Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Mr. John Douglas, Executive Director of the Wilkie House in Des Moines, as our Iowan of the Week.

John's gift for working with kids and helping them reach their highest potential is immediately evident upon visiting with him about his work. He speaks with passion and expertise on issues such as the importance of quality

child care and the urgent need to address the childcare cliff effect to create better opportunity for families. At the Wilkie House you can see his determination and dedication not only in tackling big projects like significant infrastructure improvements to the building and playground, but also in little things like walking kids to their parent's car at the end of the evening to say goodnight.

Like many small non-profit leaders, John dedicates an immense amount of time and effort, wears many hats, and maximizes limited resources to make his programs successful. During workdays that regularly last nearly 12 hours, John works on grants, community outreach and engagement, assisting families in overcoming barriers, and accessing resources and administration. He's constantly working on growing funding to keep up with the increase in numbers so the Wilkie House can serve more children. With all that and more on his plate, he still spends time with the kids during afterschool activities and cites it a source of great joy.

Established in September of 1917, the Wilkie House initially served as an extension of the War Recreation Board for Black Officers at Fort Des Moines, making it one of the oldest African-American community- based organizations in the state of Iowa. Today the organization's rich history is carried forward through the mission of developing character and esteem in young people through promotion of academics, building social skills, health, and recreation. The nonprofit serves nearly 400 youth ages 5-18 years and their families during the fiscal year, with the majority of participants coming from low-income families and diverse ethnic backgrounds.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges to John and his team. The Wilkie House was one of the first organizations to reopen and stay open throughout the summer and for virtual learning support in the school year. They adapted to facilitate safe, full-day school year programming during virtual learning days so youth participants could better understand and complete their academics, receive tutoring and daily meals, and fulfill critical social needs through recreational and social skill building activities. It would be impossible to measure the kind of positive impact this program has had on our community during such a difficult time.

Despite the additional challenges, John and the Wilkie House team have continued to provide after school programming so kids can have snacks and dinner, engage in active and creative activities, and receive tutoring and homework assistance. They maintain summer programming with trips to the park and the zoo, volunteer opportunities, and work with youth on growth areas like problem solving, coping with change, independence, compassion, and career readiness. John also helps the Wilkie House maintain its position as a community hub by hosting evening and weekend events that bring people together for meals, fun activities, sporting events, and even musical performances from groups like the Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corp.

Before stepping up to his current role, John worked as a coordinator of a federal grant at the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families. He spent time in higher education and worked internationally in non- profits to help families living in extreme poverty, including those in slums, orphanages, and children living on the street. Giving back to those in need, particularly young children, has been the highlight of his career.

Individuals like John Douglas who prioritize service over self in order to create a better life for individuals and better community for all their neighbors, especially those who are underserved and underrepresented, are commendable for so many reasons. Not only has he had an immediate and positive effect on the kids and families he serves through the Wilkie House, but the whole of Des Moines is better off because of his ongoing efforts. I'm proud to count John as a neighbor and thank him for his dedication. It is my honor to name him our Iowan of the Week.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Sue Wilson and The Helping Hand of Warren County in Indianola, Iowa for their aid to the underserved people of their community. Sue and The Helping Hand are the pinnacles of what it means to be an Iowan, and I wish to recognize them as my Iowan of the Week for their remarkable dedication to the betterment of their state.

The Helping Hand is a volunteer organization whose mission is to distribute food, clothing, and household items to residents in their community for no cost. While they have been serving the people of Warren County for years via their walk-in food pantry, they have begun outreach to expand their services to address underlying issues resulting in food insecurity such as substance misuse and mental health services.

The Helping Hand is expanding its network to multiple resources and services that its community members can utilize. Not only is it a support system for people who need food and clothing, it is also a resource for those who look to better their mental health as well, not just their physical.

Sue serves on Governor Reynolds' Advisory Council for Brain Injuries and has started to administer a voluntary brain injury screening tool to the community members that utilize The Helping Hand. While people are waiting in the food pantry line, they are invited to participate in the screening and are then asked a series of questions. This new programming is in the early stages, but Sue and The Helping Hand are hoping that they will soon be able to provide data of the percentage of people who have suffered from a brain injury and have limited resources to assist them in their betterment. So far, The Helping Hand has screened approximately 100 people in their food pantry line.

