After increase in assaults on Iowa campuses, Congressman proposes solution on campus sexual assault reform

Washington, D.C. - After recent reports detailing an increase in sexual assault incidents on the campuses of the University of Iowa and Grinnell College, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today suggested that students convicted of sexual assault should be forced to return any federal aid they'd previously received.

"The government shouldn't be subsidizing the education of those committing sexual assault on our college campuses," Braley said. "We need to do whatever is necessary to protect our students and punish those who commit these types of heinous crimes."

Braley's concern comes after an increase in reports of sexual assault at the University of Iowa, where new policies are being implemented and considered to address the issue. Grinnell College also reported this week that sexual assault reports were nearly as high as schools with far higher student populations.

"Sexual assault is a heinous crime and we should not let convicted criminals benefit from aid meant for law abiding citizens," Braley wrote.

Braley has been a long time champion of sexual assault prevention?recently working for reforms to combat that crime in our military. This year, Braley's guest to the State of the Union Address was Anu Bhagwati, Executive Director of the Service Women's Action Network (SWAN)?a group that has been at the center of the national effort to reform the military's handling of military sexual assault.

In 2011, Braley introduced the Holley Lynn James Act--a bill to help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in the military get justice. The bipartisan bill was named after a constituent of Braley's who was killed by her husband while both were in the service.

A copy of Braley's letter is available below:

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama,

I am writing to you today regarding the rise of sexual assaults on our nation's college campuses. I am glad to see your enhanced focus on this important issue.

Recently, the University of Iowa along with Grinnell College reported a climb in reports of sexual assaults on campus. Grinnell College, which has a student body of just 1,670 students, had 26 sexual offenses reported between 2010 and 2012. This rise in reporting assaults is prevalent throughout the country. According to a study done by the National Institute of Justice, nearly one in five women will be sexually assaulted in college. A robust and comprehensive plan is needed to combat this issue. One measure that I urge you to consider in that plan would be a clawback of federal student aid received by a student who is convicted of committing a sexual assault on campus. Sexual assault is a heinous crime and we should not let convicted criminals benefit from aid meant for law abiding citizens.

I thank you for your effort to combat this issue and look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Sincerely,

Bruce Braley

Senate expected to vote on Fair Tax Act tomorrow; citizens from all corners of the state will demand a 'YES' vote from legislators in both chambers to put Fair Tax on November ballot

Springfield - With just 72 hours until the deadline to pass the Fair Tax Act, over 1,000 citizens from all corners of the state will gather in Springfield tomorrow to demand lawmakers vote 'YES' on resolutions that would put the Fair Tax on the November ballot. A Fair Tax - with lower rates for lower incomes and higher rates for higher incomes - is supported by 77% of Illinois voters.

The first four months of 2014 have seen a robust discussion about abandoning our state's unfair, regressive 'flat' tax - that results in low and middle income Illinoisans paying two to three times the tax rate that the richest 1% pay - and has put the Fair Tax on the brink of passage, which would continue the conversation into November and let Illinois voters have the final say.

Hundreds and hundreds of parents, seniors, small business owners, educators, health care and human service providers; and ordinary taxpayers will hold a rally and press conference at the Lincoln Statue in front of the Capitol Building at 11:30am.  Following the press conference, citizens will participate in one-on-one visits with their legislators to send them one final and resounding message: "We the People" deserve to decide on the Fair Tax for ourselves in November.

Under the Fair Tax rates proposed by Chief Senate sponsor Don Harmon and Chief House sponsor Christian Mitchell in SB350, 94% of Illinoisans earning up to $205,000 would receive a tax cut over what they currently pay - with residents earning the median income of $55,137 receiving a $303 break. The proposal would also avoid draconian cuts to vital services like education, health and human services, and public safety currently on the table if 2011 rates are allowed to simply expire.

Currently, Illinois lawmakers are prohibited?constitutionally barred?from enacting a Fair Tax. The Fair Tax Act simply allows citizens to vote in the upcoming November election on whether or not they want a Fair Tax.  The effective deadline for lawmakers to put a Fair Tax on the ballot is Thursday, May 1^st.

***Media interested in covering the event can RSVP to  neal@abetterillinois.org***

What: With just 72 hours until the deadline to pass the Fair Tax Act, over 1,000 citizens from all corners of the state will hold a press conference and rally demanding their lawmakers vote 'YES' to allow Illinois voters the opportunity to choose for themselves on the Fair Tax on the November ballot

When: Tuesday, April 29^th, 11:30AM

Where: Lincoln Statue, Capitol Building, Springfield

Who: Over One Thousand Illinoisans Voters

Kristen Crowell, Campaign Director of A Better Illinois

Sen. Don Harmon, Chief Sponsor of the Fair Tax Act and SB 350

Rep. Christian Mitchell, Chief Sponsor of the Fair Tax Act

Dan Montgomery, President of the Illinois Federation of Teachers

Chris Dupuis, Small Business Owner from Naperville

Rev. Marilyn Pagan Banks

A Child Care Provider

Others

In addition to the formal program there will be a number of small business owners, faith and community leaders, parents, child care providers, and ordinary taxpayers from all across Illinois available to speak to the media starting at 11:15 AM (and after the program, as well.)  Please contact Neal Waltmire, if you would like to schedule an interview.

