01 Oct 2014

Braley Promotes Importance of Renewable Fuel Standard to Iowa at Ethanol Plant in Merrill

By Sam Lau
Braley highlights importance of RFS and bipartisan Farm Bill to Iowa's economy
Merrill, IA - Today Bruce Braley highlighted the importance of the bipartisan Farm Bill and a strong Renewable Fuel Standard to Iowa's economy while touring the Plymouth Energy Ethanol Plant in Merrill, Iowa.

"When it comes to protecting Iowa agriculture jobs, there's a clear choice in the race for US Senate," Braley said. "I worked across the party divide for three years to help pass a bipartisan Farm Bill, and I've fought to protect the job-creating Renewable Fuel Standard from the EPA's proposed cuts. State Sen. Ernst, on the other hand, stands with the Big Oil interests backing her campaign against the Farm Bill and is 'philosophically opposed' to the job-creating RFS. I grew up in rural Iowa, worked in ag jobs growing up, and will always work to put the 75,000 Iowans whose jobs depend on renewable energy first."

Braley's support for renewable fuels helped him win the endorsement of the Iowa Corn Growers Association.

Braley has fought staunchly to protect the RFS; according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, nearly 75,000 Iowa jobs are connected to renewable fuels. Late last year, Braley was the only member of the Iowa U.S. House delegation to join Governor Terry Branstad at an EPA hearing where they spoke out against the EPA's proposed cuts. In November 2013, Braley teamed up with Republican Rep. Steve King to host an event with Iowa State's Bioeconomy Institute to explain to Congressional staff the importance of keeping the RFS at its current levels. At Braley's request, Iowa consistently has had representation at Congressional hearings examining the future of the RFS. And early this year, he helped deliver 100,000 signatures to the EPA urging them to maintain a strong RFS.

Braley also has a strong record of promoting Iowa agriculture and fighting to grow Iowa's rural economy. He worked for three years across party lines to pass the bipartisan Farm Bill that is critical to Iowa jobs and Iowa's farming communities.

In contrast, State Sen. Ernst would put Tea Party obstructionism before Iowa: Ernst would have opposed the Farm Bill, is "philosophically opposed" to the RFS, and her spokesperson said that "in a perfect world...she would support doing away with the (RFS)."
29 Sep 2014

Braley for Iowa Statement on Iowa Senate Debate

By Sam Lau
Des Moines, IA - Braley for Iowa Campaign Manager Sarah Benzing issued the following statement after tonight's US Senate debate:

"The big story of the night is that Joni Ernst admitted during the debate that her personhood constitutional amendment would outlaw abortion and ban common forms of birth control, while Bruce believes that medical decisions are best left to women and their doctors.

"Tonight's debate displayed the clear contrast between Bruce Braley's work to find common sense solutions that move our state forward and Joni Ernst's radical Tea Party ideas that would take us backwards and are wrong for Iowa.

"While Bruce Braley has spent his career protecting Social Security, Joni Ernst would privatize it and put it in the hands of Wall Street bankers. While Bruce Braley continues working to strengthen Medicare, Joni Ernst supports plans that would end Medicare as we know it and leave Iowa's seniors out in the cold. While Bruce Braley will fight to increase the federal minimum wage, Joni Ernst doesn't even think there should be one, believing that Iowans deserve just $7.25 an hour and can survive on $15,000 a year.  And tonight Joni Ernst tried to deny that she supports a plan to impose a 23 percent national sales tax on all Americans, raising taxes on gas, groceries, and everything you buy.

"The contrast between the two candidates has never been more clear."


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22 Sep 2014

Braley for Iowa Launches the Braley Truth Team

By Sam Lau
Truth Team will fight the smears and set the record straight on Bruce's record standing up for Iowa

Des Moines, IA - With just 46 days to go until Election Day and given Bruce Braley's building momentum, Iowans can expect the misleading and false attacks from state Sen. Joni Ernst and her Koch brother allies to ratchet up in the coming weeks. To fight the smears, today Braley for Iowa launched the Braley Truth Team to set the record straight on Bruce's record standing up for Iowa.

Iowans can learn the truth about Bruce Braley's record and find out more about how to join the Truth Team by visiting the following website: http://www.brucebraley.com/truth-team/

The Truth Team will engage Iowans who want to help push back against the distortions of Braley's record and let Iowans know the truth. Through the use of videos, graphics, blogs, and plain and simple facts, the Truth Team will fight against the false attacks coming from Ernst and her allies and ensure Iowans have the facts on Braley's record of delivering results for Iowa.

