DES MOINES – Steve King is taking a break from crusading against compact fluorescent lightbulbs and chasing the Tea Party spotlight, to hold a town hall. The only problem, he’s not holding the town hall in his district, or even his own state.

“Congressman King has lost his focus. Instead of talking to Iowans or voting in their best interest, he has focused on an ideological agenda,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “Now, instead of holding a town hall in Iowa, he’s crossing the border to hear from Nebraskans. This would be an opportunity to showcase some of the great venues in Sioux City, but Steve King is holding his town hall at a hotel across the river.”

King is holding a town hall to discuss Missouri River Flooding, an important issue to many Iowa communities and families. Unfortunately, King’s record of supporting flood recovery and prevention efforts also is missing.

“Steve King has taken countless votes against disaster aid, flood insurance, and prevention programs. Running to Nebraska won’t hide that record,” added Dvorsky.

Background on Steve King’s Votes Against Flood Relief

Voted against reauthorizing insurance program for flood victims

King voted against the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Programs, which provides 95 percent of flood insurance policies across the nation. The bill increased coverage amounts for homeowners and expanded outreach to communities. [HR 5114, Vote #447, 7/15/10]

Opposed bill to expand small business disaster loan programs

King opposed a bill to expand disaster loans available to small businesses through the Small Business Administration. The bill would have increased limits and revise payment timetables to treat borrowers more favorably in the wake of disasters. [HR 1361, Vote #225, 4/18/07]

Voted to cut $481 million from the Army Corps of Engineers’ construction program

King voted in favor of an amendment that would have reduced the Army Corps of Engineers’ construction budget by over $481 million. These construction projects are a critical piece of preparing for flood mitigation. [HR 2641, H. Amdt. 317, Vote #503, 6/19/07]

Voted to eliminate funding for watershed preservation, flood control programs

Just last year King voted in favor of a spending bill which stated that watershed prevention programs and flood control programs “shall be $0.” [HR 1, Vote #147, 2011-2012 Session]

DES MOINES – Just weeks after voting against disaster aid that would help Iowa communities recover from flooding, Congressman Steve King has reversed course and is now touting relief awarded today by FEMA.

“Iowans recovering from floods don’t have time for Congressman King’s political games,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “It’s easy for Steve King to put out statements touting disaster aid, but he has been unable to do the right thing and support efforts in Washington. Iowans deserve someone who will backup their rhetoric with action and be there to support our communities as they recover and rebuild.”

In a statement released this morning King said he was “relieved” that disaster aid would be granted to Iowa, but failed to mention his efforts to stonewall relief in Washington.

Proving that there is literally no issue that cannot be politicized by him, Congressman King voted to stymie disaster relief for communities in western Iowa devastated by flooding along the Missouri River.

Even as, to this day, parts of I-29 remain completely closed and both truckers and travelers are required to make a detour all the way through Des Moines, Congressman King was dead set on bogging down recovery efforts for families and businesses who have been devastated by recent natural disasters just to push an extreme, ideological agenda.

“As Iowa families struggle to overcome natural disaster, Congressman Steve King continues to play political games with federal relief efforts,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “Congressman King’s repeated refusal to help Iowans recover and rebuild flies in the face of the values that make our communities strong. Iowans deserve better than Congressman King’s sweet talk in Iowa, but stonewalling efforts in Washington.”

No one else in Iowa’s Congressional delegation voted this way. Not even fellow Republicans Chuck Grassley and Tom Latham. Congressman King is dead wrong on this issue and needs to explain himself to those families and businesses in his district.