{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"IA\" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/review-2015-senate-gets-work", "Review of 2015: Senate Gets to Work", "2015-12-31", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley   At years end, most Americans take stock of the previous 12 months and consider if they met their goals for the year. A review of ones bank account, pay stub or job status and even a peek at the bathroom scale give folks a pretty good idea if they stayed true to their New Years resolutions. When the 114th Congress gaveled to order this past January, it marked the first time since 2006 that Republicans controlled both the House and Senate. The new leadership vowed to live up to the promises and expectations of the 2014 midterm elections and restore order to the peoples branch. The U.S. Senate succeeded in breathing life back into the worlds greatest deliberative body. In fact, the Senate held 163 roll call votes on floor amendments, compared to only 18 the previous year. Lawmakers performed oversight, drafted legislation, considered nominations and kept the federal government open for business. Restoring regular order ought to be considered the rule, not the exception as far as Im concerned. Considering that public opinion polls rank Congress among the least popular institutions in society, lawmakers are obligated to work towards restoring credibility and fundamental trust in our system of self-government. An appraisal of the first 12 months of the year reflects promises made and promises kept. Congress prioritized results that matter and advanced public policies that have substantive consequence on the daily lives of American families. Three key items that had evaded resolution for years in Washington were advanced by the Republican-led Congress and signed into law this year, including:    approval of a five-year reauthorization of the federal transportation funding law that eluded bipartisan agreement for years. If theres one item that gets people animated at town meetings, its maintaining reliable roads and bridges. Rural Americans, in particular, typically commute longer distances in their own vehicles and need dependable roads to send and receive goods in the marketplace. The $305 billion agreement gives local and state governments the certainty they need to prioritize and move ahead with local infrastructure projects.    overhaul of the federal K-12 education law to restore decision-making to state and local educators, parents and teachers. Passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act replaces the top-down interventions that the federal Department of Education prescribed under the previous law known as No Child Left Behind. When the federal bureaucracy in Washington meddles less, neighborhood schools can do more good by identifying and implementing innovative solutions that meet the needs of their students and local communities.    passage of a long-term fix to a flawed Medicare funding formula that for 17 years caused dire uncertainty for patients and doctors. The Medicare Access and Chip Reauthorization Act improves the reimbursement formula for providers serving Medicare patients. Considering that Medicare serves 531,209 Iowans and spends $4.3 billion per year in the state, fixing problems in the way Medicare reimburses and incentivizes health care providers is a big deal for Iowa. Looking ahead to 2016, the 114th Congress has even more ground to cover. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I will continue to lead efforts for a balanced budget amendment, civil asset forfeiture reform and press for final passage of my bipartisan sentencing reform and corrections bill and my bill to make improvements to the juvenile justice system. Other important work will require diligent oversight of the presidents my-way-or-the-highway mindset on immigration policy and prioritizing measures to end sanctuary laws, suspend risky resettlement of Syrian refugees into the United States and fix the nations foreign visa programs to protect U.S. workers, taxpayers and national security. Keeping tabs on the peoples business requires a tenacious appetite to root out wrongdoing and mismanagement throughout the sprawling size and scope of the federal bureaucracy. My sights will be keenly focused on reining in overreach at the Environmental Protection Agency, particularly towards the implementation of the federal rule known as the Waters of the United States. As an outspoken champion for rural America, whether it comes to roads, renewable energy, agriculture or health care, I stand strong to make sure the needs and challenges facing Americas heartland are heard loud and clear in Washington.  Despite declining gas prices and employment numbers moving in the right direction, too many households are struggling to get ahead and stay ahead. With the high costs of college, prescription medicines and the $19 trillion federal debt looming over the minds of hardworking families, the general mood gripping Americans today is rooted in uncertainty. Thats even on top of increased concern about terrorism. Not since 9/11 has terrorism registered so high among the concerns of Americans. The terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernadino delivered a stark reminder that the federal governments number one priority is to protect the safety and security of American citizens. Looking ahead to the New Year, I am eager to continue working for Iowans and getting feedback from the grassroots when I start my 36th year holding a meeting in each of Iowas 99 counties in January.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blum.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=459", "Rep. Blum Announces Service Academy Nominations", "2015-12-23", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Rod Blum", "B001294", "blum.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Rod Blum announced he has nominated 16 Iowa students to be considered for appointments to United States Service Academies.\r\rIt is a privilege for me to nominate these 16 students for service in the United States Military, said Congressman Blum. Their willingness to serve our great nation in our armed forces is truly appreciated by the entire First District and I wish them the best as they take the next step on their journey.\r\rFor more information on the process for Service Academy Nominations please visit Congressman Blums website.\r\rBelow is a full list of the students nominated by Congressman Blum.\r\rUnited States Naval Academy\r\rGabrielle Tath, St Donatus\r\rEvan Boss, Central City\r\rFinbar Berry, Cedar Rapids\r\rAndrew Segalla, Bellevue\r\rRizwan Sidhu, Cedar Rapids\r\rJohn Taylor, Cedar Rapids\r\rGarrett Dunn, State Center\r\rPatrick Ramirez, State Center\r\rDaniel Holt, Marion\r\rAlexander Hepperle, West Union\r\rJoseph Zasadny, Walker\r\rThomas Treptau, Lansing\r\r \r\rUnited States Military Academy\r\rFinbar Berry, Cedar Rapids\r\rJonas Mason, Cedar Rapids\r\rChristian Flege, Waverly\r\rGarrett Dunn, State Center\r\rPatrick Ramirez, State Center\r\rSamuel Pisney, Cedar Rapids\r\rJoseph Zasadny, Walker\r\rZachary Gilbert, Cedar Rapids\r\r \r\rUnited States Air Force Academy\r\rSamuel Pisney, Cedar Rapids\r\rDaniel Holt, Marion\r\rThomas Treptau, Lansing\r\rFinbar Berry, Cedar Rapids\r\rPatrick Ramirez, State Center\r\rRod Blum is the Republican Congressman in Iowas 1st District. He is a member of the Budget and Oversight & Government Reform Committees.\r\r###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/dea-eases-requirement-fda-approved-clinical-trials-cannabidiol", "DEA Eases Requirement for FDA-approved Clinical Trials on Cannabidiol", "2015-12-23", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In letters to the relevant federal agencies, Sen. Chuck Grassley has pressed for the removal of unnecessary barriers to scientific research into the medical risks and benefits of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component of the marijuana plant that may help children with severe epileptic seizures and other conditions. In June, at the request of Grassley and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agreed to eliminate an extra layer of review for non-government funded cannabidiol research that it previously required its Public Health Service to complete. Also at that time, at the senators request, the Justice Department and HHS agreed to evaluate cannabidiol to determine whether it can be classified on a lower schedule than the entire marijuana plant, which may make research on it proceed somewhat more easily.     Today, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced that it has agreed to a third request of the senators  to ease some of the regulatory requirements for those who are conducting Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved clinical trials on cannabidiol by permitting waivers that will let research proceed seamlessly if the researcher requires more CBD than was initially approved by the DEA. According to the DEA, These modifications will streamline the research process regarding CBDs possible medicinal value and help foster ongoing scientific studies.    Grassley is Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and the Caucus on International Narcotics Control. Grassley made the following comment on the DEAs announcement.     This is good news toward the progress on scientific research on cannabidiol. Removing more barriers will help allow scientists to determine its potential medicinal value. Right now, parents who are desperate to help their children live in uncertainty over cannabidiol. Federal agencies should do whatever they responsibly can to help research proceed so these families can get answers. The DEAs news release is available here. Grassleys letters to the agencies are available here, here and here. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-kick-annual-99-county-meetings", "Grassley to Kick Off Annual 99 County Meetings", "2015-12-23", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Senator Chuck Grassley will hold nine town meetings in Iowa Jan. 6 through Jan. 8 as part of his annual 99-county meetings.  With these meetings, Grassley will begin his 36th year holding meetings in every one of Iowas 99 counties. Grassley has held a meeting in every county, every year since he was first elected to serve in the U.S. Senate.    Jan. 6 through Jan. 8 Grassley will be in Grundy Center, Allison, Waverly, New Hampton, Calmar, Cresco, Osage, Manly and Clear Lake.     Representative government is a two-way street. Im one half of the process and the people of Iowa are the other half. You cant have representative government without dialogue between elected officials and the people we represent, Grassley said. I appreciate the opportunity to hold town meetings, answer questions and take comments.    Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after each meeting to answer questions from local reporters. These town meetings are open to the public and media.  Grassleys town meeting schedule for Jan. 6 to Jan. 8 is as follows: Wednesday, Jan. 6  Grundy County  1:45-2:45 p.m.  Kling Memorial Library  708 7th St.  Grundy Center  *Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters. Butler County  3:45-4:45 p.m.  Allison Public Library  412 3rd St.  Allison  *Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters. Thursday, Jan. 7  Bremer County  8:30-9:30 a.m.  Waverly Public Library  Waverly Room  1500 West Bremer Ave.  Waverly  *Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters. Chickasaw County  10:30-11:30 a.m.  Chickasaw Wellness Complex  1050 West Hamilton St.  New Hampton  *Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters. Winneshiek County  1:45-2:30 p.m.  Iowas Dairy Center  1527 Highway 150 South  Calmar  *Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters. Howard County  3:30-4:30 p.m.  Cresco Bank and Trust  Community Room  126 2nd Ave. Southeast  Cresco  *Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters. Friday, Jan. 8  Mitchell County  12:15-1:15 p.m.  Osage Library  406 Main Street  Osage  *Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters. Worth County  2-3 p.m.  Manly City Hall  106 South Broadway  Manly  *Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters. Cerro Gordo County  3:45-4:45 p.m.  Clear Lake Public Library  200 North 4th St.  Clear Lake  *Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters.   -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-marks-policy-oversight-accomplishments-2015", "Grassley Marks Policy, Oversight Accomplishments in 2015", "2015-12-23", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa marked a series of policy and government oversight accomplishments in 2015, continuing his tradition of grass roots involvement with Iowans and casting his 12,000th vote in the U.S. Senate. Grassley achieved many of his goals as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and a member of the Finance, Agriculture and Budget committees.  Its my privilege to represent Iowans in the United States Senate, Grassley said. The legislative and oversight work is meant to fulfill my responsibilities to Iowans and to the U.S. Constitution, which sets up the co-equal branches of government. I try to adhere to the principles of accountability, transparency and getting the most bang for the buck for taxpayers. Grassley returns to Iowa every weekend when the Senate is not in session and during recesses in votes to hold meetings and attend events in Iowa. Grassley holds a meeting in each of Iowas 99 counties every year to hear concerns and answer questions on any subject in a free-flowing dialogue with constituents. In 2015, Grassley completed these annual county meetings for the 35th year in a row in October after holding 40 town meetings, question and answer sessions (Q&As) at 17 schools and Q&As at 42 local businesses and service clubs.  Outside of these annual county visits, Grassley also attended a variety of events and meetings including: an avian influenza round table discussion with farmers and producers, a tax roundtable discussion with tax professionals and small business owners, a Judiciary Committee field hearing on the threat of methamphetamine, and meeting with Iowans at the state fair. When the Senate is in session, Grassley sets aside eight 15-minute meetings every Monday through Thursday to meet with Iowans in Washington, D.C., including advocacy groups, associations, chambers of commerce and local business leaders, students and families. This year, Grassley held meetings with nearly 600 groups of Iowans visiting the nations capital during these meetings and others and discussed a variety of policy issues affecting Iowans such as the farm bill, infrastructure, expiring tax provisions, the Affordable Care Act, and tax reform. In 2015, Grassley also held 10 telephone town hall meetings, with between 3,500 and 9,500 Iowans on each call, and joined 10 Iowa school groups for Q&As via video conferencing, including two college classes, seven groups of high school students and one elementary school class. In 2015, Grassleys Judiciary Committee held 33 full committee hearings, 19 subcommittee hearings and 22 business meetings to consider legislation and nominations. The committee passed 15 bills, including major bipartisan legislation such as the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the PATENT Act, the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act and the FOIA Improvement Act. Highlights of Grassleys legislative and oversight work follow here: Accountability for sexual assaults. After hearing whistleblower accounts of inadequate procedures to assist victims of abuse at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Grassley helped craft key provisions of a bill that would improve responses to sexual misconduct at NOAA and prevent future instances of abuse. The bill cleared the Senate Commerce Committee.  Grassley is leading an effort calling on federal agencies to adopt a zero-tolerance policy for employees who contribute to the demand for human trafficking by purchasing sex. He is also continuing to investigate sexual harassment claims from over 15 whistleblowers at the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Grassley is providing oversight and conducting hearings on the processing of untested DNA evidence to examine steps that can be taken to reduce the backlog of untested rape kits. Agriculture. Avian flu hit Iowa extremely hard and Grassley used his experience as a farmer and lawmaker to bring this devastating disease to the attention of the federal government. Based on conversations with Iowa poultry growers and a hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee, he advocated for changes to procedures in dealing with the disease at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He also worked to educate colleagues on the extreme nature of the disease should another outbreak occur.  Grassley authored the Family Farmer Bankruptcy Clarification Act to reverse a Supreme Court ruling (Hall v. United States) that makes it harder for family farmers to reorganize their finances after declaring bankruptcy. Bureau of Prisons. After taking heat from Grassley for a decision to remove pork from the menu in federal prisons for alleged cost considerations and prisoner dislike, the Bureau of Prisons promptly reversed its decision after revealing that prisoners actually liked pork and the costs for serving pork were not prohibitive. Grassley wrote to the Bureau of Prisons about its religious service contractor hiring procedures after learning that not only did the bureau hire an Islamic chaplain who made incendiary comments against individuals who spoke negatively about Islam but the bureau also, in error, allowed the chaplain access to federal facilities prior to the completion of a government background check. As a result of his inquiry, the bureau is performing an agency-wide audit of prison facilities to ensure compliance with federal background check procedure.  Competition. In an effort to address anti-competitive practices among prescription drug makers, Grassley co-authored the Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act. The bill would increase consumers access to lower-priced generic drugs by helping put an end to the practice of brand-name drug manufacturers using pay-off agreements to keep more affordable generic equivalents off the market. Grassley has been conducting oversight of mergers to ensure that increased consolidation does not adversely impact small businesses and rural America. Defense oversight. As a long-time watchdog of Defense Department spending, including fixing the broken accounting system within the agency, Grassley emphasized the need to fix the accounting system to identify waste, fraud and abuse at the Pentagon. In March, the Defense Department inspector general withdrew a much-heralded clean opinion on the Marine Corps audit. Grassley praised the decision, which came about after his aggressive oversight. In May, the Defense Department inspector general released an audit showing a number of Pentagon employees used their government charge cards at casinos and strip clubs. The audit came about because of Grassleys bill enacted in 2012 requiring federal agencies to beef up the oversight of purchases on government-issued credit cards. In December, the Senate passed legislation Grassley co-authored to further crack down on agency abuse of charge cards.  Throughout the year, Grassley worked with the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) to expose wasteful spending in Afghanistan and obstruction from the Pentagon toward the inspector general. An example is an investigation of a compressed natural gas filling station in Afghanistan that cost $43 million, many times more than it should have. Education. The tax package given final approval this month includes Grassleys provisions to improve the already successful Section 529 college savings program. Grassleys provisions allow 529 funds to purchase a computer on the same tax-favorable basis as other required materials; cut outdated, unnecessary rules that increase paperwork and costs on plan administrators; and provide tax and penalty relief in instances where a student may have to withdraw from school for illness or other reasons.    The education bill given final approval in December includes the bipartisan bill from Grassley and co-sponsors that makes certain the needs of high ability students are included in federal education policy. The bipartisan proposal is the TALENT Act, or the To Aid Gifted and High-Ability Learners by Empowering the Nation's Teachers Act. Earlier versions of the bill contained a grant program for developing innovative civics education programs. The provision Grassley negotiated in the final bill makes sure that a focus of the grant program is to support proven civics education programs that teach the history and principles of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  Grassley authored the Need-based Educational Act, which extends an antitrust exemption that allows certain colleges and universities, like Grinnell College, to collaborate on issues of need-based financial aid. The bill was signed into law in August. Energy, including renewables. In December, the Senate gave final approval to Grassley priorities including the five-year extension of the wind energy production tax credit. The extension is meant to lead to a phase-down of the industry-specific tax credit. The Senate also gave final approval of an extension of the existing biodiesel fuel blenders credit, the small agri-biodiesel producer credit, the tax credit for cellulosic biofuels producers, the alternative fuel vehicle refueling tax credit, and bonus depreciation for cellulosic biofuel facilities. Grassley authored the initial version of many of the alternative fuels provisions when Finance Committee chairman. For months, Grassley urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise and increase its proposed volume obligations for renewable biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2014, 2015 and 2016. After hearing from Grassley and other senators, the EPA released a final rule in November that fell short but improved the volume requirements over its last proposal. FBI. As a watchdog of the federal bureaucracy, Grassleys efforts to protect whistleblowers continued with introduction of the FBI Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act. The bipartisan bill brings the FBIs whistleblower disclosure protocols in line with all other federal law enforcement and civil service agencies and streamlines procedures for investigation, adjudication and oversight of employee claims.  Grassley provided oversight of his own when investigating instances of alleged retaliation against FBI whistleblowers, including the use of so-called loss of effectiveness orders. Grassley asked the FBI to provide details of the legal framework governing its largely secretive aerial surveillance operations to ensure Americans privacy rights are protected. Hes also looking into the FBIs spyware program and its implications for privacy rights. Federal judiciary. The Senate Judiciary Committee provides oversight of the federal judiciary. Even before becoming Chairman, Grassley launched several initiatives to bring more transparency to the federal courts. His long-standing efforts to bring cameras into the federal courts continued with the introduction of his bill to improve public access to the federal judiciary by granting judges the ability to allow cameras in federal courtrooms.  Grassley authored the Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act, which would establish the Office of Inspector General for the Judicial Branch, an independent office to investigate claims of fraud, waste and misconduct, and ensure that the judiciary is carrying out its duties free from corruption, bias and hypocrisy. The bill creates whistleblower protections for individuals within the judicial branch. Grassley is working to curb frivolous lawsuits that are clogging up the court system. Hes the author of the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act, which would impose mandatory sanctions for lawyers who file meritless suits in federal court. Foster youth, adoption. As a founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Caucus on Foster Youth, Grassley examined kinship care and how to support relatives who serve as foster care providers; the homelessness of youth and the housing challenges they face, especially as thousands of foster youth age out of the system, many times at age 18; and the mental health needs of foster youth, including the need to better train caseworkers and foster families about the trauma that many foster youth face on a daily basis. The education bill given final approval in December includes the bipartisan Educational Stability of Foster Youth Act, which Grassley co-authored, that supports students in the foster care system by strengthening connections between child welfare agencies and state and local education institutions. Often, schools may be the only familiar place for a child in foster care, and the measure helps make sure that those kids can go to school in a safe, stable environment.  Grassley led through the Judiciary Committee legislation to help families facing challenges with international adoptions. The bill was signed into law in October after families encountered numerous delays by other countries, often as simple as the issuance of an exit visa by the foreign government. Fraud fighting. In addition to his work to protect specific agency whistleblowers who come forward, Grassley led a bipartisan group of senators in launching the Senate Whistleblower Protection Caucus. Grassley is the author of reforms to the False Claims Act to encourage whistleblowers to come forward with information involving fraud against the government. Since the reforms were enacted, the government has recouped more than $48.2 billion that otherwise would have been lost to fraud. Many of the recoveries were initiated by whistleblowers who took advantage of Grassleys provisions allowing them to bring their own case on the governments behalf. The False Claims Act is the governments most successful tool in rooting out fraud, especially health care fraud in recent years.    Good government (paid leave, State Department). Grassley released a report from his oversight and investigative staff analyzing 18 federal agencies responses to his inquiries on paid administrative leave and endorsed the reports recommendations for reining in this largely unproductive, expensive practice. The report sets the stage for legislation to fix abuses. Grassley continued his oversight of whether the State Department is an outlier in stretching the purpose of government personnel designations, such as the Special Government Employee designation.  In June, the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General noted that it is now posting certain investigative summaries on its website. These summaries relate to misconduct by senior agency employees or high profile cases. Grassley had urged more disclosure and worked to impose it government-wide. Health care. In June, the Finance Committee passed four Grassley-authored bills. They are the Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act; the Special Needs Trust Fairness Act for individuals with disabilities; the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Extension Act for tweener hospitals, including those in Newton, Grinnell, Carroll, and Spirit Lake; and the Community Based Independence for Seniors Act. Grassley also introduced the ACE Kids Act; the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act; the Rural Hospital Access Act; the Medicare Residential Care Coordination Act; the HELLPP Act covering podiatrists as physicians in Medicaid; the Medicare Formulary Improvement Act; the Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act; a bill to Improve Standards for Orthotics and Prosthetics in Medicare; the Transition to Independence Act for Medicaid; the Rural Emergency Acute Care Hospital Act; a bill to permit review of certain Medicare payment determinations for disproportionate share hospitals; and a bill to require the use of electronic visit verification systems for home health services. Grassley pressed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on easing the transition of patients in the failed health care co-op serving Iowa and Nebraska as well as whether the agency withheld funding, leading to the co-ops collapse.    