30 Apr 2012

Braley Statement on Obama Visit to University of Iowa

By Jeff Giertz

Braley introduced bill in January to stop student loan interest rate increase

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today issued the following statement on President Obama's visit to the University of Iowa:

"President Obama's trip to Iowa today is drawing much-needed attention to the plight of students facing a sharp increase in college costs this summer.  Unless Congress acts before July 1st, student loan interest rates will double, adding thousands of dollars to the cost of a college education.

 

"Iowa college graduates already have the 3rd highest debt load in the county.  Piling on more debt just puts Iowans further behind at graduation.

 

"Congress should put aside their differences and act immediately to stop the July spike in student loan interest rates.  Our colleges are avenues of economic opportunity.  If we're going to succeed in the global economy, we need to keep higher education affordable for everyone who wants to attend."

 

Unless Congress takes action, student loan interest rates will double to 6.8 percent on July 1, 2012.  Such an increase would mean a student taking out the maximum Stafford student loan of $23,000 over four years of college would pay an additional $11,000 of interest over the 20 year repayment period of the loan.

In January, Braley introduced legislation to permanently keep the interest rate for federally subsidized Stafford loans at 3.4 percent, their current rate.

More information about Braley's bill can be found at the following link: http://go.usa.gov/yfR

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19 Apr 2012

Braley Votes for 90 Day Transportation Bill Extension that Expedites Keystone XL Pipeline

By Jeff Giertz

Criticizes delay of long-term transportation bill, supports Keystone construction

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement today after voting to pass a temporary 90 day extension to continue funding federal transportation projects like roads, highways, bridges, and other infrastructure.  It's the 10th temporary extension Congress has passed without completing work on a long-term transportation authorization bill.

"It's appalling that partisan gridlock in Washington continues to interfere with fixing Iowa's crumbling roads and bridges.  Businesses and individuals continue to suffer because Congress keeps kicking the can down the road.  I'll hold the Speaker to his word that this short term extension will result in a long-term solution to address our transportation needs.

 

"I'm encouraged that this bill will help expedite the construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline.  The pipeline project is an opportunity to create thousands of jobs in Iowa and the Midwest and reduce our dependence on Middle Eastern oil.  Environmental concerns must be addressed, and this bill provides an avenue to air those concerns to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

 

"Keystone XL has attracted rare bipartisan support because of the enormous economic benefits it will provide.  It should move forward quickly once it's approved."

 

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17 Apr 2012

On Tax Day, Braley Introduces Bill to Renew & Expand Adoption Tax Credit

By Jeff Giertz

Making Adoption Affordable Act will increase tax credit for families looking to adopt

 

Washington, DC - On the deadline for taxpayers to file their federal income tax returns, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) introduced a bill to renew and expand a tax credit for families that choose to adopt children.

 

The Making Adoption Affordable Act will permanently expand the federal adoption tax credit to $13,360 and make it refundable -- allowing more families to take full advantage of it.  Unless Congress acts, the current adoption tax credit of $12,360 will expire at the end of the year.

 

"Deciding to adopt a child is one of the most compassionate decisions a couple can make," Braley said.  "Unfortunately, it also carries with it significant financial costs.

 

"Renewing and expanding the adoption tax credit will help remove a barrier to more families deciding to adopt.    It's a small investment that provides a big return: getting more children into loving homes and out of the costly foster care system.

 

"When a policy puts more kids in loving homes and also saves taxpayers millions of dollars in the process, expanding it should be a bipartisan no-brainer."

 

The federal government partners with states to care for orphaned children.  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.

 

Last week, Braley traveled across eastern Iowa to discuss his effort to renew and expand the adoption tax credit with Jonathan and Kayla Craig of Des Moines, who claimed the tax credit after adopting their son Joseph last year.

