Q: What is the importance of the American flag?
A: These words are said before the American flag every day across the country. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of theUnited States of Americaand to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” I remember saying those words as a boy in school, and the...
Q: How has the credit crunch affected student loans?
A: Turmoil in the financial markets that started with the bursting of the home mortgage bubble has affected other types of loans. There have been reports of lenders across the country leaving the student loan business altogether, leading some to worry that students might find it more difficult to obtain...
Q: What are the benefits of a healthy lifestyle?
A: As the weather gets warmer and Iowans come out of hibernation after the snowy and icy winter, it’s a good time to think of ways to restart or begin a healthy lifestyle. According to the Iowa Department of Health, in 2006, 1.4 million Iowans were overweight. That number has increased by 36 percent over the...
A debate questioning the merits of renewable biofuels is sweeping across the country as Americans spend more and more of their weekly budgets on gas and groceries. Some are blurring facts with fiction as they try to portray corn-based ethanol as the culprit.
Before farmers and energy entrepreneurs in rural America turn into the collective scapegoat for...
Even though Old Man Winter refused to go quietly into hibernation, spring indeed has sprung in Iowa. Turkey hunters anticipate opening day to test their skills and good fortune. Baseball lovers of all ages watch that first pitch crossing home plate to signal the launch of America’s favorite pastime. The arrival of spring brings farm families a sense of...
Q: What’s the story on your attempts to reform the H-1B Visa program?A: The H1-B visa program was created through the Immigration Act of 1990 to help American companies shore up a shortage in highly skilled workers by providing visas to bring in workers from abroad. Congress passed this legislation hoping to maintain the United States' position as a leader...
As a greater share of take-home pay gets spent on fuel and food, more families are wondering what’s yet in store at the pump and the grocery store. How will household budgets withstand the forces driving up consumer costs and gobbling up a bigger slice of disposable income? The declining value of the dollar and increased global demand for limited resources...
Q: What’s behind your scrutiny of the Federal Reserve’s transaction involving the investment firm Bear Stearns?
A: In March, the Federal Reserve helped rescueAmerica’s fifth largest investment bank by offering JP Morgan Chase a $30 billion dollar loan to help acquire a significant portion of Bear Stearns. As ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee...
Q: How do I go about filing my taxes if I haven’t already done so?
A: For many of you, April 15 is the infamous date associated with the Internal Revenue Service’s tax filing deadline. This year is no exception, and the deadline is once again quickly approaching. If you have not already filed your 2008 tax return don’t panic, there is still time to prepare...
As taxpayers calculate what they owe Uncle Sam this tax filing season, federal lawmakers calculated the tax and spending guidelines on a $3 trillion budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
This budget blueprint sets the stage for congressional committees to divvy out tax dollars that finance national defense, health care, transportation, education, criminal...
Q: What is Mathematics Awareness Month?
A: Mathematics Awareness Month was first recognized in 1986 through a Presidential Proclamation by President Ronald Reagan. This April marks the 22nd installment of Mathematics Awareness Month with the fitting theme of “Math and Voting.” Mathematics has always served as a keystone in our educational system but in a...
Q: What takes place during Money Smart Week?
A: This April 5-12,
Iowaand several other states, will recognize Money Smart Week. Money Smart Week is coordinated by the Federal Reserve Bank ofChicagowith the mission of helping millions of Americans better handle their personal finances. Iowans can look forward to a wide range of activities being held inCedar...
It seems consumers have been inundated lately with product safety recalls. From toys containing lead paint to contaminated pet food that alarmed millions of parents and pet owners in the last year. Now the safety of the blood thinner heparin is being questioned after deficiencies were discovered at an overseas manufacturing facility.
Each of those cases...
Q: What is Women’s History Month?
A: Women’s History Month is observed every March. For me, it’s an annual reminder that my mother owns her own piece ofIowawomen’s history. In 1920, just days after ratification of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave women the right to vote, my mother became one of the first four women in Iowa to cast a...
Q: What has Congress done to ease the burden of high heating costs on low-income families?
A: When it comes to the weather, it just doesn’t seem like Iowans can catch a break this winter. One week it’s freezing rain and heavy snow and the next week it’s sub-zero temperatures and even colder wind chills. This harsh winter also comes at a time when the costs...
Q: What is the Economic Stimulus Package all about?
A: Over the course of the past several months, a slump in the housing market and slowed economic growth have caused concern in the homes of millions of Americans. Leaders of both parties in the House of Representatives heeded the advice of the nation’s top economic advisers and worked with the White House...
If only Congress could pass a law that would guarantee the well-being of each and every resident living in a U.S. nursing home. Nearly 1.7 million nursing home residents and their loved ones could rest easier if it were only that simple.
About 10 years ago, I started a crusade to raise public awareness about shortfalls in the inspections and enforcement...
Q: What is the goal of National Drug Prevention and Education Week?
A: I recently introduced a resolution with my colleague Senator Joe Biden of
Delawarethat would designate the week of February 10 as National Drug Prevention and Education Week. The resolution urges communities, schools and families to engage in prevention and education programs and...
Q: It seems there’s no end in sight when it comes to rising college costs. What can be done?
A: The fact is, college tuition is growing at a rate faster than inflation and it continues to rise. If the price of milk had climbed at the pace of college tuition since 1980, a gallon of milk would cost $15 today. Parents and students are struggling to pay for...
Q: What is the Earned Income Tax Credit?
A: The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit that greatly reduces or even eliminates the federal tax, including the payroll taxes, paid by lower income workers. It’s designed to help reduce poverty by giving substantial tax relief to low-income taxpayers. The EITC has helped millions of families...
