Cindy Axne: “Passing this disaster supplemental is vital to any community that suffered from disasters over these last 18 months. But…”

“Passing this disaster supplemental is vital to any community that suffered from disasters over these last 18 months. But I rise today to talk about one community--mine, Iowa's Third Congressional District. Entire towns were underwater. Many Iowans have had their homes, small businesses, and family farms destroyed. Medical centers and schools face irreparable damage and may never be able to reopen their doors again. Parents are worried about where they are going to be able to send their kids to school. The lasting impacts on the health and well-being of Iowa families and our rural communities are beyond calculation. I have been to our flood zones multiple times to speak to farmers, homeowners, and business owners who have lost everything. Their resilience is inspiring, but the damage is devastating. And Iowans are hardworking, taxpaying Americans. This motion to recommit is playing partisan politics with people's lives, and it is unacceptable. I helped Lizzie Young and her family muck out their house. David Leuth, a farmer from Percival, has been kayaking out to view his fields. Fran Mierzwa from Pacific Junction had her house underwater for almost 2 months. Great Community Hospital in Hamburg, the only rural hospital in the area, had to bring in military-operated water tanks just to keep its doors open for basic services.…”