 

A copy of the Making Adoption Affordable Act can be downloaded at the following link: http://go.usa.gov/yxQ

 

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17 Apr 2012

Braley Joins Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to Announce New Pentagon Directives Aimed at Reducing Sexual Assault in the Military

By Jeff Giertz

Pentagon will implement several elements of Holley Lynn James Act

 

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) joined Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey today to announce new Department of Defense directives that will implement several provisions of Braley's Holley Lynn James Act - almost a year to the day after the bill's introduction.k,

 

The announcement came after Panetta and Dempsey joined Braley and a small group of House members to discuss addressing sexual assault in the military.

 

Braley introduced the Holley Lynn James Act last April to strengthen the legal process for addressing claims of sexual assault in the military and improve policies to prevent sexual assault and domestic violence.  The bipartisan bill is named after Holley Lynn James, a constituent of Braley's who was killed by her husband while both were in the service.  James had filed complaints against her husband, who was supposed to be restricted to his barracks the night he murdered her.

 

"The Pentagon's new directives incorporating aspects of the Holley Lynn James Act to improve the military's response to sexual assault in their ranks is a positive development," Braley said.  "Today's announcement is an important step in creating the zero-tolerance atmosphere that commanders and leaders frequently talk about with regards to these crimes.  I will keep pressing the Department of Defense to put their words into action when they say one sexual assault is one too many and to better care for the victims of these crimes."

 

The directives announced by the Pentagon today in many instances were based on language contained in Braley's Holley Lynn James Act.

 

First, the Pentagon will now require sexual assault allegations be immediately reported to senior commanders, who will then consider if the case should proceed to a court martial.  This provision ensures that sexual assault cases are considered by officers with maturity and experience and that these cases are not dismissed as a result of personal bias.

 

Second, the Pentagon also recognized the need for better prevention and oversight of the Department sexual assault policy.  The Pentagon will take steps to improve the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases by setting up Special Victims Units in each service branch that are trained to investigate sexual assault crimes, appropriately counsel victims and interview offenders, and give them the ability to better recognize the characteristics and behaviors of offenders. The Department of Defense will also require all servicemen and women to receive training on the Department's Sexual Assault Prevention policy within 14 days of entering service.

 

The Pentagon also agreed to support Guard and Reserve members who may be sexually assaulted while on active duty but who have seen the investigation and prosecution of their assault go cold when they return to their civilian lives.  The new directives will create a way to ensure these individuals have full access to the same resources available to active duty members to seek justice.

 

A number of provisions of the Holley Lynn James Act focusing on the prevention of sexual assault were previously enacted into law as part of the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act.

 

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17 Apr 2012

Braley Secures $20.8 Million in Medicare Payments to Iowa Hospitals

By Jeff Giertz

Affordable Care Act provision helps Iowa hospitals receive fair reimbursement from Medicare

 

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today announced that 20 Iowa hospitals have received over $20.8 million in additional Medicare reimbursements under a provision of the Affordable Care Act known as the "Lowest Quartile Provision."  These Iowa hospitals have historically been underpaid because Medicare bases payments largely on geography.

 

During the healthcare reform debate in 2010, Braley led efforts to save taxpayers' money by eliminating geographic disparities and changing the way Medicare reimburses doctors and hospitals.  In a late-night negotiating session with Congressional leaders, Braley successfully added a provision to the Affordable Care Act to provide catch-up payments to hospitals located in the lowest 25 percent of counties receiving Medicare reimbursements.

 

"For decades, Iowa's doctors and hospitals have been punished for no reason other than geography," said Rep. Braley. "These payments are one more step toward ending these geographic disparities and reforming our Medicare system so it finally rewards quality of care instead of the number of procedures performed.  Successfully implementing these reforms will save taxpayers billions of dollars."

 

Last year, the same 20 hospitals received a total of $12.5 million in catch-up payments under this law.  Under the "Lowest Quartile Provision", Iowa has received the 4th highest amount of payments of any state.

