News Releases

FEMA: Disaster Recovery Centers Closing, Registration Deadline Approaching WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today received information from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) for Iowans affected by the June 1 to Aug. 31, 2010 severe storms, flooding and tornados.  Three FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are closing this week. ...

More Than $3 Million to Iowa for Disaster Relief WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today said that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded two grants totaling $3,713,449 to Iowa through the Hazard Mitigation Grant program.    According to FEMA, Farmer’s Electric Cooperative in Greenfield...

FEMA: Registration Deadline Approaching, Disaster Recovery Centers Closing WASHINGTON – The deadline for Iowans to register for federal disaster assistance is October 13, 2010.  The deadline applies to registration only.  It is not the deadline for all related paperwork.  Homeowners, renters, and business owners who suffered losses in the...

Q & A: Looming Tax Hikes Q. I hear about tax increases that will come if the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts aren’t renewed by the end of the year.  Who benefitted from those tax cuts?   A.  The 2001 tax relief bill gets a lot of attention for the marginal tax rate cuts.  Those cuts gave every income tax paying family in Iowa a tax...

  Grassley Continues to Seek Accountability     WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley recently sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Donald Berwick reiterating his concerns that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, an...

Leahy, Grassley Press for Update on Labor Department’s Handling of Whistleblower Cases WASHINGTON – Senators Patrick Leahy and Chuck Grassley this week asked for answers about the Department of Labor’s continued interpretation of whistleblower provisions included in the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The senators’ letter follows reports that show that the...

  Grassley, Landrieu Release “Call to Action” Offering Options to Build on Successful Foster Care Policies     WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, co-chairs of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, today released a “Call to Action” set of policy options to build on successful policy improving the lives...

$925,700 to Iowa State University from the U.S. Department of Transportation WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded a grant of $925,700 to Iowa State University through the University Transportation Centers program.   “Iowa State University has a long history of excellence in both...

21,000 Iowans to Lose Medicare Advantage Plans Under Democratic Leaders’ Changes Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on news that about 21,000 Iowans will no longer have access to their Medicare Advantage plans next year.  Grassley is ranking member of the Committee on Finance, with jurisdiction over...

More Than $3 Million to Iowa WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded five grants totaling $3,659,763 to the Iowa Department of Transportation for Iowa railroads and highways.   “This funding is intended to increase the safety and efficiency of these railroads and highways, as well as...

More Than $4 Million to the University of Iowa WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today said that the National Cancer Institute has awarded a $4,432,674 grant to the University of Iowa.   According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the university will use the money to fund a surveillance, epidemiology and end results...

$260,413 to University of Northern Iowa WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today announced that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded a $260,413 grant to the University of Northern Iowa through the Combined Priority Personnel Development Program.    UNI will use the funds to prepare 68 trainees in a performance based early childhood...

$183,555.29 to Iowa from USDA WASHINGTON — Senator Chuck Grassley said today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Rural Development is awarding three competitive grants totaling $183,555.29 to Iowa for low-income housing through the Housing Preservation Grant program.    “These funds will help Iowans make energy efficiency and safety...

  Grassley Works to Stop Abusive Spending for Government Travel     WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley said new information about taxpayers having to pay $8,000 for a 160-mile trip by a senior government official underscores the need to limit unnecessary government travel expenses.   “Chartered aircraft may be necessary for...

Underfunded Pensions Pose Risks to Taxpayers Lately it would seem the public’s discontent with the federal government’s spending spree is growing proportionately to the $13 trillion national debt. The leadership in Washington has acted as if government spending can solve the nation’s unemployment, health care, housing, energy and banking problems. After...

  First Focus Campaign for Children Names Grassley a “Defender of Children”     WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley has been named a “Defender of Children” by the First Focus Campaign for Children for his support of policies that advance the well-being of children. According to the First Focus Campaign for Children, Defenders of Children...

  Disaster Aid to Iowa after Severe Storms     WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today provided information about the federal government’s amended list of Iowa counties that will be eligible for FEMA funds for recovery from the severe storms, flooding and tornadoes that occurred from June 1st to August 31st, 2010.  The list was...

Q & A: New Small Business Burden in Health Care Law Q.  What is the new IRS form 1099 reporting requirement that small businesses have to report any expense over $600?   A.  During the health care debate of a year ago, I highlighted the cost of various proposals on small businesses, both in terms of their ability to provide health care to...

Nearly $13 Million to Improve Iowa Buses WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration has awarded four competitive grants totaling $12,459,306 to Iowa through the State of Good Repair Selection Program.   “This funding is intended to increase the safety and efficiency of...

$159,300 to the North Polk Community School District WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today announced that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded a $159,300 grant to the North Polk Community School District, which serves Alleman, Elkhart, Polk City and Sheldahl.    According to the Department of Education, the school district will use the...