Obstructionist Congress directly responsible for hundreds of lost jobs in Iowa's wind power industry

[Skidmore]

This lack of action affected other states too. Let's get this info out there and let particularly those Republican legislators who stood silently or actively supported sacrificing people's livelihoods for political gamesmanship that we are paying attention. Please let's collect like articles and distribute them in social media.

http://www.wgem.com/story/19576303/lawmakers-react-to

(WGEM) -- Local lawmakers are reacting to the news of hundreds of layoffs at the Siemens facility in Ft. Madison.

Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement:

(snip)

"This announcement also demonstrates the need for Congress to act and renew the Production Tax Credit for wind energy. While this is not fully the cause, renewing the tax credit, which has broad, bipartisan support, will give the wind energy industry the stability it needs. Congress should not be going home to campaign at a time when so much critical work remains unfinished. The livelihood of thousands of Iowans depends on the renewal of the credit."

Senator Chuck Grassley today commented on the restructuring announcement:

"My heart goes out to the people losing jobs. When you're in that situation, it's a depression, not a recession, for you and your family. In this case and others, the market conditions described by the company emphasize the need for certainty of policies out of Washington, from the production tax credit for wind to the threat of other taxes going up and heavy-handed regulations that make it harder for businesses to sustain and create jobs. Leadership is needed to provide the kind of certainty and confidence employers need to keep and hire workers."

[Frustratedlady]

1. I'm sure Grassley will get right on that...maybe after Nov. 6th.

Ft. Madison is losing 407 permanent and 163 contract employees. I hope the Repubs are happy.

[Skidmore]

2. I contacted Grassley's office. That statement of his was just way inappropriate and

was largely political weasel words supporting the Boehner-McConnell agenda. I told him he is responsible for destroying lives and deserves to be shamed.

[Frustratedlady]

3. Good for you! I've written him so many times, I'm probably on his

"do not read" list. I think that is one step above another list I won't name. He needs to retire and get someone in there that has our interests in mind. Problem is, it will probably be his grandson.