River Bend Times

Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa’s 1st District released a statement on the 20th day of the ongoing government shutdown, which she attributes to Democratic leadership. She said her office has received concerns from a range of constituents, including military families, small business owners, and parents facing delays in government services.

“It’s now been 20 days since the Democrat Government Shutdown began. During this time, my office has heard from Iowans across the district, from military families and small business owners to parents worried about delayed services.

“I voted to keep the government open through a clean, bipartisan bill that would continue funding at current levels while Congress completes the appropriations process. I’ll continue working to reopen the government and make sure essential services are restored as soon as possible.

“If you are personally affected by the shutdown or need assistance with a federal agency, please visit MillerMeeks.house.gov or call my office for support.” - Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks

According to Miller-Meeks, House Republicans passed a continuing resolution to fund the government for seven weeks without increasing spending. She said Democrats have rejected this extension ten times and are seeking additional spending and expanded healthcare coverage for undocumented immigrants.

The shutdown has led to various impacts in Iowa, including 1,800 Iowa National Guard troops serving overseas not receiving pay and 18,000 federal employees in the state working without pay. The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program faces uncertainty for 62,000 Iowans, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for 267,000 Iowans, including 104,000 children, could be disrupted. Small businesses are affected by $16 million in frozen Small Business Administration loan distributions this month. The state’s economy is losing an estimated $137 million per week as the shutdown continues.

Miller-Meeks has cosponsored the Pay Our Troops Act, which would ensure service members receive pay during a shutdown. She has also cosponsored the Eliminate Shutdowns Act, which would automatically extend government funding for 14 days if appropriations lapse.

She also announced that she is withholding her own pay during the shutdown.

Miller-Meeks has represented Iowa’s 1st District in Congress since 2021, after previously serving in the Iowa Senate from 2019 to 2021. She was born in Herlong, California in 1955 and currently lives in Le Claire. Miller-Meeks graduated from Texas Christian University in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.