07 Apr 2014

Braley Continues Fight to Restore Minimum Wage with Senator Harkin and Secretary of Labor Perez

By Kirsten Hartman

After calling on Speaker Boehner to bring a vote on the minimum wage to the House floor, Congressman tours Des Moines small business RAYGUN

Des Moines - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today toured Des Moines small business RAYGUN with U.S. Senator Tom Harkin and U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez to continue his push to raise the federal minimum wage.

"RAYGUN shows you that restoring the minimum wage to a living wage is a boon to businesses, their employees, and the local economy," Braley said. "An extra dollar or two an hour is a life-changing amount to the 300,000 Iowans who would see a raise if this law passed ? it's time we did the right thing."

Braley, Harkin, and Perez met with workers at RAYGUN ? a screen-printing company in Des Moines that is vocal about the benefits of higher wages, arguing that higher wages help build a strong workforce and profitability in the long run, while putting more money into the hands of workers who spend it in the local economy.

Earlier this week Braley wrote House Speaker John Boehner, urging him to bring legislation to the floor for a vote ? predicting that there is enough support in the House to restore the minimum wage to $10.10.

Braley recently signed a 'discharge petition' designed to force a vote on the minimum wage in the U.S. House.

Braley also recently released a report on the minimum wage showing that since 1968, Iowans making the minimum wage have seen their real incomes fall by more than 30 percent. This means a parent with one child working 40 hours a week at a minimum wage job is living in poverty. Today, roughly 46,000 Iowans work jobs that pay at or below the minimum wage. Braley's report indicated that over 300,000 Iowans would receive a raise if the minimum wage was raised to $10.10.

His report examines how the purchasing power of minimum wage earners has decreased dramatically over time, resulting in many minimum wage earners living in poverty despite working 40 hours a week. The report also illustrates that over time the gap has steadily grown between minimum wage earnings and earnings of the average worker.

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07 Apr 2014

Braley: The Only Thing Preventing 300,000 Iowans from Getting a Raise is a Vote

By Kirsten Hartman

Congressman predicts minimum wage bill could pass House, urges Speaker Boehner to allow a vote

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) who today wrote House Speaker John Boehner, urging him to bring legislation to the floor for a vote?predicted that there is enough support in the House to restore the minimum wage to $10.10.

"It's one thing when the minimum wage isn't restored because of a lack of support?it's another when it doesn't occur because it never gets a chance," Braley said. "An extra dollar or two an hour is a life-changing amount to the 300,000 Iowans who would get a raise if this law passed."

 

A vote on restoring the minimum wage is expected to come before the Senate in the next several weeks and has the support of the Obama administration.

"It is unacceptable that an American who works full time to provide for their family is still living in poverty," Braley wrote.

Braley recently signed a 'discharge petition' designed to force a vote on the minimum wage in the U.S. House.

Braley also recently released a report on the minimum wage showing that since 1968, Iowans making the minimum wage have seen their real incomes fall by more than 30 percent. This means a parent with one child working 40 hours a week at a minimum wage job is living in poverty. Today, roughly 46,000 Iowans work jobs that pay at or below the minimum wage. Braley's report indicated that over 300,000 Iowans would receive a raise if the minimum wage was raised to $10.10.

His report examines how the purchasing power of minimum wage earners has decreased dramatically over time, resulting in many minimum wage earners living in poverty despite working 40 hours a week. The report also illustrates that over time the gap has steadily grown between minimum wage earnings and earnings of the average worker.

A copy of Braley's letter is available immediately below and HERE:

April 3, 2014

 

The Honorable John Boehner                       

Speaker                       

U.S. House of Representatives

H-232, U.S. Capitol

Washington, DC 20515

 

Dear Speaker Boehner:

I urge you to hold a vote in the House to restore the minimum wage.  As you know, Congress has not voted to increase the minimum wage since 2007.  Congressional action is desperately needed to restore the minimum wage to its full purchasing power.

It is my belief that if this received a vote in the U.S. House it could successfully pass?making this another issue for which there is the kind of incomprehensible congressional gridlock that has frustrated so many of my constituents. Let the American people have their say, and bring the bill up for a vote.

In Iowa, there are approximately 46,000 people making at or below the minimum wage.  Nationwide, there are 3.6 million minimum wage earners.  Nearly two-thirds of minimum wage workers are women.  Many of these minimum wage earners are living at or below the poverty line.  Today, a single parent who is a full time employee earning minimum wage is living below the poverty line. It is unacceptable that an American who works full time to provide for their family is still living in poverty.

Congress must act as soon as possible to raise minimum wage earners above the poverty line.  I'm asking that you hold a vote immediately to restore the minimum wage.  We can't afford to wait any longer.  I stand ready to work in any way possible to make sure we raise the minimum wage.

Sincerely,

Bruce L. Braley

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04 Apr 2014

After Retirement Security Roundtable with Des Moines Area Businesses, Braley Introduces Retirement Security Act

By Kirsten Hartman

Bill would allow auto-enrollment in retirement plans, encourage small businesses to pool resources to expand options for employees  

Washington, D.C. - After meeting in February with Des Moines area small businesses such as Raygun, HoQ Restaurant, InDesign Architecture, and Court Ave. Brewing Co. to discuss the challenges associated with retirement security,Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today introduced legislation that would increase options for employers and provide employees with additional opportunities for a safe and secure retirement.

