WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today said he will keep his seats on the Senate Judiciary, Finance, Agriculture and Budget Committees in the 115th Congress. It is expected he will also retain his position as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Republican leadership alerted senators of committee assignments.
“The start of a new Congress and new administration means big changes for the country. These committees have broad jurisdiction that will continue to be helpful in serving the best interests of Iowans. I hope to continue my good working relationship with Senator Feinstein, who will become Ranking Member on the Judiciary Committee,” Grassley said. “As the Senate processes nominees in a new administration, opens up work on a new farm bill, and begins work on health care and tax overhauls, I will continue to focus on issues important to Iowans.”
As expected Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassley will lead the hearings and confirmation process on executive branch nominations to the Department of Justice, starting with United States Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions. The committee will also receive and process the nomination of a new Supreme Court justice. Grassley plans to focus on reforming the federal criminal justice system, conducting rigorous oversight of the FBI and Justice Department, ensuring the immigration laws are enforced, working to keep competition in the prescription drug market, reining in excessive government regulations, and protecting whistleblowers and the tools used to root out fraud against the federal government.
As a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, depending on what the committee takes up, Grassley could be an influential voice in replacing the Affordable Care Act to make health care coverage more affordable and in overhauling the federal tax code to make taxes fair and easier to administer for individuals, families, companies and small businesses. Tax reform should increase job creation and economic growth. It should treat renewable energy tax provisions on the same footing with tax provisions that benefit other forms of energy, such as oil, gas and nuclear. Grassley also plans to continue his oversight of high prescription drug prices, including proper adherence with drug pricing under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program.
On the Senate Agriculture and Budget Committees, Grassley, a family farmer, brings real-world experience to making agriculture policy. Grassley will play a major role in the development of a new farm bill in the next Congress. The Budget Committee will draft the budget plans for Congress.
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