Miller-Meeks Weekly Script August 25, 2024 WEEKLY SC℞IPT Visit My Website Rep. Miller-Meeks: Iowans Face Back-to-School Financial Strain As August draws to a close, Iowa families are gearing up for another school year, but this season of anticipation is overshadowed by the financial strain imposed by the Biden-Harris Administration. The impact of their economic policies is increasingly evident in every aspect of our daily lives. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), Iowa households with children in elementary through high school are expected to spend around $880 on back-to-school shopping this year. This figure is emblematic of a broader financial squeeze that many families are enduring. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently revealed that 818,000 jobs claimed to have been created by the Biden-Harris Administration simply don’t exist. This is the largest downward revision in 15 years. To make matters worse, job growth has been stagnant with a net zero increase over the past year, and the unemployment rate has jumped to 4.3%, the highest it’s been since October 2021. Inflation is wreaking havoc on American households. Since Biden and Harris took office, inflation has skyrocketed by 20.2%. Families are facing exorbitant increases in costs for necessities: food at schools is up 65.5%, gasoline is up 49.9%, and the prices for other essential goods like eggs and bread have also soared. This inflationary surge is forcing many families to rely on credit cards for basic school supplies, worsening the credit card debt crisis which now exceeds $1.1 trillion. Half of the parents surveyed are even sacrificing funds needed for bills and groceries just to cover school expenses. Higher education costs are similarly being driven up. Iowa families with college students are expected to spend an average of $950 on supplies alone this year, on top of rising tuition fees. The financial pressures are relentless. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, real wages have decreased by 3.9%, and inflation-adjusted earnings are lower than when they took office. Americans are now spending over $13,000 more annually on basic necessities compared to three years ago. The administration’s economic mismanagement is evident in more than just inflation. In July, job creation fell significantly short of predictions, adding only 114,000 jobs versus the anticipated 175,000. The labor market is stagnating, with a rise in people working multiple jobs and a decrease in labor force participation among several demographics. The current economic policies are failing to deliver on their promises and are instead putting additional burdens on Iowa families. I am committed to advocating for solutions that address these economic challenges. We need to cut excessive government spending, reduce onerous regulations, and promote policies that grow the economy like extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which lower costs and put more of your hard-earned money back in your pocket. Together, we must work towards an Iowa where back-to-school expenses do not overwhelm families and where higher education remains a viable and affordable option for all. Has buying school supplies for your kids become a greater financial strain than 4 years ago? Yes No Funding the Future Proud to have secured nearly $1.5M in NASA funding for the University of Iowa! This major win will supercharge our Space Technology Innovation project, bringing cutting-edge equipment and support for NASA missions. Shortly after funding was secured, I visited the University and met with students and faculty to discuss how these funds will impact their department. Looking forward to visiting the department again once construction of Van Allen Hall's seventh floor are done! Representing Iowa's 1st I visited The Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute, where Iowa State University is helping drive innovation in advanced manufacturing. This partnership is crucial for boosting Iowa’s economy, creating jobs, and supporting our national defense. I visited Kirkwood Regional Center at the University of Iowa—exciting to learn about how their dual credit, academy, and continuing education programs are building our future workforce and filling critical community gaps. Had a great meeting with Polo Custom Products in Monticello, Iowa, discussing workforce and supply chain issues. I also got to learn about their incredible work on wearable medical devices like external defibrillators that are saving lives! It was great to be in Tipton with Mayor Goerdt. We toured Highway 38 reconstruction, which benefitted from Community Project Funding my office secured. Enjoyed touring Black Cat Wear Parts facility in DeWitt. Proud to have the world’s leading blade manufacturer right here in Iowa! I met with Hy-Vee CEO Jeremy Gosch and company leaders to discuss the urgent need for Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform. PBMs are driving the closure of local and independent pharmacies, which threatens access to healthcare in many communities here in Iowa. In Congress, I'm fighting to stop them and lower the rising costs of prescription drugs for all Americans. Great to speak with employees at Cementech in Indianola. They had good questions covering prescription drug prices/PBMs, healthcare, reining in government spending, and AI. Had a wonderful visit to Bettendorf High School, touring their innovative brain health retreat rooms and therapeutic learning centers. Sincerely, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks ### Rep. Miller-Meeks | 1034 Longworth HOB | Washington, DC 20515 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice