Iowans tell me they want Congress to pull back on the reins and stop overspending. As Iowa’s senior U.S. Senator, I couldn’t agree more. When holiday shoppers go overboard in December, they often pay the price after the New Year when the bills are due.
Many households trim spending to get back on track. But when lawmakers ring up annual deficits that drive...
Q: What is the history of the Iowa Caucus?
A: Since 1976, Iowahas been home to the first-in-the-nation Presidential Caucus. Serving as the first caucus state comes with a great responsibility, and Iowans have taken this charge seriously. Candidates seeking their party’s presidential nomination understand the political significance of the caucus....
As the end of the calendar year draws to an end, a spiritual season of worship, celebration and generosity begins. More people are likelier to open their hearts and pocketbooks to charitable causes.
No matter the time of year, charitable giving is a noble and worthy sacrifice to help those in need.
In fact, charitable donations are woven into the social...
Q: Is there federal legislation being proposed to help veterans?
A: On December 7, 1941, our country was stripped of peace when the naval base atPearl Harborwas attacked. We were immediately drawn into the second World War and brave soldiers from across theUnited Statesanswered the call to arms. Those who put their country before self either at home or...
Q: Has Medicare Part D been effective?
A: As Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which is responsible for Medicare legislation, I led the effort in the Senate to bring Medicare in line with the 21st century and modern medicine by helping shepherd through Congress in 2003 the first-ever Medicare prescription drug benefit. Today, Medicare Part D provides...
AsIowafarmers harvest the bounty ofAmerica’s agricultural abundance, families and friends across the country prepare to gather for the annual Thanksgiving feast.
Sound stewardship and rich natural resources have long allowed the American farmer to help stop hunger and provideU.S.food security.
Today a farmer’s bounty also contributes toU.S.energy security as...
Q: What is the outlook on this year’s harvest?
A: The spirit of cooperation that existed between the Native Americans and the pilgrims led to a bountiful harvest and the celebration of our nation’s first thanksgiving. As the combines and wagons come in from fields across Iowa, it appears as if our state is set to have yet another bumper crop. The...
Q: What is the history behind Veterans Day?
A: In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice was reached between the Allied nations andGermanymarking the end of fighting in World War I. Woodrow Wilson declared November 11, 1919, the first commemoration of Armistice Day, honoring both those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and those...
Q: What is the Alternative Minimum Tax?
A: In 1969, it was discovered that 155 ofAmerica’s wealthiest taxpayers paid no income tax by utilizing legal deductions and tax shelters. In order to make sure these renegade rich paid their share, Congress enacted the Alternative Minimum Tax. This new tax was created to promote tax fairness, not to raise revenue....
Bugs Bunny posed his famous query to the likes of Elmer Fudd and Wile E. Coyote. The iconic rabbit ruffled the feathers of his antagonists with one simple quip: “What’s Up, Doc?”
As Iowa’s senior U.S. Senator, I work tirelessly to represent the interests of my home state and hold the people’s government accountable to the taxpaying public. As presidential...
Q: What is Country of Origin Labeling?
A: As a family farmer, I take pride in the fact that the crops we harvest in the heartland make it to dinner tables around the world. A lot of people want to know where the food on their tables comes from. Congress responded to this sentiment five years ago when it passed the Country of Origin Labeling Act -- or COOL --...
Frequent flyers have come to expect frequent delays, unexpected flight cancellations and packed flights as air travel exceeds levels prior to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The layovers and uncertainty cause plenty of inconvenience for leisure and business travelers.
Besides messing up vacation plans and family functions, the U.S. Transportation Secretary says...
Growing up, my dad always reached for the pliers in his pocket. It seemed he could fix anything on the farm that needed fixing with this indispensable tool. Workers in every profession reach for must-have tools of the trade to help get the job done.
When I’m working at home on our family farm, I keep the pliers handy, too. AsIowa’s senior U.S. Senator, I...
Q: What is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
A: This October marks the 22nd observance of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote breast cancer awareness, provide information and stress the importance of early detection of this deadly disease. Today, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. More than 175,000 women in...
Q: What is the Combat Meth Act?
A: The devastating impact of meth spreads well beyond just drug users. Meth hurts families, particularly the children of meth users, as well as the larger community that gets hit with the damage this terrible drug inflicts on our society. Unlike other drugs, meth can be home cooked from easily accessible ingredients which has...
Q: What is the Physician Payments Sunshine Act?
A: I introduced legislation in September that would require manufacturers of pharmaceutical drugs, devices and biologics to disclose the amount of money they give to doctors through consulting fees, gifts, honoraria, travel and other means. Right now the public has no way to know whether a doctor has been given...
Q: What is the August Recess?
A: Every August, both houses of Congress take a one month recess from normal legislative business. While this is called a recess, I believe a more appropriate term is the August district work period. The Senate is generally in session Monday through Friday, leaving only the weekend for members to return home. Therefore many...
Q: What is SCHIP?
A: The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was designed to provide health coverage to low-income, uninsured children whose parents do not qualify for Medicaid or have the means to afford private health insurance. As the top Republican Member on the Senate Finance Committee, I helped draft a bipartisan bill this summer to...
Congress is immersed in the annual give-and-take necessary to pass the 12 spending bills that will fund the federal government for the 12 months starting Oct. 1.
Lawmakers are hammering out the details of a $2.9 trillion budget blueprint that will distribute tax revenue from the Federal Treasury.
Spending decisions will invest hard-earned tax dollars to...
Q: What is being done for gifted and talented students?
A: Iowahas long been considered a leader in education. This tradition of excellence is due in large part to the quality of the teachers within our schools. We must invest in our children’s future by preserving this quality and making sure our teachers have all the tools necessary to prepare students for...
