News Releases

Grassley Praises Decision to Give Employees More Time to Use Health Flexible Spending Accounts Today the U.S. Treasury Department announced it will allow employees to have more time to use the money set aside for health care expenses in their flexible spending accounts. Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, has long urged this change....

Grassley To Meet with HHS Secretary Leavitt to Discuss IAAP Petition WASHINGTON — Sen. Chuck Grassley, today said that he has scheduled a meeting with Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt to talk about the petition that he is considering to add the former workers at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAP)to the special exposure cohort. Grassley...

Grassley To Meet with HHS Secretary Leavitt to Discuss IAAP Petition WASHINGTON — Sen. Chuck Grassley, today said that he has scheduled a meeting with Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt to talk about the petition that he is considering to add the former workers at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAP)to the special exposure cohort. Grassley...

Justice Department Continues to Sidestep Grassley, Leahy Questions About Whistleblower   WASHINGTON — Sens. Chuck Grassley and Patrick Leahy today continued to demand answers to questions first posed to the Justice Department in July 2004. The Senators have been concerned about the suspension of a special agent who has been outspoken about the bureau’s...

Grassley Comments on Senate Passage of the Highway Bill Sen. Chuck Grassley made the following comment after the Senate passed the federal highway bill 89 – 11. The legislation know goes to a House-Senate conference committee to work out the difference between the two bills. Several committees have jurisdiction over parts of the federal highway program. The...

Grassley to Visit 22 Communities During Congressional Recess Iowa Senator Encourages Local Residents to Come, Ask Questions WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley announced today that he will visit 22 counties to meet with Iowans during the Congressional recess to be held May 31 - June 3. The meetings are part of Grassley’s annual tour of Iowa’s 99...

Grassley Works to Give Meskwaki Code Talkers Commemorative Gold Medals WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley today said that he is working to ensure that Meskwaki Code Talkers are awarded Commemorative Gold Medals for their service to the United States during World War II. Grassley is an original co-sponsor of legislation in the U.S. Senate that would authorize...

Grassley Comments on the Defense Department's Recommendations to the BRAC Commission Sen. Chuck Grassley made the following comment after the Department of Defense's recommendations to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission was release. ***AN AUDIO COMMENT IS ALSO AVAILABLE BY DIALING 1-800-545-1267. Then press 311 for Sen. Grassley’s mailbox and...

Grassley, Senators Request Study on Impact of "Authorized" Generics WASHINGTON — Sen. Chuck Grassley, of Iowa; Sen. Patrick Leahy, of Vermont; and Sen. John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, of West Virginia; have sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission asking for a study of the competitive effects of the use of "authorized" generics. The Senators write that...

Word On: Energy Prices   Q: Is anything being done to address the record high price of gas? A: With the price of gas hovering at $2.25 a gallon as the summer driving season is just getting started, the high price of fuel is a concern to almost everyone. Congress has spent the last four years working towards a comprehensive national energy policy that...

Jetseta’ Bill by U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, of Iowa   Like many Iowans, I was deeply saddened when I heard that Jetseta Gage, a little girl from the Cedar Rapids area, was abducted, raped and murdered by a repeat sex offender. Crimes like these against children are some of the worst offenses possible and, unfortunately, happen far too...

Grassley Introduces "Jetseta's Bill" to help Deter Child Sex Offenders WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley today introduced "Jetseta’s Bill," legislation to guarantee punishment for criminals who commit violent crimes against children. "Jetseta’s Bill" simply would enhance criminal penalties and mandatory minimum sentence for child sex predators prosecuted in...

Grassley Statement on Majority Leader's Fairness Rule Sen. Chuck Grassley today released the following comment regarding the "Fairness Rule" brought forth by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. "Senator Frist today offered a fair proposal for both sides. The proposal is a good faith effort by the Majority Leader to reach across the aisle and make progress...

Grassley Comments Following NIOSH Advisory Board's Recommendation that former IAAP Worker be Part of a Special Exposure Cohort Sen. Chuck Grassley today made the following statement after learning that the Advisory Board meeting in Cedar Rapids recommended the former Iowa Army Ammunition Plant workers for a Special Exposure Cohort. The Board’s decision now...

Grassley Plans to Take Aim at Abusive “Supporting Organizations” for Charities WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, and Sen. Max Baucus, ranking member, today said they plan to propose reforms to stop the use of "supporting organizations" for generous tax breaks rather than charitable purposes. The senators plan to include...

Word On: Bankruptcy Reform   Q: Why are any changes needed to the bankruptcy system? A: I have been working for years to make common sense reforms to the current bankruptcy system so that people who are responsible and pay their bills on time don’t have to subsidize the irresponsible actions of a few. Finally, this bipartisan bill has passed both the...

Operation: Military Kids by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, of Iowa   Members of the U.S. military have performed heroically throughout our nation’s history, protecting America’s interests and liberating people around the globe. In the three and a half years since September 11, 2001 that grand tradition has continued.   Besides the soldiers...

Grassley Praises President for Signing Comprehensive Bankruptcy Reform Legislation WASHINGTON – Comprehensive bankruptcy reform legislation championed by Sen. Chuck Grassley was signed into law today. Grassley first began investigating possible reform to the bankruptcy code in 1994 when he coauthored a law with the late Sen. Howell Heflin, of Alabama, that...

Grassley Praises President for Signing Comprehensive Bankruptcy Reform Legislation WASHINGTON – Comprehensive bankruptcy reform legislation championed by Sen. Chuck Grassley was signed into law today. Grassley first began investigating possible reform to the bankruptcy code in 1994 when he coauthored a law with the late Sen. Howell Heflin, of Alabama, that...

Word On: Veterans Health Care   Q: What is being done to make sure there is adequate health care available to veterans? A: As veterans from World War II, Vietnam and Korea continue to age and service members from Iraq and Afghanistan begin to need care, it’s important that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is able to meet their needs. The VA...