"While state Sen. Joni Ernst and her Koch brother allies will continue to spend millions of dollars on false and misleading attacks against Bruce Braley, they can't change the truth of Bruce's record standing up for Iowa," said Braley for Iowa campaign manager Sarah Benzing. "The Braley Truth Team will fight these baseless smears and ensure Iowans have the facts on where Bruce stands and what he's accomplished for Iowa."

More than $14 million in outside money has already been spent this cycle to defeat Bruce Braley, including over $8.5 million from the oil billionaire Koch brothers network who want to buy Iowa's U.S. Senate seat to fulfill their anti-Iowa agenda. Time after time, these attacks against Bruce have been rated false by independent fact checkers, and the Truth Team will aggressively make sure the facts on Bruce's record are shared with Iowans.

Yesterday, Braley for Iowa released a new television advertisement that responded to the latest false attacks from Ernst and the Koch brothers on Bruce's voting record. The truth is Bruce Braley has a 95% voting record in Congress, and he has consistently delivered results for Iowa's veterans, like when he stood up to the Pentagon to ensure members of the Iowa National Guard received the benefits they had earned, and worked to get the Department of Defense to change the way they dealt with domestic violence and sexual assault in their ranks. However, excluding the time that she was serving in the National Guard, Ernst missed 36 percent of her votes this year in the Iowa Senate while she was being paid to show up to work.

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19 Sep 2014

Braley Crossed Party Divide to Help Boost Small Business Hiring

By Sam Lau
Braley's "Back to Work Act" Helped Businesses Hire Tens of Thousands of Iowans
Des Moines, IA - Today, Braley for Iowa released a new 30 second television advertisement touting Bruce Braley's work delivering results to Iowans, focusing on his efforts to reach across the party divide to cut taxes for small businesses and hire tens of thousands of Iowans.

The ad, titled "Roads," features John Moyna, the owner of C.J. Moyna & Sons in Elkader, IA, whose family has worked to build and fix roads across Iowa for more than 70 years. Moyna details how during the recent recession, when hiring was tough for businesses like his own, Braley reached across the party divide to pass his "Back to Work Act" which provided tax breaks for companies who hired workers who had been unemployed for more than 60 days.

Moyna said, "In the heart of the recession, it was a tough time to try to add employees and grow. But Bruce Braley stepped up and proposed a tax break to help companies hire unemployed workers. Braley's idea actually passed with support of Democrats and Republicans, putting tens of thousands of Iowans back to work. Bruce Braley gets things done for Iowa."

This is the third ad in the past month from Braley for Iowa focused on Braley's record of delivering results for Iowans. In August, the campaign released ads on his efforts to strengthen the military's response to sexual assault and domestic violence and to ensure hundreds of members of the Iowa National Guard received the pay they had earned.

The ad is airing on broadcast and cable television statewide across Iowa, and can be viewed at the following link: http://youtu.be/M2W2XtnVmEU
02 Sep 2014

Braley Highlights Clear Choice on College Affordability During Statewide College Tour

By Sam Lau
Statewide College Tour

Braley visited eight colleges and universities across Iowa to highlight his plans to make college more affordable, while Ernst would cut Pell Grants that thousands of Iowa students rely on

With a new school year beginning at colleges and universities across Iowa, Bruce Braley visited eight colleges across the state this week to meet with students and discuss the clear choice in the U.S. Senate race on college affordability.  While Braley is working to reduce the burden of college costs, Joni Ernst said she'd do away with federal student loans and Pell grants, which could put college out of reach for the hundreds of thousands of Iowans who rely on that aid to afford a college education. Ernst's reckless, Tea Party plan to replace federal aid with private student loans would have devastating effects for Iowa's students: many students now receiving federal aid might not be able to qualify for private credit-based loans; when they are available, private student loans can be much more expensive with interest rates as high as 18 percent; and students face more risk without the repayment flexibility available with federal aid.
See some highlights from the tour in our new web video.
Braley has delivered results and worked to reduce the burden of college costs by expanding Pell Grants, keeping student loan interest rates low, and renewing tax credits that offset tuition and college costs.
25 Aug 2014

Braley and Klobuchar Call for Minimum Wage Increase

By Sam Lau
Braley and Klobuchar visit local business in Waterloo to highlight importance of raising the minimum wage to $10.10 and restore its purchasing power

Waterloo, IA - Bruce Braley and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), vice chair of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, today discussed the importance of raising the minimum wage and providing 300,000 Iowans with a pay raise during a visit to Popcorn Heaven in Waterloo.  Braley and Klobuchar have both been fighting to increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour to restore its purchasing power, fight income inequality, and strengthen Iowa and the nation's economy.

Today's stop comes after Braley for Iowa released a new report this week detailing the many benefits to Iowa working families of raising the federal minimum wage - a move that would overwhelmingly benefit adult workers, women, and families.

