Braley bill would require allU.S. flags used by the federal government to be made in America

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) continued his push to ensure that the federal government only purchases U.S. flags made from 100 percent American-made materials. Yesterday, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced a Senate version of Braley's All-American Flag Act.

"American flags should be made in America using American products, period," said Rep. Braley. "A lot of people in Congress pay lip service to the American worker and the quality of goods they produce, but we see little action to back it up. Instead, hundreds of thousands of American jobs are being shipped overseas. It's long past due that we put our money where our mouth is and stand up for American goods. And there's no greater symbol for that than the American flag and all it represents."

Rep. Braley previously introduced the All-American Flag Act in the 110th Congress and the bill was passed out of the House in the 111th Congress.

Currently, the government is required to purchase flags made only of 50 percent American-made materials. The All-American Flag Act would fix this by requiring federal government agencies to purchase only flags that contain 100 percent American-made materials. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Census Data, in 2009 the dollar value of flags imported to the United States was $3 million. Of thatamount, $2.5 million of imported flags came from China.

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Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01), Chair of the Populist Caucus, joined Populist Caucus Vice Chairs Rosa DeLauro, Peter DeFazio, and Donna Edwards and 76 Members of Congress in writing to the Republican House Leadership opposing a Republican bill they plan to bring to the House Floor. The Republican bill would limit the Commodities Future Trading Commission's (CFTC) ability to regulate oil speculators and prevent them from driving up gas prices across America. Rep. Braley released the following statement:

"Millions of hardworking, middle class families across America are already struggling to make ends meet - gas prices shouldn't be another burden for them to bear. But instead of working to lower gas prices, the Republican leadership is planning to bring a bill to the House Floor this week that would limit the only agency that currently has the power to curb oil speculation and prevent oil price manipulation. Iowans drive long distances to get to work, sometimes over 100 miles, and they simply can't afford gas at these prices. Congress and the President should be taking all possible measures to ease the pain at the pump, not voting on bills that would raise gas prices."

A copy of the letter is available here: http://go.usa.gov/W2d

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Iowa Members Support Capping Direct Payments to Farmers Making +$250K

Washington, DC - Today, Congressmen Bruce Braley, Leonard Boswell, and Dave Loebsack joined together to push back against cuts that would hurt Iowa farmers, the state's economy, and America's energy independence by slashing crop insurance and gutting renewable energy programs that encourage the harvesting of agriculture energy inputs and help rural gas stations to purchase ethanol blend pumps.

In a letter to leadership of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Federal Drug Administration, and related agencies, the Members urged the Senators to take a second look at the House's cuts to crop insurance, renewable energy programs, and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The House Members asked the Subcommittee to retain the $250,000 income cap leveled ondirect farm payments in the legislation.

"Gas prices are climbing and crippling family budgets all over this country, but Washington politicians are trying to undercut the alternative fuel industry that helps lower gas prices and creates thousands of jobs. It makes absolutely no sense," said Rep. Braley. "Hard working families and thousands of good-paying jobsdepend on this funding."

"With gas prices still high and concerns over what or who is exactly driving them up, it is outrageous to pull funding from renewable energy programs that have had an impact on reducing our country's dependence on foreign oil and created thousands of jobs, especially while still paying out subsidies to oil giants like BP and ExxonMobil," said Rep. Boswell, a senior Member of the House Agriculture Committee. "The House FY 2012 agriculture appropriations bill is short-sighted, and embodies what happens when appropriators legislate without talking to Members of the Agriculture Committee who come from agriculture states and understand what it requires to run a farm and get food to our tables."

"Renewable fuels have shown to be a critical component in our efforts to reduce our dependence onforeign oil," said Rep. Loebsack. "The House's proposed cuts to crop insurance and cuts to energy infrastructure hurt Iowa's economy and our nation's security."

A copy of the letter is available here: http://go.usa.gov/Dm7

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Braley Calls for Immediate Withdrawal of U.S. Combat Troops from Afghanistan

Washington, DC - May 27, 2011 - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released thefollowing statement on U.S. involvement in Afghanistan:

"I believe the time has come for us to begin an immediate withdrawal of our combat troops from Afghanistan - with the goal of having them home by the end of 2011. This isn't a decision I came to lightly, but one that I have struggled with for some time. Our justifications for going into Afghanistan are no longer valid, and meanwhile, the costs - both human and financial - of continuing this war are just too high.

