 2020-12-28 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) joined a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives to override the presidential veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21). The bipartisan legislation, which includes a 3% pay raise for servicemembers and other provisions championed by Rep. Axne, passed with over 300 votes in the House and 84 votes in the Senate earlier this month. After months of bipartisan negotiation and cooperation, this defense policy bill represents the critical foundation on which all national security efforts will be built for the coming year. The men and women protecting our country need the support provided in this legislation a necessity reflected in the overwhelmingmajoritiesthat passedthis legislation a few weeks ago,said Rep. Axne.President Trump's veto of this bill abandons our troops, halts vital security programs, and deserts our nation's veterans. Today, I'm joining my colleagues in exercising ourconstitutionalright to overrule the President's shortsighted thinking on this vital measure. The legislation includes the bipartisan Preventing Illicit Finance Act, which was introduced by Rep. Axne and Rep. Bryan Steil (WI-01) earlier this year, to create an advisory group of federal agencies and private sector experts to limit the use of the financial system by bad actors. The FY21 NDAA also includes $18.5 million for the National Guard's RC-26aircraft, which is critical to domestic security and disaster assistance,and a priority for Rep. Axne. In addition, the annual defense policy bill includes: a 3% pay increase for members of the military long-overdue benefitsfor Vietnam-era veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange an extension of paid parental leave to approximately 100,000 federal civilian workers an expansion of housing vouchers for veterans experiencing homelessness, an effort supported and co-sponsored by Rep. Axne a requirement that each federal agency establish a model Equal Employment Opportunity Program that is independent of the ag… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-joins-bipartisan-vote-legislation-increase-covid-19-direct-payments | Rep. Axne Joins Bipartisan Vote on Legislation to Increase COVID-19 Direct Payments to $2,000 | 2020-12-28 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) joined a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives to pass legislation that would increase the second round of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) to $2,000 for individual adults and fix the definition of dependents in both rounds of payments. After10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, every Iowa family and community has felt the effects of this public health crisis and the economic turmoil that came with it. Since March, I've worked to craft and pass relief to help Iowa but sadly the bipartisan spirit that enabled Congress to act quickly in March has faded,with arbitrary caps preventingmore substantial relief and delaying it unnecessarily,said Rep. Axne.$600 won't cover a month's rent and necessities in Iowa but my Republican colleagues in the Senate have insisted that they will approve no more than that to put money in Iowans' pockets and hold off economic ruin. I hope that this bipartisan vote in the House today to raise payments to $2,000, an amount supported by President Trump, can change their minds and enable us to give more help to those who are struggling. The Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help (CASH) Act of 2020 amends the coronavirus (COVID-19) relief deal approved by Congress last week to set new amounts for EIPs at $2,000 for individuals, $4,000 for joint filing couples, and $2,000 for dependents. The CASH Act also changes the definition of a dependent to include children 17 or older who are still claimed as dependents on their parents' tax returns as well as adult dependents that still rely on their relatives' care. This change would apply to both rounds of EIPs, entitling families who missed a dependent payment in the first round of EIPs to apply for these credits on their 2020 tax return. The current definition of dependents doesn't reflect the reality of need in Iowa. I've heard from Iowans with older dependents that were under just as much strain if not more as families with younger children, said Rep. Axne. I fought to see this definition ch… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-statement-stimulus-checks-covid-19-relief-deal | Rep. Axne Statement on Stimulus Checks in COVID-19 Relief Deal | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, Rep.Cindy Axne (IA-03) issued the following statement on President Trump's recent remarks regarding the direct payments included in recent bipartisan COVID-19 relief agreement: I agree with the President's concern that the stimulus checks in the current bipartisan agreement are not adequate in the face of months of hardship facing Iowa families and would direct him to the members of his own party who just last weekblocked larger checks. I supported including larger stimulus checks, and stand ready to work with the President and my colleagues in Congress toincrease those amounts. We cannot, however, lose sight of the fact that millions of Americans will lose their unemployment benefits and the government will shut down if an agreement is not signed soon. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/axne-statement-iowa-s-second-congressional-district | Axne Statement on Iowa’s Second Congressional District | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, Representative Cindy Axne (IA-03) issued the following statement on the petition filed by Rita Hart to the Committee on House Administration concerning the election in Iowa's Second Congressional District: First and foremost, it is clear that no Iowan should ever be told again that their vote won't potentially make the difference in the outcome of an election. We've seen the margin of this race continue to tighten, and both candidates acknowledge that there are still votes left to be counted in what has become one of the closest federal elections of the past century. It is critical that every Iowan's voice is heard in this election and to that end, Rita Hart has Constitutional and legal grounds to pursue that goal at the federal level. I support a transparent process that ensures every properly-cast vote in this contest is counted. It is the only way to give Iowa voters full faith and confidence in the outcome of this historically-close election. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-joins-call-additional-child-care-support-working-families | Rep. Axne Joins Call for Additional Child Care Support for Working Families | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Yesterday, Reps.Cindy Axne (IA-03),Katie Porter (CA-10), andLinda Sanchez (CA-38)sent a letter to urge the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to issue guidance expanding dependent care assistance plans (DCAPs) to cover virtual child care. DCAPs are an annual use-it-or-lose it account that allow working families to set aside pre-tax income to help cover the rising costs of child care. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many child care facilities have had to close their doors or limit the number of children they serve and others have moved online to continue offering care for working families. However, IRS guidance has not kept up with this shift to online child care. While DCAPs cover in-person child care programming, they do not cover virtual programming. As a result, families are facing growing challenges affording child care and keeping their children engaged. With schools closed or only partially open, families face growing childcare costs, and many are struggling to find a way to keep kids engaged safely. Many programs have shifted to an online format, and it's time that we join them, allowing working parents to use [DCAP] funds to pay for online services,the members wrote.Taking this commonsense step will give working parents the flexibility they need to support their children's social, emotional, and intellectual wellbeing in a safe way during the pandemic. As a mother who has personally experienced the difficulty of paying for child care, Rep. Axne has championed efforts to help families better afford child care during the current public health emergency. In May, Rep. AxneintroducedtheCOVID-19 Dependent Care Flexible Spending Arrangement Rollover Act of 2020, legislation that would allow DCAPs to roll over from 2020 to 2021. Allowing DCAPs to roll over would protect families from losing out on hundreds or thousands of dollars of their hard-earned contributions. Axne's proposal has garneredbipartisan support inbothchambersof Congress. Rep. Axne has consistentlyadvocatedfor including her COVID-19 Dependent Care Flex… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/key-axne-priorities-included-bipartisan-agreement-fund-critical-programs-and | Key Axne Priorities Included in Bipartisan Agreement to Fund Critical Programs and Priorities, Secure New COVID-19 Relief | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, the U.S. House of Representatives advanced a comprehensive package of legislation that includes a wide variety of priorities and provisions fought for by Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) over the past year. The bipartisan agreement, H.R. 133, includes a new round of coronavirus (COVID-19) relief for Iowa's families and communities, provisions to help crack down on surprise medical billing, and full funding for government programs through the end of Fiscal Year 2021. This is a long-overdue measure that will help Iowans in need. From direct support for Iowa families to long-term protections provided by new federal law, this legislation does a great deal to not only provide the assistance needed in the midst of a dark winter of health and economic crises, but also invest in the success of our communities and businesses for years to come,said Rep. Axne.While this legislation is not perfect,I'm pleased to see key priorities that I have worked to secure this Congress included in the final agreement, such as an extension of unemployment benefits and another round of direct payments, rental assistance and an extension of the eviction moratorium, authorization to roll over unused child care savings into 2021, and provisions to support expansion of broadband connectivity, assistance for our biofuels industry, and much more. The COVID-19 relief sections of the legislation contain key priorities championed by Rep. Axne, including: $25 billion for the first-ever emergency federal rental assistance program to help families impacted by COVID-19 that are struggling to make rent or have past-due rent and utility payments, as well as an extension of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) eviction moratorium through January 31, 2021. An additional $300 per week for all workers receiving unemployment benefits through March 14, 2021. An additional round of Economic Impact Payments of $600 for individuals making up to $75,000 per year, $1,200 for couples making up to $150,000 per year, and $600 for each child dependen… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-statement-sixth-continuing-resolution-vote-116th-congress | Rep. Axne Statement on Sixth Continuing Resolution Vote of the 116th Congress | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, Rep. Cindy Axne(IA-03) issued the following statement on the U.S. House of Representatives passing a two-day continuing resolution: Last week, Congress decided it needed one more week to do its two most important jobs: wield the power of thepurse andhelp our constituents when they are in need. Today, we're saying we need two more days. This continuing resolution, my sixth as a freshman member, should not allow us to thinkwe can continue to delaybefore finalizingthis deal. The time for this agreement was months ago. The least we can do for families now, before the holidays, is to stop kicking the can down the road, throwing in last minute poison pills, and lingering any longer on aid that is desperately needed. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/senate-advances-axne-bill-honor-mother-4-h-president-s-desk | Senate Advances Axne Bill to Honor the ‘Mother of 4-H’ to President’s Desk | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Last night, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation authored byRep. Cindy Axne(IA-03) to rename the U.S. Post Office in Clarinda in honor of Jessie Field Shambaugh, the former school superintendent from Page County and longtime Iowa educator known to many as the Mother of 4-H.' I'm pleased that this bill is now headed to the President for signature, and I'm proud we're just one step away from permanently recognizing the legacy that Jessie Field Shambaugh left in Iowa and across America. Jessie Field Shambaugh was a pioneering vision, and I owe the values of leadership, engagement, and community that I hold to experiences as a 4-H kid, said Rep. Axne. I would also like to thank Senators Grassley and Ernst for their help advancing this bill through the Senate. Shambaugh began teaching in Page County in 1901, and formed the Boys Corn Club and the Girls Home Club to teach students essential skills for the farm and home through extracurricular programs.To boost participationinthe Clubs, she created a clover pin with each leaf labeled with an H. Her designbecame the symbol of 4-H in 1914 when the Smith-Lever Act established the Cooperative ExtensionSystem atthe USDA, formalizing 4-H clubs across the country. Today, over 6 million schoolchildren participate in 4-H activities learning life skills, leadership, and cooperation through the same values of Head, Hands, Heart, and Health' that Shambaugh helpedpioneerover a century ago. Shambaugh was also an author, radiocontributoron KFNF in Shenandoah, and the mother of two children. She was born in 1881 near Shenandoah, studied at Shenandoah's Western Normal College, graduated Tabor College in Fremont County, and was elected superintendent of schools in Page County in 1906. She died in 1971 inClarinda. In 1977, Shambaugh was named to the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame. The bill introduced by Rep. Axne to rename the post office at 101 S. 16thStreet is cosponsored by the other three members of the Iowa House delegation: Reps. Abby Finkenauer (IA-01), Dave Loebsack (IA-02),… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-finkenauer-s-bipartisan-child-care-economic-development-act | House Passes Finkenauer’s Bipartisan Child Care is Economic Development Act | 2020-11-17 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. House on Tuesday passed Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer's (IA-01) bipartisan Child Care is Economic Development Act of 2020. The legislation, cosponsored by Congressman Jim Hagedorn (R-MN), passed the full House on a voice vote. Too many hard-working families are being forced to pass on career opportunities simply because quality and affordable child care is impossible to come by, Congresswoman Abby Finknenauer said. The Child Care is Economic Development Act takes an important step in helping solve a problem that has been made significantly worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in rural Iowa. I am happy to have found partners across the aisle, yet again, who are willing to help address the child care crisis, and who realize a full economic recovery includes ensuring working parents are able to go to work and feel comfortable their kids are in good hands, Finkenauer said. The bipartisanChild Careis Economic Development Act of 2020would ensure plans to increase access to affordable, quality child care are included in federally supported Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), aiding local communities in planning for and building affordable child care into their local economic development projects. Finkenauer's legislation addresses concerns that scarce child care options are hurting economic opportunities in Iowa. Iowan Dan Levi, co-chair of the Black Hawk County Child Care Coalition, expressed those concerns ina Small Business Rural Development, Agriculture, Trade, and Entrepreneurship (RATE) subcommittee hearingchaired by Finkenauer earlier this year. In September, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, under Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), advanced the legislation. DeFazio reiterated his support on Tuesday with the bill's passage. Access to affordable child care is critical to economic development. More than half of American households live in child care deserts, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further limited child care opportunities,Chairman DeFazio said.… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/historic-8927-votes-behalf-iowans | Historic: 8,927 Votes on Behalf of Iowans | 2020-11-17 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley today released the following statement regarding his record vote streak of 8,927 uninterrupted votes since 1993. I'm disappointed I wasn't able to vote today in the Senate, but the health of others is more important than any record. My voting streak reflects how seriously I take my commitment to represent Iowans. Choosing not to potentially expose others to this deadly virus is obviously the right and responsible thing to do, Grassley said. While I await the results of my coronavirus test, I'm continuing to work for Iowans from home. After my quarantine ends, I'll be back in the Senate to represent Iowans and vote on their behalf. I urge my fellow Iowans and all Americans to follow public health guidelines for their own sake and for the sake of their friends, families and communities. Grassley today announced that he would begin quarantining per CDC and local public health guidelines and at the recommendation of his doctors. Due to his quarantine, today marks the first votes Grassley has not cast in service to Iowans in more than 27 years. Grassley has cast 8,927 consecutive votes and continues to hold the record for longest length of time without missing a vote in the history of the Senate. Grassley broke this record in January 2016, which was previously held by the late Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire. July 20, 1993 marks the date when Grassley's current consecutive voting streak began. The last vote Grassley missed occurred in 1993 when he was in Iowa with President Bill Clinton due to the terrible floods that ravaged the state. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-statement-iowa-s-new-covid-19-mitigation-efforts | Rep. Axne Statement on Iowa’s New COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts | 2020-11-16 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) issued the following statement on the announcement of new statewide measures in Iowa aimed to slowing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19): The rapid uptick of new cases and staggering positivity rates in Iowa have put our state at the epicenter of this latest and deadliest surge of COVID-19 in the U.S.Our hospitals and health care workers are stretched to their limits, and the safety and prosperity of all Iowans are threatened by this outbreak. These new mitigation measures announced by Governor Reynolds tonight are a step toward slowing the unsustainable spread of this virus, but nothing will improve in Iowa if Iowans don't take these new requirements seriously. As we near 200,000 positive cases and mourn almost 2,000 Iowans lost to this devastating disease, we have to recognize that will take every single one of us doing our part wearing masks, foregoing large gatherings, and practicing social distancing to reverse this alarming trend. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-encourages-iowans-do-their-part-fight-against-coronavirus | Grassley Encourages Iowans to Do Their Part in Fight against Coronavirus | 2020-11-16 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today encouraged Iowans to redouble their efforts in the fight against the coronavirus. His statement comes as Governor Kim Reynolds outlined new temporary measures to combat rising infections in the state. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Gov. Reynolds has taken a data-driven approach to combating the coronavirus that respects the unique situations and needs throughout our state. As infections are on the rise in virtually all communities in the heartland, I join Gov. Reynolds in calling on all Iowans to double down on measures to help stop the spread in a responsible manner. Everyone should consider what they can do in their own way to help keep their families and communities safe and healthy. For the Grassleys, this means we are not going to have our typical large Thanksgiving Day family gathering. We've been wearing masks and practicing social distancing when we do encounter others. We've also taken part in virtual events in lieu of in-person gatherings and stepped up efforts to sanitize often. Gov. Reynolds knows the dangers posed by the coronavirus as well as the harm that comes from shutting down Iowa's economy. Commonsense steps like the ones announced today strike a good balance that encourages Iowans to go about their lives as safely and as normally as possible while keeping our state open for business. I encourage all Iowans to join in this effort, Grassley said. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-let-s-work-together-stop-coronavirus-surge | Grassley: Lets Work Together to Stop the Coronavirus Surge | 2020-11-16 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Let's Work Together to Stop the Coronavirus Surge Monday, November 16, 2020 Although promising vaccines for the coronavirus are on the horizon; it's more important than ever to stop the surge. Countries across the world are seeing cases explode. It's critical for Iowans to step up their personal responsibility, to stay safe and healthy. For themselves and their loved ones. That includes our tireless health care professionals on the front lines, working to save lives. This virus is hitting rural and urban areas. No community is immune. I ask every Iowan to continue to do their part to keep their family and neighbors safe. Wash your hands. Limit your activity outside your household. Social distance. Wear a mask. We're going to get through this together but we need everyone to do their part. