Delivering for Iowa
Floor Speech
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to share that over $24 million in Community Project Funding is now coming home to southeast Iowa, funding that has been signed into law and will soon begin making a real difference on the ground.
This didn't happen overnight. It came after months of meetings with local leaders, carefully reviewing community priorities, submitting formal requests, and tirelessly advocating for these projects in Washington.
Thanks to that work, we are delivering $6 million to replace the Cascade Bridge in Burlington, improving traffic safety and connectivity in the region, but most importantly, replacing this historic landmark. It is very much a community-desired project. We are paving hazardous schoolbus routes in Jefferson County, upgrading intersections in Coralville, and strengthening key emergency routes in Keokuk County. These are not abstract policies. They are practical, meaningful improvements that directly serve Iowans.
I am deeply grateful to the city and county officials who partnered with me on these efforts. I came to Congress to deliver for Iowa, and I will continue fighting to make sure our communities get the support they have earned. Washington Community Theater Celebrates 50th Anniversary
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Washington Community Theater.
Last week, the Washington Chamber of Commerce marked this milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and Alive After 5 celebration, recognizing five decades of arts, culture, and community collaboration.
Since opening in 1976, the theater has served as a home for community productions and regional events, thriving because of community initiative and generous local support. Led by President Mike Jewell, the anniversary celebration honored the theater's boards and volunteers for their contributions and welcomed Mark Fischer, an experienced arts leader, as the new manager and technical director.
Showcasing local and regional Iowa talent, the Washington Community Theater has become an important part of the community. It is a place where Iowans come together to enjoy theater and put in the hard work behind every production. The Washington Community Theater's strong reputation and lasting legacy reflect the powerful impact the arts have on our communities. Tax Win for Seniors
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the historic win for Iowan and American seniors. This tax season, Iowa's seniors are finally seeing meaningful relief that reflects a lifetime of hard work.
Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cut Act, seniors now qualify for a $6,000 Social Security tax deduction, giving them real financial breathing room and long-overdue peace of mind after 4 years of high prices under the Biden administration.
I recently enjoyed spending time in Pella with Iowa seniors and their families, many of whom are thrilled to be saving this tax season and were not aware of this provision. What mattered most was hearing directly how this new deduction will make everyday life better.
For seniors living on fixed incomes, every dollar counts, and this policy puts more of their own money back where it belongs. Many seniors will be impacted by ending the double taxation of Social Security. These deductions to their Social Security taxation will benefit 88 percent of seniors.
Under the Working Families Tax Cut Act, seniors age 65 and older can now claim a $6,000 individual deduction, while married couples filing jointly can claim $12,000, significantly reducing and for most seniors effectively eliminating Federal taxes on Social Security benefits.
After a lifetime of contributing to our communities and our country, seniors deserve real peace of mind, and this deduction helps deliver exactly that.
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