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Friends, 

We are nearly halfway through 2020, and I doubt anyone would disagree that this has been one of the most challenging and eventful years in all of our lifetimes. As we continue to monitor and deal with an ongoing pandemic, communities across the U.S. are grappling with tragic and sickening stories of violence against African Americans that unfortunately have become all too familiar in our nation.

It is times like these that ask so much of us. They ask for sacrifice, determination, courage, and empathy. But above all, they ask us all to listen – to hear stories of injustices too long ignored and to hear how we as a state and a nation can move forward to protect all of our citizens.

Here is a just a brief update on some of the things that have been happening the past week. If you have additional ideas for what can be done to help our communities, I encourage you to send me an email here.

Helping Iowa Small Businesses During COVID-19 by Improving the Paycheck Protection Program

I spoke to Raccoon Valley Radio about the PPP Flexibility Act before the bill was signed into law. Listen to the clip here.

Congress set up the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help Iowa small businesses stay afloat and keep their employees on payroll while navigating the economic uncertainty of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

As the PPP was implemented, I took time through my Virtual District Tour and other events to hear directly from Iowa business owners about how the program was working. I heard from Iowa restaurant owners and service sector businesses that the original rules of the PPP would cause them to lose their ability to have a loan forgiven if they took longer than eight weeks to use their funds.

After hearing their concerns, I worked my colleagues in Washington and co-sponsored the PPP Flexibility Act, which would change some of the PPP’s rules and loan forgiveness guidelines to give our businesses more flexibility to respond to the uncertain nature of this crisis.

And I’m very pleased to report that, after passing the House with more than 400 votes and the Senate without a single opposing vote, the bill was signed into law last Friday.

To learn more about the new law, click here.

Lending a Hand with Meal Delivery at Lovejoy Elementary on the South Side of Des Moines

If you are a Des Moines Public Schools parent, you can get helpful information on nutrition programs here.

I had a great time helping distribute meals last week at Lovejoy Elementary School on the south side of Des Moines – where I went to school – alongside Des Moines Public Schools food and nutrition services team members.

Director Amanda Miller is leading this amazing program that is getting thousands of meals out all across the area to help keep our families fed throughout the school district. If you’re a DMPS parent, you can find more information about their COVID-19 response and assistance programs here.

Reflecting on Recent Demonstrations Against Police Brutality and Systemic Racism

I joined WHO Channel 13 in Des Moines this weekend to discuss the ongoing demonstrations protesting police brutality and systemic injustices. Watch the full interview here.

Over the past week, thousands of peaceful protesters have gathered in cities across our country and around the world to demand justice for the deaths of African American men and women like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery.

These protests are hardly the first to call out a long and troubling history of mistreatment and abuse, and it is critical that we do not let their voices fade into the background without taking action. We must do more.

I’ve spoken to leaders in the City of Des Moines, our local NAACP chapter, and other state and community leaders about how we can begin to heal and finally address these glaring injustices in earnest. I am committed to advancing meaningful reforms to dismantle any and all engines of hate and bigotry in America.

Read the full statement that I made last week here.

Let’s Get Iowa to Number One in Census Responses!

I’m so thrilled to see that Iowa is one of the best states in the country for our responses to the 2020 Census, but I think with a little push we can close the gap to make us the best in the nation!

We’re only half a percent behind Wisconsin for the number two spot, and if each of us takes the time today to remind our family, neighbors, and friends to fill out the form, I’m confident we can ensure that Iowa is properly represented and close that gap.

You can fill out your form by visiting http://2020Census.gov

If you have any questions or concerns about your census response or anything included in this newsletter, you can always contact me here.

Thank you,

Cindy