 

Iowa doctors and hospitals have long received lower Medicare reimbursements than providers in other states because of a Medicare reimbursement formula that focused on geographic location over quality of care.  Despite offering some of the highest-quality, lowest-cost care in the nation, Iowa hospitals and doctors have historically been among some of the lowest-reimbursed providers in the country.

 

The following Iowa hospitals are receiving the funds:

 

Name

County

Estimated Payment

Broadlawns Medical Center

Polk

$75,000

Grinnell Regional Medical Center

Poweshiek

$150,000

Iowa Lutheran Hospital

Polk

$800,000

Iowa Methodist Medical Center

Polk

$2,850,000

Lakes Regional Healthcare

Dickinson

$125,000

Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center

Marshall

$275,000

Mary Greeley Medical Center

Story

$800,000

Mercy Hospital

Johnson

$850,000

Mercy Medical Center - Cedar Rapids

Linn

$975,000

Mercy Medical Center-Des Moines

Polk

$3,550,000

Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa

Cerro Gordo

$1,675,000

Mercy Medical Center-Sioux City

Woodbury

$1,300,000

Skiff Medical Center

Jasper

$175,000

Spencer Municipal Hospital

Clay

$275,000

St. Anthony Regional Hospital

Carroll

$175,000

St. Luke's Hospital-Cedar Rapids

Linn

$1,325,000

St. Luke's Regional Medical Center

Woodbury

$625,000

Trinity Regional Medical Center

Webster

$725,000

Trinity Hospital

Muscatine

$125,000

University Of Iowa Hospital & Clinics

Johnson

$4,000,000

TOTAL

$20,850,000

 

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17 Apr 2012

Braley Blasts Wasteful Spending at Center of GSA Scandal

By Jeff Giertz

House panel investigates $800,000 Las Vegas conference

 

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today strongly criticized the US General Services Administration (GSA) for allowing the wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars in connection with a conference held at a luxury Las Vegas casino in 2010.  The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a hearing this afternoon to investigate the scandal.  Braley is a member of the committee.

 

In 2007, Braley led questioning of another GSA employee accused of wrongdoing who was called to testify before Congress.  GSA Administrator Lurita Doan was ultimately forced to resign for improperly holding political briefings on federal property.

 

"The GSA won't need a mind reader to know my feelings about their weekend in Vegas: it was an utter and complete waste of taxpayer dollars," Braley said.  "It's unconscionable that while taxpayers are struggling through a recession, a federal agency is wasting their money on fancy catered meals and luxury hotels in Las Vegas.  Something's got to change - and every person responsible for this outrageous behavior needs to be held fully accountable."

 

On April 2nd, the GSA Inspector General issued a report highlighting "excessive, wasteful, and...impermissible" spending in connection with a regional conference held at the M Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2010.  The report found that costs for the conference exceeded $800,000, including $75,000 paid for a bicycle-building project, excessive spending ($146,000) on meals, and over $136,000 in planning costs for the conference, including hotel stays at the Ritz Carlton Las Vegas.

 

The report prompted GSA Administrator Martha Johnson to resign.

 

Other improper spending at the conference included a clown, a mind reader, and a comedian.

 

The GSA Inspector General has asked the Department of Justice to consider criminal charges against GSA employee and event organizer Jeffrey E. Neely.  Neely was subpoenaed to testify before the Oversight Committee today.

 

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13 Apr 2012

Braley Posts Another Record Quarter as More Than 2,000 Iowans Contribute to Campaign

By Jeff Giertz
Braley will report raising over $323,000 in 1st Quarter, $828,000 cash on hand

Waterloo, IA - The Bruce Braley for Congress campaign announced today that it will report having raised over $323,000 when it files its first quarter 2012 Federal Election Commission report, due April 15th.  The report will also show that the campaign has raised more than $1.4 million during the 2012 election cycle, and currently has more than $828,000 total cash on hand.  More than 2,000 Iowans have contributed to Braley's campaign this cycle.

