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WEEK IN REVIEW
This week, I’ve been back out on my 99 County Tour, and we’re doing it safely and sensibly. Hearing directly from Iowans is key to my job as your United States Senator.
This week, I’ve heard from small businesses, community leaders, nonprofit organizations, pork producers, health care professionals and so many more Iowans. Throughout the week we’ve discussed the relief I’ve helped secure at the federal level to support folks in every corner of the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I’ve seen firsthand how the Paycheck Protection Program is helping folks across our state and discussed how we can continue to provide support in a future relief package. As a member of the Small Business Committee, I’m continuing to push for additional relief to keep businesses up and running and allow workers on the frontlines of COVID-19 to keep more of their hard-earned dollars.
Fighting for Our Biofuel Producers
On my 99 County Tour, I’ve continued to hear from our farmers and producers about the importance of biofuels for our state and nation.
Click here or on the image above to read more about my visit to POET Biorefining in Palo Alto County.
I grew up on a farm in Southwest Iowa where my family raised hogs, corn, and soybeans. So I understand the challenges our farmers face. Through the years, renewable fuels—like ethanol and biodiesel—have become such an important part of our fabric across the state of Iowa. Because of that, I’ve been fighting relentlessly to promote the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for our farmers and producers.
Just recently, I spoke with Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy about my work in fighting for our biofuel producers, promoting the RFS, and advocating for expanded infrastructure for higher blends of ethanol, like E15 which is now available year-round!
Click here or the image above to watch our conversation.
Expanding Telehealth Services Beyond the Pandemic
During COVID-19, Iowans have been relying on telehealth to receive the care they need. That’s why I’m continuing my efforts to expand access to health care for Iowans, particularly in our state’s rural areas.
Through the CARES Act I helped pass, Congress provided the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with the authority to waive telehealth requirements for the length of the COVID-19 public health crisis. This has allowed patients in Iowa and across the county to continue receiving medical care without exposing themselves or their providers to the coronavirus.
However, patients across Iowa have expressed concern over the temporary nature of changes to telehealth rules and fear they may be rolled back without advance notice. That’s why I urged the federal government to provide Congress with a written plan and timeline about any potential changes to Medicare rules governing telehealth.
Telehealth services should continue to be an option for Iowans beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. During my visit in Dickinson County this week, we discussed this very issue, and I assured our health care workers that I will continue pushing for expanded telehealth and the broadband access to go with it.
Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for Iowans
As you know, lowering health care costs has been a top priority for me and it’s why I’ve been working across the aisle on a number of proposals. I joined my fellow Iowan Senator Chuck Grassley in putting forward the Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act (PDPRA) of 2020. The bill will save patients billions of dollars in out-of-pocket medical care costs and reduce premiums.
Throughout my 99 County Tour, during tele-town halls, or in conversations around the kitchen table with my family members who depend on life-saving medications, Iowans have made it clear that they want to see Congress take action to lower the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs. This issue has been a top priority for me and it’s why I’ve been working across the aisle on a number of proposals targeting high health care and drug costs.
Building Support for My ‘End Anarchy’ Bill
Anarchist jurisdictions that abdicate their constitutional duty to their citizens to uphold the rule of law and provide police, fire, or emergency medical services should not exist in our communities. If city officials or state leaders fail to do their job and protect their citizens, the federal government – American taxpayers – aren’t going to pay for it. That’s why I put forward the Ending Taxpayer Funding of Anarchy Act which would restrict federal funding for “anarchist jurisdictions."
Click here or the image above to watch our conversation.
My colleagues know this is the right thing to do, that’s why our support is growing! I’ve since been joined in this effort by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Kelly Loeffler (R-GA). Law and order is finally being restored in our streets, but to make sure this type of anarchy never happens again, I’m fighting to pass my bill.
Bonus Read
The COVID-19 pandemic has been what I call a great awakening when it comes to the vulnerabilities in our supply chain. It’s clear now, maybe more than ever, that the United States has become too dependent on Communist China for items like personal protective equipment, prescription drugs, and other essential medical supplies. We need to fix that.
While China is a trade partner for many of Iowa’s farmers and producers, there is no doubt we can find ways to make and manufacture goods and supplies right here in the United States. And that’s what I’m working to do: bring manufacturing home and help create even more jobs for hardworking Iowans.
To read my full column, click here.
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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