06 Feb 2013

Loebsack: Congress Must Act to Provide Relief for USPS

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after the announcement by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that they will discontinue Saturday delivery.

"Once again, inaction by Congress has real life consequences for Iowans.  By requiring the Postal Service to pre-fund retirement health benefits to the tune of over $50 billion over 10 years, which no other agency or business has to do, Congress is tying their hands. The USPS would not be in the dire situation it is today if it had not been required to pre-pay these funds.

"Legislation to address this problem was introduced last Congress but like so many other issues, House leadership refused to bring this up. I can't think of a less partisan issue than the postal service.  It is past time Congress works to find a solution to this problem."

Loebsack has previously cosponsored 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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01 Feb 2013

Loebsack Statement on Cobham Adding 60 Jobs in Davenport

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after Cobham announced they would be adding an additional 60 jobs at their plant in Davenport.

"Today's announcement by Cobham is great news for Davenport and the Quad City area. These are good jobs that will be a boost for the Quad City economy and families.  I look forward to continuing to work with Cobham to ensure our servicemembers have the equipment they need and will continue to work to support good jobs like these in the Quad Cities."

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29 Jan 2013

Pleasant Valley High School Wins Iowa High School Science Bowl and Spot in National Finals

By Joe Hand

Obama Administration Highlights Importance of Investing in Next Generation of Leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Fields

Washington D.C. - Building on President Obama's efforts to help more students excel in math and science and his call for investments in a skilled American workforce, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Iowa Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that Pleasant Valley High School from Bettendorf, IA, won the Iowa High School Science Bowl on Saturday. Pleasant Valley High School competed against 40 other teams from across the state in one of the nation's regional competitions of the 23rd Annual U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl, and is now eligible to compete in the National Finals in Washington, D.C., at the end of April. The National Science Bowl brings together thousands of middle and high school students from across the country to compete on a range of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, astronomy, and math.

"Congratulations to the students at Pleasant Valley High School for their achievements in science, technology, engineering and math," said Energy Secretary Chu. "Providing opportunities like the National Science Bowl to challenge today's students is an essential part of keeping America competitive in a rapidly advancing world."

"Iowa is home to some of the most dedicated and brightest students, and I'm proud that Pleasant Valley High School students have once again demonstrated why Iowa is a leader in innovation," said Congressman Loebsack. "They demonstrated their knowledge of and the value of STEM learning, which will open up doors for them to secure good jobs and help make them our country's future leaders. I want to extend my congratulations to the team from Pleasant Valley High School and wish them luck in the National Science Bowl Finals."

The Department of Energy (DOE) created the National Science Bowl in 1991 to encourage students to excel in mathematics and science and to pursue careers in these fields. More than 200,000 students have participated in the National Science Bowl throughout its 22 year history, and it is the nation's largest science competition.

Over the next several months, more than 9,000 high school students and 5,000 middle school students will compete in 69 high school and 49 middle school regional Science Bowl tournaments.  Students, in teams of four or five, compete in a fast-paced Jeopardy-style format where they solve technical problems and answer questions in all branches of science and math.  Most teams are coached by teachers from the students' schools and spend several months preparing for the regional competitions.  Many states have one regional or statewide Science Bowl competition, while larger states, such as California and Texas, hold several regional competitions across their states.

Students from Pleasant Valley High School will be awarded an all-expense paid trip to the National Finals in Washington, D.C., which are scheduled for April 25-29, 2013. The regional tournaments, which host 15-50 teams, are sponsored by federal agencies, national laboratories, institutions of education, and non-profit organizations.

DOE's Office of Science manages the competition. More information about these events is available on the National Science Bowl website:  http://www.science.energy.gov/nsb/.

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26 Jan 2013

Loebsack to Continue the Conversation on Keeping Our Schools and Children Safe

By Joe Hand

Will tour schools across the Second District and meet with educators and parents  

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Loebsack announced today that next week he will be holding a series of tours of schools throughout the Second District to meet with administrators, teachers, mental health advisors, parents and students about how our schools should move forward to keep our children and communities safe.  These tours will build on Loebsack's call with law enforcement officers last week. Tours will be held in Ottumwa, Davenport, Iowa City and Burlington.  Additional details and possibly additional locations will be announced at a later date.  Media are invited to attend. 

"Ensuring the safety of our children is top priority for me and every parent," said Loebsack.  "I look forward to hearing directly from the people that are involved with protecting our children and I look forward to getting ideas and taking them back to Washington with me while we debate how to move forward."

23 Jan 2013

Loebsack Statement on the Debt Ceiling Vote

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House voted to temporarily suspend the debt ceiling. The bill also sets in motion legislation that would withhold the pay of Members of Congress if they do not pass a budget.  Loebsack was the second cosponsor of the No Budget, No Pay Act in 2011 and is an original cosponsor of similar legislation this Congress.

"While today's vote temporarily moves us away from the threat of defaulting on the debt our nation has already incurred, it does nothing to address our most pressing problem - growing the economy and setting our country on a sustainable path.  Today's vote is just another example of Congress kicking the can down the road without actually dealing with the issue at hand.  Even though I believe we should provide more long-term certainty for our economy and job creators, I cannot allow the ineptitude of Congress to affect adversely small business owners and the pocketbooks of Iowans.  Defaulting on our loans would simply be kicking the economy when it is already down.

