14 Oct 2014

Braley Clear Winner in Second Debate, Keeps Focus on Policies that Work for Iowa Families, Not Millionaires

By Braley for Iowa
Davenport, IA - Braley for Iowa Campaign Manager Sarah Benzing issued the following statement after tonight's US Senate debate:

"The difference tonight was clear: Bruce Braley sided with all Iowa families and Joni Ernst once again showed that she stands with millionaires, billionaires, and special interest groups.

"As voters are turning their focus to this campaign in the final stretch, they are learning more and more about Joni Ernst's plans to privatize Social Security and threaten guaranteed benefits, protect corporations that ship Iowa jobs overseas from paying their fair share in taxes, abolish federal student loans and make college less affordable for the middle class, and oppose a minimum wage increase that would give 300,000 Iowans a raise.

"But as Bruce said tonight, sound bites have consequences, and Joni Ernst's policies would hurt Iowa families. Iowa voters got a clear look at the two candidates tonight and Bruce Braley won this debate overwhelmingly by laying out his plans to break through the gridlock and fight for an economy that works for all Iowa families, not just the wealthiest few."

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14 Oct 2014

Bruce Endorsed by Fire Fighters, Discusses Vision for Iowa's Middle Class Families

By Braley for Iowa
Braley emphasizes his bipartisan accomplishments in Congress & contrasts with Sen. Ernst's Tea Party obstructionism

Des Moines, IA - Today, Bruce Braley accepted the endorsement of the Iowa Professional Firefighters Association and shared his vision to be a Senator who fights for hardworking Iowans.

While receiving the endorsement, Braley discussed his record of reaching across the party divide to deliver results for Iowa and focused on his middle class priorities: raising the federal minimum wage, protecting and strengthening Social Security and Medicare, and reducing the burden of college costs.

"I'm running for Senate to stand up for working men and women and their families, and I'll always fight to give working families opportunities to get ahead. I'm proud of my record of reaching across the party divide and working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver results for Iowans," said Braley. "But Sen. Ernst stands with Tea Party obstructionists, and her radical Tea Party agenda would only lead to more obstructionism. There's a clear choice in this race, and Iowans deserve a Senator who will bring people together and work as a bridge builder, not a bridge burner."

Braley has a strong record of working across the party divide to deliver results for Iowa and stand up for Iowa's working families. Braley worked with both Democrats and Republicans to secure back pay and GI Bill benefits that had been denied to hundreds of Iowa National Guard soldiers. In addition, he worked to pass the bipartisan "Back to Work Act" that provided tax credits to businesses hiring unemployed workers. He also has a strong record of working across the aisle to protect and grow Iowa's agriculture economy- including working for three years to pass the bipartisan Farm Bill and testifying alongside Governor Terry Branstad to protect the Renewable Fuel Standard and the 75,000 jobs it supports in Iowa.

"Congressman Braley has a tremendous record on issues that are important to Iowa's firefighters and first responders. He's always been in our corner, helping us get the equipment and resources we need to save lives and serve Iowa communities, and he has always been in the corner of Iowa's working families. We're proud to support Congressman Braley in his campaign for Senate because he's worked tirelessly to create opportunities for Iowans, to help grow and expand the middle class and help us succeed. We know he'll make Iowans proud," said Iowa Professional Firefighters Association President Dan Cougill.

Cougill also commented on the recent reports that highlight Sen. Ernst's potential conflict of interest violations while she was Montgomery County auditor, in addition to her troubling attendance record in the Iowa Senate.

"Iowans are learning even more about the real Joni Ernst?and we've seen some pretty shocking reports about things like the contracts given to her father's company while she was Montgomery County Auditor, and some pretty troubling new reports about her dismal attendance record in the state Senate. Iowans want a Senator they can trust?someone who will fight the middle class families, seniors, and women. Not someone like Joni Ernst."

In contrast, Sen. Joni Ernst's radical Tea Party agenda, which includes supporting a government shutdown that cost Iowa's economy $112 million and calling the President a "dictator," would only add to the gridlock in Washington.

