Word On: Social Security Fraud
Q: Why is legislation needed to target Social Security fraud?
A: Unfortunately, the coffers of the federal government apparently are too irresistible to wrongdoers. Con artists don’t seem to run out of ways to try and loot Uncle Sam. But when the defrauders pilfer Social Security, they also drain valuable resources from...
Filibuster Stalls Energy Bill
by Senator Chuck Grassley, of Iowa
Partisan maneuvering in Washington derailed a bipartisan effort in November to enact a comprehensive energy strategy for America. It’s a shame when politics trumps good public policy. The energy bill crafts a well-balanced plan that promotes renewable energy and recognizes the...
Terrorists Earning Funds through Profitable Crimes in U.S.
? Sens. Chuck Grassley, of Iowa, and Dick Durbin, of Illinois, today released a Government Accounting Office report that provides significant information on the financing mechanisms terrorists use to fund illegal activities.
The report, "Terrorist Financing: U.S. Agencies Should Systematically...
Senators Release GAO Report on Car Donations to Charities
? Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, and Sen. Max Baucus, ranking member, today released a General Accounting Office report showing taxpayers might take much more generous tax breaks for donating cars to charities than deserved, and the Internal Revenue Service is giving the...
Tenet Healthcare Corporation's decision to sell Redding Medical Center
Today the Tenet Healthcare Corporation announced it plans to sell its Redding Medical Center in lieu of having the hospital excluded from federal health care programs. This is the first case in which the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, initiated the...
Grassley Wins Senate Approval of Social Security Anti-Fraud Bill
Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, today won Senate approval of bipartisan legislation to rein in several sources of fraud, waste, and abuse of Social Security programs. The bill now goes back to the House for final congressional approval.
"Like any government program,...
Congress Creates Historic Medicare Rx Plan
by Senator Chuck Grassley, of Iowa
After years of promises echoed by candidates on the campaign trail, the Republican-led Congress has defeated partisan gridlock in Washington and delivered the first-ever Medicare prescription drug benefit.
The 38-year-old public health insurance program for seniors...
Word On: Adoption
Q: What is the Adoption Promotion Act of 2003?
A: Signed into law in December, the Adoption Promotion Act of 2003 builds upon the progress made in the six years since Congress created new incentives for the states to promote foster care adoptions. In 1997, I steered through Congress legislation aimed at improving the permanent...
Grassley Commends President's Decision to Lift Steel Safeguard Tariffs
? Today President Bush announced he will lift the steel safeguard tariffs that have been in place since March 2002. Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, made the following comments on the President's action:
"This is good news. The tariffs on imported steel may have...
New report on AIDS treatment spending in Puerto Rico
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the Department of Health and Human Services has released an audit report following its review of Ryan White Title I payments made to Ryder Memorial Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The report disclosed that Ryder was reimbursed a total of $352,094 for services...
State payments to nursing homes
Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, made the following comment on a new report from the General Accounting Office, "Medicaid Nursing Home Payments: States' Payment Rates Largely Unaffected by Fiscal Pressure, GAO-03-10665. The report is posted at www.gao.gov.
"Two out of three nursing home residents...
Grassley: Extension of Chapter 12 Bankruptcy for Farmers Passes Senate
? Sen. Chuck Grassley today said that a temporary extension of a section of the federal bankruptcy code passed the Senate late last night. The section is tailored to help farmers reorganize debt and stay in the business of farming. The House of Representative still must consider the...
Grassley: Senate Passes Historic Medicare Legislation
? Sen. Chuck Grassley today praised Senate approval of historic legislation that would add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare for the first time in the program's 38-year history and dramatically increase Medicare payments to Iowa and other rural states.
Grassley was the lead Senate architect of the...
Grassley Introduces "Tequila Tariff" Bill Over Mexican Barrier
Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, today introduced legislation to impose trade duties on Mexican products such as tequila in retaliation for that country's barrier to imports of U.S. high fructose corn syrup. Grassley called the bill a measure of last resort and urged...
Iowa Stands to Gain Big Under Medicare Act
by Senator Chuck Grassley, of Iowa
Iowans pay the same Medicare payroll tax rate as everyone else in America. But for years Iowans haven’t gotten the same rate of return. A flawed federal payment formula shortchanges Iowa and 29 other states.
Iowa communities must compete for the best and brightest...
Free Trade Area of the Americas negotiations
Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, today made the following statement regarding the conclusion of this week's Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) ministerial this week in Miami:
"This is a historic week for U.S. trade policy. Final agreement on an FTAA Ministerial Declaration is...
Grassley Expands Inquiry Into Tax Shelters Using Leases,
Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, has expanded his pursuit of abusive tax shelters by asking for copies of any documents the Transportation Department may have regarding an abusive scheme that allows major corporations to claim huge tax breaks using the nation's highways,...
Grassley Remains Concerned About Terrorists Becoming Citizens
? Sen. Chuck Grassley, of Iowa, today wrote to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and FBI Director Robert Mueller about how a suspected terrorist who was under investigation was granted citizenship following Sept. 11.
Grassley's letters are based on an internal Immigration and...
Grassley Helps Win Inclusion of Renewable Fuels Standard in Energy Bill
Coalition of 13 Organizations Endorses Tax Package and RFS
? Sen. Chuck Grassley today said that the Renewable Fuels Standard that has been included in the final agreement between the House and Senate will have an immediate and positive impact for Iowa's farmers and America's national...
Grassley Works for Final Passage of Medicare Bill
Key Components Are Prescription Drug Benefit and Fair Treatment of Rural States
? Sen. Chuck Grassley said the agreement reached over the weekend by Senate and House negotiators is the "best opportunity" to add a prescription drug benefit to the Medicare program and to fix historic inequities in Medicare's...
