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WEEK IN REVIEW
Dear Friend –
Iowans across our state – from farmers and working families, to our small business owners – have faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Senate, I’ve been fighting to provide these folks with the relief they critically need during these tough times.
This week, I voted in support of a relief package that included bipartisan measures to help Iowa’s farmers, child care providers, families, schools, and small businesses, as well as spur on testing and vaccine development. Yet, my friends across the aisle simply said NO.
Democrats blocked more COVID relief. Iowans and all Americans deserve better.
In the middle of a public health and economic crisis, we need to put Iowans and the American people first. Everyone should agree that something is better than nothing.
I hope my Democratic friends will come back to the table in good faith and work with us to get much-needed relief to Iowa families and workers.
Fighting for Iowa Small Businesses
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has been a lifeline for more than 61,000 small businesses in Iowa who’ve faced extremely difficult situations during this pandemic. To create this program, I worked with my colleagues across the aisle to deliver relief to Iowa workers and businesses.
This week, I voted to boost the PPP to allow Iowa small businesses a second pass at the program. But Democrats once again put politics ahead of people. For the second time in a month, they voted to block much-needed additional support for workers.
As a member of the Small Business Committee, I’m continuing my fight to ensure our small businesses have the support and relief they need during these challenging times.
Click here or on the image above to read more about the award.
Iowa small businesses are the backbone of our state’s economy, and as I continue to work for them every day in the Senate, I’m honored to be recognized as the National Federation of Independent Business’s Guardian of Small Business for the 116th Congress.
Advancing Judge Barrett’s Nomination
Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a wise, experienced, compassionate, and strong woman – and she is a role model for young women in Iowa and all around this nation. Judge Barrett has shown that she has the utmost qualifications and the character to serve on our nation’s highest court.
Click here or on the image above to watch my remarks.
This week, I voted in support of advancing Judge Barrett’s nomination to be the next Supreme Court Associate Justice out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Right now, we’re considering her nomination in the full Senate.
While the Democrats failed to show up to work by skipping out on the Judiciary Committee confirmation vote, I showed up and proudly supported Judge Barrett’s nomination. Hardworking Iowans go to work every day, and that’s what they expect of their senators.
Now, when it comes to this idea of “packing the court,” for the last 150 years, the Supreme Court has stood at nine justices. The late Justice Ginsburg opposed the idea of adding justices to the Court. This week, I was proud to join Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) to stop this radical plan to pack our nation’s highest court.
Supporting Iowans’ Mental Health
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a tremendous toll on the mental health of Iowans and Americans across the country, which has led to a major surge in calls to suicide prevention hotlines and an uptick in the need for mental health services.
That’s why I’m supporting the bipartisan Suicide and Crisis Outreach Prevention Enhancement Act that will help increase the surge capacity of our nation’s suicide prevention lifeline and mental health crisis centers to ensure Iowans are able to access the support they need during these challenging times.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
To help recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Chuck Grassley and I are honoring the thousands of Iowans and Americans who are fighting breast cancer. In our video, Senator Grassley shares the story of his wife, Barbara, a 33-year survivor of breast cancer and advocate for those impacted by the deadly disease.
Click here or in the image above to watch our video.
BONUS READ
Senator Chuck Grassley and I encourage Iowans to take advantage of “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day” on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in communities across the state.
 Click here or on the image above to read our column.
To every Iowan who is a survivor or still fighting addiction, and to those who have lost a loved one to an overdose death, we’re committed to help meet these challenges and make our families stronger and our communities safer.
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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