Giving the People a VoiceBy U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Our system of government was designed to be of the people, by the people and for the people. To protect the God-given natural rights of each citizen and preserve our liberty, the U.S. Constitution was specifically designed to limit governmental power. That’s why we have checks and...
By U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyThis month marked the 207th anniversary of the birth of America’s 16th president. School kids across Iowa can tell you that Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin. Many also will know he learned the value of hard work splitting rails and performing other farm chores before becoming a lawyer and ascending to the...
With U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: What are opioids? A: Opioids are prescription medications that doctors prescribe to manage and reduce pain. Sometimes prescribed after surgery, opioids also are used to treat chronic or severe pain from a medical condition or injury. As with any prescription medicine, doctors and patients need to consider the possible...
With U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: Which branch of government has the authority to regulate immigration?A: More than 200 years ago, the architects of our nation baked in the genius of our resilient republic with two founding charters of freedom. The U.S. Constitution establishes three branches of the federal government with separate and independent...
With U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: Why are the Iowa caucuses so significant?A: For more than four decades, presidential candidates have come to Iowa to test the electoral waters. That’s because the Iowa caucuses serve as the first contest in the nation on the road to the White House. On Feb. 1, Iowans will be the very first citizens to cast a...
By U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyAt year’s end, most Americans take stock of the previous 12 months and consider if they met their goals for the year. A review of one’s bank account, pay stub or job status and even a peek at the bathroom scale give folks a pretty good idea if they stayed true to their New Year’s resolutions.When the 114th...
By Chuck GrassleyFor many Americans, the IRS is like the Grinch who stole Christmas.Nothing spoils the spirit of the season like a reminder that Tax Day is little more than three months away. Although no one relishes the idea of paying taxes, for many Americans the rub lies with the sheer complexity of the tax code and mismanagement by the federal agency...
With U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: What is the Every Student Succeeds Act?A: In the first rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) since 2001, the Republican-led Congress restored a much greater degree of local control and decision-making authority to parents, teachers and local school board members in December with bipartisan passage of...
With U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: Why are you working to increase imports of pharmaceuticals from Canada into the United States? A: Americans ought to have the ability to benefit from free markets, including when they fill their prescription medicines. It makes no sense that a woman in Ottumwa, Iowa, would pay double or triple the amount for the same...
By U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyIowans working six ways to Sunday to make ends meet have 18 trillion reasons to resent Washington’s appetite for overspending. The soaring $18 trillion national debt reflects disregard for the taxpaying public, especially younger generations who will be saddled with a crushing tax burden to pay for unbridled Big...
With U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: Why is it important to take every precaution when considering whether to resettle thousands of Syrian refugees in the United States? A: Americans have a generous, compassionate spirit that is reflected in service and philanthropy, such as toy and clothing drives, food pantries and homeless shelters in communities...
With U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: Why is adoption a public policy concern? A: The family is the foundation of American society. For millions of Americans, the season of Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to count our blessings and give thanks for hearth and home. The safety, stability and security of a permanent, loving home reinforces...
With U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: What is your message to Iowans this Veterans Day? A: The nation’s 21 million veterans have served America with sacrifice and service. And Iowa is home to more than 226,000 of these patriots who answered the call to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. Called to duty in times of war, natural catastrophe or...
With U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: What can Congress do to address the high prices for prescription medicines?A: There’s no doubt that the price of prescription medicines is a big concern for Iowans. This issue comes up repeatedly at my town meetings. It’s not only a pocketbook issue that squeezes household budgets. It’s a matter...
By U.S. Sen. Chuck GrassleyIowa is widely known for our first-rate hospitality, first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses and first-class production of corn, soybeans, pork and eggs. Fewer people may realize that our state also is a rising star in America’s clean energy renaissance.In fact, Iowa is leading America’s strategic efforts to foster...
With U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: Why are you working to advance Medicare reforms for rural hospitals? A: This past year, I’ve heard a good deal of feedback from my town meetings in Iowa that acute health care services in rural areas of our state are at risk. A shrinking pool of patients is exposing a funding...
by U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyFamilies across Iowa look forward to fall traditions, from school homecoming events to apple-picking, pumpkin patches and trick-or-treating. Iowa farmers are working longer hours to bring in the harvest, thankful that sunny skies and dry conditions are helping them get a good start on a good crop. This fall I am also...
With U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: Why was a college student awarded $4.1 million in a settlement with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)? A: In 2012, a 20-year-old college student from the University of California-San Diego was found locked up in handcuffs in a DEA detention cell five days after he was mistakenly arrested. He had...
Every college student, regardless of financial situation, wants a shot at the best education. Meanwhile, colleges and universities looking to attract the best and the brightest want to ensure that financial aid goes to those who need it most. I introduced a bipartisan bill earlier this year to remove barriers to making this possible. Just...
The Senate Finance Committee just released the first bipartisan report from Congress on the IRS’ scandal on targeting certain groups over their political leanings.The results of the long-time investigation are alarming for taxpayers. On a bipartisan basis, the committee leaders found the agency mistreated conservative groups seeking tax-exempt...
