25 Sep 2013

Petition to Pass the Farm Bill

By Amanda Bowman
Time is running out for Congress to pass a long-term Farm Bill. The extension that passed in January is set to expire at the end of the month, and not acting now could spell trouble for thousands of Iowa families and the state economy.

Congress had a chance earlier this summer to pass a five year renewal when the bipartisan Farm Bill passed through the Senate, but extreme Republicans in the House refused to compromise. So now, it is up to us to fight back!

You were with me when I led the fight for the Farm Bill in the past -- and I'm going to need you to have my back again. Sign the petition to tell extreme Republicans in Congress to stop playing games with the Farm Bill and pass a five year renewal now.

Iowa is one of the largest producers of agricultural goods in the world and an important contributor to our national economy. Allowing the Farm Bill to lapse at the end of September could destabilize agricultural markets and hurt thousands of Iowans in the process.

Extreme Republicans in the House don't care about the consequences that allowing the Farm Bill to lapse will bring. They don't care about the millions of families that rely on the programs that it ensures. They're only interested in scoring political points against their opponents.

Join me and let the extreme House Republicans know that it's time to pass a long-term Farm Bill. Sign the petition here.

Failure to pass a Farm Bill is absolutely inexcusable. Thank you for standing with me and for all of your support.

Sincerely,

Bruce Braley

16 Nov 2012

To Mark National Adoption Day, Braley Calls for Extension of Adoption Tax Credit

By Amanda Bowman

Adoption Tax Credit set to expire at end of 2012

Washington, D.C. - Ahead of National Adoption Day, observed tomorrow, Saturday November 17th, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) renewed his call to Congressional leaders to extend the adoption tax credit.  National Adoption Day is a collective national effort to raise awareness of more than 100,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent families.  If Congress fails to act, the current adoption tax credit of $12,360 will expire at the end of 2012.

"There are thousands of kids out there that deserve good homes, and we need to ensure that loving families who make the decision to adopt find that the financial cost isn't a barrier," said Braley. "With all the talk of the fiscal cliff, it's important to remember that the adoption tax credit saves taxpayers money by getting kids into loving homes and out of the costly foster care system.  It's a win-win.  We can't afford to let this tax credit expire."

In April, Braley introduced the Making Adoption Affordable Act that would permanently expand the federal adoption tax credit to $13,360 and make it refundable, which would allow more families to take full advantage of the incentive.

Adoption is preferable to foster care not only because it results in better outcomes for children, but because it is far less costly for taxpayers.  As of 2010, foster care costs to taxpayers averaged $47,000 per child, per year.

The adoption tax credit is a proven incentive to promote adoptions.  Before its last expansion in 1998, the tax credit was claimed after only 50,400 adoptions.  After expansion, in 2004, the tax credit was claimed in nearly 87,000 adoptions, representing a nearly 50 percent increase.

Braley has worked to help Iowa families, like the Craig family of Des Moines, navigate bureaucratic red tape and realize their adoption dreams: http://qctimes.com/news/state-and-regional/iowa/braley-visits-family-he-helped-with-adoption/article_7ec49e76-e896-11e0-9125-001cc4c002e0.html

More information about the act can be found at the following link: http://go.usa.gov/yo0

More information about National Adoption Day can be found at the following link: http://www.nationaladoptionday.org/about

 

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12 Nov 2012

On Veterans Day, Braley Calls on Administration to Fix Disability Claims Backlog

By Amanda Bowman

Washington, D.C. - Today, Representative Bruce Braley (IA-01) is calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs to take action on the Disability Claims backlog following a recent Washington Post report that states nearly 900,000 veterans' claims are in pending status.

Rep. Bruce Braley issued the following statement:

"This Veterans Day we are honoring those who serve our country, yet over 900,000 men and women are not getting the care they need from the Veterans Administration. This is completely unacceptable. The VA needs to fix this problem and work with Congress to make sure the necessary resources are provided.

"I have personally told Under Secretary Hickey that I stand ready to ensure the VA has the resources available to fix this backlog, and I'll do everything I can to get these overdue benefits to our nation's veterans. Our heroes shouldn't have to wait in line after they've stood in the line of duty to protect our country.

"I also encourage any Iowa veteran who is currently experiencing delays in their claims processing to contact my office. Working together, we can help cut through this unnecessary red tape."

