The drought in Iowa is bad. And it's just getting worse every day without rain. In fact, some farmers might even be looking at total losses this year if things don't change soon.

While we can only pray for wet weather, we can do something right now to help farmers -- and consumers -- in desperate need of our assistance.

The 2012 Farm Bill is the single most important piece of legislation affecting Iowa and Iowa's economy, but Republican leaders in the House are fighting amongst themselves in a petty tug of war. Iowa farmers don't have time for a family squabble.

What's worse is that much of the assistance to help farmers during drought has expired from the last Farm Bill and many farmers have been left without a safety net. This will be devastating for Iowa's economy if Congress doesn't act now.

Join me in urging Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor to bring the Farm Bill to the Floor of the House before they leave for vacation in August.

It's not often every single member of the Iowa Congressional delegation -- Republicans and Democrats -- agree on something. And passing the Farm Bill immediately makes real Iowa common sense for farmers, consumers, and Iowa's economy.

There's no excuse - Republican leaders in the House must bring up this bill for a vote. Providing relief to our family farmers now will have a big impact on Iowa's economy and assist farmers trying to make ends meet during this horrible disaster.

Tell Republican leaders in Congress: Bring up the Farm Bill for an up or down vote now! Iowans deserve your immediate action.

Thanks for all you do.

Bruce

Legislation includes $6 million for UNI's Project SOAR, $2 million for Rock Island Arsenal

Washington, DC - Today Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) voted for the FY2010 Defense Appropriations Act (HR 3326), which includes $8 million secured by Braley for two eastern Iowa programs. The bill includes $6 million for the University of Northern Iowa's Project SOAR, and $2 million for the Arsenal Support Program Initiative (ASPI) at the Rock Island Arsenal. The bill passed the House this afternoon, 400-30.

Project SOAR (Student Online Achievement Resources) helps children from military families receive a better education by providing a common set of assessment and instructional tools to be used by all military families as they transition from one school to another. The program provides additional support for military families and increases students' academic achievement. The $6 million will help fund the continuation of the program. Braley secured $5 million for Project SOAR in 2007, and $4.75 million in 2008.

"Project SOAR helps improve educational opportunities for children in military families," Braley said. "Military families make sacrifices every day in service to our country. This funding helps provide a more stable learning environment for military children growing up."

The Arsenal Support Program Initiative (ASPI) renovates unused office and manufacturing space at Rock Island Arsenal to lease to commercial firms. It currently has 30 tenants, generates $700,000 per year in revenues, and has created or retained an estimated 500 jobs. Last month, Braley and Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL) successfully added an amendment to the FY 2010 Defense Authorization Act extending the ASPI program for an additional year. The funding secured today will fund the program for a year.

"The funding secured today for the ASPI program will help spur economic development in the Quad Cities, save taxpayers money, and maintain infrastructure at the Arsenal," said Braley. "The Arsenal has a tremendous impact on the Quad Cities' local economy. Investing in this program will help create and maintain jobs at the Arsenal."

The Defense Appropriations bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) announced that he has secured $400,000 for Clarke College's Doctor of Nurse Practitioner (DNP) Program and $300,000 for St. Ambrose University's Center for Health Sciences Education. The funding was included in the FY 2010 Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriations bill, which passed the House this afternoon by a vote of 264-163.

Specifically, the $400,000 for Clarke College's Doctor of Nurse Practitioner (DNP) program in Dubuque will help fund instructor salaries, course development, equipment purchases, and scholarships for students.

The $300,000 for St. Ambrose University in Davenport will help fund construction of the school's new 58,000 square foot Center for Health Sciences Education, which will house occupational therapy, physical therapy, and nursing training programs. Ground was broken on building the Center earlier this year.

"The funding included in this bill will help expand and strengthen healthcare education programs in eastern Iowa," Braley said. "Providing more resources for these programs will help train the healthcare workers of tomorrow and improve the quality of healthcare available in eastern Iowa.  I'm proud to have secured funding for these important programs."

The Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriations Bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

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