Braley and Waterloo resident David Greene will participate program organized by nonprofit Greatest Generations Foundation

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) will travel to Iwo Jima, Japan, with Marine Corps veteran David Greene of Waterloo next week as part of a program organized by the nonprofit Greatest Generations Foundation.  The visit will be Greene's first since fighting in the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945.  Braley has never visited the island.

Greene served in the Marine Corps during World War II and spent a month fighting at the Battle of Iwo Jima.  Braley's late father, Byard Braley of Brooklyn, Iowa, was also a veteran of the Marine Corps and fought on Iwo Jima.

The Greatest Generations Foundation, based in Denver, Colorado, organized a program so 12 American veterans could return to the Iwo Jima battlefield for the first time since the battle along with a class of students from The Ohio State University.  Braley and US Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) are the highest-ranking US government officials accompanying the veterans.

"The legacy of my father's service at Iwo Jima is incredibly meaningful to me," Braley said.  "Iwo Jima has always been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, so to have the chance to return to Iwo Jima and honor my father's legacy with David Greene and this group of veterans is truly special.

"These veterans' stories are such an important part of our nation's history.  To veterans like David, what happened on Iwo Jima more than 65 years ago was one of the most important events in their lives.  It's important to return to Iwo Jima so veterans like David can keep this history alive."

Braley and Greene will depart for Iwo Jima this Friday March 9^th.  On Wednesday, March 14^th, Braley and Greene will fly from Guam to Iwo Jima to spend the day at the battlefield and participate in memorial services.  Braley will return to Iowa on March 15^th.

For more information about the Greatest Generations Foundation, visit: http://tggf.us/

For a tribute to his father written by Rep. Bruce Braley, visit: http://bit.ly/xrMf5N

If Congress fails to act, $2,500 American Opportunity Tax Credit will expire at end of year

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today urged House leaders of both parties to begin working together now to pass legislation to stop the looming expiration of a popular $2,500 college tax cut.  Unless Congress Acts, the American Opportunity Tax Credit - which provides a partially refundable tax credit of up to $2,500 to offset the cost of tuition for college - will expire at the end of 2012.

Last month, Braley introduced the College Tax Cut Extension Act to extend the American Opportunity Tax Credit for four more years.

"Iowa college graduates have the 3^rd highest student debt load in the nation," Braley said.  "Piling more costs on Iowa students by letting this tax cut expire puts them even further behind at graduation.  Worse, for the average Iowa community college student, letting this tax cut expire would be equivalent to a nearly 15 percent increase in tuition.

"Our colleges, universities, and community colleges are avenues of economic opportunity, and we need to keep higher education affordable for every person who wants to attend. That's why I'm urging House leaders of both parties to begin working now to extend this college tax cut instead of letting partisan politics get in the way of doing the right thing."

Braley made the request in a letter to House Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, which can be read below and downloaded at the following link: http://go.usa.gov/Ufl

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February 29, 2012

The Honorable John Boehner                       

Speaker                       

U.S. House of Representatives               

H-232, U.S. Capitol                       

Washington, DC 20515                         

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

Minority Leader

U.S. House of Representatives

H-204, U.S. Capitol

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Speaker Boehner and Minority Leader Pelosi:

As you may know, the American Opportunity Tax Credit is scheduled to expire at the end of the year.  I've introduced the College Tax Cut Extension Act which would extend this tax credit for four more years.  Please work together to pass my legislation to extend this important tax credit.

This tax credit provides up to $2,500 to undergraduate college students for tuition as well as coursework materials including books.  It is no secret that college tuition continues to drastically increase.  In Iowa, tuition costs have increased by 82.9 percent since 2000 while median household income has decreased by 6.3 percent.  Iowa students are also graduating with some of the highest debt in the country.  Iowa students graduate with the 3rd highest student debt loan of any state in the United States.  These alarming statistics shows us how important it is to extend this tax credit.

