Tom Harkin

November 5, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) released the following statement today after receiving news that U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that China intends to re-open the Chinese market to United States pork products and live swine.    » read more »

October 19, 2009 -- While every flu season has the potential to cause sickness and visits to the doctor, this year we face not just the seasonal flu but also the H1N1 influenza virus. For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that we take extra precautions to protect ourselves against the flu.    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D–IA) lauded today’s unveiling of the Green Plains Renewable Energy Algae Project in Shenandoah. The project has been working on new technologies to grow algae for the purpose of producing biodiesel and feed for livestock.    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today applauded a study that shows that people who live in “healthy neighborhoods,” or neighborhoods with safe sidewalks, parks, public transportation and access to fresh fruits and vegetables, are 38 percent less likely to develop diabetes than people who live in less healthy neighborhoods. Diabetes is estimated to account for over $116 billion in medical costs in the U.S. each year.    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today issued the following statement on the Senate Finance Committee’s passage of its health reform bill.    » read more »

October 8, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that Iowa’s State Energy Program has been awarded $20 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to reduce energy use and create jobs throughout Iowa. The funds will be used to expand the Building Energy Smart Iowa Program under the Iowa Office of Energy Independence (OEI), which is focused on increasing energy efficiency.

These Recovery Act dollars are in addition to the $20 million that was awarded to Iowa for this program earlier in the year. Harkin is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee that helped to shape the Recovery Act.    » read more »

Fixing The Medicare Inequities In Iowa

October 8, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee, today issued the following statement on a new report showing state-by-state disparities in health care. The Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System’s second state scorecard showed the cost and quality of health care, as well as access to care and health outcomes, continue to vary widely among states.    » read more »

October 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, three Chairmen – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Congressman George Miller (D-CA), Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, introduced landmark legislation that restores vital civil rights protections for older workers in the face of the Supreme Court’s decision in Gross v. FBL Financial.    » read more »

September 30, 2009 -- “Low income Iowans have been hit particularly hard by this recession, and these grants will help provide the support they need to get back on their feet” said Senator Tom Harkin. “As they recover, the American economy recovers. This funding will help Iowa families regain their financial security.”

The purpose of the Strengthening Communities Fund (SCF) is to improve the ability of non-profit organizations to promote the economic recovery of people with low-incomes. SCF is comprised of two programs, both of which will boost the ability of community and faith-based organizations to handle the broad economic recovery issues in their communities, including job training and retention and access to state and Federal benefits.    » read more »

The average premium in 2009 costs $13,375 for family coverage, up 131 percent since 1999

September 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, commented on a new report out today which shows the cost of health insurance spiraling upwards over the past ten years, increasing at more than three times the rate of worker wages and four times the rate of inflation.    » read more »

Stresses Importance Of Health Care Reform For Individuals With Preexisting Conditions

June 23, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today attended a Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee press conference to underline the importance of health care reform for individuals with preexisting conditions. Senator Harkin was joined by Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and two individuals, one with Lyme disease, and another with Type 1 Diabetes, who relayed how difficult it can be to attain coverage with a preexisting medical condition.    » read more »

Harkin Announces $1.85 Million In Federal Aid For Interior Projects Across Iowa

June 22, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that he worked to secure a total of $1.85 million in funding for projects contained in the Fiscal Year 2010 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. The measure must still be considered by the Appropriations subcommittee – slated for tomorrow – before being considered by the full committee. It will then need to be approved by both the House and Senate before it becomes law. Harkin is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.    » read more »

Harkin: "The American people want energy independence and Iowa is poised to deliver it."

June 22, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today applauded Energy Secretary Steven Chu’s decision to grant more than $16 million in federal dollars to the state of Iowa to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

Using funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Iowa's Office of Energy Independence will award grants for training and information projects designed to increase Iowa's capacity for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements. The announcement was made by Energy Secretary Chu at a meeting held this morning in Des Moines.    » read more »

United States Senator Roland W. Burris Delivers Floor Statement on Senate Resolution to Apologize for Slavery

June 18, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Roland W. Burris today delivered a statement on the Senate floor supporting Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) for their introduction of a resolution to apologize for slavery, Jim Crow laws, and policies of segregation and hate.

Senator Burris made the following remarks from the Senate floor:    » read more »

June 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) delivered the following opening statement as the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions began to consider health reform legislation today, the Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009. Following is the text of his remarks, as prepared for delivery.

“I salute our committee chair, Senator Kennedy, for his tireless, relentless, courageous leadership – across many years – in advocating for comprehensive health reform. .

“As we begin markup of the Affordable Health Choices Act, we are on the cusp of achieving his great goal – the great goal shared by most of us on this committee, on a bipartisan basis:

- To ensure affordable, high-quality health care for every American;    » read more »