Congresswoman Cindy Axne held a listening session along with Congresswoman Cheri Bustos from Illinois regarding their work as co-chairs on the newly launched Rural Reinvestment Task Force, hearing from local officials and members of Iowa’s business, agriculture, energy, health, and educational community about the challenges facing rural America. Congresswoman Axne said the new task force is a way to make sure the rural voices of America are heard.

“The purpose of the task force is to have a greater voice for the rural issues we are facing. Everything from the economic development issues, to even having housing to retain teachers, all the way to the policy that is being done in congress to make sure we are hitting on the right things that impact the rural parts of this country. I see it as an opportunity to have a greater voice of a concerned group of legislators who can raise these issues up.”

The session was one of several that will be held across the midwest, including one that was held in Dallas County Thursday.