Grassley asked for $5.2 million for the new federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids and $12.5 million for the Davenport Courthouse.
The Cedar Rapids funding would be used toward design of the new federal facility. Last year, Grassley helped secure $9.8 in federal funding for site acquisition. The current courthouse is 70 years old and has been operating at full capacity since 1991.
"This year's funding would help complete the design phase of the project," said Grassley, who has supported local efforts to build the courthouse since the mid 1990s. "The new design will increase the security and efficiency for the people doing business at the courthouse. Courtrooms in the new facility will be able to adequately handle the number of caseloads and new security features will provide a safer environment for judges, staff and the public."
Grassley said funding for the federal courthouse in Davenport would used for building repairs and alterations. The project received $780,000 in federal funding last year. "Funds appropriated this year would be used for continued renovation of the Davenport facility," Grassley said. "The building needs to be expanded for additional courtroom and office space. Security improvements also need to be made and electrical and lighting systems need to be updated."
Grassley's letter was sent to Sens. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado, who as chairman and ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Treasury and General Government are responsible for drafting the federal government's spending plan for treasury department, postal service and general government projects in the next fiscal year. The appropriations process begins each spring and is typically completed at the end of each congressional session.