I served 16 years in the Iowa House of Representatives before I came to the Congress of the United States.
Frequently, I visit that body.
Yesterday, I participated in the opening of the 91st session of that Iowa House of Representatives.
I enjoyed hearing from Iowa legislators about the issues their communities are concerned with.
I also had the opportunity to swear in my grandson, Patrick Grassley, for his 6th [session] as speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives.
I wish both the Iowa House and Senate a productive session as they work to better the lives of Iowans through state law.
By the way, I could say to my colleagues here: Congress could learn a lesson – not only from the Iowa legislature, but most state legislatures – in the balancing of the budget, because the federal budget needs that sort of discipline.
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