1st District Democrats give Blum failing grades

CEDAR RAPIDS - Midterm grades are out and Iowa 1st District Democrats are giving GOP Rep. Rod Blum an F for his efforts.

A handful of Cedar Rapids area Democrats delivered a 'recess report card” to Blum's Cedar Rapids office Thursday morning, giving him failing grades on his votes and actions on issues they said are important to Iowa families.

'During his short time in Washington, Rod Blum has made it crystal clear that he does not put Iowa families first,” said Stonewall Democrats Chair Devin Kelly of Cedar Rapids. 'Rod Blum has already voted to end Medicare as we know it, cut Pell Grants for Iowa students and even supported legislation that would permit discrimination against LGBT Americans.

'Iowa working families deserve far better than Rod Blum and his out-of-touch record,” Kelly said.

The Democrats attempted to leave the report card with Blum's district staff, but the office door was locked. A sign on the door said: 'Out of office. Will return shortly.”

'Out of office, out of touch,” Joe Stutler of Marion said as he helped place the report card outside the office.

However, Blum spokesman Keegan Conway said it's the Democratic Party that is out of step with Iowa families.

'The Iowa Democrats represent big government, higher taxes, more debt and more federal intrusion into the lives of Americans, so it's no surprise that they oppose Congressman Blum's efforts to rein in our burdensome federal government, protect freedom for all Americans, and change the status quo by fighting the political class in Washington, D.C.,” he said.