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WEEK IN REVIEW
Dear Friend,
While these are difficult times, I continue to be inspired by the resilient spirit of folks in every corner and county of our great state. The hard work of our essential workers, health care providers, servicemembers, and local businesses is going to get us through this pandemic, and that’s why I’ve been fighting in the Senate to provide all Iowans with the support and relief they deserve.
On the Senate floor this week, I highlighted Iowans from across the state who have stepped up to help out their fellow Iowans amid COVID-19.
Click here or on the image above to watch my remarks.
In the Senate, I’m continuing to focus on getting Iowans the support they need right now. Here’s a quick snapshot of this week:
Supporting Iowa’s families
COVID-19 is only amplifying the critical work of the 300,000 family caregivers in Iowa who support the daily needs of our most at-risk population.
As negotiations on a future coronavirus relief package continue, I’m urging my colleagues to support my bipartisan Credit for Caring Act, and to include, at a minimum, a modified or temporary version of this bill in the next relief package. My legislation will help address the financial challenges caregivers in Iowa and across the country are experiencing during this pandemic.
Click here or on the image above for a video on my bipartisan bill.
With some parents facing layoffs due to COVID-19, plus recent reports of diaper shortages as a result of stockpiling and supply chain issues, I’m teaming up with Democratic Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) to urge the Senate to support low-income families and front line workers who are in critical need of diaper assistance to provide for the health, safety, and economic security of their children.
I also led a group of Republicans and Democrats calling on the Senate to bolster assistance for child care workers and providers in the next phase of COVID-19 relief. I joined EWTN News Nightly to discuss my work to support Iowa’s families during and after COVID-19.
Click here or on the image above to watch my interview.
Relief for Iowa’s Newspapers, TV, and Radio Stations
I’ve continued to call for support for local media as they play a critical role amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, I helped introduce bipartisan legislation allowing Iowa’s local newspapers, television, and radio stations to benefit from the widely-used Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) even if they are owned by a larger entity.
Our families, small businesses, and front line workers all depend on having the most up-to-date and reliable information available, and it’s our local newspapers, television, and radio stations that deliver it.
Radio Iowa covered my efforts.
Supporting Front Line Workers, Ensuring Iowa Can Continue to Feed and Fuel the World
Iowa feeds and fuels the world, and we need to make sure we can continue to do so. That’s why I’ve been working hard to support Iowa’s agriculture community, protect workers, and maintain a strong food supply chain throughout this pandemic.
Click here or on the image above to watch my remarks.
This week, I discussed a few items I am focused onlike working with Governor Kim Reynolds and federal partners to continue to make testing available, ensuring meat packing plants are adhering to safety guidelines, and getting our essential workers the support and benefits they deserve.
I also joined a bipartisan group of Senators seeking additional assistance for Iowa pork producers who are being forced to depopulate livestock herds suffering from restaurant and meat processing plant closures. KCRG-TV covered my letter to Congressional leaders asking for additional funding.
Hearing from Iowa’s Seniors & Connecting With Iowans Online
All Iowans are facing challenges during these tough times, but it’s especially important our seniors and those who are most at-risk amid this pandemic get the support they need.
This week, I hosted another telephone town hallmy ninth in the last few weekswith thousands of Iowa seniors, giving me the opportunity to connect directly with Iowans, take questions, and provide an update on the COVID-19 support I’m working on.
I was joined on the tele-town hall by AARP Iowa State Director, Brad Anderson, and a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters, Dwane McFerrin, who specializes in Medicare policy. We covered a range of topics, including my work to provide information and resources specific to seniors and to protect these Iowans against scammers and fraud.
I also hosted a joint Facebook Live town hall with Senator Grassley and took questions from folks who commented live on the page. We covered a range of topics, including ways we are supporting our hospitals and health care workers, safely securing the food supply chain, and helping to keep workers safe.
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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