The chilling October 7, 2023 terror attacks on the Israeli people shook the world. Since, Hamas terrorists have brutally killed thousands of innocent civilians, including dozens of Americans, in cold blood. Hamas’ campaign of evil must be met with a strong and unified response. Below are some highlights of Sen. Grassley’s recent work to stand with Israel, the United States’ most trusted ally in the Middle East, in the face of Hamas’ attacks: 

  • Grassley is an original cosponsor of legislation to prevent federal agencies from contracting with entities that boycott the State of Israel.
  • In a joint statement, Grassley and his colleagues made clear that terrorism has no place at home or abroad. The senators warned potential perpetrators looking to use Hamas’ attacks as a precursor for violence on American soil that “any threat to the United States will be pursued and suppressed swiftly, forcefully and to the fullest extent of U.S. justice.”
  • Grassley joined Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and bipartisan colleagues in urging President Biden to secure the safe release of the American citizens who have been taken hostage by Hamas.
    • “… [W]e urge the United States to continue supporting Israel’s urgent efforts to dismantle the threat of Hamas, provide the necessary resources for Israel’s defense, and continue offering whatever support necessary to immediately and safely rescue kidnapped Americans, with particular attention to those who require urgent medical care,” the senators wrote.
  • Grassley received an update from the Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines to learn how Iowans are standing in solidarity with Israel.
  • Grassley joined fellow Iowa Senator Joni Ernst and colleagues in calling on Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to uphold legal obligations to ensure Jewish and Israeli students are not subject to discrimination on college campuses, amid a spate of anti-Semitic harassment at higher education institutions.
  • Grassley joined Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and bipartisan colleagues in condemning the United Nations' inaction regarding Hamas' widespread sexual violence against women in Israel. The senators called on UN Secretary-General António Guterres to open an independent investigation into Hamas' use of rape and sexual assault as "weapons of war," and provide support to the Israeli survivors of sexual violence.
  • Grassley joined Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and colleagues in reaffirming the United States’ support for Israel’s right to defend itself, as well as denouncing any efforts by U.S. lawmakers to interfere in Israel’s democratic electoral process.
  • Grassley supported supplemental funding legislation that provided military aid to Israel, including funds to replenish Israel’s critical Iron Dome. The military aid package passed the Senate in April with a bipartisan vote of 79-18, and was signed into law shortly thereafter.
  • Grassley slammed President Biden for back-pedaling on his promises and restricting support for Israel.
    • "President Biden should learn from the lessons of the past. The United States was the first country to recognize Israel, and our relationship has for decades played an important role in U.S. national security. Israel is a strong democracy and a homeland for the Jewish people. We must always stand with them."
  • Grassley, along with Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) urged President Bident to strongly oppose the International Criminal Court's impending use of arrest warrants and other tactics against Israel for rightfully defending itself.
  • Grassley joined Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and 46 Republican colleagues on a resolution condemning any action taken by the Biden administration to block or restrict the supply of U.S. ammunition and weapons to Israel.
  • Grassley is an original cosponsor of legislation to prevent federal agencies from contracting with entities that boycott the State of Israel.
  • Grassley joined Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and colleagues in sending a letter to the Biden-Harris administration protesting its partial arms embargo against Israel.
  • Grassley joined Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in condemning a resolution the Palestinian United Nations delegation submitted to strip the Jewish State of Israel's right to self defense as we approach the first anniversary of the horrific October 7 attacks against Jewish civilians living in their homeland.
  • Grassley joined a bipartisan group of senators in calling on the Biden-Harris administration to fully comply with the SHIP Act - a law to keep Iran from accessing financial streams fueled by the petroleum trade - after it missed several congressionally mandated reporting deadlines.
  • Grassley joined Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Senate Republican colleagues to introduce legislation that would cut off funding to UN agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend or otherwise restrict Israel's participation in the UN.

Combating Iran's Terrorist Regime

Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism. Grassley has long cautioned that easing sanctions on Iran enables its tyrannical agenda and allows it to continue funding terrorist organizations like Hamas. He warned the Obama administration against moving forward with its misguided deal to ease sanctions on Iran’s nuclear program. In the wake of the barbaric October 7 attacks, Grassley has continued to prioritize pushing back against the Iranian regime and putting a stop to the funding of mass terror.

  • Hamas, the Gaza-based terrorist organization targeting Israelis, receives financial backing from the Iranian regime. Days after Hamas' initial attack, Grassley and colleagues called on President Biden to convene the G7, a group comprised of the world's seven most advanced democracies, to jointly issue severe sanctions on Iran for its support of Hamas.
    • "Every dollar within the grasp and control of the Iranian regime is used to fund terrorism and fuel its power," the senators wrote. "That is why we must isolate Iran and cut it off economically. Without sources of revenue, Iran will be unable to fund the mass terror it supports around the globe."
  • Grassley is working to ensure not a single American cent lines Iran's pockets. He introduced legislation along with Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and colleagues to permanently block Iran from accessing the $6 billion in funds the Biden administration promised as ransom for the release of imprisoned Americans. These funds would only enrich the Iranian regime, allowing Tehran more leeway to advance its violent, anti-democratic agenda.
  • Grassley and colleagues raised alarm that the UN Security Council's (UNSC) sanctions on Iran's ballistic missile and drone programs expired following Hamas' attacks on Israel. To prevent Iran's nuclear program from growing, the senators urged the UNSC to impose broader, more permanent sanctions on Tehran's regime.
  • Grassley joined Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) in urging the Secretaries of State, Treasury and Defense to rescind the extension of an Iran sanctions waiver that would allow Iran to unlock roughly $10 billion in additional funding. The senators warn that the Biden administration's lack of a cohesive Iran strategy directly threatens U.S. lives and interests at home and abroad.
  • Grassley and colleagues are keeping up the pressure on President Biden to enforce all Iran-related sanctions, including existing sanctions on Iranian steel. Iran is one of the largest steel-producing countries in the world, with the industry generating significant funds for the regime and, subsequently, its terrorist proxies.

Pursuing justice for victims of anti-semitism

Protecting Jewish Students

Grassley has raised concerns regarding rising antisemitism on college campuses since Hamas' October attack. He continues to push the federal government to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of Jewish students.

  • Grassley joined fellow Iowa Senator Joni Ernst and colleagues in calling on Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to uphold legal obligations to ensure Jewish and Israeli students are not subject to discrimination.
  • Grassley joined Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and colleagues in introducing the Antisemitism Awareness Act to combat antisemitism on college campuses. The bill would instruct the Education Department to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism when enforcing federal anti-discrimination law on campus.
  • Grassley joined Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Republican senators in requesting Attorney General Merrick Garland and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona provide an update on the enforcement of federal anti-discrimination laws amid violent, antisemitic protests on college campuses.

Righting Historical Wrongs

As an ally of the Jewish community, Grassley is conducting bipartisan oversight with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) to shine a light on previously-undisclosed Nazi-linked bank accounts.