Grassley pressed the agency on how much federal money it has given to each state health care exchange, how much money it has identified as misused, what it can do to recover money for unallowable activities, and how much money for unallowable activities it has recovered. Grassley was the lead Republican on a bipartisan investigative report that gives rare insight into how a company prices a landmark prescription drug. In this case, the company, Gilead, anticipated it would face public outcry over a high price for a Hepatitis C drug, Sovaldi, but went forward anyway.  Housing. Grassley continued his oversight of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and local housing authorities to be sure that the billions of dollars meant for safe, affordable housing for those in need are spent properly. Illicit drugs, cannabidiol. Grassley was among several senators who successfully urged the Drug Enforcement Administration to re-instate its take-back program for unused medicines. The program was popular in Iowa and helpful for ridding medicine cabinets of pain relievers that could be abused by teen-agers. The Senate passed a bill Grassley co-authored to help combat transnational drug trafficking. The bill would help the Department of Justice combat the international trafficking of methamphetamine, which is increasingly being trafficked from Mexico into the United States. On cannabidiol, a substance that might ease severe seizures in children, Grassley and Sen. Dianne Feinsten succeeded in persuading federal agencies to drop an extra layer of review for non-government funded cannabidiol research that it previously required the Public Health Service to complete. Also, at the senators request, the Justice Department and the Department of Health and Human Services agreed to evaluate cannibidiol on whether the product can be classified on a lower schedule than the entire marijuana plant, which may make research on it proceed somewhat more easily. In addition to the Judiciary Committee field hearing in Des Moines on the threat of methamphetamine, Grassley as Chairman of the Caucus on International Narcotics Control convened a hearing on drug trafficking across the Southwest border and oversight of U.S. counter-drug assistance to Mexico. Immigration. Grassley led the effort on many immigration reform initiatives and has conducted thorough oversight of the executive branchs policies. He has focused attention on making sure Americans were given the first opportunity at high skilled jobs in the United States. He has worked to ensure that criminal immigrants are released back to their home countries. He has authored legislation to close loopholes in many legal immigration programs. And, he has championed efforts to ensure that the homeland is secured --- from border and visa security to refugee resettlement. He fought against sanctuary city policies that allow criminal immigrants to stay in communities because of state or local policies that expressly prohibit law enforcement from working with federal immigration officials. Grassley pressed the Department of Homeland Security on a number of cases involving crimes committed by individuals who were allowed to remain in the country despite entering illegally and previous criminal convictions.  Grassley held a hearing where victims families shared their stories and called for reforms to improve enforcement of immigration laws and prevent future crimes.  He continues to investigate problems with the vetting and placement of unaccompanied alien children who have traveled from Central and South America in increasing numbers since the border surge of 2014.  Grassley raised concerns about the insufficient vetting process to ensure terrorists posing as refugees are not granted access to the United States. ISIS has stated it will use the U.S. refugee program to infiltrate the country. Grassley has called for a halt on accepting refugees from Syria until U.S. intelligence officials are satisfied with the vetting process.  Grassley is leading a bipartisan effort to implement national security and anti-fraud safeguards following concerns of abuse raised by whistleblowers, independent watchdogs, and agency leaders. The bill he introduced, the American Job Creation and Investment Promotion Reform Act, reauthorizes and reforms the EB-5 Regional Center program to address the widespread fraud and abuse of the program. Inspectors general. Grassley raised concerns about Justice Department efforts to block inspectors general from accessing records for its investigations, despite laws allowing such access. He held a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee to listen to both the inspector general community and the Justice Department, and to reiterate that when Congress says that inspectors general should have access to all records, Congress means all records.  Grassley introduced legislation to again restate Congress intent to allow IGs to access such records and overturn a recent Justice Department legal opinion that other agencies have already relied on to deny their inspectors general access to agency records. IRS. Grassley drafted the 2006 provisions that improved the IRS whistleblower office to stop tax fraud. A report in November from the non-partisan Government Accountability Office shows the IRS whistleblower office has collected almost $2 billion since 2011 that otherwise would have been lost to fraud. The report describes several major barriers that might discourage whistleblowers from coming forward. Grassley worked throughout the year to improve the whistleblower office.    Congress re-instated private firms to collect tax debt for the IRS, something Grassley has long supported to collect billions of dollars in taxes that the IRS isnt attempting to collect.  Congress approved several provisions from Grassleys Taxpayer Bill of Rights Enhancement Act of 2015, introduced in June amid gross mismanagement and inappropriate actions by IRS employees that have shaken what little confidence taxpayers may have had in the agency. The provisions include: codifying the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, such as quality service; prohibiting IRS employees from using personal email accounts for official business; improving the ability of 501(c)(4) and other exempt organizations to seek review in federal court when the IRS fails to act on an application in a timely manner or makes a negative determination as to their tax-exempt status; and the termination of employment of Internal Revenue Service employees for taking official actions for political purposes. Even before the IRS experienced a computer hack, victimizing innocent taxpayers, Grassley was urging the IRS to improve computer security to protect taxpayers. He followed up with the IRS after its breach to make sure it was doing everything possible to help affected taxpayers. Jobs and the economy. Abusive patent litigation practices are undermining the patent system that has made the United States one of the most dynamic and innovative countries in the world. In an effort to curb these abuses, Grassley co-authored the PATENT Act, which aims to cut down on the frivolous lawsuits that burden the economy and cost small businesses millions of dollars every year. Grassley led the bill through the Judiciary Committee and it now awaits Senate consideration. Grassley held a hearing to help Judiciary Committee members and the public identify and gain a better understanding of the root cause of Puerto Ricos fiscal problems, discuss whats currently being done, and consider the options available that could help Puerto Rico out of its situation as Congress looks at solutions that can gain broad, bipartisan support. More than 17,000 Iowans have invested in Puerto Ricos public utilities bonds. Law enforcement. Grassley guided through the Judiciary Committee legislation that was signed into law to help law enforcement agencies apprehend criminals who have injured or killed police officers. The bill creates a voluntary nationwide system, known as a Blue Alert, that states may use to notify law enforcement agencies when a credible threat is made against a member of the law enforcement community, or when an officer has been killed or seriously injured. Under Grassleys leadership, the committee also passed the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program Reauthorization Act of 2015. Grassley pressed several federal law enforcement agencies on their use of technology that can sweep up cell phone locations of innocent Americans. Following Grassleys inquiries, the Justice Department, Department of Homeland Security, and other federal law enforcement components adopted, for the first time, public guidelines requiring a search warrant in most cases before deploying the technology. Grassley has made an effort to make sure that excessive use of force by law enforcement is being pursued. He inquired about the status of a drawn-out investigation into the death of Iowan Brandon Ellingson, who drowned while in Missouri Highway Patrol custody in May 2014. An officer involved in the case was charged with involuntary manslaughter following the investigation.  Grassley sought information regarding the death of a Virginia man after the local police stonewalled the family on details of the shooting for more than a year. Grassleys efforts led to the public disclosure of information about the shooting and the creation of a board made up of community members who suggested improvements to long-standing issues regarding the police department. Subsequently, an officer who was involved in the case was indicted on a charge of second-degree murder.  Grassley helped author legislation that would help incentivize the collection of better data on police shootings of civilians. Grassley sought details on the Justice Departments efforts to reduce the backlog of federal benefits applications from families of injured or fallen law enforcement officers. His efforts have led to the resolution of several Iowa cases that had been pending for years. In addition, the Justice Department launched an internal business process review aimed at more quickly providing decisions to families. Inappropriate hiring practices and the misuse of funds at the U.S. Marshals Service prompted more than 70 whistleblowers to come forward to Grassley to raise other concerns of misconduct. Since Grassleys investigation, the agencys director and one assistant director have stepped down, and another assistant director is no longer acting in that leadership position. Investigations by Grassley and the Justice Departments inspector general are ongoing. Grassley introduced the Criminal Antitrust Anti-retaliation Act to extend whistleblower protection for employees who provide information to the Department of Justice related to criminal antitrust violations. The bill cleared both the Judiciary Committee and the Senate and now awaits action by the House of Representatives.  Military sexual assault. Grassley continued working with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and fellow senators on the Military Justice Improvement Act to establish an unbiased military justice system to address the crisis of sexual assault. National security. Grassleys efforts in preventing new attacks on the homeland have focused on balancing the federal governments core responsibility to ensure Americans security with the fundamental privacy rights guaranteed in the Constitution. For example, he cosponsored the cybersecurity bill that was included in the omnibus appropriations bill that was recently signed into law. The law will facilitate information sharing between law enforcement and the private sector to help combat cyberattacks. Grassleys bill to strengthen the United States national security laws by ensuring that the government can successfully investigate and prosecute nuclear terrorists passed the Judiciary Committee on Dec. 10.  Grassley has also been asking questions about the National Security Agencys surveillance abuse. He pressed the Justice Department for details on its handling of alleged intentional and willful surveillance abuses by National Security Agency employees, in some cases, to spy on spouses or significant others. Given the increasing role that encryption has had in facilitating terrorism and other crime, Grassley held a hearing in the Judiciary Committee that began a conversation in the Senate on the balance between public safety and privacy established by the current use of this technology. Grassley has been dogged in finding more information about the detainees released from Guantanamo Bay. Grassley joined colleagues in requesting more information about three former Guantanamo Bay detainees who were released following court orders and who reportedly re-engaged in terrorist activities. He has questioned the administrations authority, and asked for the legal advice, in releasing five detainees housed at Guantanamo Bay in exchange for U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. The transfer occurred without notification of Congress, which is required by law.  Regulations. In an effort to rein in an overabundance of regulations that stifle innovation and job creation, Grassley is a cosponsor of the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, which would require congressional approval before enacting regulatory proposals that carry an annual economic impact of $100 million or more.  Grassley is the author of the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2015, which would shine a light on sue-and-settle litigation and help to restore the transparency, public participation and judicial review protections of the rulemaking process. To illustrate the need to rein in regulations and executive overreach, the independent investigative arm of Congress, the Government Accountability Office, said that the EPA used covert propaganda to illegally promote its sweeping Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule that would declare most of Iowa a regulated waterway and therefore regulate what can be done with that land.  As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Grassley convened a hearing on the federal regulatory system where he shined a light on the EPAs attempt to push its own agenda and drive support for the WOTUS rule, all while belittling the concerns of the public. Second Amendment. Grassley continued his efforts to ensure the Second Amendment rights of all Americans are protected. He requested that the Justice Department explain why nearly all the names submitted to the gun ban lists mental defective category belong to veterans.  Grassley led 52 senators in condemning an ATF proposal limiting access to certain rifle ammunition primarily used for sporting purposes. ATF withdrew the proposal following the criticism. He also remained vigilant in seeking justice for Brian Terry, the Customs and Border Patrol agent who was killed by a firearm that the ATF allowed to be sold to known gunwalkers. Grassley worked to ensure government employees who were involved in the failed gunwalking operation were held accountable. Securities and Exchange Commission. Grassley expressed concern to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) about the security of a public filings database after the database apparently was used for fake company takeover bids involving Avon and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. The SEC named a Bulgarian man as being an architect behind the hoaxes that fraudulently drove up share prices. Grassley sought to make sure the SEC addressed any systemic problems that could lead to this happening again.  Sunshine. Grassley and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced legislation to apply the disclosure of drug company and medical device maker payments to nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The disclosures already apply to doctors, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists and podiatrists under the Physician Payment Sunshine Act, co-authored by Grassley and enacted in 2010. The records that apply to doctors are publicly available in the federal Open Payments database. The payments to nurse practitioners and physician assistants would be added to the database. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants write a significant number of prescriptions in Medicare and nationwide, and they were among the top prescribers for some drugs, including narcotic controlled substances. Since 2013, the Open Payments database created by the Physician Payment Sunshine Act covers 15.71 million published records and $9.92 billion in payments. Grassley co-authored the legislation after his oversight and news stories uncovered payments from industry to doctors.  Taxes. The year-end tax package passed by Congress includes the enhanced per-child tax credit, making it permanent.  It extends enhanced Section 179 expensing for equipment purchases, which is popular with farmers and small businesses. This allows farmers and small business owners to deduct the cost, up to a limit, of major equipment and property purchases that contribute to farm and business operations and job creation. The permanence is a major achievement because this provision has been temporary over the last several years.     Included is a bipartisan measure Grassley led to increase the alternative tax liability limitation for small property and casualty insurance companies. These small companies largely serve rural communities, which rely on this adjustment to provide additional surplus and cash flow used to pay customers insurance claims.    The tax package adopts Grassley-led policy to ensure that those granted deferred action under the Presidents executive actions on immigration cannot retroactively get the Earned Income Tax Credit based on earnings from work performed illegally in the United States.  Tax-exempt organizations. Responding to investigative reports, Grassley looked in-depth at the American Red Cross spending on earthquake relief in Haiti, including whether donations achieved results.  Grassley asked questions of a tax-exempt hospital in Missouri that was the subject of an investigative journalism report over suing low income patients to force them to pay their hospital bills, even when those patients reportedly were eligible for financial assistance and discounted treatment under federal tax laws. As a result of Grassleys efforts, the hospital announced a medical debt grace period and a new financial assistance policy. Since Oct. 1, 2015, $6,549,346.55 in debt, interest, and legal fees have been forgiven. Trade. In June, the Senate gave final approval of legislation reinstating Trade Promotion Authority, the process widely seen as critical to enacting new trade agreements. Trade expansion is important to the Iowa economy. Transparency. As the champion for transparency and openness in government, Grassley has been investigating whether former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons use of a private email server to conduct official business was designed to circumvent the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and federal records retention laws, as well as inquiring about how it jeopardized the security of highly-classified information. Grassley shepherded the FOIA Improvement Act out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill requires federal agencies to operate under a presumption of openness when considering the release of government information under the Freedom of Information Act, and it aims to reduce the federal governments overuse of exemptions to withhold information from the public. Grassley also held a FOIA oversight hearing to shine light on areas in need of improvement and to reiterate FOIAs importance as a mechanism by which the public can hold the government accountable. Two of Grassleys long-standing initiatives, saving taxpayer money and transparency in government, came together this past year as he requested a GAO study on how much taxpayer money is spent on lawsuits stemming from the governments attempts to withhold information in violation of the Freedom of Information Act. Veterans. Grassley continued to keep tabs on beefed up accountability measures to help root out employee misconduct and a culture of corruption within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) so veterans receive the benefits and services they deserve. In addition, Grassley wrote to the VA with concerns about the potential misuse of government charge cards. Congress passed a bill he cosponsored, The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, and other provisions to prioritize VA programs for caregivers, homelessness, adaptive sports and vocational benefits for veterans with severe injuries. Congress also approved reforms to the Veterans Choice Program that allow more veterans to qualify to receive health care from non-VA health care providers in their local communities. Grassley set up a veterans fellowship program to help him reach out to Iowa veterans. Don Bailey, a Vietnam-era veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force, christened this fellowship program in Grassleys Des Moines office. Victims reform. As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassley laid out a victims reform agenda to embrace and expand opportunities for victims of injustice through his committee.  Grassley is currently working on legislation to address the perverse incentives that have nudged enforcement of civil asset forfeiture laws off kilter with basic fairness. These laws are important crime-fighting tools that enable law enforcement to seize cash or property thats considered linked to illicit activity. However, it seems this tool is increasingly being misused as a funding source for the government with thin regard for civil rights.  Grassley is looking at an area of the law to help indigent defendants who are not being provided with counsel as the Constitution requires.  Earlier this year, Grassley introduced the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2015 to ensure that at-risk youth are fairly and effectively served by juvenile justice grant programs. The bipartisan legislation, which has 16 cosponsors and the endorsement of more than 150 organizations, has cleared the Judiciary Committee and is expected to be acted on by the full Senate early next year. The bill calls for a phase-out of the shackling of pregnant girls in detention and addresses concerns uncovered in a Grassley investigation about how the Justice Department has been mismanaging for 18 years federal grants that are supposed to support at-risk youth and those who encounter the juvenile justice program. The bill is designed to increase accountability for fraud and compliance failures by states. Grassley led through the Judiciary Committee on a unanimous vote a landmark measure known as the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. The legislation was signed into law in May and enhances penalties for human trafficking offenses; equips law enforcement with new tools to target predators who traffic innocent young people; and makes additional resources available to support the needs of human trafficking survivors in the United States. The new law contains three important Grassley provisions that clarify that federal grant resources can be used to meet the housing needs of trafficking victims and offer training on the effects of sex trafficking to those who serve runaway, homeless and at-risk youth; update the federal statute that authorizes the cyber tip line of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, to ensure that child trafficking is specifically mentioned as a form of Internet-related child exploitation; and require the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking to identify best practices to prevent human trafficking. Grassley shepherded through the Judiciary Committee legislation to reverse a Supreme Court decision that limited the restitution victims of child pornography could seek from any one perpetrator. The legislation passed the Senate, 98-0, and was signed into law. In a major accomplishment, Grassley led a bipartisan coalition of senators to introduce the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015. Grassley steered the bill through the Judiciary Committee and is now working to garner additional support before the full Senate. The bill would recalibrate prison sentences for certain drug offenders, target violent criminals, and grant judges greater discretion at sentencing for lower-level drug crimes. The package seeks to curb recidivism by helping prisoners successfully re-enter society. Grassley supported and led through the Judiciary Committee the Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act, which works to support the unique health requirements of mentally ill inmates in an effort to reduce the likelihood that they will re-offend. The bill also includes accountability measures to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used in the most effective and efficient ways possible. The bill cleared the full Senate and is now awaiting action by the House of Representatives.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://loebsack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394850", "President Signs Loebsack Legislation to Help Critical Access Hospitals In Iowa & Nationwide Into Law", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "IA", "Dave Loebsack", "L000565", "loebsack.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA) released the following statement today after the President signed S. 1461 into law. Loebsack joined with Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) to introduce the House version of the legislation, which prevents Medicares enforcement of unreasonable and inflexible direct supervision rules for outpatient therapy services at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and other small, rural hospitals. This legislation was introduced this summer, passed the House and Senate this fall and was signed into law on December 18th. I am pleased that the President has signed this important legislation into law to ensure all Iowans have access to high-quality health care no matter where they live, said Congressman Loebsack. Critical Access Hospitals play an important role in rural communities by providing access to primary, emergency, and acute care services. I have visited multiple CAHs across my District that have struggled to meet the direct supervision requirement, and by becoming law, this legislation will provide them with certainty that they deserve. Item to Note: \n There are 1,332 CAHs across the country, 82 in Iowa. Examples of direct supervision rules for outpatient therapy services:\n Application of cast to a finger\n Blood transfusions\n Application of a splint to a finger\n Demonstration and/or evaluation of a patient utilizing a nebulizer or metered dose inhaler\n Alcohol and/or substance abuse (other than tobacco) structured assessment and brief intervention (such as advising of health risks and counseling for 15-30 mins)\n Pulmonary rehabilitation, including exercise of one hour per session  up to two sessions per day", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/survey/should-we-look-online-presence-incoming-refugees", "Should we look at the online presence of incoming refugees?", "2015-12-20", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Did you see San Bernadino terrorist, Tashfeen Malik, reportedly made statements online supporting attacks against the U.S. almost two years before being granted a visa allowing her to enter America? The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this week it has a policy against viewing applicants' social media posts because they are concerned about the public relations \"optics\" of vetting online posts.