Progressive Democrat Issue 108: IOWA FOCUS

Here is this week's update on Iowa's legislators, coming from the Iowa Democratic Party.

From Senator Tom Harkin:

Statement of Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) On the Republican Effort to Stifle Debate On the Escalation of the Iraq War:

“Today, Senate Republicans voted to block debate on questions we as Senators have a duty to ask: Does the President have a credible plan in Iraq that is worthy of the sacrifices of our brave men and women in the United States Military? Is the President’s plan to escalate the war in Iraq in the best interest of the United States? Will the additional troops be sent into combat with proper equipment? The answer to those questions I strongly believe– after nearly four years of incompetence, bungling, and disastrously bad judgment by this administration – is a resounding ‘no.’

“The President’s plan to escalate the war is not just deeply disappointing, it is deeply disturbing. Escalation is not a way forward; it is a way deeper into a tragic quagmire. This is not in our national interest. It is not in the interest of the long-suffering Iraqi people. And it is certainly not in the interest of our troops, who will be in the crossfire of a vicious civil war.

“An overwhelming majority of the American public have called for a change of course in Iraq. That’s why it is deeply disappointing that Senate Republicans refuse to listen, and refuse to even have this debate. Americans deserve to know where each and every member stands on this escalation, and should not have to settle for Republicans providing political cover for President Bush.”

Tom Harkin on Bush's Anti-Education Policies: (including his cutting his own "No Child Left Behind Program)

Bush Has Chosen Tax Breaks Over Textbooks

Senator Tom Harkin joined with Iowa educators and officials in decrying President Bush’s recent budget proposal that seeks to slash funding for valuable education funding at a time when America needs to do everything it can to make sure it’s students remain competitive in the global arena. The Administration’s FY08 budget would cut the Department of Education’s discretionary funding by $1.5 billion and eliminate 44 programs.

“More and more children are being left behind by this Administration’s budget priorities,” said Harkin, the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations panel that funds education initiatives. “As this spending proposal shows, the federal government is abandoning our teachers and our children. President Bush has chosen tax breaks over textbooks.”

In the President’s budget, No Child Left Behind, special education, higher education and Perkins career funding and technical education all face significant cuts. Many Iowan educators are concerned about the impact these cuts have for the state. Below is some reaction Senator Harkin has received in the wake of the Administration’s budget plan.

“Cutting funding for special education is failed leadership,” said Richard Clewell, Davenport School Board member. “If you are truly committed to the success of every child, you don’t cut funds to serve the students with the greatest needs.”

Congressman Bruce Braley - Iowa 1st District

Braley Introduces New Era Act

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Waterloo) introduced the National Endowment for Workforce Education in Renewables and Agriculture (“New Era”) Act of 2007. The bill is the first Braley has introduced in the House of Representatives.

“Investing in renewable energy is a win-win scenario for Iowa: we can both create jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” Braley said. “But to make Iowa the renewable energy leader of the world, we need a workforce trained with the skills to research and produce renewable fuels.

“The New Era Act addresses this need by creating a workforce education program in renewable energy technology to be implemented by Iowa’s community colleges. This bill is the first step toward equipping our state’s workforce with the skills they need to fill jobs in renewable energy research and production that are being created in Iowa and the Midwest.”

The New Era Act of 2007 would authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to award grants to community colleges so they can establish education and training programs in the fields of bioenergy and agriculture-based renewable energy.

Under the bill, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) would be charged with overseeing the implementation and scope of the training program. Funding for the program would be determined through Congressional appropriations to the USDA to satisfy the demand for and requirements of the program.

Iowa and other Midwestern states’ community colleges would be eligible to receive grant funding for new renewable energy workforce training programs under the bill.

Congressman Dave Loebsack - Iowa 2nd District

CONGRESSMAN LOEBSACK RESPONDS TO PRESIDENT BUSH'S PROPOSED 2008 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Bush released his proposed 2008 Fiscal Year Budget, and to the dismay of many in Congress, the President continued to pursue the same fiscally irresponsible policies that transformed a $5.6 trillion dollar surplus in to a $2.8 trillion dollar deficit.

"I am very disappointed with the President's proposed 2008 budget. Instead of taking our country in a new direction, the budget continues to make choices that are wrong for the American people," said Congressman Loebsack. "It cuts vital investments and services for children and working families, yet includes a costly tax agenda that heavily benefits those who least need the help."

How the President's proposed 2008 budget will affect Iowa:

- The President's budget includes $78 billion in Medicare and Medicaid cuts and implements new premiums that threaten Iowa's 484,000 Medicare patients' access to high quality affordable healthcare.

- The President's budget does not fund the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) at adequate levels to continue covering the children already enrolled. This budget gives less money to cover Iowa's neediest children and may add to the Iowa's 44,000 uninsured children.

- The President's budget does not meet the required 13-14 percent annual increase the veterans Health Administration requires to meet the rising costs and increased demand. Without adequate funding, the VA will find it increasingly difficult to provide quality healthcare for Iowa's 250,000 Veterans.

- The President's budget continues to freeze funds for key college programs like work study and zeros out Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG). As college tuition continues to rise, these cuts in student aid will put college further out of reach for many Iowa students.

"Today's budget is just one more example of the President's misplaced priorities and refusal to listen to the American people, I will not stand idly by as the President continues to take our country in the wrong direction."

Congressman Leonard Boswell - Iowa 3rd District

Boswell speaks out against troop surge

(Radio Iowa)The House is expected next week to take up funding for the president's proposed "surge" of troops to the war zone in the Mideast. Iowa Congressman Leonard Boswell, a democrat, says he continues to oppose U.S. involvement, including the plan to send more troops to Iraq.

Boswell says, "They've got their government in place, so they've got their challenges. But...they've got to deal with it." He says the administration's told us that the Iraqi Army has more than 300-thousand people trained and equipped in the field, so "they ought to start taking responsibility," and he says the US should start bringing our troops home...

Boswell says despite a November election that signaled a call for change, the president's budget for fiscal 2008 is "just more of the same." Boswell says the president's budget "sends billions more to Iraq," but cuts funding for Homeland Security, which he says is taking a 33-percent cut in the funds the agency sends states to prepare their first responders, and a 55-percent cut in grants for firefighters. He says the president's proposed budget also "severely under-funds" a state children's health insurance program.

Remember, you can always contact the media and your Congress Critters to let them know what you think about these issues.

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