Q. What is Memorial Day and why do we celebrate it?
A. Memorial Day, previously known as Decoration Day, was originally dedicated to honoring Union soldiers who died during the Civil War. It has since been expanded to honor all men and women who died while in military service. Impromptu Decoration Day celebrations began in 1865, and it became an organized...
Q. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently sent a letter providing an analysis of additional costs of the health care reform enacted this year. How are there already higher costs?
A. The earlier March CBO score did not include estimates of all discretionary spending in the new law. This spending falls into three main categories: start up costs for the...
Q: What is the ONDCP, and what does it do?
A: The ONDCP is the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. The ONDCP was established through the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, to develop policy priorities and objectives regarding the fight against illegal drugs. The Director of the ONDCP advises the President on issues that may affect anti-drug efforts...
It’s no wonder public opinion towards the federal government is sinking to historic lows. Consider the disingenuous public relations strategy undertaken by General Motors (GM) and the Treasury Department. With great fanfare, the U.S. automaker boasted that it was paying back billions of tax dollars to Uncle Sam thanks to an upswing in car sales.
Upon closer...
Q: What is the ONDCP, and what does it do?
A: The ONDCP is the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. The ONDCP was established through the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, to develop policy priorities and objectives regarding the fight against illegal drugs. The Director of the ONDCP advises the President on issues that may affect anti-drug efforts...
Q: How exactly is the claim made that General Motors paid back a multi-billion dollar taxpayer-supported government bailout loan “in full, with interest, ahead of schedule, because more customers are buying vehicles.”
A: Here’s what’s happened and, unfortunately, the reality doesn’t match the rhetoric. As part of the government bailout of the automakers, the...
Q: What is Physical Fitness and Sports Month?
A: May was first declared National Physical Fitness and Sports Month by President Ronald Reagan, in 1983, to encourage Americans to incorporate more activity into their daily lives. The reminder is even more important today as screen time increases with TVs, computers and video games. Living an active lifestyle...
Q: What is Older Americans Month?
A: Older Americans Month celebrates and honors the ongoing contributions and legacies of older Americans. The tradition of Older Americans Month goes back to 1963, when President John F. Kennedy declared May to be Senior Citizens Month. The tradition has lived on each year since, but the name was changed to Older Americans...
Q: How did National Foster Care Month begin?
A: Since 1988, May has been designated as National Foster Care Month. The purpose of National Foster Care Month is to honor the generous contribution and commitment that foster parents make in providing care to over 500,000 children and teenagers in foster care nationwide. I’ve worked in the Senate to strengthen...
Q: What takes place during Money Smart Week?
A: Money Smart Week is an effort by financial institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and community groups to promote personal financial literacy. Money Smart Week began in 2002 when Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President, Michael Moskow, brought these kinds of organizations together to share...
Q: Included in the health care reform reconciliation bill was a major change to the student loan program. What does it do?
A: Currently, most American college students with Stafford student loans received federally backed loans from the private bank of their choice. Other college students, whose school chose to participate in the government Direct Loan...
Q: What is Sexual Assault Awareness Month?
A: The month of April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in order to highlight the need to prevent sexual assault. According to a National Violence Against Women survey, one in six American women has been a victim of rape or attempted rape. Sexual assault also includes any unwanted sexual contact and...
Q: How can Iowans prepare for flooding this spring?
A: Flooding can be very dangerous for both people and property. With 2008 flooding still fresh in Iowans’ minds and flooding already becoming an issue in parts of Iowa this spring, we’re all aware that this isn’t a drill. Knowledge is power, and that’s why the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and...
Q: Will Congress keep its good health care even if it passes a bill to change the health care system for everyone else?
A: I don’t support the health care bill passed by the Senate in December because it would mean higher taxes, higher health insurance premiums, more government spending and a raid on Medicare to fund a costly new entitlement program....
Q: What is Red Cross Month?
A: Red Cross Month provides an opportunity to educate citizens and their communities about services provided by the Red Cross to the public. The Red Cross isn’t a government agency. It’s an independent, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is defined by congressional charter to help fulfill the United States’ treaty...
Politicians don’t need to be mind readers these days to keep tabs on the public pulse. While the U.S. economy inches towards recovery, millions of unemployed workers still search for jobs, households cut back on spending, dip into savings or fall deeper into debt and homeowners watch home prices waver. A measurement of consumer confidence sank again in...
by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
As Americans, we share collective memories of singular moments that shape and define us as a nation. Many people vividly recall where they were the day Neil Armstrong planted the U.S. flag on the moon, JFK was assassinated, the Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated, the Berlin Wall fell, and when thousands of innocent people...
by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
As Americans, we share collective memories of singular moments that shape and define us as a nation. Many people vividly recall where they were the day Neil Armstrong planted the U.S. flag on the moon, JFK was assassinated, the Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated, the Berlin Wall fell, and when thousands of innocent people...
Q: When did the Winter Olympics start?
A: The Nordic Games were the first international multi-sport event specifically for winter sports. The Nordic Games were held in 1901, in Sweden, and organized by a charter member of the International Olympic Committee, General Viktor Gustaf Balck. Balck wanted winter sports added to the Olympics and, in 1908, got four...
Q: Why is transparency in the federal government so important?
A: I’ve worked for years to make the federal government a more accessible and transparent operation. The public’s business ought to be public. So, I had high hopes when President Obama pledged to make his administration more transparent than any other. Unfortunately, this campaign pledge has yet...
