Abby Finkenauer, U.S. House, Iowa District 1

The Gazette sent questionnaires to Iowa's candidates for U.S. Congress and other candidates for state and county offices. The responses are unedited, unless to correct spelling or punctuation. 

To see other candidates' responses, visit our Election 2020 Candidates page. 

U.S. Rep. Abby Finkenauer faces Republican state Rep. Ashley Hinson in the election for Iowa's 1st Congressional District. Click here to read Hinson's response.

State and local governments have seen revenues fall during the pandemic. Should Congress provide more direct aid to states and cities?

Absolutely. This pandemic has pushed far too many municipal budgets already stretched thin to the max and now we have derecho recovery to grapple with on top of it. It's why I've been working hard to make sure we get another round of urgently needed stimulus relief to our communities as soon as possible and tell my colleagues how important this is. Whether it's funding our essential workers like our firefighters and our police officers, or ensuring garbage pickups come on time, our local communities need help getting through this crisis and I firmly believe it is our responsibility at the federal level to help meet that need.

The national debt is reaching World War II proportions and may exceed the U.S. GDP. What steps should be taken?

As we move through this pandemic, we need to find creative solutions to not just invest in growth and get our economy back on track, but to make sure we're also paying down our debts and protecting our families from any economic fallout. Making investments in infrastructure is one of the best returns on investments we have to do just that, and it's why we worked hard in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to pass one of the most comprehensive investments in infrastructure ever passed through the House. I look forward to closing loopholes like tax-giveaways for big oil that have hurt our farmers, and ensuring that future economic growth is happening right here at home. Investing in infrastructure is critical for strengthening rural communities, creating jobs, making us more competitive, and getting more money in American workers and manufacturers' pockets.

How can Congress ensure health care access for everyone?

Healthcare is a human right, and making sure healthcare is accessible and affordable for every Iowan is one of my top priorities in Congress. That is why I support strengthening and expanding the Affordable Care Act, and giving folks an option to buy into Medicare through a public option. Under a public option, folks who like their private insurance can keep it, or buy a public plan that's affordable to every American. By creating an additional option to drive competition in the insurance market, this would also help to drive down premiums and make coverage more affordable for everyone.

Do you support the Green New Deal? What must be done to protect the environment and limit harmful emissions without crippling farming?

I do not support the Green New Deal. That said, climate change is real and I strongly support America re-entering the Climate Paris Accord and taking urgent action on this issue. Farmers are our original conservationists, and our agricultural industry relies on predictable weather patterns, healthy soil, and clean air and water. As we look to find real solutions on this issue, it's critical that we bring everyone to the table to make sure no community is left behind as we act on this issue. For years, Iowa has been a leader in homegrown energy like wind and biofuels, and we need to ensure that future plans bring everyone to the table to find incentive based solutions to take action without hurting our economy. Acting on climate change is also an opportunity to invest in one of the most predictable growth sectors of the economy and create new, good paying jobs in Iowa in the process.

What needs to be done about the nation's infrastructure? Where do you start, and how do you fund projects? Would you raise the gas tax?

Coming out of this pandemic, one of the best things we can do to make sure economic stimulus actually reaches rural areas in Iowa is by investing in infrastructure. When I got to Congress, I joined the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee specifically because I am so passionate about the importance of infrastructure investments, and I'm proud that this year we wrote and appoved the best rural infrastructure packagethat has ever passed through the House. That package included numerous bipartisan bills my office introduced, like closing the fund-swap loophole that allows local governments to dodge Buy-America and fair-wage provisions, investmenting in rural America's roads and bridges, helping Iowa communities secure infrastructure funding, and making sure locks and dams are updated to improve farmers' access to markets . There's so much more work that needs to be done, I look forward to working hard to get the investments we need.

What is your stance on how the federal government should help Americans with student loan debt?

Like thousands of Iowans, I myself have student loan debt from my time as a first-generation college student and I know firsthand how difficult it can be to make these payments. We need to make sure that getting an education is what it should be — an opportunity, not a life-altering debt-burden — which is why I support measures that allow students can refinance their loans just like a mortgage, and that students and veterans defrauded by harmful institutions can have their loans forgiven. Taking action on this issue can also even be a way to help our economy grow: in Congress, I'm working on a proposal to forgive some student loan debt for people to move back to towns that have lost population if folks commit to staying long-term and raising their family in our small towns. And we also know that college isn't the right fit for everyone, which is why I support investments in apprenticeship programs and trainings to make sure every worker has the opportunity to advance their career.

Do you support raising the $7.25-an-hour federal minimum wage? If yes, what would you raise it to? Would you tie the wage to inflation? If no, why not?

I support raising the minimum wage, and have voted to incrementally increase the minimum wage to ensure that hard-working Iowans make a fair, liveable wage. Unfortunately, my opponent disagrees, and in fact voted against minimum wage increases that would help our families. I absolutely support localities raising their wages if they so choose, and will continue to work with our small business owners to ensure that any future increases are instituted in a way that won't have a negative impact. This shouldn't be a difficult issue, and folks aren't asking for a lot — every family just wants to know that if they work hard each week, they'll have a bit of money leftover to take their family to the movies. In Congress, I'll continue to put Iowa's workers first.

How will you involve the public in your decision-making process?

My number one job in Congress is to listen to my constituents — and make sure Washington is listening too. I ran for Congress because I was sick and tired of watching Iowans get left behind by leaders who weren't listening to our priorities, and it's why when I got to Washington I got right to work to make sure we got things done. Since 2019, I've hosted 19 town halls to hear directly from Iowans on what matters most, and we've worked hard to make sure that those concerns are addressed with real, tangible results. Over the past two years, I'm proud of the 20 bipartisan bills we have introduced with my Republican colleagues on the issues that matter most like protecting the Children's Health Insurance Program, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, helping our local businesses or protecting our biofuels industry. This has never been about politics for me — it's about fighting every day for my family, our friends, our neighbors and our community.

Would you support adding more seats to the Supreme Court or limiting the length of time a justice can serve on the court?

No

Should the Confederate flag be removed from federal property?

Yes

Should military bases named for Confederate leaders be changed?

Yes 

Should the federal government regulate social media to prevent fake news and misinformation?

Undecided. This is a question we're grappling with as a country, and we need to have investigations into how misinformation and foreign meddling continues to spread online, and the implications for our society and institutions. At the same time, the first amendment is a foundational part of our democracy and should not be infringed upon. I look forward to hearing from my constituents as we consider the appropriate actions on this important issue. 

Would you support a constitutional amendment to eliminate the Electoral College?

No 

Should candidates for federal office be required to release their federal income tax returns?

Yes 

Should there be term limits for members of Congress?

Undecided. Since coming to Congress, I've seen firsthand how important it is to have new voices in Washington. And after watching the Senate fail to take action on desperately needed coronavirus relief package, I am open to any and all ideas that would ensure lawmakers are held accountable to their constituents.