Feenstra Says Democrats Are Wanting To Make Washington D.C. As The 51st State
WASHINGTON — Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA-04) released the following statement after House Democrats passed legislation that would make Washington, D.C. a state:
“Last week, Democrats were talking about expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court so they could pack it with liberal justices who would legislate from the bench. Now, they have voted to make D.C. a state so they can expand the number of Democrats in the Senate. It seems all they care about is consolidating power to make it easier for them to pass a far-left agenda that would be harmful to farms and main street businesses — whether it’s the Green New Deal disguised as ‘infrastructure,’ government-run health care, or multi-trillion tax-and-spend proposals that will send our country into a never-ending debt spiral.
“I am a cosponsor of a commonsense solution — H.R. 472, the Columbia-Maryland Reunion Act — which would return residential land to Maryland so current Washington, D.C. residents can take part in the political process. Our Founding Fathers did not intend for D.C. to serve as a place of residence, but rather as a place of political work. Under this proposal, all federal property would still be considered the District of Columbia.
“I will continue standing up against Democrats’ attempted power grabs to ensure 4th District Iowans have a voice in Washington.”
Reynolds Says Time to Heal, Move Forward After Chauvin Verdict
(Des Moines, IA) — Governor Kim Reynolds says the jury’s decision finding former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murdering George Floyd shows the justice system worked. Reynolds told reporters that “a jury of his peers found him guilty on all three charges and it’s time we all come together as a country, heal and move forward.” Reynolds signed a police reform law last summer that, among other things, forbids Iowa police from using choke holds in most situations. In January, Reynolds called for a statewide ban on racial profiling in policing, but the Republican-led legislature has not advanced the idea. Reynolds said, “we’re still in session. We’re still working through the process and we’ll see where it goes.”
Man Accused of Murdering State Patrol Sergeant Smith Booked in Jail
(Waterloo, IA) — The man accused in the fatal shooting of Iowa State Patrol Sergeant Jim Smith is in Black Hawk County jail on three-million dollars bond. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says 41-year-old Michael Lang of Grundy Center was released from U-I Hospitals and Clinics Wednesday and transferred to jail. Lang is charged with the first-degree murder of Sergeant Smith on April 9th. He’s also facing attempted murder charges for shooting at state troopers in an armed personnel carrier and assault on a peace officer for an alleged altercation with a Grundy Center officer.
Inmates At Fort Madison Prison Over-Vaccinated For COVID-19
(Fort Madison, IA) — The Iowa Department of Correction reports more than 75 inmates at the Fort Madison state prison accidentally received too much COVID-19 vaccine. D-O-C officials said they recached out to Pfizer and the C-D-C and both said they don’t expect major side effects. The inmates are being closely monitored. The D-O-C said the two nurses who administered the vaccine to the inmates are on administrative leave. The department put all COVID vaccines on hold at the prison while the incident is under investigation.
SBA Program Will Help Iowa Bars and Restaurants During Pandemic
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa bars and restaurants still struggling to stay open will soon be able to apply for grants through a new U-S Small Business Administration program. Iowa S-B-A director Jayne Armstrong says just because thousands of Iowans are getting vaccinated doesn’t mean the pandemic is over and many restaurants in the state remain desperate for patrons. She said, “we’ve got make sure those local businesses all across Iowa still have their lights on as we come out of this pandemic.” The S-B-A’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund will make 28-point-six-billion dollars available nationwide to the hardest-hit small restaurants. Armstrong says the grants go up to five-million dollars per location and can be used for anything from payroll costs to utility payments, protective equipment and construction of outdoor seating. The program is expected to launch in a few weeks.
