- Ashley Hinson has consistently opposed raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, arguing it would harm Iowa’s rural economy and small businesses, and has voted to block local minimum wage increases, favoring state-level control instead (KWWL, NBC - 13 WHO, Gazette).
- She has prioritized addressing workforce shortages by supporting economic recovery post-pandemic, advocating for getting people back to work, and expressing concern that expanded unemployment benefits contributed to labor shortages (Gazette, Telegraph Herald).
- Hinson has introduced and supported initiatives to address specific workforce barriers, including the REAL Trucking Act to lower the minimum age for interstate truck drivers to 18, and a package of bills to expand opportunities in trades and incentivize workforce training (Telegraph Herald, Daily Nonpareil).
- Child care access has been framed by Hinson as critical to workforce participation and economic development; she has supported expanding child tax credits, workforce tax credits for child care, bipartisan child care initiatives, and highlighted child care as both a family and workforce issue (Telegraph Herald, Globe Gazette, Iowa City Press-Citizen).
- In 2024, Hinson led Iowa’s congressional delegation in questioning and criticizing the U.S. Department of Labor’s enforcement actions and fines related to child labor violations, urging rule updates and warning about the penalties’ impact on small businesses (Des Moines Register, Iowa City Press-Citizen).
- Potential vulnerability: Hinson has faced criticism for voting against pay equity bills like HR7 and for opposing federal increases in minimum wage and child tax credits, which some argue could make it harder for working families to thrive (Gazette, Gazette Letter).
2021: Ashley Hinson Opposed Federal $15 Minimum Wage Mandate According to KWWL, "Iowa's First Congressional District Representative Ashley Hinson has released a statement raising concerns with the proposed federal $15 minimum wage mandate, calling it a 'divisive proposal.'" [KWWL, 2/2/21]
2021: Ashley Hinson Stated $15 Minimum Wage Would Hurt Iowa's Rural Economy According to KWWL, "In her statement, she says how the increase would hurt Iowans and the state's rural economy. Hinson said she met with Iowans across the First District last week, who agreed with her. 'This would disproportionately hurt rural areas,' Hinson said. 'Businesses and organizations that are vital to our community simply would not be able to take this hit. I heard Iowans loud and clear on this issue.'" [KWWL, 2/2/21]
2021: Ashley Hinson Pledged Not To Support Legislation With $15 Minimum Wage According to KWWL, Hinson stated, "I will not support any legislation that includes a $15-dollar federal minimum wage mandate and strips Iowans of their ability to work. I hope this divisive proposal, and other liberal wish list items, are left out of the next COVID-19 relief bill so that we can quickly deliver targeted relief to those who need it most." [KWWL, 2/2/21]
2021: Letter Writer Amy Adams Claimed Ashley Hinson Voted Against Raising Minimum Wage According to a letter to the editor published in Gazette, "when she continually votes against the best interests of Iowa families like raising the minimum wage and expanding the child tax credit in the American Families Plan she's making it harder for families to provide for themselves." [Letter to the Editor - Gazette, 9/27/21]
October 2021: Hinson Stated Balancing Unemployment Benefits And Returning To Work Is Needed According to The Gazette, 'These workforce issues are affecting everyone and the question is how do we get people back," Hinson said. "It appears people have shifted their priorities and we have to find a balance between unemployment benefits and going back to work.' [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 10/18/21]
October 2016: Ashley Hinson Supported Statewide Minimum Wage Action But Withheld Specific Number According to The Gazette, "'I don’t disagree that there needs to be action at the state,' she said, but would need more information before landing on a specific number." [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 10/13/16]
2017: Ashley Hinson Favored State-Set Minimum Wage But Did Not Specify Threshold According to Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), "Hinson hails from a county that has laid out increases in phases — the first in effect now, taking the wage to $8.25. She favors the state and not counties setting the wage, but wouldn’t say what she thinks that threshold should be." [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 1/15/17]
September 2020: Hinson Opposed Raising Federal Minimum Wage To $15 An Hour According to NBC - 13 WHO (Des Moines, Iowa), "A $15 an hour minimum wage is not the answer either and that's what you supported in Congress," Hinson said, "That would put dozens of small businesses out of business. I've talked to many who say they employ people with disabilities because they can. They can't pay them $15 an hour. What you'll get is on this Labor Day, you'll have people out of work. You'll have people replaced by kiosks and machines." [NBC - 13 WHO (Des Moines, Iowa), 9/8/20]
Hinson Voted To Block Local Increases To Minimum Wage In The Iowa Statehouse According to NBC - 13 WHO (Des Moines, Iowa), "Finkenauer, a former state legislator before getting elected to Congress in 2018, criticized Hinson for the Republican-led effort at the Statehouse which blocked a local municipality's ability to increase its own minimum wage above the state's $7.25 per hour figure. 'Representative Hinson, you actually took away a wage increase for your own constituents,' Finkenauer said, 'Linn County voted to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour and then in the Statehouse you voted to undermine that … to say that they couldn't do it.'" [NBC - 13 WHO (Des Moines, Iowa), 9/8/20]
2020: Ashley Hinson Opposed Federal $15 Minimum Wage Increase According to an opinion piece by Todd Dorman in Gazette, "Hinson said $15 'isn't the answer,' and that minimum wage rates should be up to states such as Iowa, where lawmakers last voted to raise Iowa's base wage to $7.25 in 2007." [Todd Dorman - Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 9/10/20]
2020: Ashley Hinson Supported State-Determined Moderate Minimum Wage Increases According to an opinion piece by Todd Dorman in Gazette, "Hinson said the base wage might need to be raised by 'a moderate amount.' In the past, during the 2018 campaign, Hinson said lawmakers should 'have a discussion' about the minimum wage." [Todd Dorman - Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 9/10/20]
2017: Ashley Hinson Voted to Restrict Local Control Over Minimum Wage in Iowa According to an opinion piece by Todd Dorman in Gazette, "Hinson and her fellow Republicans who run the Golden Dome of Wisdom couldn't abide these insolent blue counties and moved quickly in 2017 to yank authority over local wages away from local governments, so Linn and Johnson slid back to $7.25." [Todd Dorman - Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 9/10/20]
2017: Ashley Hinson Opposed Debate on Minimum Wage Increase Amendment in Iowa House According to an opinion piece by Todd Dorman in Gazette, "During that debate in the Iowa House, a Democratic amendment was offered to raise the state minimum to $9.75 on July 1, 2017, and to $10.75 on Jan. 1, 2019. [...] Hinson was among majority Republicans who shot down the motion and shut down debate." [Todd Dorman - Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 9/10/20]
January 2021: Hinson Warned $15 Minimum Wage Would Harm Rural Economy According to Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 'She also warned the proposed $15-an-hour minimum wage would "decimate our rural economy." Congress should look at raising the $7.25 min wage, but if Democrats succeed in raising it to $15, "there are a lot of small businesses that couldn't take that hit," she said.' [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 1/22/21]
January 2021: Hinson Warned That A $15 Minimum Wage Would Harm Rural Economies According to Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Hinson warned the proposed $15-an-hour minimum wage would "decimate our rural economy." Congress should look at raising the $7.25 min wage, but if Democrats succeed in raising it to $15, "there are a lot of small businesses that couldn't take that hit," she said. [Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, 1/23/21]
January 2021: Ashley Hinson Opposed A COVID-19 Relief Package Containing A $15 Minimum Wage According to Gazette, "Hinson warned that a COVID-19 relief package 'full of liberal policy wish list ideas,' such as raising the minimum wage, is a non-starter for congressional Republicans. 'I can tell you that out in the district this week, I heard a lot about that,' Hinson said about a proposal from President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats to increase the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. 'It would be a poison pill to many of our small businesses and the rural economy.'" [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 1/29/21]
2021: Ashley Hinson Opposed The $15 Minimum Wage In COVID Relief Bill According to Gazette, "That includes, Hinson said, stopping a $15 per hour minimum wage proposal from going forward in the House's $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill, which she called a 'blue state bailout' that would prevent companies from adding jobs in Iowa, where the minimum wage is $7.25 per hour." [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 2/5/21]
2021: Ashley Hinson Voiced Concern $15 Minimum Wage Would Harm Iowa Jobs According to Gazette, "This one-size-fits-all mandate will kill Iowa jobs and businesses," Hinson said, adding she would "do everything I can to make sure it's not in the relief package." [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 2/5/21]
2021: Ashley Hinson Opposed Minimum Wage Increase In COVID-19 Relief Package According to a letter to the editor published in Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), "James Q. Lynch reported on 1st District U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson's claim that the COVID-19 relief package currently under consideration is 'full of liberal policy wish list ideas' like raising the minimum wage, which would be a 'poison pill' to small businesses and the rural economy." [Letter to the Editor - Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 2/8/21]
February 2021: Hinson Opposed Potential Minimum Wage Increase In Relief Bill According to Globe Gazette, "Hinson even floated the possibility that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi or Senate Democrats might still include the minimum wage hike, which would raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour over five years. [...] 'I just can't support that.'" [Globe Gazette, 2/26/21]
2021: Hinson Opposed Potential Inclusion Of $15 Minimum Wage Hike In Relief Bill According to Waterloo Courier, "Hinson even floated the possibility that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi or Senate Democrats might still include the minimum wage hike, which would raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour over five years. 'I'm hopeful that the Senate doesn't overrule the parliamentarian, but that's still possible,' she said. 'I just can't support that.'" [Waterloo Courier (Iowa), 2/26/21]
Ashley Hinson Voiced Opposition To Minimum Wage Hike Component In 2021 Relief Bill According to Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (IA), '"I'm hopeful that the Senate doesn't overrule the parliamentarian, but that's still possible,' she said. 'I just can't support that.'" [Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (IA), 2/26/21]
February 2021: Hinson Expressed Opposition To Minimum Wage Provision In COVID Relief Bill According to Waterloo Courier, 'I'm hopeful that the Senate doesn't overrule the parliamentarian, but that's still possible,' she said. 'I just can't support that.' [Waterloo Courier (Iowa), 2/26/21]
February 2021: Hinson Opposed Minimum Wage Hike Provision In Relief Bill According to Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (IA), "The House version would raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour over five years, but the Senate parliamentarian disallowed that proposal from Senate consideration. 'I'm hopeful that the Senate doesn't overrule the parliamentarian, but that's still possible,' she said. 'I just can't support that.'" [Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (IA), 2/27/21]
2021: Hinson Called Proposed Minimum Wage Legislation 'Divisive' According to Gazette, "Hinson called the minimum wage legislation 'divisive.'" [Gazette, 4/16/21]
2022: Hinson Introduced Legislative Bill To Modify Overtime Training Pay Rules Under FLSA According to Gazette, "The Marion Republican introduced a bill that would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to exempt employers from having to pay employees overtime for training and similar activities outside of work." [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 7/25/22]
Ashley Hinson Introduced Bill to Exempt Voluntary Training from Overtime Pay Requirement According to Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (IA), 'The Marion Republican introduced a bill that would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to exempt employers from having to pay employees overtime for training and similar activities outside of work. The bill would excluded time spent attending or participating in lectures, classes or training programs from hours worked ... provided attendance is voluntary and outside the employee's regular working hours; the employee does not perform any productive work during attendance; and not participating will not adversely affect their employment and working conditions.' [Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (IA), 7/25/22]
2022: Letter Writer Deb Lechtenberg Stated Hinson Voted Against HR7 on Gender-based Pay Discrimination According to a letter to the editor published in Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), "But when a bill came before Congress to tighten federal laws against gender-based pay discrimination she voted against it. HR7 (Equal Pay for Women) had bipartisan support, but not Hinson's." [Letter to the Editor - Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 8/5/22]
2021: Iowa Maintained $7.25 Federal Minimum Wage According to KWWL, "Iowa currently sits at the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. While some states have raised their minimum wage, the federal minimum wage has remained the same since 2009." [KWWL, 2/2/21]
2023: Ashley Hinson Promoted Policies To Help Iowa Truckers According to an opinion piece by Ashley Hinson in Iowa Torch, "By getting more truckers on the road, we can strengthen our supply chain, connect Iowans with great career..." [Ashley Hinson - Iowa Torch, 12/14/23]
2021: Ashley Hinson Highlighted Workforce Shortages And Supported Economic Recovery Efforts According to The Gazette, Hinson is hearing about workforce shortages and "she has supported help for those unable to work because of COVID-19 but said now there's a need to get the economy up and running again." [The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 9/8/21]
2021: Hinson Addressed Workforce Shortages, Advocated For Economic Reopening According to Daily Nonpareil, "As she's making her third trip in eight months through the 20 counties of the 1st District, Hinson is hearing about workforce shortages. She said she has supported help for those unable to work because of COVID-19 but said now there's a need to get the economy up and running again." [Daily Nonpareil, 9/8/21]
October 2021: Hinson Said Workplace Issues Were Intersecting, Making Staffing Difficult According to The Gazette, "In visits to the YMCA and Oak Street Manufacturing in Monticello on Monday, as well as other stops around the district, Hinson said employers are telling her the issues are intersecting in ways making it difficult to meet workplace needs." [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 10/18/21]
October 2021: Hinson Commented On The Need For New Workforce Policies Post-Pandemic According to The Gazette, 'There's no magic pill," she said, adding that pre-pandemic policies are unlikely to meet today's needs.' [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 10/18/21]
October 2021: Ashley Hinson Stated Expanded Unemployment Benefits Contributed To Workforce Shortage According to Journal-Eureka, "Hinson pointed to expanded unemployment benefits that are still available in some states as a contributing factor." [Journal-Eureka (Anamosa, Iowa), 10/21/21]
2016: Wayne Kreutner Stated Ashley Hinson Was Dedicated to Helping Iowa Employers Recruit and Retain a Quality Workforce According to a letter to the editor published in Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), "She also is dedicated to helping Iowa’s employers recruit and retain a quality workforce. She knows what it takes to help Iowa’s businesses grow and expand." [Letter to the Editor - Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 10/19/16]
October 2023: Hinson Discussed Barriers To Local Workforce With Dubuque Leaders According to Telegraph Herald, "U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, talked with area business and economic development leaders Monday about barriers causing local workforce problems and the chances of federal solutions." [Telegraph Herald, 10/31/23]
December 2023: Hinson Promoted Bill To Lower Minimum Age For Interstate Truck Drivers To 18 According to Telegraph Herald, "U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, spoke with trucking industry leaders in Dubuque about her bill to lower the minimum age of commercial truck drivers allowed to cross state lines from 21 to 18." [Telegraph Herald, 12/8/23]
Hinson Cited Military Example To Support Lower Driving Age For Truckers According to Telegraph Herald, "Hinson also pointed out that 18-year-olds are allowed to drive heavy machinery if they join the military." [Telegraph Herald, 12/8/23]
Hinson Claimed REAL Trucking Act Differs From 2021 Pilot By Making Changes Nationwide According to Telegraph Herald, "She said her bill differs from to a similar pilot program included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 because it would encode the age change nationwide instead of as a limited pilot." [Telegraph Herald, 12/8/23]
Hinson Recognized Pushback On Lowering Driving Age Based On Safety Concerns According to Telegraph Herald, "Hinson acknowledged that pushback to such proposals to lower commercial driver's license age requirements typically are based on safety concerns, either for the drivers or others on the road. But she questioned if those held water any longer, given technological advancements and young adults being able to drive professionally within many states." [Telegraph Herald, 12/8/23]
December 2023: Ashley Hinson Introduced Bill To Lower Commercial Truck Driver Age For Interstate Travel According to Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), "U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, spoke with trucking industry leaders in Dubuque about her bill that proposes lowering the minimum age of commercial truck drivers allowed to cross state lines from 21 to 18." [Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), 12/9/23]
Ashley Hinson Stated Goal Of REAL Trucking Act Was To Address Workforce Shortages According to Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), "Hinson also said she hopes the bill would help address workforce shortages in the trucking industry." [Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), 12/9/23]
Ashley Hinson Cited Allowance For 18-Year-Olds To Drive Heavy Machinery In Military According to Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), "Hinson also pointed out that 18-year-olds in the military are allowed to drive heavy machinery while serving." [Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), 12/9/23]
December 2023: Ashley Hinson Proposed Lowering Minimum Age For Interstate Truck Drivers To 18 According to Telegraph Herald, "U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, spoke with trucking industry leaders in Dubuque about her bill that proposes lowering the minimum age of commercial truck drivers allowed to cross state lines from 21 to 18." [Telegraph Herald, 12/9/23]
December 2023: Hinson Authored The REAL Trucking Act To Address Trucking Workforce Barriers According to Telegraph Herald, "Hinson's Reciprocity Efficiency and Age Limitation (REAL) Trucking Act is designed to reduce barriers for young adults interested in a career in trucking but who work in places such as Dubuque that border other states, which restricts their legal movement." [Telegraph Herald, 12/9/23]
December 2023: Hinson Sought To Address Trucking Industry Labor Shortage Through Legislation According to Telegraph Herald, "Hinson also said she hopes the bill would help address workforce shortages in the trucking industry." [Telegraph Herald, 12/9/23]
December 2023: Hinson Highlighted Ongoing Impact Of Age Restrictions For Young Truck Drivers According to Telegraph Herald, "Somebody can drive all the way across (Iowa on) Highway 20 but can't drive across the (state) borders into Minnesota or Wisconsin or Illinois," she said of current regulations. [Telegraph Herald, 12/9/23]
December 2023: Hinson Commented On The Corporate Structure and Manufacturing Innovations At XL Specialized Trailers According to Manchester Press (Iowa), "On this tour today I learned more about the corporate structure of XL Specialized Trailers," she said. "They value their employees and have a true bottom-up approach. I think that is a real innovative way to look at the manufacturing sector. It was neat to see the entire process, the assembly line all the way from how they design these trailers and how they customize them, to when they are getting them out and turning them out on the road." [Manchester Press (Iowa), 12/27/23]
January 2024: Hinson Introduced Workforce Building Package Including The REAL Trucking Act, BEST Act, and Workforce Solutions Act According to Daily Nonpareil, "Hinson introduced a package of three bills aimed at growing the workforce in Iowa. One bill, the REAL Trucking Act has been introduced and would allow 18- to 20-year-olds with commercial driver's licenses to travel across state lines. The BEST Act would provide tax credits for employers training workers who are not seeking a college degree. The third bill, the Workforce Solutions Act, would study barriers in seeking careers in energy and manufacturing." [Daily Nonpareil, 1/18/24]
April 2, 2025: Hinson Disagreed With Caller Criticizing Department For Government Efficiency Cuts And Trump Tariffs According to Iowa City Press-Citizen (Iowa), 'Another woman, identified as Carla from Linn County, was more hostile, telling Hinson she was "extremely unhappy with your performance in Washington." She challenged Hinson on cuts that have come from the Department for Government Efficiency and Trump's tariffs. "Thank you, Carla, for calling in tonight, and I know we have met many times," Hinson responded. "It's good to hear from you. And I just philosophically disagree on DOGE."' [Iowa City Press-Citizen (Iowa), 4/9/25]
2021: Ashley Hinson Estimated Modernizing The System Would Create 10,000 Construction Jobs Over 20 Years According to Gazette, 'She and Grassley think upgrading the system fits nicely into the infrastructure plan, especially in terms of job creation. Modernizing the system would provide roughly 10,000 construction jobs over the lifetime of the program, which is about 20 years of construction, Hinson said.' [Gazette, 7/16/21]
2021: Ashley Hinson Estimated Modernizing The System Would Create 10,000 Construction Jobs Over 20 Years According to Daily Nonpareil, 'Modernizing the system would provide roughly 10,000 construction jobs over the lifetime of the program, which is about 20 years of construction, Hinson said.' [Daily Nonpareil, 7/18/21]
2021: Ashley Hinson Estimated 10,000 Construction Jobs Would Be Created By System Modernization According to Iowa Farmer Today, 'Modernizing the system would provide roughly 10,000 construction jobs over about 20 years of construction, Hinson said.' [Iowa Farmer Today, 7/29/21]
2023: Ashley Hinson Opposed Bidenomics And Advocated For Pro-Worker Policies According to an opinion piece by Ashley Hinson in Iowa Torch, "It is high time that our policies make life easier for working families, help them keep more of..." [Ashley Hinson - Iowa Torch, 9/6/23]
2021: Hinson Commented On Child Care Concerns For Families Returning To Work According to Daily Nonpareil, "Child care has been an issue for many families, Hinson said. It's too soon to tell if people will return to the workforce now that schools are back in session. With vaccines available and employers making accommodations to improve workplace safety, 'we do need to get people back to work,' Hinson said." [Daily Nonpareil, 9/8/21]
2021: Letter Writer Amy Adams Claimed Ashley Hinson Opposed Expansion of Child Tax Credit According to a letter to the editor published in Gazette, "when she continually votes against the best interests of Iowa families like raising the minimum wage and expanding the child tax credit in the American Families Plan she's making it harder for families to provide for themselves." [Letter to the Editor - Gazette, 9/27/21]
