Iowa
D.C. Dispatch: Iowa Republicans blast Biden for inflation
Iowa’s D.C. delegation was dwelling this week, as each the Home and Senate had been adjourned. Rep. Cindy Axne appeared alongside President Joe Biden at an occasion in Menlo, Iowa, and several other Republican members attended the Iowa Prayer Breakfast with Gov. Kim Reynolds.
However although the delegation was away from D.C., they’d a lot to say about political goings-on. Republicans lambasted Biden over a brand new inflation report and his plans to finish a Trump-era immigration coverage; Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks addressed sexual assault prevention initiatives; and Axne joined a invoice to tax oil corporations amid excessive fuel costs.
Republicans criticize excessive inflation charge
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this week that the worth of shopper items was up 8.5% over final yr. It’s the very best inflation because the early Eighties.
Republican members of Iowa’s D.C. delegation lambasted Biden and the Democrats, arguing further federal spending contributed to the excessive inflation.
“Whereas People proceed to pay greater costs on the pump and within the retailer, the Biden Administration insists on spending away Iowans’ tax {dollars}, which solely will increase inflation,” Miller-Meeks mentioned. “That is irresponsible and unacceptable and we can’t proceed down this path.”
White Home must deal with kitchen desk points Iowans can’t afford the additional 13.7% it’s costing them to fill their fridge w meat, poultry, eggs & fish or the additional 48% to gas their
engines Previous time 2 reduce our federal spending & save the nation’s pocketbook— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) April 12, 2022
In a Tuesday go to to Iowa, Biden pointed to the warfare between Russia and Ukraine as a disruption to commerce and contributor to the U.S. inflation charge.
“Seventy % of the rise in costs in March got here from (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s worth hike in gasoline,” Biden mentioned.
Iowa’s delegation, together with Republicans, had been broadly supportive of Biden’s determination to permit gross sales of 15% ethanol mix (E15) fuels via the summer time in response to excessive fuel costs.
Learn extra: Biofuels ‘have a task to play’ in easing fuel costs, Biden says
Grassley leads Republicans in calling for Title 42 listening to
Grassley and fellow Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee requested a listening to this week to think about the results of lifting Title 42, a Trump-era immigration coverage that enables the U.S. to show away some asylum-seekers as a result of pandemic considerations.
In a letter, the Republican senators requested for extra details about immigration enforcement after Title 42 ends subsequent month.
Biden Admin extends airplane masks mandate as a result of considerations about Covid. Nevertheless it’s terminating Title 42 on the S border bc menace of Covid supposedly doesn’t justify it anymore. Utterly hypocritical If People are nonetheless sure by Covid insurance policies shouldn’t our border be too???
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) April 13, 2022
Ernst will not be on the Judiciary Committee, however she additionally signed onto a Republican letter expressing “grave considerations” in regards to the lifting of Title 42.
“We perceive DHS is actively getting ready to reply to the elevated unlawful and irregular migration, however extra particulars of the plans are wanted,” that letter reads.
Ernst, Miller-Meeks deal with sexual violence
Ernst and Miller-Meeks despatched a letter to Lawyer Common Merrick Garland, asking him to right away implement new definitions of sexual assault from the newly reauthorized Violence In opposition to Ladies Act (VAWA).
“Each survivor counts and must be counted as a result of we gained’t finish this epidemic of abuse if we aren’t correctly figuring out and measuring it,” Ernst mentioned. “As a part of the VAWA reauthorization, we directed the U.S. Lawyer Common to resolve these variations as soon as and for all.”
Miller-Meeks additionally cosponsored a invoice with Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Virginia, to enhance entry to look after navy survivors of sexual assault.
ICYMI: Ernst, Miller meet with sexual assault survivor advocates on Violence In opposition to Ladies Act reauthorization
Axne to help windfall tax on oil corporations
Axne introduced Thursday she would help a invoice to create a one-year federal tax on the surplus earnings of oil producers in 2022. The cash would go towards month-to-month tax credit for shoppers.
“It’s time to carry these corporations accountable and ensure this cash makes it again to the American folks quite than funneling it straight to Wall Avenue,” Axne mentioned in an announcement.
Iowa Capital Dispatch is a part of States Newsroom, a community of reports bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: information@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Comply with Iowa Capital Dispatch on Fb and Twitter.
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