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]

If you really want to get geeky about the rhetoric of our elected officials (and who doesn’t, right?) there’s a great post from Todd Dorman today about our Congressional delegation and the words they use. The actual amount of words.

If you follow this rabbit hole to Capitol Words and look up Our Man King, you’ll see that “Iowa” isn’t even in his top 10. What tops the list? “Obamacare”, “ACORN”, “illegals”, “amnesty” and “socialized”.

Time for a new tune, Congressman…

See Steve King’s whole list at CapitolWords.org.

The blog Political Correction turned us on to a story about Rep. Steve King and Walter Reed Medical Center. In a self-described “poorly worded” memo, visitors were instructed, “No religious items (i.e. Bibles, reading material, and/or artifacts) are allowed to be given away or used during a visit.”

Naturally, the mistakes of a hospital staffer must be the President’s fault.

This administration— This has got to flow from the White House. They have to look at this and think Barack Obama would approve of this, at least. I’m going to meet with an admiral this afternoon at three o’clock, we’re going to talk about this, but whoever implemented this policy, whoever allowed it to flow through underneath their eyes, there’s a reason for it. It was not an accident…

Read the whole story…

Will King drop his opposition and support the middle class? 

DES MOINES – Just days after Congressman Steve King cited concerns about Social Security solvency as his reason for opposing an extension of the payroll tax cut, Social Security’s chief actuary says it will have no effect on the program.

On Wednesday, King misled Iowans in an interview, saying an extension of the payroll tax would impact Social Security’s solvency.

“With the Social Security administration’s support for an extension of the payroll tax cut, will Congressman King do the right thing and support the extension?” asked Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “Or, will he continue to oppose working families by refusing to extend the cut and give working families an extra $1,500 in their pocket?”

“It’s time for Steve King to work for Iowa instead of standing in the way of this important tax cut for working families,” added Dvorsky.

The irony was thick yesterday at a hearing of the House Immigration Subcommittee. While discussing ways to reduce racial profiling, Congressman King basically asked one of the members of the panel, a former Sacremento police chief, for his papers:

“You said you’re likely the only immigrant on the panel,” King said to Arturo Venegas, who was testifying in front of the House immigration subcommittee. “I wonder if you could tell us how was it you were inspired to come to the United States.”

Venegas, a former Sacramento police chief, responded by telling King that his U.S.-born mother brought him to the country after he was born in Mexico. “Can you just tell us what year and what visa, then, Mr. Venegas?” King asked.

King never followed up with a reason for his questions…

Read the full article here.