On the other hand, State Sen. Joni Ernst has repeatedly said that she does not support a federal minimum wage and that she thinks $7.25 an hour - which means roughly $15,000 a year for a full-time worker - is an appropriate minimum wage for hardworking Iowans.  Earlier this week, Ernst reinforced her opposition to the minimum wage and showed just how out of touch she is when she said $7.25 is a "great starter wage for many high school students, those that are just getting into work experience."

Braley said, "No one in Iowa should work a full-time job and live near or below the poverty line.  It's been over five years since the last federal minimum wage increase, and the minimum wage buys less and less for Iowa's workers, many of whom are supporting families. Small businesses like Popcorn Heaven know raising the minimum wage is good for working Iowans, good for business, and good for the economy - and yet my opponent thinks $15,000 a year is an appropriate wage for Iowa. I am committed to raising the minimum wage, boosting Iowa's economy, and providing 300,000 Iowans with a raise."

A report from Progress Iowa earlier this year found that increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would provide 300,000 Iowans with a pay increase and infuse more than $270 million into Iowa's economy.

Since reaching its peak in 1968 at $10.69 an hour (in 2013 dollars), the minimum wage's purchasing power has steadily declined and left working Iowans struggling to support their families.

Braley and Klobuchar are sponsors of the Fair Minimum Wage Act that would increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10/hr and then tie future increases to inflation. According to a Des Moines Register poll, 65% of Iowans believe the minimum wage should be increased.


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19 Aug 2014

Braley Promotes Importance of Farm Bill and RFS to Iowa with Sen. Stabenow

By Sam Lau
Braley joined by Stabenow, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, at events in Des Moines, Boone and Springville

Des Moines, IA - Today Bruce Braley highlighted the importance of the bipartisan Farm Bill and a strong Renewable Fuel Standard to Iowa's economy at events in central and eastern Iowa with U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Braley and Stabenow visited FEC Solutions in Des Moines, the Iowa State University BioCentury Research Farm in Boone, and the Linn Co-Op Oil Co. Elevator in Springville.

"When it comes to protecting Iowa agriculture jobs, there's a clear choice in the race for US Senate," Braley said. "I worked across the party divide for three years to help pass a bipartisan Farm Bill, and I've fought to protect the job-creating Renewable Fuel Standard from the EPA's proposed cuts. State Sen. Ernst, on the other hand, stands with the Big Oil interests backing her campaign against the Farm Bill and is 'philosophically opposed' to the job-creating RFS. I grew up in rural Iowa, worked in ag jobs growing up, and will always work to put the 75,000 Iowans whose jobs depend on renewable energy first."

Bruce has a strong record of promoting Iowa agriculture and fighting to grow Iowa's rural economy. He worked for three years across party lines to pass the bipartisan Farm Bill that is critical to Iowa jobs and Iowa's farming communities.

He has also fought staunchly to protect the RFS; according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, nearly 75,000 Iowa jobs are connected to renewable fuels. Late last year, Braley was the only member of the Iowa U.S. House delegation to join Governor Terry Branstad at an EPA hearing where they spoke out against the EPA's proposed cuts. In November 2013, Braley teamed up with Republican Rep. Steve King to host an event with Iowa State's Bioeconomy Institute to explain to Congressional staff the importance of keeping the RFS at its current levels. At Braley's request, Iowa consistently has had representation at Congressional hearings examining the future of the RFS. And early this year, he helped deliver 100,000 signatures to the EPA urging them to maintain a strong RFS.

In contrast, State Sen. Ernst would put Tea Party obstructionism before Iowa: Ernst would have opposed the Farm Bill, is "philosophically opposed" to the RFS, and her spokesperson said that "in a perfect world...she would support doing away with the (RFS)."
19 Aug 2014

Braley Delivered for Iowa Troops Who Were Denied Pay

By Sam Lau
Todd Prichard highlights Braley's successful effort to take on Pentagon & ensure Iowa National Guard troops were given the pay they were promised

Des Moines, IA - A new 30 second television advertisement was launched by Braley for Iowa today, telling another story of Rep. Bruce Braley's work delivering results to Iowans, in which he ensured members of the Iowa National Guard who served the longest continuous deployment in the Iraq conflict were given the pay they were promised.

The ad, titled "Receive," features Iowa National Guard veteran and state Rep. Todd Prichard, resident of Charles City, who served in the Iowa National Guard's 1-133rd infantry battalion. Members of the unit were deployed for 17 months in Iraq, and had their tour extended while serving abroad. According to the Quad City Times, the Department of Defense promised the soldiers up to $200 per day in additional pay because they served beyond their scheduled deployments. But years after their return home, they had not received the promised pay.

