Jobs That Need to Get Done: No More Delays, Get Iowans the Hand Up They Need
As I hear from Iowans going through tough times like losing their job, struggling to make ends meet, and even losing a loved one — it’s personal to me.
I’ll never forget when my family had to stop farming and sell our crop-dusting business during the farm crisis of the 1980s, or how Social Security survivor benefits kept me out of poverty as a young widow with two kids.
During tough times like these, we need to put politics aside and stay focused on helping our neighbors and coming together. That’s how I’ve gotten back on my feet before and how we’re going to get to the other end of this pandemic. I’m proud and thankful to see the hard work and sacrifice of our frontline health care workers, first responders, sanitation workers, grocery store clerks, farmers, truck drivers, bus drivers, and delivery people, among many others showing up to do live-saving and essential work.
But I’m frustrated because where Iowans have stepped up, Washington has fallen short — once again.
Yes, it’s good Congress got something done. However, the latest legislation to deal with coronavirus was delayed, and still does not provide nearly enough urgent and direct help for the workers, small businesses, and rural hospitals who need it most.
Our economy is declining rapidly and unemployment numbers are skyrocketing. Nurses, doctors and other health care and essential frontline workers still do not have the personal protective equipment they need. Many loans for small businesses are delayed or going to bigger companies. We need expanded paid sick leave.
Instead of bailouts that line the pockets of corporate CEOs and shareholders, we need more urgent and direct relief for working families. A single $1,200 check isn’t going to cut it for many Iowans.
I’m also concerned that there is not enough government accountability and transparency. None of our tax dollars should be wasted or go to folks like big corporate CEOs and wealthy shareholders. And as I’ve already called for, there needs to be more accountability to make sure politicians in Washington aren’t profiting off this crisis.
I’ve already outlined my priorities for putting working families first during this pandemic, but the job isn’t getting done. That’s why I’m calling for Washington to take more action to help Iowans immediately. We need to stop the delays, end the finger-pointing and finally give Iowans the hand up they need — right now. Read more below.
Expanded Protections for Health Care and Other Frontline Workers: We must address the national shortage of critical medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care and other frontline workers, including masks, gloves, gowns, eye protection, and ventilators. We should immediately expand manufacturing capacity with the Defense Production Act and distribute more PPE to frontline workers. It’s frustrating that Washington sent eighteen tons of PPE to China, while ignoring warning signs that our own hospitals and frontline workers would be facing shortages.
The federal government should be doing more to crack down on those who are trying to price gouge during this pandemic.
Additionally, it’s long overdue that we expand paid sick leave protections. It’s concerning that Senator Ernst voted against expanded paid sick leave protections, but then tried to take some credit for it anyway. That’s what’s wrong with Washington. Let’s make sure no Iowan has to choose between going to work sick or going broke.
Access to Free COVID-19 Testing: No more stalling and pointing fingers. We need to put the health and safety of Iowans first by rapidly expanding access to free COVID-19 testing. Widespread testing will help show if people are spreading the virus before they show symptoms. This information is critical to flattening the curve and allowing Iowans to return to normal life in a way that can prioritize our safety, while getting our economy up-and-running again.
More Direct and Urgent Economic Aid for Workers: After waiting weeks and even months, a $1,200 check simply isn’t going to cut it for many families who are struggling to make ends meet during this economic downturn. Instead of bailouts that line the pockets of corporate CEOs and shareholders, we need to increase direct and urgent economic aid for workers, seniors, people with disabilities and their families. Congress should also provide premium pay for frontline workers, including grocery store workers, sanitation workers, and health care workers, who are all putting their own health and safety on the line to keep our country running.
Prioritize Community Hospitals and Expand Access to Health Care: Rural health care providers in Iowa already face additional challenges to staying open. We need to stop giving handouts to wealthy investors, and invest more in our hospitals and rural health care providers, while also coordinating with the military to increase hospital bed capacity where it is needed most. And instead of keeping enrollment closed for health insurance, we should create more opportunities for Iowans in need to get access to health coverage. This is especially important as record numbers of Iowans are filing for unemployment. Additionally, the ongoing anti-ACA federal lawsuit presents a major threat to Medicaid expansion and protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Senator Ernst has voted repeatedly to dismantle the ACA and should take action to stop this lawsuit.
Faster Help for Small Businesses: Iowa’s small businesses face unprecedented challenges as they deal with the growing economic crisis. Congress took an important first step by passing the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which provides federally insured short-term loans that are forgivable to the extent a business keeps folks on payroll. But we need to do more to make the program work faster and more efficiently. Washington must ensure the program is able to sustain small businesses without delay for the duration of this crisis and provide reassurance that it will not run dry as long as relief is still needed. It should also increase access to capital to ensure that businesses can weather the challenging months ahead — and small businesses in rural areas must be a priority. We also need to continue cutting red tape where it’s possible to help small business owners adapt to ongoing public safety measures.
More Accountability for Taxpayers: We need a true, independent and nonpartisan watchdog to oversee how federal stimulus dollars are being spent. At a time when Iowans are making sacrifices, Washington should not be wasting any of our taxpayer dollars or letting politics get in the way. And as I’ve already said, there should be an investigation into the reports of politicians in Washington using their offices to try to profit off this public health crisis.
