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Iowa’s delegation in Washington reacts to tax bill’s passage

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Senator Chuck Grassley.

The five Republicans in Iowa’s congressional delegation voted for the GOP’s tax plan and the lone Democrat voted against it.

Senator Chuck Grassley called the tax bill “landmark” and  “historic.” Senator Joni Ernst noted the bill includes her “SQUEAL Act” which means members of congress will no longer get a tax break for their living expenses in Washington.

Congressman Steve King of Kiron called the legislation an “early Christmas present to American taxpayers.” Congressman Rod Blum of Dubuque did not issue a statement after the vote, but has tweeted recently that “families…will see their tax home pay increase” as a result of the bill’s passage. Congressman David Young of Van Meter tweeted right after voting for the bill that it would “give hardworking Iowa taxpayers the relief they deserve.”

Democratic Congressman Dave Loebsack of Iowa City criticized the bill, saying it “focuses on slashing taxes for millionaires, billionaires and corporations.”

Loebsack: tax dollars should not be used to settle harassment cases

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Congressman Dave Loebsack.

Iowa Congressman Dave Loebsack today said tax dollars should not be used to pay legal settlements to those who make sexual harassment allegations against members of congress and their staff.

It was revealed this week that congress has paid out $17 million in secret settlements over the past two decades to resolve workplace complaints, including harassment claims.

“It is not an appropriate use of taxpayer money,” Loebsack said. “In fact, I’m going to be doing what I can to change the rules on that because taxpayers should not be on the hook for misdeads that members of congress or their staff commit.”

Since 1997, Congress has used tax dollars to secretly settle nearly 270 cases of alleged workplace misconduct. Loebsack, who is a Democrat from Iowa City, said the names of those who commit “egregious acts” should be revealed.

“I think we have to have some significant changes here and we should make that person pay for whatever costs there may be associated with this particular action,” Loebsack said.

Yesterday, a woman publicly accused Minnesota Senator Al Franken of kissing and groping her without her consent. Loebsack said Franken “has admitted his wrongdoing” in the incident, which happened before Franken was elected to the Senate.

“I don’t know that we have a particular statute of limitations or a particular time frame, but clearly if somebody commits some kind of an egregious act like that, I think the American people need to know about and I think those people should be held accountable and I should say, you know, obviously these kinds of acts of harassment or sexual aggression or whatever the case may be, these things know no political bounds, obviously, either,” Loebsack said. “Both parties have members who are guilty of these kind of offenses.”

Some Democrats are reexamining their party’s treatment of women who made allegations of misconduct against former President Bill Clinton. Yesterday, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand told The New York Times Clinton should have resigned after his relationship with a White House intern was revealed. Loebsack told reporters today that he hasn’t had enough time to think about that.

“Resignation is a big deal and you know I haven’t called for Donald Trump to resign because of the actions that he has committed and some of the things he has said publicly,” Loebsack said, “but I think they need to be held accountable and I think we need to have a conversation — a very, very important national conversation — about this issue.”

Loebsack made his comments during taping of the “Iowa Press” program that airs tonight at 7:30 on Iowa Public Television.

Blum, Young, King support GOP tax bill; Loebsack votes no

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Congressman Rod Blum. (file photo)

All three Republicans in Iowa’s congressional delegation today voted for the House GOP’s tax plan.

Iowa Republican Congressmen Rod Blum of Dubuque, David Young of Van Meter and Steve King of Kiron voted yes. King told Radio Iowa in late October that he was ready to support the package.

“I’m willing to compromise more than I’ve been for probably 10 years because I see the urgency,” King said. “We need to get these things done and I’m supporting this tax policy even though I think that we ought to go with the ‘Fair Tax’ and abolish the IRS.”

King issued a written statement shortly after the bill passed, calling it “historic,” but adding that “it would have been much improved” if the plan had included repeal of the Affordable Care Act’s penalty for those who do not have health insurance. That proposal is part the tax package pending in the U.S. Senate.

The lone Democrat in Iowa’s congressional delegation is Dave Loebsack of Iowa City. He voted no on the House GOP’s tax plan. Loebsack said in a written statement that the plan “slashes taxes for millionaires, billionaires and corporations” and “will hurt everyday Iowans.”

Iowa senators denounce ‘terrorism’ in Charlottesville

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Senator Chuck Grassley

Iowa’s top politicians are responding to this weekend’s events in Virginia.

Iowa Republican Party chairman Jeff Kaufmann was the first to issue a statement Saturday via Twitter. Kaufmann said the “racism and bigotry on display in Charlottesville is stupid, shameful and destructive.”