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19 Sep 2014

Sen. Debbie Stabenow Joins Braley for Iowa Conference Call Unveiling Report on Damaging Impacts of Ernst's Reckless Energy Plans

By Braley for Iowa
Des Moines, IA - TODAY, September 16, 2014 at 10:15am, Senator Debbie Stabenow will join a Braley for Iowa conference call that will unveil a new report that details the damaging economic impacts of state Sen. Joni Ernst's reckless ideas on energy policy. State Sen. Ernst is "philosophically opposed" to energy subsidies, and her campaign has confirmed that "in a perfect world, in a free market, she would support doing away with (the RFS)."

A new report released today by Braley for Iowa details the damaging consequences state Sen. Ernst's energy plan would have in Iowa - including jeopardizing jobs, costing Iowa's economy billions of dollars, and reducing private sector business investment in Iowa.
20 Aug 2014

Braley and Stabenow Highlight Clear Contrast in Senate Race on Iowa's Agriculture Economy

By Braley for Iowa
Yesterday Bruce Braley, joined by Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, held events in Des Moines, Boone, and Springville to highlight the importance of the bipartisan Farm Bill and a strong Renewable Fuel Standard to Iowa's economy. Braley has a strong record of promoting Iowa agriculture and fighting to grow Iowa's rural economy. He worked for three years across party lines to pass the bipartisan Farm Bill that is critical to Iowa jobs and Iowa's farming communities. He has also fought staunchly to protect the RFS - late last year, Braley was the only member of the Iowa U.S. House delegation to join Governor Terry Branstad at an EPA hearing where they spoke out against the EPA's proposed cuts.

In contrast, State Sen. Ernst would put Tea Party obstructionism before Iowa: Ernst opposed the Farm Bill, is "philosophically opposed" to the RFS, and her spokesperson said that "in a perfect world...she would support doing away with the (RFS)."
25 Jul 2014

Five Years Since Last Minimum Wage Increase, Braley Fights to Give 300,000 Iowans a Raise

By Braley for Iowa
Braley fighting to raise minimum wage to $10.10/hr & restore its purchasing power

Des Moines, IA - To mark the five-year anniversary of the last federal minimum wage increase, Bruce Braley today reiterated his call for an overdue increase to the minimum wage that would provide 300,000 Iowans with a raise.

While obstructionists in Washington and Iowa and oil billionaires like the Koch brothers are actively working to oppose a minimum wage increase, Braley has been a leader in fighting to increase the minimum wage to $10.10/hr to help lift thousands of Iowa working families out of poverty and strengthen Iowa's economy.  

"No one in Iowa should work a full-time job and live near or below the poverty line," Bruce Braley said. "But five years after the last minimum wage increase, the minimum wage buys less and less for Iowa's workers. I refuse to allow partisan obstructionism in Washington and Iowa to keep our families at poverty-level wages while we provide tax breaks to oil billionaires.  Instead, I am committed to raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, strengthening our economy, and providing a pay raise to 300,000 Iowans because I believe all Iowans deserve a fair wage for a hard day's work."

Braley is a sponsor of the Fair Minimum Wage Act that would increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10/hr and then tie future increases to inflation. According to a Des Moines Register poll, 65% of Iowans believe the minimum wage should be increased.

Since reaching its peak in 1968 at $10.69 an hour (in 2013 dollars), the minimum wage's purchasing power has steadily declined and left working Iowans struggling to support their families. Today's federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr means an Iowan working 40 hours a week would make just $15,000 a year.  

A report from Progress Iowa earlier this year found that increasing the minimum wage to $10.10/hr would infuse more than $270 million into Iowa's economy.