Rep. Braley has a long history of fighting to secure benefits for our troops and veterans and working to eliminate the claims backlog. Braley has been an avid supporter of creating a fully-integrated electronic processing system for VA records so they can be processed more efficiently. He has also secured GI Bill education benefits for hundreds of members of the Iowa Guard, successfully fought for overdue backpay for Iowa Guard members, and in 2009, introduced legislation to eliminate combat zone documentation barriers which often prevent veterans injured while serving in combat from getting the disability benefits that they deserve.  Braley has repeatedly urged Congress and the Administration to tackle the claims backlog, and make veterans' benefit forms more understandable.

Braley's office is dedicated to ensuring full benefits for Iowa veterans. If you are a veteran or veteran family member and are experiencing difficulties with the federal government, please contact Rep. Braley's Waterloo office at 319-287-3233.

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12 Nov 2012

Braley Pays Tribute to Those Who Have Served

By Amanda Bowman

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) is paying tribute to all members of the armed services this weekend as the country celebrates Veterans Day.

"Veterans Day is a special time to remember those who have served our country, and honor the men and women who are currently serving our people overseas and here at home. Our continued gratitude for their sacrifice, commitment, strength, and service shall not diminish, and we thank them for helping keep America strong and secure," said Braley.

Braley has been a leader in continued legislation for efforts in helping Veterans when they return home, such as his Andrew Connolly Veterans Housing Act, signed into law earlier this year.

 

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29 Oct 2012

2nd Annual Andrew Connolly Day of Service Joins National Make a Difference Day in Dubuque

By Amanda Bowman

Waterloo, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) will host the second annual Andrew Connolly Day of Service on Saturday, October 27th. The Andrew Connolly Day of Service will be held in conjunction with Make a Difference Day in Dubuque.

Andrew Connolly was an Iraq Veteran who lost his battle to terminal cancer in August 2011. Because of Andrew's efforts to pay it forward and Braley's legislation in Congress, thousands of Veterans will have sufficient funds to pay for adaptive housing.

In honor of his life and service to others, the yearly day of service to pay it forward will take place this Saturday. This year, efforts will go toward helping elderly residents in Dubuque, Andrew's hometown.

The press is welcome to attend.

Saturday, October 27th, 2012

 

8:00 AM CDT                        

2nd Annual Andrew Connolly Day of Service/Make a Difference Day

Westminster Presbyterian Church

2155 University Avenue

Dubuque, Iowa

 

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03 Oct 2012

Braley Announces $40 Million for Central Iowa Power Cooperative

By Amanda Bowman
Loan will build and improve transmission lines

Waterloo, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today announced that the Central Iowa Power Cooperative has been approved for a $40,121,000 guaranteed loan by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The funds will be used to build and improve 115 miles of transmission line and make other system improvements in 51 counties. The loan amount also includes $866,000 in smart grid projects and the project will improve electric service to thousands across the state.

"It's good to see this loan coming to Iowa to improve our transmission lines and the smart grid project," said Braley. "I am encouraged by the USDA and its funding to improve the status of rural development in our state."

Counties effected by the loan include Adair, Adams, Audubon, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Buchanan, Cass, Cedar, Clarke, Clinton, Dallas, Decatur, Delaware, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fayette, Fremont, Greene, Guthrie, Hamilton, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Montgomery, Muscatine, Page, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Scott, Story, Tama, Taylor, Union, Warren, Washington, Wayne, and Webster.

 

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26 Sep 2012

Braley Announces Nearly $350,000 for Clarke University & Returning Veterans

By Amanda Bowman

Waterloo, IA - Today, Representative Bruce Braley (IA-01) announced that Clarke University in Dubuque has been awarded a $348,942 grant to train nurses and help veterans transition from the military to civilian nursing careers when they return home. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Advanced Education Nurses Traineeship (AENT) Program.

"The funding going to Clarke College is part of the continued promise to help our veterans find good paying jobs when they return home from duty," said Braley. "Our veterans have shown what they can do on the battlefield and with the help of this grant they can get the skills they need for a successful nursing career."

The students in advanced nurse education programs will be helped with the costs of full or partial tuition, books, fees, and stipends. The funding will also help nursing students provide critical career enhancement and job placement for our Nation's veterans. The AENT program will support schools with technological innovations to allow active duty personnel to register and be admitted to the school during a deployment so that they can immediately begin their studies once they return from an overseas assignment.

For more information on the health professions programs, visit www.hrsa.gov.

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25 Sep 2012

Braley Announces Nearly $100,000 to Combat Medicare Fraud in Iowa

By Amanda Bowman

Waterloo, IA - Today, Representative Bruce Braley (IA-01) announced that the Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging, Inc. has been awarded $99,957 from the U.S. Health and Human Services' Administration on Aging's Senior Medical Patrol Capacity Building Grant. The agency is located in Waterloo.

