Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) Research Report The following report contains research on Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a Republican candidate in Iowa’s 2nd district. Research for this research book was conducted by the DCCC’s Research Department between May and June 2020. By accepting this report, you are accepting responsibility for all information and analysis included. Therefore, it is your responsibility to verify all claims against the original documentation before you make use of it. Make sure you understand the facts behind our conclusions before making any specific charges against anyone. Mariannette Miller-Meeks Republican Candidate in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District Research Book – 2020 Last Updated June 2020 Prepared by the DCCC Research Department Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) Research Book | 1 Table of Contents Table of Contents ....................................................................................... 1 Key Findings .............................................................................................. 3 Thematics .................................................................................................. 5 Miller-Meeks Was Bad For Health Care .................................................... 6 Miller-Meeks Was Bad For Iowans ......................................................... 18 Key Visuals.............................................................................................. 36 Personal & Professional History .............................................................. 46 Biography ................................................................................................ 47 Personal Finance ...................................................................................... 55 Political Career ........................................................................................ 56 Iowa Department Of Public Health Tenure .............................................. 76 Donald Trump .......................................................................................... 88 Issues ....................................................................................................... 91 Abortion & Women’s Health Issues ........................................................ 92 Agriculture & Food Access Issues ......................................................... 100 Budget Issues ......................................................................................... 102 Civil Rights & Liberties ......................................................................... 103 COVID-19 ............................................................................................. 106 Crime & Public Safety Issues ................................................................ 113 Education Issues .................................................................................... 116 Election Law & Campaign Finance Issues............................................. 120 Energy Issues ......................................................................................... 124 Environmental Issues ............................................................................. 128 FEMA and Disaster Relief Issues .......................................................... 131 Financial Protections & Wall Street ....................................................... 132 Foreign Policy Issues ............................................................................. 135 Gun Issues ............................................................................................. 141 Health Care Issues ................................................................................. 143 Housing Issues ....................................................................................... 160 Infrastructure & Transportation Issues ................................................... 161 Judicial Issues ........................................................................................ 162 Labor & Working Families .................................................................... 164 Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) Research Book | 2 LGBT Issues .......................................................................................... 166 Immigration & Border Issues ................................................................. 168 National Defense & Security Issues ....................................................... 172 Seniors’ Issues ....................................................................................... 174 Tax Issues .............................................................................................. 180 Technology Issues ................................................................................. 185 Trade & Outsourcing Issues ................................................................... 187 Veterans & Military Family Issues ........................................................ 192 Appendix I – Personal Financial Disclosures ......................................... 194 Appendix II – Campaign Finance .......................................................... 206 Appendix III – Paid Media Summary ................................................ 221 Appendix IV – State Senate Bill Sponsorships & Votes ........................ 222 Appendix V – Office Expenditures ........................................................ 227 Appendix VI – Travel Expenditures ...................................................... 228 Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) Research Book | 3 Key Findings Miller-Meeks Was Bad For Health Care In 2010, Miller-Meeks called for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act… According to the Hawk Eye, “While calling herself an independent conservative, Miller-Meeks is following the Republican call for a ‘repeal and replace’ of the health care reform legislation signed into law late last month.” Miller-Meeks said “I would repeal- and-replace this law with reforms that actually reduce health care costs, increase portability while increasing accessibility.” …and Miller-Meeks said she would repeal the Affordable Care Act in February 2014. Miller-Meeks said “Looking at the Affordable Care Act, there are ways we can change it, modify it, and/or, if possible, repeal it…” But later in 2014, Miller-Meeks dodged questions about if she supported repeal while continuing to be critical of the legislation, leaving “wiggle-room” to vote for repeal if elected. According to the Clinton Herald, “Moderators challenged her several times to answer whether she would repeal the ACA” and Miller-Meeks said “there are changes and reform that needs to be made so this is palatable.” The Des Moines Register reported that while “Miller-Meeks mentioned the Affordable Care Act immediately in the debate as being unaffordable, she refused to say whether she’d repeal the bill.” Press-Citizen Editorial Board wrote that “Miller-Meeks always leaves enough wiggle-room so… she would be able to vote for a full-on repeal of Obamacare without having to betray any campaign promises.” In 2020, Miller-Meeks was critical of the Affordable Care Act, but did not mention repeal Miller-Meeks has been specifically critical of Essential Health Benefits in the Affordable Care Act, which require coverage of maternity care and prescription drugs. Miller-Meeks has said “In the ACA, some of the essential benefits are much more than what people had before so that led to increased cost,” and that “You look at me and you can tell I’m not a spring chicken. So the ideal policy for me would not have maternity, not have in vitro fertilization.” Before the Affordable Care Act’s essential benefits coverage, policies routinely did not cover pregnancy or mental health care, and one in ten policies did not cover prescription drugs. According to the Des Moines Register Editorial Board, Miller-Meeks had “little to say” about Affordable Care Act implementation, despite her role as Director of the Department of Public Health Miller-Meeks opposed the federal health reform law as a candidate but as public health director she favored health insurance exchanges. Under Miller-Meeks leadership, the Department of Public Health had a number of controversies. Miller- Meeks signed a $20,000 settlement with an employee who lost her job but filed a grievance stating that her termination was based on politics. According to a Des Moines Register Editorial, Miller-Meeks failed to stand up for HIV-positive Iowans when a federally funded high-risk insurance pool refused to provide health insurance Iowans that were HIV-positive. The Department came under fire after a state audit report exposed the agency for not inspecting funeral homes that was required by state law. Miller-Meeks was accused of disregarding state law by not consulting the Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Commission before hiring a new administrator for the tobacco use prevention division. Miller-Meeks cut the position of Iowa’s Division of Tobacco Use Prevention and Control official and the move was due to budget cuts, leaving the division too small to operate alone. Miller-Meeks claimed she had spoken to the Iowa Attorney General who said her actions were legal but the AG said they did not advise Miller-Meeks. Miller-Meeks was rejected by the Iowa Senate to serve on the Iowa Hawk-I Board due to her record as Director of the Department of Public Health. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) Research Book | 4 Miller-Meeks Was Bad For Iowa Miller-Meeks was bad for Iowa’s seniors. In 2008, Miller-Meeks supported privatizing