This is pretty cool:
http://www.kcrg.com/...
A decade-long deployment of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan coupled with an aging population of World War II and Korean War veterans has created an “embarrassing backlog” in veterans services, 1st District Rep. Bruce Braley said Wednesday.
“Our veterans deserve the benefits they’ve earned putting their lives on the line for our country,” Braley said in a conference calls with reporters. “Unfortunately, the disability claims backlog at the (Veterans Administration) is making many veterans feel like second class citizens.”
The Waterloo Democrat has urged the VA to devote “all possible resources” to reducing the backlog, but Braley said the agency is not acting fast enough.
“If they’re not going to do something about this embarrassing backlog, I will,” he said.
Veterans whose claims are tangled in red tape may request from his office by logging on to Braley's website. - KCRG, 6/12/13
You can check it out here:
http://braley.house.gov/...
Since I'm writing about Braley, I figured I would fill you on what he's been up to. Here are some highlights. He's been pushing flood prevention legislation:
http://wcfcourier.com/...
In response to flooding in Northeast Iowa, Rep. Bruce Braley is pushing the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Water Resources Development Act. The act holds a number of provisions for water related infrastructure that are critical for flood prevention in Iowa.
"It's been six years since the last WRDA bill, and it's supposed to be passed every two years to make sure there's enough for infrastructure repair for Iowa and around the country," Braley said during a press conference with reporters Wednesday morning.
When Braley headed to Waterloo for Memorial Day weekend, he planned on participating in events remembering the Parkersburg tornado and New Hartford flood which hit five years ago. Unexpectedly, he was called to work on flood disaster relief again.
Braley visited a number of counties surveying flood damage, including Black Hawk County, where flooding damaged rural and gravel roads, requiring resurfacing and erosion control.
"The damage to rural and gravel roads is a significant cost, and it's going to be hard for people who need farm-to-market," Braley said. "Many people are very fortunate that the damage was not worse." - WCF Courier, 6/6/13
Braley also picked up an endorsement from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades:
http://wcfcourier.com/...
"There is no doubt in our minds that Congressman Braley will carry on Senator Harkin's legacy of commitment to the middle class," said Robert Gilmore, business manager/secretary-treasurer for IUPAT District Council 81.
The union represents over 2,500 public employees and construction workers in Iowa. - WCF Courier, 6/6/13
And Braley stated that the Obama Administration is taking the latest controversies regarding the IRS and Bengazi seriously:
http://www.radioiowa.com/...
Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley, a Democrat from Waterloo, was asked today about the scandals surrounding President Barack Obama. Braley says he has called on the White House to take quick action to address the issues and cited the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Bengazi, and surveillance video he viewed on the attack as an example.
“I called upon the president and the secretary of state to take steps to declassify that video footage and share it with the American public in a way of demonstrating to the American people what actually transpired and eliminate much of the confusion and uncertainty. So far they have taken no action in response to my request,” Braley says.
Braley says he also called on the president to take quick action in the IRS scandal to fire the people responsible for any wrongdoing. He says the Democrat president did eventually take the action that he requested and there are “signs that the president is taking these concerns seriously.” - Radio Iowa, 6/12/13
With Tea Party Congressman Steve King (R. IA) out of the running, the GOP primary has candidates running for the nominee. They included former Chief of Staff to Senator Chuck Grassley (R. IA), David Young; former U.S. Attorney Matthew G. Whitaker; attorney Paul Lunde and radio host Sam Clovis. If you would like to donate or get involved with Braley's campaign, you can do so here:
http://www.brucebraley.com/