"Earlier this year, I had a chance to travel to Afghanistan and meet with General David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry to discuss our progress there. I spoke with commanders on the ground and met with some of our 2,800 Iowa National Guardtroops who are currently stationed in Afghanistan. I've met with too many families who've lost a loved one or seen them come home with missing limbs and other serious injuries. I believe it's time to get as many of our brave men and women in uniform home as quickly as possible."

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Braley Calls for Meeting with Army Sec. to Discuss Reports of Possible JMTC Closure at Rock Isl. Arsenal

Bipartisan Iowa, Illinois Delegation Seeks Answers

Washington, DC - May 27, 2011 - After learning that an internal task force at the Army Materiel Command (AMC) is considering relocating Rock Island Arsenal's Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC), Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers from Iowa and Illinois called for a meeting with the Secretary of the Army, John McHugh, as soon as possible to discusstheir concerns about the cost associated with conducting such a move as well as the impact it would have on the Rock Island Arsenal.

"The Rock Island Arsenal and the JMTC are crucial to the Quad City economy," said Rep. Braley. "There are 1,700 jobs on the line if this facility is considered for closure. That outcome is unacceptable to me, and I intend to get answers on this as soon as possible."

Rep. Braley sent a letter to Sec. McHugh with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Congressmen Bobby Schilling (R-IL-17) and Dave Loebsack (D-IA-02).

"It is our understanding that the Army Materiel Command (AMC) has formed an internal task force charged with cutting $3 billion from the overall AMC budget. These recommendations are due in July as part of an Army-wide effort to find savings in a time of tight budgets.  We understand that closing Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) is a potential approach being considered by this task force," the Members wrote. "Given the urgency of this matter, we request a meeting with you as soon as possible to discuss these matters as they may impact Rock Island."

A similar letter was sent to General Ann Dunwoody, the Commanding General of the Army Material Command which oversees the JMTC's operations and would have firsthand knowledge of the internal task force. Today's letters follow up on a previous request to meet with General Dunwoody who is not available to meetuntil July, the same month the task force will report its cost-cutting recommendations.

A copy of Rep. Braley's letter to Sec. McHugh is available here: http://go.usa.gov/DY4

A copy of Rep. Braley's letter to Gen. Dunwoody is available here: http://go.usa.gov/DYY

The Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) is a one-of-a-kind U.S. Army facility, which manufactures critical equipment for our troops around the world. The more than 1,700 individuals employed at JMTC specialize in manufacturing artillery, armor, small arms, and mobile maintenance kits for use on the front lines. The JMTC, perhaps best known for howitzer production, operates the Army's only foundry and since 2003 has produced half of all armor for Army tactical wheeled vehicles. Veterans make up more than half of JMTC's highly skilled workforce.

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Populist Caucus Unveils "Gas Is Too Damn High" Plan to Lower Gas Prices

Washington, DC - May 27, 2011 - Today, the Congressional Populist Caucus unveiled its "Gas Is Too Damn High" plan to lower gas prices across America. Congressman Bruce Braley's (IA-01), Chair of the Populist Caucus, was joined by Vice ChairsRosa DeLauro (CT-03), Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Donna Edwards (MD-04) and Caucus members Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Jackie Speier (CA-12), and Peter Welch (VT-AT) at a press conference this morning to announce the plan.

"If anyone in America is wondering whether gas is too damn high, I have an answer for you: hell yeah it is," said Rep. Braley. "Millions of hardworking, middle class families are already struggling to make ends meet - gas prices shouldn't be another burden for them to bear. Folks in my state drive long distances to get to work, sometimes over 100 miles, and they simply can't afford gas at these prices. Congress and the President have to act now to ease the pain at the pump, and that's exactly what our Populist Caucus plan will do."

The plan would lower gas prices by going after speculators, ending tax breaks for big oil companies, and tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. An outline of the "Gas Is Too Damn High" plan is available here: http://go.usa.gov/DYT

High-resolution photos from the press conference are available here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/repbraley/

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Braley Statement on the Arrest of Ratko Mladic

Washington, DC - May 27, 2011 - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement on the arrest of Ratko Mladic, who was charged with genocide and other war crimes during the Bosnian war by the International Criminal Tribunal:

"Ratko Mladic is responsible for heinous atrocities during the Bosnian war, including the genocide of thousands of civilians. His arrest is a victory for all of us who believe that justice must be served, and shows that crimes against humanitywill not go unpunished. This news is one more step in helping the region heal and move on.

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