Miller-Meeks Weekly Script July 14, 2024 WEEKLY SC℞IPT Visit My Website My Statement on the Attempted Assassination of President Trump During these challenging times, I ask that you all please pray for President Donald Trump, the two individuals who suffered severe injuries and are currently hospitalized, and the family of Corey Comperatore, a supporter of President Trump who was tragically killed while protecting his daughters from gunfire. I am grateful for the Secret Service, law enforcement officers, and first responders, thank you. Let me be clear: I absolutely condemn political violence; it is never acceptable. We must resolve our differences at the ballot box. Congress will be launching an investigation into this attempted assassination, and we will get to the bottom of how something like this could happen to President Trump and his supporters. Rep. Miller-Meeks: Why are Biden-Harris Bureaucrats Bullying Iowa Small Businesses? In May 2023, after hearing from small businesses and families across Iowa, the state legislature enacted a new labor law permitting teenagers to work an additional two hours per day - per their choice - during the school year. In addition to allowing reasonable later working hours, the legislation also allows these young Iowans to serve alcohol in restaurants only if they have express, written permission from their parents or guardians and other safeguards. In addition to empowering young Iowans to learn new skills and save for their future, it affords teenagers of legal working age flexibility during the school year to earn additional money. This commonsense law also helps Iowa small businesses gain relief from worker shortages. And then, unfortunately, the long arm of DC bureaucrats in the Biden-Harris Administration proverbially raided and punished Main Street businesses across Iowa. Without notice, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) launched investigations and slapped exorbitant fines on Iowa small businesses for simply abiding by state law. I am gravely concerned about these bullying acts of enforcement by the DOL. My office has heard from numerous small business owners who have been subjected to these investigations and fines. One small business targeted by the DOL is Sugapeach Chicken and Fish Fry in North Liberty. The restaurant - which gave opportunities to teenagers desiring additional hours of employment - faces a fine of $65,000, threatening its very existence. Some Iowa businesses are threatened by DOL fines up to $180,000. For 14- and 15 year-olds, federal law states school-year work hours end before 7 PM and 9 PM during the school year and summer, respectively. Iowa’s 2023 law allows for 9PM and 11PM respectively, which is a mere two extra hours. More than 25 states provide greater flexibility than the federal government with night or maximum work hours. This includes states currently led by Republicans and Democrats. Furthermore, Iowa’s work hours have been above the federal maximum for more than half a century. Why is the Biden-Harris Administration singling out Iowa? Why now? As Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said, we can all agree that the safety, health, well-being and education of our youth is our highest priority. The DOL’s draconian penalties are a fatal blow to Main Street job creators across Iowa for simply abiding by state law. The Labor Department continues to cling to outdated regulations and listen to those fear mongering that this new law is akin to putting children in a 19th century sweatshop. In the Hawkeye State, we are proud to instill the value of dignified work in our younger generations. Regrettably, out-of-touch, paper-pushing bureaucrats 900 miles away in D.C. view this as a negative. While the entire Iowa Delegation is united in this effort, concerned Iowans should call and email the Department of Labor and the White House to bring attention to this issue. As your representative in Congress, I will not waver in demanding answers from the Biden-Harris Administration to deliver relief for Iowa families and small businesses whose livelihoods are being threatened by Uncle Sam. The Weekly Wrap From passing the SAVE Act to holding Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) accountable for inflating drug prices, here’s your Weekly Wrap from Washington D.C.! What issue concerns you the most? Border Crisis Inflation Drug Prices Election Integrity President Biden's Cognitive Decline Representing Iowa's 1st in D.C. Great meeting with Iowa Pork Producers to discuss meat processing capacity, Farm Bill priorities, and the Agriculture Appropriations Bill! Great meeting with Americans for a Clean Energy Grid to discuss the importance of securing our grids from cyberattacks and increasing transmission capacity to meet the rising demand for energy. I met with the new CEO of the American Association of Orthodontists, Trey Lawrence, to discuss mail-order services and ways to ensure patients are getting the quality care they deserve. Should Proof of Citizenship Be Required to Vote in Our Elections? Yes No Committee Hearings Following this exchange in Committee, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) began taking action against three of the largest PBMs. However, lasting and permanent action to hold PBMs accountable and lower prescription drug prices for patients cannot happen without Congress passing my bipartisan DRUG Act. I will continue to push for the DRUG Act’s passage so that PBMs are no longer taking advantage of a flawed system at the expense of our patients and small pharmacies. I joined the House Natural Resources Committee to speak in favor of H.R. 3283, the Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act. I spoke in a key hearing on the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) budget for fiscal year 2025. Floor Speeches I spoke in support of the SAVE Act, a bill that would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections. The SAVE Act is a commonsense measure to protect the integrity of our federal elections. Despite 198 Democrats voting against this bill, it passed the House! I condemned the Biden-Harris Border Crisis and renewed calls for the Senate to pass H.R. 2 so we can put an end to this madness. I highlighted the failed Biden-Harris economic policies that have devastated Americans everywhere. I honored Muscatine Vietnam Veteran, SSgt Keith Ormsby on the House Floor following a special Independence Day Purple Heart ceremony that was held for him last week! I honored the career of Dawnell Doreo following her retirement from the Iowa City VA. Sincerely, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks ### Rep. Miller-Meeks | 1034 Longworth HOB | Washington, DC 20515 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice