The United States Marshals Service is one of the oldest federal law enforcement agencies tasked with the very important responsibility of protecting our judges and apprehending fugitives like the ones on the loose in New York. Many of these agents selflessly put their lives on the line every day to catch dangerous criminals and keep our communities safe....
Every day, law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to protect the communities they live in. So, when I learned that the families of some of Iowa’s fallen officers were waiting sometimes more than three years to learn about the benefits they may receive, dating as far back as 2008, I began asking questions.I wrote to Assistant...
Federal agencies have a natural incentive to keep embarrassing news under wraps. As a result, scores of investigative reports never see the light of day. Slowly, that’s beginning to change. Those of us who appreciate the disinfectant value of sunshine have pushed for this to happen, and our persistence is paying off. The...
The avian flu outbreak that swept through dozens of poultry flocks in Iowa has cost producers hundreds of millions of dollars and put a damper on the state’s economy. Throughout the outbreak, I heard from producers expressing uncertainty about the lack of clarity, guidance and timeliness of government assistance.Last week, the Senate Agriculture...
By U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyThe sights, sounds and smells of summer evoke a distinctive taste of Americana for friends and families in neighborhoods across the country. Annual community festivals and parades in Iowa celebrate local traditions, old and new, that residents look forward to year after year.On the national stage, nothing symbolizes our shared...
Q: What is the federal rule known as “Waters of the United States (WOTUS)?”A: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers released in May a final rule that broadly redefines the scope of a 1972 federal law enacted to protect America’s waterways from pollution. The ruling significantly widens the...
With U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: Why is oversight such a key piece of good government? A: Throughout the last century, the federal government has grown dramatically in size and scope. In addition to providing for the military and veterans on behalf of the American people, the federal government increasingly is called upon to respond to public...
The IRS is in the hot seat for many reasons, such as why it isn’t firing employees over willful tax violations. The latest is computer security weaknesses that allowed the theft of personal financial information for reportedly 104,000 taxpayers.Identity theft can wreak havoc on an individual’s finances and take years to clean up. The...
It’s been a familiar few weeks for biofuels. First, chain restaurants and chicken producers blamed ethanol for raising food prices. Then, the federal government’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) caved to the oil industry in proposing weak requirements for the amount of biofuels to be included in the fuel supply. Those of...
Publicly traded stocks are important to an increasing number of Americans. People might have a stake in the stock market through their retirement accounts or they might use a little extra money to invest in a mutual fund or what might be a rising star company. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which oversees the public markets, puts...
By U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Congratulations to the Class of 2015. Leaving high school or college certainly brings mixed feelings. Remember, closing one door opens an opportunity to knock on another one. Graduates have put in the time and work required to earn a diploma. Now it’s time to make the most of the momentum. As you look to the...
With U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: How is the avian influenza affecting Iowa’s poultry farms and egg production? A: The contagious disease known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is wiping out tens of millions of birds and costing producers hundreds of millions of dollars in losses. In an unprecedented bird flu outbreak in...
Legislation to expand international trade is moving forward in the Senate. I voted in favor of debating a bill to restore Trade Promotion Authority for the executive branch. This authority is seen as critical to wrapping up the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement under negotiation between the United States and 11 other countries....
Despite a crackdown through legislation and law enforcement, synthetic drugs continue to pose a danger to Iowans, especially teen-agers. That’s because cynical manufacturers regularly change one chemical component and often label the products “not intended for human consumption” to evade prosecution under current law. In fact,...
As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I’ve been looking at a range of criminal justice reforms that could garner bipartisan support. Along those lines, I recently laid out a victims reform agenda. This agenda includes several important issues including ensuring that people in court for offenses that could result in imprisonment are...
As first responders to crime, law enforcement officers encounter many dangerous situations. The Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program Reauthorization Act goes a long way in helping communities protect the lives of their officers. I helped shepherd this legislation through the Senate Judiciary Committee which I chair, and it recently passed the...
When President Obama announced his executive order to defer the deportation of thousands of undocumented immigrants, he stressed that violent criminals would not get a free pass. He said removals would focus on “Felons, not families. Criminals, not children. Gang members, not a mom who’s working hard to provide for her...
As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and as part of my Victims Reform Agenda, I’ve put reform and renewal of the juvenile justice law on the committee’s docket. The 40-plus year old Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act has provided guidelines and resources to help states serve troubled adolescents in their local communities....
College savings is a focus in Washington right now. I’m in the thick of Congress’ work to improve the Section 529 college savings plans that are popular in Iowa and across the country.These plans allow a parent or grandparent to start saving money in an account run by each state for a child, grandchild or even the child of family friend....
by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Young, old or in between, every worker collecting a paycheck has a stake in Medicare. The federal health insurance program covering older and permanently disabled citizens is funded through a payroll tax collected on wage earners and cost-sharing by recipients.Medicare has provided health and economic security to more than...
