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Iowa Disasters
Learn about Disaster Recovery Assistance through the handout provided by Senator Harkin's office
Get the latest information available from the State of Iowa Flood 2008 website.
We now have available a Flood Cleanup Guide in PDF format.
Learn about Federal Emergency Assistance Available to Agricultural Producers
Additionally, Iowans affected by recent tornadoes and floods are urged to call the 24-hour Iowa Concern Hotline for financial and emotional assistance at (800) 447-1985
People who want to donate to help the victims of the storms can do so through Iowa’s Flood Resource Center.
Senate Update
November 17, 2008:The Senate will convene at 12:00 noon and proceed to a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. Pro forma sessions of the Senate are scheduled leading up to November 17.
October 27, 2008
Harkin Announces More Than $71 Million Coming To Iowa For Flood Relief
by Harkin Press Staff
Second installment of funding Congress approved in June coming to Iowa
Senator Harkin today announced that that Iowa will receive an additional $71.69 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for disaster relief through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. These funds are part of the $300 million that HUD released to Iowa and other states affected by natural disasters and were included in the first emergency spending package that Harkin led the fight to secure.
"I am pleased that these desperately needed funds were finally released and I expect the state will act quickly to get them delivered to Iowans who are continuing to rebuild their homes, businesses and lives," said Harkin. "Iowans who suffered major losses from the historic floods have been patient. Today’s news will help them to plan their next steps in the recovery process."
October 7, 2008
As Harkin Grants Celebrate 10th Anniversary, Senator Tours East High School In Des Moines
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today kicked off his tour of schools that are recipients of Harkin Grants at East High School in Des Moines. The Des Moines School Board was also presented with a copy of the Congressional Record that Harkin submitted honoring their accomplishments. Since 1998, Harkin has secured a total of $121 million for the state government in Iowa, which selects worthy school districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair efforts – everything from updating fire-safety systems to building new schools or renovating existing facilities.
September 25, 2008
Senator Harkin’s Statement Regarding ADA Amendments Act Becoming Law
Senator Tom Harkin released the following statement today after President Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act. The bill was recently passed unanimously by both the House and the Senate. Harkin was the lead sponsor of the bill in the Senate.
September 23, 2008
Harkin, Grassley Announce Almost $23 Billion In Federal Aid For Iowa And Other States Hit By Disasters
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) announced tonight that nearly $23 billion in disaster aid will be included in a package of defense and homeland security appropriations and a continuing funding measure. Developed by Senate and House appropriators, action on the must-pass legislation is expected in both the House and Senate this week. The disaster package builds on the $2.65 billion in disaster aid that Congress passed immediately after flood waters hit Iowa in June.
September 17, 2008
Harkin Statement On House Passage Of The ADA Amendments Act
Senator Tom Harkin released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act unanimously by voice vote. Last week the Senate passed the Harkin led bill by unanimous consent. The bill now goes to the President’s desk for his signature.
September 11, 2008
Harkin, Hatch Measure Fulfilling Promise Of Americans With Disabilities Act Passes Senate Unanimously
Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) today announced that the Senate had approved by unanimous consent a bill that would clarify the law’s intent and ensure that all Americans with disabilities are protected from discrimination. The bill will need to be acted upon by the House of Representatives before being sent to the President’s desk.
September 10, 2008
Senators Harkin And Clinton Assail Bush Administration For Failing To Crack Down On Pay Discrimination
Unveiling the findings of a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) study, Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) today assailed the Bush Administration for its failure to crack down on pay inequity. The report, which Senators Harkin and Clinton requested along with Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), shows that the federal government has failed to adequately monitor enforcement of our nation’s pay discrimination laws. In light of the findings, the Senators reiterated their call for the Senate to pass legislation that would strengthen our pay discrimination laws and take steps to erase pay inequities, including the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the Fair Pay Act, and the Paycheck Fairness Act.
September 5, 2008
Harkin Requests Proof of Loss Waiver for Iowans With Flood Insurance
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) joined senators from other Midwestern states, including Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), today in asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to waive the filing deadline for claims for flood-insured buildings in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, and Wisconsin that were damaged by the recent flooding. FEMA requires those with flood insurance to submit a Proof of Loss (POL) as part of their claim package within 60 days of the loss. Though a 60 day extension has already been granted, there is recent precedent for granting a waiver to ensure those affected do not have to go through additional steps to receive their claim.
September 3, 2008
Harkin, Grassley Urge HUD to Release Disaster Funding for Iowa Housing Needs
Iowa Senators Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley today urged the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to take the actions necessary to release funding that was allocated to Iowa on August 4 for disaster-related needs. In a letter to HUD Secretary Steve Preston, the lawmakers expressed concern about the delay in releasing emergency Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) funding, which can be used for home buyouts, public infrastructure projects and flood mitigation.
September 1, 2008
Valuing Work, Honoring Workers
Whether you are a teacher, a farmer, a health care worker, a construction worker, a state or federal employee – whatever your profession – you are privileged to enjoy the dignity and honor of hard work, and the satisfaction of contributing to your community and country. But, this Labor Day, with rising energy prices and a shaky economy, working people are anxious about their jobs, their pensions, and their health care.
August 20, 2008
Healthcare Roundtable
I was very fortunate to be able to sit down today with lawmakers and community stakeholders at Des Moines University to discuss the recently passed Iowa health reform bill and what needs to be done on the federal level to fix our broken health care system. I believe that real health care reform is long overdue. Thousands of Iowans go without basic health care, Iowa businesses are struggling to offer health coverage to their employees and hospitals are having difficulty keeping their doors open. Two of the things I continue to focus on in the Senate are prevention and wellness initiatives. By shifting our health care dollars toward preventing chronic diseases and keeping people well, we can significantly lower our nation’s health care costs and get better outcomes for every American. Our nation’s health care crisis demands a comprehensive approach - and real reform is never easy. But I think that today’s forum was a good example of how government at all levels can partner with health care professionals and others to create positive change.
