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Statement of Priorities—Iowa's Values Represented in Washington

Date: Feb. 6, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Unemployed and Low-Income Oil and Gas Entitlements and the Safety Net Health Insurance Higher Education


Statement of Priorities—Iowa's Values Represented in Washington

Column for the week of February 6, 2006

Boswell Briefing...
By Congressman Leonard Boswell

Last week, President George W. Bush laid out his agenda in his annual State of the Union address. There are several issues which Congress and the President should act on which are in line with Iowa's values and ensure the continued success of the United States.

I am pleased the President spoke about alternative fuels. To benefit Iowa and our state's economy, we must invest in alternative fuel sources. Iowa is on the forefront of bio-diesel and ethanol technology. At a time when one of the major oil companies reported a quarterly profit of over $10 billion and Iowans are paying over $2.00 a gallon at the gas pump we need to continue our investment in alternatives fuel sources. We must get out of bondage to OPEC and the high price of petroleum. Congress and the President must act on this initiative and follow through on the President's plan laid out in the State of the Union.

Iowa is a state known for our world-class education, from pre-kindergarten through university. We must strengthen our schools through increased technology in the classroom, modern and safe school buildings, and recruiting and retaining quality teachers and school administrations. Education is my number one priority and I am committed to working with my colleagues on a bipartisan basis to give our local schools the tools they need to succeed.

During the President's address he spoke of the health care crisis in the United States, however, the Budget Reconciliation Act voted on in the House on February 1st, almost $7 billion was cut from Medicaid and the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). This legislation also cut $11.9 billion from student financial aid making it more difficult for thousands of Iowans to realize the dream of a college education. This is out of line with our priorities.

As the House of Representatives continues on in the second session of the 109th Congress, I will continue to keep the values and ideas of the men and women of Iowa in mind. The people of the Third District of Iowa have entrusted me with this great responsibility of representing their voice in Congress. Please, do not hesitate to contact me, or my office, if you have a question or a concern. We are here to serve you, the constituent.

http://boswell.house.gov/article.asp?id=363

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