\nIn response, Congress is again looking to strengthen our vetting of foreigners coming to the U.S. and tighten potential loopholes. Here is another legislative proposal we are considering, but I want to know what you think. The U.S. visa process reportedly missed the San Bernardino wife's zealotry in her social media posts. Do you believe the U.S. should require vetting of immigrants' online statements and social media posts prior to allowing them entry into the country? TAKE THE SURVEY QUESTION HERE!\nOnly American leadership will win this fight. Congress is taking these terrorist threats seriously and we are listening to the American people.\nWhen I visit with Iowans throughout the 3rd Congressional District, national and personal security is what I hear about more and more. Folks feel less safe and they do not feel as secure as they once had and should. The number one responsibility of the federal government is to keep Americans safe and secure. I take that responsibility seriously.\nCongress is listening and acting to consider and pass commonsense, effective and bipartisan solutions. Before Thanksgiving, the U.S. House strengthened, with a veto-proof majority, a certification requirement for our refugee program. This was a measure to add an extra layer of scrutiny in the security process of our refugee program. It passed with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote with Democrats and Republicans coming together to recognize refugees simply need to be properly vetted and background checked before entering the United States.\nI then led a letter from members of Congress to Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, reiterating Congress and the administration has a responsibility to protect Americans \"against all enemies, foreign and domestic.\" My letter asks the Secretary a series of important questions on our ability to effectively screen refugees, the states' role in this process, and what steps the Department of Homeland Security is taking to improve security screening of the Visa Waiver Program. You can read the letter here.\nThen almost two weeks ago, the House acted again to reaffirm this commitment to national security and place the safety of Americans as our top priority. By a bipartisan vote of 407 yeas to 19 nays the House passed the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act. This legislation closes loopholes in the visa waiver system to prevent terrorists from exploiting it. I was pleased to see this legislation included in our year-long spending bill to help ensure we know who is crossing our borders.\nThe federal government ought to fulfill its duty to protect Americans. Period. It is just that simple.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blum.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=458", "Rep. Rod Blum Opposes $1.1 Trillion Spending Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Rod Blum", "B001294", "blum.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Rod Blum released the following statement about his vote against todays $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill:\r\rTodays $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill was a typical Washington DC backroom deal: Republicans and Democrats working together to spend even more American taxpayer money. Washington special interests are thrilled by this massive spending binge while our children and grandchildren get stuck with the bill.\r\rWhen I came to Washington in January, I was named to the Budget Committee. We worked hard to produce a responsible budget that put us on the path to fiscal sanity and it passed the House, but todays legislation completely busted that budget. Iowa families have to live within their means, but Congress sees no problem with breaking its own budget. This is exactly why so many Americans view their politicians as \"out of touch.\r\rFurther, I also voted no because the process that gave us todays spending bill is completely broken. Negotiated behind closed doors by Congressional leadership without participation from rank and file members, the bill is over 2,000 pages long and was introduced at 1:30 AM on Wednesday, giving members of Congress less than 60 hours to analyze it and make a take it or leave it judgment call while under tremendous pressure to pass the bill before the holidays. This process cuts Iowans out of the business of governing, and Im hopeful that Speaker Ryan will work hard to improve this process when we start the new legislative year in January.\r\rWhile there were certain good things in the bill I have worked hard to support in the past, like the repeal of the harmful Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements on meat products and the extension of the wind and solar energy tax credits, these were not nearly enough to outweigh the negatives.\r\rSome of the worst aspects of the bill include:\r\r \r\tFull funding for President Obamas plan to bring 10,000 Syrian refugees into America without a rigorous screening process. At a bare minimum the omnibus should have included the American SAFE Act, which passed the House last month with a veto-proof bipartisan majority and requires the FBI, DHS, and the Director of National Intelligence to certify that all refugees from Syria and Iraq are not a security threat to America. The safety and security of my constituents will always come first when I vote on legislation.\r \r\r \r\tIt allows members of Congress to continue to fly first class and lease luxury cars at taxpayer expense. The bipartisan bill that I introduced along with Rep. Gwen Graham from Florida would have eliminated these abuses of taxpayer money but was not included in the omnibus.\r \r\r \r\tFull funding for the EPAs burdensome Waters of the United States regulation that could allow the EPA to claim federal jurisdiction over 98% of Iowa land.\r \r\r \r\tIt quadruples H2-B visas for foreign workers at a time when we have a record number of Americans who arent working. Before we bring more workers into our country we should focus on getting our own citizens back to work.\r \r\r \r\tContinues federal funding for Sanctuary Cities that refuse to follow our countrys immigration laws. Sanctuary cities that allow violent illegal immigrants to avoid deportation are complicit in tragedies like the murder of Kate Steinle in San Francisco and the omnibus does nothing to fix this blatant disregard for our law.\r \r\rRod Blum is the Republican Congressman in Iowas 1st District. He is a member of the Budget and Oversight & Government Reform Committees.\r\r###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/we-must-hold-line-wasteful-spending", "WE MUST HOLD THE LINE ON WASTEFUL SPENDING", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WE MUST HOLD THE LINE ON WASTEFUL SPENDING\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  This morning, Iowa Congressman David Young voted against H.R. 2960  Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016.\n\"I spent all year fighting for Iowa values and priorities from my seat on the Committee on Appropriations, where we passed 12 bills that held the line on wasteful spending. At the end of the day, this was neither the process nor the result I or Iowans wanted. Ultimately, I could not support this measure.\"Young said.\nDavid Young is the Congressman serving all the people of Iowa's 3rd District. He is a member of the Committee on Appropriations and Subcommittees on Agriculture, Homeland Security, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/happy-holidays", "HAPPY HOLIDAYS!", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman David Young's Capitol Solutions  Weekly Report to Iowa's Hardworking Taxpayers\nEDITORS NOTE: I look forward to providing this report each week as a resource of information for Iowans on the issues being debated and discussed in my goal to be the most accessible member of congress possible.\nHAPPY HOLIDAYS!\nWhat a year it has been. I want to thank you for taking the time, throughout this year, to help me. A representative democracy is a two-way-street. And so your ideas  your thoughts  they help me better represent you. As I travel around the 3rd Congressional District, this is the most important part about my job  hearing what is on your mind.\nBut with the holidays upon us, I wanted to take a moment to say a few things. I hope you all get to spend time with your family and friends. There are only a few times a year where this happens and I love taking advantage of the opportunity to be with loved ones.\nIn the Young house we put away our phone-devices (or at least we try to)  we turn off the television and radio and we spend time together. We play cards or games. We tell stories around the table or in the living room. Passing down family stories from one generation to the next is so important. I cherish these times. And we make new memories so the next generation can carry on the tradition.\nWe also make sure we go to Christmas Church Service together and focus on the true meaning of Christmas. We listen to the Christmas Story. We sing songs of praise. And we pray.\nI am also thankful for the honor of representing the 3rd District of Iowa in the United States Congress. I love the 3rd District and her people  thank you for the privilege to serve you.\nI am truly blessed to be an Iowan  and to be an American. Freedom is not free and so this Holiday Season and truly each day we must remember the sacrifice and service of our men and women in uniform. Thank you to all our veterans and all those in the Armed Forces  and their families for their service.\nI wish you all a very joyous and safe Holiday Season  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! And God Bless You and Yours.\nDavid Young is the Congressman serving all the people of Iowa's 3rd District, with offices in Des Moines, Creston and Council Bluffs. He is a member of the Committee on Appropriations.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-votes-no-on-omnibus-spending-bill", "King votes NO on Omnibus Spending Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Steve King released the following statement after voting no on the omnibus spending bill:\nI introduced 9 amendments to the omnibus spending bill, said King. All of which would have passed if brought to the floor, yet none were made in order. I put these up as a record of what Congress should be doing to restore Article I Constitutional Authority. The American people have been demanding that we defund ObamaCare, executive amnesty, the Supreme Courts ruling on same-sex marriage, Planned Parenthood, WOTUS, the Iran nuclear deal, the refugee resettlement process, climate change, and strike out any expansion of H-2B visas. \nGoing into next year we need to put the priorities of the American people, the promises we made to our constituents and the Constitution at the forefront of the Houses legislative agenda. I am hopeful we can turn the page and start fresh with a Congress that respects the will of the American people.\nMr. Kings Nine Amendments to the omnibus spending bill:\n \nDefund ObamaCare\n\tDefund Executive Amnesty\n\tDefund the Supreme Courts Ruling on Same-Sex Marriage\n\tDefund Planned Parenthood\n\tDefund New WOTUS\n\tDefund the Iran Nuclear Deal\n\tDefund the Refugee Resettlement Process\n\tDefund the Climate Change Agreement\n\tStrike the Expansion of H-2B Visas", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/congress-removes-lumps-coal-taxpayers-stockings", "Congress Removes Lumps of Coal from Taxpayers' Stockings", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By Chuck Grassley For many Americans, the IRS is like the Grinch who stole Christmas. Nothing spoils the spirit of the season like a reminder that Tax Day is little more than three months away. Although no one relishes the idea of paying taxes, for many Americans the rub lies with the sheer complexity of the tax code and mismanagement by the federal agency that administers it. As a longtime taxpayer watchdog, I hound the IRS to improve service at the Internal Revenue Service. Ive secured legislative reforms to help ensure that all taxes owed are paid and more importantly, collected fairly. For example, my bipartisan IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 enacted 71 new taxpayer rights to rein in bad management and improve customer service for taxpayers, especially small businesses. Prior to that, I supported reforms that created the Office of National Taxpayer Advocate to serve as an independent voice for taxpayers inside the IRS and to advise Congress on ways to improve administrative practices at the federal tax collection agency. Each year I review its two annual reports to determine if the IRS is measuring up to its obligations to properly administer the tax laws and serve taxpayers. Lets not fool ourselves. No tax collecting entity is likely to win a popularity contest. On the other hand, the IRS is more likely to be crowned most unpopular. (Although the EPA may snag runner-up in that category.)  A string of missteps, including fiscal incompetence, mismanagement and political targeting has undermined the credibility of the IRS in the eyes of the taxpaying public. Singling out law-abiding taxpayers for their political affiliation is indefensible in the United States of America. Thats why Im continuing to scrutinize practices at the IRS and working to nip future assaults on taxpayer privacy and political affiliation. The IRS must keep its nose out of the political process and has no business trying to influence it or intimidate taxpayers. Its pretty brazen that the IRS would assign resources to track political affiliation and scrub non-profits for donor information when it has struggled for decades to update its antiquated computer architecture and adopt 21st century information technology. Misplacing priorities has become a recurring theme at IRS headquarters. Consider that it hung up on more than 8 million taxpayers this year who called in for assistance with their tax returns. Whats more, the agency seems more hung up on the union activities of its workforce and is spread thin because so many of its employees are sitting at home on paid administrative leave. Despite these misplaced priorities, the IRS prioritized $60 million in employee bonuses this year. The good news is that Congress took steps in December to dial up better customer service and remove the lumps of coal left in taxpayers stockings by gross mismanagement and unethical standards of stewardship at the IRS. New taxpayer rights I co-authored with Sen. John Thune this summer were passed and sent to the presidents desk, which he signed. It writes a number of my Taxpayer Bill of Rights provisions into federal statute. Now when taxpayers go into a meeting with the IRS, the following 10 rights go with them: be informed; quality service; pay no more than the correct amount of tax; challenge the position of the IRS and be heard; appeal a decision of the IRS in an independent forum; finality; privacy; confidentiality; retain representation; and, a fair and just tax system. Other pro-taxpayer provisions folded in end-of-year legislation include reforms that:  prohibit IRS employees from using personal email accounts for official business;   permit 501(c)(4) entities and other organizations to seek timely review in federal court if the IRS drags its feet on making a determination on a tax-exempt application;   clarify termination of employment at the IRS for taking official actions for political purposes; and,   ban the IRS from imposing the gift tax on donations to 501(c) organizations to prevent the agency from misusing the tax code as an intimidation tactic to screen for political affiliation. The IRS has tremendous authority over the taxpaying public. As always, I work to make sure federal agencies remember they serve the people, not the other way around. Ill keep working to rein in abuses of government authority where I see it. I also work to improve compliance tools to help recoup uncollected taxes. Lets face it. Our system of voluntary compliance hinges on the concept that all taxpayers pay their fair share. Tax cheats undermine the system and create a heavier burden on law-abiding taxpayers. To help narrow the tax gap, root out tax fraud and deter evasion, I champion the IRS whistleblower program and supported the resurrection of the private debt collection program to make our tax collection system work as fairly and efficiently as possible.  When tax season opens after the New Year, these new taxpayer rights will be on the books. Taxpayers work hard enough to make ends meet at home and run their businesses without worrying about the IRS making unscrupulous decisions that only a Grinch would approve.   -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-ernst-recognize-150th-anniversary-university-iowa-college-law", "Grassley, Ernst Recognize 150th Anniversary of the University of Iowa College of Law", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  The U.S. Senate today recognized the 150th anniversary of the University of Iowa College of Law by passing a resolution commemorating some of the schools achievements. The resolution was introduced by Iowas two U.S. senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst.  The University of Iowa College of Law is the first law school in continuous operation west of the Mississippi to reach the 150 year milestone.   The resolution notes several significant achievements of the College of Law, including the graduation of what is believed to be the first female law student and one of the first African-American law students. The College of Law also graduated the first United States Attorney of American Indian ancestry.  The University of Iowa College of law is the oldest continuous law school west of the Mississippi River and has produced generations of attorneys that have been dedicated to improving and enhancing the practice of law in Iowa and throughout the nation. Currently, Iowa Law has more than 10,000 living alumni who practice in Iowa and across the world. This is a well-deserved recognition, Grassley said.  Im proud to recognize the significant milestone reached by the University of Iowas College of Law and celebrate their time honored tradition of providing an exceptional education to folks from Iowa and across the country, said Senator Ernst. I congratulate the College of Law on this achievement and look forward to celebrating what Im sure will be many more achievements in the years to come.\"      The text of the resolution is pasted below. Congratulating the University of Iowa College of Law for 150 years of outstanding service to the State of Iowa, the United States, and the world. Whereas the University of Iowa College of Law was founded in 1865, embodies the motto of Iowa, our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain, and has shaped generations of lawyers who exemplify that motto; Whereas the University of Iowa College of Law is the oldest law school in continuous operation west of the Mississippi River; Whereas, in 1873, the University of Iowa College of Law graduated what is believed to be the first female law student in the United States, Mary Beth Hickey; Whereas the second female to graduate from the University of Iowa College of Law, Mary Humphrey Haddock, became the first woman admitted to practice before the District and Circuit Courts of the United States; Whereas the University of Iowa College of Law was one of the first law schools to grant a degree to an African-American student when Alexander Clark, Jr., who graduated in 1879 and is believed to be the second African-American to graduate from a public law school in the United States, graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law; Whereas the University of Iowa College of Law graduated the first United States Attorney of American Indian ancestry; Whereas the University of Iowa College of Law has been ranked consistently among the top law schools in the United States since the founding of the College of Law 150 years ago and is currently ranked the 22nd best law school in the United States according to U.S. News and World Report; Whereas the law journal of the University of Iowa College of Law, the Iowa Law Review, ranks among the high impact legal periodicals in the United States; Whereas the University of Iowa College of Law is home to a law library that houses the second largest collection of volumes and volume equivalents among all law school libraries, containing over 1,000,000 volumes and volume equivalents, making it one of the most comprehensive collections of print, microgram, and electronic legal materials in the United States; Whereas the Law Library at the University of Iowa College of Law is open to the public and provides valuable legal resources for all Iowans; Whereas the University of Iowa College of Law serves as the only public law school in Iowa and pursues a mission of providing a legal education that is accessible, affordable, and inclusive; Whereas the University of Iowa College of Law provides clinics that offer real-world experience in a wide range of legal fields and pro bono counsel to members of the community; Whereas the University of Iowa College of Law strives to produce students that are well-suited for the legal profession, resulting in 99 percent of students of the College of Law completing degrees and 92 percent of students of the College of Law passing the bar exam on the first attempt; Whereas the University of Iowa College of Law ranks in the top 15 law schools in the United States for graduates in full-time, long-term jobs that require passage of the bar exam; and Whereas the University of Iowa College of Law has produced hundreds of notable alumni that have contributed to the legal community in the State of Iowa and the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate (1) congratulates the University of Iowa College of Law for 150 years of outstanding service to the State of Iowa, the United States, and the world; and (2) requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to the Dean of the College of Law and the President of the University of Iowa.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-nominates-iowa-students-us-service-academies-1", "Grassley Nominates Iowa Students to the U.S. Service Academies", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Senator Chuck Grassley has nominated 41 Iowa students for consideration for appointments to the U.S. service academies.    Young Iowans who want to enter the academies and serve our country are a remarkable reflection on our state and signal continued excellence in the U.S. armed forces. These candidates accomplishments and leadership are outstanding, Grassley said.    Each year Grassley has the opportunity as a U.S. senator to nominate either current or future Iowa high school graduates for a select few service academy placements. The Air Force, Military and Naval academies all select at least one qualified student from Grassleys nominations. The Merchant Marine Academy makes selections in proportion to states representation in Congress.    Grassley said he encourages Iowa students to consider applying to more than one service academy due to the highly competitive nature of admissions and seeking multiple nominations. Iowa representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives make nominations in addition to both of Iowas U.S. senators. Students may receive more than one nomination.    Students interested in academy appointments should begin the application process in the spring of their junior year of high school. Early application is encouraged. The academies select students based on the number of vacancies available for the next school year.     The academies offer some of the best options for higher education, and they offer an outstanding way to serve our country. Its a tremendous opportunity for young Iowans, Grassley said.     Traditionally, the high quality of Iowa nominees results in several Iowa students being offered admission to attend each of the service academies. The students then choose whether or not to attend the academy. More information about service academy nominations can be found here.    Grassley said he will make announcements as academy appointments are offered to Iowans.     The lists below include the names and hometowns of Grassleys nominees for the 2016-2017 school year.    U.S. Air Force Academy  Sidney Alsager, Jewell  Justin Ashley, Waukee  Emma Baller, Sioux City  Alan Chatfield, Muscatine  Abraham Fisher, Clinton  Brandon Gore, Bettendorf  Kaitlin Greene, Coralville  Daniel Holt, Cedar Rapids  Zane Johnson, Johnston  Olivia Ketron, Dixon  Nathan Leon, West Des Moines  Jared Logomarcino, West Des Moines  Riley Lowe, Swisher  Samuel Pisney, Cedar Rapids  Hannah Schwartz, Ames*  Patrick Schwartzhoff, Davenport  Corbyn Shumaker, Ankeny  Andrew Shumway, Des Moines  John Sullivan, Davenport  Thomas Treptau, Lansing U.S. Military Academy at West Point  Jerry Bastin, Muscatine  Garrett Dunn, State Center  Christian Flege, Waverly  Zachary Gilbert, Cedar Rapids  Alexander Gudenkauf, Coralville  Harrison Jones, Council Bluffs  Jonas Mason, Cedar Rapids  Katelyn Miller, Clear Lake  Patrick Ramirez, State Center  Joseph Zasadney, Walker   U.S. Naval Academy  Caroline Ascherl, Granville  Robert Beardsley, Bettendorf*  Michael Berry, Cedar Rapids  Evan Boss, Central City  John Buck, Dallas Center  Darek Garman, Corwith  Jason Nye, Urbandale  Ross Otte, Clive  Cole Patton, Des Moines  Hunter Wargo, West Branch U.S. Merchant Marine Academy  Robert Beardsley, Bettendorf*  Meeghan Rodamaker, Mason City  Hannah Schwartz, Ames*   Students denoted with an asterisk (*) were also nominated for appointments to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in addition to the Air Force, Military or Naval academies. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/iowa-federal-judicial-nominees-receive-vote-after-senate-convenes-next-year", "Iowa Federal Judicial Nominees to Receive Vote After Senate Convenes Next Year", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Senator Chuck Grassley said today that two Iowans who have been nominated by President Barack Obama for federal judgeships will be voted on by the full Senate early next year.  In an agreement between both the Republican and Democratic leaders announced on the Senate floor earlier this week, Iowans Leonard Strand of Sioux City, and Rebecca Ebinger of Des Moines, are two of five judicial nominees who will be voted on before Presidents Day. The other nominees who will receive votes are Luis Restrepo of Pennsylvania, Wilhelmina Wright of Minnesota, and John Vazquez of New Jersey. As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassley helped lead the effort to reach the agreement. These two Iowans are uniquely qualified to be federal judges and have exceptional credentials. Im glad they will be voted on by the full Senate in short order, Grassley said.   Grassley recommended Strand and Ebinger to the White House after an extensive effort by a Judicial Selection Commission that Grassley formed after two judges announced their intention to take senior status. The commission was comprised of highly qualified members of the Iowa legal community, and led by Cynthia Moser, a former Iowa State Bar Association president. The commission also included Richard Sapp, Jeffrey Goodman, Harlan D. Hockenberg, and Adam Freed.  These lawyers spent hundreds of hours carefully reviewing applications and interviewing each of the 39 Iowans who submitted applications and sought consideration. Eleven applicants were then selected to participate in a lengthy second interview. The commissions review included not only these interviews, but also a thorough study and examination of the applicants professional history, credentials, and qualifications. The commission then made recommendations to Grassley, who  in consultation with Senator Joni Ernst  reviewed the candidates and their qualifications before submitting his recommendations to the White House.  Strand currently serves as a U.S. magistrate judge in Sioux City for the Northern District of Iowa. He graduated first in his class from the College of Law at the University of Iowa and brings extensive experience in civil litigation from private practice in Cedar Rapids.  Ebinger is a state district judge in Polk County. She graduated from Yale Law School, was an assistant U.S. attorney in both the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa, and clerked for Judge Michael J. Melloy of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.     -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://loebsack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394848", "Loebsack Statement on CMS Delay of Iowas Proposed Medicaid Transition", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "IA", "Dave Loebsack", "L000565", "loebsack.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) sent a letter to the state of Iowa indicating they must delay the proposed move to privatized management of Iowas Medicaid program for 60 days. The letter indicated that the state of Iowa has significant issues to address before more than 560,000 Iowans who rely on Medicaid services switch to the new program. Originally, Governor Branstad intended for the transition to go in to effect on January 1, 2016.Loebsack has been leading the fight with leaders from the Iowa Senate to ensure those who rely on Medicaid are not negatively affected by the proposed changes.I am pleased that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have elected to slow down the states transition to a managed care system, as I urged them to do. I, along with many Iowans, expressed concerns that the transition was too fast to ensure the 560,000 Iowa beneficiaries that depend on Medicaid for quality care are not negatively affected. Going forward, I will continue to monitor the readiness of the state to implement the transition and to ensure care is not interrupted for our states most vulnerable populations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://loebsack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394851", "Loebsack Statement on House Passage of the Tax Extenders Package", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "IA", "Dave Loebsack", "L000565", "loebsack.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Loebsack Statement on House Passage of the Tax Extenders Package \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      Extension of PTC, important deductions for low-income families included in package \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 17, 2015 | \r\n      Joe Hand\r\n      (202-225-6576) \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed HR 2029, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015. Among other provisions, the bill extends the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for wind energy. Loebsack has been leading the fight in Congress for this extension in order to give the wind industry and the thousands of jobs in Iowa that it supports, the stability and certainty it deserves. HR 2029 also includes tax extenders for charities, low-income families, teachers, small businesses, and farmers. The legislation now goes to the Senate for its consideration. \r\n\r\nThe extension of the PTC included in todays bill will help support the thousands of jobs that the wind energy industry employs in Iowa alone. This current plan will help provide the stability and predictability that the industry needs and will not allow the rug to be pulled out from under this home grown, clean energy.\r\n\r\nLoebsack continued: Iowans deserve to have confidence in their tax system so they can plan for the future and make purchases. While I am pleased that many important provisions, including the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit and certain charitable deductions, were made permanent, this bill is not perfect. Congress must work to continue to give families, charities, teachers and small businesses confidence in our economy.\r\n\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blum.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=457", "Rep. Blum Votes For Pro-Jobs Tax Relief Package", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Rod Blum", "B001294", "blum.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Blum Votes For Pro-Jobs Tax Relief Package \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      Legislation Provides Certainty for Families, Small Business, Agriculture \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        December 17, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Today, Congressman Rod Blum (R-IA) joined a bipartisan majority of his colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 2029, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, a permanent tax extenders package. The bill passed 318 - 109.\r\rThis legislation allows Iowans to keep more of their hard earned money while providing long term certainty for business that make the investments in new technology and infrastructure that are so important for job creation, said Congressman Blum. I was especially encouraged to see two of my legislative priorities -- making small business expensing (Section 179) and the Research and Development Tax Credit permanent -- included in this legislation instead of being temporarily extended at the last minute as is typically done in Washington. Iowa farmers and businesses need to know what the rules are ahead of time so they can plan for the future and make investments that create jobs for Iowans. \r\rThe bill also provides Iowa families with the certainty they deserve by making the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit permanent while also encouraging our citizens to contribute to charity by making contributions tax free. Overall, this package is an important step on the path to comprehensive tax reform and moves us closer to the goal of a tax code that will help reignite our economy and raise wages for our working families.\r\rFor more information on Congressman Blums previous work to make Section 179 and the R&D Tax Credit permanent please click here and here.\r\rRod Blum is the Republican Congressman in Iowas 1st District. He is a member of the Budget and Oversight & Government Reform Committees.\r\r###\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-vows-continued-push-reform-eb-5-after-fixes-ignored-omnibus-spending", "Grassley Vows Continued Push to Reform EB-5 after Fixes Ignored in Omnibus Spending Bill", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Floor Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley of IowaChairman, Senate Judiciary CommitteeEB-5 and the OmnibusThursday, December 17, 2015 Mr. President,  At 1:30 am Wednesday morning, an omnibus appropriations bill was filed to keep the government operating for the remainder of the fiscal year. This bill, which will be voted on by the House on Friday, includes a straight and clean extension of a program called the EB-5 Immigrant Investor program. This program has been plagued by fraud and abuse. But more importantly, it poses significant national security risks. Allegations suggesting the EB-5 program may be facilitating terrorist travel, economic espionage, money laundering and investment fraud are too serious to ignore. Yet, the omnibus bill fails to include much needed reforms. The spending bill being considered by the House and Senate is a major disappointment. Im frustrated that, despite the alarm bells and whistleblowers warning us about the program, Republican and Democrat leadership in the House and Senate decided to simply extend the program without any changes. This was a missed opportunity. What makes this especially frustrating is that the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees agreed on a bill. We had consensus. I appreciate the support of Senator Leahy, the Ranking Member of the committee. I also commend Chairman Goodlatte, Ranking Member Conyers, Congressmen Issa and Lofgren. We worked in a bi-partisan fashion. We agreed on every aspect, believing in our heart of hearts that we were doing the right thing. We found common ground on national security reforms. We made sure that rural and distressed urban areas benefited from the program. We instituted compliance measures, background checks, and transparency provisions. Through months of hard work, we put together a great deal. But despite this broad, bi-partisan support, and the work of the committees of jurisdiction, not a single one of our recommendations will be implemented. Instead of reforming the program, some members of leadership have chosen the status quo.  This failure to heed calls for reform proves that some would rather side with special interest groups, land developers and those with deep pockets. It is widely acknowledged that the EB-5 program is riddled with flaws and corruption. Maybe it is only here on Capitol Hillon this island surrounded by realitythat we can choose to plug our ears and refuse to listen to commonly accepted facts. The Government Accountability Office, the media, industry experts, members of congress, and federal agency officials, have concurred that the program is a serious problem with serious vulnerabilities. Why did congressional leaders ignore the chairmen and ranking members who were spearheading EB-5 reform? Why did they ignore the GAO, the FBI, and the Secretary of Homeland Security?  Allow me to remind my colleagues why the EB-5 Regional Center program is in need of reform.  For several years, Ive kept close tabs on the program, thanks in part to the reports of wrongdoing brought forward by whistleblowers. The fact is that other federal agencies, including the FBI, have raised national security concerns. Whistleblowers say that requests from politically influential people were being expedited.  Last June, Congress heard from a whistleblower who was harassed for speaking out against the program. This whistleblower said in a Senate committee hearing: EB-5 applicants from China, Russia, Pakistan and Malaysia had been approved in as little as 16 days and in less than a month in most. The files lacked the basic and necessary law enforcement queries I could not identify how USCIS was holding each regional center accountable. I was also unable to verify how an applicant was tracked once he or she entered the country. In addition, a complete and detailed account of the funds that went into the EB-5 project was never completed or produced after several requests. During the course of my investigation it became very clear that the EB-5 program has serious security challenges. There are also classified reports that detail the problems. Our committee has received numerous briefings and classified documents to show this side of the story.  Our own executive branch agencies have communicated to us their concerns about the program. Officials within the Securities and Exchange Commission, the FBI, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement expressed concerns about the program, and how prone it is to fraud. An internal national security report stated the following: As in any instance where significant investment funds are raisedthe regional center model is vulnerable to abuse. The capital raising activities inherent in the regional center model raise concerns about investor fraud and other conduct that may violate US securities laws. Third Party promoters engaged by regional centers to recruit potential investors overseas fall outside of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulatory authority and may make false claims or promises about investment opportunities. Unregistered broker-dealers may operate outside of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services statutory oversight to match prospective investors with project developers. Moreover, the statute and regulations do not expressly prohibit persons with criminal records from owning, managing, or recruiting for regional centers. How many more intelligence reports are needed to understand the problems? How many more headlines are needed before we have the will to deal with them? How many more whistleblowers are going to be demoted for speaking the truth?  The Secretary of Homeland Security sent a letter to the Judiciary Committee and requested more authority to deny, terminate or revoke a regional centers designation. They wanted more authority to root out the bad apples. They have been requesting that since 2012.  Our bill would have done that. But, the fact that our bipartisan bill was dismissed means bad actors and bad regional centers will continue to operate. The EB-5 program also encourages a whole host of financial fraud and corruption. The programs abundant loopholes and lack of regulation have created a virtual playing field for unethical gamesmanship and con-artists. Fortune magazine reported how one man cheated potential immigrants out of $147 million dollars for a make-believe building project he never intended to finish. The article explains how the trickster claimed the project would create over 8,000 jobs. In reality, some 290 foreigners were tricked out of their cash. This is not the only example of how regional centers can be used to defraud people out of millions of dollars for non-existent projects. The Securities and Exchange Commission encountered another fake project in which two men in Kansas purported to build an ethanol plant in Kansas. The Commission stated in a litigation release that, The plant was never built and the promised jobs never created, yet the [two men] continued to misrepresent to investors that the project was ongoing. The report goes on to say that millions of dollars of investor money was used for other purposeseven going to another completely unrelated project in the Philippines. Just last month, the National Law Review reported another case in which the Securities and Exchange Commission filed suit against the owner of a regional center who allegedly stole $8.5 million in EB-5 funds. The owner claimed that all the money provided from the foreign investors would be held in escrow until the approval of their green cards. Instead, the article reports that the owner of the regional center blew the money on two different personal homes, a luxury Mercedes, a BMW, and a private yacht. All the while, clueless investors were exploited by loopholes in the EB-5 program. For example, the article states that both the investors and the owner of the regional center were represented by the same attorney. But for many potential EB-5 immigrants, a safe investment is not the main concern. Paying $500,000 is simply the price of admission that they are able and willing to pay. For these wealthy elites, a profitable investment is just icing on the cake of buying a green card. A lot of the debate in the past two months has been on Targeted Employment Area reforms. The Targeted Employment Areas created by Congress to steer foreign investments to rural and distressed areas have been greatly abused. The designations have been gerrymandered to include the most lavish of developments in the richest neighborhoods. The Hudson Yards Project has generated millions of dollars for a luxury apartment complex in mid-town Manhattan.  Not far away, another flagrant example of gerrymandering is the Battery Maritime Building right next to Wall Street in lower Manhattan. The New York Times described it by saying it, snakes up through the Lower East Side, skirting the wealthy enclaves of Battery Park City and Tribeca, and then jumps across the East River to annex the Farragut Houses project in Brooklyn.  How many more media reports will it take to understand the extent of EB-5 gerrymandering? Have the senators who helped table our reforms ever read those reports in the Wall Street Journal?  I can say with certainty that the status quo will not benefit Middle America. It benefits New York City and other affluent areas at the expense of areas in Iowa, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Vermont.  Some may say that there wasnt enough debate or public input on EB-5 reforms. Well, let me walk you through just how much debate weve had on this issue. The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the program in late 2011. In every hearing since in which Secretary Johnson has testified, the issue of EB-5 has come up. The Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, as well as other House committees, have had hearings on the program.  In 2013, the Senate debated an immigration bill that was over 1,000 pages long. In a few short months, we voted that bill out of this body. Part of that bill included EB-5 reforms, some of which are in the Judiciary Committees agreement.  Then, in 2014, the House Judiciary Committee voted out a bill that included some changes to the program. The bill would have raised the investment level to $1.6 million. This year, in June, Senator Leahy and I introduced S. 1501, The American Job Creation and Investment Promotion Reform Act. It was a tough, serious bill to overhaul the program.  And since June, we have listened to members. We have heard input from their constituents and the regional centers in their states.  We listened to shareholders. We met with lawyers, lobbyists, and regional center operators. We listened to groups that represented trade and labor union groups. We met with the agency at the Department of Homeland Security that runs the program. We have worked with them and the Securities and Exchange Commission on language. We consulted various congressional committees.   We took this input, and made changes to our bill. On November 7, we circulated a new draft with Chairman Goodlatte.  Ranking member Conyers joined our conversations as well, and has provided invaluable input.  So, again, we had a bipartisan and bicameral agreement with the four leaders of the committee of jurisdiction. Leadership of both bodies said that committees would do their jobs and be relevant to the legislative process again.  And, we werent the only ones who wanted action. On November 6, Chairmen Corker and Johnson joined me in sending a letter to Leaders McConnell and Reid, urging them to include critical provisions that would better guard against fraud and abuse and give the department the ability to terminate questionable centers.  Senator Feinstein said shed prefer to see the program end. In early November she wrote, We have seen in recent years that the program is particularly vulnerable to securities fraud. According to legal complaints, applicants for some projects were swindled out of their investment, and jobs were never created When the program comes up for renewal in December, Congress should allow the program to die. Two weekends ago, Judiciary staff was asked to come in and talk to Democrat and Republican leadership. Staff was asked to hear out the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Real Estate Roundtable, and other industry representatives.  On that first day of December negotiations, there was a lot of discussion about how New York wouldnt be able to compete with rural America if our reforms were enacted. They thought the bill was unfair to urban areas and they wanted every project in the country to qualify for the special Targeted Employment Area designation. The solution was to provide a set-aside of visas at the higher level to ensure they could use the program. An agreement was in the works.  Yet, when they returned the next day for discussions, the Chamber and Real Estate Roundtable, along with a small group of developers represented by a law firm in town, came with a new list of demands. They had half a dozen major issues, not to count their so-called technical changes.   After nearly 12 hours in a room with EB-5 protectionists, Judiciary Committee staff conceded and tried to find common ground. They left with an agreement in concept. But the next day when staff were called in to finalize the language, the industry said they wanted more. This is a common theme. The industry wanted more. And more. And more. It made one really wonder if they actually wanted a bill with reforms.  Then, after all the concessions made to the industry, some members in the Senate asked us to make even more concessions. Despite all these challenges, the four corners of the Judiciary Committee compromised even more. We gave in on many areas. We tried to strike an agreementas much as we knew it weakened our bill  because the security reforms are so desperately needed.  But after all that, our House and Senate leadership failed us. They extended the program without changes for 10 months. No reforms. No plugs to national security. No safeguards against fraud and abuse.  The bill we presented to the Republican and Democrat leadership took into consideration edits from the industry, immigration attorneys, and several congressional offices. Am I disappointed that the leadership simply extended a very flawed program? Yes. But, I also know that the product we had provided them on Monday night was a very flawed bill. It was watered down. It was a giveaway to New York City, Texas and rich developers who simply wanted to protect their projects. It was a giveaway to affluent urban areas and a failure for rural America. According to ABC News, more than $30 million was spent this year alone on lobbying efforts against reforms. I would like unanimous consent to insert into the record this article, titled, Lobbyists Declare Victory After Visa Reform Measure Dies Quietly. Well, its time for things to change. I was for reform. I wanted to make it better. But, now Im not so sure reforms are possible. It may be time to do away with it completely.  Maybe we should spend our time, resources and efforts in other programs that benefit the American people. Maybe its time this program goes away.  The next 10 months will be spent exposing the realities of this program. As Chairman, I will exercise oversight of this program even more than I have. I will ask tough questions and make more recommendations.  My quest to either have EB-5 reforms or end the program has just begun.  This is not the end. This is just the beginning.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-passes-bill-continue-cracking-down-federal-charge-card-waste-and-abuse", "Senate Passes Bill to Continue Cracking Down on Federal Charge Card Waste and Abuse", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, the Senate approved a bipartisan bill to curb waste, fraud and abuse in federal agency travel and purchase cards spending. The Saving Federal Dollars Through Better Use of Government Purchase and Travel Cards Act of 2015 (S. 1616), introduced by Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) with Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration.    I thank Senators Grassley, McCaskill, and Johnson for their partnership on this bipartisan bill, said Sen. Carper. This common sense legislation would implement stronger and smarter controls to prevent potential abuse and misuse of government charge cards. While federal agencies have made progress in strengthening financial controls over government travel and purchase cards, more needs to be done to eliminate wasteful charge card spending. Congress must continue to work across the aisle to ensure that federal agencies crack down on charge card abuse and taxpayer dollars are being spent responsibly across the federal government. I encourage my colleagues in the House of Representatives to approve this legislation and send it to the President for his signature.    This bill builds on my Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 by adding an additional layer of government-wide oversight to the work of individual agency inspectors general, said Sen. Grassley. Earlier this year, a Defense Department inspector general report, which was drafted in response to the 2012 law, highlighted some areas where the Defense Department was not properly implementing the required controls and flagged casinos as a high risk for misuse of charge cards. Our bill will make sure were looking for similar patterns of misuse across all federal agencies and that agencies are sharing best practices to prevent misuse and identify potential cost savings. What weve done here to help agencies find and end the waste, fraud, and abuse of government-issued charge cards is a no-brainer, said Sen. McCaskill, a former Missouri State Auditor and top-ranking member on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. We owe it to the taxpayers to make sure these cards are being used for legitimate business purposes, and not as a personal credit card. This is the kind of commonsense legislation thatll easily save taxpayer dollars and help give Americans a little more confidence in their federal government. The federal government needs to do more to monitor and analyze the data on the travel and purchase cards of federal employees,\" said Sen. Johnson. \"We can use this data to find fraudulent uses of employee cards and determine where agencies are repetitively spending money on items that could be bought in bulk at lower cost. I am pleased that our bipartisan bill to address these concerns has moved through the full Senate, and I hope the improvements will be quickly implemented. The Saving Federal Dollars Through Better Use of Government Purchase and Travel Cards Act of 2015 helps prevent charge card misuse and abuse by requiring the Government Services Administration to continuously examine charge card purchases made across the federal government. The legislation would also facilitate improved anti-fraud information sharing among federal agencies that use purchase and travel cards, in addition to requiring those agencies to share best-practices for detecting and preventing waste, fraud and abuse. In addition, the bill would encourage agencies to leverage purchasing power through strategic sourcing.    Earlier this year, a Department of Defense (DoD) Office of the Inspector General report detailed how some employees at the Department misused government-issued charge cards to gamble and pay for adult entertainment. This legislation aims to prevent charge card misuse and abuse by implementing more oversight controls for travel and purchase cards across federal agencies.   -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-amendment-to-omnibus-spending-bill-defunds-climate-change-agreement", "King Amendment to Omnibus Spending Bill Defunds Climate Change Agreement", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Steve King released the following statement after submitting his amendment, defunding the Climate Change Agreement, to the omnibus spending bill:\nIt is the obligation of Congress to restore its Article I Constitutional authority and the balance of power, said King. This omnibus is the best opportunity to support and defend our Constitutional authority. \nWith blatant disregard for the health of the American economy, and without Congressional approval, President Obama has pledged to support the climate change agreement that was worked out at the COP21 conference in Paris earlier this month. The amendment I offered today will prevent the President from imposing the harsh and arbitrary burdens of this agreement on American families and businesses. If left unchecked, the President will use this agreement to expand federal control over the economy, raise the cost of energy, and stifle an already fragile economy.