Sue and The Helping Hand's desire to better the lives of those in Warren County is inspiring. Whether it be facing food insecurity directly or distributing over one thousand boxes of food and supplies, they are setting the standards high on what it means to serve and be served within a community. Sue and The Helping Hand are constantly and consistently striving to better themselves and the people they serve, and they do this through complete devotion, an unwavering work ethic, and huge hearts. I am proud to recognize Sue Wilson and The Helping Hand of Warren County as my Iowan of the week.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Carley Deery from Carlisle High School as Iowan of the Week. Carley is a senior at Carlisle High School with a passion for animals. Her father David Deery is a senior fire medic at Des Moines Fire Station No. 3. He told his daughter a story of resuscitating a dog from a house fire using a pet oxygen mask. Carley soon learned of the lack of resources in having these specialized masks available to first responders in Polk County. This story and her passion for animals inspired her to launch a campaign to purchase much-needed pet oxygen masks for area ambulances.

Carley immediately went to work with her family: baking and selling dog treats, creating an online fundraiser and ultimately teaming up with the ARL to meet her goal of every ambulance in the metro area having a pet oxygen mask. Recently, she was able to present a check for more than $2,000 to help make the goal a reality. Her work didn't stop there. Carley has continued her effort of not only masks, but assisting the ARL in providing housing, food and medical care to animals who need assistance after a disaster.

As an animal lover myself Carley's story is inspiring and a testament to how important our

animals and pets are to our community. I am so happy to hear that the 47 masks that Carley helped raise the funds for will benefit nine different agencies with 22 of them staying right here in Des Moines. I am proud to represent constituents like Carley who truly exemplify what it means to be an Iowan. I will continue to fight in Congress for communities like Carley's to ensure they have the support and voice they deserve.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Delwyn Showalter, a long-time coach, athletic director, and mentor to many students in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Delwyn is set to retire from his roles this year, and I wish to recognize him as my Iowan of the Week for his outstanding service to his community.

Delwyn has been with the Mount Ayr Raiders since 1984, serving in a number of roles from teaching social studies, coaching numerous sports, and as athletic director. Under his leadership as co-coach of the Mount Ayr football team, the program has seen continued success with a recent playoff appearance. In fact, Delwyn and his co-coach Derek Lambert, are the winningest coaches in program history with 135 wins in 19 seasons. Even more impressive, the pair has had only one losing record. Delwyn's coaching prowess doesn't end there, however, as he has also coached the basketball team to three conference championships.

Beyond leading his teams to victories, Coach Showalter has also been a leader for his student athletes. His friends and colleagues describe him as a caring and supportive man with an ability to lead young men. His players talk about his work ethic and how he's a man you can look up to as a mentor. He sets high standards for his students yet connects through humor and humility. We all know that there is much more to high school athletics than simply winning, and Coach Showalter is an example to all on the positive influence a coach can have on young student's lives and their community.

For Delwyn, sports is also a family affair. His two sons, Daniel and David, followed in his footsteps. Daniel coaches with his father on the Mount Ayr staff and David is a teacher and coach in Ackley, Iowa. While I know his players and community will miss Delwyn on the sidelines, I am sure he'll stay connected to the sport through his family. After 36 years with the Mount Ayr Raiders, Delwyn deserves this retirement and we all can be thankful for his service to his community. I am proud to recognize Coach Delwyn Showalter as my Iowan of the week.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding member of our community, Olivia Samples, by nominating her as our Iowan of the week. Olivia is a certified doula and small business owner, focused on providing quality services to families as they prepare for prenatal, childbirth and postnatal care. Three years ago, Olivia read an article about the maternal health crisis and felt a deep calling to put her skills to good use. While Iowa has amongst some of the lowest stillbirth rates in the country, Black people are twice as likely to experience stillbirth than the general population. To put that into perspective, 1 in 121 Black people will experience a stillbirth as compared to the 1 out of 234 white people. The mortality rate is unfortunately just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to birthing and new parenting issues that face Iowa's Black community. These stats along with the lower quality prenatal care that was being provided to Black women in the community inspired Olivia to become Iowa's first Black doula.

