News Releases

Grassley Plan Would Give USDA Expanded Power to Challenge Agri-Mergers COUNCIL BLUFFS ? Sen. Chuck Grassley said today he will introduce legislation next week that gives USDA equal footing with the Justice Department and FTC when the federal government reviews agriculture industry mergers for compliance with the nation's antitrust laws. Grassley said he...

annual audit of Medicare payment Today the Department of Health and Human Services issued its annual report on the number of improper payments through Medicare. The report shows an increase in improper payments to $13.5 billion in Fiscal Year 1999 from $12.6 billion in Fiscal Year 1998. Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Special Committee on Aging,...

Ethanol Floor Statement Mr. President, I am pleased to join my Illinois colleague, Senator Fitzgerald, as a cosponsor to his legislation banning MTBE. MTBE water contamination has been found throughout the United States. With every day that passes, more water is being contaminated. The Senate last August soundly passed a resolution calling for an MTBE...

Grassley Takes Lead to Lower Fuel Prices Alternative Fuels Leverage Billions in Savings ? Sen. Chuck Grassley is seeking increased federal funding for research and development of renewable energy sources, including wind energy and ethanol. He said a relatively small investment now could save consumers $20 billion a year from reduced dependence on fossil...

Grassley Comments on OPEC Projections The U.S. Energy Information Administration states in its March 2000 report that OPEC oil export revenues for 2000 are projected to be $211.5 billion, or 59 higher than in 1999, which itself had seen a 34 percent increase from 1998 revenues. (See www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/opecrev.) Here is a comment from Sen. Grassley...

GRASSLEY, GRAHAM OTHERS PRODUCE CONSENSUS LONG-TERM CARE BREAK ? Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.) and others today announced a consensus on legislation to help individuals pay for nursing home expenses and other long-term care needs. The package has won the support of two major groups following...

Social Security earnings limit Today several senators and representatives of grass roots groups are holding a news conference to urge swift Senate approval of a bill to repeal the Social Security earnings limit on workers ages 65 to 69. Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, is an original co-sponsor of a bill to repeal the...

Airport Bill Clears Major Hurdle ? Iowa's senators said today that a Senate-House conference committee has finished worked on the airport bill containing their amendment to phase-out the system that leaves Iowa travelers with high air fares and few choices of air carriers. The amendment offered by Sens. Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin updates the 30-year slot...

Grassley Takes Legislative Action to Lower Cost of Diesel Fuel, Gasoline ? Sen. Chuck Grassley introduced a bill today that would require the President of the United States to cut off foreign aid and arms sales to countries engaged in oil price fixing. Grassley's legislation takes aim at members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ? OPEC ?...

Grassley Announces Grant to Western Iowa Tech Community College Senator Chuck Grassley announced today that Western Iowa Tech Community College will receive a $56,310 grant from the United States Department of Education. The funding will be used under the Business and International Education Program. "International trade is becoming more and more important...

Grassley Announces Grant to Western Iowa Tech Community College Senator Chuck Grassley announced today that Western Iowa Tech Community College will receive a $56,310 grant from the United States Department of Education. The funding will be used under the Business and International Education Program. "International trade is becoming more and more important...

Grassley Praises Additional Funds for Iowa Veterans ? Veterans in Iowa will benefit from an additional $16.3 million awarded to the Veterans Integrated Service Network 14, Sen. Chuck Grassley announced today. Grassley learned today that the Department of Veterans Affairs has approved $9.8 in supplemental funds for this fiscal year for health care services...

Grassley Announces Improved Crop Insurance ? Senator Chuck Grassley today announced that a "quality" crop insurance bill, which benefits Iowa farmers hit hard by poor prices, has passed the Senate Agriculture Committee. "Improving the crop insurance program and insuring that quality coverage is more affordable and better suited to the needs of farmers...

Grassley Announces FAA Funding Bill Clears Important Hurdle - Senator Chuck Grassley announced today that the FAA transportation bill has cleared an important hurdle, which means Iowans are one step closer to seeing lower airfares and increased convenience when they fly the friendly skies. The agreement, reached between budget negotiators, maintains that...

Grassley Wants GAO to Examine Mississippi River Study ? Vowing to "get to the bottom of the controversy," Sen. Chuck Grassley said he planned to have the independent General Accounting Office examine a whistle-blowers' allegations that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers illegally tinkered with a navigational study to boost chances for major lock-and-dam...

Grassley Comments on House Social Security Bill Today the House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill to repeal the Social Security earnings limit on workers ages 65 to 69. Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, is an original co-sponsor of a bill to repeal the earnings limit. That bill is the Social Security Earnings Test...

Grassley Supports Increased Medicare Oversight ? Senator Chuck Grassley said the government's new plan to increase oversight of the insurance companies that process Medicare claims is a step in the right direction. "Medicare still pays out $12.6 billion a year in improper payments ? we have to stop throwing away money like Monopoly dollars when we're...

Grassley Comments on Expanded Train Service Sen. Grassley issued the following comment regarding Amtrak's 10 percent planned increase in long-distance passenger service. The plan includes adding an overnight train from Chicago to Des Moines via Savanna, Illinois, and Davenport, Iowa. "This is great news for Central Iowa. And it is a very positive...

Grassley Comments on Expanded Train Service Sen. Grassley issued the following comment regarding Amtrak's 10 percent planned increase in long-distance passenger service. The plan includes adding an overnight train from Chicago to Des Moines via Savanna, Illinois, and Davenport, Iowa. "This is great news for Central Iowa. And it is a very positive...

Grassley Offers Summer, Fall Internships to Iowa College Students, New Graduates , DC ? Sen. Chuck Grassley today encouraged college students and new graduates in Iowa to apply for summer internships, or to make plans now for a fall semester internship in Washington. Grassley said the program he offers is available to Iowans who commit to working from May...