Sen. Pam Jochum urges Governor to lead time-sensitive effort to secure 14.5 million federal dollars for Iowa families

Statement by Senator Pam Jochum of Dubuque:

Governor Branstad, you can help 7,150 Iowa families struggling to put

food on the table with the stroke of your pen, at no cost to the state of Iowa and Iowa businesses.

March 10 is Iowa’s last chance to request 14.5 million dollars in extended federal unemployment insurance benefits. That money would put a few dollars in the pockets of people fighting to get back on their feet. At the same time, it would give a 14.5 million dollar boost to businesses statewide when these families buy groceries, gas, clothing, and other everyday items.

A bipartisan majority in the Iowa Senate passed Senate File 303. Your leadership is now required to convince your fellow Republicans in the Iowa House to put helping Iowans before politics.

Governor, to help these families, all we need to do is ask. Whether we request these benefits or not, Iowa businesses will pay the same federal unemployment insurance taxes.

Your leadership can help more than 7,000 Iowan families at no additional cost to anyone in Iowa. Please show Iowans that you put helping people before politics.

Senator Jochum is at the Iowa Statehouse today and is available to speak to reporters. She can be reached at 563-580-2980. You can also call 515-418-8709 to arrange an interview.