Pandemics and floods

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst discussed positive efforts made in the face of COVID-19 as well as non-pandemic legislative matters during a telephone press conference Thursday morning.

“Over the last few weeks, all Iowans, our families, communities, small businesses, farmers, seniors, you name it, they have all faced serious challenges in the fight against COVID-19,” said Ernst.

Essential workers

Ernst shared stories of community and patriotism, highlighting individual acts of kindness.

“In the face of these difficult times, we have seen extraordinarily goodwill, kindness and determination from Iowans of every corner of our state, most especially those on the front lines,” said Ernst.

In particular, Ernst praised the efforts of the National Guard.

“They are working around the clock to deliver personal protective equipment, food, medical supplies and other critical goods,” said Ernst.

Nationwide, more than 46,000 National Guard troops and 13,000 active duty troops are assisting in the relief effort. Ernst said this struck a chord with her, given her military history, and she said she believes it’s important to show the troops their importance.

“I introduced legislation to direct the Pentagon to provide tax-free hazardous duty pay, with back-pay, for these hardworking men and women,” said Ernst. “To me, it’s simple: Congress should take this small step to recognize the hazardous work our troops are doing during this pandemic and provide them the pay they deserve.”

Ernst said other essential workers, such as nurses, doctors, delivery drivers, supply workers and childcare workers, have done more than their part in upholding the nation’s infrastructure by continuing their work despite the ongoing threat.

“Each and every morning, despite the pandemic, they wake up and go to work.” said Ernst. “I believe these essential front-line workers deserve to keep more of their earned money.”

To accomplish this, Ernst is proposing a suspension of federal income or payroll taxes for essential workers during this pandemic.

“Our nation cannot weather this pandemic without our essential workforce,” said Ernst. “We need to make sure they know we have their backs.”

Flood protection

While the pandemic was the topic of much conversation, Ernst ensured that regular business is still being handled in Washington, citing a bipartisan package supporting the nation’s water infrastructure, which just passed Wednesday.

“While we continue to battle the pandemic, it’s important that Democrats and Republicans continue to work together to strengthen our water infrastructure, especially our flood control systems, to protect our communities and support commerce on our water ways,” said Ernst.

Ernst said the package contains a number of provisions she led that will specifically benefit Iowa. One of the key provisions requires the Army Corps to compile a comprehensive study of the Missouri River and to outline a cohesive strategy to address the flood risk in the areas that were most affected by the floods in 2019.

“The study will take a look at to whether changes to the management of the Missouri River are necessary,” said Ernst. “

Ernst said this study will also examine how the Corps’ focus on fish and wildlife habitat management may impact their ability to also perform their duty to protect communities from floods.

“As we see by the recurring flooding in the river’s lower basin, the Corps’s current approach is simply not working,” said Ernst. “The federal government needs to work toward a long-term solution to our regions flood control challenges.”

Another provision Ernst shared would provide a cost-share waiver to disadvantaged communities in areas at-risk of flooding.

“This will give the Army Corps discretion to complete small flood-control projects at a 100% federal cost share,” said Ernst. “This means our smaller, more rural communities won’t have to shoulder the financial burden for those projects.”

In addition, small towns and communities in the areas of high-flood risk will benefit from this legislation in another way.

“If the Corps had previously build temporary flood-control structures in these towns, the Corps will now be allowed to review whether or not those structures should be made permanent,” said Ernst. “If the Corps deems that those structures may stay up, and the town qualifies, the Corps will front the cost for the project.”

Ernst said the town of Hamburg in particular was the basis for this policy change.

“In 2011, the town raised the levy protecting the community by about eight feet to improve defenses against floodwaters,” said Ernst. “This temporary improvement helped withstand the floodwaters, but the Army Corps policy dictated the structure either had to be taken down, or built to Corps specification at a cost to the town.”

Due to Hamburg’s inability to afford the cost, the levy extension was removed, and the town was one of the hardest hit communities during last year’s floods.

“This provision will clear up those bureaucratic hurdles and help make sure a situation like that doesn’t happen again,” said Ernst.

The final provision provided by Ernst was to ensure the Army Corps of Engineers is spending tax dollars wisely by requiring the Corps to report to Congress all water resources projects that are either $100 million over budget or five years behind schedule.

“This would make sure there is proper oversight of their spending and progress on projects,” said Ernst.