At hearing on Ebola virus, Congressman stresses need to accelerate vaccine testing, available from Ames, Iowa company

Washington, D.C. - After a second American healthcare worker contracted the Ebola virus, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today at a Congressional hearing sharply questioned the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the failed protocol that led to the new infections and about what can be done to ensure the safety of all Americans moving forward.

"I'm greatly concerned that the Administration did not act fast enough. The Administration needs to be looking at all options available to keep our families safe, and they need to move as quickly and responsibly as possible to make any necessary changes at our airports and hospitals that would prevent this disease from spreading further," Braley said. "Our number one priority in combating this disease must be the protection of Americans."

Panelists at today's hearing of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations included CDC Director Thomas Frieden, Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health, Luciana Borio of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Robin Robinson of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), John Wagner of the Department of Homeland Security, and Daniel Varga of Texas Health Resources.

Braley pushed Frieden on what additional steps could be taken in order to prevent those infected with the Ebola virus from entering the country?and how to prevent additional transmission by those already infected.

"We're looking very closely at what might possibly have happened to result in these two exposures," Frieden responded.

Braley also questioned panelists concerning NewLink Genetics, of Ames Iowa, which is currently testing an Ebola vaccine that is involved in clinical trials?but are awaiting the finalizing of contracts that could expedite the process of mass manufacturing. Braley urged panelists from the National Institutes of Health and U.S Food and Drug Administration to expedite the process.

"I had an opportunity to talk to two of (NewLink's) employees yesterday and I know that they are working around the clock trying to help come up with a vaccine," Braley said.

High quality video of Braley at today's hearing is available online HERE.

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Proposed federal rule will impose barriers to the advancement of innovative, state- and local-driven conservation practices that would advance our common goal of water quality

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Secretary Bill Northey, along with relevant state leaders, today sent a letter and submitted comments to United States Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy and Army for Civil Works Assistant Secretary Jo-Ellen Darcy on the proposed "Waters of the United States" federal rule under the Clean Water Act (CWA).

"The overriding concern of a diverse group of impacted stakeholders, including state leaders, is that the proposed rule will impose significant barriers to the advancement of innovative, state- and local-driven conservation and environmental practices that would actually advance our common goal of water quality," the letter reads. "Because the proposed rule is fatally flawed, we request that it be withdrawn and that future rulemaking be appropriately coordinated with States and relevant stakeholders. We agree that clean water requires good, clear, well-designed regulations - unfortunately, the ones currently being proposed are not."

The letter outlines four key concerns from relevant stakeholders:

Disregard for states' lead role under the CWA to protect and promote water quality

Section 101(b) of the CWA clearly states that, "it is the policy of the Congress to recognize, preserve, and protect the primary responsibilities and rights of States to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution, to plan the development and use (including restoration, preservation and enhancement) of land and water resources..."

The proposed rule confuses Federal control with environmental protection. The State of Iowa believes that environmental protection is best driven locally.

A disconnect between content and intent

The Federal government's proposed approach, and the content of the proposed rule, would seriously impair advancements in water quality in the State of Iowa. As an example, too many Iowa farmers would be forced to gain Federal permits to advance water quality infrastructure projects, which would discourage agricultural producers from undertaking the very projects that would improve water quality throughout the State.

Increased uncertainty from the proposed federal rule

The proposed rule increases, rather than decreases uncertainty for various stakeholders. The proposed rule is more ambiguous than current law and promises to be tied up in litigation for years to come, creating uncertainty within conservation interests, industries and communities across the state.

Underestimation of costs of the burdensome proposed federal rule

Permitting compliance costs will siphon finite resources that would better be used to advance conservation best practices and infrastructure in Iowa's countryside. Permitting delays would also increase the costs of conservation and economic development projects.  Additional costs would impact public transportation projects, renewable energy projects, electricity distribution, disaster recovery projects, mitigation projects, and so on. Every day those projects are delayed has real costs that are currently unaccounted for by the Federal government. There would also be additional enforcement costs that current staffing levels at both the Federal and State levels are not positioned to meet. The rule as proposed would essentially be an unfunded mandate on State agencies tasked with CWA enforcement.

The letter concludes, "The Federal government's proposed rule seems to be more concerned with asserting Federal control over local water bodies than actually improving local water quality. Thus, we were encouraged recently by the bipartisan support in the United States House of Representatives to block the advancement of this flawed rule. Those concerns were similarly echoed in a bipartisan fashion by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture members who unanimously called on the Federal government to withdraw the rule. We strongly urge you to listen to the consensus concerns of the States, including Iowa, and withdraw this rule."

