[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 10, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H2101-H2102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          DELIVERING FOR IOWA

  (Mrs. Miller-Meeks of Iowa was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to share that over $24 
million in Community Project Funding is now coming home to southeast 
Iowa, funding that has been signed into law and will soon begin making 
a real difference on the ground.
  This didn't happen overnight. It came after months of meetings with 
local leaders, carefully reviewing community priorities, submitting 
formal requests, and tirelessly advocating for these projects in 
Washington.
  Thanks to that work, we are delivering $6 million to replace the 
Cascade Bridge in Burlington, improving traffic safety and connectivity 
in the region, but most importantly, replacing this historic landmark. 
It is very much a community-desired project. We are paving hazardous 
schoolbus routes in Jefferson County, upgrading intersections in 
Coralville, and strengthening key emergency routes in Keokuk County. 
These are not abstract policies. They are practical, meaningful 
improvements that directly serve Iowans.
  I am deeply grateful to the city and county officials who partnered 
with me on these efforts. I came to Congress to deliver for Iowa, and I 
will continue fighting to make sure our communities get the support 
they have earned.


        Washington Community Theater Celebrates 50th Anniversary

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th 
anniversary of the Washington Community Theater.
  Last week, the Washington Chamber of Commerce marked this milestone 
with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and Alive After 5 celebration, 
recognizing five decades of arts, culture, and community collaboration.
  Since opening in 1976, the theater has served as a home for community 
productions and regional events, thriving because of community 
initiative and generous local support. Led by President Mike Jewell, 
the anniversary celebration honored the theater's boards and volunteers 
for their contributions and welcomed Mark Fischer, an experienced arts 
leader, as the new manager and technical director.
  Showcasing local and regional Iowa talent, the Washington Community 
Theater has become an important part of the community. It is a place 
where Iowans come together to enjoy theater and put in the hard work 
behind every production. The Washington Community Theater's strong 
reputation and lasting legacy reflect the powerful impact the arts have 
on our communities.


                          Tax Win for Seniors

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
historic win for Iowan and American seniors. This tax season, Iowa's 
seniors are finally seeing meaningful relief that reflects a lifetime 
of hard work.
  Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cut Act, seniors now qualify for a 
$6,000 Social Security tax deduction, giving them real financial 
breathing room and long-overdue peace of mind after 4 years of high 
prices under the Biden administration.
  I recently enjoyed spending time in Pella with Iowa seniors and their 
families, many of whom are thrilled to be saving this tax season and 
were not aware of this provision. What mattered most was hearing 
directly how this new deduction will make everyday life better.
  For seniors living on fixed incomes, every dollar counts, and this 
policy puts more of their own money back

[[Page H2102]]

where it belongs. Many seniors will be impacted by ending the double 
taxation of Social Security. These deductions to their Social Security 
taxation will benefit 88 percent of seniors.
  Under the Working Families Tax Cut Act, seniors age 65 and older can 
now claim a $6,000 individual deduction, while married couples filing 
jointly can claim $12,000, significantly reducing and for most seniors 
effectively eliminating Federal taxes on Social Security benefits.
  After a lifetime of contributing to our communities and our country, 
seniors deserve real peace of mind, and this deduction helps deliver 
exactly that.

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