"Further, it is unacceptable that Members of Congress continue to be paid without carrying out one of their main duties - passing a budget each year.  It is time for Members to do their part, and that is why I strongly support the No Budget, No Pay Act to hold Members accountable for getting their job done."

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15 Jan 2013

TOMORROW: Loebsack to Begin Conversation on Keeping Our Communities Safe with Law Enforcement Officials

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that TOMORROW, Wednesday, January 16th at 2:00pm CST he will host a conference call with local law enforcement officers from across Iowa's Second District to discuss how our state and nation should move forward in addressing how to ensure our children and communities stay safe.  Media are invited to listen in and must RSVP to joe.hand@mail.house.gov to receive call-in details.  After a short introduction by Congressman Loebsack and remarks by the law enforcement officials, there will be time for Q&A during the call.

Loebsack Call with Local Law Enforcement Officials

WHO Congressman Dave Loebsack

Iowa law enforcement officials from across the Second District

DATE Wednesday, January 16th

TIME 2:00pm CST (3:00pm EST)

RSVP Email joe.hand@mail.house.gov for call-in details

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09 Jan 2013

Loebsack Continues Small Business Tour in Muscatine

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that he will tour Fabricators Plus on Thursday, January 10th.  Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and Loebsack will see firsthand the products and goods that are made and sold in Iowa.  Details of his visit are below.  Media are invited to attend.

 

Small Business Tour

Fabricators Plus

3206 Hershey Avenue

Muscatine

1:00pm

 

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02 Jan 2013

Loebsack Statement on the Fiscal Cliff Legislation

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement this evening on the legislation to stop the impending middle class tax hikes and address the fiscal cliff.

"What we have seen take place in Washington over the last few months, and especially in the past few days, is nothing short of unconscionable.  This is not a way to run the greatest country on earth. The people of Iowa expect and deserve better.

"Throughout this process my number one goal was to prevent middle class and working families from seeing their taxes go up at a time when millions are struggling to recover.  I have pushed for a big, long-term deal that would also protect small businesses and family farmers.  While this deal is not what I would have preferred, I believe that we must allow it to pass in order for these tax rates to remain the same for those who simply cannot afford to see those rates increase.

"Given tonight's action merely provides a short two-month reprieve from the artificial deadline the Budget Control Act originally mandated, starting tomorrow, Congress and the President must meet to discuss how we will prevent our economy from sliding backwards and how best to resolve our long-term deficit and debt problem.   I look forward to hearing from Iowans in the coming weeks about how we can best address these issues.  We must lay the groundwork for long-term economic prosperity for hardworking Iowans who want nothing more than to provide a decent life for themselves and their families."

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02 Jan 2013

Loebsack Statement on Failure to Avoid the Fiscal Cliff

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House of Representatives failed to pass legislation to stop the impending tax hikes and going over the fiscal cliff at midnight tonight.  Earlier this year, Loebsack introduced compromise legislation that would preserve tax cuts for middle class families, small businesses, and family farms in order to avoid going over the fiscal cliff.

"The failure by Congress to act and avoid going over the fiscal cliff is deeply disappointing. Unless a fair resolution to this crisis is found immediately, this inaction will undercut our struggling economy and the foundation of economic growth - middle class families. By refusing to act, Washington is once again taking our economy to the brink. Washington must be working to boost our economy, not undermining economic growth.

"We reached this point because of Washington's failure to act. Our economy is not a political game. I remain hopeful that a deal can be reached and middle class Iowans will be spared."

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27 Dec 2012

Loebsack to Boehner: Bring the House Back to Stop Middle Class Tax Hikes

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today demanded that the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, put aside his political posturing and bring the House back into session and vote on commonsense legislation to stop the impending tax hikes and going over the fiscal cliff.  Loebsack has remained in Washington since Congress recessed, prepared to work on a bipartisan solution, and has introduced compromise legislation that would preserve tax cuts for middle class families, small businesses, and family farms.

"I call on you to immediately bring Members of the House back to Washington, DC and to vote on commonsense legislation to stop these tax increases and the fiscal cliff," Loebsack wrote in a letter to Speaker Boehner.  "Iowans cannot afford more of the same, and they cannot afford any further delay. It's time for the House to move forward with a compromise. I have remained in Washington and stand ready to work with anyone who will put posturing aside and pass a commonsense, balanced solution."

The Honorable John Boehner
Speaker of the House

US House of Representatives
H-232, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Speaker Boehner:

There are five days left until our country reaches the fiscal cliff and middle class Iowa families see their taxes go up. Congress cannot waste one additional minute with political posturing. The  House must act immediately to stop tax hikes on the middle class, sequestration, and the fiscal  cliff from octzurring'

Over the past year, Congress has taken one undeserved vacation after another. It is the height of  irresponsibility that the House of Representatives is taking yet another vacation with just five  short days to address the critical challenges that have been kicked down the road by this Congress again and again. There is no time to waste. The House cannot continue to sit on the sidelines while the clock runs out and Iowa families face looming tax increases they cannot  afford.

I call on you to immediately bring Members of the House back to Washington, DC and to vote on commonsense legislation to stop these tax increases and the fiscal cliff. Iowans cannot afford  more of the same, and they cannot afford any further delay. I introduced compromise legislation months ago that would preserve tax cuts for middle class families, small businesses, and family farms. It's time for the House to move forward with a compromise. I have remained in Washington and stand ready to Work with anyone who will put posturing aside and pass a commonsense, balanced solution.

Sincerely,

Dave Loebsack
Iowa's Second District

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