The U.S. Senate passed a five-year farm bill in February, clearing the way for a bicameral conference committee to iron out the differences between the House and Senate versions of U.S. farm policy.
Some of my colleagues may believe I sound like a broken record when it comes to my advocacy for the nation's mid-section and its hard-working food producers. But...
Although many opt to procrastinate until the last possible moment, the 2002 tax filing season is well underway. As Iowa families, employers and small business owners organize and review their record-keeping from the year before, very few seem to look forward to filing their tax returns. Unless you’re anticipating a healthy tax refund, few taxpayers relish...
Q: What is VITA?
A: Authorized by the Internal Revenue Service, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program offers free tax preparation services for older, disabled, low-income and non-English speaking persons. IRS trained and certified VITA volunteers have helped prepare basic tax returns for taxpayers unable to afford professional tax assistance for more...
Although many opt to procrastinate until the last possible moment, the 2002 tax filing season is well underway. As Iowa families, employers and small business owners organize and review their record-keeping from the year before, very few seem to look forward to filing their tax returns. Unless you’re anticipating a healthy tax refund, few taxpayers relish...
The president in January spoke with confidence and resolve during his first State of the Union message before Congress. Not known to mince words, President Bush readily acknowledged the United States is at war and struggling to shake an economic recession. But he immediately reassured America that the state of our union has never been stronger.
Even some of...
Q: As taxpayers gear up for another tax season, how is the IRS complying with its congressional mandate for better taxpayer service and accountability?
A: The IRS arguably is an easy target for politicians and taxpayers. But the federal tax collection agency often has itself to blame. Consider the annual report recently issued by the National Taxpayer...
When the nation’s seventh-largest company files the largest business bankruptcy proceedings in U.S. history, shockwaves are bound to reverberate through economic, political, financial and legal circles. But to the shareholders, workers and retirees who invested faithfully in the Enron Corp. stock, such a colossal collapse deals a devastating blow that for...
Q: What is Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)?
A: The Constitution grants Congress the authority to broker trade agreements involving international commerce. The Constitution also grants the President the authority to speak with foreign nations on behalf of the American people. So, the very nature of our Constitution requires a partnership between the executive...
Q: What is Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)?
A: The Constitution grants Congress the authority to broker trade agreements involving international commerce. The Constitution also grants the President the authority to speak with foreign nations on behalf of the American people. So, the very nature of our Constitution requires a partnership between the executive...
As a farmer-lawmaker, it’s always refreshing for me to meet with Iowa farmers in their hometown communities and talk 'shop.' With federal farm policy up for renewal this year, Iowa farmers and the state’s entire economy have a lot at stake with what gets included or excluded in the nation’s farm program.
During the break in the congressional calendar, I used...
Q: What is the National Writing Project?
A: A nonprofit, educational organization based in California, the National Writing Project launched a teacher-to-teacher training initiative in 1974 with the intent of creating a nationwide network of instructors committed to quality writing instruction from kindergarten through college levels. Its mission focuses on...
As a farmer-lawmaker, it’s always refreshing for me to meet with Iowa farmers in their hometown communities and talk 'shop.' With federal farm policy up for renewal this year, Iowa farmers and the state’s entire economy have a lot at stake with what gets included or excluded in the nation’s farm program.
During the break in the congressional calendar, I used...
Iowa public schools have earned a national reputation for educational excellence. Appropriately, Iowa educators, parents and administrators take pride in their hometown schools. And particularly in rural areas, where the public school often defines a community and in some cases helps anchor the local economy, setting and meeting high academic standards has...
Q: What is the Jacob K. Javits program?
A: Congress recognized an important need to encourage and develop challenging learning environments for school children in America who are blessed with unique gifts and extraordinary academic talents. In 1988, Congress enacted the 'Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act' to provide federal financial...
Q: What is your 'green energy' amendment to the farm bill that was adopted in December by the Senate?
A: It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the United States must take aggressive steps to implement smart energy policies that promote better efficiency, increase renewable energy sources and reduce environmental waste. Policymakers need to think...
In the wake of the September 11 attacks and continued terrorist threats against our country, local communities have stepped up their domestic preparedness efforts to make the homefront more secure. Public health and safety officials have no doubt spent many hours preparing their communities to prevent, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks. Local...
In the wake of the September 11 attacks and continued terrorist threats against our country, local communities have stepped up their domestic preparedness efforts to make the homefront more secure. Public health and safety officials have no doubt spent many hours preparing their communities to prevent, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks. Local...
Although the war in Afghanistan, and the president’s campaign to root out terrorism understandably are grabbing headlines these days, I have not reduced my scrutiny on the federal agency charged with enforcing quality nursing home standards. All year, I've continued my role as an advocate in Congress for nursing home residents by keeping a careful watch on...
Q: What military order did President Bush issue on Nov. 13, 2001?
A: In the weeks after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the United States government has orchestrated a sweeping response to root out future attacks of terrorism aimed at U.S. institutions and American citizens at home and abroad. By organizing a united international diplomatic front, freezing...
Although the war in Afghanistan, and the president’s campaign to root out terrorism understandably are grabbing headlines these days, I have not reduced my scrutiny on the federal agency charged with enforcing quality nursing home standards. All year, I've continued my role as an advocate in Congress for nursing home residents by keeping a careful watch on...
