Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) is offering a $105 million loan guarantee tosupport the development of the nation's first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Rep. Braley's legislation, passed last Congress, allows DOE to provide a loan guarantee for the new biofuel plant and others like it.

"Investment in biofuels is crucial not just to Iowa's economy, but also to our country as a whole," said Rep. Braley. "By producing ethanol in new and innovative ways, we can lower the price of gas across the country and reduce our national dependence on foreign oil. This new plant will help create hundreds of jobs right here inIowa, and I'll keep fighting to make sure we grow our economy and create long-term, good-paying jobs in Iowa and all over America."

The project, sponsored by POET, LLC, will produce up to 25 million gallons of ethanol per year and is estimated to bring approximately $14 million in newrevenue to Iowa farmers. Named Project LIBERTY, the new plant will use corncobs, leaves and husks provided by Iowa farmers - local materials that do not compete with feed grains. Project LIBERTY will displace over 13.5 million gallons of gasoline annually and fulfill more than 25 percent of the projected 2013 Renewable Fuel Standard Requirement for biomass-based cellulosic ethanol. POET estimates that 85 percent of Project LIBERTY will use local, U.S.-grown materials.

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Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement on President Obama's change to the condolence letter policy for soldiers who commit suicide:

"I strongly support the President's change of the condolence letter policy, and I share his commitment to removing the stigma associated with the unseen wounds of war. I'll continue to fight for expanded access to mental health care for all current members of our armed services and the brave veterans who served this country."

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Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after the House voted on two Libya bills:

"Today I voted to limit the President's authority to engage our country in a third overseas conflict. To date, Libya has cost us $800 million - and we're looking at projected military costs totaling more than $1 billion through September of this year. That's a lot of money that we could be spending on priorities here at home. I don't think we can afford to be engaged in Libya right now, and if the President feels differently, I think it's time he come to Congress and make his case for this war."

The first bill, a resolution authorizing the use of U.S. Armed Forces in support of the NATO mission in Libya, failed by a vote of 123 to 295. Rep. Braley voted against the resolution.

The second bill, which would limit the use of defense spending in Libya, failed by a vote of 180 to 238. Rep. Braley voted in favor of the bill.

 

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Washington, D.C. - Today, Americans and Gulf War veterans who were tortured and held as human shields and prisoners of war in Iraq under the Saddam Hussein regime will finally get justice thanks to the efforts of Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) and the U.S. and Iraqi governments. The Iraqi government took the final step in resolving these claims by officially transferring the compensation funds to the U.S. government. The U.S. government will now use these funds to compensate the hundreds of American veterans and individuals who suffered under the Saddam Hussein regime. Following the State Department's announcement late last night, Rep. Braley released the following statement:

"I've worked for more than three years to make sure thatthese brave men and women get justice - and they've been waiting much longer than that. When our citizens are captured and tortured as prisoners of war,they deserve justice, period. This is not just to address the unimaginable wrongs that a few incredible individuals faced, but to send a clear message to the rest of the world: you will be held accountable for torturing Americans - because what happened to these individuals should never happen again.

"From the moment I heard about this case, to today's announcement that the Iraqi government has settled these claims, I've stood by these brave individuals and their right to be compensated for the horrible injustices they suffered. I believe every American should feel confident that their government will stand by them and protect them if they are tortured or wronged by any other government in the world. And each of us should feel that the United States will uphold the principles of the Third Geneva Convention, which expressly forbids action by our country to absolve another country from liability for torturing prisoners of war. This is a very important victory for these men and women and for every American who believes in justice."

In 2002, a group of American ex-prisoners of war who were brutally tortured in Iraq during the first Persian Gulf War sued Saddam Hussein's regime and eventually won a judgment against Hussein. But shortly after the invasion of Iraq, the Bush administration stepped in and had the judgment overturned.
Rep. Braley then acted in Congress and passed the Justice for Victims of Torture and Terrorism Act - which restored a provision in the Defense Authorization Act to ensure that the Iraqi government finally satisfies outstanding judgments and claims by American victims of Iraqi torture and terrorism. Rep. Braley's bill also ensured that if American citizens are ever tortured by foreign governments, they can get justice and be properly compensated for their injuries.

Last night, the U.S. State Department issued a statement on the settlement noting that, "Congressman Bruce Braley's unwavering support of the administration's efforts to achieve resolution of the claims was instrumental throughout the process leading up to the conclusion of the agreement and beyond."

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