"There's no silver bullet when it comes to a safe and secure retirement?but we can make things a little easier for businesses and employees that are trying to do the right thing and that's what this bill does," Braley said. "Small businesses are the job engine of Iowa and we owe it to them to find retirement solutions that benefit both their businesses and employees."

The Retirement Security Act would:

  • Allow all small businesses to pool together into multiple employer plans in order to increase options and flexibility to invest in their employee's retirement.   

   

  •  Allow employees to be 'opted-in' to retirement savings programs when starting jobs. Currently, a new employee must actively request to participate in a retirement program?something many employees don't do or aren't aware is available.  

   

  • Set a formula for employer's matching contributions that would lower the disparity between the amounts matched for high-income and low-income workers.

  • Increases employee tax incentives to invest in employment retirement plans.

In February, Braley visited small business leaders in Des Moines in a discussion that focused on the challenges they face providing their workers with security into retirement.

A copy of the Retirement Security Act is available online HERE:

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02 Apr 2014

Braley Statement on Budget from Congressman Paul Ryan

By Kirsten Hartman

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today released the following statement on the latest budget from Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.):

"I opposed previous attempts to dramatically transform the Medicare program in Congressman Ryan's previous budgets, and I continue to oppose those efforts now. The Medicare system has provided generations of Iowans with high-quality care. Our current and future retirees have been made a promise and they've been paying into the system for decades based on that proimse?and that promise is one we should keep."

Braley has previously voted against attempts to dramatically alter the Medicare program contained in Ryan's previous budgets.

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28 Mar 2014

Braley Continues Fight for Iowa Communities in Effort to Combat Ash Borer

By Kirsten Hartman

After the invasive species is identified in nine Iowa counties, Congressman leads bipartisan push to ensure Iowa has same resources as other states  

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today wrote congressional leaders in order to ensure that Iowa would have the same resources as other states as they combat the emerald ash borer?an invasive species that could potentially cause billions of dollars in damage in Iowa.

"Resources were available to other states when they had this problem? and now Iowans deserve the same treatment and I'm going to fight to make sure they get it," Braley said. "This beetle infestation is a significant cost for communities and homeowners across the state and it's important we fight to make sure Iowans have the help they need."

Braley has received bipartisan support for the letter, which is signed by an additional 20 lawmakers, to fight the invasive beetle now confirmed in more than 20 states and at least nine Iowa counties. States that found cases of the beetle in years past were given resources to aid in the mitigation and removal of infected trees, but federal funding has since been drastically cut, leaving states like Iowa with limited resources to combat the problem.

"Because this invasive species has continued to spread each year, this matter should be prioritized and efforts should be targeted to address the damage caused by the emerald ash borer. A failure to do so will undoubtedly result in this costly problem spreading to additional areas, and an even greater demand for financial resources in the future," Braley's letter reads.

Each infected ash tree must be removed to maintain safety on public and private land, costing roughly $1000 for the removal and disposal of each tree.  

   

Last month, Braley introduced legislation restoring funding to a program that helps combat the emerald ash borer. 

In January, Braley wrote a letter to Secretary Tom Vilsack at the US Department of Agriculture urging him to take the necessary steps to protect Iowa's ash trees from the beetle.

Full text of the letter is available below and HERE:


19 Mar 2014

Braley Invites Students to Participate in Congressional Art Competition

By Kirsten Hartman

Congressman announces annual competition, winner will receive two round-trip air tickets to see their artwork displayed in US Capitol

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today invited high school students from across Iowa's First Congressional District to submit original artwork for the annual Congressional Art Competition, "An Artistic Discovery."

"There are many talented high school artists in eastern Iowa, and I encourage young artists across the First District to participate in this year's art competition," Braley said. "It's my great pleasure to feature young Iowa artists in the US Capitol, and it's a wonderful opportunity for their work to be on display for visitors from around the country to see."

The Congressional Art Competition, first held in 1982, is a nationwide high school arts competition sponsored by the US House of Representatives.  One winning piece of artwork from each congressional district will be selected to be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the US Capitol Building in Washington for one year.

Any high school student from the First Congressional District of Iowa is eligible to submit their artwork for consideration.  To enter, students must submit a digital image of their artwork via Braley's website.  The submissions will be compiled into an internet gallery for public voting.

The submission deadline is April 22nd, 2014.  There is a limit of one submission per student.  Voting will begin on April 23, 2014 and close on May 1, 2014 when the winner will be announced.  He or she will receive two round-trip airline tickets to Washington, DC, to see their artwork displayed and attend a winners' reception.

For full details on the 2014 Art Competition, including information on how to enter, please visit Braley's website.

List of Past Iowa First District Art Competition Winners:

2008    Stephanie Tarnish, Davenport

2009    Mitch Doll, Davenport

2010    Emily Schroeder, Cedar Falls

2011    Krista Stork, Dubuque
2012    Kelsey Feldman, West Union

2013    Skylar Papakee, Meskwaki Settlement High School

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