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07 Jul 2014

Braley Stands Up For Social Security and Medicare During Statewide Tour

By Braley for Iowa
Last week, Bruce Braley took his Protecting Social Security and Medicare Tour to eight cities across Iowa to speak with voters about the clear choice in the US Senate race on retirement security. On one hand, Bruce Braley is fighting for working families to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. On the other hand, Sen. Joni Ernst supports privatizing Social Security, ending guaranteed benefits and putting Iowans retirement in the hands of the Wall Street billionaires supporting her campaign. Read all about it below:


Iowa Public Television
Reporters' Roundtable
July 3, 2014
Reporters Jennifer Jacobs, O. Kay Henderson, James Lynch, and Kathie Obradovich discuss the Senate race, highlighting the important role Social Security has come to play in the race.

Full video: http://www.iptv.org/iowapress/episode.cfm/4142/video


Sioux City Journal
Sioux City Stop: Braley Continues Social Security Defense
July 3, 2014
"It's a promise we made to people that if you work hard and invest your hard-earned money into these programs, they're going to be there for you when you need them," said Braley, a Democrat, during a meeting with local seniors at UFCW Local 222 in Sioux City. The topic has become a major campaign issue between Braley and Ernst, who are seeking the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democrat Tom Harkin.

Full article: http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/sioux-city-stop-braley-continues-social-security-defense/article_15c30639-2c12-551a-ae68-9e35c82a181a.html


Omaha World-Herald
Bruce Braley Stops in Council Bluffs, Advocates Minimum Wage Increase
July 3, 3014
Braley also said he is against proposals to privatize Social Security, which he said would put benefits at risk during a recession.  Senior citizens, many of whom have lived through several economic downturns, "have seen why this safety net is so important," Braley said.

Braley's stop in the Bluffs was the last of nine round tables he held recently across the state to discuss the future of Social Security and Medicare.

Full article: http://www.omaha.com/news/iowa/bruce-braley-stops-in-council-bluffs-advocates-minimum-wage-increase/article_61587db1-a385-5d0c-924c-9fa96688265a.html


Telegraph Herald
Braley, Ernst Air Differences on Social Security
July 3, 2014
Bruce Braley, northeast Iowa's U.S. representative and the Democratic candidate for the state's open U.S. Senate seat, has campaigned on Social Security recently, discussing the program with residents in 11 cities. Braley advocates for preserving Social Security, making only minor adjustments.

Full article: http://www.thonline.com/news/tri-state/article_15feec46-6f3c-5f8c-aab4-1e16cc2dc4fe.html


Mason City Globe-Gazette
Braley Cites Differences with Ernst
July 2, 2014
Braley said privatizing Social Security would eliminate one of the three legs of the retirement stool -- Social Security, pension and savings. He said scrapping Social Security and setting up individual investment accounts relies too heavily on the stock market.

Full article: http://globegazette.com/news/local/braley-cites-differences-with-ernst-in-talk-with-seniors/article_e43e77c2-ea88-5fa7-8822-7e118b11709c.html


Ottumwa Courier
Braley: 'Stark Choice' in Senate Election
July 2, 2014
Braley said Iowa voters have "a stark choice," in the election. He cast himself as someone capable of defending Social Security and Medicare, while working with Republicans when the two parties have common goals.

"We want someone who can work across the aisles and solve the problems we have," he said. "I have a proven record of doing that."

Full article: http://www.ottumwacourier.com/local/x1927835986/Braley-stark-choice-in-Senate-election


Burlington Hawk Eye
Braley Holds Roundtable on Social Security and Medicare
July 2, 2014
The Waterloo Democrat held a roundtable discussion with local seniors to discuss the importance of the programs to their retirement security. He also talked about the importance of honoring the promise of Social Security and Medicare to current and future retirees.

"When people think about the economy, retirement security is on a lot of peoples minds," Braley told a group of about 15 people Tuesday. "All you have to do is look at the numbers in Des Moines County. Almost 10,000 people in Des Moines County get Social Security benefits of some kind."

Full article: http://www.thehawkeye.com/story/Braley-070214


Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Braley Holds Roundtable on Social Security
June 27, 2014
The Waterloo Democrat didn't give the usual talking points on those issues sensitive to aging Iowans. Instead, he sought greater understanding of the issues and, barring that, a renaming of those political buzzwords.

