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Friends, 

Last week I voted with a bipartisan majority of my colleagues to pass a historic federal funding bill that contained several priorities for Iowa — including $10 million of funding for community projects that range from expanding childcare centers to building pedestrian bridges in Iowa's Third District. 

Another vote I took last week was to ban Russian oil imports — a key source of revenue that the country is currently using to invade Ukraine. The vote should send a message to Russia that as long as the war continues, their products are not wanted here. 

I know that rising gas prices have put extra strain on Iowans and I have been fighting for lower gas prices at the pump and have urged the EPA to support biofuels, which is a lower cost and clean source of domestic fuel.

I also visited Winterset after last weekend's devastating tornado, which took six people's lives in Madison County and destroyed property throughout the Third District. Upon learning the National Weather Service's electronic notification system was delayed in sending alerts to Iowans the day of the storm, I joined Rep. Ashley Hinson in writing a letter to the weather service to ensure these issues are addressed.

To learn more about what I've been working on, keep reading.

Securing Funding for Projects Requested by Iowans

Last year, I solicited input from community members across Central and Southwest Iowa to identify funding opportunities that would qualify to be included in this year's federal funding bill. 

Nine projects that communities submitted to me, including a request to help expand a childcare center in Stanton, build a pedestrian bridge over the Raccoon River in West Des Moines, and make repairs at Creston City Waterworks, will receive funding now that the federal funding bill has been approved by Congress.

I'm proud to have helped secure funds for these great projects. A full list of projects that will receive funding can be viewed by clicking here.

Fighting to Lower Gas Prices

At a recent House Financial Services Committee Hearing I asked economists and experts why domestic oil producers aren't producing nearly the amount of oil that they were before the COVID-19 pandemic and not taking full advantage of the millions of acres of federal land that they have already leased for drilling.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, oil cost around $60 a barrel and domestic production was at about 13 million barrels per day. Despite higher oil prices that have lasted more than a year, domestic oil production is down 1.3 million barrels a day from 2020. 

I explained how Americans are suffering as money is being put into shareholder profits and that the calls for more oil production shouldn't be coming to Washington — they should be going to Wall Street. Watch the hearing by clicking here.

I also recently signed onto a letter with the entire Iowa congressional delegation encouraging U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan to consider policies that encourage the production of domestic renewable fuels.

Supporting Iowa's ethanol industry helps our local producers and helps the entire country by reducing our dependence on foreign oil and gas. It's a readily available common-sense solution to help combat rising gas prices.

Federal Funding Bill Includes Priorities for Iowa

I voted with a bipartisan majority of my colleagues on a federal funding package that will fund the government through the end of the fiscal year — September 30, 2022. 

The legislation includes funding to expand rural broadband, rebuild and repair rural water and wastewater systems, raise pay for military members, fund grants for police departments, registered apprenticeship programs, cancer research and more.

Learn more about what was included in the bill by clicking here.

Meeting with Winterset Families Following Severe Storms

Last week I went to Winterset to meet with volunteers and families who were impacted by the devastating tornado that touched down earlier this month. I'm so grateful for the first responders and for the folks who checked on their neighbors immediately after the storm. 

While seeing the aftermath of the storm was heartbreaking, I was encouraged to see how many resources are available to Winterset residents following the storm, and how many volunteers were helping to clean up. 

This massive storm moved through Madison County, Warren County and Polk County before heading farther east. I'll continue to be involved in the recovery efforts and am ready to provide support however I can, whether it's through funding, government resources or individual casework requests.

I am also seeking answers about how to improve the National Weather Service's tornado warning system, after hearing that their notification system was delayed in alerting Iowans the day of the storm. Rep. Ashley Hinson and I wrote a letter to the weather service to raise those issues and ensure they are fixed.

Anyone seeking help from me or my office can email me by clicking here.

Be well, 

Cindy