From the Desk of Senator Bennett

A Caucus United in Defense of Iowans

In these first few months under a new Administration in Washington, D.C., my constituents have reached out with a growing list of concerns about troubling developments and proposals from officials within the federal government.

I’ve responded to worries about tariffs and their ongoing effect on the American economy; I’ve spoken about the shuttering of the Department of Education and how our Iowa students will be affected; and I’ve answered questions about the reckless actions of the world’s richest man, among many, many others.

But, without question, the most consistent fear I hear from my constituents is about cuts to critical programs like Social Security, Medicaid, and SNAP. These programs provide monthly benefits to hundreds of thousands of Iowans and have far-reaching effects that extend beyond the immediate recipients. Medicaid, for instance, is a key factor in keeping many of our rural hospitals and healthcare facilities afloat. These programs help us care for children, the elderly, the vulnerable, and the hungry. They’re lifelines preventing Iowans from falling through the cracks.

In the past week, my colleagues and I sent a series of letters to each member of Iowa’s federal delegation (our two U.S. senators and four members of Congress) urging them to defend Iowans’ access to these critical programs and to push back against cuts to their funding and operation. We believe our elected officials in Washington have a responsibility to stand up for Iowans and the essential services on which they rely.

You can see each of those letters at the links below.

A Childcare Shell Game

Childcare represents one of the largest ongoing expenses Iowa families face each month. The monthly cost can rival a family’s mortgage payment. This financial burden presents a significant barrier for parents trying to re-enter the workforce AND for Iowa businesses trying to recruit and retain top talent.

Taking meaningful action to address Iowa’s childcare crisis would positively impact thousands of working families and children in need of care while also helping to grow Iowa’s economy.

That’s why access to quality, affordable, reliable childcare is such a gamechanger, and why my colleagues and I are fighting so hard to expand childcare accessibility and affordability around the state. This week, the Iowa Senate had an opportunity to address some of Iowa’s persistent childcare deficiencies by improving on a proposal from Gov. Kim Reynolds.

The governor’s bill, SF 445, began with the intent of expanding wrap-around childcare services wherein a child could attend half-day preschool in the morning and move to after-school childcare in the afternoon.

But instead of proposing new funding for the expanded programming, the governor’s bill amounted to little more than a shell game. Rather than investing in new programs and increased access, SF 445 would move around existing money – forcing effective community-based childcare programs to try to do more with less and actually cutting existing childcare slots. My colleagues and I find flaw with that approach, especially considering the state is sitting on nearly $100 million specifically earmarked for childcare.

So, Senate Democrats offered a series of amendments to try to improve the governor’s bill and provide greater access to early childhood education and affordable childcare options around the state. Our proposals would have done the following:

Allowed communities to institute full-day preschool, expanding early childhood education opportunities for Iowa kids.
Created a working group to study existing Early Childhood Iowa service areas and determine whether or not they should be consolidated – as the governor’s bill proposed – and what effect consolidation may have on children, families, and communities.
Expand the eligibility limits for state assistance for childcare to thousands more working families and automatically qualify children for state childcare assistance if they have a parent under 18 or have a sibling already receiving assistance.
Increase wages for childcare workers by building on the success of the Child Care Solutions Fund pilot program, by appropriating $6 million in new state funding to expand the program that offered state matching dollars for local fundraising.

Senate Republicans unanimously voted against each of our proposals, and SF 445 was passed along party lines. Instead of expanding access to quality, reliable, affordable childcare and expanding early childhood education opportunities, the Republican-led Legislature is just moving money around in the hopes that Iowans won’t notice.

Quick Updates

Safe Disposal Options for Prescription Drugs: Iowa’s Office of Drug Control Policy is encouraging all Iowans to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 26, 2025. This biannual event is an opportunity for Iowans to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications safely and anonymously. Find your nearest disposal site here, and for year round options, check out this map.

National Fentanyl Awareness Day is April 29th. Check out their webpage for events, resources, and toolkits. While we’ve made progress, fentanyl still presents a danger to our communities. I’m hopeful this is the year the legislature finally acts on Iowa’s opioid settlement fund.

Workers Memorial Day: Celebrated annually on April 28, Workers Memorial Day is an international day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled, or injured on the job. Instituted in 1989 by the AFL-CIO, it marks the anniversary of the date the Occupational Health and Safety Act went into effect, guaranteeing all workers the right to a safe work environment. Here’s where you can join in an event locally:

Cedar Rapids: Monday, April 28; 5:30-6:30 p.m. IBEW Local 405 1211 Wiley Blvd SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Iowa Youth Crop Scouting Competition: Youth teams can now register for the 2025 Youth Crop Scouting Competition, hosted by Iowa 4-H and the Iowa State University Integrated Pest Management program. The event will be held July 24 at Wyffels Hybrids in Ames. Middle and high school students in grades 7-12 are invited to put their crop scouting skills to the test, competing against other youth teams across the state.

Contact Senator Liz Bennett at [email protected] or follow her on social media.
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