Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that Davenport Municipal Airport will receive a total of $3,690,297 to reconstruct the runway.  These funds come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) grant program.

"This funding will allow the Davenport Municipal Airport to make important, necessary improvements and help build economic development opportunities in the community," said Loebsack.  "The new runway will improve safety, increase efficiency, and increase usage of the airport."

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after the House voted down the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (HR 1947), the farm bill.

"The inability of the House to come together and move a farm bill forward is inexcusable. I have been calling for a farm bill for over a year now.  Failure to enact a farm bill means jobs in our rural communities are at risk and cuts to rural and farm initiatives critical to Iowa's economy are likely. I stood with the entire Iowa delegation to advance this critical legislation for farmers, Iowa's economy, and families.  The Senate was able to find commonsense compromise.  The House needs to do the same.

"I am deeply concerned with the extreme cuts to anti-hunger initiatives, known as SNAP, that were contained in the bill.  Our economy is still struggling to recover and many families rely on this program to put food on the table and ensure their children do not go to school hungry.  I was the only member from Iowa to cosponsor an amendment to restore these cuts and fought to have it included in the bill. Today's vote shows that restoration of SNAP funding is critical to a farm bill being enacted.

"I am also concerned that this bill would have gutted rural energy measures that are critical to Iowa jobs and energy independence.  There were over 1,600 rural energy projects initiated in Iowa between 2003 and 2012, many stemming from farm bill energy programs. These investments are vitally important to job creation and Iowa's economy.  I led the fight to ensure farmers and rural businesses have continued access to an important energy and economic development tool with my amendment that was added to the bill to strengthen the REAP program.

"I will continue to fight to get a farm bill signed into law that supports families, farmers and our rural economy."

Signs 'discharge petition' to force vote

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today joined fellow lawmakers to take action that would force House leadership to bring up legislation to prevent student loan rates from doubling.  Student loan interest rates are currently 3.4 percent, but are set to double to 6.8 percent on July 1^st.  If Congress does not act, the average borrower's debt would increase by $1,000. This action builds on Loebsack's call to House and Senate leaders to come together and bring up a bill for a vote that can be passed by both Chambers and signed into law.  As the only member of the Iowa delegation to serve on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Loebsack, a cosponsor of the Student Loan Relief Act of 2013 (H.R. 1595), has helped lead the fight to ensure students do not see a raise in interest rates.

"With tuition rising rapidly and far too many Iowans struggling to make ends meet, middle-class families are finding it more and more difficult to pay for college." wrote Loebsack.  "Time is running out for us to get this done for our students and the future success of our economy.  I strongly urge you to work together to find a solution that will prevent this $1,000 increase on students come July 1^st."

As a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Loebsack has championed numerous pieces of legislation to increase access to higher education, including:

·         College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) Loebsack helped craft and pass this legislation, which makes college more affordable and accessible for all Iowans by increasing the maximum Pell Grant scholarship and expanding eligibility;

·         Year Round Pell Grants Loebsack authored a provision that created year-round Pell grants in the Higher Education Opportunity Act, which was signed into law in 2008.  However, the year-round Pell grant was unfortunately eliminated in 2011.  In response to the ongoing need for more flexibility, Loebsack partnered with Rep. Cheri Bustos (IL-17) to introduce legislation which would reinstate the flexibility that was provided by Loebsack's provision in 2008.

·         Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act Loebsack was a cosponsor of this bill, which will save American taxpayers $61 billion by making the student loan process more efficient.  The bill further expanded the maximum Pell Grant available from $5,550 in 2010 to $5,975 in 2017, granting Iowa students more than $291 million for higher education. This bill was the largest single investment in student aid in America's history, and will make college more accessible, transform the way student loan programs operate and strengthens community colleges.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that the Davenport Housing Commission, in partnership with the Iowa City VA Medical Center, received $70,666 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through their HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program.  The funding will be used to offer supporting housing to homeless Veterans, many of whom are living with chronic disabling conditions.

"Far too many Veterans and Veteran families are facing homelessness within our communities," said Loebsack.  "We have a moral responsibility to serve those who have worn our country's uniform with the same dignity and honor with which they have served our nation.  This funding will help provide our veterans the support they need to get back on their feet and provide for their families.  I am pleased that the Davenport Housing Commission in partnership with the Iowa City VA Medical Center has received this funding to expand their services to Iowa's veterans."

The HUD-VASH program combines rental assistance from HUD with case management and clinical services provided by VA.  Since 2008, 42,557 formerly homeless Veterans are currently in homes because of HUD-VASH.