"Thanks to the support of more than 2,000 Iowa donors, Braley for Congress had the best first quarter we've ever had," Braley for Congress campaign manager Molly Scherrman said.  "A record year followed by another record quarter shows just how much Iowans want someone in Congress working for us to break through the gridlock and create jobs, strengthen the middle class, and stand up for veterans."

Braley raised more in the first quarter of 2012 than he has in any other comparable quarter since first running for Congress in 2006.

In January, Braley for Congress reported raising $1.1 million during 2011, the most ever raised by a 1st District Congressional candidate during a non-election year.
13 Apr 2012

Braley Unveils New Emergency Generator System in Camanche

By Jeff Giertz

Braley secured $187,000 for installation of generator in 2009

Camanche, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Camanche Fire and Police station where he helped unveil a new emergency generator that will allow Camanche's first responders to continue operating during natural disasters and power outages.

"Preparing for floods and disasters now will save lives and save money in the future," Braley said.  "Camanche officials have worked diligently to upgrade their systems to prepare for the unknown and I'm happy to have worked with them to get this generator installed."

 

In 2009, Braley secured $187,500 in federal funds to design and install the emergency generators in Camanche.  The funding was included in the FY 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Act.

 

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13 Apr 2012

Braley Touts Effort to Renew and Expand Adoption Tax Credit

By Jeff Giertz

Braley visits Davenport and Dubuque to discuss benefits of tax credit for families and kids

 

Waterloo, IA - At events in Davenport and Dubuque today, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) discussed an effort he's launching to renew and expand a tax credit for families that choose to adopt children.

When Congress returns to session next week, Braley will introduce the Making Adoption Affordable Act, a bill that will permanently expand the adoption tax credit to $13,360 and make it refundable -- allowing more families to take full advantage of it.  Unless Congress acts, the current adoption tax credit of $12,360 will expire at the end of the year.

"Deciding to adopt a child is one of the most caring decisions a couple can make," Braley said.  "Unfortunately, it's a decision also carries significant financial costs with it.  This can be a barrier for many couples.

 

"The adoption tax credit is a small investment that provides a huge return: getting more children into loving homes and out of the costly foster care system.

 

"When a policy puts more kids in good families and also saves taxpayers millions of dollars in the process, renewing it should be a no-brainer.  Expanding the adoption tax credit makes even more sense and will help even more parents and children."

 

Braley discussed the renewal and expansion of the tax credits at events today at Bethany for Children and Families in Davenport and Hillcrest Family Services in Dubuque.

The federal government partners with states to care for orphaned children.  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.

 

# # #

11 Apr 2012

THURSDAY: Braley to Discuss Adoption Tax Credit Bill in Davenport, Dubuque; Visit Camanche for Ribbon-Cutting

By Jeff Giertz

Braley highlighting new legislative effort to renew, expand tax cut for families who adopt 

 

Washington, DC - On Thursday in Davenport and Dubuque, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) will hold events to discuss a legislative effort he's launching to renew and expand a tax credit for families that choose to adopt children. Braley will be joined at the stops by local adoption agency representatives.

 

When Congress returns next week, Braley will introduce the Making Adoption Affordable Act, a bill to permanently extend a federal tax credit for qualified adoption expenses.  The legislation also expands the tax credit to $13,360 and makes refundable, allowing more families to take full advantage of it.

 

Braley will also attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Camanche Fire and Police station.  Braley secured funding for the department to purchase a new emergency generator.

 

Thursday April 12th, 2012

 

10:00am               Braley Event to Discuss Adoption Tax Credit Bill

Bethany for Children and Families

1202 W. 3rd St.

Davenport, Iowa

 

11:30am               Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Camanche Fire and Police Station

917 3rd St.

Camanche, Iowa

 

3:00pm                 Braley Event to Discuss Adoption Tax Credit Bill

Hillcrest Family Services Clinic

220 W. 7th St.

Dubuque, Iowa

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