Newsletter: My First Six Weeks

Friends,

Thank you for contacting our team! My first six weeks in office have been eventful. Having started during the longest government shutdown in our country’s history, I’ve realized the level of Washington dysfunction is even worse than I had originally thought.

Although I started during the shutdown, I was determined not to let that slow us down. Read more below about what I’ve been up to since taking office this January:

CONSTITUENT SERVICES

We’ve set up offices in Washington, D.C. and Des Moines, and are finalizing operations in Council Bluffs and Creston. Whether you need help with a federal agency, need to secure a work visa, are applying for a military academy, or would like to request a flag or tour, our offices are here to help you. Click here to contact one of our offices. (Please note: we will have phone lines set up in Des Moines and Creston shortly. Please call our DC office in the meantime.)

CUTTING GOVERNMENT WASTE

I spent a decade at the State of Iowa helping more than twenty different state agencies deliver government services more effectively and efficiently. I’m also a small business owner, so I understand how red tape and government bureaucracy can hurt entrepreneurs. In Washington, I will continue to serve as a steward of taxpayer dollars and a champion of government transparency and accountability. 

On January 17, the House passed my bipartisan Grant Reporting Efficiency and Agreements Transparency (GREAT) Act, legislation that would streamline the outdated and burdensome federal grant process. This bill will make it easier and cheaper for Iowans to apply for grants and allow taxpayers to better track government spending. I was also proud to join a bipartisan group of Members in introducing a bill to reign in excessive and frivolous government spending. 

EXPANDING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE

I know what it feels like to have been cut from my health insurance. I've also had to sell personal belongings on eBay in order to pay for medical bills. No Iowan should ever have to choose between paying for medical bills or putting food on the table.

I was proud to join a bipartisan effort to protect the Medicare Advantage program to ensure Iowa seniors have access to comprehensive, affordable health care as they age. Protecting this program for our seniors is not only the right thing to do, but saves us money and helps preserve Medicare for future generations.

Having worked under Iowa Governors Tom Vilsack, Chet Culver and Terry Branstad, I know the only way we get things done is by working across the aisle. That’s why I will continue to work with Democrats and Republicans in order to improve our health care system and expand access to quality, affordable coverage.

16 COUNTY TOURS

I look forward to visiting each of the 16 counties in Iowa's Third District every month during my first year in office. Here's a quick overview of some of the stops I've made already:

In January, I met with main street business owners in Diagonal, Lenox, and Corning and discussed issues including limited child care, lack of housing, and lack of internet connectivity. 

In February, I toured rural health care providers across the district to learn about the unique challenges of providing access to care in rural communities. I toured facilities and met with physicians, support staff, administrative teams, and patients to better understand how Congress can improve access to care in rural Iowa.

I also held “Connect with Your Congresswoman” events in Polk, Pottawattamie, Madison and Warren Counties. I will continue to hold these open-public events in order to hear directly from you about what is most important.

As always, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can call our front desk at (202) 225-5476 or write to me here. You can also follow me on Twitter at @RepCindyAxne or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RepCindyAxne to receive updates on my work in Washington and find out when I’ll be in your neighborhood! I’m grateful for your continued support and honored to serve on your behalf.

Stay warm and travel safe,
Cindy