Loebsack: Standing up for all Iowans

As a child, my single-parent mother struggled with mental illness and wasn't able to hold down a steady job. When I was in the fourth grade she could no longer take care of my siblings and me by herself so we moved in with my grandma. It was shortly after that when I decided that when I grew up, I was going to make something of myself. It took a lot of hard work, pulling myself up, but I wouldn't have been able to do it without the supports I received from the community.

This is why I keep fighting. I want to ensure anyone who is willing to work hard has access to the same opportunities that I had in order to make something out of themselves. It is also why I believe we must make smart investments in education and ensure Medicare and Social Security remains strong.

One of the most important factors in my success was attending public schools in Sioux City and at Iowa State. Access to a quality, affordable, education is one of the greatest equalizers we have. As a former teacher, I've taken a lead in making sure all of our kids get the education they need to succeed. Congress recently passed an update to what was known as No Child Left Behind and I worked to ensure that many of my initiatives to bring innovation and technology into our rural schools were included in the new Every Student Succeeds Act. I am committed to working to expand digital learning opportunities to ensure students in rural America are not left behind.

When I was young, my grandma relied on Social Security Survivors Benefits to support us, which is why ensuring Social Security and Medicare remains strong is another of my top priorities. I never have and never will vote to privatize Social Security, turning our nation's retirement plan over to Wall Street. I also will never vote to cut Medicare. Seniors have paid into it every month and have earned it. While it is clear that both of these programs will need some work to ensure their solvency, let me be clear, cutting benefits must never be part of the answer.

As a parent of two military children, I strongly believe that we must treat those who served with the same dedication that they gave to our nation. No veteran who needs physical or mental care should be turned away. I have worked to ensure those who are seeking help for invisible wounds, like those suffering from PTSD, are never denied care at a VA Health Care System when they are reaching out for help. It is a shame that each day, 20 veterans take their own lives. We cannot let this continue. Even one veteran who takes their own life is one too many.

I am honored to serve the people of Iowa's 2nd District and I humbly ask for your vote so I can continue to stand up for all Iowans.

' More information: info@loebsackforcongress.org; www.loebsackforcongress.org; Twitter @daveforiowa; Facebook.com/loebsackforcongress