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley was next, saying what “white nationalists” were doing in Charlottesville was “homegrown terrorism.” Iowa Senator Joni Ernst also called it “terrorism” that was “fueled by racist hatred” that “has no place in our society.”

Governor Kim Reynolds said her prayers are with the victims and she condemed “ugly, vile, racist hate.”

By early this morning, all but one member of Iowa’s congressional delegation had tweeted on the situation. Congressman Dave Loebsack, a Democrat from Iowa City, said on Saturday that the “vile hatred displayed by white supremacists in Charlotesville is unacceptable and unAmerican.” Congressman David Young, a Republican from Van Meter, tweeted on Sunday from Israel, where he’s on a congressional trip. Young condemned the “hatred” on display in Charlottesville and tweeted a few Bible verses. Congressman Rod Blum, a Republican from Dubuque, posted a message on Facebook. Blum quoted Gandi and said there was no place in a “civil society” for “racist supremacy groups.” Republican Congressman Steve King of Kiron has not Tweeted since July 27th and has not issued a statement on Charlottesville.

The Iowa Democratic Party’s chairman released a written statement Sunday, denounncing the “senseless acts by white supremacists and neo-nazis in Charlottesville.”

Here are the tweets, in the order they appeared on Twitter:

@kaufmanngop: The racism & bigotry on display in Charlottesville is stupid, shameful and destructive. These charlatans led by David Duke sicken me.

@chuckgrassley: What ” WhiteNatjonalist” are doing in Charlottesville is homegrown terrorism that can’t be tolerated anymore that what Any extremist does

@joniernst: The violence in #Charlottesville that is fueled by racist hatred has no place in our society. (1/2)
@joniernst: We are one nation, under God, and indivisible. We cannot stand for this terrorism. (2/2)

@IAgovernor: We must forcefully condemn ugly, vile, racist hate. My prayers are with the victims of these despicable acts #Charlottesville

@daveloebsack: The vile hatred displayed by white supremacists in #Charlottesville is unacceptable & un-American. I mourn the loss of those who were killed

@RepDavidYoung: It is just after 2:00 am here in Israel where I am wrapping up my travels and meetings and will begin my journey home to Iowa tomorrow
@RepDavidYoung: From a land that has seen the pain and deep divisions hatred has caused throughout history
@RepDavidYoung: I wanted to acknowledge and condemn the hate and pain we have seen this weekend at home.
@RepDavidYoung: Political discourse is something we can pride ourselves on in America – but hate is disgusting and must be condemned to the core
@RepDavidYoung: “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.”
@RepDavidYoung: “Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.”
@RepDavidYoung: “But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness.”
@RepDavidYoung: “They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.” – 1 John 2:9-11

@RepRodBlum: My thoughts on Charlottesville: (from Facebook)

This weekend’s events in Charlottesville have saddened Karen, Sophie and me to our core. Violence is never the answer, and this terrorist act must be dealt with justly and swiftly.

There is no place for a cowardly act like this or racist supremacy groups in civil society. Just two months ago my colleagues were playing baseball when a would-be assassin opened fire and nearly killed my good friend Congressman Steve Scalise over political differences, and now a young peaceful protestor has lost her life. This must end, we must come together as Americans first, and forget the labels we assign ourselves over politics. My prayers go out to Heather Heyer’s family, Lt. H. Jay Cullen’s family and Berke M.M. Bates’s family – and everyone affected by this senseless tragedy. Thank God for our Law Enforcement who are there to protect and serve all of us.
You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty. – Gandhi

 

EPA’s ethanol production mandate at the max; biodiesel requirement ‘disappointing’

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing that the federal production mandate for “conventional” ethanol remain at the maximum in 2018, but the requirement for biodiesel is causing concern in the industry.

Monte Shaw of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association says it means at least 15 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol should be produced next year, which is the maximum amount under the Renewable Fuels Standard.

“That is good news that there was no effort to move that backwards,” Shaw says.

However, the EPA is suggesting the mandatory level for soybean-based biodiesel production remain the same.

“That’s the first time that the annual proposal has not increased biodiesel by at least some amount,” Shaw says, “so that is, maybe, some cause for concern.”

The Iowa Biodiesel Board calls the EPA’s proposal a “setback” at a time when the industry was “ready to take a large leap forward.”

The EPA’s recommended federal mandate for next year’s production of “cellulosic” ethanol that’s made from plant materials, like switch grass or corn stalks, is reduced as well.

“I’m not shocked that it went down because we didn’t meet the 2016 number,” Shaw says. “People were wanting to pull that back a little closer to reality.”

There’s a public comment period underway on these rules and Shaw says the industry will debate whether the EPA has settled on the right numbers. President Trump, as a candidate, visited an ethanol plant near Gowrie and pledged to support the ethanol industry.

