Loebsack lets a constituent down

More than a month ago, I intended to write a letter commending Congressman Dave Loebsack for co-sponsoring HR 554, which would require “non-emergency bills and conference reports be posted online for at least 72 hours before consideration by the full chamber.”

I learned the bill was introduced in June but stalled in committee. A procedural move was tried in September to circumvent the committee that has no intention of acting on the legislation.

This procedure requires that a dispatch petition be signed by four more representatives than the number of co-sponsors. Loebsack is identified as a co-sponsor but his actions indicate he is not interested in enacting the law; he is not listed as having signed the petition.

I first contacted his office a month ago to see if he had signed the petition, but nobody in his office knew.

After two weeks and no response I called again, but his staff was still uninformed.

Now, another three weeks later, the absence of a response indicates that Loebsack's involvement was an attempt to appear devoted to keeping his constituents informed when in reality he prefers they remain unaware. My attempt to compliment Congressman Loebsack was apparently premature.

Robbin Rekemeyer

Cedar Rapids