WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today unveiled a new website documenting his record of legislative achievements and work on behalf of Iowans over a 40-year Congressional career. Since the day he entered Congress in 1975, Harkin has worked tirelessly to create a ladder of opportunity for Iowans, Americans, and millions more around the world.

Harkin has led the passage of some of the landmark laws of the past quarter-century. He has transformed the landscape for people with disabilities and created farm and renewable energy policy to ensure Iowa has one of the most vibrant economies and highest quality of life in the country. With the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, Harkin's leadership has made, for the first time, keeping Americans healthy and preventing illness a key part of the health care system.

The new website also looks at Harkin's 27 years of outstanding bipartisan leadership as Chairman of three Senate committees. As chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, Harkin has overseen the spending priorities for half of all non-security discretionary spending. His leadership has advanced issues from innovative scientific and medical research, to job training and early childhood education. As Chairman of the Agriculture Committee, he led two farm bills to enactment - each with overwhelming bipartisan votes. Similarly, the website documents the Harkin record as chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, passing 18 bills into law in the current Congress. Harkin's HELP Committee has been the most productive Senate committee during the least productive Congress in 60 years.

Harkin's many priorities over his career are united by the common goal of helping to make our country, and the world, more fair and just, and to ensure that every American has the chance to reach his or her potential. His work has ranged from distinctive achievements in the realm of international human rights, to the creation of new economic opportunities for Iowans. Harkin's leadership ensures that Iowa's workforce is healthy and well-educated, that quality infrastructure promotes a high quality of life, and that businesses and farmers have the infrastructure necessary to move their products quickly, safely, and affordably to markets.

Visit every floor, peek into closed rooms, and satisfy curiosity through this all-access pass to the Brucemore mansion during the Nooks and Crannies Tours offered October 23 and 30 at 5:30 p.m. Marvel at the Skinner player pipe organ room, discover the architectural oddities in the attic, and experience the sight and sound of a "rain storm" in the basement Tahitian Room. Examine the superior craftsmanship and learn about ongoing preservation work. The tour is not recommended for children under ten or individuals who have difficulty walking or climbing stairs. Admission is $15 per person and $12 per Brucemore member. Space is limited; purchase tickets online at www.brucemore.org or by calling (319) 362-7375.

The Nooks and Crannies Tour is part of Brucemore's Thursday Night Lineup. Every Thursday night Brucemore will feature a different specialty tour focusing on topics for all interests, including arts and culture, Midwestern industry, gardening, landscape design, architecture, preservation, behind-the-scenes at Brucemore, and growing up in the early twentieth century. For more information on the Thursday Night Lineup or other upcoming tours, visit www.brucemore.org or call (319) 362-7375.

About Brucemore

Experience Brucemore, an unparalleled blend of tradition and culture, located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the heart of the historic 26-acre estate stands a nineteenth-century mansion filled with the stories of three Cedar Rapids families.  Concerts, theater, programs, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of a community.  For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.

Veterans Affairs hospital officials in Shreveport, La., used bayou magic to conjure up additional linens, stocking their cabinets last weekend after a Watchdog.org investigation exposed the fact that patients were doing without sheets, pajamas and towels.

Three employees at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center told Watchdog.org that linens were plentiful at the 10-story facility beginning Friday morning, a day after Watchdog's story was published.

This is in stark contrast to the norm, where linen cupboards are bare on weekends while the hospital awaits its regular Tuesday laundry delivery truck, which travels 125 miles, employees said.

"I was just shocked that this happened so fast.. I believed something would change when the story came out, I just didn't think it would happen so soon," one employee said. "It's amazing to open a door and see linen stacked there. Even after the truck comes, it's stocked more than that."

The employees asked to remain anonymous because they feared retaliation at work.

"The head of the linen department was up there checking to make sure they had enough," another employee said. "He was saying, 'We are going to look into getting you fitted bed sheets. We want to make sure you have everything.'"

A third employee offered: "I was surprised to see a cart going down the hall with linen. You never see that this late in the week."

Overton Brooks' linen supply  apparently also is a hot topic at the Department of Veterans Affairs as investigators from its Office of Inspector General showed up Sept. 25 after receiving a call from Watchdog.org requesting comment.

"This is ongoing and we have no comment at this time," said VAOIG spokesperson Cathy Gromek in an email response to Watchdog.org. "This is being worked by our office of Healthcare Inspections."

Employees said the sheets, blankets, towels and pajamas didn't look new, so it's a mystery where they came from.

On Friday, the American Legion blasted the hospital, saying it was angered over poor treatment of veterans and vowed to deliver linens and toiletries, which are also in short supply. The supplies are scheduled to be turned over Tuesday.

"That supply didn't come from us," said William Detweiler, American Legion's past national commander.

Hospital officials say the linen supply has not increased.

"There isn't additional linen," said Tina Taylor Jackson, executive assistant to Overton Brooks' director. "That is not a true statement."

Added VA spokesperson Jessica Jacobsen: "Overton Brooks VAMC has required in circulation inventory based on the needs of the facility."

The fact that linen is scare is nothing new, one of the employees said.

"This has been going on for years and years," the employee said. "They've had meetings where this was brought up and basically they didn't do anything about it. All they would say is, 'This is how it's always been.'"