As college tuition continues to drastically rise, students cannot afford thousands of more dollars in bills because Congress failed to act.  After witnessing the debacle that occurred over the payroll tax extension, I would hate to see a similar scenario occur with this issue.  Please pass my College Tax Cut Extension Act extending the American Opportunity Tax Credit for four more years.  I stand ready to work in any way possible to make sure we keep student loan interest rates at their current level.

Sincerely,

Bruce L. Braley

# # #

Pete De Kock stepping down at month's end

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) announced today that Pete De Kock, who has served as Braley's District Director since he was first sworn-in to the US House in 2007, is stepping down at the end of the month to pursue new opportunities.  De Kock is based in Braley's Davenport district office.

Braley said, "Pete has done truly outstanding work on behalf of the people of Iowa and has become in many ways a fixture of the communities he's served in.  I was saddened when he told me the time had come for him to pursue new opportunities, but I know that Pete and his wife Jen have bright futures ahead.  I wish Pete and his family the best.  He will always be a friend of mine and a friend of the people of Iowa."

De Kock said, "My wife and I live in the Quad Cities, and with redistricting moving Scott County out of the First District, we decided now was the right time to pursue new opportunities for our family.  I am honored and blessed to have spent the last five years helping Iowans on Bruce's behalf.  This is a bittersweet moment for me.  I will miss working with Bruce and his team, but I'm looking forward to new opportunities.  I'd like to thank Bruce, my colleagues, and community partners for their friendship and commitment to listening, working hard, and getting things done for our country."

De Kock is stepping down effective next Wednesday, February 29th.  At Braley's request, De Kock has agreed to continue working in an advisory capacity until April 30th.

Mail processing facilities are no longer considered for closure; Hundreds of jobs saved

Washington, DC - Today, after multiple conversations with the United States Postal Service (USPS), Representative Bruce Braley (IA-01) confirmed that both the Waterloo and Cedar Rapids mail processing facilities are no longer being considered for closure.  Braley has been fighting to save these facilities for months.

"Rain, snow and sleet don't stop our postal workers, and I'm proud to say that Washington bureaucrats won't either," Braley said. "After months of fighting to keep these Iowa facilities open, I'm glad to see that the US Postal Service has finally gotten the message that now is the wrong time to lay off hundreds of workers. We still have a lot of work to do to save more post offices around the state, but this is good news today for Iowa workers."

The USPS confirmed with Braley's office earlier this morning that the mail processing facilities in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids will remain open.  Braley is a member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which has legislative authority over the USPS.

In September 2011, Rep. Braley sent a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe urging him not to close these facilities.  A copy of the letter is copied below and a link is available here:  http://go.usa.gov/U4t

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September 15, 2011

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe

475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW

Room 10022

Washington, DC 20260-0010

Postmaster General Donahoe:

I'm writing regarding the recent announcement by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that you are considering closing the Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Carroll and Creston facilities.  I'm extremely disappointed by this announcement, given that this could lead to jobs lost in these communities.

I would like answers to the following questions:

Has the USPS determined how many jobs will be lost as a result of closing the Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Carroll and Creston facilities?

If so, please provide me with that analysis, with breakdowns for each individual facility.

In addition, I would like to know how many of the employees who will lose their jobs are part time and how many are full time.

If you do not have an analysis, why not, and when does the USPS intend to determine this?

Has the USPS determined what the net job loss will be in Iowa, if these closures move forward?

If so, what has the USPS determined?

If you do not have this analysis, why not, and when does the USPS intend to determine this?

I urge you to delay any closures until full analyses of job losses are complete, Iowans are given an opportunity to provide public comment, and only if you can justify why layoffs are acceptable during these tough economic times.  I'm strongly opposed to any plan that puts Iowans out of work.

Please reply to my request within 10 business days.  Feel free to contact me if I can provide further assistance.

Sincerely,

Bruce L. Braley