This week, the Senate is expected to debate a victims rights amendment to the Constitution to protect the interests of victims of violent crime. Sen. Grassley is a cosponsor of the amendment which would give victims the right to be notified of any public proceedings related to the offense against them, to be present at the hearings and to testify when the issues are parole, plea agreements or sentencing. Victims would be notified of the release or escape of a perpetrator or any consideration of executive clemency. They would also be entitled to orders of restitution and to consideration of their interest in speedy trials. As a senior member of the Judiciary committee, Sen. Grassley has advocated guaranteeing victims rights to balance the rights already guaranteed criminals by the Constitution.
On Tuesday, April 25, at 10 a.m., Sen. Grassley will participate in a Judiciary committee hearing on legislation to prevent federally-controlled substances from being used in an assisted suicide. Sen. Grassley is a co-sponsor of the Pain Relief Promotion Act. The bill responds to a decision made in 1998 by Attorney General Reno saying that current law does not establish a uniform national policy against the use of federally regulated drugs for assisted suicide. The bill Grassley has cosponsored also affirms and supports aggressive pain management as a legitimate purpose for the use of federally controlled drugs.
On Wednesday, April 26, at 6 p.m. (Central time), Sen. Grassley will answer questions and listen to concerns of Iowans during his monthly interactive public affairs program, "Ask Your Senator." The program is broadcast live from Capitol Hill and is available via local cable television carriers and Grassley's website: Iowans can call toll-free or e-mail their questions and comments.
On Wednesday, May 3, at 10 a.m., Sen. Grassley will conduct a hearing of the Joint Committee on Taxation to review the IRS reforms mandated by the agency overhaul passed by Congress in 1998. Sen. Grassley was a leading proponent of the reforms which stemmed from his work on the bipartisan National Commission on IRS Reform with Sen. Bob Kerrey of Nebraska. Sen. Grassley was the author of the first-ever taxpayer bill of rights in 1988, and he has successfully advanced subsequent legislation to empower taxpayers in dealing with the federal government's tax-collecting agency. Sen. Grassley is a senior member of the Finance Committee and a member of the bi-cameral Joint Committee on Taxation.
On Tuesday, May 9, at 10 a.m., Sen. Grassley will conduct a hearing to examine the consequences of heroin use, which has typically been considered a drug used only by hard-core addicts but for which use has risen dramatically among younger Americans. Sen. Grassley is chairman of the Caucus on International Narcotics Control and a senior member of the Judiciary Committee.