The Director of Iowa Department of Natural Resources Chuck Gipp, Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority Debi Durham, Director of Iowa Department of Transportation Paul Trombino III, Chair of the Iowa Utilities Board Libby Jacobs and Director of Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Mark Schouten joined Branstad, Reynolds and Northey in signing the letter.

State of Iowa leaders care deeply about water quality.  Since 2011, new General Fund appropriations for water quality related initiatives have increased by 26%.  In just the last two years (FY 14 and FY 15), over $50 million dollars were allocated to support water quality related state initiatives. This historic level of investment does not even include the cost-share dollars spent by farmers, landowners and communities on these efforts.

The full letter can be read here. The enclosures from the letter can be read here.

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VOTER ID CHAMPION BESTS OBAMA CAMPAIGN MANAGER

 

(Cedar Rapids, IA)  Today, former Iowa Secretary of State and Mayor of Cedar Rapids, Paul D. Pate released a poll showing his message is resonating in the race to become Iowa's next Secretary of State.

Pate, "This poll is further confirmation that my plan to make it easy to vote and hard to cheat is resonating with Iowans who overwhelmingly support a voter ID requirement as I do.  Iowans expect and deserve a non-partisan chief commissioner of elections, not a career partisan political operative from Chicago who served as President Obama's Iowa campaign director.  I have previously served as Iowa Secretary of State in a non-partisan manner while encouraging voter participation and protecting the integrity of the election process."

The interactive voice response (IVR) poll conducted by Victory Enterprises was conducted Oct. 14-15 with 759 likely voters and has a margin of error of 3.56%.

A nationally recognized business leader by the Small Business Administration, Pate is the owner of a paving construction firm and recently served as Mayor of Cedar Rapids from 2002 -2006.  While Mayor, Pate was elected President of the non-partisan Iowa League of Cities representing over 870 municipalities.  Previously, he served as Iowa Secretary of State from 1995-1999 and represented NE Cedar Rapids, Marion and parts of Linn, Buchanan and Delaware Counties in the Iowa Senate from 1989-1995.

Pate is a lifelong Iowa resident, born in Ottumwa, growing up in Linn County.

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MOLINE, Ill. (October 16, 2014) - The Quad City Mallards have signed forward Todd Fiddler, the Mallards announced today.

Fiddler, 21, last season finished tied for second in the Western Hockey League in goals (50) and tied for sixth in points (98).  The 5' 11", 210-pound Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan native split what was his final junior season between the Moose Jaw Warriors and Prince George Cougars before turning professional in time to score twice in eight ECHL games with the Colorado Eagles at the tail end of the campaign.

"In his last two years in major junior, Todd scored over 90 goals.  You don't do that just by being lucky," said Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski.  "He's smart and he positions himself well.  With the right centerman he could be a very productive player for us."

In just over four seasons, Fiddler scored 127 goals and added 114 assists for 241 points in 280 career WHL games.  He enjoyed a breakout season with the Spokane Chiefs when he scored 42 goals and totaled 77 points in 70 games in 2012-13 after producing a dozen goals and 28 points in 73 games while playing for both the Chiefs and Prince Albert Raiders in 2011-12.  After breaking into the WHL by playing one game for the Medicine Hat Tigers in 2009-10, Fiddler the following year scored 23 times and totaled 38 points in 70 games with Prince Albert in his first full major junior season.

With Fiddler's arrival, the Mallards' roster now consists of 21 players- 12 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders.  Fiddler joins fellow forwards Kevin Baker, Justin Fox, Evan Haney, Jeff Lee, Paxton Leroux, Joe Perry, Antti Pusa, Johnny Rogic, Kyle Thomas, Garrett Vermeersch and Ben Woodley; defensemen Jannik Chistensen, Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel, Matt Duffy, Nick Grasso, Darren McMIllan, Mike Monfredo and Nicolas Rioux; and goaltenders Parker Milner and Evan Mosher.

The Mallards will open their first ECHL season on home ice Friday, October 24 at 7:05 p.m. against the Rapid City Rush.  Next Friday is also the season's first $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X and MetroLINK.  Fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and $1 beers from iWireless Center concession stands during the Mallards' match-up with the Rush.

Single game tickets for each of the Mallards 36 regular season home games- including the opener- are on sale now at the iWireless Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.  Tickets are available for $10, $16, $20 and $28.

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are approaching their eighteenth season and their first in the ECHL.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007; in the International Hockey League in 2009-10; and in the Central Hockey League from 2010 through 2014.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The iWireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.com.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/qcmallards.

 

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