Resources
Advocacy
infoNET and the entire ID Action network have the resources you need to be an effective advocate on the issues you care about. We will help you keep on top of the issues being discussed in the Iowa Legislature and in the US Congress, learn more about the issues so you can be an informed and confident advocate, and find ways to become effective advocates.
LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR ISSUE.
- Click here to learn more about various policy issues.
- Click here to review bills introduced this year in our Bill Tracker.
TAKE ACTION & ADVOCATE.
- Click here for the most recent update of our Guide to the Iowa Legislature to find out more about the process.
- Click here for our updated Advocacy Toolkit.
- Click here to use our Advocacy Hub to connect with your elected officials through phone, email or social media.
- Click here to find a town hall meeting or candidate forum near you.
- Click here to see the training presentation from Advocating Change Day.
KEEP UP TO DATE & TRACK PROGRESS.
- Click here to read our current issue of infoNET.
- Click here to track the progress of bills that impact Iowans with disabilities.
State Resources
Find Your Legislators.
- Find out who represents you in Iowa's State Capitol.
- Find out more about your legislators and the legislative process in our most recently updated ID Action Guide to the Iowa Legislature.
Learn more about your Legislators.
- Representative Profiles - (Democrats) & (Republicans)
- Senator Profiles - (Democrats) & (Republicans)
- Committees by Representative
- Committees by Senator
- Maps & District Information
- Legislative Leadership
Contact Your Legislators
Committee Listings (2020)
- House & Senate Committees
- House & Senate Budget Subcommittees
- Permanent Statutory Committees (meet year round)
- Interim Committees (meet when legislators not in session)
Other Information
Federal Resources
Every Iowan is represented in Washington DC in the US Congress by one US Representative and two US Senators. Senator Charles Grassley and Senator Joni Ernst represent you in the US Senate. You are represented in the US House of Representatives by one of Iowa's four US Representatives. To find out which one, click here. Just remember that three of our current US Representatives will not be returning to office: Rep. Dave Loebsack retired and will be replaced by Mariannette Miller-Meeks; Rep. Abby Finkenauer lost her re-election to Ashley Hinson; and Rep. Steve King will be replaced by Randy Feenstra, who beat him in the primary election). The newly elected lawmakers will assume office on January 3, 2021.
You can check Congressional schedules, watch what's going on in Congress, track bills you care about, and contact your elected officials representing you in Washington DC using the following links.
Track Action in the US Congress
- Congressional legislation search
- Congressional schedules
- On the Floor Now (US House)
- U.S. Congress
- U.S. Senate
- Legislative Process (Congress) - or you can watch nine videos on the federal legislative process here
- Planning a Visit to U.S. Capitol
- CSPAN Congressional Resources
- Congressional Resource Links
Track Action in the White House
- Connect with the White House.
- Check in on the White House Briefing Room.
- Learn more about the President, Vice President and their Administration.
- Read the President's stand on issues.
- Sign up for email from the White House.
Take Action
- Use our Advocacy Hub to contact your elected officials in Washington DC.
- Contact the President, Vice President, or the First Lady
- US Sen. Joni Ernst
- US Sen. Charles Grassley
- US Rep. Cindy Axne
- US Rep. Abby Finkenauer (she will complete her term at the end of 2020; Rep. Ashley Hinson will be added in 2021)
- US Rep. Steve King (he will complete his term at the end of 2020; Rep. Randy Feenstra will be added in 2021)
- US Rep. Dave Loebsack (he will complete his term at the end of 2020; Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks'will be added in 2021)
Policies & Issues
State Budget (FY 2021)
The Iowa Legislature usually passes eleven budget bills each year to fund parts of state government. The state budget year (called a "fiscal year") starts on July 1. The 2020 Legislature approved fiscal year 2021 budgets, which funds state government from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. This year, because of the COVID break, the Iowa Legislature passed a continuing resolution to fund all programs, agencies, and services at the same level, with a few exceptions.
- Click on the links below for the nonpartisan review of hte FY 2021 budgets that passed in the 2020 Legislature:
- Since most of the FY 2021 budget is "the same as" FY 2020, you can click on the links below for a nonpartisan review of the FY 2020 budgets as passed by the 2019 Legislature.
Livable Homes Coalition
Many Iowans with a disability cannot live safely in their homes, and may be forced to move into residential long-term care facilities rather than stay at home. There are a few local programs to help pay for needed home modifications, but these programs do not currently serve the whole state. There is funding for home modifications available through the Medicaid program, but it is only available to Medicaid members.
Organizations that support older Iowans, individuals with disabilities, and those with serious health conditions have been working together to advocate for a statewide home modfication grant program to help fill this gap. They have formed the Livable Homes Coalition.
The Coalition supports the creation of an infrastructure program to help low income Iowans living with a disability caused by age, chronic disease, or injury to modify their homes to increase accessibility, safety, and to remain independent. The Coalition is asking for $1 million to fund grants of up to $5,000 to help offset the costs of modifying homes of persons who are over the age of 65 or living with a disability. To be eligible, the person must own their home and must not earn more than 300% of the federal poverty level.
