For regular updates on my work in Washington and information on when I’ll be in your neighborhood, sign up here for my e-newsletter. 

Friends, 

As we near the midway point of 2020, I’m sure I’m not the only one who can’t believe just how many challenges this year has brought to Iowa and our nation. I know times like these can feel overwhelming, especially as uncertainty about the future of the coronavirus pandemic and social movements continue to weigh on all of us.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve made some stops around our communities (socially distanced, of course) – and I’ve been encouraged to hear from so many Iowans who have committed themselves to helping their neighbors and towns. Iowans know tough times. We’ve been through them before, and I’m confident that we can get through them again with a little help from each other.

Here are a few things I’d like to highlight this week:

Paycheck Protection Program Applications Are Due in Less Than a Week!

Find a lender near you using SBA’s lender match tool.

Congress created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help small businesses stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing forgivable loans to help keep the bills paid and the employees on payroll. 

Right now, there is still over $100 billion left in the program for businesses who need it – but the deadline to apply is June 30th! Contact your local lender or use the Small Business Administration’s lender match tool to begin your application.

Expanding Internet Connectivity in Rural Communities

I hosted a roundtable in Adel to talk about new legislation I’ve crafted to expand access to broadband internet in Iowa. Watch a clip here.

As our country has grown from a small patchwork of states into the greatest nation on Earth, we have seen many innovations become essential for communities. Running water, electricity, the telephone – all of these went from cutting-edge technologies to absolute necessities for participating in the modern world.

Today, without a doubt that necessity is a working internet connection. It is vital for businesses connecting to the global marketplace, students accessing homework online, or citizens looking to utilize essential services. But unfortunately, some areas still lack an adequate connection - something I find unacceptable.

This week, myself and my fellow members of the House Rural Broadband Task Force unveiled the "Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act,” which will invest $100 billion to expand access to affordable and fast internet to underserved communities across our country. Learn more about the bill here.

Without an Iowa State Fair, an Economic Hole for Vendors

I held a virtual roundtable with vendors and other businesses who rely on the Iowa State Fair for income each year.

As a 4-H kid, growing up in Iowa meant looking forward to the sights, smells, and sounds of the Iowa State Fair every single year – and I’m heartbroken we cannot gather for that time-honored tradition this year due to ongoing public health precautions.

After hearing about the postponement of the Fair, I immediately thought of the countless businesses in both central Iowa and across our state that rely so heavily on the foot traffic and tourism the Fair brings every year. In fact, Catch Des Moines estimates the loss of the Iowa State Fair could mean a loss of $110 million for our local economy.

Last week, I held a roundtable with food and drink vendors, agricultural organizations, motorcoach operators, and others who rely on the Fair’s revenue to discuss what aid programs we could implement to help them survive this summer’s shortfall.

'Spirit of Enterprise’

I was deeply honored this week to receive the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Spirit of Enterprise’ award for my work promoting pro-growth and commonsense government solutions in my first year in office. With increasing economic turmoil and uncertainty, it’s more important than ever that Iowa’s businesses and middle class get the help they need to survive this emerging recession.

I’m also proud to say the Chamber noted my work finding bipartisan solutions to introduce in the past 18 months earned a ‘Bipartisan Score’ of 95%, the highest of all Iowa Members of Congress!

I hope you and your families are staying healthy and safe, and I hope to see you all again soon!

Thank you, 

Cindy