“We are very excited that President Trump did uphold his campaign promise on the ethanol side, so that is a big win for ethanol and something that will help Iowa farmers and consumers,” Shaw says. “But we definitely have our work cut out for us on biodiesel and some of the other advanced biofuels.”

Iowa is the nation’s leading producer of corn-based ethanol, plant-based ethanol and soybean-based biodiesel.

Congressman Dave Loebsack, a Democrat from Iowa City, said in a written statement that “never in its history” has the EPA failed to raise the production mandate for “advanced biofuels” and Loebsack said Trump “has turned his back on Iowa’s farmers and rural communities.” Republican Senator Joni Ernst issued a written statement, saying she’s “pleased” with the new administration’s decision on convention ethanol, but Ernst said she is “disappointed” in the EPA’s recommendation on biodiesel.

Governor Kim Reynolds issued a statement, too, saying Trump “works for and with our state rather than against it.

“I commend the Trump administration for its commitment to keeping the Renewable Fuel Standard at the level set by Congress,” Reynolds said. “…I am disappointed biodiesel levels are not higher, but Iowa will continue working with the administration to increase marketplace opportunities for biodiesel.”

Senator Chuck Grassley, in his written statement, called the EPA’s proposal “a mixed bag.”

“While I’m glad the EPA’s proposal holds steady the requirement of 15 billion gallons for conventional ethanol, the lack of any increase for biodiesel is a missed opportunity,” Grassley said. “The proposal fails to recognize the ability of the domestic biodiesel industry to produce at much higher levels.”

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey issued a written statement as well.

“The announced 2018 Renewable Fuels Standard level for conventional biofuels is good news for corn ethanol. I agree with others in the industry that a higher level for the 2019 biodiesel level would make sense,” Northey said. “I appreciate the Administration following through on their commitment to support the renewable fuels industry and release these levels in a timely manner so that we can provide meaningful comment to EPA.”

Death of Iowa’s Sarah Root cited as U.S. House passes anti-‘sanctuary’ bills

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Sarah Root

The three Republicans from Iowa who serve in the U.S. House have voted for bills designed to deny federal money to so-called “sanctuary cities” and ensure immigrants who are in the country illegally are detained if they’re charged with a serious crime.

Congressman Steve King, a Republican from Kiron, was among the lead sponsors of the “No Sanctuary for Criminals Act” because of the tragic death of Sarah Root. She’s the 21-year-old from Council Bluffs who police say was killed on an Omaha street by a drag-racing drunk driver who fled the country.

“Her father, Scott Root, testified before the committee and he said this: ‘They bailed the killer of my daughter out of jail for less money than it took to bury her and he was out of the country before we could have the funeral,'” King said during House debate this afternoon. “Those words were some of the most chilling and mournful words that I have heard in this congress.”

Sarah Root’s mother, Michelle, sat in the gallery of the U.S. House as King and Congressman David Young of Van Meter spoke in favor of the bill.

“My vote today is about policy, but it is in honor of Sarah Root,” Young said.

Young noted President Trump supports the two bills.

“Yesterday, I was at the White House with President Trump and the parents and relatives of those daughters and sons who were killed they those who are here illegally,” Young said. “Their stories are very heavy and they should weigh on all of us.”

Young called Sarah Root’s death “senseless.”

“In late January of 2016, Sarah’s parents — Michelle and Scott Root — started their day with joy. You see, on that day their beautiful daughter, Sarah, graduated. She had the whole world ahead of her, but for Michelle and Scott the day ended with loss and tragedy,” Young said. “…Sarah was killed by a drunk driver here illegally…and then through incompetence and uncertainty about the law and policy or both, but for sure a lack of common sense, Sarah’s killer was released and today Sarah’s killer is free.”

Young concluded his remarks by praising the Root family for their political activism.

“They fight to make sure no other parent or loved one has to go through the tragic ordeal they had to go through,” Young said. “…They continue to advocate and so must we.”

Republican Congressman Rod Blum of Dubuque also voted for the bills, but debate time was limited and he did not speak on the House floor. Iowa’s other Congressman, Dave Loebsack of Iowa City, was among the Democrats who voted “no” on both bills.

No one from Iowa delegation at baseball practice where shooting happened

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Congressman Rod Blum.

None of Iowa’s four congressmen or U.S. Senators were at the baseball diamond in Alexandria, Virginia, this morning where a shooting took place.

Congressman Rod Blum tweeted “prayers for all injured” shortly after news of the shooting broke. Senator Chuck Grassley’s staff issued a written statement, confirming Grassley was already at the capitol when the shooting happened.