Olivia leads her business, Kismet Doula Services, with the mission to cultivate collective care and liberation to her clients through providing them a safe, loving environment to ensure they can become and remain healthy and well. Her services include prenatal, childbirth, lactation consultation and postnatal support for her clients. However, Olivia goes above and beyond for her clients, going as far as to help with laundry, prepare meals for them and secure funds for those who need assistance purchasing necessary items for postnatal care and parenthood. She strives to make sure her services are accessible to all by providing mutual aid options, free services through certain organizations and will even barter or trade with her clients.

Beyond providing direct support to her clients, Olivia also organizes workshops and partners with several community organizations. In her first few years as a doula, she realized that the voices of new parents were missing when it came time to discuss legislation that would affect their well-being. As a result, Olivia organized the Celebration of Black Kin Conference for this April focusing on Black maternal well- being in our community. Olivia also gives back to the community by partnering with the Young Women's Resource Center to provide free doula services as well as the Iowa Queer Communities of Color Coalition to ensure all types of families are able to receive the quality pre and postnatal services they deserve.

Olivia jumps in headfirst to solve the problem and gives it her all. The success of her business and the high praise from her community reflect the significant impact she has had on the lives of pregnant people in Iowa. That's why I would like my colleagues to rise with me and recognize this exemplary woman, Olivia Samples, as Iowan of the Week.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Heidi Shreck, a pediatrician who serves as Chief Medical Officer for Primary Health Care, a community health center local in central Iowa. Dr. Shreck is a dedicated, trusted physician who works each day to support the health of our communities, and it is my distinct honor to name her Iowan of the Week.

Dr. Shreck leads with care and compassion, and she is committed to achieving excellence. If you were to ask any of her patients--or the parents of some of her littler patients--they would without doubt echo that her kindness, devotion, and concern for their health and wellbeing is at the core of everything she does.

PHC offers high-quality, affordable care to underserved and vulnerable populations in Des Moines, Ames, and Marshalltown. As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shreck helps ensure these patients receive comprehensive health services, including medical and dental care, behavioral health care, homeless support, and pharmacy services. In 2019, PHC provided care for more than 38,000 Iowans.

Dr. Shreck has been instrumental in advancing the care-driven mission of community health centers in Iowa. When we began to see cases of COVID-19 in our state, Dr. Shreck led PHC' s early response efforts and coordinated with other healthcare organizations to establish a community-wide strategy. She has continued to lead our medical, dental, and behavioral health staff through the challenging circumstances of the past nine months.

PHC's staff--including Dr. Shreck--has gone above and beyond to make sure patients and clients received continuing health care from the onset of this pandemic. Their accomplishments are truly too many to list, so I'd like to highlight a few.

With Dr. Shreck's leadership, PHC medical staff rapidly adapted to providing care in new ways. For example, behavioral health providers worked alongside primary care teams to set up telehealth systems to meet increasing demand for mental health care among kids and adults during this pandemic. In the early days of the pandemic when most dental offices had to shutter, dedicated dental teams juggled work adjustments, staffing challenges, and new requirements for PPE in order to provide emergency care--which kept patients healthy while ensuring emergency room space remained available to treat those with COVID-19.

I cannot thank Dr. Shreck enough for her hard work and resolve in the face of this threat to the health of communities across Iowa. Despite the long hours, stress, and concern for their own families, friends, and neighbors, Dr. Shreck and her team keep showing up to provide exceptional care. They do so with compassion, dignity, and respect; their resolve is deeply humbling.

It is Iowans like Dr. Shreck who embody Iowans commitment to community and service. I thank her once again for her achievements, and it is my distinct honor to name her this week's Iowan of the Week.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Larry Winum, community banker and President of the Mills County Economic Development Foundation in Glenwood, Iowa. Larry's

outstanding service to his neighbors and fellow Iowans during some of the most challenging times in the last 18 months is why I recognize him as my Iowan of the Week.

