Q.  What is the debt ceiling?

A.  The debt ceiling is a cap set by Congress on the amount of debt the federal government can legally borrow from both the public (such as anyone who buys bonds) and government trust funds (including the Social Security Trust Fund).  The Treasury Department cannot issue any debt above the amount approved by Congress.  The first such debt limit was set in 1917.  In 2010, the debt ceiling was raised by $1.9 trillion to make the current limit $14.294 trillion.  The Treasury Secretary has said that Congress must act to raise the debt ceiling this year by August 2, or risk defaulting on U.S. borrowing obligations.  Until very recently, President Obama argued for raising the debt ceiling by $2.4 trillion without any accompanying conditions for reducing government spending.  The debate then shifted, and in May, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 318 to 97 against such a no-strings-attached increase in the debt ceiling.  Having to consider the debt limit should help Congress control spending and force Congress and the President to take stock of the country’s fiscal situation.

Q.  Why shouldn’t the debt ceiling be raised without spending cuts?

A.  Today, the federal debt and deficits are at record levels.  These obligations inhibit the ability of the U.S. economy to grow and create private-sector jobs.  It also is morally wrong to make the next generation pay the bills for the way we live today.  Americans sent a clear message in the last election that they want government spending reined in.  Today, the need to make sure the federal government doesn’t default by increasing the debt limit should serve as a positive impetus for Congress and the President to commit to meaningful deficit reduction measures.  In fact, continuing to raise the debt ceiling without concrete plans to reduce spending is itself a recipe for disaster.  The inability of Washington to chart a course to bring down federal deficits already resulted in Standard & Poor’s lowering its outlook for America’s long-term credit rating from “stable” to “negative,” for the first time ever, earlier this year.  Serious spending reforms are needed for the sake of America’s fiscal well-being.  Negotiations now are under way between congressional leaders and the White House on an agreement for spending reductions along with an increase in the debt ceiling.  This debate provides a major opportunity to bring fiscal responsibility and accountability to Washington.

WASHINGTON — Applications for fall semester internships in the Iowa and Washington, D.C. offices of Senator Chuck Grassley are due June 15.

Grassley said he encourages young Iowans who are interested in learning more about government to apply.  “Spending a semester working in a congressional office is a good way for college students and new graduates to learn more about the legislative branch of the federal government and to gain valuable work experience,” he said.  “Exposure to the work of a Senate office can enhance a college education and make students more competitive job applicants when they graduate.  These internships are available to students in all areas of study. 

Full- and part-time internships are available for Iowans in Grassley’s offices in Washington, D.C., Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Sioux City and Waterloo.  The fall internships run from late August to mid-December.  Interns assist staff members with administrative, legislative and communications work, including that of Grassley’s staff on the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, where he serves as Ranking Member.

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Downing Architects Receives Honorable Mention Award and National Recognition for Innovative Educational Facility Design

Alexandria, VA – April 22, 2011 – Downing Architects (Bettendorf, IA) has received an Honorable Mention Award for outstanding educational facility design in the 20th Anniversary Spring 2011 edition of LEARNING BY DESIGN, the premier biannual guide that showcases innovative school and university design and construction projects. Recognized for the innovative design of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management at Scott Community College (Bettendorf, IA), Downing Architects is one of only seven firms to receive an Honorable Mention Award in the Spring 2011 design competition.

LEARNING BY DESIGN judges recognized Downing Architects for designing an authentic culinary classroom for future food service professionals in a modest-sized space, all while staying on budget.

Judges praised the attractive, well-proportioned massing of the 10,400-square-foot facility’s brick-and-metal exterior. Inside, they commended the very economical plan, which combines instructional space for the college’s growing culinary arts and hospitality management programs. Included are instructional labs, hot cooking and baking labs, a hotel-style lobby lounge and bedroom suite, supportive utilities such as a laundry room, and a multipurpose classroom space that can be opened up to seat 80 diners.

This $2.6 million project exemplifies the idea that “you could do a great design on a small budget and a small scale,” said the judges. “To be able to provide that level of design in such a small package is impressive.”

 LEARNING BY DESIGN, published in the Spring and Fall each year, circulates to more than 65,000+ leaders and decision makers at all levels of education—from early childhood and elementary schools to career-technical, college, and university-level institutions. For details and to access the magazine’s digital edition, visit www.learningbydesign.biz.

 In October, LEARNING BY DESIGN will publish its Fall 2011 edition, part of LEARNING BY DESIGN’s 20^th Anniversary celebration. This commemorative issue will showcase educational design excellence in pre-K to 12 and college/universities with special focuses on renovations, adaptive reuse, sustainability and more. Go to www.learningbydesign.biz for details.

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ABOUT LEARNING BY DESIGN: LEARNING BY DESIGN is published twice annually by Stratton Publishing & Marketing Inc. and the National School Boards Association, with support from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), APPA—Leadership in Educational Facilities, Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI), and the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities.

Introduces bill that would require county of origin labeling at gas stations

Washington, DC – June 1, 2011 - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) introduced a bill that would require "country of origin labeling" (COOL) at gas pumps. The COOL for Fuels bill would let American consumers see where their gasoline is coming from and would help create more jobs by encouraging consumption of American-made fuels and alternatives.

“Most Americans fill up their cars with gas a few times a week, but they have no idea where that gas is coming from,” said Rep. Braley. “This bill would give American consumers more information at the pump and the choice to vote with their wallets. By showing people exactly where their gas is coming from, we can lower costs, increase demand for American-made fuel and create more jobs in this country instead of overseas.”

The COOL for Fuels bill will require the Department of Energy to conduct a study and implement its recommendations to ensure American consumers have the ability to decide at the gas pump whether they want to purchase domestic fuels, such as biofuels produced in Iowa, or gasoline produced in foreign, hostile nations.

Earlier today, General Wesley Clark joined Rep. Braley on a press call to express his support for the legislation.

“Our addiction to foreign oil is one of, if not the greatest, immediate and long-term threats to America's national security,” said General Clark. “And without incremental steps toward breaking our addiction to foreign oil, we'll not only be pumping billions of dollars to foreign nations that are known to sponsor terrorism, but also taking a huge step away from building a strong and sustainable green economy. Americans need to know what this addiction is costing us in real terms, and Congressman Braley’s country-of-origin labeling legislation is a commonsense way to get that message across.”

Currently, 11 percent of America’s oil imports come from Saudi Arabia, 10 percent from Nigeria and another 10 percent from Venezuela. By giving Americans a chance to see where their gas comes from and support homegrown products, the COOL for Fuels bill will help create jobs in Iowa and across the country. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that for every one billion gallons of ethanol produced, 10,000 to 20,000 jobs will be created.

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