Radio Iowa called and sent text messages to staff in the other Iowa congressional offices to confirm all were safe, including the people who work in D.C. for Iowa lawmakers.

The group of Republicans who came under fire this morning were practicing for the congressional baseball game scheduled for Thursday night.

Congressman Dave Loebsack, a Democrat from Iowa City, issued a written statement this morning, saying he “was shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news of this morning’s shootings. My thoughts and prayers go to Congressman Scalise, the injured staffers and law enforcement officers who were hurt by this senseless act of violence.”

Congressman Loebsack says president’s infrastructure plans leave out rural areas

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Dave Loebsack

Iowa’s lone Democratic congressman says he has a lot of concerns about President Donald Trump’s ideas for infrastructure improvements.

The president has said he wants to rely more heavily on cities, states, and private investment to pay for infrastructure work. Second District Congressman Dave Loebsack says that could short change rural parts of the country.

“The problem is that the incentives that are going to be provided are not necessarily going to lead to the kinds of development of projects that we need in rural America, because these companies are not going to find it in their bottom line interest to do the kind of work that we need in Iowa,” Loebsack says.

Loebsack says rural infrastructure needs might have a tough time attracting private funding.

“There are a heck of a lot of rural Republican representatives who have exactly the same concerns I have about making sure that the funding, as it is, is going to provide the kind of investments that we need to have in rural America,” Loebsack says.

President Trump is talking about a number of broad proposals in what the White House is calling “Infrastructure Week.”  Loebsack made his comments on The Iowa Public Radio program River to River.

Senator Ernst ready to review House health care plan

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Senator Joni Ernst.

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says she’ll do a full review of the health care bill that passed the U.S. House today.

“We will take a thorough look at whatever comes to us and whatever that package may look like. Again, stressing the fact that we need to take a look at it and make sure it is the right way to move,” Ernst says. The Republican from Red Oak says it’s an issue that impacts many Iowans.

“What I am seeing occurring in Iowa right now with many of our insurance companies deciding that they won’t provide individual policies, that is concerning to me,” Ernst says, “and knowing that we could very shortly have many families that have absolutely no options.” Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Aetna are planning to stop providing individual policies through the state’s insurance exchange in 2018. The remaining provider, Medica, is considering withdrawing, as well. Ernst says Iowa is an example of why there needs to be a change.

“We know we need to have to address it. And that means addressing it sooner rather than later,” according to Ernst. “But again, we can’t just rush something through. We do have to move in a thoughtful many and make sure that it is the right way forward.” President Donald Trump signed an executive order on “religious liberty” today (Thursday). Ernst says she hasn’t had time to fully review it.

“That text was not released to use ahead of time, so I do need to go through it,” Ernst says. “But I do know he is very intent on protecting those religious liberties. So, I’ll have to review the text, but I know where he stands on that issue. He has been very clear about that throughout his campaign, and I applaud him for taking a look at that issue.” Iowa three Republican Congressman voted for the House bill, while Democrat Dave Loebsack voted against it.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, made note of Iowa as he spoke in the U.S. House today in favor of passing the health care bill.

“Look at what has happened in Iowa this week. As is the case in so many areas in this country — Iowa is down to one insurer,” Ryan says. “That of course is not a choice. But now that one insurer is saying that it will have to pull out of 94 of 99 counties in Iowa.” Ryan says the current system isn’t working.

“Tens of thousands of Iowans will go from having one option to having no options. That is not a choice, that is a crisis,” Ryan says. The bill passed the House 217-213

After Oval Office meeting, King to be ‘yes’ on GOP’s ObamaCare replacement

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Congressman Steve King.

Iowa’s congressional delegation is part of the drama over whether enough Republicans will vote for House leadership’s plan to replace President Obama’s Affordable Care Act.

Iowa is represented by four congressmen. Three of them will vote no on the bill. Democrat Dave Loebsack of Iowa City has been a firm “no” on the bill since it was publicly revealed.

Yesterday, Republican Congressman Rod Blum of Dubuque announced he could not vote for the Republican plan. Blum tweeted that the bill does not do enough to lower insurance premiums.

Today, Congressman David Young of Van Meter called the plan a “good start,” but said it “does not yet get it right.” And then on Wednesday afternoon, the White House announced Republican Congressman Steve King of Kiron had been convinced by the president during a meeting in the White House to vote for the bill.

King posted a video on Facebook about his meeting in the Oval Office.

“In the end, we have the best chance to get a package that is the closest thing to a full repeal that we can get within this political environment,” King said at about the 10 minute mark of the 12 minute video.

King said he was confident President Trump would use his “bully pulpit” to get other reforms through, like separate legislation that would allow health insurance to be sold across state lines.