Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that the Muscatine Municipal Airport will receive a $509,326 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration grant program. The funding will be used to design the rehabilitation of a runway, which is needed to maintain structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize debris.

"Our local airports play a critical role in allowing our communities to grow, as well as fuel additional economic development in the region," said Loebsack. "I am pleased that the Muscatine Municipal Airport is receiving this competitive grant, which will allow the airport to continue functioning safely and effectively."

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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, June 10

Camanche City Hall

917 3rd St.

9:00 - 10:00 AM

 

Clinton City Hall

611 S. 3rd St.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

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Washington, D.C. - Congressmen Dave Loebsack today met with leaders of the Iowa City Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System, including the Acting Director. During the meeting, Loebsack was briefed on the process the Iowa City VA uses for scheduling appointments, the average wait time for new patients and the general quality of care that the veterans receive. He also gathered information about how he can ensure veterans receive the timely, quality care they deserve.

"I appreciate Acting Director Horsman and her staff for briefing me on the Iowa City VA's efforts to reduce wait times, expand mental health care, and their efforts to hire more medical specialists to help meet veteran demand and reduce wait times. While I have been extremely concerned about the reports of alleged preventable deaths and reported cover ups at VA health clinics nationwide, I know that Iowa VA employees are doing an excellent job taking care of our veterans. As a military parent, I am incredibly upset that this could have ever happened to the men and women who honorably served our nation. We owe it to our nation's veterans to provide the VA with the resources necessary to hire additional doctors and nurses so they can continue the great work they do in our community," said Congressman Loebsack.

Veterans from WWII and Korean Wars view monuments built in their honor

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today welcomed the Quad Cities Honor Flight to the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington. Loebsack presented the members of the Honor Flight with copies of the Congressional Record statement he submitted in recognition of their service, as well as a pocket Constitution. The Quad Cities Honor Flight brings World War II and Korean War veterans to Washington to visit our nation's capital and Memorials built in their honor.

"I look forward to welcoming each Honor Flight to our nation's capital so they can see the memorials that were built in their honor. Being able to welcome these veterans today was especially meaningful," said Loebsack. "We cannot thank these veterans enough for their service to our nation. I was honored to present them with a copy of the statement I made for the official Congressional Record to recognize their service, as well as a pocket Constitution."  

The Honor Flights are all fully paid for, and the veterans are typically accompanied by volunteers who donate their time to ensure that the veterans have a safe trip. This group included 92 veterans. The Quad Cities Honor Flight left from the Quad Cities Airport this morning and will return tonight.

Loebsack is an avid supporter of our veterans. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, he has worked to improve care and benefits for our servicemembers and veterans, including expanding Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits for the National Guard; expanding access to mental health care; helping our veterans find civilian jobs; and opening new Community Based Outpatient Clinics to improve access to VA services for Iowa veterans. He also co-introduced bipartisan legislation to eliminate the waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for servicemembers wounded in combat.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that he is calling on Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki to immediately resign. He is also calling on Attorney General Eric Holder to begin an investigation to determine if any criminal wrongdoing occurred. Results of a preliminary report by the VA Inspector General's Office show that the delay of care to veterans and subsequent manipulation of records is systemic throughout the VA. The report also states that the delay caused the health care of veterans to be compromised.

"The VA Inspector General's report makes it very clear that there are scheduling problems agency-wide and not just isolated to the Phoenix health center. I have made it very clear that if these allegations were proven true that heads need to roll. I appreciate Secretary Shinseki's prior service to our nation, but it is time for a new direction at the VA and Secretary Shinseki needs to leave for that to happen.

"As a military parent, I have been outraged by what has come to light and believe the Department of Justice needs to investigate to determine if any criminal actions took place. We owe it to our nation's veterans to determine exactly what happened."

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Washington, D.C.  - Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that the Camanche Fire Department will receive $66,204 in funding from the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program.

"Our firefighters and first responders stand ready to serve us the moment disaster strikes," said Loebsack. "This funding will ensure that they are able to secure the resources and training they need to respond quickly to emergencies and keep our families and communities safe."

The AFG program allows our first responders to purchase firefighting equipment, implement wellness programs that focus on health, and improve facilities. Funds can be used for a myriad of needs, including new protective equipment, health and safety modifications to stations and training for emergency personnel.

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Washington, D.C.  - Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that the Camanche Fire Department will receive $66,204 in funding from the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program.

"Our firefighters and first responders stand ready to serve us the moment disaster strikes," said Loebsack. "This funding will ensure that they are able to secure the resources and training they need to respond quickly to emergencies and keep our families and communities safe."

The AFG program allows our first responders to purchase firefighting equipment, implement wellness programs that focus on health, and improve facilities. Funds can be used for a myriad of needs, including new protective equipment, health and safety modifications to stations and training for emergency personnel.

