In continued effort to address student loan debt and college affordability, Congressman reaches out to Iowans

Washington, D.C. - After a recent report showing a 12-fold increase in the cost of college tuition in the last 30 years, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today called on Iowans to share their stories receiving and repaying student loans. Braley will share the comments he receives with Department of Education in his continued effort to address the student debt crisis and college affordability.

"I was lucky to receive college student loans when I attended Iowa State, but my experience pales in comparison to present-day graduates who have the highest level of student loan debt in history," Braley said. "We've got to find solutions to rising tuition costs and rising debt burdens, and a big piece of that hearing and sharing the first-person stories of those facing these challenges."

Braley is seeking personal stories from Iowans that have taken out student loans and/or are repaying those loans, and the challenges they have faced to further their education goals. Stories can be shared on his website at: braley.house.gov

Braley recently sponsored the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, allowing individuals to refinance their student loan debt at lower interest rates, helping address the record high levels of crippling loan debt and delinquencies increasingly affecting millions of students and their families. The U.S. Department of Education estimates this new legislation would benefit 311,000 Iowa student borrowers.

Student loan debt today totals $1.2 trillion, $864 billion of which is backed by the federal government. More than 70 percent of students who graduated from college in 2012 had student loan debt.

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As Obama Administration reviews final EPA proposal, Congressman continues his advocacy to protect the Renewable Fuel Standard

Washington, D.C. - Today, ahead of a final review of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by the Obama Administration, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) continued his push to support biofuel production and American energy independence. In a letter to Shaun Donovan, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Braley urged the Obama Administration to expand the RFS, which has created nearly 75,000 Iowa jobs.

On Friday, the EPA, which had originally proposed a cut to the RFS, sent their revised proposal to the OMB, which has 90 days to review the final rule before issuing a final decision.

"This has been a long journey advocating for the RFS, but as this last leg approaches we must not give up the fight," Braley said. "What it really comes down to is a decision between foreign oil, foreign jobs, and a boost to foreign economies or home grown Iowa energy, Iowa jobs, and billions of dollars added to Iowa's economy?seems like an easy, commonsense decision to me."

Since the creation of the RFS in 2005, nearly 10 billion gallons of foreign oil per year have been replaced by renewable fuels?much of it coming from Iowa.

"I urge you to reject any Rule that cuts biofuels, recognizing that this would be detrimental to our nation's energy supply and consumer choice at the pump," Braley's letter reads.

Braley has consistently fought against the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed cuts to the RFS-- greatly harming Iowa's economy and America's move toward energy independence.

Timeline of Highlights of Rep. Braley's Action to Protect the RFS

·         April-2013: Wrote to leaders of House Committee on Energy and Commerce, discussing the economic benefits of the RFS and its importance in America's energy future and invited them to tour bioenergy facilities in Iowa.

·         May-July-2013: Held a series of four educational briefings on the RFS, whose purpose was to educate members of Congress and their staffs on the RFS and its importance to America's economy and march toward energy independence.

·         June-2013: Introduced Rural Energy Investment Act, which would help develop advanced biofuels, wind and other renewable energy resources and energy efficiency and require the federal government to increase their commitment to purchasing biobased products like cleaners, lubricants, building materials, and other industrial products by 50 percent?and reduce the use of products made with Middle East oil.

·         July-2013: Participated in Congressional committee hearing entitled: "Overview of the Renewable Fuel Standard: Stakeholder Perspectives," which included panelists involved in the production of biofuels and the importance of biofuels to Iowa and the nation's economy. Panel included Iowa native and former National Corn Grower president Pam Johnson.

·         August-2013: Toured the POET Biorefinery in Hanlontown, IA and met with employees to discuss Iowa's leadership on biofuel innovation and the importance of the RFS.

·         November-2013: Sent a letter to Farm Bill conference committee encouraging them to include an Energy Title that supports renewable fuel efforts.

·         November-2013: Toured the BioProcess Algae plant in Shenandoah, Iowa to visit with workers and see how ethanol byproducts, such as carbon dioxide, are being used to promote algae growth for use in advancements in a variety of industries.

·         November-2013: Sent a letter to President Obama regarding the negative economic impact and shortsightedness of lowering the RFS.

·         November-2013: Co-hosted a Congressional briefing with Rep. Steve King, and ISU professor Bruce Babcock as a panelist, in order to inform Congressional offices of the negative economic impact of lowering the RFS.

·         November-2013: Sent a letter to EPA Administrator McCarthy, USDA Secretary Vilsack, and OMB Director Burwell in support of an increase in the biodiesel volume requirement in the RFS.

