Highlighting Critical Investments
Floor Speech
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, speaking of taxes, the tax on the economy and the detriment to the economy over the Democratic shutdown over the past 6 weeks makes me delighted to be back here in Congress, doing the work of Iowa and the American people.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight a critical investment for Iowa families, the $2.78 million in community project funding I secured for the Newton YMCA childcare expansion.
This funding will allow the Y to open 50 new childcare slots, giving working parents in Jasper County the reliability and support they urgently need.
Access to childcare is not just a family issue. It is a workforce issue. When parents can't find childcare, they can't work, which hurts local businesses and the entire economy.
The Newton YMCA is a pillar of its community, and this expansion will allow it to serve more families, strengthen the workforce, and keep Newton and Jasper County growing.
I am proud to have secured this funding and will continue fighting for projects that support families and build a stronger future for Iowa's First District and Iowa. Highlighting Community Project Funding
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to highlight the $2 million in community project funding I secured for Jones Regional Medical Center in Iowa to build a permanent, state-of-the-art medical simulation lab.
For the past several years, JRMC has trained nurses out of two temporary trailers. Despite those challenges, their program continues to produce highly skilled providers who are urgently needed across Iowa, especially nurses and EMTs.
This funding will create a 1,700-square-foot advanced simulation center that will allow more students to graduate each year and expand training for high-demand medical fields.
This investment strengthens Iowa's healthcare workforce, supports our rural hospitals, and ensures communities across Jones County have access to trained, qualified healthcare providers.
I am proud to have secured this funding and remain committed to strengthening healthcare access and workforce training across Iowa. Recognizing Keokuk Area Hospital Project Funding
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the $825,000 in community project funding I secured to restore critical healthcare access in Lee County through the Keokuk Area Hospital project.
Since Keokuk lost its hospital in 2022, residents have faced delays in emergency and specialty care. No community should be left without emergency services or forced to travel over an hour for lifesaving treatment.
This funding will help reopen emergency services and create outpatient specialty care, closing a major gap in healthcare access and restoring the safety net that Lee County deserves. The CEO of Insight said that it was pivotal in establishing these services. This is about saving lives, strengthening rural healthcare, and giving families peace of mind.
I am proud to have secured this investment and will continue working to ensure that rural Iowans receive the same quality care as any American, no matter their ZIP Code.
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