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 Dave Loebsack today announced that the Southeast Iowa Regional Airport Authority in Burlington will receive a total of $927,184 to make improvements. These funds come from the Federal Aviation Administration. “Improving local airports remain a top priority not only because it ensures the safety of all travelers, but is also important for economic development,” said Loebsack. “The current terminal apron pavement and taxiway needs to be repaired, and I am pleased that the Southeast Iow... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack today joined a bipartisan group of 16 Representatives in sending a letter to House and Senate leadership calling for them to ensure the recently formed “Super Committee” is an open and transparent process. The debt ceiling deal, which was signed in to law on August 2nd, established a Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, also known as the “Super Committee,” which is composed of 12 members of Congress and tasked with reducing the deficit by more than $1.5 trillion... Read more

Washington D.C. – Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that the Muscatine Municipal Airport will receive a total of $319,378 to make improvements. These funds come from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) grant program. Details of the funding are below. “Investing in the improvement of local airports is important to improve safety as well as spur economic growth,” said Loebsack. “The current runaway lighting system in the Muscatine Municipal Airport needs to be fixed and I am plea... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that the Iowa Department of Transportation was awarded total of $525,000 to make improvements along the Great River Road in Des Moines and Louisa Counties. This funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Highway Administration through the National Scenic Byways Program. Earlier this year, Loebsack wrote a letter to the DOT in support of these projects. “The natural beauty along the Mississippi River is a unique destinati... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that five agricultural producers and rural small businesses in South and Southeast Iowa have received grants to implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provided the grants, which totaled $75,440. REAP specializes in creating sustainable opportunities and increasing economic activity in rural America. “Fostering the growth of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures is imperative to boo... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that Iowa Department of Transportation has been awarded a total of $601,171 to repair flood damaged railroads in southern and southeastern Iowa. This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration. “Repairing our railways is vital to continue rebuilding Iowa business,” said Loebsack. “After the Floods of 2008, I fought to ensure Iowa received the funds necessary to repair and invest in our infrastructure. By ma... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack today congratulated Iowa City for having the third highest volunteer rate in the nation. In a report released by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), Iowa City is ranked third among the 75 mid-sized cities across the country for their volunteer rate of 50.9 percent. Loebsack has been a longtime supporter of the CNCS and its initiatives. “Iowans take pride in their sense of community and helping others in need. Following the Floods of 2008, voluntee... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack issued the following statement in response to the Department of Labor’s announcement that the unemployment rate was 9.1 percent in July and the economy added 117,000 jobs. "I continue to argue that Congress needs to be focused on the economy and job creation and this is the exact same message I hear from Iowans again and again. Unfortunately these jobs number show our lack of focus on the most important issue. America needs jobs and a better economy not political brinkm... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack today issued the following statement after President Obama announced an initiative to help veterans enter the civilian workforce. Today’s announcement included pledges from private companies like Siemens, which is located in Southeast Iowa, to prepare, train and educate service members for life after the military. “With so many members of the Iowa National Guard returning home after their brave and honorable service, it is important that we provide them with the necessa... Read more