\nThis is the eighth of nine amendments I submitted to make the omnibus spending bill a bill that fulfills the promises we all made to our constituents in 2014 and to restore Article I Constitutional authority to the United States Congress. \nTo view the original amendment text, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-amendment-to-omnibus-spending-bill-defunds-enforcement-of-the", "King Amendment to Omnibus Spending Bill Defunds Enforcement of the Supreme Courts Same-Sex Marriage Ruling", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Steve King released the following statement after submitting his amendment, defunding the enforcement of the Supreme Courts ruling on Same-Sex Marriage, to the omnibus spending bill:\nIt is the obligation of Congress to restore its Article I Constitutional authority and the balance of power, said King. This omnibus is the best opportunity to support and defend our Constitutional authority. \nMy amendment blocks the Federal government from forcing the states to accept and honor same-sex marriage imposed by judicial fiat. The people, through their elected representatives, should be the ones deciding whether to adopt same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court Justices are the last people on earth who can be allowed to amend our Constitution. \nThis is the third of nine amendments that I submitted to make the omnibus spending bill a bill that fulfills the promises we all made to our constituents in 2014 and restores Article I Constitutional authority to the United States Congress. \nTo view the original amendment text, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-amendment-to-omnibus-spending-bill-defunds-executive-amnesty", "King Amendment to Omnibus Spending Bill Defunds Executive Amnesty", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Steve King released the following statement after submitting his amendment to the omnibus spending bill to defund executive amnesty:\nIt is the obligition of Congress to restore its Article I Constitutional authority and the balance of power, said King. This omnibus is the best opportunity to support and defend our Constitutional authority. \nMy amendment defunds all of the President's illegal and unconstitutional actions regarding immigration. Beginning with the Morton Memos and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and covering all of his most recent illegal and unconstitutional acts to expand DACA to 5 million more illegal immigrants. Further, I submitted my language that passed the House floor earlier this year that defunds sanctuary cities. Sanctuary cities shelter criminal aliens that regularly victimize citizens with impunity while being protected by city and state officials. It is time to restore the Rule of Law and put an end to these crimes. \nThis is the second of nine amendments that I submitted to make the Omnibus spending bill a bill that fulfills the promises we all made to our constituents in 2014 and restores Article I Constitutional authority to the United States Congress. \nTo view the amendment text, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-amendment-to-omnibus-spending-bill-defunds-obamacare", "King Amendment to Omnibus Spending Bill Defunds ObamaCare", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Steve King released the following statement after submitting his defund ObamaCare implementation amendment to the Omnibus Spending bill:\nIt is the obligation of Congress to restore its Article I Constitutional authority and the balance of power, said King. This Omnibus is the best opportunity to support and defend our Constitutional authority. \nObamaCare was passed by hook, crook and legislative shenanigan and has been rejected by the American people multiple times. Since passage, the President has unilaterally ignored the law to delay mandates, rewrite the bills language related to exchanges and move to bailout co-ops and insurance companies without oversight or Congressional input. At this point our options are to defund the implementation of ObamaCare until we have the right President who will enforce the will of the American people. \nThis is the first of nine amendments that I submitted to make the Omnibus spending bill a bill that fulfills the promises we all made to our constituents in 2014 and which restores Article I Constitutional authority to Congress.\nTo view the amendment text, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-amendment-to-omnibus-spending-bill-defunds-planned-parenthood", "King Amendment to Omnibus Spending Bill Defunds Planned Parenthood", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Steve King released the following statement after submitting his amendment, defunding Planned Parenthood, to the omnibus spending bill:\nIt is the obligation of Congress to restore its Article I Constitutional authority and the balance of power, said King. This omnibus is the best opportunity to support and defend our Constitutional authority. \nThe gruesome, ghoulish, and ghastly Planned Parenthood practices brought to light by recent videos are more than enough evidence to block all federal tax dollars to Planned Parenthood. My amendment reflects the conscience of the American people and simply says: No funds authorized or appropriated by Federal law may be made available for any purpose to Planned Parenthood any affiliate or clinic of Planned Parenthood any successor.\nThis is the fourth of nine amendments I submitted to make the omnibus spending bill a bill that fulfills the promises we all made to our constituents in 2014 and to restore Article I Constitutional authority to the United States Congress. \nTo view the amendment text, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-amendment-to-omnibus-spending-bill-defunds-the-iran-nuclear-deal", "King Amendment to Omnibus Spending Bill Defunds the Iran Nuclear Deal", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Steve King released the following statement after submitting his amendment, defunding the Iran Nuclear Deal, to the omnibus spending bill:\nIt is the obligation of Congress to restore its Article I Constitutional authority and the balance of power, said King. This omnibus is the best opportunity to support and defend our Constitutional authority. \nIsrael is a strong ally and loyal friend of the United States. When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came before Congress earlier this year he made a powerful case to Congress, America and the rest of the world detailing how the Iran Nuclear deal puts Israels very survival at stake. The Iran Nuclear deal is one of the most dangerous proposals of our time. It starts the nuclear arms race in the Middle East, restores Irans economy, and enables Iran, within 10 years, to become a nuclear power. For these reasons, I submitted an amendment that completely defunds this disastrous deal. \nThis is the sixth of nine amendments I submitted to make the omnibus spending bill a bill that fulfills the promises we all made to our constituents in 2014 and to restore Article I Constitutional authority to the United States Congress. \nTo view the amendment text, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-amendment-to-omnibus-spending-bill-defunds-the-new-waters-of-the", "King Amendment to Omnibus Spending Bill Defunds the New Waters of the United States Rule", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Steve King released the following statement after submitting his amendment, defunding the new Waters of the United States rule (WOTUS), to the omnibus spending bill:\nIt is the obligation of Congress to restore its Article I Constitutional authority and the balance of power, said King. This omnibus is the best opportunity to support and defend our Constitutional authority. \nJust like in every other aspect of the Presidents executive overreaches, he did not listen to the American people. Under this new Waters of the United States rule, family farms, small businesses and other landowners would not be safe from burdensome, politically motivated EPA regulations. The courts have already begun to question the legal legitimacy of the EPAs new WOTUS rule which puts 96.7% of Iowas land mass under the EPAs jurisdiction. Congress should second that motion and defund the rule until the courts ultimately decide it is unconstitutional. \nThis is the fifth of nine amendments I submitted to make the omnibus spending bill a bill that fulfills the promises we all made to our constituents in 2014 and to restore Article I Constitutional authority to the United States Congress. \nTo view the amendment text, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-amendment-to-omnibus-spending-bill-defunds-the-refugee-resettlement", "King Amendment to Omnibus Spending Bill Defunds the Refugee Resettlement Process", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Steve King released the following statement after submitting his amendment, defunding the Refugee Resettlement Process, to the omnibus spending bill:\nIt is the obligation of Congress to restore its Article I Constitutional authority and the balance of power, said King. This omnibus is the best opportunity to support and defend our Constitutional authority. \nHow can we trust this Obama Administration who will not utter the words radical Islamic jihad to accurately screen refugees coming into the United States? For years we have had thousands of illegal immigrants coming across our boarders falsely claiming refugee status. The safety and security of the American people is paramount which is why my amendment defunds the refugee resettlement process for this fiscal year. This gives Congress time to craft a thoughtful refugee policy to help build a culture in America that honors Americanism. \nThis is the seventh of nine amendments I submitted to make the omnibus spending bill a bill that fulfills the promises we all made to our constituents in 2014 and to restore Article I Constitutional authority to the United States Congress. \nTo view theamendment text, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-amendment-to-omnibus-spending-bill-strikes-expansion-of-h-2b-visas", "King Amendment to Omnibus Spending Bill Strikes Expansion of H-2B Visas", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Steve King released the following statement after submitting his amendment, striking the expansion of H-2B visas, to the omnibus spending bill:\nIt is the obligation of Congress to restore its Article I Constitutional authority and the balance of power, said King. This omnibus is the best opportunity to support and defend our Constitutional authority. \nAt a time when many Americans are struggling to find a job, Congress is poised to quadruple the number of low-skilled workers that can enter the U.S. under the H-2B visa program to compete with U.S. citizens for jobs. With at least 11 million illegal immigrants already flooding the labor market, the last thing American workers need is 264,000 more workers entering the labor force. Congress should be looking at ways to secure our border and enforce our immigration laws not using a spending bill to substantively change immigration law by radically circumventing the cap of an employment visa. My amendment would eliminate this damaging provision from the bill and provide a very welcome Christmas president to all the unemployed seeking work. \nThis is the ninth of nine amendments I submitted to make the omnibus spending bill a bill that fulfills the promises we all made to our constituents in 2014 and to restore Article I Constitutional authority to the United States Congress. \nTo view the original amendment text, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-secures-victories-wind-energy-production-college-savings-plans-taxpayer", "Grassley Secures Victories for Wind Energy Production, College Savings Plans, Taxpayer Rights in Omnibus, Tax Extenders Package", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today praised the inclusion of a five-year extension of the wind energy production tax credit, his provisions to enhance Section 529 college savings plans, his measures to protect taxpayer rights and more welcome provisions in the newly released bipartisan, bicameral omnibus budget and tax package before Congress.    Certainty and predictability in tax policy are necessary so businesses can plan and invest accordingly, which is important for job creation. Grassley said. A five-year extension of the wind energy provision will support jobs. It supports the renewable energy that consumers want for a cleaner environment and energy independence from countries that wish to do us harm. The college savings provisions help families and students afford college. They improve a tax incentive thats popular with Iowans and others around the country who work hard to save money for their children and grandchildren to get an education. The IRS provisions are necessary to get the agency more focused on its number one job of taxpayer service.    The five-year extension of the wind energy production tax credit is a victory for wind energy producers. The extension is meant to lead to a phase-down of the industry-specific tax credit. As included, the wind production tax credit will be 100 percent in 2015 and 2016, 80 percent in 2017, 60 percent in 2018 and 40 percent in 2019.     As the father of the first wind energy tax credit in 1992, I can say that the tax credit was never meant to be permanent, Grassley said. I also can say that the wind energy industry is the only energy industry that came forward with a phase-out plan. The oil and nuclear industries have benefited from tax incentives that have been permanently on the books for decades. The five-year extension for wind energy brings about the best possible long-term outcome that provides certainty, predictability and a responsible phase-down of a tax incentive for a renewable energy source.    On education, the tax package before Congress includes Grassleys provisions to improve the already successful Section 529 savings program. Grassleys provisions allow 529 funds to purchase a computer on the same tax-favorable basis as other required materials; cut outdated, unnecessary rules that increase paperwork and costs on plan administrators; and provide tax and penalty relief in instances where a student may have to withdraw from school for illness or other reasons.    Grassley introduced his bipartisan provisions in February. His reforms build on improvements to 529 college savings plans enacted in 2001 and 2006 under Grassleys leadership on the Finance Committee and with broad bipartisan, bicameral support. The 2001 law made distributions from the plans tax-free if used for education expenses but it was scheduled to expire. The 2006 law made the tax-free provision permanent. The President proposed eliminating the 529 program earlier this year, drawing opposition from parents and Congress.    The measure includes another long-time Grassley provision, the extension of an above-the-line deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses for higher education. The provision extends the above-the-line deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses. The deduction is capped at $4,000 or $2,000 for individuals, depending on income. Another long-time Grassley priority included is an extension and modification of a deduction for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers, including school supplies that they purchase out of pocket.    The tax package includes an extension of the existing biodiesel fuel blenders credit, the small agri-biodiesel producer credit, the tax credit for cellulosic biofuels producers, the alternative fuel vehicle refueling tax credit, and bonus depreciation for cellulosic biofuel facilities. Grassley authored the initial version of many of the alternative fuels provisions when Finance Committee chairman.    Grassley hoped to include his bipartisan provision to modify the biodiesel blenders credit to a domestic production credit. Im disappointed that my common-sense, cost reduction modification was not included, Grassley said. We shouldnt provide a U.S. taxpayer benefit to imported biofuels. The domestic production credit would have made sure that U.S. policy incentivizes a domestic industry instead of benefiting foreign producers, and Ill continue to push this reform. Still, a blenders credit will help a growing industry that creates jobs and gives consumers alternatives to fossil fuels. The more fuel options, the better to meet demand.     The measure includes the enhanced per-child tax credit, making it permanent. This is helpful for families facing the tremendous expense of raising children, Grassley said.     The tax package permanently extends enhanced Section 179 expensing for equipment purchases, which is popular with farmers and small businesses. This allows farmers and small business owners to deduct the cost, up to a limit, of major equipment and property purchases that contribute to farm and business operations and job creation. The permanence is a major achievement because this provision has been temporary over the last several years.     Included is a bipartisan measure Grassley led to increase the alternative tax liability limitation for small property and casualty insurance companies. These small companies largely serve rural communities, which rely on this adjustment to provide additional surplus and cash flow used to pay customers insurance claims.    This provision helps to ensure that small mutual insurance companies will continue to be able to serve rural residents who have unique circumstances, such as living far from a fire station, and so are often unable to obtain private property insurance through traditional insurance companies, Grassley said.     The package includes several provisions from Grassleys Taxpayer Bill of Rights Enhancement Act of 2015, introduced in June amid gross mismanagement and inappropriate actions by IRS employees that have shaken what little confidence taxpayers may have had in the agency. The provisions include:    --Codifying the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, which includes the right to: be informed; quality service; pay no more than the correct amount of tax; challenge the position of the IRS and be heard; appeal a decision of the IRS in an independent forum; finality; privacy; confidentiality; retain representation; and a fair and just tax system and requires the IRS commissioner to ensure that IRS employees are familiar with and act in accordance with these rights.    --Prohibiting IRS employees from using personal email accounts for official business. This codifies an already established agency policy barring use of personal email accounts by IRS employees for official governmental business.    --Declaratory judgments for 501(c)(4) and other exempt organizations. The provision permits 501(c)(4) organizations and other exempt organizations to seek review in federal court in instances where the IRS fails to act on an application in a timely manner or makes a negative determination as to their tax-exempt status.    --Termination of employment of Internal Revenue Service employees for taking official actions for political purposes. The provision makes clear that taking official action for political purposes is an offense for which the employee should be terminated. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 to expand the grounds for termination of employment of an IRS employee to include performing, delaying, or failing to perform any official action (including an audit) by an IRS employee for the purpose of extracting personal gain or benefit for a political purpose.    The IRS has never been anyones favorite agency, Grassley said. But it shouldnt repel and mistreat the people it exists to serve. The IRS level of customer service might be at all-time low. Taxpayers are at a disadvantage with an agency that has tremendous power over their money. The IRS might talk about good customer service. Too often, talk is all there is. The IRS needs to walk the walk. These changes will help swing the pendulum away from agency self-preservation and back to taxpayer service.  The tax package adopts Grassley-led policy to ensure that those granted deferred action under the Presidents executive actions on immigration cannot retroactively get the Earned Income Tax Credit based on earnings from work performed illegally in the United States.  Grassley is former chairman and a senior member of the Finance Committee, with jurisdiction over the IRS. Grassley championed the 1988, 1996 and 1998 taxpayer rights laws currently on the books.      -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-youth-drug-survey-marijuana-results-disturbing", "Grassley: Youth Drug Survey, Marijuana Results Disturbing", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Caucus on International Narcotics Control, today made the following comment on the National Institute of Healths 2015 Monitoring the Future survey of youth habits on illicit drug and tobacco use. The survey shows the decreasing use of a number of substances, including cigarettes, alcohol, prescription opioid pain relievers and synthetic cannabinoids (synthetic marijuana). Other drug use, including the use of marijuana, remains stable, with continued high rates of daily use reported among 12th graders, and ongoing declines in the perception of its harms. The results are mixed. Theres good news in areas that have been a concern in Iowa and elsewhere in the country, including harmful synthetic drugs. I give credit to law enforcement, parents, community groups and state and federal laws, including those Ive sponsored, that have cracked down on access to the chemicals used to make synthetic drugs.         But the news on marijuana use is disturbing. Marijuana use remains high. For the first time, on a daily basis, more 12th graders are smoking marijuana than tobacco. The perceptions of the risk of marijuana use among youth also continue to drop, with less than a third believing marijuana use is harmful. This may indicate that marijuana rates are unlikely to decline any time soon. Unfortunately, these developments arent at all surprising under an Administration that refuses to enforce federal law in this area and downplays the risks associated with using marijuana. The Administration should reconsider its approach. Marijuana isnt harmless. It can have especially negative physical effects on developing brains. It can also lead to the use of other drugs with even more devastating effects. The survey press release is available here. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/data-behind-sovaldi-report-wyden-grassley-investigation-looks-drug-costs-every", "Data Behind the Sovaldi Report: Wyden-Grassley Investigation Looks at Drug Costs in Every State Medicaid Program", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As Part of a Comprehensive, Bipartisan Report on the High Cost of Hep C Drugs, Senior Finance Members Collected Data on Drug Costs, Prescription Volume, and Patients Treated in All 50 States, D.C. State Medicaid Programs Imposed Access Restrictions Due to Budget Constraints, Yet Sovaldi Still Dominated Drug Spending WASHINGTON  An investigation released earlier this month by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, a senior member of the committee, demonstrated the significant financial impact that Gilead Sciences Inc.'s hepatitis C drug Sovaldi and its follow-on drug Harvoni had on state Medicaid programs during 2014, their first year on the market. As a part of the investigation, the senators assembled a comprehensive Medicaid data set based on state-reported data, which is highlighted in detail below. The senators also released today new data on the top 25 state-reported Medicaid drug expenditures, found in the table below. The 18-month investigation found that because of Sovaldi's high price and Gilead's initial refusal to provide substantial discounts, Medicaid programs were only able treat 2.4% of some 700,000 enrollees infected with the disease, despite spending more than $1 billion on the drug during calendar year 2014, according to state-reported data. Data provided by state Medicaid programs from all 50 states and the District of Columbia show that Sovaldi ranked among the top five pharmaceutical spending items for 33 different state Medicaid programs. Fourteen states reported that Sovaldi was the top pharmaceutical cost for their fee-for-service (FFS), managed care (MCO), or combined programs. Fifteen more reported Sovaldi was the second highest cost. Four more states reported that Sovaldi ranked third, fourth or fifth in their pharmaceutical spending in 2014. (page 84 of report) The data provides a state-by-state breakdown of how much state Medicaid programs reported spending on Sovaldi and Harvoni, and where spending on the drugs ranked in comparison to spending on other medications. It also shows the reported prescription count and number of patients treated. Appendix A of the report aggregated individual states' reported data on spending, prescription and patient recipients, as well as landmark state-reported estimates of Medicaid enrollees infected with Hepatitis C and whether states agreed to supplemental discounts with Gilead for Sovaldi. Appendix A is available in interactive spreadsheet form here. Details on how that data was collected and organized can be found here. In addition, the senators highlighted letters from 10 states detailing how Sovaldi's high price affected their budgets, providing additional details in several instances, and explaining how their requests that Gilead offer more significant discounts were unsuccessful. Letters included in today's release are from Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. Gilead's own documents show that nine months after Sovaldi's release, the company analyzed the impact Sovaldi was having on Medicaid programs, concluding that half of state Medicaid programs were limiting coverage to the sickest patients and that budget concerns were leading to strict management of the drugs availability to enrolled patients. (page 99) Staff also visualized Medicaid data in a nationwide map, found below. The map examines the percentage of state-reported Medicaid patients with hepatitis C receiving Sovaldi, as well as Sovaldi's rank for each state's Medicaid prescription drug spending. (Click to view) Below is a table of state-reported top 25 Medicaid drug expenditures.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-murphy-urge-committee-consideration-revolutionary-war-patriot-memorial", "Grassley, Murphy Urge Committee Consideration of Revolutionary War Patriot Memorial Bill", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut have urged the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to consider the National Liberty Memorial Clarification Act of 2015, a bill that would keep the creation of the National Liberty Memorial  a monument to commemorate the tens of thousands of slaves and free black persons who fought for freedom and independence in the American Revolution  on track.    In a letter to Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Murphy and Grassley requested that the committee leaders schedule a hearing on the bill early in the next session of Congress so that it can be reported to the full Senate as soon as possible. The National Liberty Memorial Clarification Act was referred to the Senate committee earlier this year after it passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 402-0.    We are strong supporters of the creation of the National Liberty Memorial to honor the thousands of enslaved and free black persons who fought in the Revolutionary War. However, we understand that red tape has led to delays in the final approval of the design and location for the memorial. In order to streamline the process and keep the memorial on track to be completed in the current authorization period, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1949, the National Liberty Memorial Clarification Act of 2015, on September 17, 2015, wrote the Senators. H.R. 1949 has now been referred to your committee. We ask that you schedule a hearing early in the next session of Congress to consider this bill with a view to it being reported to the full Senate for consideration as soon as possible.    Grassley's work to get the memorial built began when several young Iowans took an interest in the effort and helped with the initial push for the memorial. One soldier of special interest to many Iowans is Cato Mead, an African American Revolutionary War patriot who spent his final years in southeast Iowa. There is a monument dedicated to Mead in the Montrose Cemetery in Lee County.    Murphy became involved in the effort after former U.S. Senators Chris Dodd and Joseph Lieberman successfully led the fight to pass legislation that, in 2013, was signed into law by President Obama and authorized construction of the new memorial. At least 820 African American soldiers served in the Revolutionary War from Connecticut.    The National Liberty Memorial will be built by Liberty Fund D.C., a private nonprofit established to lead the effort to construct the memorial. No taxpayer dollars will be used to fund the construction of the memorial.     