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-paying-tribute-former-us-senator-roger-jepsen | Grassley Paying Tribute to Former U.S. Senator Roger Jepsen | 2020-11-16 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Paying Tribute to Former U.S. Senator Roger Jepsen Monday, November 16, 2020 Today, I pay tribute to our former colleague and my friend, former U.S. Senator Roger Jepsen. He passed away last Friday, at age 91, at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, in the Quad-Cities. An Iowa native and American patriot, Roger devoted his life in service to his family, faith and community. He spent his youth on his family farm near Cedar Falls, about five miles from where I was born. I wasn't acquainted with Roger until he represented Scott County in the Iowa Legislature. I wish I would've known him earlier when we were neighbors as children. For 14 years, he served our country in the United States Army. He was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division and later served in the Army Reserves. Roger worked for 20 years in the life insurance business and was a member of the National Association of Life Underwriters. Along the way, Roger answered the call to public service and civic leadership. For more than two decades, he climbed the ranks of elected office in service to his community and the state of Iowa. He started out as a county supervisor in Scott County and went on to represent his neighbors in Iowa Senate District 15. An active grassroots leader in the Republican Party of Iowa, Roger served as a delegate to the National GOP Convention in 1972 and 1980. In 1968, he was elected as Iowa's 39th Lieutenant Governor, where he served with Governor Bob Ray for two terms. Until Iowa adopted reforms under a constitutional amendment in 1972, the office for governor and lieutenant governor were on the ballot every two years in my home state. In 1978, when I won re-election to Iowa's then-third congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, Roger Jepsen flipped Iowa's U.S. Senate seat. He defeated the incumbent Senator Dick Clark. At the time, political observers gave Roger scant chance for a victory. But on Election Day, he pulled off the upse… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-warren-urge-fda-initiate-overdue-rulemaking-so-hearing-aids-can-be-made | Grassley, Warren Urge FDA to Initiate Overdue Rulemaking So That Hearing Aids Can Be Made Available Over-the-Counter | 2020-11-16 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Grassley and Warren's Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act was signed into law in 2017 and requires the FDA to issue draft rules by August 2020, but the FDA has yet to do soHearing loss continues to be a problem for millions of Americans, but only around 14 percent of Americans with hearing loss use hearing aidsWASHINGTON Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate its overdue rules for over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids without further delay. Warren and Grassley's Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act, which was signed into law in 2017 to remove outdated regulations blocking consumer access to affordable hearing aids, required the FDA to issue these proposed regulations no later than August 18, 2020.According to the National Institute on Aging, nearly one in three Americans between the ages of 65 and 74, and almost half of people over the age of 75, have difficulty hearing.Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older Americans, the senators wrote. Unfortunately, although hearing aids are considered prescription products, they are not generally covered by health insurance or original Medicare and can cost thousands of dollars. Only around 14 percent of Americans with hearing loss use hearing aids. The Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act amends the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and allows the FDA to categorize certain hearing aids as over-the-counter. The impact of the novel coronavirus on the agency's priorities and workload cannot be overstated, and we appreciate the FDA's continued efforts to respond to this global crisis that has profoundly affected so many Americans. However, despite the pandemic, hearing loss continues to be a problem for millions of Americans, and we believe that the FDA must also make issuing the OTC hearing aid regulations a priority, consistent with the law, the senators continued. Their latest lette… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-leads-charge-against-threats-340b-drug-discount-program | Rep. Axne Leads Charge Against Threats to 340B Drug Discount Program | 2020-11-13 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, Reps.Cindy Axne(IA-03), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), David B. McKinley, P.E. (WV-01) Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), John Katko (NY-24), and Doris Matsui (CA-06) led a bipartisan letter with 211 representatives to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service urging immediate action to protect prescription drug discounts for safety net providers provided through the 340B program. The letter also requests information from HHS on attempts by drug manufacturers and third-party vendors to unilaterally shift the 340B program from a discount model to a rebate model. The letter followsreports that Kalderos, a third-party vendor, is working with pharmaceutical companies to change how providers receive 340B drugs reportedly shifting from a discount to a rebate formula as part of a platform called 340B Pay, which was announcedin September. 340B program covered entities including Federally Qualified Health Centers, Ryan White HIV/AIDS Clinics, safety net hospitals, rural hospitals, and children's hospitals help improve access to affordable prescription drugs and essential health services in underserved areas. Right now, these providers are also working to protect the health and safety of their patients as we combat COVID-19,the members wrote.We are deeply concerned that the use of a rebate model could threaten the ability of covered entities to access 340B savings and provide accessible, affordable prescription drugs and critical health care services to millions of low-income Americans the 340B program is intended to serve. To protect safety net providers and their patients, we urge you to make clear that manufacturers may not implement a 340B rebate model without approval from HRSA. Background: Rep. Axne has worked to ensure the 340B program continues to offer access to affordable medications and health care services for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured Iowans. In September, Rep. Axneled a letterto HHS requesting they rescind or decline to enforce an Executive orderwhich would drive up the costs of insulin and epin… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-applauds-three-central-iowa-businesses-recognized-hiring-iowa-s | Rep. Axne Applauds Three Central Iowa Businesses Recognized for Hiring Iowa’s Veterans | 2020-11-10 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today,Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03)applauded three central Iowa businesses recognized for their commitment to employing veterans through awards from the U.S. Department of Labor. I know our Iowa veterans havethe grit, skills, and work ethic that can help any business grow and compete,said Rep. Axne.It is great to see we have three employers from central Iowa recognized for their commitment to hiring Iowa's veterans. Earlier today,two Des Moines businesses and one Urbandale business received Gold level awards from the Department of Labor's HIRE Vets Medallion Program. The businesses recognized from Iowa's Third Congressional District are: Clarklift of Des Moines, Inc. of Des Moines Johnsrud Transport, Inc. of Des Moines Titan Roofing and Exteriors of Urbandale Established by the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2017 (HIRE Vets Act), the HIRE Vets Medallion Program is the onlyfederalprogram that recognizes and honors job creators for their investments in recruiting, employing, and retaining our Nation's veterans. Rep. Axne is committed to making sure veterans and servicemembers can find employment after their service. Earlier this year,she introduced bipartisan legislationto expand skills training and certifications for National Guard and Reserve members. The Transition for Success Act also helps connects veterans with some of the best employers in the country, which is why the legislation wassupportedby Amazon, Microsoft, and many more. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-congratulates-first-district-businesses-veteran-hiring-award | Finkenauer Congratulates First District Businesses for Veteran Hiring Award | 2020-11-10 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) on Tuesday congratulated Circle Computer Resources of Cedar Rapids and Marion Process Solutions of Marion for their recognition as Platinum Medallion awardees under the U.S. Department of Labor's HIRE Vets Medallion Program. The companies earned the recognition for hiring or retaining military veterans as employees. They were honored on Tuesday afternoon in a virtual ceremony organized by the Department of Labor. As we prepare to observe and celebrate Veterans Day, it's incredible to see local businesses earn this national recognition for their commitment to hiring military veterans, Congresswoman Finkenauer said. Veterans bring skill, commitment and valuable perspective to the workplace when they're given the opportunity. Congratulations to Circle Computer Resources and Marion Process Solutions for this recognition, and thank you for helping Iowa veterans succeed. Circle Computer Resources received a platinum HIRE Vets Medallion awarded to medium-sized companies with 51-499 employees. Marion Process Solutions earned the platinum medallion for small businesses with under 50 employees. To meet the criteria for a platinum medallion, at least 10 percent of the companies' new hires in 2019 had to be veterans, or they had to retain at least 85 percent of veteran workers for at least a year and maintain a workforce comprised of at least 10 percent veterans. Additional HIRE Vets Medallion Award criteria can be found here. Background on the HIRE Vets Medallion Program: Established by the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2017 (HIRE Vets Act), the HIRE Vets Medallion Program is the only federal program that recognizes and honors job creators for their investments in recruiting, employing, and retaining our Nation's veterans. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-questions-doj-biden-family-fara-compliance-stemming-business-deals | Grassley Questions DOJ on Biden Family FARA Compliance Stemming from Business Deals with Chinese Communist-Backed Energy Tycoons | 2020-11-10 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is calling on the Justice Department to evaluate whether Hunter and James Biden should have registered as foreign agents for their business arrangements with the Chinese government-back energy company CEFC. The company was actively seeking to build influence in the United States when it partnered with the Bidens. The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) is a content-neutral law that promotes transparency by requiring individuals to register with the Justice Department if they are acting as an agent of a foreign government or enterprise to influence U.S. policy or public opinion. In a letter to Attorney General William Barr, Grassley is seeking details on what steps, if any, the Justice Department has taken to determine whether the Bidens complied with FARA. When the available evidence is taken as a whole, it is clear that CEFC intended to make inroads in the United States for the purpose of expanding its business and used Hunter Biden and his business associates to help effectuate that intent. In pursuit of its goals, it appears that CEFC may have taken action to influence U.S. policy and public opinion in its favor and gain access to several U.S. politicians in an attempt to curry favor for potential business transactions, Grassley wrote. Grassley has long raised concerns about the Justice Department's sparse and selective FARA enforcement, which is designed to aid policymakers in understanding the origins and beneficiaries of foreign influence campaigns. As then-Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassleyraised concernsabout lax FARA enforcement in 2015 regarding lobbying work by former Clinton administration officials for a Georgian political party, and again in 2016 regarding aRussian effortto overturn U.S. sanctions. Grassley alsoraised concernsabout work for Ukrainians by Paul Manafort and the Podesta Group. Grassley held a hearingon the issue where Paul Manafort wassubpoenaedto testify. Manafort was laterindictedfor FARA violations. Grassley also rai… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-statement-current-surge-covid-19-iowa | Rep. Axne Statement on Current Surge of COVID-19 in Iowa | 2020-11-09 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) issued the following statement on the spiking case counts and hospitalizations related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iowa: Over the past month,therepeatedly shattered records of new COVID-19 cases,thepositivity rates, hospitalizations, andoutbreaks in congregate living facilities have erased any ability for Iowans to think that this virus is under control in our state. It is clear that current tactics aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Iowa are not sufficient to stop this latest and most deadly surge of the virus. Urging personal responsibility is the job of every Iowan when speaking to their friends and neighbors but in the face of a 50% surge in total cases in the past month and a deeply disturbing spike in hospitalizations, real and direct action must be taken to reverse this trend. Three weeks ago, when hospitalizations were at half of the current level, Rep. Axne called on Iowa's public health and emergency management leadership to provide information on contingency plans available in case of hospital bed shortages. Rep. Axne has previously called for Iowa to follow recommendations of the White House Coronavirus Task Force and implement a statewide mask mandate to slow the spread of COVID-19. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/axne-urges-agreement-covid-19-relief-end-year | Axne Urges Agreement on COVID-19 Relief Before End of Year | 2020-11-05 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) continued her efforts pushing leaders in Washington to finalize an agreement on coronavirus (COVID-19) relief and stimulus before the end of the year and the closing of the 116th Congress. In a new letter to President Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Axne highlighted the continued strain facing Iowa's families and businesses and the rising case counts burdening Iowa's assisted living facilities. With two months remaining in the 116th Congress, I urge you to act swiftly to reach a full agreement to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and provide relief to Americans who are suffering from the economic fallout, wrote Rep. Axne. It has now been more than seven months since the CARES Act became law, and the lack of action on COVID relief since then has resulted in thousands of businesses closing their doors, millions of Americans worrying about their economic future, and has diminished our ability to effectively respond to this crisis. Now that campaigning has concluded, we must come together and pass a meaningful package of assistance for Americans. In her letter, Rep. Axne also highlights additional provisions of federal coronavirus relief that will expire at the end of the year should additional action not be taken. The public health risks that have ledthe CDC to issue eviction moratoriums during this crisis will only be exacerbated by the winter, and the CDC's moratorium also expires in December, wrote Rep. Axne. Families will need support to get through the winter and to prevent a wave of evictions in January. Anyone who has experienced the winter in Iowa knows that heat is not optional, and we must help pay heating and utility bills to save lives. The full text of her letter can be found below here: Dear President Trump, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader McConnell, With two months remaining in the 116th Congress, I urge you to act swiftly to reach a full agreement to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and provide relief to Americans who are suffe… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-announces-staff-fall-office-hours-36-counties | Grassley Announces Staff Fall Office Hours in 36 Counties | 2020-11-04 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA Sen. Chuck Grassley's (R-Iowa) regional directors based in Cedar Rapids, Sioux City, Davenport, Des Moines and Council Bluffs will hold traveling office hours in 36 counties around Iowa throughout November. Iowans seeking assistance regarding a personal issue with a federal agency or wishing to share concerns on matters of federal policy may stop by during the scheduled hours. These meetings will follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and the state of Iowa. Participants are encouraged to wear face masks or coverings and are required to follow all social distancing guidelines. Grassley is represented by his regional directors, Jacob Bossman, Rochelle Fuller, Penny Vacek, Donna Barry and Adam DoBraska, and he will not be in attendance. Grassley's state offices regularly help constituents contact federal agencies to resolve problems with Social Security payments, military service matters, immigration cases and other issues. My top priority is serving the people of Iowa. Traveling office hours is one way of doing that. My staff helps Iowans with issues they may have with the federal government, and I hope anyone experiencing problems will use this resource, Grassley said. Due to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, some areas in the state may put in place new meeting requirements or restrictions. Please refer to our website for the most updated information regarding each meeting HERE. The schedule is as follows: Thursday, November 5 Regional Director Jacob Bossman: O'Brien County 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Paullina City Hall 127 S Main St. Paullina Osceola County 11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Ashton State Bank 317 3rd St. Ashton Lyon County 2 p.m. 3 p.m. Forster Community Center 405 S. 2nd Ave. Rock Rapids Tuesday, November 10 Regional Director Jacob Bossman: Ida County 9:15 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Galva City Hall 116 S. Main St. Galva Sac County 11 a.m. 12 p.m. Lake View City Hall 305 Main St. Lake View Buena Vista County 2 p.m. 3 p.m. Newell City Hall 207 E. 2nd St. Newell Regional … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-announces-rural-development-funds-three-northeastern-iowa | Finkenauer Announces Rural Development Funds for Three Northeastern Iowa Communities | 2020-11-02 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) announced on Monday three new USDA Rural Development Project loans to improve sewer and wastewater systems in Northeastern Iowa. "Improving infrastructure in our communities is critical and we must continue to support the projects that will make a real difference, especially in rural Iowa, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. I am happy to see three important projects receiving support from the USDA and look forward to seeing the improvement in Iowans' daily lives and in economic development for these communities." The USDA Rural Development funds will be distributed as follows: Eastern Iowa Regional Utilities Service (EIRUSS) The Eastern Iowa Regional Utilities Service (EIRUSS) will receive a total of $1,863,000 ($700,000 loan and $1,163,000 grant) from the USDA to construct a community sewer system for the unsewered community of Petersburg. City of North English The City of North English will receive a $610,000 grant to help complete improvements already in progress to the City of North English's existing wastewater system. Project funds will help construct a 3-cell aerated lagoon to replace the existing treatment plant, add Ultraviolet disinfection, install new lining of the collection system, replace a lift station and replace deteriorated service lines that are contributing to infiltration and inflow. Winneshiek County Winneshiek County will receive a $76,000 loan to complete sewer system infrastructure improvements that are already in progress. Project funds will help to upgrade existing sewer system pumps, controls and the electrical system. These improvements will ensure proper system operation and meet peak demands and provide higher quality water pressure for the 166 residents of the surrounding community. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-announces-usda-rural-development-grant-eastern-iowa | Finkenauer Announces USDA Rural Development Grant for Eastern Iowa | 2020-11-02 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) announced on Monday a $180,000 USDA Rural Development grant for East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA) in Dubuque, Iowa. The grant will help expand technical assistance and training in the ECIA service area. "Providing access to training opens up more opportunity in our communities by ensuring Iowans are ready to be hired for good-paying jobs, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said."I'm happy to see this investment in Dubuque and excited for the new opportunities that will come from the training and assistance ECIA will provide." This Rural Development investment will be used to assist East Central Intergovernmental Association in providing technical assistance and training of 18 recipients in its service area. ECIA may provide assistance and training in education, health services, community services and access to global markets. All training will be one-on-one and group sessions. The East Central Intergovernmental Association serves Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque and Jackson counties. