Iowa Congressowan Cindy Axne of Iowa’s third congressional district will have her work cut out for her when it comes to winning reelection next year. She’s ranked as one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the nation on what is widely expected to be a banner year for Congressional Republicans.

This week a group called House Majority Forward recently released an ad that states, “That’s why our Congresswoman Cindy Axne worked hard to pass a bill that’s… getting our children back to school…”

The claim that Axne was instrumental in “getting our children back to school” is the starting point of this Iowa Field Report FAKE or FACT Check.

Iowans wanted their kids back in the classroom, but it wasn’t because of Axne’s “work.” Here’s the truth – children are in the classroom because of our Republican Governor Kim Reynolds.

Timeline:

• On January 12th Reynolds called on the Iowa Legislature to bring a bill to her desk requiring all Iowa schools to offer in-person instruction.
• Senate File 160 was signed into law on January 29th.
• Starting the week of February 15th, Iowa schools were required to offer a 100 percent in-person learning option.
• On February 28th, the House of Representatives took their first vote on the American Rescue Plan.
• The American Rescue Plan was signed into law on March 11th.

While the Axne campaign is not running the ad, Iowa Field Report can find zero evidence that the congresswoman refuted the praise or distanced herself from the ad’s claims. It’s based on Axne’s silence and seeming willingness to deceive voters, leading us to rate her effort as FAKE.

Claim: Congresswoman Cindy Axne got Iowa kids back to school.

Truth:  Based on the timeline above, it was Gov. Kim Reynold who got kids back to school, NOT Rep. Cindy Axne.

Rating:  FAKE