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WEEK IN REVIEW
While weathering the storm caused by COVID-19, Iowans have been faced with a new challenge following the derecho that swept across our state this week. In the face of adversity, Iowans have come together to help their neighbors and continue to rebuild their communities: it’s the Iowa way.
Click here or on the image above to see more from my visit to Cedar Rapids.
This week, I visited Cedar Rapids to survey the storm damage, meet with local officials, and hear directly from Iowans affected by the severe storms. I spoke with Governor Kim Reynolds and the Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, Ben Corell, before distributing food alongside volunteers at the HACAP Mobile Food Pantry.
The damage from these storms is heartbreaking, but times like these remind me of the resiliency of Iowans. As our communities work together to rebuild, I’m committed to supporting Iowans every step of the way.
Here are some of the highlights of what I’ve been working on this week:
Delivering Relief to Iowans
In Audubon and Crawford Counties, I heard from our small businesses about the importance of the Paycheck Protection Program and discussed my work to help Iowa’s distressed small businesses receive additional support during COVID-19.
Click here or on the image above to see more from my visit to Crawford County.
There’s no question that the PPP has been a key lifeline for Iowa small businesses and workers. In fact, as a member of the Small Business Committee, I’ve helped deliver support through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to 61,418 Iowa businesses totaling $5,124,660,961.
Fighting the Good Fight for Iowa’s Farmers
Iowa’s farmers and producers have been hit hard by COVID-19, and now, the derecho has created a new challenge for these hardworking folks. After the storms, I immediately got on the phone with Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, to discuss the estimated 10 million acres of damage our farmers have seen. I then visited a farm in Maxwell to see the damage firsthand and hear directly from Iowans who have been impacted by the storms.
Click here or on the image above to hear my firsthand account of the damage sustained at a Maxwell farm following the derecho.
In the face of the derecho aftermath, Iowa’s egg producers got a bit of good news this week when USDA finally heeded my call to allow these growers to tap into the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, which I helped fund through the CARES Act.
Supporting Our Seniors
As you know, our elderly Iowans are some of the most at-risk individuals to COVID-19, and many of them have been unable to see their loved ones throughout this pandemic. That’s why I’m working to expand health care access and virtual visitations for our seniors.
I hosted another telephone town hall earlier this week with seniors from across the state to help answer questions and discuss my work to support them during this pandemic. I was joined by the Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging and the National Association of Health Underwriters who provided valuable resources to Iowans.
As many seniors are grappling with the impact of COVID-19, I’m continuing my work to ensure they have the support they need during this difficult time.
Protecting Our Female Servicemembers
As an Iowan and a combat veteran, I am incredibly proud of the work being done in our state to support our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines.
Click here or on the image above to watch my remarks.
On Wednesday, I joined the University of Iowa Technology Institute for their 2020 Iowa Virtual Human Summit Virtual Human Summit and discussed my bipartisan bill to get our female soldiers proper-fitting body armor & PPE — which would not be possible without the technology developed by these hardworking folks right here in Iowa.
Combatting the Opioid Epidemic
The opioid crisis in our nation is a crippling epidemic that has devastated the lives and communities of too many Iowans. In the Senate, I’m working to combat this crisis through bipartisan legislation – including my NOPAIN Act and the comprehensive SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act.
Click here or on the image above to read more about my visit to Black Hawk County.
In Black Hawk County this week, I met with Voices for Non-Opioid Choices to hear from folks who are working to prevent addiction and ensure that Iowans have access to non-opioid pain management options – which is critical for ending the opioid crisis.
While significant progress has been made in addressing the opioid epidemic, we have more work to do. I’m grateful to health officials and local leaders for the important conversation we had at the Hawkeye Community Learning Center, and I’m hopeful that together, we can end this opioid epidemic for families across our state and country.
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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