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-completes-2020-social-media-series-cornwatch-soybeanwatch | Grassley Completes 2020 Social Media Series #CornWatch, #SoybeanWatch | 2020-11-02 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a family farmer, completed his two social media series called #CornWatch and #SoybeanWatch for 2020. The annual series gives followers an inside look at farming operations on the Grassley family farm in New Hartford, Iowa. Over the course of 28 weeks, he highlighted the progression, from planting to harvest, of the farm's corn and soybean crops. Most people have never stepped foot on a family farm, let alone know about all the complexities that go into planting, growing and harvesting a bountiful crop. The purpose of my #CornWatch and #SoybeanWatch series is to highlight how only 2 percent of Americans do the work that feeds and fuels the world. The process of seeing a crop from beginning to end is one that many wouldn't have an opportunity to see, including most of my colleagues in Washington. My hope is that everyone was able to learn more about farming through my series and how important farming is to our country's success, Grassley said. As one of only two farmers in the United States Senate and the senior senator of one of the top agricultural states in the country, Grassley has been an outspoken advocate for farmers and Rural America. Grassley has been a steadfast proponent of theRenewable Fuel Standard. He's continued to act as a watchdog over the EPA and work with President Trump and his administration so the agency does not undercut ethanol and biodiesel production. Grassley's also been a champion for the biodiesel industry, ensuring that thebiodiesel tax creditwas guaranteed by Congress through 2022.Iowa farmers have had a particularly difficult year due to market disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, the severe derecho storm that hit the state and drought. Grassley worked with his colleagues while crafting federal pandemic relief legislation to ensure farmers weren't left behind, including providing an additional $14 billion for the Commodity Credit Corporation and $9.5 billion specifically for agricultural producers.Following the derecho, Grassley… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qa-social-security-0 | Q&A: Social Security | 2020-10-30 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Q&A: Social Security With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: Is there a plan in Congress to defund Social Security? A: No. Every few years, almost like clockwork, there are claims that there are serious proposals to destroy the Social Security program that so many of our seniors and workers on disability have invested in and depend on to make ends meet. This year is no exception. Let me set the record straight. No legislation whatsoever exists to eliminate payroll taxes or defund Social Security. Any attempt to distort the truth to manipulate and scare seniors and American workers on disability is wrong. Thankfully, Iowans are an astute electorate who carry forward a strong legacy of civic engagement and informed views, so I don't expect that Iowans will be taken in by tactics like these. The reality is there is a strong commitment on both sides of the aisle among Republicans and Democrats alike to keep the Social Security program intact and on sound financial footing. When it comes to Social Security, I will always work to uphold the social contract that guarantees hard-earned benefits to seniors for generations to come. Q: What is the solvency status of the Social Security trust funds? A: According to the most recent annual report released in April, the nonpartisan Social Security Board of Trustees calculated the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) trust funds had a surplus of $2.5 billion in 2019, ending with $2.9 trillion in reserves at the end of last year. Looking ahead, the board of trustees projects Social Security will draw down these asset reserves by 2035. That doesn't mean Social Security is broke in 15 years. At that time, according to the report, assets would be sufficient to pay 79 percent of monthly benefits. Currently about 64 million people receive monthly benefits; 54 million retirees, spouses and survivors from the OASI trust fund and 10 million individuals from the disability trust fund. Payroll taxes are collected to fund benefits. These taxes FICA (Fede… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-announces-3-million-disaster-recovery-aid-iowa-counties-impacted | Finkenauer Announces up to $3 Million in Disaster Recovery Aid for Iowa Counties Impacted by August Derecho | 2020-10-29 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) on Thursday announced U.S. Department of Labor grants of up to $3 million to aid workers and communities impacted by the derecho storm that devastated much of eastern Iowa on Aug. 10. An initial grant of $1 million will be used to create debris-cleanup and humanitarian assistance jobs in 16 counties affected by the storm including Benton, Jones, Linn, Marshall, Poweshiek and Tama counties in the First District. Additional funds could be released, and additional counties may be added to the program at a later date. The National Dislocated Worker grant is provided through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, and intended to expand worker training and employment opportunities to respond to disasters and economic events causing large job losses. "This program is a win-win, providing immediate jobs for displaced workers, building long-term job skills and helping clean up and rebuild Iowa communities affected by this terrible disaster, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-announces-new-federal-investment-high-speed-internet-osage-municipal | Finkenauer Announces New Federal Investment in High-Speed Internet for Osage Municipal Utilities | 2020-10-29 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) on Thursday announced a $368,845 grant for the expansion of broadband internet service in Mitchell County. The grant, awarded to Osage Municipal Utilities through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's ReConnect program, will help fund a $491,793 project to deploy high-speed internet to 154 households including 397 people, 27 farms, 14 businesses and a post office. "High-speed internet is essential to the health, education and economic opportunity of families, small businesses and farmers in Iowa,"Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said."This grant and others like it from the ReConnect program expand broadband and help make our rural communities more vibrant, successful and inviting." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/bipartisan-due-process-act-aims-protect-americans-asset-forfeiture-abuse | Bipartisan DUE PROCESS Act Aims to Protect Americans from Asset Forfeiture Abuse | 2020-10-29 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON A bipartisan group of senators this week introduced legislation to protect property owners whose assets are seized by the federal government. The DUE PROCESS Act is sponsored by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) all members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Asset forfeiture laws are important and valuable tools for law enforcement to gain control over assets used to further terrorism and the drug trade, but as we've seen, they can also be abused. This bill is designed to protect the rights of people whose property has been seized without any judicial finding of wrongdoing. It's a step in the right direction to ensure that seizures happen in accordance with the law and that constitutional rights are protected, Grassley said. Asset forfeiture authorities are effective tools for law enforcement, but we have seen time and again these tools are ripe for abuse. Too often Americans do not receive notice that their property was seized, or the civil seizure is never connected to any charged criminal conduct. This legislation would affirm our commitment to Americans' most fundamental constitutional rights, ensuring that due process never takes a back seat to expediency, Leahy said. Requiring Americans to prove the government took their property improperly, rather than the government proving guilt, undermines our system of justice.Commonsense restraints on civil asset forfeiture are necessary for protecting the rights of law-abiding Americans. This legislation will provide needed safeguards for those whose assets have been unjustifiably seized without due cause or conviction, Crapo said. Due process is one of the pillars of our democracy. Seizing property without convicting or even charging the owners with a crime runs contrary to our principles. Our bill would ensure that property rights are respected and that law enforcement cannot abuse the tools used to combat terrorism and organized crime, Feinstein said. An earlier version of th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-feinstein-resolution-designates-national-substance-abuse-prevention | Grassley, Feinstein Resolution Designates ‘National Substance Abuse Prevention Month’ | 2020-10-29 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) this week introduced a resolution designating October as National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, to help raise awareness about substance use and misuse in the United States. Substance abuse affects Americans from all walks of life. While we've done much to address addiction and abuse at the federal level, there is more work to be done. I'm glad to join this bipartisan resolution with my colleagues to raise awareness about substance abuse, the particular obstacles during the COVID pandemic, and the many negative impacts it has on individuals and families in our country, Grassley said. In 2019, an estimated 72,000 American lives, including 6,000 Californians, were lost to drug overdoses that were largely preventable, Feinstein said. Communities nationwide are reporting higher levels of substance abuse, which are being exacerbated by the social isolation and stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. While Congress has taken steps to address the nation's drug use epidemic, including enacting the SUPPORT Act in 2018, we must do more to support programs that help prevent substance abuse from ever starting. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this resolution and help raise awareness about our nation's drug use epidemic. Full text of the resolution can be found HERE.-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-new-trump-administration-health-care-transparency-rule | Grassley Statement on New Trump Administration Health Care Transparency Rule | 2020-10-29 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Grassley Statement on New Trump Administration Health Care Transparency Rule Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today issued the following statement after the Trump Administration issued a final rule requiring more transparency in health care pricing.Upfront transparency in the cost of care is critical information for patients as they make decisions. Requiring all health insurance companies to provide patients with an estimate of out-of-pocket costs before they receive care and disclose their previously secret negotiated prices will provide the 200 million Americans with private health insurance some real insight into the numbers behind their bills. This new rule will help curb some of the dysfunction that has hurt patients for years. This is a critical step for a better, more pro-patient system. I also hope we can codify some of these measures through Senator Braun's PRICE Transparency Act, which I've joined.-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-announces-loans-and-grants-water-infrastructure-projects-maquoketa | Finkenauer Announces Loans and Grants for Water Infrastructure Projects in Maquoketa and Wyoming, Iowa | 2020-10-27 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) on Tuesday announced USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal aid totaling $6.8 million for the city of Maquoketa and the city of Wyoming to improve and ensure safe water and sanitary wastewater disposal. The combination of federal grants and loans will fund the replacement of aging, undersized and corroded water mains in both cities. The awards are as follows: Maquoketa: $6.2 million loan to replace the water main along the city's Platt Street Corridor and upgrade stormwater catch basins. An estimated 6,136 people will benefit from the project. Wyoming: $334,000 loan and $226,000 grant to replace city water mains. The city will contribute an additional $51,000 to the project, which will benefit an estimated 515 people. "Upgrading and improving critical infrastructure improves the quality of life for Iowans and prepares our cities and towns for new economic growth, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. USDA grants and loans like these are critical to the health and wellbeing of Iowa's cities, towns and rural places." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-hassan-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-increase-transparency-and | Grassley, Hassan Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Transparency and Accountability within the Federal Government | 2020-10-27 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Representatives Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Jody Hice (R-GA) Also Introduce Companion Legislation in the U.S. House WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), along with U.S. Representatives Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) and Jody Hice (R-Ga.), are introducing bipartisan legislation to increase transparency and accountability within the federal government. The Oversight.gov Authorization Act would formally authorize the establishment and maintenance of a website to help the public more easily access reports that have been generated by the independent work of Inspectors General (IGs). A government of the people must be accountable to the people. Oversight.gov helps to bring together the great work of our Inspectors General from across the bureaucracy on one comprehensive website for the American people. This one-stop-shop for transparency is essential to improving accountability in the information age, Senator Grassley said. Inspectors General play a critical role in ensuring that hard-earned taxpayer dollars are being put to good use, and it is important that their findings are easily accessible to the public, Senator Hassan said. I am pleased to join Senator Grassley and our colleagues in the House of Representatives in introducing this bipartisan legislation to support the independence and integrity of the IG community by codifying and authorizing funding for a website where the public can access IG reports and get more information on how federal dollars are being spent. Our bill will allow for crucial improvements to be made to Oversight.gov, a central online location for all federal Inspectors General to publish their reports, Representative Lieu said. IGs are critical to rooting out waste, fraud and abuse in our government, and this website will make their findings more accessible to the American people. I am pleased to introduce this bipartisan bill to increase transparency in the IG community. The inspector general community is on the frontlines in combatting waste, fraud, and abuse ac… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-joins-lee-tillis-introduce-smarter-antirust-reform | Grassley Joins Lee, Tillis to Introduce SMARTER Antirust Reform | 2020-10-27 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced the Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules (SMARTER) Act Monday, a bill that would require the Federal Trade Commission to go through the same procedures that the Department of Justice must go through when enforcing antitrust law, and would require the Federal Communications Commission to issue merger review decisions expeditiously. Our antitrust laws are in place to protect consumers and promote competition. We ought to be consistent when determining whether proposed mergers meet these goals, regardless of the agency conducting the review. Our legislation creates a more uniform standard for the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission to ensure greater fairness and simplicity when reviewing proposed mergers and their impacts on consumers, Grassley said. As I've said before, the only people that benefit from uncertainty in antitrust law are antitrust lawyers, Lee said. Both businesses and consumers deserve clarity and certainty when it comes to federal antitrust law enforcement and the SMARTER Act would create a simpler and more equal system. The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice unnecessarily apply different procedures and standards for reviewing proposed mergers, Tillis said. This commonsense legislation will streamline the enforcement of our federal antitrust laws by creating a system of consistency that will benefit consumers and businesses. The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission share concurrent jurisdiction to review proposed mergers for compliance with the antitrust laws but it is not always clear in advance which agency will review a particular merger. Although the two antitrust agencies apply the same substantive law to the mergers they review, their procedures differ in important ways. The SMARTER Act fixes this problem by requiring the Commission to satisfy the same standards that DOJ must meet in order to obtain a prelimin… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-raises-alarm-emergency-covid-19-loan-fraud | Rep. Axne Raises Alarm on Emergency COVID-19 Loan Fraud | 2020-10-26 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) is raising concerns with the Small Business Administration (SBA) after hearing from constituents that they received notice of Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) borrowed fraudulently using their name and personal information. Over the past week, Rep. Axne received confidential reports from her constituents that the SBA hadmailedpaymentnoticeson loans that were borrowed using their personal name and Social Security information without theborrower'sknowledge. Rep. Axne sent a letter to the SBA Administrator today seeking answers for constituents that have discovered this fraud andinformation onhow others might be able to check to ensure this has not happened to them. Those who are now the victims of this fraud and are potentially on the hook for thousands of dollars are rightfully concerned especially during this pandemic and economic recession, Rep. Axne wrote. I seek answersin order to better help constituents get these problems cleared up, and also to better understand how many fraudulent loans were made by the SBA, for how much money, and how the SBA plans to go about identifying fraud in both EIDL and EIDL Advance distributionswhat can my constituents do to check if this happened to them? If a constituent discovers that a loan was taken out in their name, but they did not borrow this loan, what should they do? Important Information for Iowans: While the scope of potential fraud is not certain at this time, Rep. Axne urging Iowans to be on the lookout for any communications from the SBA that may indicate that they unknowingly had money borrowed in their name. Iowans should be cautious, however, when disclosing their status as an EIDL or Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) borrower, as this information could lead to further targeting by scammers attempting to take advantage of the financial vulnerabilities. Iowans who believe they may be a victim of this or other COVID-19 related fraud can confidentially contact Rep. Axne's office here. Background: According to the SBA, over $1 b… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-helps-lead-bipartisan-call-prevent-steep-medicare-reimbursement-cuts | Finkenauer Helps Lead Bipartisan Call to Prevent Steep Medicare Reimbursement Cuts to Specialty Health Providers | 2020-10-23 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC This week, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) helped lead a bipartisan letter asking House leadership to quickly act to prevent significant cuts to Medicare reimbursement for many specialist physicians. Should the scheduled cuts occur, specialty care providers like psychologists, physical therapists, and surgeons could face steep financial challenges in providing essential services to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. On January 1, 2021, Medicare's new Physician Fee Schedule will take effect. The fee schedule is set by the administration's Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. While the new fee schedule provides much-needed reimbursement increases for office-based care, at issue is the current requirement that these beneficial increases are paid for with significant cuts to reimbursement of other medical services. We can't have health care providers taking steep cuts next year while providing their services during a pandemic. We have to preserve reimbursement increases for primary care and office visits while addressing cuts that will reduce access to services like mental health, physical therapy, and surgery in Iowa, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. With this effort, over 200 of my bipartisan colleagues and I made it clear that we have to act quickly and do right by all our doctors and the patients they serve." "If there ever were a time to protect our health care system, it is during a dangerous pandemic, Finkenauer said. Health care providers are already financially, and frankly, emotionally strained while helping save lives and keep folks healthy. It's time for us to help them help others." Finkenauer is one of eight bipartisan members to help lead the letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. In total, 229 House members joined the letter. "In order to safeguard beneficiaries' access to care during this pandemic, we as Congress should examine possible bipartisan solutions to address excessively steep cuts. We encourage you to incorporate th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-announces-10-million-usda-rural-development-loan-electric | Finkenauer Announces $10 Million USDA Rural Development Loan for Electric Infrastructure in Eastern Iowa | 2020-10-22 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) on Thursday announced a $10 million USDA Rural Development loan for the Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative to expand electrical service and install smart grid technologies in northeast Iowa. The $10 million, 35-year loan will fund investments to connect 88 consumers and build or improve more than 400 miles of electrical lines. $6.7 million of the loan will go toward investments in smart grid technologies. The Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative serves about 16,000 members in a service area of more than 3,272 miles across Clinton, Delaware, Cedar, Dubuque, Linn, Clayton, Jones, Buchanan and Jackson counties. "Upgrading our electric grid and extending service in rural areas is essential to making every Iowa community a welcoming place to live and work, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. I'm proud to see this investment into the Maquoketa Valley and excited for the new opportunities the electric cooperative will be able to offerIowa families and entrepreneurs." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-introduces-bipartisan-resolution-recognizing-national-rural-health | Finkenauer Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing National Rural Health Day | 2020-10-22 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) introduced the bipartisan 2020 National Rural Health Day resolution on Thursday to ensure National Rural Health Day is recognized by Congress this year. National Rural Health Day was established to emphasize the importance of rural America and recognize the efforts and contributions to address the unique challenges of providing affordable, accessible health care in rural places. National Rural Health Day is celebrated annually on the third Thursday of November, which this year is November 19. "As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our communities families all over the country are living through an incredibly difficult and worrisome time when it comes to their health, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. In our rural communities, the pandemic presents even greater challenges to the rural health systems that were stressed long before the arrival of COVID-19. The 2020 National Rural Health Day resolution is a chance to honor our amazing rural health care providers and affirm Congress' commitment to working on policy that will ensure affordable and quality health care in rural Iowa and all of rural America." Original cosponsors of the 2020 National Rural Health Day resolution are:Bob Latta (R-OH), Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ), Tom Cole (R-OK), Cindy Axne (D-IA), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Ron Kind (D-WI), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Xochitl Torres-Small (D-NM), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), TJ Cox (D-CA), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Mike Bost (R-IL), Angie Craig (D-MN), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Van Taylor (R-TX), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Don Young (R-AK), Fred Keller (R-PA), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), and Collin Peterson (D-MN). The 2020 National Rural Health Day resolution is supported by:American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, Federation of American Hospitals, GenesisHealthSystem, GundersenHealthSystem, Iowa Hospital Association, Iowa Medical Society, IowaRuralHealthAssociation, Marshfield ClinicHealthSystem, MercyOne, … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-democrats-refusal-move-forward-covid-19-relief-insistence-bailing-out | Grassley on the Democrats’ Refusal to Move Forward on COVID-19 Relief, Insistence on Bailing Out Irresponsible State Governments | 2020-10-22 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa On the Democrats' Refusal to Move Forward on COVID-19 Relief, Insistence on Bailing Out Irresponsible State Governments Thursday, October 22, 2020 There is widespread agreement on the need for more COVID relief for families, small businesses, farms, schools and colleges and additional funding for testing and vaccines. These non-controversial items are being held up by the Democrat leaders' all or nothing negotiating position. One controversial item they insist on is bailing out irresponsible state governments. Iowa's years of sound governance and fiscal responsibility, including a rainy day fund, has paid off in times like this. A study for the Council of State Governments ranked every state's ability to weather the economic impact of the pandemic. It found Iowa to be the most fiscally sound, most resilient state in the country. The CATO Institute ranked our governor's fiscal policy second out of all 50 states. Other states haven't made the same tough decisions and were in the red even before the pandemic. Now Democrats want Iowans' federal tax money to bail out irresponsible state governments? And this is worth holding up relief for struggling families? Come on! -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-importance-renewable-fuels | Grassley on the Importance of Renewable Fuels | 2020-10-22 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa On the Importance of Renewable Fuels Thursday, October 22, 2020 Throughout my tenure in the Senate, I have been a leader in promoting renewable energy sources. This leads to a cleaner environment and increases America's energy independence. But it is concerning to see legislation from progressive members of Congress that would eliminate internal combustion engine vehicles like the vast majority of us drive. In other words, we will all have to buy electric cars. This is supposed to help the environment, but remember, most electrical generation is from fossil fuels. There are more practical solutions available. Currently, renewable fuels can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent, but they would be totally eliminated under this extreme bill. By adding more ethanol and biodiesel to our energy mix, we can reduce emissions while still keeping transportation costs low for working families. I ask my colleagues across the aisle to abandon this radical scheme.If they want a cleaner environment then they should look to renewable fuels produced in our nation's heartland. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-grassley-voters-should-be-skeptical-bidens-pledge-not-raise-middle-class | ICYMI: Grassley: Voters should be skeptical of Biden's pledge to not raise middle class taxes | 2020-10-22 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | NOTE: Grassley's floor speech on Biden's tax plan can be found HERE. ICYMI: Grassley: Voters should be skeptical of Biden's pledge to not raise middle class taxes By Naomi Jagoda Published October 21, 2020 Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Wednesday criticized Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's tax plan, arguing that there are reasons to be skeptical of Biden's claim that he won't raise taxes on people making under $400,000 annually. "Who can blame taxpayers for being skeptical when Mr. Biden says that he won't raise their taxes? Every indication is that he will raise taxes on people below $400,000 a year income," Grassley said in a speech on the Senate floor. Grassley argued that there are several reasons to doubt Biden's pledge. He said that former President Obama had pledged not to raise taxes on individuals making under $200,000 and married couples making under $250,000, but then broke that promise with taxes that were used to pay for ObamaCare. Grassley also argued that business tax increases would get passed along to workers in the form of lower wages. The TPC and AEI analyses estimate that at least some income groups under $400,000 would see increases in their tax burdens in the long-run because of Biden's proposed business tax increases. "With the bulk of Mr. Biden's tax agenda targeted at hiking taxes on capital, the consequences then will be felt throughout the economy in the form of lower wages, fewer jobs and slower economic growth," Grassley said. Additionally, Grassley said that Biden's tax plan doesn't include a proposal to make permanent or extend the middle-class tax cuts for individuals in Trump's 2017 tax law. Those cuts are set to expire after 2025. The 2017 tax law's individual provisions have been estimated to reduce taxes for all income groups on average in the near-term. "A top priority for President Trump and the Congressional Republicans has been to make permanent the middle-class tax cuts that were enacted in 2017," Grassley said. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/barbara-grassley-op-ed-don-t-let-covid-19-delay-breast-health-screenings | Barbara Grassley op-ed: Don’t Let COVID-19 Delay Breast Health Screenings | 2020-10-21 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | So many life events and celebrations, from graduations to birthdays and weddings have been impacted by the pandemic. Earlier this year, when schools shut down and entire sectors of the economy closed to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, it also put the brakes on routine screenings and life-saving check-ups with our health care providers. As a 33-year breast cancer survivor, my message during Breast Cancer Awareness month carries more urgency than ever. Early detection saves lives. According to the National Cancer Institute, missed screenings and delayed care caused by across-the-board shutdowns in our health care delivery system may result in at least 10,000 unnecessary deaths from breast and colon cancer in the next decade. What's more, delayed clinical trials and research may slow advances in new cancer therapies. Oncologists are reporting newly diagnosed cancer patients are starting treatment with advanced stages of disease compared to prior years. That hits close to home for me. My doc who performed my single mastectomy credited early detection for saving my life. Treatment options have continued to improve in the three decades since I heard the four words many women have come to fear: You have breast cancer. After my surgery, I vowed to keep my annual screening appointment and do whatever I could to raise awareness so that more moms, sisters, aunts, and daughters would be empowered to beat their diagnosis and victoriously proclaim their own four words: I am a survivor. Make no mistake, public health guidelines to contain COVID-19 and slow its transmission have saved lives and loved ones. However, it's also true that isolating nursing home residents, shutting down businesses, closing schools and delaying routine health care screenings have created untold consequences that society will reckon with for years to come. During the pandemic, cancer patients may have missed a diagnosis, delayed treatment or put off reconstructive surgery. Others have faced treatments alone, without loved ones to prov… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-biden-s-tax-plan-cold-comfort-middle-income-families | Grassley on Biden’s Tax Plan: Cold Comfort for Middle-income Families | 2020-10-21 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Finance Committee Wednesday, October 21, 2020 In about two weeks, the American people will go to the polls to determine the direction of our nation. There are many important issues voters will consider as they decide which way they'll vote. Their decisions will ultimately determine who's President and the makeup of their representatives in Congress. One issue that's always front and center in any election is the economy and the economic policies of the respective candidates. This election is no different. There are many differences in the economic policies that would be pursued by a Republican-led administration or Congress versus the path my Democrat colleagues would take if they're in charge. One particularly stark difference is the tax policies that both sides can be expected to pursue. Over the past four years President Trump and Republicans in Congress have enacted historic tax cuts, particularly for middle-income Americans, as part of a long overdue revamp of our tax code. This included reducing tax rates across-the-board, significantly increasing the standard deduction, and doubling the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000. As a result of these changes, a typical family of four earning $70,000 saw their tax bill reduced by around $2,000. While my Democrat colleagues have done their best to distort this reality, IRS tax-return data for 2018 confirms middle-income Americans saw significant tax reductions. In fact, taxpayers in the middle of the income distribution saw their tax bill reduced on average by more than 13 percent. My Democratic colleagues and former Vice President Biden have made no bones about their plans for tax reform. If they prevail in the upcoming elections, they'll seek to undue the 2017 tax law and impose trillions of dollars in tax hikes on individuals and businesses. The former Vice President has sought to deflect accusations that he would raise taxes on low- and middle-income taxpayers by promisi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-importance-our-family-farms | Grassley on the Importance of our Family Farms | 2020-10-21 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley On the Importance of our Family Farms Wednesday, October 21, 2020 Iowa has a rich legacy in leading the nation and the world in agriculture production and innovation. First in corn production, eggs, ethanol and pork, and second in soybeans. Family farms are how many Iowans leave their mark on our world by passing their legacy to their children. In the U.S. Senate, Senator Ernst and I have the great privilege of representing these farm families. Senator Ernst and I have worked with the Trump Administration to make biofuels a priority. We've secured E-15 year-round, 15 billion gallons of ethanol are blended annually, new infrastructure through USDA and secured an extension of the biodiesel tax credit. We have secured and expanded trade agreements with our largest trading partners which add value to Iowa commodities. We also helped put an end to the ridiculous Obama-era Waters of the US rule that would have regulated 97 percent of Iowa farmland as a navigable waterway. But just as harvest puts an end to a farmer's year, our work will not stop in November. Senator Ernst and I will continue to focus on Iowa farm families and ensuring their success for years to come. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-democrats-continued-obstruction-pandemic-relief | Grassley Statement on Democrats’ Continued Obstruction of Pandemic Relief | 2020-10-21 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today issued the following statement after Senate Democrats once again voted to block consideration of targeted pandemic response legislation that would have provided immediate relief for small businesses, struggling farmers and unemployed Americans while negotiations on more contentious issues continue. Once again, Democrats are playing election year games by insisting on their all or nothing approach instead of working to provide immediate relief to millions of American families, small businesses and farmers while other issues remain unresolved. Families across the country are trying to navigate this pandemic the best they can. This package would have delivered additional relief for schools and colleges to educate students safely and support parents by providing more funding for child care. It also would have provided a second round of funding for the Paycheck Protection Program and additional help for the unemployed. Yet Democrats blocked it, even though they claim to support these bipartisan initiatives. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have also expressed concerns about the public health implications of this pandemic. Yet they blocked this relief package which would have provided $16 billion for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing as well as $31 billion for vaccine, therapeutic, diagnostic development and vaccine distribution. These are commonsense policies that we can all agree on. Unfortunately, my Democratic colleagues have wasted an opportunity to help Americans who are hurting just so they can try to score political points, Grassley said. Background: Senate Republicans have continued to try to pass a targeted package of relief measures but Senate Democrats have declined to negotiate after rejecting Senate Republican's $1 trillion HEALS proposal. The targeted bill was voted down in the Senate today by a vote of 51-44, with every Senate Democrat voting against the package, just as they did last month when they obstruct… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-announces-grant-winneshiek-county-brewery-operation | Finkenauer Announces Grant for Winneshiek County Brewery Operation | 2020-10-20 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) on Wednesday announced a $49,990 USDA Rural Development grant for the Pivo Brewery in Calmar to expand hard cider production and sales using locally grown apples and pears. The grant is part of a program that assists agricultural producers in establishing or expanding markets for value-added products. The $49,990 grant will be matched with an equal investment from the brewery. "Dynamic small businesses are essential to the economic health of rural Iowa especially when they're rooted in diversified, local agriculture, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. This grant is an investment not just in one small business, but in creative economic development that makes rural Iowa a more attractive place to visit and a more welcoming place to live." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-requests-iowa-s-contingency-plan-hospital-bed-shortages-covid-19-cases | Rep. Axne Requests Iowa’s Contingency Plan for Hospital Bed Shortages as COVID-19 Cases Spike | 2020-10-19 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) wrote to Iowa's health and emergency management leaders requesting information on Iowa's contingency plans in the event of a shortage of intensive care unit (ICU) beds as hospitalizations from coronavirus (COVID-19) infections rise across Iowa. We all know that even in the best of scenarios, a Plan B' is always necessaryIowa's citizens deserve to know what Iowa's contingency plan is in the event that our hospital capacity is overwhelmed in the coming weeks and months, wrote Rep. Axne. No one plans to use a fire extinguisher, but you should know if it's under the sink. As a voice for my constituents, I ask you to confirm that similar preparation has been made for a worst-case scenario, even as we do everything to prevent us from needing to use it. In recent weeks, hospitalizations for COVID-19 have hit all-time highs and positivity rates have climbed statewide to double digits. In her letter to Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) andIowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (IHSEMD),Rep. Axne specifically highlights the concern she has for rural counties in Iowa's Third Congressional Districtthathave zero ICU capacity. I want to know how your Department plans to handle COVID-19 cases in our rural communities where there is limited or no ICU capacity,wrote Rep. Axne.Under the threat of COVID-19, I'm deeply concerned for our rural hospitals and health centers' ability to manage this global health pandemic. I represent a district where over half the counties have zero ICU bed capacity. The full text of Rep. Axne's letter to IDPH andIHSEMDcan be found below: Dear Director Garcia and Director Flinn, As I've spoken to Iowans who are on the front lines of combating the spread of this novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, I have heard their concerns about the spiking number of cases and need for hospitalization. I write to you today requesting information on Iowa's plans in the event of a shortage of intensive care unit (ICU) beds and the limited capacity of rural I… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-riggleman-introduce-bipartisan-bill-improve-housing-options-rural | Finkenauer, Riggleman Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Housing Options in Rural America | 2020-10-16 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) and Congressman Denver Riggleman (R-VA) introduced the bipartisan Protect Rural Housing Act on Friday to improve housing stock, expand affordable housing options and support community revitalization in our rural areas. More than 7 million rural households three in 10 spend more than 30 percent of their monthly income on housing costs. Additionally, housing stock in rural areas is much more likely to be in poor condition and lack basic amenities like working plumbing. Federal affordable housing programs sometimes fail to meet the varied and unique problems that rural communities face when it comes to housing, and targeted incentives that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided decades ago to create affordable rental housing in rural areas are winding down. The Protect Rural Housing Act would fill that gap by creating a three-year pilot program to provide flexible grants to states, localities, tribes, and non-profits to help small towns address urgent housing needs and catalyze long-term investments. The grants would be provided through the USDA Rural Housing Service. The bill also lays the groundwork for critical reform within the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. Under this legislation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would be required to take steps to protect tenants and save taxpayer dollars by issuing recommendations to crack down on landlords who refuse to perform basic upkeep on their properties and put tenants' lives at risk. "Safe, affordable housing isn't just an urban issue. Our small towns and rural places also face a housing crisis that makes it harder for families to settle down and get ahead, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. From bad landlords to condemned properties to an overall lack of affordable options, I have seen the challenges facing some of our rural communities firsthand and knew that something had to be done. The Protect Rural Housing Act will invest resources to help families immediately an… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qa-rural-broadband-0 | Q&A: Rural Broadband | 2020-10-16 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Q&A:Rural Broadband With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: How has COVID-19 intensified the need to bridge the digital divide in rural America? A: There's no question the pandemic has lent even greater urgency for expanded access to affordable, reliable and comprehensive high-speed internet services for communities across Iowa. As households adjust to distance learning, remote working and telehealth medical visits, spotty or non-existent access to broadband technology put many Iowans at a disadvantage. It also underscores the need to close the digital disparity from one neighborhood to the next. Home-based businesses, hybrid learning and home-bound families are testing the limits of internet services for schools, employers and households across the state. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 5 to 25 megabits per second (Mbps) of broadband download speed is needed to complete basic school or telework assignments. That benchmark increases if multiple users in a household are trying to stream, download and upload work at the same time. During my county meetings and communications with my office, Iowans have shared challenges they encounter accessing a provider, getting reliable service and obtaining affordable coverage. As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I secured coverage for expanded access to telehealth services during the pandemic. Patients and providers have reported telehealth services are an effective and convenient way to deliver and receive care. I've also worked to expand televisits for residents in skilled nursing facilities. Many residents were isolated from family and friends for months on end due to mitigation efforts to stop the spread of the virus. Expanding access to video telecommunication services would provide immeasurable peace of mind to families and comfort to residents who are isolated during the pandemic and for those who live far away from their loved ones notwithstanding the public health emergency. The pandemic has accelerated efforts in Congress to help cl… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-grassley-joins-martha-maccallum-discuss-supreme-court-hearing-democrats | ICYMI: Grassley Joins Martha MacCallum to Discuss Supreme Court Hearing, Democrats’ Shenanigans | 2020-10-15 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), former chairman and current senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Martha MacCallum on Fox News Channel last night to discuss the ongoinghearing to consider the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Grassley predicted more shenanigans from the Senate Democrats as the Senate's advice and consent process moves forward. This morning, many of the Democratic committee members refused to show up and vote to hold over further action on the nominee next week. Grassley also highlighted some of his ongoing oversight investigations. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senators-press-fbi-dni-more-information-failed-efforts-corroborate-steele-dossier | Senators Press FBI, DNI for More Information on Failed Efforts to Corroborate Steele Dossier | 2020-10-15 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the chairmen of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and Senate Finance Committees, respectively, sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray and Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe seeking an unredacted version of a spreadsheet created to attempt to corroborate allegations made in the discredited Steele Dossier. This spreadsheet clearly shows that the FBI failed to corroborate key information in the discredited, DNC-funded, Steele dossier yet continued to use it to justify surveillance against Carter Page, the senators wrote. The version of the document that has been made public contains redactions which raises questions about how the FBI interpreted some of the information in the Dossier. The full text of the senators' letter is below and can be found here. October 14, 2020 The Honorable John Ratcliffe Director of National Intelligence The Honorable Christopher A. Wray Director Federal Bureau of Investigation Dear Director Ratcliffe and Director Wray: As part of its Crossfire Hurricane investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) created a 94-page spreadsheet in an attempt to corroborate the allegations contained in the Christopher Steele dossier. The existence of this spreadsheet has been well-documented over the last two years.