"One of the things people are always raising objections to is calling these programs entitlements because it creates this false perception that you're getting something you don't deserve, and maybe we should just adopt the language of the investment community," Braley said.

Full article: http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/braley-holds-roundtable-on-social-security/article_bbaf22ee-8dea-5527-89aa-3d2a45491250.html

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02 Jul 2014

Braley Brings Protecting Social Security & Medicare Tour to Dubuque, Davenport & Burlington

By Braley for Iowa
Braley discussed protecting the promise of Social Security and Medicare with Iowa's seniors.

Des Moines, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley today continued his statewide Protecting Social Security & Medicare Tour in Dubuque, Davenport and Burlington, hosting roundtable discussions with local seniors to discuss the importance of the programs to their retirement security and underscoring the importance of honoring the promise of Social Security and Medicare to current and future retirees.

Braley said, "Social Security and Medicare are a promise that if you work hard, the benefits you've earned will be there for you when you retire. We need to protect Social Security and Medicare and ensure their promise is honored for current and future generations of workers.

"That's why I've fought against schemes to privatize Social Security and end Medicare as we know it, because gambling Social Security on the stock market and giving Medicare vouchers to seniors puts current retirees at risk. We should strengthen these programs, not undermine them."

Braley has held similar roundtables in Waterloo, Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. The tour will continue this week with stops in Ottumwa, Ames, Mason City, Sioux City and Council Bluffs.

The tour comes on the heels of a new report released by Braley for Iowa that details the devastating impact of State Senator Joni Ernst's plan to privatize Social Security and replace guaranteed benefits with personal savings accounts for Iowa seniors. According to the report, Ernst's proposal would require "radical reductions in benefits"?cutting future retirees' benefits nearly in half and severely threatening the retirement security Iowans have earned through a lifetime of work. As of 2012, 19,420 Dubuque County residents relied on an average Social Security benefit of $13,994 a year; 30, 730 Scott County residents relied on an average Social Security benefit of $14,333 a year, and 9,575 Des Moines County residents relied on an average Social Security benefit of $14,240 a year.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 530,000 Iowans were enrolled in Medicare in 2012. The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare calculates that Iowa has more than 584,000 Social Security beneficiaries, with the average senior receiving a monthly benefit of $1,131.

Braley has strongly opposed efforts to privatize Social Security and transform Medicare into a voucher program. Braley has also opposed efforts to reduce future Social Security benefits for retirees if cost-of-living increases were shifted to a so-called "chained CPI" calculation.

Last month, Braley earned the endorsement of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare PAC for his strong record of fighting for Social Security and Medicare. And last week, Braley introduced legislation to block planned service reductions at 19 Social Security offices in Iowa.

State Sen. Joni Ernst has called for privatization of Social Security, a position that would undermine benefits for current retirees. Sen. Ernst has also supported plans that would transform Medicare as we know it and pave the way for Medicare vouchers, increasing costs for retirees.
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01 Jul 2014

Braley Fighting to Save Social Security from Joni Ernst

By Braley for Iowa
Ernst would privatize Social Security, putting an end to guaranteed benefits and risking Iowans' retirement on Wall Street
Des Moines, IA - Braley for Iowa responded today to state Sen. Joni Ernst's latest effort to hide from her plan to privatize Social Security:

Braley for Iowa Communications Director Jeff Giertz said, "Bruce Braley is fighting to save Social Security from Joni Ernst, who would privatize the program, end guaranteed benefits, and put Iowans' retirement savings in the hands of the Wall Street billionaires supporting her campaign. Even Ernst admitted her plan would cost taxpayers more, increasing the Social Security shortfall by $2.2 trillion. When it comes to protecting Iowans' retirement security, Bruce Braley fights for working families and Joni Ernst puts her extreme ideology before Iowans."

Braley for Iowa released a report yesterday highlighting the devastating impact of Joni Ernst's plan to privatize Social Security for Iowa seniors. Among the findings: privatization plans like the one supported by Ernst could reduce traditional benefits by as much as half for future retirees, and if this plan were in place during the economic downturn, an average earner retiring in 2008 could have lost $26,000.