Iowans in Mills and Freemont counties had not only a tough 2020, but a difficult 2019. Massive flooding hit these two counties in early 2019 and devastated communities like Pacific Junction. And of course, in 2020, every community has suffered the economic impacts of COVID-19. Many families lost their businesses, their homes, and their jobs. Just as many folks were getting back on their feet from the floods, they were knocked down again by the virus. That's where Larry comes in.

Larry has over 30 years of experience working at the Glenwood State Bank, so he's seen a lot. He helped many of our family, friends, and neighbors during the 2008 economic recession, helped to bring new economic development to Southwest Iowa, and was instrumental in building a new commerce highway to southwest Iowa. Madam Speaker, the truth is I could go on and on about Larry's accomplishments. Frankly, I don't know of a business or good cause in Southwest Iowa Larry hasn't been a part of. Therefore, you know how difficult the last two years have been when even he admits it's been hard on everyone.

Larry has been right there to help us rebuild time and time again. Not only did the Glenwood Bank and Larry help over 150 customers in need of assistance during the pandemic, resulting in over $9.5 million in assistance for businesses impacted by COVID-19, they also hosted a water distribution location for those who lost everything in the 2019 floods. ``It's not hard to do because it's the right thing to do'' he said, because those are the values Larry lives by. Larry and I saw each other as we toured the devastating flooding, both of us offering as much support and assistance as we could. As I fought in Congress to help bring relief faster to Iowa, Larry worked to distribute that assistance, answer questions, and right now he's working to help build new, affordable housing which is sorely needed.

As a part of the family owned bank that has been in business for 120 years, Larry doesn't see his work as anything extraordinary. He's proud of his friends and neighbors who pulled together ``like a family'', he feels, saying that ``everyone just rallies around each other in difficult times.'' I will point out that working nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help businesses apply for and receive essential PPP loans to keep them in business is Larry going above and beyond. Larry feels that his work was just one small part of helping our communities. He credits his coworkers, local leaders, local businesses, and small-town values of Iowans for helping raise money, deliver meals, offer donations, and so much more. Larry, like any Iowan, can't imagine not helping when his community is in need and that's exactly why I want to honor Larry as Iowan of the Week.

Madam Speaker, I rise before the House to honor Mr. Patrick Ford, Doctor of Physical Therapy and CoFounder and President of Project Onyx. Patrick, who lives in Bondurant with his family, is an example of how an individual can turn their words of wanting to make the world a better place into concrete actions that improve the lives of those in our communities. Through the work of Project Onyx, Patrick and fellow co-founder, Mr. Elijah Muhammad, owner of Unorthodox Fitness, work to ``envision a community full of healthy, active individuals who have equal access to health and fitness services provided by diverse and culturally competent professionals'' and currently work with a group of 20 young men from around Central Iowa.

After the death of George Floyd in the summer of 2020, Patrick felt called to take action within his community. Reflecting on his own experiences as a biracial Black American, he wanted to work to create a world that would be more just for his daughter to grow up. In June of 2020, he approached Elijah with the idea to address underrepresentation and disparities in health outcomes for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and as a result, `Project Onyx' was created. He became determined to work toward increasing representation in the field of health and fitness and encouraging young BIPOC to enter or explore a career within the health field; having seen firsthand the racial disparities in access to healthcare, fitness, and wellness programs as a full-time physical therapist.

The goal for 2021 is to expand programming beyond the current location in Grimes and allow young people from across Central Iowa to access Project Onyx and double the current participation. In addition to health and wellness services, Patrick's vision for a youth empowerment program came to fruition as a program that blends a physical workout with conversations and dialogue about community issues. Project Onyx's mentorship program provides a launching pad for BIPOC youth who are interested in careers in health and wellness by giving them hands-on experience and career guidance. In the future the partners would like to work towards funding for scholarship opportunities and additional ways to reduce barriers towards a career in health, whether this be a certificate program or four-year degree.