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Congressman continues work to extend Wind Production Tax Credit

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today told key Congressional leaders that renewing the Wind Production Tax Credit?which has created billions of dollars in energy investment in Iowa and created over 6,000 jobs?must be renewed if the United States wants to continue moving toward energy independence.

"Anyone looking across the Iowa landscape knows that wind energy is a big part of our energy future?and that the Wind Production Tax Credit has brought investments and jobs to our state," Braley said. "The path to American energy independence runs through Iowa and the wind production tax credit is critical if we're going to continue moving successfully down that path."

In December, Braley urged House Speaker John Boehner to extend the Wind Production Tax Credit?citing the creation of over 80,000 jobs nationwide attributable to the tax credit. Braley has repeatedly pushed for legislation that would extend the tax credit and provide certainty to investors and businesses in Iowa and throughout the nation.

"The benefits of this industry - local investment, domestic jobs, and energy independence - are exactly what Congress should prioritize," Braley wrote.

A copy of Braley's letter is available below and HERE:

April 28, 2014

The Honorable Dave Camp                           The Honorable Sander Levin

Chairman, House Committee                      Ranking Member, House

on Ways and Means                          Committee on Ways and Means

1102 Longworth HOB                            1106 Longworth HOB

Washington, D.C. 20515                          Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Camp and Ranking Member Levin:

As you know, last year Members of Congress came together to pass the American Taxpayer Relief Act and preserve critical policies that benefit the American taxpayer, support our economy, and create jobs.  Included in this bill was an extension of the tax credit for wind production projects, which in 2012 directly supported 80,700 jobs across our nation and more than 6,000 in my home state of Iowa.  As you work to craft a tax-extension package to address expired provisions, I ask that you support the preservation of the production tax credit for renewable energy, including wind.

Preservation of the production tax credit would allow businesses to make critical investments in our nation's energy infrastructure. MidAmerican, for instance, is making an investment of $1.9 billion to build a 448-turbine energy project across the state of Iowa - increasing clean energy production and creating jobs.

Unfortunately, investors and manufacturers are once again dealing with the expiration of this credit - a credit that historically drives $15 billion a year on average in private investments into the U.S. economy.  The benefits of this industry - local investment, domestic jobs, and energy independence - are exactly what Congress should prioritize.  As the House continues to address expiring provisions, I urge you to preserve the production tax credit and the promise it holds for our nation's future.

Sincerely,

Bruce Braley

Member of Congress

Friday's, Lodge to Host Watch Parties Wednesday Night

If Semi-Finals Go to Seventh Game

MOLINE, Ill. (April 28, 2014) - Quad City Mallards playoff watch parties return to T.G.I. Friday's in Moline and the Lodge in Bettendorf tonight at 7:05 p.m. when the Mallards travel to Texas to meet the Allen Americans in game six of the Central Hockey League semi-finals and, if a seventh and deciding game is necessary, Wednesday evening at 7:05 p.m.

Fans are invited to watch all the action of tonight's pivotal contest in the company of their fellow Mallards supporters at either watch party location. T.G.I. Friday's is located at 1425 River Drive in Moline, adjacent to the iWireless Center.  Fans who prefer to watch the Mallards in Iowa can enjoy the playoff action in the lounge of the Lodge Hotel and Conference Center, which is located at 900 Spruce Hills Drive in Bettendorf.  T.G.I. Friday's will offer half price appetizers to Mallards fans during the watch party.  Fans who flock to the Lodge can join the watch parties for just a $3 cover charge and enjoy $1.50 drafts and hot dogs.

The Mallards, who lead the best-of-seven series three games to two, are one win away from advancing to the CHL finals and a match-up with the Denver Cutthroats.  Should they overcome the Americans, the Mallards will play for a league championship for the first time since reaching the United Hockey League finals in 2003.

An Americans victory tonight would bring a seventh and deciding game in Allen and another chance for fans to take in all the action at either Friday's or the Lodge Wednesday evening.

For more information on the playoff watch parties, feel free to contact the Mallards at 309-277-1364 or info@myqcmallards.com.

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 in the midst of their seventeenth season their fourth in the Central Hockey League.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10.  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.net.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards.