Q. What’s going on with the 2001–2003 tax cuts?
A. The marginal rate cuts and the family tax relief of the bipartisan tax reform that was enacted in 2001 and 2003 are among the most important issues facing this Congress. These cuts are scheduled to expire in December 2010. If Congress doesn’t act, Americans will be hit with the biggest tax increase in...
Living in a world filled with uncertainty – joblessness, the Gulf oil spill and undercurrents of the next terrorism strike – it should be obvious the American public wants political leadership that will get the country back on the right track.
Unfortunately, Washington doesn’t seem to be getting the message. The White House and the current leadership on...
Q. When did the ‘Stars and Stripes’ become the official U.S. flag, and what does its design represent?
A. On June 14, 1777, the U.S. Congress approved the design of The Flag of the United States of America, which is the official name of the flag commonly called the ‘Stars and Stripes.’ It had 13 stripes, one for each state, which alternated between red and...
The fact that summer’s here isn’t a license to forget about good nutrition and good choices for kids and families. It’s why many parents will remind their kids that reading books and riding bikes around the neighborhood are better choices than eating potato chips and turning into a couch potato while school’s out.
At the same time, federal lawmakers need to...
Q. What is currency manipulation?
A. Currency manipulation is when a government intervenes in the market to artificially maintain the value of its currency. A government that does this can make its exports cost less in foreign markets, and make imports cost more in its home market. The result is an unfair advantage among international trading partners.
For...
Q. What does government spending that adds to the deficit and debt mean for the average American?
A. According to the Treasury Department, our total national debt now tops $13 trillion. That is $42,000 for each of the 309 million people living in the United States. Since President Obama took office, the national debt has increased at a rate of nearly $5...
During his weekly video address, Chuck Grassley gives a Memorial Day address honoring those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Click here for video.
Click here for audio.
Prepared remarks for the address are available below.
Grassley Weekly Video Address Memorial Day May 28, 2010
Hello. I’m Chuck Grassley from Iowa. Like all Americans I...
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...
