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WEEK IN REVIEW
Dear Friend,
These are unprecedented times, and I know it’s been hard on all Iowans. COVID-19 has impacted everyonein every corner of our state. As Iowans have risen to the challenge over the last few days, I’ve continued to listen to folks from all across our statehealth care and hospital workers, small businesses, grocers, seniors, educators, veterans, farmers, and many more. From each and every Iowan, there has been one resounding message: we need relief, and we need it now.
That’s why I pushed my colleagues to take swift, bold action to deliver immediate aid to our fellow Iowans. And thankfully, we’ve done that.
More help is on the way!
In the last few days, I’ve pushed the Senate to act on robust coronavirus relief legislation. And we’ve done this in three different phases.
From Phase 1, where we bolstered our state and local response efforts; to Phase 2, where we provided paid sick leave and free testing; and now, to Phase 3, we’ve come to the aid of America’s workforce and those in our health care industry on the front lines of this pandemic.
Before voting on the Phase 3 package, I spoke on the Senate floor, calling on my colleagues to come together to provide this additional, immediate relief for Iowans, and all Americans, affected by COVID-19.
Click here or on the image above to watch my remarks.
Iowans from every corner of our state moms and dads, nurses and doctors, small business employers and employees, cashiers and clerks, seniors and students, veterans and farmers will get support from this Phase 3 deal. We stepped up in this time of crisis and delivered critical additional relief for Iowans and all Americans.
I discussed my work to provide relief to Iowans from across the state.
Click here or the image above for my video discussing the relief packages.
Continuing to Hear Directly from Iowans
I continued to hear from Iowans this past week and make their voices heard while we worked to deliver relief in this Phase 3 package. On Wednesday, I held another telephone town hall with Iowa seniors. It’s a little different from the town halls I’m used to, but it’s still a tremendous opportunity for me to connect with my fellow Iowans and hear directly from folks across the state about their concerns and needs during COVID-19.
I was joined on the call by the state director of AARP Iowa, Brad Anderson, and the dean of the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa, Dr. Brooks Jackson.
Another area I’ve been working really hard on is getting our Iowans stranded abroad home safely. My staff and I have been in touch with the State Department multiple times a day to make sure Iowans’ and their loved ones are safe and can get home quickly. I joined America’s Newsroom to discuss some of my efforts to bring Iowans abroad home.
Click here or on the image above to watch my interview.
Keeping Iowa’s Seniors Safe from Scammers
KWQC-TV reported about a scam targeting Iowa seniors, a group particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, in the Fort Madison region. According to police, scammers had been contacting seniors about purchasing and demanding payment for a vaccination for COVID-19 when one does not yet exist.
In this time of crisis, when Iowans are pulling together to help one another, it is utterly appalling and disgusting to see scammers going after our seniors. This cannot continue.
I’m calling for bipartisan action to crackdown on scammers who are targeting seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to read my letter to the Federal Trade Commission.
Click here for a video on my efforts.
You can always count on a farmer.
Even during this coronavirus pandemic, we continue to rely on the hard work and commitment of our farmers. Whether it’s a family owned and operated corn, soybean and hog farm like I grew up on in Southwest Iowa or our packing plants and renewable fuels producers, the diverse agricultural industries across our great state quite literally feed and fuel the world.
This week, during National Agriculture Week, I took a moment to say thank you. It’s the ongoing efforts of our farmers that keep Iowa’s grocery stores stocked, and more importantly food on our tables and our bellies full. During the good times, and the bad, you can always count on a farmer.
Click here or on the image above to watch my remarks.
For more updates on what's happening in Washington, D.C. and Iowa, be sure to 'Like' my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter @SenJoniErnst, and subscribe to my YouTube channel.
Thank you!
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