Editor's note: politics as usual in Washington. When are we, the people, going to do something significant about our mis-representation in Washington?

With only days until sequestration hits, Loebsack calls for immediate action

Washington, D.C. - With only four days until the devastating impact of sequestration set to take effect, Congressman Dave Loebsack today called on House leadership to keep Congress in session and working until a bipartisan way to stop the cuts is reached.  Loebsack has been opposed to the arbitrary, across the board cuts that were created by the Budget Control Act, which he voted against.

Loebsack has also been leading the charge in Congress to cut the pay of Members of Congress.  He again called for passage of his meaningful legislation to show the American people that Members of Congress have a personal stake in reducing the deficit.  Loebsack's legislation, the CHIP IN and Cut Congressional Pay Act, would cut Members of Congress' pay by 10 percent and repeal the automatic pay increases.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today questioned the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Deputy Secretary of Defense at a House Armed Services Committee hearing on the impacts of sequestration on our military.  Loebsack continued to express his opposition to letting the automatic, across the board spending cuts contained in sequestration take effect. He has concerns about the affects of sequestration on national security, including the operations at the Rock Island Arsenal and the Iowa Army Ammunition Plants.  He questioned General Ray Odierno, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, about the impact of these arbitrary cuts on the Army's arsenals and depots.

"I was opposed to these arbitrary, across the board cuts, known as sequestration, since they were first proposed last year.  They do not make sense for our budget and they certainly do not make sense for our nation's defenses.  I strongly believe we must reduce the unsustainable deficit, but this is not the way to do it. I am greatly concerned about the long-term effects of sequestration on our readiness and the workforce at our nation's arsenals and depots, including the Rock Island Arsenal and the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant.  The organic industrial base and its workforce are critical to our readiness and ability to respond to a national security contingency.  As a military parent, we have to ensure our troops serving overseas have the best equipment available to them.  We cannot allow these cuts to take place," said Loebsack.

Video of the discussion can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjrGfhTGBeg

Legislation also repeals automatic pay increases

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that he has introduced legislation that would cut Members of Congress' pay by 10 percent.  The bill, the Congressional Halt in Pay Increases (CHIP IN) and Cut Congressional Pay Act, would also repeal the automatic pay increases that currently take place.  This legislation builds on the bill Loebsack cosponsored with former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords in the previous Congress.

"In a time when our economy continues to struggle and we face an unsustainable debt, it is more important than ever to hold Members of Congress accountable to the citizens that they represent," said Loebsack "This bill is a simple way to show that Congress is serious about restoring fiscal discipline to reform the pay system that has prevented any cut in Congressional pay since 1933 - eight decades ago."

Loebsack has consistently called for Members of Congress to have a personal stake in our nation's recovery.  In addition to authoring the CHIP IN and Cut Congressional Pay Act, he has previously cosponsored legislation that would tie the eligibility for Members of Congress to draw their pension benefits to their Social Security retirement age.  He has also voted multiple times to cut Congressional office budgets.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after being sworn in at the beginning of the 113th Congress.

"I am honored to have been given the opportunity to continue to serve the great people of Iowa's Second District.

"As we begin the 113th Congress, we have many issues that must be addressed, and none is more important than boosting the economy and setting our country on a sustainable path.  To do this, we have to work to create jobs and bolster middle class and working families.  We have to resolve our long-term deficit and debt problem, but it cannot be done on the backs of seniors, the middle-class, and hard working families.  I truly believe that our best days are in front of us and with hard work and commonsense, we will be able to move our great country forward.

"I look forward to continuing to serve the people of the Second District and be their voice."

Loebsack will have two District offices, in Iowa City and Davenport, and will remain in the same office in Washington.  He also has staff based in Burlington and Albia.

Iowa City District Office

125 South Dubuque Street
Iowa City, IA 52240

Phone: 319-351-0789

Toll Free: 1-800-914-4692

Davenport District Office

209 W. 4th St., #104

Davenport, IA 52801

Washington, D.C.

1527 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Phone: 202-225-6576