The full text of the letter is below:    The Honorable Lisa Murkowski, Chairwoman  The Honorable Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member  Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources   304 Dirksen Senate Office Building  Washington, D.C. 20510    Dear Chairwoman Murkowski and Ranking Member Cantwell,    We are strong supporters of the creation of the National Liberty Memorial to honor the thousands of enslaved and free black persons who fought in the Revolutionary War. The memorial has been authorized by Congress to be established in Area I or Area II in Washington, D.C. However, we understand that red tape has led to delays in the final approval of the design and location for the memorial. In order to streamline the process and keep the memorial on track to be completed in the current authorization period, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1949, the National Liberty Memorial Clarification Act of 2015, on September 17, 2015, by a vote of 402-0.    H.R. 1949 has now been referred to your committee. We ask that you schedule a hearing early in the next session of Congress to consider this bill with a view to it being reported to the full Senate for consideration as soon as possible.     Thank you for your consideration of our request.    Sincerely,      Charles E. Grassley Christopher Murphy  United States Senator United States Senator A signed copy of the letter is available here.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-presses-consideration-inspector-general-empowerment-act", "Grassley Presses for Consideration of Inspector General Empowerment Act", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Chuck Grassley today on the Senate floor asked unanimous consent for the Senate to begin consideration of a bill to ensure that inspectors general across the federal bureaucracy have timely access to all records needed to complete a thorough and independent investigation. Grassley's unanimous consent request was objected to by Senate minority leader Harry Reid in an effort to hide the identities of members who are holding up passage of the bill. The objection was made in violation of the spirit of the Standing Order of the Senate that says members who have holds on legislation must be identified. In a statement after the objection, Grassley said, This bill is about giving inspectors general the tools they need to provide proper oversight of the executive branch. These are common sense solutions to helping root out waste, fraud and abuse. Objecting to a bipartisan bill whose authors have been working for months in good faith, without offering constructive assistance to improving it, reflects poorly on the Senate as a whole. The text of Grassley's speech on the Inspector General Empowerment Act is below.  Video of Grassley's floor speech can be found here. Prepared Floor Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa  Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee  Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2015  Tuesday, December 15, 2015 To ensure accountability and transparency in government, Congress created Inspectors Generalor IGsas our eyes and ears within the executive branch. But IGs cannot do their job without timely and independent access to all agency records.  Agencies cannot be trusted to restrict the flow of potentially embarrassing documents to the IGs who oversee them. If the agencies can keep IGs in the dark, then this Congress will be kept in the dark too. So, when Congress passed the Inspector General Act in 1978, we explicitly said that IGs should have access to ALL agency records. Inspectors General are designed to be independent, but also to be part of the agency. They are there to help agency leadership identify and correct waste, fraud and abuse.  Fights between an agency and its own inspector general over access to documents are a waste of time and money. The law requires that inspectors general have access to ALL agency records precisely to avoid these costly and time-consuming disputes. However, since 2010, a handful of agencies, led by the FBI, has refused to comply with this legal obligation. The Justice Department claimed that the Inspector General could not access certain records until department leadership gave them permission. Requiring prior approval from agency leadership for access to agency information undermines inspector general independence. That is bad enough, but it also causes wasteful delays. After this access problem came to light, Congress took action.  The 2015 Department of Justice Appropriations Act declares that no funds should be used to deny the Inspector General timely access to all records. The new law also directed the Inspector General to report to Congress within five days whenever there was a failure to comply with this requirement. In February alone, the Justice Department's IG notified Congress of three separate occasions in which the FBI failed to provide access to records requested for oversight investigations. IGs for the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Commerce and the Peace Corps have experienced similar stonewalling. Then, in July, the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counselor OLCreleased a memo arguing that we did not really mean all records when we put those words in the statute.   Let me be clear, we meant what we said in the IG Act: ALL records really means ALL records.  One week after OLC issued its awful legal opinion, Senators Mikulski and Shelby on the Appropriations Committee sent a letter to the Justice Department correcting OLC's misreading of the appropriations rider, also known as Section 218.  Let me just read a few excerpts from that letter: QUOTE We write to inform you that OLC's interpretation of Section 218  and the subsequent conclusion of our Committee's intention  is wrong. * * *  We expect the Department and all of its agencies to fully comply with section 218, and to provide the OIG with full and immediate access to ALL records, documents and other material in accordance with section 6(a) of the Inspector General Act. END QUOTE I applaud my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee for standing up for Inspectors General. In early August, I chaired a Judiciary Committee hearing on the OLC opinion and the devastating impact it is already having on the work of inspectors general across government. Even the Justice Department witness disagreed with the results of the OLC opinion and supported legislative action to solve the problem. So, following the hearing, 11 of my colleagues and I sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to DOJ and the IG community. In this letter, the Chair and Ranking Members of the Committees of jurisdiction in both the House and Senate asked for specific legislative language to re-affirm that all means all. It took the Justice Department 3 months to respond to this letter, and its proposed language was far too narrow. However, the IG community responded to our letter within 2 weeks. In September, a bipartisan group of senators and I incorporated the core of this language into S. 579, the Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2015. In total, 13 colleagues have joined me on this bill, including Senators Johnson, McCaskill, Ernst, Baldwin, Carper, Cornyn, Lankford, Collins, Ayotte, Kirk, Mikulski, Fischer, and Wyden. I am grateful to each one of them for standing up with me for Inspectors General. I especially want to thank Senators Johnson and McCaskill for working closely with me on this legislation from the very beginning and for their work in getting this bill through committee. Now, let me tell you what this bill does. The Inspector General Empowerment Act includes further clarification that Congress intended IGs to access ALL agency records, notwithstanding any other provision of law, unless other laws specifically state that IGs are not to receive such access.  Let me be clear: the purpose of this provision is to nullify and overturn the OLC opinion. This notwithstanding any other provision of law language is key to accomplishing that goal. But the bill does much more than overturning the OLC opinion which has been roundly criticized by both sides of the aisle. It bolsters IG independence by preventing agency heads from placing them on arbitrary and indefinite administrative leave.  It promotes transparency by requiring IGs to post more of their reports online, including those involving misconduct by senior officials that the Justice Department chose not to prosecute.  Also, the bill equips IGs with tools they need to conduct effective investigations, such as the ability to subpoena testimony from former federal employees. When employees of the U.S. government are accused of wrongdoing or misconduct, IGs should be able to conduct a full and thorough investigation of those allegations. Getting to the bottom of these allegations is necessary to restore the public trust. Unfortunately, employees who may have violated that trust are often allowed to evade the IG's inquiry, by simply retiring from the government. So, the bill empowers IGs to obtain testimony from employees like this.  Similarly, the bill helps IGs better expose waste, fraud and abuse by those who receive federal funds. It enables IGs to require testimony from government contractors and subcontractors and grantees and sub-grantees. Currently, most IGs can subpoena documents from entities from outside their agency. However, most cannot subpoena testimony, although a few can. For examples, the Inspectors General for the Defense Department and the Department of Health and Human Services already have this authority. The ability to require witnesses outside the agency to talk to the IG can be critical in carrying out an inspector general's statutory duties or recovering wasted federal funds. The IG community recently provided me with numerous examples of actual, real-life cases that illustrate the need to subpoena witnesses. I ask unanimous consent to submit for the record a document that lists these examples.  I also ask unanimous consent to submit for the record a letter that I received yesterday from the Project on Government Oversight, or POGO. POGO is a nonpartisan independent watchdog that has been advocating good government reforms for decades. And in this letter, POGO expresses its support for this bill in general and for the provisions that equip IGs with the authority to require testimony. But Mr. President, I want to be clear: the bill also imposes limitations on the authority of IGs to require testimony. There are several procedural protections in place to ensure that this authority is exercised wisely. For example, the subpoena must first be approved by a majority of a designated panel of three other IGs. It is then referred to the Attorney General. For those IGs that can already subpoena witness testimony, I am not aware of any instance in which it has been misused. In fact, the Inspector General for the Department of Defense has established a policy that spells out additional procedures and safeguards to ensure that subjects of subpoenas are treated fairly. I'm confident that the rest of the IG community will be just as scrupulous in providing appropriate protections for the use of this authority, as well. You see, we all win when IGs can do their jobs. And most importantly, the public is better served when IGs are able to shine light into government operations and stewardship of taxpayer dollars. In September, we attempted to pass this important bill via unanimous consent. It has been nearly three months since leadership asked whether any Senator would object. Not one Senator has put a statement in the record or come to the floor to object publicly. At the August Judiciary Committee hearing there was a clear consensus that Congress needed to act legislatively and needed to overturn the OLC opinion. And every day that goes by without fixing the OLC opinion is another day that watchdogs across the government can be stonewalled.    At that hearing, Senator Leahy said that this access problem is blocking what was once a free flow of information and called for a permanent legislative solution. Senator Cornyn noted that the OLC opinion is ignoring the mandate of Congress and undermining the oversight authority that Congress has under the constitution.  And, Senator Tillis stated that that the need to fix this access problem was a blinding flash of the obvious and that we all seem to be in violent agreement that we need to correct this. However, some members raised concerns about guaranteeing IGs unchecked access to certain national security information.  Fortunately, we were able to agree on some changes to the bill that addressed those concerns, without gutting the core of the bill. We made these concessions so that the bill can pass by unanimous consent. And I thank my colleagues who worked with me to arrive at this compromise. But as we move forward, it's important to note the following: First, I am not aware of a single instance in which an IG has mishandled any classified or sensitive operational information. IGs are subject to the same restrictions on disclosing information as everyone else in the agency that they oversee.  Second, the executive orders restricting and controlling classified information are issued under the President's constitutional authority. The bill does not attempt to limit that constitutional authority at all. It just clarifies that no law can prevent an IG from obtaining documents from the agency it oversees unless the statute explicitly states that IG access should be restricted. No one thinks this statute could supersede the President's constitutional authority. And third, there is already a provision in the law that allows the Secretary of Defense to prohibit an Inspector General review to protect vital national security interests or to protect sensitive operational information. We agreed to clarify that already-existing provision to include the ability to restrict access to information as well as to prevent a review from occurring. However, we kept the language in that provision that requires notification to Congress whenever the authority to restrict the IG's access to information is exercised. After making these changes, we attempted to hot-line the revised bill last week. Since then, no Senator has publicly stated any other concern. The co-sponsors have worked hard behind the scenes over the past three months in good-faith to accommodate the concerns of any and all members willing to work with us. Now, the time has come to pass this bill. We all lose when Inspectors General are delayed or prevented in doing their work.    So, I urge my colleagues to stand up for Inspectors General; overturn the OLC opinion; and restore the intent of the Inspector General Act. ALL IGs should have complete, timely, and independent access to ALL agency records. Mr. President, at this time, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar Number 68, S.579, The Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2015.    -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-usda-final-rules-actively-engaged-provisions", "Grassley Statement on USDA Final Rules on Actively Engaged Provisions", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Chuck Grassley made the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture released the final rules on the actively engaged provisions of the 2014 farm bill. Grassley led the effort to get passed in both the Senate and the House provisions that would have established a farm payment cap of $250,000 and tightened loopholes that have allowed some non-farmers to game the system. Despite receiving a majority of support in both bodies of Congress, the conference committee tied the hands of the U.S. Department of Agriculture by including a watered down version that allowed loopholes to remain.  The final rule issued by the Department of Agriculture to reduce abuses of the actively engaged loophole is a first step. While this rule still isn't as stringent as the reforms approved by both bodies of Congress through my payment limit amendment, it represents a good faith effort by the department to make the farm bill more defensible, despite the indefensible loopholes left open by the conference committee. Meaningful and enforceable limits on farm subsidies are the right thing to do. Taking steps to end farm payments to people who don't farm is good for agriculture going forward and helps begin to bring the program back to its original intent. If the farm bill is reopened in the omnibus appropriations bill by allowing unlimited subsidies to farmers by reviving commodity certificates, it creates long-term consequences for agriculture and puts at risk the positive step this final rule takes. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/epa-broke-law-promoting-wotus-land-grab-rule", "EPA BROKE THE LAW PROMOTING WOTUS LAND GRAB RULE", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "EPA BROKE THE LAW PROMOTING WOTUS LAND GRAB RULE\nWASHINGTON, D.C.-The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a damning report today -finding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) broke the law in promoting the Obama administration's controversial Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. The EPA's social media campaign engaged in congressional and grassroots lobbying on behalf of their WOTUS rule, a direct violation of the law.\nIowa Congressman David Young has been a vocal critic, \"The WOTUS rule is deeply unpopular -it allows the EPA to regulate water on 97 percent of the land in Iowa. No wonder the EPA used illegal practices to garner public support for it. I'm not surprised, but I am disappointed the EPA would stoop to this level to try and manufacture support for this job-killing, federal land grab.\"\nThe EPA had, for months, touted the feedback they received during a public comment period on the WOTUS rule. The breaking news from the GAO today proves this data simply cannot be trusted.\nGAO auditors specifically identified the agency's use of a \"Thunderclap\"campaign as \"covert propaganda.\" In other words, without identifying the EPA as the entity behind promotional messages, the campaign pushed their audiences to share messages in support of the rule.\nSeveral pending lawsuits have been filed against the WOTUS rule. In October, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit put the Environmental Protection Agency's WOTUS rule on hold nationwide. In addition, on November 19, Iowa joined the lawsuit pending in the North Dakota District Court against the EPA and the Army Corps.\nCurrently, a bipartisan coalition in Congress is working to prevent the WOTUS rule from taking effect.\nDavid Young is the Congressman serving all the people of Iowa's 3rd District, with offices in Des Moines, Creston and Council Bluffs. He is a member of the Committee on Appropriations.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-weekly-schedule-41", "Grassley Weekly Schedule", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Here is information about Senator Grassley's schedule this week.  The Senate is in session and members are negotiating the omnibus appropriations bill as well as the renewal and extension of tax incentives, including those for wind energy, biodiesel and Section 179 equipment expensing that helps farmers and small businesses. The Senate passed a short-term continuing resolution on Thursday, Dec. 10, which extended funding at the current level until Wednesday, Dec. 16. Depending on negotiations on final legislation, the Senate may be in session through the end of the week.  Senator Grassley was a guest on public affairs programs hosted by Mike Adams on AgriTalk and Trent Rice on KASI radio in Ames, and will be a guest on public affairs programs hosted by Doug Wagner on WMT radio in Cedar Rapids, Charlie Stone on KSCJ radio in Sioux City, Sean Secrease and Quaid on WTAD radio in Quincy, and Jim Fisher on WOC radio in Davenport.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/newsletters/results-guantanamo-survey-and-meetings-dc-and-iowa", "Results from Guantanamo survey and meetings from D.C. and Iowa", "2015-12-13", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The last two weeks have been busy -here are a few stops from my travels throughout Iowa's 3rd Congressional District and a few meetings in Washington,D.C.\nRead the full newsletter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blum.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=456", "Congressman Blum Announces Congressional App Challenge", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Rod Blum", "B001294", "blum.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Rod Blum released the following statement regarding his participation in the Congressional App Challenge.\r\rWith the growing importance of jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields in the 21st century, it is vital that our young people are given opportunities to learn coding skills and a platform to promote their work. The Congressional App Challenge gives our high school students these opportunities while also providing a chance to interact with local high-tech employers in a variety of STEM fields. I am excited to host the Congressional App Challenge this year and look forward to seeing the entries from students across the First District.\r\rThe Congressional App Challenge runs through January 21st, 2016, challenging high school students to design and create an original app for submission. Eligible high school students in Iowas 1st Congressional District may enter this Challenge as individuals or groups of not more than four students and will be judged by a panel chosen by the Office of Congressman Blum. The submitted app can be on any topic, provided it is original, appropriate, and has been made within a year of January 16th, 2016.\r\rAll Sign-Ups/Questions can be directed to Alexah Rogge of Congressman Blums Cedar Rapids Office at (319)364-2288 or Alexah.Rogge@mail.house.gov or by visiting https://www.challenge.gov/challenge/congressional-app-challenge-ia-01-rep-blum/.\r\rRod Blum is the Republican Congressman in Iowas 1st District. He is a member of the Budget and Oversight & Government Reform Committees.\r\r###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/american-leadership", "American Leadership", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman David Young's Capitol Solutions  Weekly Report to Iowa's Hardworking Taxpayers\nEDITORS NOTE: I look forward to providing this report each week as a resource of information for Iowans on the issues being debated and discussed in my goal to be the most accessible member of congress possible.\nAmerican Leadership\nISIS and the threat of radical Islamic extremism is a real and direct challenge to our way of life. We know there is no replacement for American leadership in the world. We must have a strategy to defeat terrorism and protect Americans. We can be successful, but we must unite as a nation behind a coherent strategy to bring our allies together with an unwavering commitment to defeating those who wish to rip away our freedoms and destroy us. Anything short of that is simply not acceptable.\nWhen I visit with Iowans throughout the 3rd Congressional District, national and personal security is what I hear about more and more. Folks feel less safe and they do not feel as secure as they once had and should. The number one responsibility of the federal government is to keep Americans safe and secure. I take that responsibility seriously.\nCongress is listening and acting to consider and pass commonsense, effective and bipartisan solutions. Before Thanksgiving, the U.S. House strengthened, with a veto-proof majority, a certification requirement for our refugee program. This was a measure to add an extra layer of scrutiny in the security process of our refugee program. It passed with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote with Democrats and Republicans coming together to recognize refugees simply need to be properly vetted and background checked before entering the United States. The federal government ought to fulfill its duty to protect Americans. Period. It is just that simple.\nThis is also why I led a letter from members of Congress to Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson reiterating Congress and the administration has a responsibility to protect Americans \"against all enemies, foreign and domestic.\"My letter asks the Secretary a series of important questions on our ability to effectively screen refugees, the states'role in this process, and what steps the Department of Homeland Security is taking to improve security screening of the Visa Waiver Program. You can read the letter here.\nThen just this week the House acted again to reaffirm this commitment to national security and place the safety of Americans as our top priority. By a bipartisan vote of 407 yeas to 19 nays the House passed the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act. This legislation closes loopholes in the visa waiver system to prevent terrorists from exploiting it.\nCurrently, there are 38 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries -where their citizens are able to gain access to the United States more easily. They do not have to visit a U.S. consulate to get a visa, they just fill out a form evaluated by the Department of Homeland Security which approves or denies travel to our country.\nRight now, around 5,000 Europeans have left their country -many from VWP countries -to fight with ISIS in Iraq and Syria. We are facing a sophisticated enemy and America must adapt and go on the offensive to meet this threat. Many agree it is reasonable to make travelers who are nationals of -or have visited during the past five years -Iraq and Syria to go through a stronger screening requirement before they can come here. In the House, we stand ready to do more -keeping our values and the U.S. Constitution as our guide -to protect our citizens and safeguard our country from attack. The 9/11 Commission Report states: \"For terrorists, travel documents are as important as weapons.\"\nWhat these refugees are going through is horrific. We are a compassionate nation and we can be part of the solution in helping these refugees, but we need to take swift action to close loopholes ISIS is trying to exploit to harm America. This refugee crisis will persist and the very real threat of terrorist attacks on American soil will loom until these terrorists are defeated.\nThe lack of a coherent strategy to combat ISIS and meet this global threat with the resolve only America can provide is a grave mistake. Our strategy cannot be to contain ISIS. Nor can we dismiss their attacks as setbacks. Most importantly, we cannot underestimate ISIS's threats or determination to attack America. Only American leadership will win this fight. Congress is taking these terrorist threats seriously and we are listening to the American people and have acted. We must unify and lead. When we do, we will prevail.\nDavid Young is the Congressman serving all the people of Iowa's 3rd District. He is a member of the Committee on Appropriations and Subcommittees on Agriculture, Homeland Security, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-immigration-language-in-customs-bill-adopted", "King Immigration Language in Customs Bill Adopted", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - Congressman Steve King released the following video statement from his comments on the House Floor speaking in support of the Customs Conference Report. Kings immigration language, agreed upon with Speaker Paul Ryanin June of 2015, was included in the Customs Report adopted by the House today.\n\n\n                                     \nTo watch Congressman Steve Kings full remarks, click here.