[1] Based on this spreadsheet and other information, the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) determined in its December 2019 report that,the FBI concluded, among other things, that although consistent with known efforts by Russia to interfere in the 2016 U.S. elections, much of the material in the Steele election reports, including allegations about Donald Trump and members of the Trump campaign relied upon in the Carter Page FISA applications, could not be corroborated; that certain allegations were inaccurate or inconsistent with information gathered by the Crossfire Hurricane team; and that the limited information that was corroborat… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/axne-urges-use-covid-19-testing-sites-offer-flu-vaccine | Axne Urges Use of COVID-19 Testing Sites to Offer Flu Vaccine | 2020-10-14 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today,Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03)urged federalhealthagencies to utilize established testing sites for coronavirus (COVID-19) to assist in distributing vaccines for the seasonal flu. In a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Rep. Axne urged this expansion of flu vaccination offerings in the midst of concerns raised by nationalinfectious disease experts over concurrent COVID-19 and seasonalflu outbreaks. Traditionally, flu vaccination is a simple process that is distributed at many of the health centers we engage with in our normal lives, wrote Rep. Axne.I am asking the CDC and CMS to offer a flu vaccine alongside a COVID-19 test this year. This would significantly increase general access to the vaccine while placing little administrative burden on our doctors, nurses, and trained medical professionals. Earlier this month, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) DirectorDr. Anthony Fauci and other medical expertsemphasized the importance of getting a flu shotto prevent the potential for overlapping crises that would further burden hospital capacity and medical staffs across the U.S. Despite these warnings,a recent national NFID surveyfound that only slightly more than half of Americans reported that theyintendto get a flu shot during the 2020-2021 flu season. The surveyalso foundthat 1 in 4 Americans would be more likely to be vaccinated during the 2020-2021 flu season if flu vaccineswere availableinadditional settings like drive-thru clinics. With existing COVID-19 testing infrastructure expanded across all corners of the U.S., Rep. Axne suggests in her letter that this pairing of offerings could help mitigate the declining visitstohealth clinicsbecause of COVID-19 transmission fears. The full text of her letter can be found here: Dear Director Redfield and Administer Verma, I am writing to request that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) wo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-announces-54-million-investment-high-speed-internet-rural-iowa | Finkenauer Announces $5.4 Million Investment in High-Speed Internet for Rural Iowa | 2020-10-14 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) on Wednesday announced a $5.4 million broadband investment that will expand high-speed internet in eastern Iowa. The award from USDA Rural Development includes a $2.7 million grant and a $2.7 million loan for the North Liberty-based South Slope Cooperative Telephone Company as part of USDA's ReConnect Program. The project will extend fiber broadband service to 763 households over nearly 75 square miles, according to the USDA. The extension will connect 1,984 people, 147 farms and 26 businesses in Iowa and Johnson counties. South Slope serves customers in Benton, Iowa, Linn and Johnson counties, including the First District communities of Amana, Ely, Fairfax, Newhall, Norway, Watkins and Walford. "Accessible high-speed internet is a major quality-of-life issue in rural Iowa, allowing families to access healthcare and education, making precision farming possible and connecting businesses and workers to customers and colleagues, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. Investments like this into broadband infrastructure make our rural communities more vibrant, successful and inviting." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/following-axne-push-sba-and-treasury-begin-approving-ppp-forgiveness-release | Following Axne Push, SBA and Treasury Begin Approving PPP Forgiveness, Release Simpler Application | 2020-10-13 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today,Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03)shared details on how Iowa small businesses can use the new simplified Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application released by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The new applicationformis available for borrowers with PPP loans of $50,000 or less, including sole proprietors and independent contractors. Two weeks ago, Rep. Axneleda letter to the SBA and Treasury Secretary asking them to begin those approvals and for an explanation of the delays. After her letter, the SBA announced it is nowapprovingPPP forgiveness applications. I'm glad to see the SBA and Treasury taking steps to make it easier for small businesses to apply for loan forgiveness andbeginning to approvethe applications they've already gotten, much like I asked them to do,said Rep. Axne.For a business who took out a $25,000 loan, spending thousands of dollars preparing documentation to get that loan forgiven at a time like this is a cost they simply can't afford. More thantwo-thirdsof all PPP loans were for less than $50,000, so this will help get forgiveness to the smallest businesses who need it most. The new form reduces the amount of paperwork required for most borrowers significantly. Borrowers will now able to complete a simple certification for most requirements and submit documentation only for the expenses they're applying for forgiveness on. Since the eligible time period for PPP expenses has been extended to 24 weeks, most borrowers will only need to submit documentation of their payroll expenses. Borrowers can apply for forgiveness after the covered period (24 weeks from when they received their PPP funds for most borrowers, but some can choose to use 8 weeks). The updated applicationformandinstructionsare available on the SBA'swebsiteor through the PPPrecipient'slender. Borrowers should contact their lender to submit the forgiveness application. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/iowa-senators-colleagues-urge-epa-modernize-rulemaking-biogenic-carbon-emissions | Iowa Senators, Colleagues Urge EPA to Modernize Rulemaking for Biogenic Carbon Emissions | 2020-10-13 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Forcing EPA to be consistent with their treatment of biogenic CO2 will boost the U.S. bio economy which ultimately helps rural AmericaWASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and twelve of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to modernize their rulemaking for biogenic carbon emissions. We write to urge the Environmental Protection Agency to take prompt action to promulgate a rulemaking that recognizes the de minimis character of biogenic carbon emissions from agricultural crops when they are used to make food, fuel, beverages, or bioproducts. This common-sense clarification would align EPA policy with the biogenic emissions standards applied by every other regulatory authority worldwide and acknowledge that biogenic carbon emissions from agricultural feedstocks are different than carbon from fossil fuels, the members wrote. If afforded regulatory clarity by EPA, U.S. agribusinesses are positioned to make significant investments in facility modernization and improvements to support the development and production of renewable products and materials. This is particularly important to rural communities across the country that are dealing with the ravages of the global pandemic, the economic recession, and a growing financial crisis among farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses. Joining Grassley and Ernst in sending this letter to the EPA are Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). The U.S. agriculture industry is greatly appreciative of the leadership of Senators Ernst, Grassley, and their colleagues on this important issue. For many American farmers growing agricultural feedstocks, like corn, cotton, and hemp, the fast-growing bioeconomy offers an opportunity to meet growing consumer demand, ent… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/johnson-grassley-press-fbi-comply-subpoena-after-receiving-only-limited-subset | Johnson, Grassley Press FBI to Comply with Subpoena After Receiving Only a Limited Subset of Andrew McCabe’s Text Messages | 2020-10-13 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, sent a letter Monday to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray warning that the bureau's recent production of limited text messages from former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is unacceptable and that the FBI must produce all records in compliance with the HSGAC Aug. 6, 2020 subpoena. The senators wrote, On October 9, 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) produced 24 pages of text messages from former-Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, some of which had already been produced to us years ago. This stands in stark contrast to the more than 300 pages of McCabe text messages that the FBI made available for review in a reading room at the Department of Justice. As you know, on August 6, 2020, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) subpoenaed the FBI for all records related to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, which requires that records actually be produced to the Committee, not merely made available for review in a reading room. It is simply unacceptable that we have waited so long to receive so little. Full text of the letter can be found below and can be viewed here. October 12, 2020 The Honorable Christopher A. Wray Director Federal Bureau of Investigation 935 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20535 Dear Director Wray: On October 9, 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) produced 24 pages of text messages from former-Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, some of which had already been produced to us years ago.[1] This stands in stark contrast to the more than 300 pages of McCabe text messages that the FBI made available for review in a reading room at the Department of Justice. As you know, on August 6, 2020, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) subpoenaed the FBI for all records related to the Crossfi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/army-corps-engineers-approves-bipartisan-finkenauer-led-request-special-port | Army Corps of Engineers Approves Bipartisan Finkenauer-led Request for Special Port Designation in Iowa | 2020-10-12 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) announced on Monday that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved the creation of the three Port Statistical Areas (PSAs) in the Heart of the Corn Belt, which includes key ports in Iowa. The Corps will collectively designate the Mississippi River Ports of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois (MRPEIWI), the Mid-America Port and the Illinois Waterways Ports and Terminals as the Corn Belt Port Statistical Areas. Approval of the statistical area designations will make it easier for the ports to attract business and investment, grow the local economy and create new jobs. "I want to thank the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for reviewing our request and quickly granting it, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. This designation from the Corps will mean an economic boost for Iowa, especially in Dubuque and Jackson Counties." "I also want to thank Reps. Loebsack, LaHood and Bustos for working with us to push for this designation, Finkenauer said. "These port designations are historic for our region, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos said. This recognition from the Army Corps of Engineers will make clear to everyone what we in Northwest and Central Illinois already know: just how critical our inland waterways are to the nation's economy. I was proud to join my colleagues in urging the Corps to make these designations, and I am pleased with the Corps' decision, which will make the region even more competitive and drive our local economy moving forward." "Federal approval of the Corn Belt Ports is great news for our rural communities in central and west-central Illinois. Access to inland waterways is critical to the economic viability of our communities and allows small businesses, farmers and manufacturers to export commodities around the world, Congressman Darin LaHood said. Establishing the Corn Belt Ports as a statistical area in western Illinois and eastern Iowa will facilitate greater regional coordination that will raise the region's global profile and bolster economic deve… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-lauds-corps-approval-three-port-statistical-areas-along-mississippi | Grassley Lauds Corps Approval of Three Port Statistical Areas Along Mississippi River | 2020-10-12 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONSen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today lauded the decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Navigation and Civil Works Decision Support Center, in coordination with the Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center, to approve three Port Statistical Areas (PSAs) on the Mississippi River.This federal recognition as a multi-modal port region will be leveraged by local governments and businesses for marketing and economic development that will improve regional, national and global competitiveness. Before this announcement, Iowa was the only state that didn't have a federally recognized port. This is a well-deserved recognition as Iowa serves as a major multimodal transportation center and the number one producer and exporter of corn. The inland waterway system on the Mississippi River is vital to connecting our agricultural and manufacturing goods with communities both around the country and the world, Grassley said. The Mississippi River Ports of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois (MRPEIWI), the Illinois Water way (ILWW) Ports and Terminals and the Mid-American PSAs include the core of the largest grain producing and exporting region in the United States.These three ports are now recognized on the U.S. federal ports ranking list of October 2020. The MRPEIWI includes 221.5 river miles with 70 barge terminals as a PSA. The PSA will rank as a middle third Top 100 Port on the U.S. Ports List. 90 percent of Iowa's port infrastructure is in just 7.5 counties on the Mississippi River. Grassley worked with Iowa stakeholders and the Army Corps of Engineers in getting these PSAs approved and has long been a federal champion of agriculture and the inland waterway system. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-grassley-joins-cavuto-discuss-democrats-court-packing-scheme-debunk-false | ICYMI: Grassley Joins Cavuto to Discuss Democrats’ Court Packing Scheme, Debunk False Claims that Barrett Would Take Away Health Care | 2020-10-12 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined Neil Cavuto on Fox News Channel to discuss the first day of the hearing to consider the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. They discussed the Democrats' false claims that Judge Barrett would take away access to health care and protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions, as well as Democrats' scheme to pack the Supreme Court with left-wing judges. Watch | Download -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/axne-fitzpatrick-lead-call-expanded-telehealth-services-seniors-during-covid-19 | Axne, Fitzpatrick Lead Call for Expanded Telehealth Services for Seniors during COVID-19 Pandemic | 2020-10-09 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today,Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03)andRep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01)leda letter with 32 other colleagues to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma, urging her to expand Medicare telehealth coverage of valuable audiology and speech-language pathology during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. At a time when individuals with hearing, communication, and swallowing disorders face even higher risk for isolation and depression, Medicare beneficiaries must have access to appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic services via telehealth to slow transmission of COVID-19 and ensure they receive medically necessary treatment to meet their functional goals,the members wrote.We strongly encourage you to issue such guidance to add further audiology and speech-language pathology codes to the authorized telehealth services list. The letter was endorsed by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Academy of Doctors of Audiology, American Academy of Audiology, and the ALS Association. We appreciate Congress providing CMS the authority to remove barriers that have historically prevented Medicare beneficiaries from accessing audiology and speech-language pathology services safely and effectively through telehealth,said Theresa H. Rodgers, MA, CCC-SLP, 2020 president of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).Unfortunately, the current list of approved audiology and speech-language pathology telehealth services does not adequately cover the full range of medical needs of America's seniors, including evaluation and treatment for common conditions such as hearing, balance, neurodegenerative and other conditions. ASHA applauds Representatives Axne and Fitzpatrick for their leadership in encouraging the agency to improve seniors' access to necessary telehealth services during the public health emergency. During the coronavirus pandemic, Rep. Axne hasconsistentlyadvocatedfor allowing Iowans to access more medically necessary services through telehealth, which is critical to making sure … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-announces-grants-expand-access-renewable-fuels-allamakee-delaware | Finkenauer Announces Grants to Expand Access to Renewable Fuels in Allamakee, Delaware and Jones Counties | 2020-10-09 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) on Friday announced USDA Rural Development grants totaling $258,393 to expand facilities for the sale of homegrown renewable fuels in Allamakee, Delaware and Jones counties. The grants will help four fuel stations upgrade equipment for the storage and sale of E15 ethanol, leading to an expected increase of more than 1 million gallons of ethanol sold per year. The grant recipients and awards are as follows: Expresso of Lansing, Inc in Allamakee County: $55,000 grant as part of a $160,000 project to replace two fuel dispensers and a storage tank. Three Rivers FS Co. in Delaware County: $45,000 grant as part of a $90,000 project to replace three fuel dispensers at two stations. Sundstop II, LLC, in Jones County: $158,393 grant as part of a $316,786 project to replace four fuel dispensers and one storage tank. "These investments will expand access to higher blends of American-made renewable fuel, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. That's a win for our farmers and producers, small businesses in our communities, and Iowa motorists who will have more access to cleaner home-grown fuel." In April, Finkenauer introduced the bipartisanClean Fuels Deployment Act of 2020 with Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN), Don Bacon (R-NE) and Roger Marshall (R-KS). The legislation authorizes $600 million over six years to helpretailers offerhigher ethanol blends, expand the geographic area selling ethanol blends, support biodiesel, bioheat, and sustainable aviation fuel markets, and accelerate the deployment of fueling infrastructure. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-ernst-and-naig-visit-biodiesel-facility-mason-city-highlight-policy-wins | Grassley, Ernst and Naig Visit Biodiesel Facility in Mason City, Highlight Policy Wins for Renewable Fuels and Farmers | 2020-10-08 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | MASON CITY, IOWA Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined by fellow champions for Iowa's biofuel industry, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, visited the Renewable Energy Group in Mason City. During their stop at the biodiesel production facility, Grassley, Ernst and Naig met with and answered questions from employees, toured the plant and discussed recent wins the Iowa leaders helped secure for the biofuel industry. Click here or on the image above for a video from the stop.Click HERE for downloadable photos from the visit.Grassley's Instagram post from the event can be found HERE and tweet can be found HERE. I've long worked to support our renewable fuels workers and to ensure the RFS is faithfully implemented. I'm glad to have partnered with Senator Ernst this year to secure the biodiesel tax credit extension, reject gap-year SRE waivers and break down barriers to give consumers the option of E15 at the pump, Grassley said. I appreciated the opportunity to tour Renewable Energy Group and hear directly from Iowans on how these policies are affecting their industry. I'll continue to fight for our farmers and bring their voices to the policymaking tables in Washington. From securing E15 year-round to extending the biodiesel tax credit, and getting rid of the gap year' waivers, I've been working relentlessly for our renewable fuel producers, Ernst, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said. Today in Mason City, we discussed these recent wins, and reaffirmed our commitment to advocating on behalf of Iowa's agriculture communitybecause the fight for our biofuel industry, and our farmers, is never over. Renewable fuels are critical to Iowa's economy. They provide jobs in rural communities, additional markets for our crop producers, and give consumers greater access to affordable, cleaner-burning fuels, Naig said. I am proud to continue working alongside Senators Ernst and Grassley to advocate on behalf of Iowa's agriculture community. We are so appreciative … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-announces-new-7900000-flood-resiliency-grant-protect-hamburg | Rep. Axne Announces New $7,900,000 Flood Resiliency Grant to Protect Hamburg Businesses | 2020-10-07 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today,Rep.Cindy Axne (IA-03)announced a new $7,900,000 grant to the city of Hamburg to fund critical infrastructure improvements aimed at protecting businesses and neighborhoods at risk of flooding along the Missouri River. The grant, which was providedby the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA), is funded through additional funding secured in last year's federal disaster aid bill whichRep. Axne fought to expand in orderto cover flood recovery and repair projects after disastrous floodingalong the Missouri Riverlast March. I ampleasedto see this economic investment coming into ourrural communities. After the devastating flooding in the spring of 2019, theHamburg communitycame together, rebuilt and repaired what was lost, and showed us all just how resilient Iowans are, said Rep. Axne. Not only will this moneyserve as a catalyst for the future growth of southwest Iowa but also it will helpcreate jobs while working to ensure such a tragic event doesn't happen again. The grantwas made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO),and is projected to support nearly 350 jobs After securing $3 billion for Midwest flood recovery in last year's federal disaster bill, Rep. Axne has been tracking funding provided to Iowa to help rebuild from last year's flooding with her Iowa Flood Funding Tracker. With this new grant, the Tracker now accounts for $603 million in federal dollars spent in Iowa. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-colleagues-urge-sec-finalize-10-year-old-rule-improper-executive-pay | Rep. Axne, Colleagues Urge the SEC to Finalize 10-Year-Old Rule on Improper Executive Pay | 2020-10-06 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today,Reps.Cindy Axne (IA-03)and Brad Sherman(CA-30), Chairman of theSubcommittee on Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship, and Capital Markets, led nine Financial Services Committee members in a letter to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Jay Clayton asking the SEC to prioritize a rule requiring public companies to recoup unearned incentive-based compensation from executives. TheDodd-FrankAct, signed into law in July 2010, called for a rulemaking to require that if executives received incentive-based compensation, and then the company restated their earnings, any incentive compensation that was not earned based on the corrected financials would automatically be clawed back. Although the SEC proposed a rule in June 2015, that rule has still not been finalized, and in fact did not appear in the SEC's last rulemaking agenda. The logic behind clawbacks is simple: incentive-based compensation due to performance that was not actually justified by correct financial statements should be returned to the company,the members wrote.Unfortunately, despite being called for under Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Act more than 10 years ago, and despite a proposed rule being issued more than five years ago, these rules have not only not been finalized, this required rulemaking was removed from the SEC's priority rulemaking agenda at the beginning of this administration. The lack of action on this rule was highlighted by a recent settlement withBausch Health, formerly known as Valeant Pharmaceuticals. The company, which was a major part of the Senate Aging Committee's 2016 report on price gouging, settled with the SEC based on misleading disclosures and improper revenue recognition. Valeant had failed to disclose the extent to which drug price increases were responsible for earnings growth, as well as using a pharmacy named Philidor to shift earnings between quarters to meet targets. The settlement included reimbursement of some of their former CEO's compensation, which likely would have been covered by the clawbacks… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-statement-stimulus-negotiations | Rep. Axne Statement on Stimulus Negotiations | 2020-10-06 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today,Rep.Cindy Axne (IA-03)issued the following statement on President Trump's decision to suspend bipartisan negotiations over a coronavirus (COVID-19) relief bill: With more than 210,000 lives lost to this pandemic, half of all restaurants at risk of closing in the next six months, millions of kids out of school, and thousands of Iowa families struggling to keep food on their tables and roofs over their head,we cannot afford to wait to come to an agreement. By abruptly ending all bipartisan negotiations on our next coronavirus relief package, President Trump has condemnedpeople in communities across Iowa to suffer and wait until he's willing to return to the negotiating table.Itisunconscionable that he has done so over claiming that he is uninterested in supporting vital local services like our schools and first responders. Over the past week, negotiations had resumed working towards an agreement that could help those still in need and I pushed for our full support and attention to be given to seeing those talks succeed. For the many Iowans that are still struggling in this crisis, I urge the President to reconsider his position so that we can resume talks as soon as possible. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-statement-president-trump-calling-end-covid-19-relief-negotiations | Finkenauer Statement on President Trump Calling an End to COVID-19 Relief Negotiations | 2020-10-06 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump instructing his administration end to negotiations on a new COVID-19 relief package: "The President'sdecision today to walk away from negotiations on a desperately needed COVID-19relief package callously threatens the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans including Iowans in my district. "In recent days I've met withsmall businessowners counting on additional aid to keep their doors open andtheir employees on the payroll. I've spoken with hospital administrators who need more resources for testing and treatment,and to support our frontline health care workers.Police and firefighters have told me their communities need additional support to adequately protect our friends and neighbors. And I've heard stories from Iowans all across my district facing challenges paying rent and even buying groceries. "Last week, I helped pass a relief package that would address these needs. It's unbelievable and unforgivable that the Senate has refused to evenconsider this compromise and that the administration is now turning its back on Americans in need. Now, more than ever, is the time for us toput politics asideand come together and deliver for the American people. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-introduces-bipartisan-bill-improve-agriculture-education | Finkenauer Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve Agriculture Education Opportunities for Iowa Students | 2020-10-05 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) introduced the bipartisanGrowing Opportunities in Agriculture (GO AG) Acton Monday to improve agriculture education opportunities in our schools. The bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Congressman Glenn G.T. Thompson (R-PA) and cosponsored by Congressmen Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), and Anthony Brindisi (D-NY), would create grants available to high schools to cover the cost of starting an agriculture education program. "Farming is an important tradition as well as an essential economic engine in our state. That's why it's incredibly important to recruit and educate the next generation of Iowa farmers,"Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said."I am proud to be joined by Congressman Thompson in introducing the GO AG Act to make sure that high schoolers are considering careers in agriculture and have access to the experiences and opportunities to do so." "Restoring a robust rural economy depends largely upon appealing to the next generation, saidRep. Glenn G.T.' Thompson. Investing in education is perhaps the most commonsense way to prepare individuals who are passionate about a career in agriculture for the workforce. The GO AG Act is not only an investment in agriculture education but also the future of our agricultural supply chain." TheGO AG Actwould create a $5 million grant program to help high schools cover the startup costs associated with agriculture education programs. Schools could apply for the competitive grants to cover classroom and laboratory instruction, teacher salaries and curriculum development. The GO AG Act is endorsed by: National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE), National Founding Farmers of America (FFA), Iowa FFA, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri FFA Support for the GO AG Act: "On behalf of the board of directors and the over 9,000 members of the National Association of Agricultural Educators, I am grateful to Representative Finkenauer for her support for school-based agricultural education in our schools, said Parker Bane, NAAE Pres… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-statement-president-and-first-lady-s-positive-covid-19-tests | Finkenauer Statement on President and First Lady’s Positive COVID-19 Tests | 2020-10-02 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) released the following statement on the announcement that President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19: "As we have seen firsthand in Iowa and around the country, this virus knows no ethnic, gender, or geographic boundaries and has now reached the President of the United States. I'm praying for the President and First Lady to make a fast and full recovery from COVID-19. I hope this difficult news serves as a call to action for everyone to protect themselves and our communities against the spread of his virus. Be safe and wear a mask." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-statement-updated-heroes-act | Rep. Axne Statement on Updated Heroes Act | 2020-10-01 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Tonight, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) issued the following statement on her vote on the updated Heroes Act: Over the past two months, I repeatedly urged House leadership to bring up a simplified, straightforward COVID-19 aid package in order to meet the White House and Senate Republicans in the middle on a deal that could deliver critical assistance for Iowa's families, businesses, and communities. This move toward compromise has demonstrably renewed momentum for a deal, and we are closer than we have been in months, but the only thing that will deliver the help my constituents need is a bill that will actually become law. As negotiations between our two sides continue, we need to give these discussions our full attention and support. Millions of Americans cannot afford for us to fail in this effort we must continue to work towards an agreement and vote when we know we have a deal in hand. Rep. Axne has continued to push congressional leadership to move a new package of COVID-19 relief forward to help Iowa families. Last week, Rep. Axne led a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging her to bring up a revised and streamlined relief package. Previously, Rep. Axne had urged Speaker Pelosi to bring up a simplified COVID-19 aid package when the House returned to session two weeks ago. Earlier this month, Rep. Axne wrote to Speaker Pelosi to urge her to put a revised COVID-19 aid package on the House's agenda for September. Rep. Axne made a similar request of House leadership in August when the House returned to session to pass legislation to preserve the solvency and operational capacity of the U.S. Postal Service. Rep. Axne also led a letter of Iowa and Illinois Representatives to the White House and congressional leadership highlighting the need for additional aid for state and local governments after a devastating derecho struck the region earlier last month. In May, Rep. Axne rejected the original Heroes Act for its inclusion of superfluous provisions and unnecessary spending while continuing to advocate for a pac… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-statement-passage-heroes-20-act | Finkenauer Statement on Passage of HEROES 2.0 Act | 2020-10-01 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) released the following statement regarding her vote on theHEROES 2.0 Act: "While I remain hopeful that the Senate and the administration will come to the table and negotiate in good faith on a bipartisan coronavirus relief package, my constituents can no longer afford to wait. Today, I voted for the HEROES 2.0 Act to provide aid to the families and communities who need it. "Although imperfect, this package includes the immediate relief our families need to pay rent and keep food on the table, and that our fire departments, community hospitals and small businesses need to continue serving Iowans. "Among the many provisions included in this package that will provide direct, essential aid to Iowans, I'm especially glad to see an increase in the federal cost match for natural disasters a step that will lower the local financial burden not only on the pandemic but also the ongoing derecho recovery facing communities across eastern Iowa. "My vote today was a vote to put Iowa's hard working families, small businesses, and frontline workers first over political games I encourage the Senate and the White House to do the same." Reaction from First Congressional District: "The HEROES 2.0 Act provides critical assistance to individuals and business owners to help local economies recover, and to local governments to continue to provide critical services. It is especially important for cities like Cedar Rapids, who have also experienced devastating natural disasters on top of dealing with a pandemic." Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart "Our locally owned businesses, community nonprofits and essential public safety services need help through this pandemic and the economic crisis caused by it in fact, they've needed help for months. Passage of the HEROES 2.0 Act which includes support for schools, first responders and our smallest small businesses as well as emergency safety standards for frontline workers couldn't come soon enough for the City of Waterloo. I commend Congres… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-announces-14500000-dot-flood-repair-grants-iowa | Rep. Axne Announces $14,500,000 in DOT Flood Repair Grants for Iowa | 2020-09-30 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) announced $14,491,169 in new federal grants to cover repair and reconstruction expenses of federal roads and highways that were damaged in 2019 floods across Iowa. The new grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will cover repair costs for damage along major routes like I-29, I-680, and US-34 as well as federal roads maintained by theU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. After last year's flooding, many of Iowa's road and highways were damaged adding additional strain onto our already aging infrastructure, said Rep. Axne. These grants will help restore these roadways and allow traffic to resume at a pre-disaster level and help us keep Iowa on track to a full recovery. The grants were awarded as follows: $13,978,130 for project sites across Iowa managed by the Iowa Department of Transportation $513,039 for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for projects along the Missouri River Rep. Axne fought to increase funding for this emergency relief program in last year's disaster supplemental bill. Her amendment to increase funding for the Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief Program by $500 million passed the House in May 2019. After securing $3 billion for Midwest flood recovery in last year's federal disaster bill, Rep. Axne has been tracking funding provided to Iowa to help rebuild from last year's flooding with her Iowa Flood Funding Tracker. With this new grant, the Tracker now accounts for $595.4 million in federal dollars spent in Iowa. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-colleagues-urge-expedited-review-and-approval-ppp-loan-forgiveness | Rep. Axne, Colleagues Urge Expedited Review and Approval of PPP Loan Forgiveness Applications | 2020-09-30 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) led her colleagues in a letter to the Department of Treasury and Small Business Administration (SBA) urging them to provide an update on Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness applications. As of the writing of this letter, Treasury and SBA have received nearly 100,000 applications for PPP loan forgiveness, with many more expected to file when updated guidance is provided to the lenders who have provided the five million PPP loans delivered nationwide. We are disappointed in the complete lack of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness approvals and write to ask when small businesses will begin receiving loan forgiveness and for more information about these delays, the members wrote. While we appreciate the desire to ensure accurate information is provided, this is far too long for borrowers and lenders to be sitting waiting on updated information and leaves them in an unnecessarily difficult position. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report published last week stated that, as of August 14, the SBA had still not formalized their loan forgiveness review process. Rep. Axne's letter lays out a series of questions for SBA and Treasury to respond to on the loan forgiveness process before October 15. The letter was signed byReps. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Ed Case (HI-01), and Dave Loebsack (IA-02). As of August 8th, over 13,000 PPP loans have been approved in Iowa's Third Congressional District totaling over $1.3 billion supporting at least 120,000 jobs across central and southwest Iowa. The full text of the letter can be found below: Dear Secretary Mnuchin and Administrator Carranza: We are disappointed in the complete lack of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness approvals and write to ask when small businesses will begin receiving loan forgiveness and for more information about these delays. As you know, the CARES Act created this program to make small business loans which are intended to be forgiven. While we realize most of the 5 million P… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-passes-bipartisan-bills-committee-help-derecho-disaster-victims-and | Finkenauer Passes Bipartisan Bills in Committee to Help Derecho Disaster Victims and Improve Support for Childcare | 2020-09-30 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Two bills supported by Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) won approval in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday. The committee passed Finkenauer and Chairman Peter DeFazio's (D-OR) FEMA Assistance Relief Act of 2020, to increase the Federal Emergency Management Agency's(FEMA)cost shareforrecovery efforts incommunities impacted by natural disasters in 2020, reducing the financial burden for local authorities and taxpayers. The committee also passed Finkenauer's bipartisan Child Care is Economic Development Act of 2020 to ensure childcare options are part of certain federal grant-funded economic development strategies. "I want to thank my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for joining me in passing legislation that is so important to folks in Iowa's First Congressional District, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. Many in our community are still recovering from the August derecho, and we must keep doing all we can to help them." "As we look forward to long-term economic recovery from the derecho and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, child care must be part of the conversation, Finkenauer said. Our communities were already dealing with a lack of affordable and quality childcare before these crises, and now we've heard more providers will permanently shut their doors. Creating additional, affordable childcare options is essential to growing our economy and creating opportunity in Iowa and across the country." FEMA Assistance Relief Act of 2020: The FEMA Assistance Relief Act of 2020 would help ease financial burdens on states, as well as local and tribal communities, that have been granted Stafford Act Emergency and Major Disaster declarations this year. The bill is authored byHouse Transportation and Infrastructure Committee ChairmanPeter DeFazio (D-OR).Finkenauerserves asa member of thecommittee and is an original cosponsor of the legislation. The legislation would: Adjust the FEMA cost share for all disasters declared incalendar year2020to no… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-advances-axne-backed-legislation-help-new-mothers | House Advances Axne-Backed Legislation to Help New Mothers | 2020-09-29 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation cosponsored by Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) to expand Medicaid to help new mothers. The Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services Act of 2019, or Helping MOMS Act,willallow states to provide one year of postpartum coverage for women under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The current law requires only 60 days of coverage for mothers. Mothers across this country will tell you that twomonths is just the beginning of healing after childbirth,said Rep. AxneThis bill will help ensure that Iowa's moms have all the support they need for health care conditionslike depression, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, and countlessotherillnesses a new mother can experience. Medical researchershaveshown that a woman's postpartum period lasts up to 12 months after the delivery ofababy. While newborn babies are eligible for Medicaid or CHIPfor their first year oflifeto cover any complications that arise during this critical time, their mothers lose their health insurance coveragejust60 days after delivering their child. One study showed that 70% of new moms will have at least one health complication within a year of giving birth. The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) thanks Congresswoman Axne for cosponsoring the Helping MOMS Act and for her continued support to ensure this bill received a vote in the House,said Jonathan Webb, CEO of AMCHP.Iowa's own maternal mortality review committee recommends extending Medicaid for one full year postpartum instead of the current cut-off of 60 days in order to improve access to and continuity of care for women in that crucial window of time after giving birth. The Helping MOMS Act makes it easier for states to make that change and has great potential to improve maternal health outcomes for women in Iowa and across the United States. "MomsRising applauds the House passage of the Helping MOMS Act, said Nadia Hussain, Maternal Justice Campaign Director for … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-helps-advance-bipartisan-legislation-assist-schools-response-allergies | Axne-Backed Legislation to Assist Schools with Response to Allergies, Asthma Attacks Passes House | 2020-09-29 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passedbipartisanlegislation cosponsored by Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) to encourage K-12 schools to have trained personnel in asthma and allergy management and emergency response. TheSchool-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Actwill help provideasthma and allergy grants from the Department of Health and Human Services to train school administrativestaffand school nurses in the use ofemergency medications to treat asthma and anaphylaxis. Iowa parents who are sending their children into classrooms with peanuts, mold, and countless other triggers for allergies and asthma should haveconfidencethat someone on staff knows how to handle that kind of medical emergency.said Rep. Axne.With this bipartisan bill, we provide critical funding to offer trainings on how to manage and respond to these very commonconditionsfor school staff to ensure our students are protected. The Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services recommend that schools have comprehensive management plans in place to support children with asthma and serve allergies. Unfortunately, most schools do not have such programs in place due to lack of funding, assistance, and trainings. An asthma and allergy action plan and proper trainings ensure that if a child has a serious and life-threatening asthma or allergy attack, a school nurse or administrator is able to provide the correct medication response immediately. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-announces-derecho-recovery-town-hall-during-visit-fema-center | Finkenauer Announces Derecho Recovery Town Hall During Visit to FEMA Center in Marshalltown, Calls for Extension of Individual Assistance Deadline | 2020-09-29 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) visited the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster recovery center in Marshalltown on Monday, and on Tuesday sent a letter to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds urging that the State of Iowa seek an extension to the upcoming application deadline for individual disaster aid. The recovery center was established by FEMA following the Aug. 10 derecho, which devastated a swath of eastern Iowa including Marshall, Tama, Benton and Linn counties. Residents may visit the drive-thru service until Saturday, when the center will close in Marshalltown and reopen in Tama County. The deadline for Iowans to apply for Individual Assistance for damages caused by the derecho is October 19. During her visit on Monday, Finkenauer expressed concern to FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer DuWayne Tewes that the deadline may come too soon for storm-impacted Iowans, many of whom are still without access to reliable internet service or waiting on property damage assessments from their insurance companies. In her letter to Reynolds, Finkenauer called on the state to formally seek an extension of the deadline. "The storm left hundreds of thousands of Iowans with damaged homes and without power, internet, or communication capabilities for several days, even weeks, Finkenauer wrote in the letter. While families impacted by the derecho have tried their best to navigate the process of filing claims with their insurance companies, homeowners and insurers alike are still overwhelmed with the amount of claims and appeals they have had to file." "To make this process more complicated, due to public health concerns created by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, FEMA conducted damage assessments virtually, she wrote. This has stood to only further delay the process for households that did not have electric or phone/internet utility connections restored in the immediate aftermath of the derecho." "A 60-day extension would help Iowans access the resources provided by FEMA's Individual Assistance progra… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-announces-grant-northeast-iowa-community-college | Finkenauer Announces Grant for Northeast Iowa Community College | 2020-09-29 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) on Tuesday announced a new federal grant to help Northeast Iowa Community College serve the needs of low-income students. The $424,423 Strengthening Institutions Program grant provided by the U.S. Department of Education is meant to improve and strengthen recipients' academic quality, institutional management and fiscal stability, and will fund the first year of an anticipated five-year program. "Providing affordable, accessible higher-education to all Iowans regardless of where they live or their income status is essential to growing our economy and increasing opportunity. Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. This grant will help ensure Northeast Iowa Community College has the resources it needs to serve Iowa's low-income and first-generation students and set them on a path toward a bright future." Northeast Iowa Community College serves eight northeast Iowa counties, and operates campuses in Calmar and Peosta. It offers 30 different academic programs, 20 diploma programs and 7 certificate programs. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-memorial-black-revolutionary-war-patriots | Grassley on a Memorial for Black Revolutionary War Patriots | 2020-09-29 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa On a Memorial for Black Revolutionary War Patriots Tuesday, September 29, 2020 I have been working for decades to establish a memorial on the National Mall to those Black Revolutionary War patriots who fought for the founding of our country. We are close to achieving this goal, which is needed now more than ever. The rationale for the memorial was summarized in congressional testimony in 1985 by its founder, Maurice Barboza, The Patriots Memorial would serve an educational purpose in that it would remind Americans of the rich and meaningful contributions of blacks to the birth of America. It would illuminate the past so that the present generation would better understand the nation's history. In that sense it would serve a retrospective purpose. The Patriots Memorial would serve a prospective purpose by helping future generations of Americans understand what it is that binds us together as a people. He then quoted Rep. Nancy L. Johnson, the memorial's chief proponent in the House of Representatives, An American cannot be identified by simple physical, ethnic, racial, or religious characteristics. Even our cultural heritage is best defined by its rich diversity. What ties us together as a nation is our commitment to individual freedom and to maintaining the rights and privileges guaranteed by the Constitution to assure the perpetuation of that freedom. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-ukraine-investigation | Grassley on the Ukraine Investigation | 2020-09-29 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa On the Ukraine Investigation Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Last week, Senator Johnson and I released our report about our investigation into potential conflicts of interest with respect to Ukraine policy during the Obama administration. My Democratic colleagues have attacked this investigation with unsupported and inaccurate allegations that this investigation is rooted in a foreign-sourced influence campaign. They've asserted that our oversight activities relating to the Obama administration are advancing a Russian disinformation campaign and have implied that we're wielding that disinformation as a political cudgel. Nothing could be further from the truth. My Democratic colleagues have publicly insinuated that I received records from a Ukrainian national, Andriy Derkach, a Russian agent that has taken actions to influence and interfere in the 2020 election. I've praised the Treasury Department for sanctioning him. I've neither received nor solicited information from Derkach. The Democrats know it, yet they refuse to stop repeating their false insinuations. And those false insinuations have resulted in Russia-based media repeating that Democrat disinformation, which is Exhibit A why they should've never created that false narrative in the first place. In fact, during the course of this investigation, the minority introduced his disinformation into the record not the majority. Foreign election interference should have no quarter in this country and we must do everything we can to stop it. If only the Democrats felt the same about the Steele Dossier, which is the very definition of Russian disinformation and election interference. Our investigation is based on Obama administration government records and records from a Democrat lobby shop, Blue Star Strategies. So, if my Democratic colleagues think those records amount to Russian disinformation, then that says more about the previous Obama administration than it does about our inquiry. Do… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-honoring-small-businesses | Grassley Honoring Small Businesses | 2020-09-28 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Honoring Small Businesses Delivered on Thursday, September 24, 2020 This week marks the 57th anniversary of the National Small Business Week. According to the most up-to-date government data, Iowa had 270,484 small businesses and 651,635 employees. They account for 99.3 percent of businesses and 48.1 percent of the private workforce. Small businesses create jobs and export products around the world. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and I know that this pandemic has hit many especially hard. I honor these hard working Iowa entrepreneurs and employees in celebrating the week of September 20th as National Small Business Week. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-murphy-introduce-resolution-designating-malnutrition-awareness-week | Grassley, Murphy Introduce Resolution Designating Malnutrition Awareness Week | 2020-09-28 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) introduced a bipartisan resolution designating the week of October 5 through October 9 2020, as Malnutrition Awareness Week. Malnutrition is a significant problem in the United States and occurs when a person does not get enough nutrients due to food insufficiencies. The resolution recognizes registered dietitian nutritionists and other nutrition professionals, health care providers, social workers and advocates for their efforts to advance awareness and to prevent malnutrition. The resolution also recognizes the impactthe coronavirus pandemic has had onvulnerable populations and supportsemergency funding forfederal nutrition programsto combatmalnutrition. Food insecurity and insufficiency affects people of all ages and from all walks of life. As a long-time champion for American agriculture, I don't hesitate to speak up for the family farm. As we recognize Malnutrition Awareness Week next month, I'll continue to stand strong for policies that allow farmers to be most productive, strengthen food security and ensure people across the nation have access to safe, affordable and nutritious food to eat, Grassley said. It's important to realize how malnutrition and food insecurity contributes to poor health outcomesand this problem has only gotten worse with COVID-19. Millions of Americans are going hungry, including the most vulnerable among us seniors and kids. Increasing access to healthy, affordable food through our federal nutrition programs is critical to reducing malnutrition and improving quality of life. I'm proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution to help bring awareness to this serious problem we're facing, Murphy said. Disease-associated malnutrition in older adults alone costs the United States more than $51,300,000,000 each year. Malnutrition alsodisproportionately impactschildren.13.9 million children live in a household characterized by child food insufficiency, and the rate of households with food insufficient children was mor… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-axne-leads-colleagues-renewed-call-passage-new-covid-19-bill-house | Rep. Axne Leads Colleagues in Renewed Call for Passage of New COVID-19 Bill in House | 2020-09-25 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today,Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03)led a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi seeking legislative action on a revised coronavirus (COVID-19) relief package next week when members return to Washington. We write to you now to implore you to bring a revised and streamlined COVID-19 relief package to the floor next week. Americans are counting on us; they cannot wait any longer,the members wrote.We are asking you to bring up a bill that demonstrates our commitment to meeting [the White House and Senate] in the middle, as we have expressed our willingness to do, and advance it through the House with the haste this crisis demands. The letter was signed by Reps. Angie Craig (MN-02), Abby Finkenauer (IA-01), Susie Lee (NV-03), Dave Loebsack (IA-02), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Michael San Nicolas (GU-AL), and Susan Wild (PA-07). The letter highlights the growing need for relief to help unemployed Americans, small businesses, and those still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also highlights the waning effects of relief passed through bipartisan efforts last spring. The returns of a onetime stimulus check of $1,200 are all but completely diminished doing little at this point to stimulate the economy or ensure Americans can pay their bills,the members wrote. The letter also acknowledges the state of the current stalemate in negotiations including the Senate's failure to demonstrate interest in a compromise package over recent weeks. Earlier this month,Rep. Axne wrote to Speaker Pelosito urge her to put a revised COVID-19 aid package on the House's agenda for September. Rep. Axnemade a similar request of House leadershipin August when the House returned to session to pass legislation to preserve the solvency and operational capacity of the U.S. Postal Service. The full text of the letter can be found below: Dear Speaker Pelosi, The House schedule has one week of legislative session left before the election. While we have all expressed our willingness to remain in Washington in order to push for an agreement, we write to… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-aims-close-tax-loophole-big-pharma-and-crack-down-drug-ads | Finkenauer Aims to Close Tax Loophole for Big Pharma and Crack Down on Drug Ads | 2020-09-25 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) introduced theEnd Taxpayer Subsidies for Drug Ads Acton Friday to stop pharmaceutical companies from getting a tax break to advertise prescription drugs. Over the last twenty years, pharmaceutical companies' spending on advertising and marketing prescription drugs has skyrocketed. In 2016, these companies spent $6 billion on direct-to-consumer marketing, including 663,000 television commercials. While patients should always have access to the information they need about the most appropriate medications from their doctors, these ads push what are often expensive, brand-name drugs that may not be the most effective treatment, and drive up health care spending. Finkenauer's legislation would ensure that pharmaceutical companies can no longer claim a tax write off for these direct-to-consumer drug advertising expenses. "Not only are Americans paying sky-high prices for our prescription drugs, we're also subsidizing Big Pharma with enormous tax write-offs for ads that push patients to seek out needlessly expensive drugs,"Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. We should rely on doctors for drug recommendations not 30-second TV spots or glossy full-page magazine ads. Resources should go to research and the development of new treatments and cures, not Big Pharma's advertising budget." "I'm proud to introduce theEnd Taxpayer Subsidies for Drug Ads Actbecause we need more innovation, lower prescription drug prices, and fewer commercials from Big Pharma,"Finkenauer said. The United States is one of just two countries that even permits direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs. Prescription drug products are unique because they are sold to consumers based on medical need and the advice of medical professionals. While Finkenauer's bill would not prohibit the advertising or marketing of prescription medications, the End Taxpayer Subsidies for Drug Ads Act would change the Internal Revenue Code to prevent pharmaceutical companies from taking a tax deduction for the … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qa-supreme-court-vacancy | Q&A: Supreme Court Vacancy | 2020-09-25 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Q&A: Supreme Court Vacancy With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: What is the Senate's role to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court? A: Article 2, Section 2, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution says the President, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall nominate judges to the U.S. Supreme Court. That means the president has the constitutional duty to make a nomination when a vacancy takes place. And the U.S. Senate has the constitutional authority to either grant or withhold consent on the nominee. The Senate historically confirms nominations made during election years when the White House and the Senate are held by the same party, as is the case today. Alternatively, the Senate historically does not confirm nominees when the White House and Senate are held by opposing parties, as was the case in 2016. This historical precedent has applied to presidents of any party throughout our nation's history. Throughout my service in the U.S. Senate, 14 justices have been confirmed to serve lifetime appointments to the highest court in the land, including four women. In fact, the first nominee for whom I cast my vote was Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court. On Sept. 18, 2020, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court, passed away after serving 40 consecutive years on the federal bench, including 13 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and 27 years on the U.S. Supreme Court. Justice Ginsburg has inspired generations of Americans to pursue their dreams.Her legacy for equality and justice will endure for generations to come. During my time representing Iowans in the U.S. Senate, I've always taken seriously my oath to uphold the Constitution and exercise the authorities vested in my elected office. Handling vacancies on the U.S. Supreme Court are exceptionally important to our constitutional republic. Nominees are considered for unelected, lifetime appointments. The framers intentionally divided this responsibilit… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-approves-axne-biofuels-amendment-energy-package | House Approves Axne Biofuels Amendment to Energy Package | 2020-09-24 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, the House approved an amendment authored by Rep. Cindy Axne(IA-03) to the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, a package of domestic energy policy reforms and investments under consideration this week. Rep. Axne's amendment would expand funding eligibility for the legislation's Carbon Capture Program to include biofuels facilities. The funding provided by the program would support research and development efforts across Iowa's biofuels sector. Our biofuels facilities provide clean, renewable fuel for the country and help reduce our greenhouse gas emissions while providing good-paying jobs in Iowa's rural communities,said Rep. Axne.We need to be investing in every solution to address the threat of climate change and I'm pleased that the House voted to pass my amendment to ensure biofuels are a part of the pathway to a cleaner energy future. Many biofuels facilities already utilize carbon capture technology to make their product even more efficient, but further research and development will help build upon these successes. The Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act reforms domestic energy policy and provides significant investments towards a transition to a low-carbon future. The Carbon Capture Program expanded by the legislation would direct the Department of Energy to conduct research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities for carbon capture technologies. The legislation also includes provisions similar tolegislation introduced byRep. Axne to create a National Climate Bank to support private investment in renewable energy and efficiency projects. Additionally, provisions of theRenewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act legislation cosponsored by Rep. Axne were included in the legislation. This would set an annual deadline for oil refineries to request an exemption from the RFS and require the EPA to publicly release the names of all refineries requesting an exemption, including the amount of gallons requested to be waived. We are grateful to Representatives Cheri Bustos and Cindy … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/new-letter-gov-reynolds-rep-axne-expresses-concern-over-testing-shortfall-long | In New Letter to Gov. Reynolds, Rep. Axne Expresses Concern Over Testing Shortfall at Long-Term Care Facilities | 2020-09-24 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) sent a letter to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds expressing concern over recent announcements from her administration about the inability of the State Hygienic Laboratory to meet federal testing requirements at Iowa's long-term care facilities. It is unacceptable we are only just learning from your team that there is not enough testing capability to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable populations, wrote Rep. Axne. Our nursing and long-term care facilities are doing all they can to ensure patients have limited exposure, but they cannot do their jobs safely without adequate testing support. Last week, the Iowa Department of Public Health State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) told Iowa's long-term care facilities that they cannot meet the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) standards for testing nurses, staff, and volunteers and will be unable to provide the required amounts of routine testing for nursing staff and employees who work in skilled, nursing, and other long-term care and living facilities. In her letter, Rep. Axne urged Governor Reynolds to share with her any federal investments her administration may require to meet the testing needs of Iowa's long-term care facilities and implored her to pursue private laboratory capacity to bridge the gap in testing capacity. Additionally, Rep. Axne sought clarification on the financial impact this could have on senior living facilities if they are required to pay for their own private COVID-19 testing. As of today, over half of Iowa's 1,300 COVID-19 related deaths have occurred at long-term care facilities. Polk County, which Rep. Axne represents in Congress, currently has the most active COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities of any county in Iowa. Polk County has also lost the most residents of any county in Iowa more than the next three counties combined. In July, Rep. Axne wrote to Governor Reynolds seeking additional testing and improved data disclosure for Iowa's nursing, long-term care, and other assisted an… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-announces-grants-support-water-and-waste-disposal-city-wyoming | Finkenauer Announces Grants to Support Water and Waste Disposal in City of Wyoming | 2020-09-24 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) on Thursday announced USDA Rural Development grants and loans totaling $560,000 for the improvement and replacement of water systems in the City of Wyoming in Jones County. The $226,000 grant and $334,000 low-interest loan will help finance a $611,000 project to replace water mains and make other water-system improvements to correct inadequate water pressure and flow issues in the community. The project is estimated to benefit 515 city residents. "Investments in key infrastructure are essential to making small towns like Wyoming welcoming places for families to live and businesses to grow, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said."I appreciate this support from USDA Rural Development, and look forward to these projects contributing to an improved Wyoming community." Finkenauer serves as Vice Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, and is Chairwoman of the Rural Development, Agriculture, Trade and Entrepreneurship (RATE) Subcommittee. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-corrects-record-dem-social-security-misinformation-again | Grassley Corrects Record on Dem Social Security Misinformation, Again | 2020-09-24 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today made the following comment to, once again, correct the record and call out misinformation spread by leading Congressional Democrats regarding payroll tax policy. It's confounding that I have to keep saying this, especially after the Washington Post gave these claims Four Pinocchios, but they're just not true. Senate Democrats fabricated a policy out of whole cloth, attributed it to the President and continue to claim it will undermine Social Security. To be clear, the policy doesn't exist, and if it did no one supports it. These false claims were repeated today in the House Ways and Means Committee, but shouldn't have been. My colleagues in the House and Senate know better.Grassley and House Ways and Means Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-Texas) received affirmation from the Chief Actuary for Social Security that there is no actual proposal like the one Senate Democrats asked him to evaluate.The Washington Post fact checker also assigned the campaign of Democrat Presidential nominee Joe Bidenfour Pinocchiosfor spreading this misinformation in an ad, saying in reference to Biden's Senate allies, To make a long story short, Democrats ginned up a letter from the chief actuary to describe a plan that does not currently exist. At a recent Senate Budget Committee hearing, Grassley also asked the Director of the nonpartisan CBO, Phill Swagel, whether the employer-side payroll tax deferral in the CARES Act or the optional employee-side payroll tax deferral associated with a recent Executive Order would have any effects on revenue going into Social Security's trust funds. He affirmed they would notfurther clarifying the record on these false Democrat claims. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/iowa-senators-call-usda-assist-agricultural-cooperatives-impacted-derecho | Iowa Senators Call on USDA to Assist Agricultural Cooperatives Impacted by Derecho | 2020-09-24 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) today urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to provide Iowa agricultural cooperatives with additional support and relief as they continue to rebuild from the derecho. This letter comes following a request made last week led by the Iowa Institute of Cooperatives to the USDA for assistance. This devastating storm came at a difficult time for the cooperatives and their members. The current economic impact of the Coronavirus on the agriculture supply chain has lowered prices for Iowa's main commodities, corn and soybeans. Many Iowa farmers who make up the membership of Iowa cooperatives will be hurt by a combination of the Coronavirus, drought, and damage from the storm, the senators wrote. We ask that you consider the needs of Iowa agricultural cooperatives as they recover from the storm. Iowa farmers rely on agricultural cooperatives to deliver grain for storage and drying, market their commodities, order feed for livestock, and buy their agricultural inputs. We look forward to hearing from you on how to best ensure cooperatives can bounce back to ensure the success of Iowa agriculture and Iowa's agricultural cooperatives into the future, the senators concluded. Following the derecho, at least 71 grain elevators were either destroyed or heavily damaged at seven different cooperatives across the state, adding up to 57 million bushels of storage capacity that will not be available to farmers this fall. Full text of the letter can be found HERE.-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-announces-violence-prevent-grant-meskwaki-nation | Finkenauer Announces Violence-Prevent Grant for Meskwaki Nation | 2020-09-23 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) on Wednesday announced that the Meskwaki Nation will receive a grant of more than $766,000 to prevent and respond to violence against Native women. The Department of Justice's Resources for Indigenous Survivors and Empowerment (RISE) Program aims to decrease the incidence of violence against native women, strengthen tribes' capacity to respond to crimes against women and hold perpetrators accountable. The three-year grant will allow the Meskwaki Nation to hire a full-time case manager who will assist survivors with employment, transportation and other needs; support a transitional housing and prevention specialist to assist clients with housing needs and provide domestic and sexual violence education; and recruit and hire a part-time police officer with specialized training on domestic violence and working with survivors. "Everyone has a right to feel safe in their home and in their community, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. This RISE grant will provide essential support to ensure the Meskwaki Nation has the resources and expertise to fight violence against women, and that Native women have equal access to support services." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-s-bipartisan-veteran-caregiver-peer-support-bill-passes-house | Finkenauer’s Bipartisan Veteran Caregiver Peer Support Bill Passes House | 2020-09-23 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer's bipartisan Peer Support for Veterans Families Act passed the U.S. House on Wednesday as part of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act of 2020. The Peer Support for Veterans Families Act was introduced last month by Finkenauer and Congressman John Curtis (R-UT) to create a pilot program providing education and peer support for the families and caregivers of veterans who have received a mental health diagnosis. Congressman David McKinley (R-WV) was an original co-sponsor of the bill. "Veterans facing a mental health diagnosis deserve the best care and all the necessary support and so do their families and caregivers, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. I am proud to see this bipartisan legislation pass the House, and want to thank Congressmen Curtis and McKinley for working with me to provide these important services to veterans' families and caregivers." "I urge our colleagues in the Senate to quickly consider this legislation and advance it to the White House for the president's signature, Finkenauer said. The Peer Support for Veterans Families Act directs the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to set up a pilot program in 10 medical facilities to offer education and peer support programs to veterans' caregivers and families. With the permission of the veteran, caregivers will receive training in understanding mental illness, coping with stress, and de-escalating crisis situations. The new initiative will allow caregivers to learn from and support each other as well as provide them the opportunity to lead trainings and peer support meetings. The bill directs the VA to choose sites that lack other resources nearby and to contract with training organizations with expertise in evidence-based approaches and military/veteran cultural competence, and that can offer services online whenever possible. The Peer Support for Veterans Families Act is endorsed by: the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-seeking-answers-treasury-secretary-delays-iowans-economic-impact | Finkenauer Seeking Answers from Treasury Secretary on Delays to Iowans’ Economic Impact Payments | 2020-09-23 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Wednesday seeking answers for the continued delay on Economic Impact Payments for Iowans. In the letter, Finkenauer wrote, As I informed you when you appeared before the Small Business Committee hearing on July 17, 2020, our office has heard from over 700 Iowans with issues concerning their EIP. That number has increased to 827 since the hearing." Finkenauer also wrote, Through the hard work of our office's caseworkers as well as taxpayer advocates, economic impact payments continue to be recovered; however, there are persistent issues with the system for processing and distributing these payments that continue to prevent Iowans from receiving them." Finkenauer highlighted the most common issues and glitches in the Administration's system for distributing these payments which continue to block some Iowans from receiving their payments. Issues being encountered by constituents include: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)'s failure to communicate if delivery of the EIP was attempted but not completed. Challenges for constituents in getting the correct payment after returning payments made in the incorrect amount. Withholding EIPs from Iowans who have filed 2018 tax returns but whose 2019 tax returns are pending. Challenges with obtaining necessary IRS forms. "Congress authorized Economic Impact Payments at the end of March, and here we are almost six months later, and Iowans have still not received direct help to get through the COVID-19 pandemic. This is simply unacceptable, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. I'm asking the Treasury Secretary to answer for why this is happening and to actually fix the problem so that Iowans get the aid they need and deserve." "It's unconscionable that the number of Iowans experiencing problems has only increased since we raised this issue with Secretary Mnuchin in July, Finkenauer said. It's past time for the Treasury Department to solve these problems and ensure thes… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-colleagues-push-improve-safety-navigability-lower-missouri-river | Grassley, Colleagues Push to Improve Safety, Navigability on Lower Missouri River | 2020-09-23 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sen. Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Rep. Sam Graves (Mo.) and seven additional members of Congress to send a letter urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to provide additional funding for projects that will improve safety and navigation on the Lower Missouri River. The letter was cosigned by Sens. Josh Hawley (Mo.), Deb Fischer (Neb.) and Jerry Moran (Kan.), along with Reps. Blaine Luetkemeyer (Mo.), Vicky Hartzler (Mo.), Jason Smith (Mo.) and Ann Wagner (Mo.). Many farmers, industries and small businesses in the Midwest rely on the Missouri River to transport goods. High water levels and record flooding in 2019 have prevented the USACE from completing repairs on water infrastructure projects, which has led to dangerous accidents that have significantly disrupted commerce on the river. Currently, there is a critically dire situation related to navigation challenges in several areas along the Missouri River where serious barge traffic accidents have occurred and commercial activity has nearly come to an abrupt halt as we enter harvest season in the Midwest, the members wrote. We understand that the Kansas City District has received $20 million in emergency supplemental funds to conduct necessary work on the navigation channel. However, we understand that the need for resources between the Kansas City District and the Omaha District to fully address all the repairs is an estimated $200 million to ensure that the lower Missouri River is fully navigable. As this situation evolves, we request the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers utilize administrative flexibilities and direct additional resources to address these challenges along the Missouri River, the members concluded. Full text of the letter can be found HERE.-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/following-axne-push-house-adds-farm-aid-funding-and-passes-continuing | Following Axne Push, House Adds Farm Aid Funding and Passes Continuing Resolution | 2020-09-22 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today, after Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) urged House leadership to reverse course and include an extension of funding for farm aid programs, the U.S. House of Representatives advanced a government funding resolution with vital aid for Iowa's family farmers. Rep. Axne has been pushing House leadership to include language to replenish the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) in a continuing resolution (CR) that will avoid a government shutdown at the end of September. Also included in the House's continuing resolution is a restriction that prevents the U.S. Department of Agriculture from using CCC funds to provide payments to oil refiners and undermine the Renewable Fuel Standard. While I am still frustrated that vital aid for Iowa's farmers was left out of this extension of government funding in the first place, I am glad that House leadership heard my concerns and reversed course on today's continuing resolution, said Rep. Axne. A continuing resolution is nothing to celebrate it represents a failure of Congress to do its most basic duty and agree on funding for the coming year. While the House did its job and passed funding bills for more than 90% of our government, the Senate failed to introduce a single funding bill. I hope in the remaining time this session we can reach a bipartisan agreement that keeps the government open and vital programs funded to combat the ongoing national crisis. On Monday, Rep. Axne joined all five other members of Iowa's congressional delegation to urge House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to include an extension for the CCC in this month's CR. Funding for Fiscal Year 2020 expires at midnight on September 30th. The CR passed today extends government funding until December 11th. The Commodity Credit Corporation is expected to reach its borrowing limit later this fall, which would significantly delay farm bill program payments from going out. The CCC finances farm bill programs to support farm profitability and conservation, as well asprovidepandemic assistan… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-announces-147-million-iowa-rail-infrastructure-and-safety-grants | Finkenauer Announces $14.7 Million in Iowa Rail Infrastructure and Safety Grants | 2020-09-22 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) on Tuesday announced new grants totaling $14.7 million to improve rail lines in northeast Iowa and provide additional safety training for railroad employees. The grants awarded through the Consolidated Rail and Infrastructure Safety Improvement (CRISI) Program will fund a $5.5 million project to replace a 118-year-old bridge over the Iowa River near Middle Amana in Iowa County as well as a $3.9 million project to replace 18 miles of track near Nora Springs, Rockford and Marble Rock in Floyd County. The grants also include $5.4 million for railroad safety training. The awards follow letters of support that Finkenauer sent to the U.S. Department of Transportation in favor of the projects in June. "Projects like these make our rail lines safer and more efficient and benefit Iowa's farmers and families with the movement of vital commodities to market all while creating high-quality infrastructure jobs and supporting local communities, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. I'm proud to have fought to secure these grants and look forward to these projects' completion." The funding will be distributed to grant recipients in the following amounts: Cedar Rapids and City Railway Co: $5,464,793 Iowa Northern Railway Company: $9,282,795 Finkenauer serves as Vice Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, and is Chairwoman of the Rural Development, Agriculture, Trade and Entrepreneurship (RATE) Subcommittee. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-announces-grants-aid-local-law-enforcement-marshalltown-dubuque-and | Finkenauer Announces Grants to Aid Local Law Enforcement in Marshalltown, Dubuque and Linn County | 2020-09-22 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) on Tuesday announced Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants totaling more than $77,000 for crime prevention efforts in Marshalltown, Dubuque and Linn County. The grants may be used for a wide range of law enforcement initiatives including policing, prosecution and court programs, crime prevention and education, community corrections programs, drug treatment and enforcement programs, crime victim services and mental health programming, among others. The grant recipients and awards are as follows: Linn County Sheriffs Office: $42,098 The City of Dubuque: $19,563 The City of Marshalltown: $16,027 "These grants provide welcome resources for local law enforcement to respond to the needs of our communities and ensure public safety and access to justice, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. It's important that our communities and law enforcement have the right kind of support to protect and serve all Iowans." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-statement-deal-replenish-ccc-funding | Finkenauer Statement on Deal to Replenish CCC Funding | 2020-09-22 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) released the following statement on the announcement of a legislative package that includes new funding for theCommodity Credit Corporation (CCC): "We fought to include replenishment of the USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) in the House appropriations bill and today we got it. Iowa's farmers and producers are contending with forces beyond their control from the administration's ongoing trade wars and inconsistent biofuels policy to natural disasters and the pandemic. This deal also includes key language to prevent the USDA from paying Big Oil with money meant to help our farmers.We must stand with our farmers and our neighbors through these challenges and ensure partisan games don't leave them stranded. "Now, I am calling for the same urgency and bipartisan negotiations we saw today in funding the CCC to carry over to swift, bipartisan action on a new pandemic relief package. "Every day that goes by without a pandemic relief package is another day of uncertainty and insecurity for Iowa families, front-line workers, small businesses and local governments.House and Senate leaders and the White House are fighting over politics while Iowans'lives and livelihoods remain at risk. As the U.S. hits the tragic milestone of 200,000 lives lost to COVID-19, we need bipartisan agreement more than ever on a new relief package and Congress should not leave Washington until we get it done." Background: On Tuesday, Finkenauerjoined colleagues in urgingHouse leadership to keep members in session until a new bipartisan COVID-19 relief package is passed. Monday, Finkenauerjoined the Iowa federal delegationinsending a letterto House and Senate leadership urging full funding for the Commodity Credit Commission. Also on Monday, Finkenaueroffered an amendmentto the Continuing Resolution that would replenish the CCC funding without delay and ensure payments to Iowa farmers are not interrupted. On September 17, Finkenauerto House and Senate leaders again urging them to put a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-breaking-judicial-norms-history | ICYMI: Breaking Judicial Norms: A History | 2020-09-22 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | A Democratic Senate pattern, from Bork to the filibuster rule Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is widely reported to have told his Democratic colleagues on Saturday that nothing is off the table for next year if Republicans confirm a Supreme Court nominee in this Congress. He means this as a threat that Democrats will break the filibuster and pack the Court with more Justices in 2021 if they take control of the Senate in November's election. So what else is new? Democrats have a long history of breaking procedural norms on judges. While packing the Court would be their most radical decision to date, it would fit their escalating pattern. Let's review the modern historical lowlights to see which party has really been the political norm-breaker: The Bork assault. When Ronald Reagan selected Robert Bork in 1987, the judge was among the most qualified ever nominated. No less than Joe Biden had previously said he might have to vote to confirm him. Then Ted Kennedy issued his demagogic assault from the Senate floor, complete with lies about women forced into back-alley abortions and blacks who would have to sit at segregated lunch counters. Democrats and the press then unleashed an unprecedented political assault. No Democratic nominee has been borked, to use the name that became a verb. Even Justice Sonia Sotomayor, whose left-wing legal views were obvious upon her nomination, received a respectful GOP hearing and was confirmed 68-31 with nine GOP votes. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was confirmed 96-3, Stephen Breyer 87-9, and Elena Kagan 63-37. Democrats, meanwhile, have escalated to character assassination. Clarence Thomas was unfairly smeared on the eve of a Senate vote and barely confirmed. Democrats accused Samuel Alito of racism and sexism for belonging decades earlier to an obscure Princeton alumni group. Democrats promoted the uncorroborated claims of women accusers against Brett Kavanaugh from his high school and college years. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse undertook a deep dive into Justice Kavanaugh's hig… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://axne.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-unanimously-passes-rep-axne-s-legislation-protect-consumers-and-investors | House Unanimously Passes Rep. Axne’s Legislation to Protect Consumers and Investors From COVID-19 Fraud | 2020-09-21 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Democrat | House | IA | Cynthia Axne | A000378 | axne.house.gov | legacy | Today,the U.S. House of Representatives advanced legislation written byRep. Cindy Axne(IA-03) to help protect Americans from fraud during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. By a unanimous vote, the House passedRep. Axne'sCOVID-19 Fraud Prevention Act, which would create a new Consumer and Investor Fraud Working Group to help guard against counterfeit, deceptive, and malicious attempts to take advantage of Americans during the public health crisis, as well asassistthose who have been victims of fraud. In uncertain times, many families and individuals can be unsure where to turn and what information to trust and unfortunately not everyone will have Iowans' best interests at heart. Any and all malicious attempts to mislead or rip off Iowans, some of whom may already be in dire financial situations, must be fought with every resource we have available,said Rep. Axne.With this legislation, we canprotect Americansandguard our families and communities from deception or financial ruin. I'm pleased to see unanimous support for this measure today, and will be pushing my Senate colleagues to advance it as soon as possible. Rep. Axne, a member of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Investor Protection,introduced the legislation in Maywith Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters. The legislation mandates the Consumer and Investor Fraud Working Group be created as a joint collaboration between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB), and also directs them to coordinate with other federal and state agencies. Support for the COVID-19 Fraud Prevention Act: The legislation is supported by Credit Union National Association, Public Citizen, the National Consumer Law Center, the Consumer Federation of America, Center for Responsible Lending, and Americans for Financial Reform. Background: As of Sep. 17th, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recorded over100,000 reportsof coronavirus-related fraud, for a totalloss ofmore than$140million, including more… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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