Extension of PTC, important deductions for low-income families included in package

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed HR 2029, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015. Among other provisions, the bill extends the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for wind energy. Loebsack has been leading the fight in Congress for this extension in order to give the wind industry and the thousands of jobs in Iowa that it supports, the stability and certainty it deserves. HR 2029 also includes tax extenders for charities, low-income families, teachers, small businesses, and farmers. The legislation now goes to the Senate for its consideration.

"The extension of the PTC included in today's bill will help support the thousands of jobs that the wind energy industry employs in Iowa alone. This current plan will help provide the stability and predictability that the industry needs and will not allow the rug to be pulled out from under this home grown, clean energy."

Loebsack continued: "Iowans deserve to have confidence in their tax system so they can plan for the future and make purchases. While I am pleased that many important provisions, including the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit and certain charitable deductions, were made permanent, this bill is not perfect. Congress must work to continue to give families, charities, teachers and small businesses confidence in our economy."

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation replaces the outdated No Child Left Behind and ensures children across the country have access to a quality education and important resources and opportunities that will prepare them for college and career. The bill was passed by a bipartisan vote of 359-64 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

"As someone who grew up in poverty, I know firsthand how important education is for kids to get ahead in life. With the passage of this legislation, our nation's schools finally have the meaningful reform that students and teachers have long needed. The Every Student Succeeds Act ensures that all students graduate from high school with college and career-ready skills by investing in our children's education and our country's future economic growth. I am proud that many of my priorities have been included in this bipartisan, compromise legislation."

As a former member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, Loebsack worked to ensure his proposals were included in this bipartisan compromise. Loebsack's Schools of the Future Act, which provides resources to rural schools for improving their education technology programs, was included in the House version of the bill as an amendment that was passed on a bipartisan vote. Loebsack's amendment paved the way for the creation of the Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant program, a new $1.6 billion dedicated funding stream, up to 60 percent of which can be used by districts to support the effective use of technology in schools. This new fund will be distributed based on need, with a large proportion flowing to rural schools, and can be used to:

·       Provide educators, school leaders and administrators with the professional learning tools, content and resources to provide high quality digital learning;

·       Provide students in rural, remote, and underserved areas with the resources to take advantage of high-quality digital learning experiences, digital resources, and access to online courses taught by effective educators;

·       Build technological capacity and infrastructure;

·       Develop or use innovated or effective strategies for the delivery of curricula through technology;

·       Carry out blended learning projects; and

·       Provide professional development for educators in the use of technology to increase student achievement.

The Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant program also supports two of Loebsack's other priorities, including:

·       Improving mental health supports and services in our schools. Funding from this grant can be used to hire more mental health personnel including counselors, school psychologists, social workers and other instructional support personnel, a priority Loebsack advanced in his Reducing Barriers to Learning Act.

·       Supporting community involvement by encouraging schools to partner with public, private, nonprofit and community-based entities to address nonacademic factors affecting student academic performance, which mirrors Loebsack's Working to Encourage Community Action and Responsibility in Education (WE CARE) Act.

560,000 Iowans, or one out of every five residents, rely on Medicaid

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today called on Iowa Governor Branstad and the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to ensure the wellbeing of the approximately 560,000 Iowans if CMS approves the plan to transition to a to Medicaid managed care system. Currently, Governor Branstad is in the process of implementing a move to privatized management of Iowa's Medicaid program, which is scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2016. Since the plan was first announced, Loebsack has expressed concern and has fought to ensure the transition does not negatively affect those on Medicaid, which often serves our state's most vulnerable populations, including low-income families, children, seniors and individuals with disabilities.

"In a previous letter sent May 15, 2015, I expressed concerns about the State of Iowa's proposed transition to Medicaid managed care." Loebsack wrote to CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt. "I [remain] concerned about the very short period of time between the waiver request and the planned implementation date of January 1, 2016. I urge CMS to review the State of Iowa's Medicaid waiver request thoroughly. If this is not realistic, the agency should not approve a waiver request until it is certain that the transition will not disrupt care for medically needy Iowans."

In a separate letter to Governor Branstad, Loebsack wrote: "I have strong concerns about the State of Iowa's proposed transition to Medicaid managed care. I have heard from many patients, advocates, providers and other Iowans who share these concerns about the future of Medicaid patients. We must not allow Iowa's most vulnerable patients to fall through the cracks. I urge you to carefully consider the consequences this move will have on Iowans."

Copies of the letters to CMS and Governor Branstad can be found below.

Loebsack letter to CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt

Loebsack letter to Iowa Governor Terry Branstad 

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after House Republicans announced the upcoming vote schedule for 2016. The House is only scheduled to be in session for a total of 111 days next year, including an unprecedented seven week recess from July 16^th through September 5^th.

"With so many pressing issues facing our nation, the American people deserve more from their elected leaders. Time and again, Congress kicks the can down the road, punts, and takes a pass on actually getting something done. And time and again we've seen that kicking the can down the road and playing political games doesn't work for Iowans. Unfortunately, it appears that is exactly what Republicans intend to do again next year.

"Rather than showing up for work in Washington for less than one-third of the year, Congress needs to put people before politics and responsibly address the issues facing Iowans. I continue to stand ready to work with everyone willing to move our nation forward."

Number of Days in Session

112th Congress

2011: 175 Legislative Days

2012: 153 Legislative Days

113th Congress

2013: 160 Legislative Days

2014: 135 Legislative Days