October 2021: Hinson Heard Employment Concerns From Local Human Resources Managers According to The Gazette, "Hinson is hearing the same thing from human resources managers around the 1st Congressional District. They tell her many employees, especially mothers, who left the workplace to provide family care and haven't returned." [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 10/18/21]
August 2024: Hinson Called For Expanding Child Tax Credit And Workforce Participation According to Globe Gazette, "We have to get people off the sidelines of the economy and back into the workforce," Hinson said. "We need to grow our population. We need to expand the Child Tax Credit to help support families. We need to bring more manufacturing back to our country, and we need an all-of-the-above energy strategy." [Globe Gazette (Mason City, Iowa), 8/22/24]
Ashley Hinson Characterized Access To Child Care As A Women's, Family, And Workforce Issue In 2025 According to Iowa City Press-Citizen, "Access to child care is a women's issue, a family issue, and a workforce issue." U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson [Iowa City Press-Citizen (Iowa), 2/5/25]
2025: Hinson Emphasized Child Care As A Personal And Workforce Issue According to Des Moines Register, "As a mother, Hinson said she understands the angst parents go through in trying to navigate child care issues. [...] 'Access to child care is a women's issue, a family issue, and a workforce issue.'" [Des Moines Register (Iowa), 2/7/25]
April 2025: Hinson Emphasized Accountability And Efficiency In Government Agencies, Including VA According to Daily Nonpareil, "Hinson acknowledged the concerns and emphasized the need for efficiency and accountability in government agencies, including the VA, and reiterated her commitment to supporting veterans and ensuring they have good jobs and access to necessary services." [Daily Nonpareil (Council Bluffs, Iowa), 4/24/25]
February 2021: Hinson Linked Workforce Issues To Immigration Reform And Childcare According to Globe Gazette, 'Hinson believes there is a synergy between workforce issues and immigration reform.' [...] 'Childcare access and affordability is something that continues to be a theme no matter where I go.' [Globe Gazette (Mason City, Iowa), 2/18/21]
Ashley Hinson Claimed Expanding Child Care Was Critical To Economic Recovery In 2021 According to The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), "As we work to rebuild our economy, it is incredibly important that we prioritize expanding trustworthy child care options for working families in Iowa," the Marion Republican said. [The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 3/25/21]
May 2023: Hinson Defended Child Care Bill As Economic Development According to Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), "I would argue that supporting our workforce is economic development and growth," she said. "We're looking at how much additional money, if any, that we need to put toward that. This is absolutely a priority across the rotunda and across the party lines. Employers have been coming to us saying 'We're ready to come to the table,' as well." [Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), 5/28/23]
May 2023: Ashley Hinson Argued Child Care Investment Supports Economic Development According to Telegraph Herald, "But Hinson said last week that the child care bill would be a worthy investment, responding to a question from the TH. 'I would argue that supporting our workforce is economic development and growth,' she said." [Telegraph Herald: Web Edition Articles (Dubuque, Iowa), 5/28/23]
October 2023: Hinson Promoted Expanding Federal Workforce Tax Credit To Support Child Care According to Telegraph Herald, "She said she had promoted expanding access to the federal workforce tax credit, in part to make that available for paying for child care." [Telegraph Herald, 10/31/23]
October 2023: Hinson Gathered Bipartisan Co-sponsors For After Hours Child Care Act According to Telegraph Herald, "Hinson told the Telegraph Herald she had gathered bipartisan co-sponsors for her After Hours Child Care Act, which would open access to existing grant programs for projects to expand child care outside the typical 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday." [Telegraph Herald, 10/31/23]
October 2023: Hinson Supported Incentivizing Growth In Child Care Workforce According to Telegraph Herald, "Hinson said there is bipartisan support for programs to incentivize growth in the child care workforce but that divided government gridlock would be a challenge." [Telegraph Herald, 10/31/23]
Hinson Promoted Expanding Federal Workforce Tax Credit For Child Care According to Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), "She said she had promoted expanding access to the federal workforce tax credit, in part to make that available for paying for child care." [Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), 10/31/23]
Hinson Gathered Bipartisan Co-Sponsors For After Hours Child Care Act According to Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), "Hinson told the Telegraph Herald she had gathered bipartisan co-sponsors for her After Hours Child Care Act, which would open access to existing grant programs for projects to expand child care outside the typical 9a.m. to 5p.m. workday." [Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), 10/31/23]