\n\nJune 10, 2015  King Reaches Agreement with Ryan on TPA", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-new-k-12-education-law", "Q&A: New K-12 Education Law", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: What is the Every Student Succeeds Act? A: In the first rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) since 2001, the Republican-led Congress restored a much greater degree of local control and decision-making authority to parents, teachers and local school board members in December with bipartisan passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act. It replaces the troubled No Child Left Behind Act. President Bushs proposal for that law called for greater local control over teaching in return for more accountability in terms of student achievement outcomes, but the degree of local freedom many had hoped for didnt materialize. What we did get was a detailed one-size-fits-all assessment and accountability system that prescribed interventions for schools not making progress toward all students being proficient in reading and math by 2014. That date has now passed so schools across Iowa face increasingly onerous top-down interventions. Since the No Child Left Behind Act was supposed to last only until 2007, there should have been plenty of time to adjust the goal, but until now, Congress has not been able to come up with a replacement. The Every Student Succeeds Act was a bipartisan compromise, which was necessary to pass the Senate. It does not go as far as I would like in reducing federal involvement in local schools, but it is a big improvement over the status quo. Schools serve as the lifeblood of neighborhoods across the country. It makes sense that parents, taxpayers, elected school board members and educators living and working in these neighborhoods are best able to identify problems, solve challenges and remove learning barriers in the classrooms where students are attending the schools in their communities. I believe that our local schools can do more when the Washington bureaucracy does less and this new law will allow key decisions to be made closer to the parents and students they affect. Q: What provisions did you secure in the new education law? A: As founder and co-chair of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, I work to give a voice to foster kids at the policymaking tables in Washington. Too many foster youth face a lifetime of uncertainty and interminable transition. Many times, schools are their only lifeline to stability and haven for a sense of belonging. Thats why I worked to strengthen connections between child welfare agencies and state and local education institutions so that foster youth arent allowed to fall behind or face an endless cycle of being shuffled from one school to the next. Also included were key parts of a bill I introduced to fix federal incentives that were preventing gifted and talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds reaching their fullest potential. Beyond that, I worked on provisions to ensure states are free from federal coercion in setting content standards and I ensured that a civic education grant program the bills authors included kept a focus on teaching the history and principles of the Constitution. These founding principles have guided Americas prosperity for more than 200 years. It makes sense that younger generations develop a keen understanding and appreciation for the bedrock values of liberty, freedom and justice.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/bipartisan-legislation-combat-nuclear-terrorism-and-proliferation-clears", "Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and Proliferation Clears Committee", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  The Senate Judiciary Committee has passed bipartisan legislation that would strengthen the United States national security laws by ensuring that the government can successfully investigate and prosecute nuclear terrorists. The bill was introduced by Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and cleared the Judiciary Committee by a sweeping 17-3 margin.    The bill implements three changes to federal criminal law that had been requested by both the Bush and Obama administrations on multiple occasions, most recently in 2011, but were not acted on by the committee until now. They were also omitted in House-authored legislation passed earlier this summer that created new offenses involving nuclear and maritime terrorism.     The first provision of the bill would allow the Department of Justice to go to court and obtain a wiretap if there is probable cause that a defendant is committing one of the new offenses.    The second provision would allow the newly-created offenses to be predicates for the separate crime of material support for terrorism. The provision helps to ensure that all who help plan, finance and aid terrorist attacks can be brought to justice.     The third, and final provision, would permit the Department of Justice to seek the death penalty, in appropriate cases, for terrorists who commit acts of nuclear and maritime terrorism that kill Americans.    The recent terrorist attacks in the United States and abroad show just how vulnerable our country is. These are complex attacks that are planned for months or even years, Grassley said. Nuclear terrorism isnt just theoretical; its a very real threat. The government needs the ability to seek the death penalty for nuclear terrorists under the appropriate circumstances. Its also common sense that we provide the government the ability to prosecute those who provide material support to these terrorists, including by financing them. And, its important that authorities have the capacity to seek lawful wiretaps, authorized by a federal judge, to investigate these terrorists. These are tools that were requested by both Presidents Bush and Obama that will help keep Americans safe.    Two amendments expressing a Sense of the Senate were also added to the bill. The first recognized that excluding people from coming to America solely on the basis of their religion is contrary to the countrys founding principles. The second amendment recognized that the United States was not founded on religious liberty alone, and depriving Americans of other core constitutional rights, like the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, is also contrary to the countrys founding principles.     -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-comments-proposed-dupont-dow-chemical-merger", "Grassley Comments on Proposed DuPont-Dow Chemical Merger", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley today released the following statement on the proposed merger of DuPont and Dow Chemical. The Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over antitrust policy. DuPont and Dow are two titans of American industry and the proposed merger demands serious scrutiny. Federal regulators are responsible for examining and approving the transaction to make sure that its not anticompetitive. Vigorous enforcement of the antitrust laws is imperative to maintaining an open, fair and competitive marketplace. Ill be listening to Iowa farmers and consumers about any concerns they may have with this proposal, and the Judiciary Committee will be exercising its appropriate oversight function.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/progress-made-state-department-grassley%E2%80%99s-top-priority-still-goes-unanswered", "Progress Made with State Department, But Grassleys Top Priority Still Goes Unanswered", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  In a letter sent today to Secretary of State John Kerry, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley wrote that cooperation from the State Department had increased, but the committees highest priority request remained unanswered. Grassley said that the committees top priority, a request regarding Bryan Paglianos emails, had not been fulfilled. Pagliano worked at the department as an information technology specialist but was concurrently paid by the former Secretary of State to maintain the personal server at her home while he was a State Department employee. He may have unique information regarding Clintons personal server, its set-up, whether it was subject to Freedom of Information Act requests, and if it was appropriately configured and secured considering the highly sensitive information running through it. He asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination rather than speak to the committee. Grassley is seeking copies of his official State Department emails relevant to the committees inquiry before considering whether it might be appropriate to grant him immunity and compel his testimony. According to State Department officials, the department cannot locate any copy or backup of Paglianos official emails, except the limited number they are able to retrieve from other department employee email files. The retrieval is also apparently hampered by the fact that the FBI has possession of Paglianos State Department computer.  Grassley reiterated his request on Paglianos emails because it is the highest priority that has yet to be fulfilled. Out of a prioritized list of 22 requests pulled from letters to the department, the committee has received seven fully complete responses, including three witness interviews, and nine partially complete responses. Grassley wrote that assuming the committee receives the additional items promised by State Department staff in a recent meeting, he intends to take action to recognize this progress before Congress adjourns for the year.     A copy of the text of the letter is here. The letter can also be found here. VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION The Honorable John F. Kerry  Secretary of State  Office of the Secretary  United States Department of State  2201 C Street, N.W.  Washington, D.C. 20520 Dear Secretary Kerry: Since we last spoke on November 20, 2015 regarding my holds on three Department nominees, my staff has met with yours on several occasions, including yesterday. In addition, our respective staff have spoken on the phone dozens of times and exchanged many emails. I appreciate the recent increase in cooperation and focus on the Committees requests. To date, out of a prioritized list of 22 requests pulled from letters to the Department, the Committee has received seven fully complete responses, including three witness interviews, and nine partially complete responses. Assuming the Committee receives the additional items promised by your staff in yesterdays meeting, I intend to take action to recognize this progress before Senators leave town for the holiday break. Unfortunately, the Committee is not yet in possession of any documents related to its highest priority request. As you know, former State Department information technology specialist Bryan Pagliano has asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination rather than answer questions from the Committee. Mr. Pagliano was reportedly paid by former Secretary Clinton for his work on her non-government server while a State Department employee, though he apparently did not declare any such income on his financial disclosure forms after entering the Department.  Given that the Committee is unable to obtain his testimony at this time, I am seeking copies of his official State Department emails relevant to the Committees inquiry before proceeding to consider whether it might be appropriate to grant him immunity and compel his testimony. Accordingly, as has been explained to the Department, this is the highest priority among the Committees requests. However, the Department has informed the Committee that it is unable to locate any copy or backup of the .pst file containing Mr. Paglianos official State Department emails. As I mentioned to FBI Director Comey during Wednesdays FBI Oversight hearing, the Department also informed the Committee that the government computer system Mr. Pagliano is believed to have used is now in the possession of the FBI. As a result, the Department is searching for, and has located a limited number of emails in the files of other State Department employees who communicated with Mr. Pagliano.  Accordingly, the Committees request for Mr. Paglianos emails will not be considered fulfilled until the Department (1) provides a full and detailed written explanation of why it failed to maintain an archive, copy, or backup of Mr. Paglianos email file, (2) provides a Department expert witness familiar with the facts and circumstances of the failure to retain Mr. Paglianos emails for an interview with Committee staff, and (3) completes its search of other employees files for emails with Mr. Pagliano and produces to the Committee all responsive records, along with a description of the efforts undertaken in the search.  If you have any questions, please contact Josh Flynn-Brown of my Committee staff at (202) 224-5225. Thank you for your cooperation in this important matter.        Sincerely, Charles E. Grassley     Chairman   Committee on the Judiciary   -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-clears-bill-enhance-mental-health-assistance-incarcerated-individuals", "Senate Clears Bill to Enhance Mental Health Assistance for Incarcerated Individuals", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  A bill to help address the treatment of mentally ill offenders by the criminal justice system cleared the Senate last night. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley shepherded the bill through the committee in April. The bipartisan bill was sponsored by Senator Al Franken and was cosponsored by Grassley along with Judiciary Committee members John Cornyn, Patrick Leahy, Richard Durbin, Sheldon Whitehouse, Amy Klobuchar, Chris Coons, Lindsey Graham, Richard Blumenthal, Orrin Hatch and Dianne Feinstein, as well as 20 other senators.    Mentally ill offenders make up a large part of the people in the criminal justice system. This bill takes into account the needs of this community in the prison system and works to support their unique health requirements in an effort to reduce the likelihood that they will reoffend, Grassley said. Importantly, the bill also includes accountability measures to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used in the most effective and efficient ways possible.  The Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act:   Reauthorizes the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act;   Supports mental health courts and veterans treatment courts;   Enhances identification of offenders with mental illness so as to provide better health services;   Enhances efforts to deal with mentally ill offenders who are incarcerated;   Includes accountability measures to ensure that resources are used appropriately. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/gov-branstad-longest-serving-governor-us-history", "Gov. Branstad as the Longest-serving Governor in U.S. History", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Video of the floor speech is available here. Floor Statement of Sen. Chuck Grassley  On Terry Branstad as the Longest-serving Governor in U.S. History  Delivered Thursday, December 10, 2015 Mr. President, Id like to recognize the Iowa governor, Terry Branstad, on a significant milestone. On December 14, 2015, Governor Branstad will become the longest-serving governor in the nations history. Thats a large feather in the cap of a farm kid from the town of Leland, population 289, in Winnebago County in northern Iowa. In many ways, a small town farm background prepared Terry Branstad for his success as a state House member, lieutenant governor, and then governor in two separate tenures. The farm crisis of the 1980s hit every farm state hard, and Iowa, at the heart of the nations bread basket, suffered deeply.  All of us who lived in Iowa at the time saw friends and neighbors lose their family farms and struggle with what to do next to earn a living. The state needed men and women with vision and ambition to pull the economy out of the doldrums. It needed people who could see the potential for farmers to add value to their operations and for Iowa to diversify its economy. Terry Branstad was one of those people. He was at the forefront of creating a new environment to do business. He welcomed and actively encouraged innovation that would capitalize on Iowas bedrock work ethic and strong schools. As a result, agriculture was and continues to be a mainstay of the Iowa economy, but agriculture more than ever is an engine for many other employment sectors: renewable energy, manufacturing, crop research, insurance and financial services, and much more. As governor from 1983 to 1999, Terry Branstad took the helm during some of the states worst economic turmoil in decades and steered the ship toward impressive economic growth. The unemployment rate went from 8.5 percent to a record low 2.5 percent. The governor could have rested on those laurels and continued to work outside of state government, but he answered the call when the state needed him again in 2010. He put the state of Iowas interests ahead of his own and went to work for Iowans a second time, bringing his valuable leadership to the governors office for another round. That in a nutshell tells you everything you need to know about Terry Branstad. The state of Iowa comes first for him.  Iowans are well-acquainted with Terry Branstads accomplishments and work ethic. Its gratifying to see those attributes get attention on a national scale and in the history books. Hes earned his place. Were lucky to have him in Iowa.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-leahy-bill-improves-disclosure-review-process-fbi-whistleblowers", "Grassley-Leahy Bill Improves Disclosure & Review Process for FBI Whistleblowers", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Ranking Member Patrick Leahy today introduced legislation to improve the response to FBI employees who call attention to fraud, waste or misconduct within the bureau. The FBI Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act brings the FBIs whistleblower disclosure protocols in line with all other federal law enforcement and civil service agencies and streamlines procedures for investigation, adjudication and oversight of employee claims. Its no secret that FBI whistleblowers often face harsh consequences for simply trying to address failures or misconduct at work. Inconsistent and confusing disclosure rules and perpetual delays in retaliation investigations have left well-intentioned whistleblowers without adequate protections from reprisal. The FBI Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act expands outlets for protected disclosures and improves processes to halt reprisal. We should be encouraging whistleblowers who help fix flaws in government. This bill takes meaningful steps to improve the environment for these brave Americans at the FBI, Grassley said. Whistleblowers serve an essential role in providing transparency and accountability in the Federal government. It is important that all government employees are provided with strong and effective avenues to come forward with evidence of government abuse and misuse, and that they have protections from retaliation. The bipartisan FBI Whistleblower Protection Enhancements Act of 2015 will help to ensure that FBI employees are able to blow the whistle on waste, fraud or abuse at the FBI and not face personal repercussions for when they do. This is a commonsense bill that I hope the Senate will soon pass, Leahy said. Unlike most other federal employees, FBI employees are not protected from reprisal when they disclose wrongdoing to their supervisors. Instead, Justice Department regulations restrict protections to disclosures made to a limited group of senior officials even though FBI policy encourages reporting to supervisors. As a result, FBI whistleblowers often make the initial disclosure to a supervisor, but have no legal protection in the event of retaliation. The bipartisan bill being introduced today ensures that FBI employees and applicants who make disclosures to their supervisors are protected from retaliation. It also reiterates employees longstanding rights to communicate with Congress. The bill increases the independence of FBI whistleblower investigations by establishing the Justice Departments Office of Inspector General as the sole body responsible for investigating claims of whistleblower retaliation and removing the responsibility from the departments internal Office of Professional Responsibility. If the OIG determines a whistleblower has suffered a retaliatory personnel action for reporting wrongdoing, that punishment will be suspended pending adjudication of the case. The bill shifts adjudication responsibilities from the Justice Departments Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management to experienced administrative law judges. The appeals process moves out of the Deputy Attorney Generals office to the U.S. Court of Appeals. The bill also requires the Justice Department to issue annual reports on the number and dispositions of whistleblower reprisal claims for the previous calendar year. Earlier this week, FBI Director James Comey agreed that FBI employees who report wrongdoing to their supervisors should be protected, adding, I think its very, very important that we create the safe zones that all of our people need to raise concerns that they might have.  I will continue to try and work with you to try and improve that. The Grassley-Leahy bill follows a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing and reports from the Government Accountability Office and the Justice Department on the challenges presented by the FBIs current whistleblower response scheme. The reports and hearing highlighted the FBIs inconsistent disclosure protocols, chronic delays in investigation and adjudication of retaliation and consistent failures to update whistleblowers on the status of their cases. For more information on the FBI Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, see the following supporting documents: -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-executive-business-meeting-9", "Grassley Statement at an Executive Business Meeting", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of IowaChairman, Senate Judiciary CommitteeExecutive Business MeetingThursday, December 10, 2015 Good morning everyone. Today we have a number of bills and nominees on the agenda. Well consider the bills that are ripe for consideration first and then turn to nominees. Well hold over H.R. 1428, the Judicial Redress Act of 2015, S. 483, the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2015, and S. 1890, the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2015. The two bills that are ripe for consideration would help strengthen our national security. The awful attacks in Paris and California are reminders of the importance of ensuring that the legal tools used to help protect us from terrorism are fully up to date. S. 247 is the Expatriate Terrorist Act. The bill will close a significant loophole in existing law and give the government another valuable tool in our ongoing war against ISIS and other radical Islamic terrorists. That bill will be held over at Senator Cruzs request. The other bill that is ripe for consideration is S. 1318, the Nuclear Terrorism Conventions Implementation and Safety of Maritime Navigation Act of 2015. Im pleased to partner with Senator Whitehouse on this bill. The bill makes changes to the criminal code to implement four international agreements that update our counterterrorism and counter-proliferation laws to reflect the danger of nuclear terrorism. These agreements were negotiated and signed by the Bush administration in the years following the 9/11 attacks. The Senate has already given its advice and consent to them. A version of this bill that was authored in the House became law a few months ago. But three important provisions that were requested by both the Bush and Obama administrations were omitted from what passed Congress. The managers substitute that the committee will consider today restores these provisions. First, the substitute allows the Department of Justice to go to court and obtain a wiretap if there is probable cause that a defendant is committing one of the new offenses. These are some of the most serious crimes we have, including the crime of nuclear terrorism. Many lesser offenses allow for wiretaps, so it makes good sense for these crimes to be eligible for wiretaps as well. Second, the substitute allows the newly-created offenses to be predicates for the separate crime of material support for terrorism. Acts of terrorism often involve multiple people and complex planning. Clearly, the public reporting suggests that this is what occurred in Paris. So the substitute allows for the prosecution of all those involved with a terrorist attack. The provision helps to ensure that all who help plan, finance and aid terrorist attacks can be brought to justice. Third, the substitute would permit the Department of Justice to seek the death penalty, in appropriate cases, for terrorists who execute a nuclear attack that kills Americans. Now, I dont think this should be terribly controversial. Similar terrorism crimes already allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty. It would make no sense for these new offenses not to carry at least the possibility of that punishment. Nuclear terrorism isnt just theoretical; its a very real threat. Some of the headlines we see every morning about ISIS make this clear. Let me read just two of them from the last few months. And Id ask that, without objection, these articles be made a part of the record. An article appeared on October 7, from NBC News and the Associated Press: Smugglers Tried to Sell Nuclear Material to ISIS. There was also a story in the International Business Times, dated November 17, entitled ISIS Planning Major Cyberattacks Against Airlines, Hospitals, and Nuclear Power Plants. And the Iran nuclear deal has only fueled concerns about the conduct of worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism in the years ahead. These three provisions strengthen our countrys national security. They are common-sense fixes supported by both Presidents Bush and Obama. I urge my colleagues to support the substitute offered by Senator Whitehouse and me. Ill now recognize Senator Leahy for any statement he wishes to give. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/defense-department-gives-incomplete-response-afghanistan-spending", "Defense Department Gives Incomplete Response on Afghanistan Spending", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is looking into a $43 million compressed natural gas station in Afghanistan, the task force that spent $800 million, including the gas station cost, and allegations that the Defense Department may have retaliated against an Army colonel for expressing concern about a lack of accountability at the task force. The Defense Department responded to Grassley's letters. Grassley made the following comment on the response.    \"This response is incomplete and inadequate. It ignores my request for the task force records. That's unsatisfactory. The Defense Department needs to address the request and provide me the documents I requested. It needs to give full access to task force documents to the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. No inspector general's office should have to jump through hoops to get what it needs to conduct audits. The response is lacking in other ways. It says the Defense Department sought a Defense Department inspector general audit of the task force, and the inspector general 'denied' the request. That raises many questions about why the Defense Department simply didn't direct the inspector general to conduct such an audit. The inspector general and other audit agencies within the department have huge audit capabilities and easily could reallocate resources to cover high priority targets. Finally, the Defense Department says the Army colonel's delayed Officer Evaluation Report, key to a promotion, has been completed and that the delay was due to an 'administrative oversight.' This is a superficial response that requires much more accounting from the Defense Department. I've conveyed my lack of satisfaction with the response to the Defense Department. I intend to continue pursuing answers.\" The Defense Department's response to Grassley is available here. Grassley's letters to the Defense Department are available here.