Q: What is NATO?
A: After the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, a dozen nations signed the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949 to form a strategic, transatlantic security alliance known as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Each member-nation is committed to the collective defense of the other members. The organization has expanded to 19 members,...
Unfavorable unemployment figures released for April tell us what more than 8.8 million jobless Americans looking for work already know. The U.S. labor market is in pain.
Obviously, the recovering U.S. economy isn’t recovering fast enough. Despite 40-year low interest rates, tepid consumer spending and cautious business investments are dragging out the...
Q: What changes did the 2002 farm bill make to the CRP program?
A: The 2002 farm bill increased farmland acres eligible for enrollment in the 18-year-old federal Conservation Reserve Program from 36.4 million to 39.2 million. CRP currently helps shield roughly 34 million acres of U.S. topsoil from erosion, water run-off and sedimentation, including nearly 2...
Communities across America observed the 33rd annual Earth Day in April with recycling projects, park beautification, car-free travel, tree-planting activities and neighborhood clean-ups. I applaud Iowans who organized and participated in their own local events to pay tribute to God’s green earth. In the last three decades, Earth Day has sought to educate and...
Folks paying attention to the budget debate in Washington this spring got to see some fireworks well before the Fourth of July. As Congress neared completion of a $2.2 trillion federal budget, the usual give-and-take among lawmakers heated up quickly when the narrowly divided Senate and House of Representatives sought to reach agreement on tax cuts aimed at...
Q: What is the PROTECT Act of 2003?
A: It is every parent’s worst nightmare to experience the horror of a missing, kidnapped child. As a father, grandfather and federal lawmaker who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and as a member of the PROTECT act conference committee, I take personally the responsibility to advance policies that prevent crimes...
Q: What is the country of origin labeling law?
A: During debate on the 2002 farm bill, I worked to include legislation that would empower consumers, enhance food security, promote trade and create lucrative marketing opportunities for America’s farmers. That’s the concept behind the country of origin labeling law. In today’s world, consumers put a premium on...
Q: What are so-called 'conflict' diamonds?
A: The term refers to the fighting over diamond mines that fuels and sometimes funds violent civil conflicts in many African countries. The illegal trafficking of these diamonds have led to human atrocities and violence in several African nations and elsewhere around the world. Millions of innocent people suffer as...
As anxiety mounts about the war in Iraq and a stalled economic recovery here at home, many Iowans are keeping close tabs on gas prices and energy supplies. The connection is unavoidable. Indeed America’s energy security rests in large measure on U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic ties with OPEC-member nations in the Middle East. Our troops are serving...
For the most part, Americans prior to Sept. 11, 2001 may have taken our way of life for granted. Living in a civilized, peaceful and prosperous society, threats of international terrorism and weapons of mass destruction weren’t making daily headlines or popping up in everyday conversation. For most, it’s difficult to imagine life under the reign of a...
Q: What is the Family Opportunity Act?
A: For the last several years, I have led a bipartisan effort with Sen. Ted Kennedy to bring compassion and common sense to the nation's Medicaid laws. The federal-state health program provides health care coverage to low-income families and children, poor elderly, and the blind and disabled who receive cash assistance...
In a recovering economy, anxiety levels tend to increase among the workforce. Concerns about job security, mortgage payments and monthly bills are forefront in the minds of family breadwinners. During the roaring '90s, benefits, bonuses, wages, the stock market and consumer spending were basking in the glow of an exuberant economy.
In retrospect, it appears...
Q: What is your 'Sunshine in the Courtroom Act?'
A: This bipartisan legislation would allow federal trial and appellate judges to permit cameras in the courtroom. Currently 48 states allow some form of audio-video coverage in their courtrooms and at least 37 directly televise trials. What’s good for the states is good for the federal government. Surveys...
Ask a friend or neighbor what’s eating them and you’re likely to get an earful about rising gas prices, possible military action in Iraq, the high costs of health care and prescription medicines or the downturn in the U.S. economy. In my most recent town meetings in February, I listened to Iowans express anxiety about job security, retirement security,...
The hardships and heartaches that farm families confront during their stewardship of land and livestock too often goes largely unnoticed. The good news is a nonprofit network of support services currently is operating in Iowa and six other Midwestern states (Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, and Nebraska) to help address the...
Q: What does the new trade agreement with Chile mean for Iowa?
A: I’m pleased the United States and Chile recently concluded negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement. It’s been nearly a decade since the United States made a commitment to forge a free trade agreement with Chile. And in the meantime, Chile has entered into lucrative trade agreements...
They say death and taxes are inevitable. Apparently not however, if you have a team of high-paid lawyers, accountants and bankers scheming to engineer a sophisticated tax shelter designed to hoodwink the IRS and pad your profits. In fact, the IRS estimates such plans allow some corporations to avoid up to $50 billion a year in federal taxes.
That’s a slap in...
Q: What is the Youth Fitness and Obesity Institute?
A: The University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls launched an effort in 2001 to address what most view as an unhealthy epidemic among young Americans: sedentary lifestyles and overweight bodies. In its first year, the Youth Fitness and Obesity Institute set four goals to address the physical activity and...
Q: How much money will Washington spend on education this year?
A: Congress wrapped up the fiscal 2003 spending bill in February and included a big boost for the states to spend on local schools. In an era of belt-tightening by all levels of government, concerns are increasing about meeting funding needs in the classroom. The good news is Washington has...
It is strange to go about my business at the U.S. Capitol and see police officers on patrol carrying semi-automatic weapons. The Pentagon also has dispatched anti-aircraft missiles near national monuments in Washington.
These are vivid, unmistakable signs the war on terrorism continues. It’s a matter of when, not if the next strike occurs. That means it’s...
