Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after members of Congress could not reach an agreement to extend the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). By not passing an extension, nationwide it will jeopardize 87,000 constructions jobs, including 1,400 in Iowa. “Once again, the partisan bickering here in Washington is having a direct negative impact on families and the economy in Iowa and across the nation,” said Loebsack. “At a time when our nation’s... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that five hospitals in Iowa’s Second Congressional District will receive a total of $4,364,127 in additional funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to address the geographic inequalities that many of Iowa’s hospitals face. These payments were included in the Affordable Care Act that was signed into law last year. During negotiations, Loebsack worked to include these additional payments in the bill to reward Iowa hospitals and providers ... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack today reintroduced the Working to Encourage Community Action and Responsibility in Education (WE CARE) Act to help ensure that schools and communities work together with families to meet student needs inside and outside the classroom. The WE CARE Act will amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to more strategically engage the community in the education of our students. “I grew up in poverty, so I know the big difference community supports can make in a ... Read more

The bipartisan, bi-state delegation that represents the Rock Island Arsenal today made clear to General Ann Dunwoody, the Commanding General of the Army Materiel Command, that any proposal to close or relocate Rock Island Arsenal’s Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) would be met with strong resistance in Congress. In a meeting in Washington, Dunwoody reassured the Illinois and Iowa delegation that the Army currently has no plans to close the JMTC, but could not disclose the work of... Read more

Today, Congressmen Dave Loebsack (IA-02) and Tom Petri (WI-06) introduced bipartisan legislation that would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to emphasize the importance of 21st Century skills, such as critical thinking, creativity and innovation, and collaboration. The 21st Century Readiness Act (H.R. 2536) gives states and districts added flexibility to develop and enhance these skills as part of their own initiatives. “Today's students will need more than reading, writin... Read more

Washington, D.C.- Congressman Loebsack, along with Congressmen Latham, Boswell, King and Braley wrote to House Leadership to urge them to bring forward common-sense legislation that reforms and continues to provide basic support for biofuels and contributes to deficit reduction. It also references a June 13th letter from Governor Branstad and Illinois Governor Quinn that asks that all energy subsidies be examined on a level playing field, including those for fossil fuels. “Our nation’s and our s... 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 issued the following statement in response to the Department of Labor’s announcement that the unemployment rate was 9.2 percent in June and the economy only added 18,000 jobs. "The Department of Labor’s jobs report released today should be a wakeup call for Washington about the urgent need to focus on our economy and job creation. The bottom line is our economy is still struggling and too many Iowans still can’t find work. When I am not in Washington voting for Iowans, ... Read more

Today, Congressmen Dave Loebsack and Leonard Boswell sent a letter to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure urging them to hold a hearing to discuss the current regulatory and statutory environment guiding Army Corps of Engineers flood management plans and flood control infrastructure and examine the flexibility and resources provided for the Army Corps to perform their duties fully. “Making sure that our flood control infrastructure is well-maintained and that our management plans ... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack today released the following statement after President Obama’s visit to Alcoa Davenport Works: “I appreciate the President’s visit to Bettendorf to see firsthand the great work being done here. The economic downturn has hurt far too many Iowa families for far too long, and we must come together to rebuild our economy and put Iowans back to work. I applaud the President for his focus on workforce development and creating manufacturing jobs that will bring high quality, g... Read more