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Other Loebsack Authored Provisions Pass House

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today led a bipartisan group of members, including 51 Republicans, to block an amendment offered to the FY 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would have had a negative impact on workers at arsenals and depots, including those at Rock Island Arsenal. The amendment would have significantly reduced the amount of work that would have gone to arsenals and depots and would overturn decades of commonsense policies that have ensured the Armed Forces get the best possible equipment at the lowest cost to the taxpayer. Video of Loebsack speaking in opposition to the amendment can be seen here.

"The men and women who serve our nation deserve the best support, resources and care available. This amendment would have had a direct impact on workers at the Rock Island Arsenal and I am proud to have led the fight along with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand up for these workers. This is also a win for taxpayers across the country. The proposed amendment would have raised costs by not producing the best value for the Department of Defense and our service men and women."

Other initiatives authored by Loebsack to support the Rock Island Arsenal and included in the FY 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) were passed by the full House today. Loebsack is the only member of the Iowa delegation who serves on the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). Specific details of the provisions Loebsack authored can be found here.

"As a military parent, I am proud to have worked to deliver the level of support and access to resources they deserve. These provisions I authored will help both the Arsenal and Quad Cities' economy remain strong. While I do not support every provision in this bill, I am proud to have addressed many Iowa priorities. By making the Rock Island Arsenal stronger, this legislation ensures our troops and military families have the resources they need, and at the same time, strengthening our economy here at home." 

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Legislation works on the local level to train workers to compete in 21st Century global economy

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that large portions of his signature legislation, the SECTORS Act, were incorporated into the bipartisan, bicameral agreement to improve the nation's workforce development system. This plan, introduced by Senator Tom Harkin, Rep. John Kline, Rep. George Miller and Rep. Virginia Fox, among others, is designed to improve the nation's workforce development system through new legislation, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Loebsack's SECTORS Act links together businesses, labor organizations, local stakeholders, and education and training providers connected to a particular industry. These partnerships work to develop or implement plans for growing or saving that targeted industry, promoting long-term competitiveness and advancing employment opportunities for workers. The inclusion of the legislation will ensure employees on the local level are properly trained so they can effectively compete in the 21st Century global economy. Loebsack first introduced the SECTORS Act in 2009 and the House of Representatives unanimously passed it in 2010. While it was not taken up in the Senate, Loebsack has continued to fight for its passage.

"As I meet with business leaders in Iowa, I hear time and time again that they are unable to find workers with the skill sets they need to hire, despite high unemployment rates. There is a gap between the kinds of skills that workers have and the kind of skills that businesses need. That is why my SECTORS Act is so important. Sector partnerships will work to address this gap by targeting workforce development efforts to foster the kind of skills that local businesses need right now.

"Sector partnerships have proven effective in revitalizing our manufacturing sector and helping to create high-skill, high-wage jobs here at home. They work at the local level to ensure employees are properly trained so they can effectively compete in the 21st Century global economy. I am pleased that the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act adds a requirement at the local level for implementation of sector partnerships and I will continue to fight to provide additional supports for these collaborations."

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act represents a compromise between the SKILLS Act (H.R. 803), which passed the House of Representatives in March of 2013 with bipartisan support, and the Workforce Investment Act of 2013 (S. 1356). It has been over a decade since the Workforce Investment Act has been reauthorized.

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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today welcomed the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight to the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington. Loebsack presented the members of the Honor Flight with copies of the Congressional Record statement he submitted in recognition of their service, as well as a pocket Constitution. The Eastern Iowa Honor Flight brings World War II, Korean and Vietnam War veterans to Washington to visit our nation's capital and Memorials built in their honor.

"I look forward to welcoming each Honor Flight to our nation's capital so they can see the memorials that were built in their honor. Being able to welcome these veterans today was especially meaningful," said Loebsack. "We cannot thank these veterans enough for their service to our nation. I was honored to present them with a copy of the statement I made for the official Congressional Record to recognize their service, as well as a pocket Constitution."

The Honor Flights are all fully paid for, and the veterans are typically accompanied by volunteers who donate their time to ensure that the veterans have a safe trip. This group included 84 veterans. The Eastern Iowa Honor Flight left from the Eastern Iowa Airport this morning and will return tonight.

Loebsack is an avid supporter of our veterans. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, he has worked to improve care and benefits for our servicemembers and veterans, including expanding Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits for the National Guard; expanding access to mental health care; helping our veterans find civilian jobs; and opening new Community Based Outpatient Clinics to improve access to VA services for Iowa veterans. He also co-introduced bipartisan legislation to eliminate the waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for servicemembers wounded in combat.

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