Harkin: GOP Threats To Run Against Health Care Are ‘Reverse Psychology’ (VIDEO)
From TPMLivewire/MSNBC

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), chairman of the Senate health committee, appeared on MSNBC earlier today, apparently confident in the new timeline for health care reform and unfazed by Republican threats to make the 2010 election a referendum on the legislation.

“We’re pretty close to bringing [the bill] into the safe harbor,” Harkin told Andrea Mitchell. “I really believe we’re going to have it on the president’s desk by Easter.”

Loebsack proposes congressional pay cut
From Radio Iowa
Iowa Congressman Dave Loebsack, a Democrat from Mt. Vernon, is a co-sponsor of a bill that calls for U.S. senators and representatives to take a five-percent pay cut beginning in January of 2011. Loebsack says it would be a pay cut that would reduce his salary by $9,000. The current salary for members of congress is $174,000.

Loebsack says many Americans have had to cut back and this is a way for congress to do so. “It’s a personal commitment that I think we need to make here in Washington to demonstrate to the folks at home, who are frustrated obviously,” Loebsack says. He says he hear’s from people every day who are tightening their belts. Read full article…

Culver declares Flood Awareness Month
From the Daily Iowan

March is Flood Awareness Month in Iowa, Gov. Chet Culver said at a press conference Thursday.

The governor said he wants Iowans to know what flood-relief efforts are available to them; public offices will share information with public throughout the month. Read full article…