Congressman Dave Loebsack recently wrote to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in support of Governor Terry Branstad’s request of a Secretarial Disaster Designation for 27 counties that have seen extensive damage to crops and farm land. “These counties experienced damage ranging from wind and hail damage, drought conditions, and damaged farm buildings, grain storage structures, livestock buildings and equipment,” wrote Loebsack. “As we continue to struggle to recover from the worst economic down... Read more

By Congressman Dave Loebsack This September marks the eighth annual National Preparedness Month. NPM was started by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Ready Campaign, in partnership with the Citizen Corps and the Ad Council, to encourage all Americans to take the necessary steps to ensure their homes, workplaces, and communities are prepared for disasters and emergencies of all kinds. This year’s theme, “A Time to Remember: A Time to Prepare”, hits particularly close to home. We all remem... Read more

Congressman Loebsack today announced that the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library received a $175,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library will use the funding to purchase storage furniture to rehouse collections and make them more accessible to visitors. “Like so many businesses and homes in Cedar Rapids, the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library was hit hard by the devastating Floods of 2008,” said Loebsack. “I a... Read more

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dave Loebsack today praised the passage of the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011, which reauthorizes the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for five years. The legislation contains an amendment authored by Loebsack that will improve the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood map modernization process. It requires FEMA to inform local television and radio stations that the flood maps are being updated and allows property owners and communities the op... Read more

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

Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack introduced legislation to increase the transparency of FEMA’s flood mapping process to ensure that property owners can more fully participate in the process of mapping and updating flood insurance maps. “I support the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and believe it was a vital tool in helping Iowans recover after the devastating Floods of 2008. However, too many homeowners and businesses in Iowa have been caught off guard by new or updated maps and have ha... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced a $2.4 million U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to help build a high-speed, fiber-optic, redundant Joint Communications Network to improve 24/7 Emergency Management Services. “Dependable communication and communication services are essential to getting through natural disasters with the least amount of damage,” said Loebsack. “This funding will help first responders coordinate their response through ... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack will receive the “Distinguished Service Award,” by Voices for National Service, a nationwide advocacy group for community service and volunteerism. Congressman Loebsack is being presented this award due to his work to “prioritize national service funding and legislation.” “Nearly two years after the floods of June 2008, we are still rebuilding in Iowa,” said Congressman Loebsack. “While we still have a long way to go, the strength of our community and the helping hands ... Read more

Congressman Loebsack (D-IA) announced $20 million in Rural Development Loans to expand the water treatment plant at Rathbun Lake. The demand for water in the Rathbun Regional Water Association (RRWA) service territory has increased past the current plant’s production capacity. Current demand is approaching 9.0 million gallons per day (MGD), while the plant’s current capacity is 8.0 MGD. “This loan will foster a much-needed expansion in an area that has been hit hard by the economic downturn,” sa... Read more

Congressman Loebsack applauds the inclusion of more flexibility with disaster funds in the conference agreement on Transportation – HUD Appropriations. Congressman Loebsack, in conjunction with members of the Iowa Delegation, led an effort to urge agreement to a disaster relief reform provision in a letter to Chairman John Olver of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD). “The ailing economy coupled with the floods of last summer have left many Iow... Read more