Hinson Supported Programs To Incentivize Growth In Child Care Workforce According to Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), "Hinson said there is bipartisan support for programs to incentivize growth in the child care workforce but that divided government gridlock would be a challenge." [Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), 10/31/23]
February 2024: Hinson Discussed Women’s Workplace Issues At Leadership Event According to Globe Gazette, "Hinson touched on a number of topics relevant to women in the workplace, including dealing with negative comments, family matters and taking time for yourself." [Globe Gazette (Mason City, Iowa), 2/9/24]
2021: Ashley Hinson Judged It Too Early To Assess School Reopenings’ Impact On Workforce Participation According to Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (IA), "It's too soon to tell if people will return to the workforce now that schools are back in session. [...] 'we do need to get people back to work,' Hinson said." [Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (IA), 9/8/21]
October 2021: Hinson Blamed Enhanced Unemployment Benefits For Workforce Shortage According to Telegraph Herald, 'Another key factor behind the workforce shortage, Hinson said, has been enhanced unemployment benefits. "We, for far too long, paid people to stay home," she said.' [Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), 10/19/21]
October 2021: Hinson Introduced The Back to Work Act According to Telegraph Herald, 'Hinson noted that she recently introduced the Back to Work Act, which would counter House of Representatives Democrats' push for extending federal pandemic unemployment programs into 2022.' [Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), 10/19/21]
October 2021: Hinson Opposed Extending Enhanced Unemployment Benefits According to Telegraph Herald, "Hinson noted that she recently introduced the Back to Work Act, which would counter House of Representatives Democrats' push for extending federal pandemic unemployment programs into 2022." [Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), 10/19/21]
July 2024: Ashley Hinson Led Iowa Delegation Letter Protesting Federal Child Labor Fines According to Des Moines Register, "A letter prepared by U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson's office and signed by her and the five other members of Iowa's congressional delegation - all Republicans like Reynolds - likewise noted the alleged targeting of Iowa." [Des Moines Register (Iowa), 7/3/24]
July 2024: Ashley Hinson Urged Labor Department To Update Child Labor Rules Instead Of Penalizing Iowa Businesses According to Des Moines Register, "Hinson urged the department to update its rules, rather than penalize Iowa businesses. 'We ask the U.S. Department of Labor to assess their own regulations to determine whether they are aligned with our modern work world, support our young workers, meet employers' needs and sustain a strong American economy,' the letter says." [Des Moines Register (Iowa), 7/3/24]
July 2024: Ashley Hinson Questioned Labor Department’s Investigation Standards On Minor Workers According to Des Moines Register, "The Hinson letter asks the department by July 9 to respond to five questions: What steps has the department taken to provide businesses with an opportunity for corrective action prior to issuing a fine? How does the department determine which businesses to investigate? What standards are in place to govern the department's interactions with teenage employees during an investigation? Is it standard practice for the department to demand non-supervised access to teenage employees without parental consent or knowledge? How many similar investigations are taking place in other states - including Illinois and Minnesota - that have state labor laws in conflict with federal law?" [Des Moines Register (Iowa), 7/3/24]
July 2024: Ashley Hinson Voiced Concern Over Heavy-Handed DOL Enforcement Against Iowa Small Businesses According to Des Moines Register, "Hinson said in her news release she is concerned by what she called the DOL's heavy-handed approach in dealing with child labor violations found in Iowa restaurants. 'Rather than working with Iowa small businesses and providing guidance in good faith, the Biden DOL is rushing to immediately slap down hundred-thousand-dollar fines that could force some small businesses to close their doors,' she wrote. 'I am working to get answers and ensure Iowa's small business community isn't steamrolled by DOL bureaucrats.'" [Des Moines Register (Iowa), 7/3/24]
July 2024: Ashley Hinson Claimed Small Businesses Reported Excessive DOL Fines For Child Labor Violations According to Des Moines Register, "Both Hinson and Reynolds said in their letters they have received numerous reports from small business owners of being fined by the Labor Department. 'Small businesses are staples of their community that provide employment opportunities to teenager workers. Rural communities in Iowa would be greatly harmed if these small restaurants were pushed out of business for mistakenly following state regulations, and it is imperative that the Department provides transparency and an opportunity to rectify situations before penalizing small businesses with excessive fines,' Hinson's letter said." [Des Moines Register (Iowa), 7/3/24]
