Prepared Floor Remarks by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Senate President Pro Tempore
“James Rice”
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Today, I come to the floor to pay tribute to a trusted and loyal member of my staff, who I’m honored to say has been a member of Team Grassley for more than 25 years.
James Rice will leave his post as my Legislative Director at the end of this month. He’s devoted the past quarter century in service to the people of Iowa here in the United States Senate.
He first came on board as an intern in 1997. That summer, he served as boots on the ground during my sixth Foreign Ambassadors Tour. For over two decades, I organized a trade tour every other year across Iowa.
I invited members of the foreign diplomatic corps, along with their spouses serving here in the nation’s capital, to join me for a week-long road trip to showcase my home state’s people, products and places.
From securing overnight stays in the homes of Iowans to keeping the trade delegation on schedule visiting farms, factories and always ending at the Iowa State Fair, James was among the many helping hands working behind the scenes to make the week run smoothly.
That just might be when James first got bitten by the foreign policy bug that has fostered his interest and expertise in foreign affairs and international diplomacy.
A native of Davenport, James majored in political science, history and government. After graduating from Drake University in Des Moines, he joined my staff here in Washington, D.C. in 2000.
James has referred to the Grassley team as an embassy for Iowa. With tireless conviction, he managed his work with proficiency. James exemplifies the Parable of Talents. He’s been a good and faithful servant to the people of Iowa.
I will miss his scrupulous attention to detail and ability to finesse bicameral, bipartisan victories for Iowa. I could always count on his counsel and valued his wisdom. James has an uncommon mastery of parliamentary procedures here in the U.S. Senate, an encyclopedic knowledge of Iowa and shares my love of history.
As Legislative Director, James cultivated exceptional depth of knowledge in his policy portfolio, including education, foreign policy and the rules of the Senate.
When I hire people to join my staff, I tell them I expect them to do their jobs the Grassley way. And that means adopting my approach to representative government: treat people with respect, do your homework and go the extra mile. James worked tirelessly to provide outstanding constituent service.
One of my priorities as the senior senator for Iowa is to respond to every phone call, letter and email I get from Iowans. James was instrumental in his leadership to revolutionize my constituent correspondence operations. Some may say he was a tyrant over “old mail.”
To that, I would say he was doing just as I asked: ensuring Iowans receive a thoughtful and timely response to their questions and concerns.
During my annual 99 county meetings, I tell people to write me a nasty letter if they haven’t heard back from me. Thanks in large part to James’ meticulous efforts, that doesn’t happen very often.
As Legislative Director, he’s mentored scores of legislative correspondents over the years, many of whom climbed the staff ladder to become legislative assistants or pursue careers off Capitol Hill.
He also cultivated longstanding relationships with Iowans, particularly educators from across the state, as well as ambassadors from across the world.
A rock-ribbed conservative, James practices what he preaches. He is a warrior for freedom and liberty. Each year, he hosted a tea in our office in October to celebrate Margaret Thatcher’s birthday.
He also spearheaded an annual observance of St. John’s Day, a summer solstice celebration in Estonia. That’s when the Estonian people celebrate Victory Day to mark the defeat of German troops in their war for independence in 1919.
This goes to show James doesn’t do anything halfheartedly. Although a dyed-in-the-wool Iowan, he’s a dual citizen of Estonia. In fact, he loved the Baltic nation so much he built a house there.
As I mentioned, James is leaving my staff and his Senate service at the end of this month. He will dive into academia and passion for foreign policy to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy in statecraft and strategy at the Institute of World Politics where he also earned his master’s degree.
I told him I like his speeches so much I hope he will continue to keep me in mind when he feels a speech coming on to bring much-needed historical context to modern day problems.
Barbara and I wish James all the best in the future. And we thank you for your decades of service to the people of Iowa. When you announced your departure to your fellow staff members, you said you’ll always be part of the Grassley family. I couldn’t agree more.
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