"Protecting Iowa seniors from fraudulent claims and inaccurate information is important to ensuring Medicare funds are going to the right people, at the right amount," Braley said. "These funds will go towards educating seniors and helping Iowans protect themselves from fraud."

The grant will assist the agency in helping Iowa seniors combat Medicare fraud by recruiting and training retired professionals and other senior citizens about how to recognize and report instances or patterns of health care fraud. The knowledge helps them to protect themselves from the economic and health-related consequences of Medicare and Medicaid fraud, error and abuse.

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25 Sep 2012

Braley's Plain Language in Health Insurance Act Goes into Effect Today

By Amanda Bowman

Waterloo, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today announced that his "Plain Language in Health Insurance Act" is going into effect. The bill requires health insurers to write healthcare documents in simple, easy-to-understand language. The goal of the act is to lower costs and cut confusion for insurance consumers.

The Plain Language in Health Insurance Act was originally introduced on June 25, 2009, and was incorporated as part of the Affordable Care Act.

In the bill, publicly distributed material issued by health insurance providers must be written in plain language. As of today, health insurers are required to provide consumers with a standard template outlining benefits and costs in easy-to-understand language. For an example of the template that must be used by insurance companies, see http://go.usa.gov/rSKH.

Documents written in plain language result in significant cost savings for organizations who implement the changes, and are easier for everyone, young and old, to understand.

 

"For the average person, trying to decipher an insurance company's prescription drug formulary or shopping for health insurance in comparative brochures is incredibly confusing and difficult," said Braley. "That is why providing clear, plain information to all of our citizens is important to help Iowans make smarter choices about their health insurance, as well as keep healthcare costs down for everyone. This is a common sense approach that is being implemented at a low-cost with high savings."

 

Braley also wrote and introduced The Plain Writing Act, which was signed into law by President Obama in 2010. The law requires government agencies to write forms and other public documents in simple, easy-to-understand language. In July, Braley joined with the Center for Plain Language to unveil the first-ever "Plain Language Report Card" and continues to implement easy to understand writings across government agencies.

The Federal Plain Language Guidelines provide an outline for these best practices. According to the guidelines, plain language documents should, for example:

  • Use short, simple words
  • Use "you" and other pronouns to speak directly to readers
  • Use short sentences and paragraphs
  • Avoid legal, foreign, and technical jargon
  • Avoid double negatives

For a full description of the Federal Plain Language Guidelines, see http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

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24 Sep 2012

Braley Applauds Senate Bill Passage, Protecting Marshalltown Manufacturing Jobs

By Amanda Bowman

Braley-authored language reverses regulation threatening Marshalltown refrigeration manufacturer

Waterloo, IA - In the early morning of Saturday, September 22nd, the United States Senate passed language that is nearly identical to the Better Use of Refrigerator Regulations (BURR) Act introduced by Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) and Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (GA-03). This bill removes burdensome government regulations that threatened the future of manufacturing of refrigerated deli-style display cases in the United States.

Lennox Industries, Inc., which makes the deli-style display cases covered by the regulation, has a manufacturing facility in Marshalltown, Iowa, that employs about 1,000 people.  The adoption of this bill will help protect Iowa manufacturing jobs.

"I'm proud to continue working across the aisle in the House and Senate to remove these regulations that are putting Iowa jobs at risk," said Braley. "The Department of Energy had effectively outlawed refrigerated display cases found in grocery stores and delis and that was completely unfair to manufacturing in Iowa. We're making progress to fix this misguided regulation. Passing this language is an example of getting results by putting politics aside, and coming together to fight for common sense solutions that save jobs in Iowa."

The problem remedied by this language stems from the federal government's interpretation of a 2005 law that increases energy efficiency standards for appliances.  The Department of Energy believed it was required by law to include refrigerated deli display cases in the same category as standard refrigerators.  However, the inherent design of such display cases makes it impossible for the equipment to reach the minimum efficiency standards set forth for refrigerators in the 2005 law, effectively outlawing their manufacture in the United States.

Braley and Westmoreland's Better Use of Refrigerator Regulations Act creates a new energy efficiency category for refrigerated deli-style display cases, effectively reversing the regulation and safeguarding the product's continued manufacture in Marshalltown and other locations in the US.  This language passed the Senate as an amendment to H.R. 4850, the Enabling Energy Saving Innovations Act. It previously passed the House with overwhelming support on June 21, 2012, as an amendment to HR 4480, the Strategic Energy Production Act of 2012.

A copy of the Better Use of Refrigerator Regulations Amendment can be downloaded at the following link: http://go.usa.gov/vQM

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