Senator Chuck Grassley issued the following comment about his vote against Majority Leader Harry Reid's proposal to increase the nation's borrowing authority by $2.4 trillion.  Senator Grassley is a senior member of the Budget Committee.  He also is Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee and supports a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

"Senator Reid's bill would grant the largest debt ceiling increase in history allowing our national debt to rise to nearly $16.7 trillion.  In exchange, it includes real spending cuts of only $900 billion over the next ten years.  The American people want Congress to act to avoid default by August 2.  But, Americans also want us to reverse the spending spree that got our country in this mess, and get us on a path to fiscal sanity.  Now that it has been demonstrated that both Speaker Boehner's bill and Majority Leader Reid's bill do not have the necessary support, I hope serious, bipartisan discussions will lead to a solution to get this matter resolved."

Pushes for Help in Benton, Marshall, Story and Tama Counties

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) and the IowaHouse delegation sent a letter to President Obama urging him to provide disaster assistance to Iowa following the severe storms earlier this month in Benton, Marshall, Story and Tama counties.

"These storms severely damaged Iowa schools, hospitals, fire stations and electricity and communications infrastructure," said Rep. Braley. "I strongly urge the President to provide assistance to help Iowa's families, communities, and businesses rebuild as quickly as possible."

A copy of the letter is available here and pasted below: http://go.usa.gov/Kcj

The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

As you know, Governor Terry Branstad has requested that you declare a major disaster for the Iowa counties of Benton, Marshall, Story and Tama.  These counties were significantly impacted by severe weather earlier this month, which resulted in significant infrastructure and property damage.

The severe storms began on July 9, triggering a chain of damage-causing events, lasting through July 10, when 100 MPH winds caused the damage in the counties noted above.  Thereafter, on July 13^th, heavy rainfall caused flooding in other counties (Dickinson and Clay), causing road closures, and extensive property damage.  Again, on July 15^th, severe storms caused flash floods in Cerro Gordo, Floyd and Worth Counties.  Finally, on July 22, severe storms caused significant damage in Black Hawk, Butler, Grundy, Hardin, Jasper, Marion and Poweshiek Counties.

The toll from these storms includes damage to local schools, hospitals, emergency communications facilities and fire stations.  Moreover, electrical utility infrastructure damage remains a major concern over a broad area, as is the case for telecommunications infrastructure, agriculture infrastructure (including crop damage & livestock losses) and municipal water pumping stations.

Given the scope of the damage and losses in Iowa at this time, and the potential for realization of further losses, we strongly urge you to grant Governor Branstad's request for assistance under the Stafford Assistance Act.

Sincerely,

Bruce Braley
Leonard Boswell
Dave Loebsack
Tom Latham
Steve King

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Rock Island, Ill. -- (July 29, 2011) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi River Project reminds everyone to be careful around the rising waters of the Mississippi River.  With large rainfall amounts to the north, the Mississippi River is rising quickly and many people who recreate on the River may not be prepared for high water this time of year.  In the Quad City area, the river is forecasted to reach flood stage Friday evening and remain over flood stage throughout the weekend.  Areas below the Quad Cities will also see River levels rise as the crest moves downriver over the next several days.

Greater caution is recommended if you plan to be near or on the Mississippi River during this high-water time.  The water is moving very fast and the current is strong.  There is much debris floating as the water washes large trees and logs from tributary rivers and streams, backwater areas and islands.

As always, if you plan to recreate on or near the river please remember to be safe, wear your life jackets and have all recommended safety equipment in working order on your boat.  As a reminder, the Locks and Dam 15 Auxiliary (recreational craft) lock will be closed this weekend due to high water.  It will re-open when the river level below the dam drops below 13 feet.  For more information call (309) 794-5338.

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During his weekly video address, Senator Chuck Grassley discusses his bill targeting synthetic drugs.  The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee, on July 28, and would ban chemicals used to make drugs like K2, also known as Spice.  Grassley's legislation is named after David Rogza of Indianola, Iowa, whose death may have been the first in the nation related to K2.

Click here for audio.

The text of the address is available below.    

Weekly Video Address:  Synthetic Drug Bill  

On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed my bipartisan legislation to ban chemicals used to make synthetic drugs like K2, or Spice.

A year ago in June, K2 led an 18-year old from Indianola to take his own life.  David Rozga's death may have been the first in the country stemming from a new type of synthetic drug.  I met with David's family last August, and David's dad traveled to Washington to testify in April at a drug caucus hearing which I co-chaired.

David's death hasn't been the last.  In January, a high-school student in Omaha killed his assistant principal and himself.  He had K2 in his system.

Poison-control centers and emergency rooms are reporting skyrocketing cases resulting from K2 use.  Violent injuries are seen, related to K2 increasing agitation, heart rates and blood pressure, hallucinations, and seizures.  K2 abuse has even led all branches of the military to ban the use of the synthetic drug after high profile cases arose at the Naval Academy and on the U.S.S. Bataan which was deploying to Libya. 

The drug is available at local shopping malls and online.  It's marketed to appear natural and harmless, like a package of incense.  Victims like David Rozga get sucked into trying the drug, unaware of the risks.

Federal legislation is needed because the Drug Enforcement Agency's process of banning drugs is slow, with no guarantee of a permanent ban.  The proposed bill - which I named the David Mitchell Rozga Act -- would treat K2 like banned narcotics such as methamphetamine and cocaine.

The Senate should act to ban this drug as soon as possible.

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