On July 4, 1776, America's earliest political leaders declared independence from royal sovereignty and established the historic foundation for our system of self-government.
As we celebrate America's 233rd birthday, today's political leaders face historic challenges with the troubled U.S. economy, two wars, the terrorist threat, and unsustainable financial...
Unless you've survived a natural disaster, it's hard to imagine the devastation and despair that 500-year-flood waters last summer have brought to Eastern Iowa residents, neighborhoods and businesses.
Last May, I watched from my farmhouse in Butler County when a violent spring storm turned into a deadly tornado, devastating the neighboring town of...
Q: What is Flag Day?
A: Flag Day celebrates the anniversary of the adoption of the American flag by the Continental Congress on June 14th, 1777. Flag Day is still celebrated on June 14th, but it wasn't officially recognized as a federal holiday until 1949, when Congress approved it, and President Harry Truman signed it into law. Flag Day provides us all with...
The economic recession has put millions of Americans out of work. Joblessness puts a heavy burden on households to put food on the table, not to mention keeping ahead of debt. Widespread unemployment also means lower tax revenues for government programs financed by tax dollars.
Consider the cash-strapped entitlement programs serving the nation's disabled and...
Most parents can relate to the saying that if you give an inch, they’ll take a mile. It seems second nature for kids to test the rules, whether they’re toddlers or teenagers. Without limits and consequences, things evolve into chaos pretty quickly.
In a lot of ways, the same thing can be said for accountability and oversight of the federal government. If...
Q: What is National Dairy Month?
A: National Dairy Month is celebrated in June to show milk's nutritional benefits and recognize the hard work of dairy farmers. Dairy products' popularity took off in 1993, when the California Milk Processor Board began their 'Got Milk?' campaign. Since then, the slogan has gone national with celebrities promoting the many...
Q: What is the history of Memorial Day?
A: Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and originated just after the Civil War. While there are many stories about its origin, the first large observance occurred in 1868, when members of a Union veterans group called the Grand Army of the Republic decorated both Union and Confederate graves at Arlington...
Q: What is National Military Appreciation Month?
A: Since 1999, Congress has designated May as National Military Appreciation Month 'to honor the current and former members of the armed forces, including those who have died in the pursuit of freedom and peace.' Every weekday morning, as I drive to work at the U.S. Capitol, Arlington Cemetery is in the...
Q: What advice would you give to graduating high school students?
A: The first thing I'd say to graduating high school students would be congratulations and job well done. Graduating from high school is a time of great joy for students receiving their diploma. Years of hard work have paid off. It's also a fork in the road where students make choices about...
Q: What is National Crime Victims' Rights Week?
A: National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 26th – May 2nd, is a time to promote victims' rights as well as honor crime victims and those who work on their behalf. Often rallies, candlelight vigils and other activities are held to commemorate and promote victims' rights. National Crime Victims' Rights Week...
Q: What is Older Americans Month?
A: President Kennedy first declared May to be Senior Citizens Month in 1963. The proclamation was changed by President Carter, in 1980, to Older Americans Month, but the tradition has since lived on. Older Americans Month gives us all a chance to think about the issues that affect older Americans' quality of life. Each year,...
Q: What is Medicare Part D?
A: Medicare Part D is the portion of Medicare that handles prescription drug benefits. In 2003, Congress took an important step in caring for our nation's seniors by creating the first-ever Medicare prescription drug benefit. When the Medicare program itself was established in 1965, the practice of medicine focused on putting...
Q: What is National Library Week?
A: National Library Week, April 12–18, celebrates libraries, librarians and library workers for their valuable contributions to our communities and promotes library use and support. National Library Week began in 1957, when a National Book Committee started working to respond to Americans spending less money and time on...
Q: What is a credit report?
A: Credit reports are summaries of our creditworthiness used by creditors or lenders. There are three nationwide consumer reporting companies which collect credit information – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The information collected and placed on a credit report includes personal data, a summary of credit history, detailed...
Q: What are Cherry Blossoms?
A: Cherry Blossoms cover the cherry trees that surround the Tidal Basin at the base of the Jefferson Monument and are found many other places in the nation’s capital city. They are truly a thing of beauty. Based on the history of the trees in Washington, the pink and white blossoms today symbolize friendship and giving. As we...
Q: Do you offer internship opportunities in your offices?
A: I strongly encourage any young Iowans that are even the least bit interested in government to apply to be an intern in either my Washington or Iowa offices. An internship in my office isn’t the do nothing, coffee making position that’s seen in the movies and on television. When interns come to...
Grassley Q & A: Government Accountability
February 27, 2009
Q: What does government accountability mean to you?
A: The federal government needs to be held accountable for its actions. Accountability helps to maintain the confidence and faith of the American people and is best accomplished by the government performing its work in an open and transparent...
Q: Can you explain your 'Eye on Government' program?
A: Last spring, I held my first 'Eye on Government' program with the high school government class at Prairie City-Monroe. This new program takes advantage of the Iowa Communication Network by connecting me to a different high school government or history class each month via video conference while I'm in...
Q: What is a community delegation visit to Washington?
A: This year, over 17 community delegations will travel from Iowa to Washington, DC to promote economic development and other initiatives to improve their home communities. The delegations include chambers of commerce, local elected officials, employers, and other community leaders and representatives....
Q: What is the Senate Agriculture Committee?
A: The United States Senate divides its work into committees with the Senate Agriculture Committee handling legislation on the federal government's agricultural programs including conservation, farm commodity and nutrition programs. The Senate Agriculture Committee is also responsible for conducting oversight of...
