Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement on President Obama and Vice President Biden hosting a National Conference on Mental Health at the White House this morning.  The conference brought together mental health advocates, educators, health care providers and others to discuss how they can work together to reduce the stigma of mental illness and help those struggling.

"I, like so many others, have personally felt the effects of mental illness in my family, having grown up with a mother who struggled with mental illness.   I applaud the President for hosting this conference to bring together experts in the field and help lift the stigma that many people associate with mental illnesses. There are too many people struggling with mental illnesses in the shadows and we must continue to work to ensure they get the help they need.

"As a military parent, I strongly believe we must do more to address the mental health needs of our servicemembers and veterans.  As a former educator, I also believe it's particularly important that we provide our young people with the resources and support they need.  That is why I have introduced the Reducing Barriers to Learning Act to increase access to the professionals in our schools that can help students who are struggling in any way."

Congressman Loebsack has been a champion for expanding mental health care coverage.  He has worked on many pieces of legislation, including:

·         Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, which worked to end discrimination against patients seeking treatment for mental illness;

·         Excellence in Mental Health Act, which would improve access to community mental and behavioral health services;

·         Mental Health in Schools Act, which would increase access to mental health services on-site in schools.

He has also led the way as a member of the House Armed Service Committee to ensure that the men and women serving our nation in the military have access to mental health care and suicide prevention resources.  In 2011, his legislation, the Embedded Mental Health Providers for Reserves Act (HR 948) was signed into law as part of the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today as various local, state and federal agencies make preparations for the possibility of damaging flooding.

"As the danger of damaging floods continues to threaten Eastern Iowa, I remain in close contact with University of Iowa officials, local officials, as well as officials at the Army Corps of Engineers to monitor the situation.  I commend the University for taking precautionary actions to prepare for any flooding that may occur.  With the 10th Anniversary of the Floods of 2003 approaching, we have learned a great deal about how to prepare in advance for the worst situation.  My office and I will continue to coordinate with officials on all levels to determine the best way to move forward."

Veterans form WWII, Korean Wars view monuments built in their honor 

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today welcomed the Honor Flight of the Quad Cities 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 copy of the Our Flag booklet.  The Honor Flight of the Quad Cities brings both 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."

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 94 veterans. The 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 recently 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 released the following statement today after the Department of Defense announced that most of its civilian employees, including Rock Island Arsenal employees, will be furloughed for 11 days due to budget cuts under sequestration and other budgetary factors.  Loebsack has been opposed to these drastic cuts since they were created by the Budget Control Act, which he voted against.  He has repeatedly called on Congressional leaders to work to find a balanced, commonsense way to replace sequestration and responsibly deal with the fiscal situation facing the nation.  He also called on Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to avoid furloughs and raised his strong concern about the effect of furloughs on national security and civilian personnel with Secretary of the Army John McHugh and Army Chief of Staff General Raymond Odierno.

"The men and women working at Rock Island Arsenal stand up for our country and support our troops day after day.  It is unconscionable that they and their families will be forced to take a pay cut because Congress and the Administration can't work together to replace the arbitrary cuts caused by sequestration.  Forcing middle class families and the Quad Cities economy to pay for Washington's dysfunction is reprehensible.

"Sequestration is an irresponsible and illogical way to deal with our nation's fiscal challenges.  I have repeatedly called on Congress to come back to the table and replace sequestration in a commonsense, balanced fashion.  Doing so would address our economic needs while more substantially reducing the deficit over the long-term.

"It makes no sense to me that the only people that are not feeling any pain from sequester are members of Congress themselves. It is time for Congress to step up and pass legislation that I introduced that would reduce Members of Congress' pay by 10 percent. The last time Congress saw a pay cut was in 1933 - eight decades ago.  Passing this bill would show Congress is serious about restoring fiscal discipline and putting some skin in the game."

Loebsack has consistently called for Members of Congress to have a personal stake in our nation's recovery.  In addition to authoring the CHIP IN and Cut Congressional Pay Act, he has previously cosponsored legislation that would tie the eligibility for Members of Congress to draw their pension benefits to their Social Security retirement age.  He has also voted multiple times to cut Congressional office budgets.