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Friends, 

The work I have been doing in Congress to shore up our supply chains is working. I recently voted for landmark legislation that will create commonsense solutions and address supply chain issues that are resulting in higher prices for Iowa families.

The legislation will help lower prices, solve supply chain issues, boost American manufacturing, and create good-paying jobs for Iowans.

On top of helping create these new good-paying jobs for Iowans, I introduced new legislation that will give our workers more protection by making sure employers continue to provide striking workers their earned health care benefits.

Read on to learn more about both bills!

Bolstering American Competitiveness to Fix Supply Chains

In my last newsletter, I shared information about a bill I had just introduced called the Supply Chain Resiliency Act and mentioned my Supply Chain Solutions Agenda, which highlights the steps Congress needs to take to address the driving forces behind the increased prices Iowans are seeing at the grocery store and beyond.

I'm happy to share that many of the concerns raised in my Supply Chain Solutions Agenda were addressed when I joined a majority of my colleagues in voting for the America COMPETES Act last week. 

The legislation includes $52 billion to support American semiconductor manufacturing, and another $45 billion to fund the new Office of Supply Chain Resiliency and Crisis Response, which will be tasked with assessing and improving supply chains and supporting the manufacturing of critical goods.

It will also add nearly 1 million new apprenticeships by reauthorizing the National Apprenticeship Act. I already voted with a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives to advance the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 early last year, which would invest more than $3.5 billion by 2026 to expand apprenticeship opportunities. 

Together, this package promotes job creation, will help reduce inflation and ensure America's farmers, workers, ranchers, manufacturers, and businesses can compete on a level playing field with China and other nations.

Ensuring that our economy is working for Iowa is my number one concern in Congress, and this bill delivers on that agenda for every working family in Iowa.

Ensuring Healthcare for Striking Workers

Workers who are exercising their right to fight for a better contract shouldn't have to risk their lifesaving healthcare coverage while on strike. For far too long employers have been using the termination of health coverage to break strikes and force employees to accept subpar contracts.

If corporations care about their workers, they should be already be renouncing this cruel tactic. But, we also need to update our laws to ensure we aren't just relying on companies to do the right thing.

My new Striking Workers Healthcare Protection Act will outlaw the cancellation of striking workers' healthcare benefits and provide them a better opportunity to fight for fair wages. 

SBA Hosting Virtual Webinar for Veterans and Members of the Military Community Who Own Small Businesses

The Small Business Administration is offering a virtual opportunity for Veterans and members of the military community who are starting or growing small businesses.

The Webinar, called "Boots to Business: Reboot" will cover topics including entrepreneurship, turning ideas into businesses, financing business ventures and utilizing available resources that the Small Business Administration provides.

The session will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT on Tuesday, February 15. Sign up for the free webinar by clicking here.

I encourage everyone who is interested to utilize free services like the webinar SBA is offering. If you need help navigating a federal agency, you can see the resources available on my website, or contact me anytime by clicking here.

Be well, 

Cindy