July 2024: Hinson Led Delegation Letter Protesting Federal Child Labor Crackdown According to Iowa City Press-Citizen, "A letter prepared by U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson's office and signed by her and the five other members of Iowa's congressional delegation - all Republicans like Reynolds - likewise noted the alleged targeting of Iowa." [Iowa City Press-Citizen, 7/6/24]
July 2024: Hinson Urged Department Of Labor To Update Child Labor Rules According to Iowa City Press-Citizen, "Hinson urged the department to update its rules, rather than penalize Iowa businesses. 'We ask the U.S. Department of Labor to assess their own regulations to determine whether they are aligned with our modern work world, support our young workers, meet employers' needs and sustain a strong American economy,' the letter says." [Iowa City Press-Citizen, 7/6/24]
July 2024: Hinson Questioned Labor Department Enforcement Practices According to Iowa City Press-Citizen, "The Hinson letter asks the department by July 9 to respond to five questions: What steps has the department taken to provide businesses with an opportunity for corrective action prior to issuing a fine? How does the department determine which businesses to investigate? What standards are in place to govern the department's interactions with teenage employees during an investigation? Is it standard practice for the department to demand non-supervised access to teenage employees without parental consent or knowledge? How many similar investigations are taking place in other states - including Illinois and Minnesota - that have state labor laws in conflict with federal law?" [Iowa City Press-Citizen, 7/6/24]
July 2024: Hinson Expressed Concern Over DOL's Fines On Iowa Businesses According to Iowa City Press-Citizen, "Hinson said in her news release she is concerned by what she called the DOL's heavy-handed approach in dealing with child labor violations found in Iowa restaurants. 'Rather than working with Iowa small businesses and providing guidance in good faith, the Biden DOL is rushing to immediately slap down hundred-thousand-dollar fines that could force some small businesses to close their doors,' she wrote. 'I am working to get answers and ensure Iowa's small business community isn't steamrolled by DOL bureaucrats.'" [Iowa City Press-Citizen, 7/6/24]
November 2023: Hinson Participated In Workforce Challenges Meeting With Dubuque Leaders According to Telegraph Herald, during a meeting between a group of leaders from a diverse set of industries with U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, last week [...] Dixon said during a meeting [...] with U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, last week that his attempts at economic development have suffered because of national corporations' growing focus on large cities only. [Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), 11/6/23]
November 2023: Hinson Met With Tri-State Business Leaders To Discuss Population Growth Challenges According to Telegraph Herald, "Alex Dixon took over as CEO of Q Casino in 2021, after a life in bigger cities. He said during a meeting between a group of leaders from a diverse set of industries with U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, last week that his attempts at economic development have suffered because of national corporations' growing focus on large cities only." [Telegraph Herald: Web Edition Articles (Dubuque, Iowa), 11/6/23]
November 2023: Hinson Met With Dubuque Area Leaders To Discuss Population And Workforce Challenges According to Telegraph Herald, "Alex Dixon took over as CEO of Q Casino in 2021, after a life in bigger cities. He said during a meeting between a group of leaders from a diverse set of industries with U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, last week that his attempts at economic development have suffered because of national corporations' growing focus on large cities only." [Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), 11/7/23]
January 2024: Hinson Emphasized Providing Trade Pathways Rather Than Pushing Four-year Degrees According to Daily Nonpareil, "America's workers are our greatest asset as we work to strengthen our economy and compete with China, but outdated policies are holding everyone back," Hinson said in a news release. Rather than pushing four-year degrees, we should provide pathways to success in the trades and empower workers to excel in their chosen fields." [Daily Nonpareil, 1/18/24]
Hinson Asserted Workforce Shortage In Trucking Motivated Her REAL Trucking Act According to Telegraph Herald, "Hinson's Reciprocity Efficiency and Age Limitation (REAL) Trucking Act is designed to reduce barriers for young adults interested in a career in trucking, [...] Hinson also said she hopes the bill would help address the workforce shortage in the trucking industry." [Telegraph Herald, 12/8/23]