Rep. Bruce Braley is traveling across Iowa this week on his Protect Social Security and Medicare Tour, listening to Iowans discuss the importance of the programs to their retirement security and discussing his efforts to save Social Security from risky privatizations schemes that end guaranteed benefits and put Iowa seniors' retirement in the hands of Wall Street.

Braley has also opposed efforts to reduce future Social Security benefits for retirees if cost-of-living increases were shifted to a so-called "chained CPI" calculation. Last month, Braley earned the endorsement of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare PAC for his strong record of fighting for Social Security and Medicare. And just last week, Braley introduced legislation to block planned service reductions at 19 Social Security offices in Iowa.

In contrast, State Sen. Joni Ernst has called for privatization of Social Security, a position that would undermine benefits for current retirees. Sen. Ernst has also supported plans that would transform Medicare as we know it and pave the way for Medicare vouchers, increasing costs for retirees.

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30 Jun 2014

Braley Advocates for Strong Renewable Fuel Standard

By Braley for Iowa
During visit to Mason City's Renewable Energy Group, Braley says strong Renewable Fuel Standard
is critical to Iowa economy, job growth

Des Moines, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley visited Renewable Energy Group's Mason City location today to tour the facility and discuss the importance of a strong Renewable Fuel Standard to the Iowa economy and job growth in our state.

Braley said, "The Renewable Fuel Standard is critically important to the renewable fuels industry, which supports more than 70,000 Iowa jobs. Any threat to the RFS is a threat to Iowa's economy, and that's why I've fought so hard to protect it. Iowans deserve a Senator who will work to expand Iowa's renewable fuel industry and the benefits it provides to agriculture producers, not one who would undermine it."

REG's Mason City location is a commercial-scale, state-of-the-art biodiesel production facility that can produce approximately 30 million gallons of high-quality biodiesel each year from vegetable oils like soybean oil. According to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, the Iowa biofuels industry supports more than 70,000 jobs and $5 billion in wages annually throughout the entire Iowa economy.

For months, Braley has fought the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed reduction in the Renewable Fuel Standard. In December, Braley was the only member of Iowa's congressional delegation to testify with Gov. Terry Branstad at an EPA hearing against the proposed reduction.

In contrast, State Sen. Joni Ernst cannot be trusted to protect the Renewable Fuel Standard. She has said that she is "philosophically opposed" to the RFS, putting her position in line with the oil billionaire backers trying to roll back the Renewable Fuel Standard and out of step with Iowa agriculture.
30 Jun 2014

League of Conservation Voters' Latest Ad Draws "True" Rating from Politifact

By Braley for Iowa

"True": Politifact.com just issued a fact-check calling assertions that State Sen. Joni Ernst wants to abolish the federal Department of Education and the EPA "right on track."

In addition, since the Education Department administers federal student loan programs, Politifact "asked the Ernst campaign what her plan for Pell Grants is, but we didn't get a response."

Full fact-check: http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2014/jun/27/league-conservation-voters/does-joni-ernst-want-abolish-education-department-/

Key passages:

Does Joni Ernst want to abolish the Education Department and the EPA?
Politifact.com
June 27, 2014
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2014/jun/27/league-conservation-voters/does-joni-ernst-want-abolish-education-department-/

[...]

"I do believe that we can make the cuts necessary within our federal government," Ernst said. She called for "closing the doors to the Department of Education at the federal level. And not just because it would save taxpayer dollars, but because I do believe our children are better educated when it's coming from the state."

[...]

The ad says that if Ernst is elected, 213,000 Iowa students would lose their federal Pell Grants. According to federal numbers, that is the number of Iowans who received Pell Grants in 2011-12. We asked the Ernst campaign what her plan for Pell Grants is, but we didn't get a response.

While answering the same question that prompted her Education Department response, Ernst also mentioned the EPA. "Let's shut down the EPA," she said. Ernst gave the same rationale for this slash in government, saying, "The state knows best how to protect resources."

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