Prichard said, "Our unit was promised additional pay because our tour in Iraq was extended, but we waited and waited and the pay never came. Bruce Braley went to bat for us to make sure we got the pay we were promised. He fought for us and got results, and because of his efforts nearly 800 Iowa National Guard members got the pay we deserved."

Waterloo resident and Iowa National Guard Sgt. Jesse McCunniff, also a member of the unit, said, "When you're serving abroad, it's good to know somebody has your back. Bruce Braley fought for two years to make sure every single Iowa National Guard member promised respite pay got the benefits they had earned. Bruce stood up to the Pentagon bureaucracy and delivered results for Iowa troops who had put their lives on the line."

More than 22,000 National Guard members, including almost 800 Iowa National Guard members, ultimately didn't receive proper compensation. Braley was "at the forefront of restoring the lost respite pay," and worked for "two years to see that the Guard members get the respite leave benefits they earned on lengthy deployments." Braley "has been leading efforts in the US House to fix this back pay problem," introducing and passing legislation that enabled the Pentagon to live up to their commitments.

The ad is airing on broadcast and cable television statewide across Iowa, and can be viewed at the following link: http://youtu.be/1vFQAaRKkiY
15 Aug 2014

Braley Accepts Invitations to Three Debates

By Sam Lau
KWWL-TV, KCAU-TV, & IPTV proposed debates provide greatest number of Iowans with opportunity to see choice between US Senate candidates
Des Moines, IA - Braley for Iowa campaign manager Sarah Benzing released the following statement:

"Iowans deserve an opportunity to see the clear differences between Bruce Braley and State Senator Joni Ernst on the issues that matter to them.That's why we've accepted invitations to three televised debates that offer the greatest number of Iowans the best opportunity to see debates throughout the fall campaign. We are reaching out to Sen. Ernst's campaign to determine the details, and we're hopeful to have a final schedule of debates determined soon."

Braley has accepted the following three debate invitations:
  1. An invitation to participate in a televised debate hosted by KWWL-TV in late August or September in Waterloo and broadcast on KWWL, KTTC-TV in Mason City, and KTIV-TV in Sioux CIty.
  2. A televised debate hosted by KCAU-TV during the week of October 6th in Sioux City and broadcast on KCAU, WOI-TV in Des Moines, and WHBF-TV in Davenport.
  3. A televised debate hosted by Iowa Public Television on October 23, 2014, in Perry, Iowa, and broadcast statewide on IPTV.
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04 Aug 2014

Braley and Harkin Call for Minimum Wage Increase

By Sam Lau
Braley and Harkin visited a local business in Norwalk to highlight the importance of raising the minimum wage to $10.10 and restore its purchasing power

Des Moines, IA - Bruce Braley and Senator Tom Harkin today discussed the importance of raising the minimum wage and providing 300,000 Iowans with a pay raise during a visit to the La Quercia company plant in Norwalk.  Braley and Harkin have both been fighting to increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour to restore its purchasing power and strengthen Iowa's economy.

In contrast, State Sen. Joni Ernst has repeatedly said that she does not support a federal minimum wage and that she thinks $7.25 an hour - which means roughly $15,000 a year for a full-time worker - is an appropriate minimum wage for hardworking Iowans.

Braley said, "No one in Iowa should work a full-time job and live near or below the poverty line.  It's been over five years since the last federal minimum wage increase, and the minimum wage buys less and less for Iowa's workers. Small businesses like La Quercia know raising the minimum wage is good for working Iowans, good for business, and good for the economy - and yet my opponent thinks $7.25 is an appropriate wage for Iowa's workers. Senator Harkin has been a champion on this issue, and I am committed to continuing his efforts to raise the minimum wage, boost Iowa's economy, and provide 300,000 Iowans with a raise."

A report from Progress Iowa earlier this year found that increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would provide 300,000 Iowans with a pay increase and infuse more than $270 million into Iowa's economy.

Since reaching its peak in 1968 at $10.69 an hour (in 2013 dollars), the minimum wage's purchasing power has steadily declined and left working Iowans struggling to support their families. 

"Raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour is an issue of basic economic fairness and opportunity," said Harkin. "There's a clear choice in this election - Bruce Braley knows that a fair minimum wage is good for Iowa's working families, and good for the economy.  Iowa families need a U.S. Senator like Bruce who will fight for them."

Braley is a sponsor of the Fair Minimum Wage Act that would increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10/hr and then tie future increases to inflation. According to a Des Moines Register poll, 65% of Iowans believe the minimum wage should be increased.
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