Patrick is keenly aware of the importance of access to health and wellness programs and understands the negative impact of the absence of these programs in communities of color. Through Project Onyx, Patrick is using his education and experiences to help remedy this cultural inequity and serves as an example to all of us of how we can make a difference in our communities. Having never previously felt compelled to take action or be an activist he reevaluated his priorities and determined to make the world a better place for his daughter to live.

I commend Patrick for beginning to address the important work of breaking barriers and creating an avenue for BIPOC to be brought into the field of health and wellness. By providing this service to the community and expanding the reach of Project Onyx many young people from across Central Iowa will be given the opportunity to make our State more inclusive and result in better outcomes for all regardless of race. I thank Patrick, for his service in our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the second annual Pride Camp held by Iowa Safe Schools. As the largest LGBTQ summer camp in the nation, Pride Camp is a crucial experience for LGBTQ youth in the state of Iowa to take advantage of opportunities to be creative, learn, grow, network, and most importantly have fun.

During Pride Month and throughout the year, I am proud to express my unwavering support of our LGBTQ community. Too many young people in the LGBTQ community still experience discrimination daily, and Pride Camp offers a safe and supportive environment to connect with peers and build lasting bonds. From arts to policy to STEM, camp activities give campers daily opportunities to challenge themselves and build valuable skills.

Pride Camp is an invaluable experience for LGBTQ youth who may otherwise not have the same interactions at school or in their community. By working with fellow campers, counselors and staff, Pride Camp participants can work together to build change and leadership for tomorrow. We still have a long way to go to fulfill our promise of equality, opportunity and justice for all, and it is important we foster this generation of change makers.

I am pleased to acknowledge and congratulate Iowa Safe Schools on its second annual Pride Camp, and I wish all attendees a week full of learning and fun.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 2409, the Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act.

I want to thank my colleagues, Mr. Mooney, Ms. Velazquez, Mr. Riggleman, Mr. Pappas, and Mr. Rose for their work and for cosponsoring the Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act, and I want to thank our chairwoman of the Financial Services Committee to help us bring this here today.

As a small business owner, I know how difficult it can be to access the capital you need to succeed, and my friends across the aisle just explained that very well. I thank them so much for the bill that they have brought to the floor. However, rural entrepreneurs face unique challenges when it comes to accessing capital, but far too often their voices are left out of the conversation.

For example, in a recent Federal Reserve survey of small businesses, despite more than 70 percent of rural small businesses being a low credit risk, less than half received the full amount of funding that they were seeking. This restricts growth in rural areas. That same survey found that only 35 percent of rural small businesses expected to increase employment in the next year compared to 51 percent in urban areas. This can create a cycle where younger people leave rural areas because there are no jobs, furthering the decline in certain rural areas across this country.

The bipartisan Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act will ensure that rural small businesses have a seat at the table as Federal policymakers consider new rules that govern investment and capital. The Office of the Advocate of Small Business Capital Formation at the SEC was established to promote the interests of small businesses and help make sure that they have access to capital with a focus on supporting women- and minority-owned businesses.

I would also like to acknowledge the work of Ms. Velazquez and others last Congress to include small businesses affected by natural disasters, like the recent flooding in Iowa.

My legislation, H.R. 2409, would expand the focus areas of the advocate to include rural-area small businesses. This data will help Congress and Federal regulators make better-informed decisions on how to best support economic growth in rural America.

By ensuring that Washington listens to the voices of rural small businesses, this legislation will help create jobs in rural Iowa and in rural areas across the country contributing not only to their success but to the economic success of this entire country's GDP.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairwoman and my colleagues for their support and working on this issue, and I ask for a ``yes'' from the House.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to vote on June 11, 2019 because I was returning to Washington, D.C. Had I been present to vote, I would have voted YEA on H. Res. 430--Authorizing the Committee on the Judiciary to initiate or intervene in judicial proceedings to enforce certain subpoenas, and YEA on H.R. 2609--DHS Acquisition Review Board Act of 2019.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote on June 11, 2019 because I was returning to Washington, D.C. Had I been present to vote, I would have voted YEA on H. Res. 430--Authorizing the Committee on the Judiciary to initiate or intervene in judicial proceedings to enforce certain subpoenas, and YEA on H.R. 2609--DHS Acquisition Review Board Act of 2019.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to vote on June 10, 2019 because I had the privilege of attending a tour of the Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) in my Congressional District with the President of United States. This tour and visit prevented me from traveling to Washington, DC in order to vote Monday the 10th. Had I been present to vote, I would have voted yea on H.R. 542--Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act; yea on H.R. 2539--Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2019; and yea on H.R. 2590--DHS Overseas Personnel Enhancement Act of 2019.

