Congressman Dave Loebsack today introduced legislation in the House of Representatives that will create a National Flood Research and Education Consortium (NFREC) to advance the understanding of the causes of flooding, implement advanced flood prediction methods and promote policies that would help prevent future flood damage and natural disasters. The National Flood Research and Education Act (NFREA) will establish a consortium, led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ... Read more

Congressmen Dave Loebsack (D-IA-02) and Bobby Schilling (R-IL-17), who serve on the House Armed Services Committee, today spoke with U.S. Army Materiel Command’s Commanding General Ann E. Dunwoody to discuss the future of the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) at the Rock Island Arsenal. During the call, General Dunwoody reassured the Congressmen that RIA is one of the “centers of gravity” for the Army Material Command. Her comments were made in response to concerns raised by the C... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that five airports in the Second District will receive a total of $1,826,078 to make improvements. These funds come from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) grant program. Details of the funding are below. “Making sure our area airports have the tools necessary to ensure Iowans can travel safely is a top priority,” said Loebsack. “I am pleased these airports will receive this funding to make essential improvements and ensure continued economic ... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack today released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2112, which provides funding for Fiscal Year 2012 Agriculture, Rural Development and Food and Drug Administration initiatives. The legislation contains large cuts to rural development and conservation efforts, the farm safety net, as well as cuts that would deny 1,600 to 2,800 pregnant women and children in Iowa access to food and nutrition assistance. “Rural areas in Iowa and across t... Read more

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dave Loebsack today applauded President Barack Obama for establishing the first White House Rural Council. Loebsack knows that in this economic downturn, many rural areas in Iowa are struggling and this new office will help address the challenges they face. Loebsack, a member of the House Rural Caucus, requested the Administration establish an Office of Rural Policy in 2009. The White House Rural Council will work across the government to promote further economic p... Read more

The bi-state delegation that represents the Rock Island Arsenal, Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA-02), Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Congressmen Bruce Braley (D-IA-01) and Bobby Schilling (R-IL-17) today sent a letter to President Barack Obama following Dr. Malcolm O’Neill’s recent resignation as the U.S. Army Assistant Secretary at the Office for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, ASA (ALT). In their letter, the lawmakers reques... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack today released the following statement supporting continued funding for the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Stream Gaging Network which oversees 7,000 stream gages on rivers nationwide, including many in Iowa, as well as on the Mississippi River. According to the USGS and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), over the past several years, funding for the program has been relatively flat and potential cuts could result in the further discontinuation of service of stre... Read more

The bipartisan, bi-state delegation that represents the Rock Island Arsenal today received assurances from Secretary of the Army John McHugh that the Army currently has no plans to close the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) at Rock Island Arsenal. Today’s letter was sent in response to a May 26th letter sent by the delegation that called for a meeting with McHugh to discuss their concerns about the cost associated with conducting such a move as well as the impact it would have on... Read more

Today, Congressman Loebsack issued the following statement after speaking with Secretary of the Army John McHugh about the future of the Rock Island Arsenal and the Joint Manufacturing Technology Center. “I served with Secretary McHugh on the House Armed Services Committee during his time in Congress, and I took this opportunity to discuss with him the importance of the Arsenal to the Quad Cities economy and to the Army. The Arsenal and its workforce have played a vital function in equipping our... Read more

Congressmen Dave Loebsack (D-IA-02), Bobby Schilling (R-IL-17), and Bruce Braley (D-IA-01) today sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Army John McHugh following their conference call held this afternoon to discuss the future of the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) at the Rock Island Arsenal. The call was in response to the members’ request made May 27. While on the conference call the Congressmen expressed to Secretary McHugh their concerns regarding the Army Materiel Command (... Read more