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My 6th 99 County Tour is in the Books!
Dear Friend –
Over the course of this past year, I’ve continued my annual tradition of traveling to every single county in Iowa to hear directly from folks in all corners of the state. I’ve met with dozens of farmers and producers, local leaders, small businesses, non-profits, health care providers, and so many more Iowans.
Click here or on the image above to see more from my final 99 County Tour stop for 2020 in Hardin County.
Every year, my 99 County Tour gives me the opportunity to visit with Iowans so I can bring their ideas and concerns with me as I continue my work in the United States Senate. After visiting Stolee Farms in Hardin County this Thursday, I officially wrapped up my 99 County Tour for 2020!
Here are some of the highlights from my 2020 tour along with what else I’ve been working on this week:
Hearing Directly from Farmers and Producers
I kicked off the final stretch of my 99 County Tour with “Homegrown Week,” where I met with Iowans in rural communities across the state, including pork producers, biofuel producers, researchers, conservationists, and more.
Click here or on the image above to see more from my visit to Floyd County.
Stop after stop, I heard directly from our farmers about their challenges and concerns. I saw the hard work and dedication these folks put into feeding and fueling our world – something I experienced firsthand while growing up on a farm in Southwest Iowa.
I also discussed how I’m continuing to fight for Iowa’s agriculture community on a number of fronts, including my work to uphold the Renewable Fuel Standard, ensure fair market access for producers, and help deliver relief to farmers impacted by COVID-19 and the derecho.
As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I will never stop advocating for Iowa’s farmers and producers as I work to ensure they have the support they need to stay resilient in the face of challenges.
Supporting Iowa Small Businesses
Traveling from county to county, I met with dozens of small businesses and manufacturers to hear how they have been impacted by COVID-19 as they work to adapt to new challenges.
Click here or on the image above to see more from my visit to Crawford County.
A common theme on this year’s tour was the success of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which I helped champion as a member of the Senate Small Business Committee. As a result of the PPP, I helped deliver support to 61,418 Iowa small business totaling $5,124,660,961.
During my visits, I also saw firsthand the critical role Iowa’s manufacturers play in supporting our state’s economy and creating new jobs. The COVID-19 pandemic has been what I call a great awakening when it comes to the vulnerabilities in our supply chain. That’s why I’ve been working to bring manufacturing home and help create jobs for Iowans – just like the ones I’ve seen on my county tours.
Visiting with Health Care Providers
Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, I heard directly from health care professionals at community health centers, hospitals, and mental health centers across the state that have played a critical role in caring for Iowans and veterans, especially in rural communities.
Click here or on the image above to see more from my visit to Butler County.
While meeting with these hardworking Iowans, I discussed my bipartisan efforts to help garner funding for Iowa’s health care providers, expand access to telehealth services, and secure funding through the CARES Act to support Iowa’s mental health system.
Fighting for Iowa’s Working Families
While meeting with local leaders, small businesses, and organizations across Iowa, I highlighted my continued work to expand access to quality, affordable child care for Iowa’s working moms and dads. I also discussed my bipartisan effort to help deliver diaper assistance to Iowa’s working families during COVID-19.
As a mom, and living in a rural community, I know firsthand the importance of having access to quality, affordable child care. Iowa has been facing a child care crisis that’s only been worsened by COVID-19. That’s why I’ve been working across the aisle on a number of measures to ensure our working moms and dads have access to child care.
With the conclusion of this year’s tour, I am so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to hear directly from Iowans across the state so I can continue to bring their voices back to Washington. To see more from my stops across the state, check out my 99 County Tour for 2020 map online.
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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