AFL-CIO Tour Bus Joins AFSCME in Iowa to Hold Lawmakers Accountable

The “It’s Better In a Union” bus tour made its way to Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday. State Attorney General candidate Nate Willems, local small business owners and Medicaid recipients joined AFSCME members and union leaders for a press conference to hold Sen. Joni Ernst and Reps. Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks accountable for their votes to pass the federal budget bill.

This devastating legislation will raise costs on Iowa’s working families and threaten their public services. More than 86,000 people in the state could lose health care because of the bill’s cuts to Medicaid, while hospitals, nursing homes and clinics are already moving to cut services and staff. A total of 259,300 Iowans are at risk of losing food assistance. All working families will face rising costs for health care, groceries and energy due to funding cuts in the budget bill.

“In rural communities, people are already losing services at hospitals and clinics,” AFSCME Council 61 President Todd Copley said. “Families are now facing higher health care bills, higher grocery prices, and higher energy costs because of cuts coming from the so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’ And at the same time, the ultra-wealthy walk away with more tax breaks than they ever needed in the first place. That is not responsible governing. That is betrayal. And we will hold the politicians who voted for this disaster accountable.”