Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announced that they would be canceling their plans to end Saturday delivery.

"The announcement by the Postal Service that it has canceled its misguided plan to end Saturday delivery is good news for the people of Iowa. Saturday delivery is important to Iowa's economy, seniors and small businesses.  Now it is time for Congress to do its job and act to give the USPS the tools necessary to avoid this situation in the future.  The USPS would not be in the financial situation it is today if it had not been required to pre-pay retirement funds, which no other agency or business is required to do.  I will continue to push for commonsense legislation that will responsibly restore USPS's fiscal solvency while protecting Iowan's access to postal services "

Loebsack is a cosponsor of legislation, which would address the USPS's financial needs without the upheaval and job loss.  He has urged leadership on multiple occasions to address postal reform as soon as possible and is currently a cosponsor of H. Res. 30, which expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the UPSP should continue with its 6-day mail delivery service.

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Loebsack and Bustos Also Ask Department of Defense For A Budgetary Analysis That Explains Why Currently Planned Furloughs Are Necessary In First Place

Currently Planned Civilian Furloughs At Rock Island Arsenal Could Hurt Quad Cities Economy

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack and Congresswoman Cheri Bustos urged the Department of Defense (DOD) to avoid making any civilian furloughs this year.  In a joint letter to the Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel, Loebsack and Bustos reiterated their opposition to sequestration and said that while all government departments and agencies need to tighten their belts, the recent decision to furlough the civilian workforce for 14 days this fiscal year could not only have a lasting negative impact on morale, readiness, national security, and safety, but could also deal a big blow to local communities across the country, including the Quad Cities region in Illinois and Iowa, which is home to the Rock Island Arsenal.

In addition, Loebsack and Bustos asked for the budgetary analysis that explains why the currently planned furloughs are necessary and if the DOD is unable to completely eliminate furloughs, they urged DOD to communicate to Congress the requirements, flexibility, or resources that are needed to avoid furloughs and preserve military readiness.

A copy of the letter from Loebsack and Bustos is below.

 

The Honorable Charles T. Hagel

Secretary of Defense

100 Defense Pentagon

Washington, D.C. 20301-1000

 

Dear Secretary Hagel,

We understand that our nation faces long-term fiscal challenges, and that all government departments and agencies need to tighten their belts and look for ways to cut costs.  We are deeply opposed to sequestration and continue to support replacing it with real, responsible, and balanced deficit reduction.  However, we also fear that the decision by the Department of Defense (DOD) to furlough the civilian workforce for 14 days this fiscal year could not only have a lasting negative impact on morale, readiness, national security, and safety, but will also have significant economic consequences in local communities and across the country.

The recently passed Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, which became law on March 26, 2013, provided additional Operations and Maintenance funds to provide greater flexibility to DOD.  That funding allowed for the recently announced reduction in furloughs, which will provide a small measure of relief.  However, we remain strongly concerned that any furloughs will put families at risk of financial hardship through no fault of their own and could be a big blow to local economies throughout the country, including our region in Illinois and Iowa.  They could also jeopardize security clearances, family stability, ability to meet mission requirements, and worksite safety.

We also fear that furloughs could cause long-term damage in attracting new talent into DOD.  Reduction in pay, uncertainty, and hardship caused by furloughs could dissuade many well-qualified and talented individuals from pursuing DOD careers in the first place.

Again, while the recent announcement regarding the reduction in furlough days provides some measure of relief, we remain greatly concerned about the impact any furloughs will have. We urge you to make every effort and examine every avenue possible to avoid any furloughs for the remainder of FY13.  We also ask for the budgetary analysis that explains why the currently planned furloughs are necessary.  If the Department is unable to completely eliminate furloughs, we urge you to communicate to Congress the requirements, flexibility, or resources that are needed to avoid furloughs and preserve military readiness.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of the people who are caught in the cross-hairs of our nation's fiscal battles as you move forward.

Sincerely,

 

Cheri Bustos                         Dave Loebsack

Member of Congress                       Member of Congress

 

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Original works by local high school students due April 26^th

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that high school students in the Second Congressional District may now submit their original artwork to his Davenport office to be considered for the Congressional Art Competition.  The annual competition is hosted by the United States House of Representatives to recognize talented young artists from across the nation. The winning student from each district is invited to Washington, D.C. to attend a reception held in their honor and will have his or her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. The deadline for artwork to be received in Loebsack's Davenport office is April 26^th

"The creativity of our talented young artists demonstrates that the arts are thriving in Iowa.  Each year that I have hosted this contest, I have been amazed by the talent of these students," said Loebsack. "For a young artist, having your artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol is quite a remarkable accomplishment. Judging this competition is always difficult, but I look forward to seeing this year's entries and meeting with the artists."

All entries should be sent to Loebsack's Davenport office at 209 West 4^th Street, no later than Friday, April, 26^th.  Loebsack will also host a reception to honor all students who submit artwork on Saturday, May 4^th at 11:00am at St. Ambrose University. For additional details about the competition, students should contact Dave Leshtz at 319-351-0789 or by email at david.leshtz@mail.house.gov.

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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that he was chosen by Rep. Adam Smith, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), to sit on the Council of Directors of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF).  Each year, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee both appoint a member of the Committee to serve on the HJF Council of Directors. HJF is a global organization dedicated to advancing military medical research.  They serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Congressman Loebsack has been a member of the HASC since being elected to Congress and has served on the Military Personnel Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over military health care, since 2009.

"I am honored to be appointed to serve on the Henry M. Jackson Foundation Council of Directors by Ranking Member Smith," said Congressman Loebsack. "As a military parent, it is one of my top priorities to make sure our service men and women, as well as our Veterans, have access to the greatest medical care and advancements in the world.  The Henry M. Jackson Foundation strives to advance military medical research and I am proud to help lead them."

"The hard work and dedication to our service members that Dave has demonstrated as a leader on the House Armed Services Committee will make him an important voice for our troops on the Council of Directors," said Congressman Adam Smith, House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member. "I am pleased to appoint Dave to the Foundation and look forward to seeing the results that they will produce."

"We are most pleased to welcome The Honorable Dave Loebsack to the Council of Directors of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine.  We eagerly look forward to working with Congressman Loebsack and his staff as the Foundation advances medical research and education at the Uniformed Services University and throughout the military medical community.  The mission for the Foundation is as relevant today as it was when the Legislation which authorized the establishment of the Foundation was enacted in 1983," said John Lowe, President and CEO, Henry M. Jackson Foundation.

The not-for-profit Foundation is authorized by Congress to support research at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) and throughout military medicine. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. The Foundation's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and to accomplish their research goals effectively and efficiently.

The council consists of nine members, in addition to Congressman Loebsack, the other serving members of the Council are Chairman Philip Odeen, U.S. Sen. Carl Levin , U.S. Sen. John McCain, U.S. Rep. John Fleming, M.D., The Honorable Beverly Byron , John Dressendorfer, General (Ret.) Gordon Sullivan, Charles Rice, M.D., President of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

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