Mr. Speaker, Iowans are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of prescription drugs.

A teacher in Farragut, who has had diabetes for 20 years, is spending over $750 a month for insulin. That is a third of her take-home pay, and she needs a second job just to cover her costs.

A woman from West Des Moines wrote to me that her medication used to cost $50 for a 90-day supply and now that price has gone to $1,000. Her family found they can buy the same medication in Canada for $60.

In fact, Americans pay more for prescription drugs than any other country in the world. Brand-name drug manufacturers are gaming the system to reap profits and they are using delay tactics to prevent generic companies from bringing the same drugs to market.

I ran for Congress to protect Iowans, not Big Pharma. This bill will help bring generics to market quicker to lower the cost for consumers and save billions in taxpayer dollars.

No one should ever have to decide between putting food on the table and taking their medicine.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs for all Iowans and Americans.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, it has been almost 2 months since severe flooding devastated communities in southwest Iowa and our neighbors in Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. Entire towns were under water, homes were destroyed, and family farms were devastated. Small businesses are facing irreparable damage, and many local schools may be forced to permanently close their doors.

I have been down to the flood zones multiple times to speak with farmers, homeowners, and business owners who have lost everything. Their resilience is inspiring, but the damage is heartbreaking.

When I helped Lizzie Young and her family muck out her house, I saw firsthand how desperately Iowans need that disaster relief.

David Leuth, a farmer from Percival, has been kayaking out to his farm field to assess and repair his damage.

Fran Par, a Pacific Junction resident whose home remained under water for weeks, has been helping repair large city water pumps to move water out of the flooded area.

In Hamburg, Grape Community Hospital, the only rural hospital in the area, had to bring in military-operated water tanks just to keep its doors open to provide basic services. True to who Iowans are, they are now providing space to local businesses inside the hospital so that those businesses don't have to leave the area. We want to keep people in our State.

School district superintendents in Mills and Fremont Counties are locating displaced students to provide them with transportation and meals so they can keep coming to school on a daily basis.

Iowans need our help. My amendment today increases funding for programs that are crucial to helping Iowans and our neighbors rebuild and recover.

My amendment will increase funding for the Emergency Watershed Program which is desperately needed for the Midwest to recover. The Emergency Watershed Program helps communities quickly address serious damages to infrastructure and land and fix imminent hazards to life and property caused by natural disasters. From my firsthand experiences in the flooded areas, I can attest to the serious damage and hazards that these communities face.

The USDA had to release a new estimate in April for funding for the Emergency Watershed Protection program due to the Midwest floods. Instead of the $125 million that was the prior estimate, the USDA has now estimated they will need $435 million. So my amendment of $310 million makes sure the USDA has enough money to help the Midwest. Without this funding increase, the USDA might not otherwise be able to ensure Iowans and our neighbors get the help that they deserve.

The Emergency Watershed Program funding will be used to remove debris from streams, roads, and bridges; it will help repair eroded river and stream banks, and it can be used to repair damaged and destroyed drainage facilities in communities like Hamburg. This funding can be used to repair the more than 40 levees that breached during the flooding, and those that didn't break suffered erosion damage from overspill from those that are still standing.

Experts believe it will take years to repair all the damage. Iowans don't have that time to wait, and the National Weather Service shows the Midwest will remain vulnerable to flooding all spring and summer, and rivers are expected to stay high.

This Federal aid is vital to rebuilding Iowa communities. The Iowa Governor believes we sustained almost $1.6 billion in damages. Early estimates also indicate at least $214 million in agriculture-specific damage, and we still don't know the true extent of our agriculture losses yet.