·         November-2013: Sent a letter to EPA Administrator McCarthy urging the Administrator to review the draft proposal for the RFS volume obligations and support an RFS that will support innovation and economic growth, and reduce our reliance on foreign oil.

·         December-2013: Asked Iowans to share their stories of the positive impact the RFS had had on their lives, careers, and communities?later submitting their stories to the EPA during the open comment period.

·         December-2013: Testified in opposition to the reduction at an EPA field hearing in Washington?stressing the economic benefits of the RFS including the value added markets and innovation that come from increased biofuel production. Hearing included other Iowa elected officials (Branstad, Reynolds, and Grassley).

·         January-2014: Met with EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to convey the RFS's impact on Iowa's economy and America's energy independence.

·         January-2014: Joined veterans with VoteVets.org to deliver a petition with more than 100,000 signatures to the EPA in opposition to changing the RFS.

·         March-2014: Met with senior White House Advisor John Podesta and Dan Utech, the White House's top climate advisor, to discuss Iowa's position as a world leader in innovation in wind and biofuel energy production, and the important role the RFS played in that innovation.

·         May-2014: Met with House Congressional leaders and senior White House advisor John Podesta to emphasize the need to protect the RFS in order to spur domestic economic growth and enhance America's energy independence.

·         June-2014: Wrote to the EPA Inspector General General Elkins requesting that he investigate the process involved in crafting the RFS proposal?after reports that there may have been inappropriate lobbying efforts made to lower the RFS standard.  The letter echoed a request made by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW)?a nonpartisan group dedicated to promoting ethics and accountability in government.

·         July-2014: Sponsored an educational briefing with Republican Rep. Lee Terry (NE-02) for Members of Congress and their staffs on the importance of the RFS in lowering gas prices and reducing America's dependence on foreign oil.

A copy of the letter can be found HERE.

Congressman: The United States should not engage in another open-ended conflict

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) is today asking Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to answer questions about the nature of America's recent military reengagement in Iraq after it was announced that the Pentagon was sending an additional 130 military personnel to northern Iraq.

"America has made enormous sacrifices in Iraq, and our commitment to ensuring its security has justifiably ended," Braley said. "While it's appropriate to take steps to address the humanitarian crisis and protect America's national security interests, I remain firmly opposed to another long, open-ended commitment that places our troops in harm's way and am deeply concerned by the recent decision to redeploy troops in Iraq."

In addition to outlining his concerns about involving America in another open-ended mission in Iraq, Braley asked Hagel to provide answers to a series of questions including the timetable for bringing home all American military personnel, the estimated cost of the current mission, and the Administration's intention to seek Congressional authorization for the mission.

"I believe the current situation in Iraq is a challenging one. However I do not believe the United States should engage in another long-term conflict in Iraq," Braley wrote.

A copy of Braley's letter is available online HERE.

Congressman urges President to sign bill as quickly as possible

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today voted in favor of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014?the bipartisan reform package, meant to address problems within the Veterans Affairs Administration?as it overwhelmingly passed the House 420-5. Earlier this week, the package was agreed to by Senate VA Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and House VA Committee Chairman Jeff Miller (R-Fla).

"I'm proud that both parties could come together today and support this legislation aimed at seriously addressing the misconduct that has been exposed at the VA," Braley said. "Our veterans deserve high quality, efficient, and easy-to-access care and this legislation is a big, bipartisan step in that direction. I urge the President to sign this bill as quickly as possible."

The Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 has four main components:

·         Strengthen VA to meet veterans' needs: The Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 would bolster VA staffing, add new infrastructure and facilities designated for veterans care, and authorize major medical facility leases for 27 new clinics in 18 states and Puerto Rico.

·         Expand access to care: The legislation would allow veterans who have waited more than 30 days for an appointment with the VA, or that live more than 40 miles from a VA facility, to seek care from a private physician, a community health center, a Department of Defense health care facility or Indian Health Center.

·         Support veterans and their families: The legislation would improve the delivery of care for veterans who experienced sexual trauma while in the military; survivor benefits will be expanded so surviving spouses can further their education, rebuild their lives, and take care of their families;  all veterans eligible for education benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill will qualify for in-state tuition; and the legislation would extend a program (set to expire) which provides housing for veterans struggling with traumatic brain injuries.

·         Remove incompetent senior officials: The VA secretary would be granted the authority to immediately remove senior executives based on poor job performance or misconduct and the Merit Systems Protection Board would prevent political firings or other abuses of power including retaliation against whistle blowers.

Braley had previously endorsed the framework outlined in the Senate package formulated by Senators Sanders and McCain (R-Ariz).

Last month, Braley called on Congressional leadership to pass his Veterans Access to Care Act to provide solutions to problems at the VA.