Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack and Congresswoman Cheri Bustos today joined with leaders from the Clinton, Iowa area in calling for a meeting between community leaders and the Target Corporation. Target recently announced they were planning to close the SuperTarget store located in Clinton, which serves over 100,000 people in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. In a letter to Target Corporation CEO, Brian Cornell, the lawmakers called for a delay in closing the store and for a meeting with company executives so Clinton community members could provide additional input. Loebsack and Bustos believe that community input to highlight the positive economic effect that the scheduled opening of the Federal prison in Thomson, IL will have on the area is necessary before the closing occurs.

"We write to request a meeting on behalf of Iowans and Illinoisans who will be significantly impacted by the closure of one of your stores in Clinton, IA. It is our hope that you will consider delaying the announced closure to allow for additional community input and time for local officials to devise solutions that may give Target incentive to stay," wrote the lawmakers. "We believe that local community leaders can adequately show how the positive economic impacts that a federal prison, already estimated to be $100 million annually for the region, and the hundreds of jobs it creates can benefit our local Target store. "[T]his meeting would be a good first step in finding a solution that would benefit both parties. We hope the local community also has a chance to be heard before any further action is taken on the Clinton, Iowa Target."

A copy of the letter can be seen here.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today joined a bipartisan group of leaders from the House and Senate at the White House for the bill signing ceremony for the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (CCDBG). As Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education, Loebsack helped negotiate the final agreement, which will enhance transparency, strengthen health and safety protections, and improve the quality of child care for low-income families.

"Ensuring your child is safe and well cared for when you are not around is a concern for every parent. For low-income working families who are struggling to make ends meet, having someone to care for their children can mean the difference between finding a job or not," said Loebsack. "The Child Care Development Block Grant provides a critical lifeline to families and allows them to work or attend school with the peace of mind knowing their children are safe and well cared for. This bipartisan legislation makes long needed updates and improvements to CCDBG that will promote healthy child development and enhance quality and safety. I am pleased that both Republicans and Democrats came together to help improve the lives of working families."

The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act provides funds to states to help low-income families pay for child care while a parent works or is in an educational or job training program. The law has not been reauthorized since 1996.

The bipartisan, bicameral legislation includes reforms to:

·         Enhance parental choice by providing information about available care options from all providers, including faith-based and community-based providers, and allowing parents to choose the child care provider that best suits their family's needs.

·         Strengthen safety in child care settings by requiring all providers to comply with state health, safety, and fire standards and undergo annual inspections.

·         Promote high quality child care by reserving funds at the state level to improve the quality of care provided to children, enhancing states' ability to train providers and develop safer and more effective child care services.

The text of the bill is available here.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today led a call to Congressional leaders to take action and extend the job-creating Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) before the 113^th Congress adjourns. Loebsack joined with Senator Tom Harkin and Representative Bruce Braley in writing to the leaders of both the House and Senate calling for Congress to provide the wind energy industry the stability it needs to operate. The three have been longtime proponents of the wind energy industry.

"Like all businesses, the wind industry seeks certainty and predictability so that long term project decisions and investments can be made. Without that stability, we once again risk losing many of the jobs, infrastructure and investment that the wind industry has created," the Members wrote. "Time is running out for us to pass an extension of the PTC and ITC to help to avoid further layoffs and divestment. It is imperative that a vote to extend these important provisions occurs before the 113th Congress adjourns sine die."

A copy of the letter can be found here.

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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack will have a member of his staff in Clinton County for open office hours. Henry Marquard, Loebsack's District Representative, will be at the following locations. Marquard will be on hand to work with individuals who are having difficulty with a government agency, have suggestions for Dave, or would just like to share their concerns. Members of the public are invited to attend. Marquard holds regular office hours throughout Eastern Iowa.

If residents are unable to attend but have a concern to share with the Congressman, please call our district office toll-free at 1-866-914-IOWA (4692).

Marquard's schedule is as follows.

Tuesday, Oct. 14

Camanche City Hall

917 Third Street

9:00 - 10:00 AM

Clinton City Hall

611 South Third Street, 1^st Floor

11:00 AM - NOON