We can't afford to wait. We can't let partisan politics stall this crucial bill, and we must not turn our backs on our communities when they are recovering from devastating damages of natural disasters. That is not who we are as Iowans, and that is not who we are as Americans.

I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in the House and the Senate to get together and work for hardworking Americans.

Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, my amendment is to increase funding for the Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief program.

As we have just discussed, I have toured the flood zones in my district, and I have experienced firsthand how badly the floodwaters have eroded and impacted our roads. The flooding was so severe that as of only just this past Wednesday of this week did our major interstate I-29 finally fully reopen, and this comes nearly 2 months after the flooding began. The closing of I-29 cut off the major north-south artery in Iowa that connects the Omaha-Council Bluffs area to Kansas City.

Drivers are forced to travel hours out of their way and find smaller two-lane roads and highways to get to where they need to be. The resulting truck and traffic damage on our secondary roads is already apparent. Residents have suffered as traffic has suddenly doubled and tripled, and we still have roads that aren't open yet.

Mr. and Mrs. Patel, motel owners in Fremont County, are dependent on I-29 being open and traffic coming through the area to keep their business open, and that is not going to happen without functional roads. If our roads remain closed, children can't get to school, community members cannot patron local businesses, and grandchildren can't spend time with their grandparents.

The Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief program will help Iowa address our immediate highway repair needs, restore traffic, and help restore our facilities.

Safe and functional roadways are some of the most critical infrastructure in any community, let alone one trying to recover from a disaster, and this type of Federal aid is vital to rebuilding Iowa communities in need.

Initial estimates from our Governor show we sustained over $1.6 billion in damages, and that number is growing. Programs like this one mean that Iowa and Nebraska can focus on repairing our local roads and ensure the Federal Government does its part in paying for those roads.

I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in the House and the

Senate to get to work helping hardworking Americans, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I just want to close by thanking my colleagues across the aisle and, in particular, Representative Fortenberry and Mr. Curtis for helping out all these people in need, not just in our communities in Iowa, but across the country. I am looking forward to passing this disaster bill today so we can get this immediate relief out to folks across this country, including those in my own backyard.

I am grateful for all the work that has been done by the chair of Appropriations and the subcommittee chair, Sanford Bishop, to help us get where we needed to be on this. I am looking forward to going back to Iowa and letting them know we have got the funding necessary to help them repair their lives.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, passing this disaster supplemental is vital to any community that suffered from disasters over these last 18 months. But I rise today to talk about one community--mine, Iowa's Third Congressional District.

Entire towns were underwater. Many Iowans have had their homes, small businesses, and family farms destroyed. Medical centers and schools face irreparable damage and may never be able to reopen their doors again.

Parents are worried about where they are going to be able to send their kids to school. The lasting impacts on the health and well-being of Iowa families and our rural communities are beyond calculation.

I have been to our flood zones multiple times to speak to farmers, homeowners, and business owners who have lost everything. Their resilience is inspiring, but the damage is devastating. And Iowans are hardworking, taxpaying Americans.

This motion to recommit is playing partisan politics with people's lives, and it is unacceptable.

I helped Lizzie Young and her family muck out their house. David Leuth, a farmer from Percival, has been kayaking out to view his fields. Fran Mierzwa from Pacific Junction had her house underwater for almost 2 months.

Great Community Hospital in Hamburg, the only rural hospital in the area, had to bring in military-operated water tanks just to keep its doors open for basic services. Now, because they are standing up for their community, they are providing space for small businesses to operate, in hopes that those businesses don't leave the area so that community doesn't die.

If this motion to recommit passes, it will prevent this disaster funding from moving forward.

If this motion to recommit passes, it will prevent disaster funding from moving forward. A ``yes'' vote is to tell Iowans and Americans to wait longer. A ``yes'' vote is a slap in the face to everybody across this country who is suffering from these disasters.

I am here to tell you Iowans can't afford to wait. None of our constituents who have been impacted by floods, tornadoes, or fires can afford to wait.

Madam Speaker, I urge this body to stop making Americans wait, to vote down this motion to recommit, and to pass this bill.