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/education-bill-includes-grassley-provisions-gifted-and-talented-children-foster", "Education Bill Includes Grassley Provisions on Gifted and Talented Children, Foster Youth, Civics Education", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa included provisions in the education bill given final Senate approval today on gifted and talented students, school stability for foster youth, and an emphasis on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in any federally funded civics education program. Senate approval of the conference committee report on the Every Child Achieves Act sends the measure to the President for consideration. The bill returns much control of how best to teach children to states and local school districts and parents, Grassley said. It also includes provisions I worked on to alter federal incentives that were allowing gifted and talent kids from disadvantaged backgrounds to fall by the wayside, and help foster kids with school stability so they achieve an education. I'm also pleased that the bill includes teaching about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in any federally funded civics education program. It makes sense that if the federal government supports civics education, there's an emphasis on the two documents that establish our fundamental principles. The legislation includes the bipartisan bill from Grassley and co-sponsors that makes certain the needs of high ability students are included in federal education policy. The bipartisan proposal is the TALENT Act, or the To Aid Gifted and High-Ability Learners by Empowering the Nation's Teachers Act. Federal education policy tends to overlook high potential students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, Grassley said. Often these kids aren't challenged and they might even drop out of school, when they could excel with the right encouragement. These provisions give attention to the students who are bright and capable but are in danger of falling through the cracks. On foster youth, the bill includes the bipartisan Educational Stability of Foster Youth Act, which Grassley co-authored, that supports students in the foster care system by strengthening connections between child welfare agencies and state and local education institutions. Often, schools may be the only familiar place for a child in foster care, and the measure helps make sure that those kids can go to school in a safe, stable environment.  It's important to remember that kids in foster care often don't have school stability. That can put them behind in their education, and getting behind can be hard to overcome, said Grassley, founder and co-chairman of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth. In the worst case, older kids drop out of school altogether. This provision will help make sure that school stability is at the forefront for foster kids.     Earlier versions of the bill contained a grant program for developing innovative civics education programs. The provision Grassley negotiated in the final bill makes sure that a focus of the grant program is to support proven civics education programs that teach the history and principles of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.   -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-hoping-isis-will-go-away-not-strategy-fbi-oversight-hearing", "Grassley: Hoping ISIS will go away is not a strategy - FBI Oversight Hearing", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley of IowaChairman, Senate Judiciary CommitteeHearing on Oversight of the Federal Bureau of InvestigationWednesday, December 9, 2015 Director Comey, welcome and thank you for being here today. The FBI's mission is to protect us from the most dangerous threats facing our nation. The deadly attacks in Paris last month, and in California last week, confirmed that radical Islamic terrorism continues to be such a threat, regardless of whether that's politically correct or convenient for President Obama. ISIS is a determined enemy executing a plan to gain and hold territory, enrich itself, inspire followers worldwide, and launch deadly attacks against the West. And the American people are worried. Not just about terrorism. But about the President's inability or unwillingness to rally the country, lead our international partners, develop a credible strategy to destroy ISIS, and execute it. We are now paying the price for that weakness. At almost every turn, events have proven the President wrong about ISIS. In August 2012, he drew a red line, warning the Assad's regime not to use chemical weapons in Syria. But the President backed down after Assad gassed his own people, and ISIS blossomed in the chaos that followed. In January 2014, the President referred to ISIS as the j.v., or junior varsity. It promptly spent the next six months conquering territory across Syria and Iraq. In August of that same year, the President conceded that he didn't have a strategy to defeat ISIS. A year and a half later, he remains without a coherent one. Even former Secretary Clinton admitted the other day that we're not winning this fight. The President has been hoping that ISIS will go away, because its existence doesn't fit his preferred political narrative. But hope is not a strategy. Hope is not a plan. Hope is not action. And all the while, the drumbeat of attacks in the United States continued. In May, there was the attack on a convention center in Garland, Texas. In June, police were forced to shoot a knife-wielding ISIS supporter on the streets of Boston. In July, we had the attack on military facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Director Comey, as of October you reported that the FBI was engaged in approximately 900 active domestic investigations against suspected ISIS-inspired operatives and other radicalized extremists. And you estimated that approximately 250 Americans have left the U.S. and traveled to Syria to fight with ISIS, or tried to do so. Nonetheless, in November, the President assured us that ISIS was contained. But the very next day, it inflicted the deadliest Islamic terrorist attacks in Europe in over a decade, a coordinated assault across Paris that killed 130 and injured over 350. A few weeks later, in San Bernardino, two of its apparent supporters executed the deadliest such attacks on the homeland since September 11, 2001. Unfortunately, President Obama has responded to this crisis by trying to divide us, deride us, and distract us. He is doubling down on his failed strategy. After reports suggested that one of the Paris terrorists possessed a Syrian passport and had entered Europe as a refugee, many expressed concern about the procedures used to screen refugees coming to the United States from Syria. Director Comey, you expressed similar concerns in October. You warned that there are gaps in the information we have to vet people coming out of a war zone. And you warned that letting anyone come to the United States carries some risk. We can point to the brothers who bombed the Boston Marathon as an example of terrorists who were granted asylum here. The President responded to the concerns expressed by many Americans by mocking them for being afraid of widows and orphans. But events continued to prove the President spectacularly wrong. As it turns out, women are radical Islamic terrorists, too, apparently to the President's surprise. We now know that Ms. Malik, one of the San Bernardino attackers, arrived in the United States on a fiance visa. This is yet another example of the failure of the screening process for those entering the United States. Our government apparently didn't catch the false address in Pakistan she listed on her application or other possible signs that she was radicalized or an operative. To top it all off, earlier this week we learned that the National Counterterrorism Center has identified individuals with ties to terrorists in Syria who are attempting to enter the United States through the refugee program. I guess that was one intelligence report the administration couldn't shade to fit its preferred conclusions. Now, it always bears repeating that Islam is not our enemy. Radical Islamic terrorists are. The vast majority of Muslims in this country and around the world are non-violent and law-abiding. We all should oppose, in no uncertain terms, any violence or intimidation against Muslims for their practicing their religion. But I fear that one of the reasons for the regrettable backlash against Muslims in this country is the public's frustration with the President's repeated public failure to acknowledge the actual nature of the threat that we face, his reluctance to utter the words radical Islamic terrorism.          President Obama has also continued to divide us, deride us, and distract us with the issue of gun control. To the President, radical Islamic terrorism is never to blame. But the constitutional right to own a gun always is.         But terrorists aren't deterred by gun control. Strict European gun control laws did not stop the Paris attacks. California's assault weapons ban didn't stop the San Bernardino massacre. Now, the Obama administration argues that allowing foreigners to buy guns who enter the United States through the visa waiver program is a problem. I agree. But at the same time, the administration's apparently fine with allowing refugees, asylees, people on deferred action, and other non-citizens who are not legal permanent residents to buy guns. This makes no sense. With few exceptions, we need to prevent all of these people from buying guns. The administration's current fixation with guns and the visa waiver program can be explained, though, because it's another area where the administration's actions have made Americans less safe. In fact, an opinion from the Obama Justice Department required the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to change its policy to permit persons arriving from visa waiver countries to buy guns. And the administration removed the longstanding requirement that non-citizens at least establish residency for 90 days in the state where they want to purchase a gun. These 90 days could be crucial in a terrorism investigation. So when we address the issue of foreigners in the United States buying guns, we need to be comprehensive about it, not just clean up the mess this administration created. Finally, the Democrats have attempted to divide us, deride us, and distract us with proposals to deny the right to purchase firearms to those on various terrorist watch lists, including the No Fly List. The San Bernardino terrorists were apparently not on any terrorist watch list, so such a proposal wouldn't have stopped that attack. In addition, the President's claim that people we don't allow to fly could go into a store right now in the United States and buy a firearm and there's nothing we can do to stop them just isn't true. The FBI is notified when someone on the No Fly List attempts to purchase a gun, and can take steps to ensure that a gun doesn't fall into the wrong hands. So the President and others have been misleading the American people on that matter. But the more fundamental point is this: while these lists are useful in keeping us safe, they are the result of the executive branch's unilateral decisions to put people on them without any notice or opportunity to be heard. As a result, they can be unreliable. And it just isn't constitutional to condition the fundamental right to keep and bear arms on an administrative list that lacks that kind of due process. We wouldn't consider conditioning any other constitutional right  such as the freedoms of speech or religion, or from unreasonable searches and seizures  on such a process. That is why it is so surprising that this President, a former constitutional law professor, and so many Democrats, would support such a scheme. The fact is, law enforcement hasn't raised gun purchases by people on terrorist watch lists as a huge problem. And Director Comey, I know that you know how to tell us when you confront a serious obstacle to keeping us safe. At our hearing in July, we all heard you talk about the Going Dark problem and the increasing use of encrypted communications by terrorists.  After these most recent attacks, I'll be interested in hearing how your discussions with technology companies on that issue are proceeding. I also look forward to discussing a range of other issues with you today. One is the FBI's treatment of whistleblowers. You've expressed a strong commitment to whistleblowers. During your confirmation hearing, you said that whistleblowers were a critical element of a functioning democracy. Our hearing in March this year showed that many FBI whistleblowers still have no protection, and the ones who are protected wait many years for relief. I hope that I have your support in strengthening the FBI whistleblower law. In addition, in March 2015, the American people learned that Secretary Clinton used a private email address and non-government server during her time at the Department of State. Secretary Clinton unilaterally deleted approximately 30,000 emails without any government oversight. Her email and server arrangement is an example of Freedom of Information Act interference, a statute that is within this committee's jurisdiction. Concerns about the email arrangement extend beyond FOIA and involve national security. And a former Department of State employee, Bryan Pagliano, has refused to communicate with this committee citing his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Both the Department of Justice and FBI have refused to confirm or deny any investigation relating to Secretary Clinton's email arrangement citing long standing policy. Yet, on a number of occasions, the department has publicly announced that it launched an investigation. The American people ought to know what their government is doing. I will have questions for you on this matter. On another matter, in April, the Wall Street Journal reported that in 2012 the FBI helped facilitate a $250,000 ransom payment to al Qaeda from the family of kidnapped aid worker Warren Weinstein.  I wrote to the Department of Justice in May to ask if this was true. I also asked if the FBI had facilitated any other ransom payments to terrorist organizations. And I asked for more information about the FBI's policies and procedures relating to facilitating ransom payments to terrorist groups. I got a response letter five months later. That response did not really answer my questions.  Ransom payments are a significant source of terrorist financing. The FBI says its policy is quote to deny hostage-takers the benefits of ransom end quote. But the FBI also seems to say it may assist in private efforts to pay ransoms. So, it is not clear what is actually happening. It is not clear whether FBI has helped ransom payments get to terrorist groups. In June, the Obama administration announced a new hostage recovery policy. It put the FBI in charge of an interagency Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell. Once again, it is unclear if the new hostage policy allows the FBI to facilitate ransom payments to terrorists. Some media outlets say that the new policy makes it easier to make these payments. So, I'd like to get some specific answers about what the FBI does or does not do when it comes to ransom payments to terrorists. If it has helped with these payments, I'd like to know which terrorist groups received them and how much money they got.  Another issue I'll raise is the FBI's use of spyware. Six months ago, I wrote to the FBI to ask about its use of spyware. I still haven't received a response. According to press reports, spyware is a type of software that can be remotely deployed to targeted computers and smart phones. Spyware can secretly activate the computer's camera and microphone; collect passwords; search the computer's memory; and intercept phone calls, text messages, and other communications. Spyware is a powerful surveillance tool. It has also been mentioned as a possible way to combat the Going Dark problem posed by encryption. Tools like this need to be subject to oversight to make sure they are not abused. But the committee still does not know how the FBI is using these programs. We have asked. The FBI hasn't answered. We don't know the types of spyware used or their capabilities. We don't know the FBI's policies and procedures for using spyware, or the legal processes used. And we don't know if there are any audit procedures in place to ensure spyware is used properly.   The Department of Justice is in the process of trying to change Rule 41 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure. The proposed change would make it easier for the FBI to get warrants to use spyware. Congress will eventually weigh in on the change. But we need to know more about spyware in order to make an informed decision. So, I hope that I can get answers about the FBI's use of spyware. It is important for our oversight role, and it is important for the proposed change to Rule 41.  Finally, as you know, the FBI is conducting a review of federal and state criminal cases in which results of microscopic hair comparison analyses conducted in FBI Labs were used. The FBI has identified over 21,600 cases assigned to hair examiners prior to the year 2000. Cases since 2000 have had DNA analysis and so were not subject to the same potential problems that have led to the review.  Of those 21,600 cases, the FBI determined many of them did not have a microscopic hair analysis report sent to the requesting agency or there was not a conviction in the case. This left 3,118 cases where faulty lab work may have led to a criminal conviction.  The key step in evaluating those remaining 3,118 cases is getting and evaluating a trial transcript.  In a September 2015 letter, your staff said 689 of those cases have been closed because the FBI can't get an adequate response from case contributors or prosecutors.  I will have a couple questions about those cases. Again, thank you for being here, and I'll now recognize Ranking Member Leahy for his opening statement. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senators-introduce-legislation-address-puerto-rico-debt-crisis", "Senators Introduce Legislation to Address Puerto Rico Debt Crisis", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  As part of their ongoing effort to provide a fiscally responsible solution to the growing financial, debt and economic crises in Puerto Rico, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today introduced the Puerto Rico Assistance Act of 2015. The bill provides both responsible tax relief to workers and transitional relief to the Commonwealth without adding to the federal deficit or debt. Additionally, the legislation includes financial oversight intended to help Puerto Rico attain financial and economic stability, while respecting Puerto Rico's autonomy.    Puerto Rico's financial and economic challenges, fueled by a sagging economy and dysfunctional bureaucracy, have been years in the making, Chairman Hatch said. And despite repeated attempts by Congress to clarify how the interplay between federal tax, healthcare and pension policies affect the territory's economy, we have been unable to receive audited financial statements from Puerto Rico or adequate information from federal health officials. Federal taxpayers and the Puerto Rican people deserve better. With this bill, we use what limited information we have to lay out a sustainable framework to improve Puerto Rico's finances and its economy by providing responsible tax relief to workers and transitional assistance to the territory's government. The Commonwealth's problems will not be solved overnight, and I am hopeful the Administration and the leaders of Puerto Rico work with Congress to provide more transparency as we work to further address the current financial challenges. Puerto Rico's fiscal problems are the result of too much government spending and mismanagement, Chairman Grassley said. So, the question has always been how we help Puerto Rico help itself, with the information we've been provided, while ensuring that people like the 16,000 Iowans who invested their hard-earned money in Puerto Rico's tax free electric utility bonds, for example, aren't left holding the bag. We need to make sure that Puerto Rico doesn't find itself in the same situation in the future. This comprehensive bill should help ease the current liquidity crisis while creating a path that can lead Puerto Rico back to long-term fiscal responsibility. The Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority contained in this bill strikes the appropriate balance between respecting Puerto Rico's sovereignty and providing a firm backstop to ensure the necessary financial reforms are implemented, Chairman Murkowski said. This will not only help Puerto Rico meet its immediate liquidity issues and give it the tools necessary to restructure, but also protect investor confidence. Earlier this year, the Senate Finance, Judiciary and Energy and Natural Resources Committees held congressional hearings to examine the debt crisis in Puerto Rico and gain a better understanding of the territory's financial health. Despite repeated calls for audited financial statements, limited information regarding the fiscal and financial state of Puerto Rico has been available. The Puerto Rico Assistance Act of 2015 works to address the current financial crisis and provide relief to the people of Puerto Rico. The provisions were based on currently available financial data and information from federal health officials for the territory. Bill text for the Puerto Rico Assistance Act of 2015 can be found here. A summary of the bill can be found here.    -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-iowa-house-delegation-call-speaker-ryan-support-rfs", "Young, Iowa House Delegation Call on Speaker Ryan to Support the RFS", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Young, Iowa House Delegation Call on Speaker Ryan to Support the RFS\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House members of the Iowa delegation, led by Congressman David Young, sent a letter to Speaker Ryan urging him to uphold Congress'promise to the renewable fuels industry by opposing any efforts to undermine the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) on must-pass appropriations bills. \nMembers wrote \"Congress established the RFS in 2005 to reduce the United States'growing dependency on foreign oil, promote cleaner air, create good-paying jobs, and foster rural economic growth. As with any new industry, it takes time to become self-sustaining. Yet, RFS is working as intended and the renewable fuels industry is continuing to develop. In 2014, Iowa produced nearly 3.9 billion of ethanol and 227 million gallons of biodiesel. Additionally, Iowa has three cellulosic ethanol facilities producing the next generation of renewable fuels. Altogether, the industry has contributed over $19 billion annually to the Iowa economy and supported over 70,000 high-paying jobs.\n\"Unfortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is creating uncertainty in the renewable fuels sector by releasing Renewable Volume Obligations lower than the Congressional requirement contained in law. This constrains investment in renewable fuels, reduces consumer choice at the pump, and hurts farmers in rural America. Congress should not contribute to this uncertainty or depress an industry which diversifies the employment opportunities in states like Iowa. Instead, we should bolster this viable, domestic industry by keeping the promises made in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.\"\nA copy of the letter can be found here.\nYoung is a strong proponent of the RFS. He has repeatedly fought against efforts in the Administration and Congress to modify the RFS.\nDavid Young is the Congressman serving all the people of Iowa's 3rd District. He is a member of the Committee on Appropriations and Subcommittees on Agriculture, Homeland Security, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/bill-introduced-improve-medicare-coverage-people-living-lymphedema", "Bill Introduced to Improve Medicare Coverage for People Living with Lymphedema", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), joined by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), introduced bipartisan legislation to improve Medicare coverage for lymphedema patients. The bill would provide for Medicare coverage of physician-prescribed compression therapy equipment used to treat lymphedema, part of the clinically-recognized standard of care for the condition.  With more than 6,300 Medicare beneficiaries in Washington and millions of Americans suffering from Lymphedema, we must update Medicare to reflect necessary and effective treatments for this condition. This legislation is a common sense measure that improves care for Medicare beneficiaries living with lymphedema and reduces costly hospitalizations, said Senator Cantwell. Medicare ought to reflect the modern practice of medicine, Senator Grassley said. The equipment to treat lymphedema is something doctors recommend and that patients need. Lymphedema is more common than people might realize. It can affect breast cancer surgery survivors, for example.   More than 11,700 Medicare patients in Illinois are living with lymphedema and they shouldn't be denied access to medically-necessary compression treatment, Senator Kirk said. This bill will help patients with lymphedema effectively manage their condition and reduce the likelihood that they suffer from serious and often costly complications. This important bill will finally make sure that those living with Lymphedema have access to the healthcare treatment they need to lead healthy, productive lives while also lowering the hospitalization rates for these patients. As a co-sponsor of the Lymphedema Treatment Act, I pledge to work with my colleagues in Congress to continue to improve Medicare coverage on behalf of Lymphedema patients, said Senator Schumer. The Lymphedema Treatment Act would clarify within the existing Medicare coverage guidelines compression therapy items as a reasonable and necessary treatment. Under current law, compression therapy equipment is not covered because it does not fall under the definition of durable medical equipment. This restriction creates a gap in coverage for people with lymphedema. A preventive treatment, compression therapy equipment can reduce the need for costly hospital admissions among Medicare beneficiaries with lymphedema. Lymphedema is an incurable but treatable condition affecting between 3 and 5 million Americans, many of whom are Medicare beneficiaries. It is a chronic condition caused by injury, trauma or congenital defects in the lymphatic system. If left untreated or inadequately treated it can lead to complications including loss of function, disability, and in some cases even death. The Lymphedema Treatment Act has broad, bipartisan support. Companion legislation in the House (H.R. 1608) has 166 cosponsors. The bill is also supported by a wide range of advocacy groups including the American Cancer Society, American Physical Therapy Society, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-welcomes-re-instatement-irs-private-debt-collection-contracts", "Grassley Welcomes Re-instatement of IRS Private Debt Collection Contracts", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on the re-instatement of private firms to collect tax debt for the IRS. The provision was enacted as part of the five-year highway bill given final congressional approval and signed into law late last week. The provision takes effect immediately and requires the IRS to enter into qualified tax collection contracts within three months. The official revenue estimate from the non-partisan congressional Joint Committee on Taxation on the new provision is available here. The IRS allowed politics to trump its responsibility to collect unpaid taxes when it decided to prematurely discontinue the private debt collection program in 2009. As we know from an estimate by the Joint Committee on Taxation, this meant leaving billions of dollars in uncollected taxes on the table. This provision requires the IRS to once again use private contractors to collect overdue taxes that the IRS isn't attempting to collect. These are taxes that are owed and not in dispute. This provision provides the IRS with a tool to pursue these unpaid taxes while respecting taxpayer privacy and rights. The IRS should implement this program without delay.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-weekly-schedule-40", "Grassley Weekly Schedule", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Here is information about Senator Grassley's schedule this week. The Senate is in session.  Senator Grassley will meet with Iowans in Washington, D.C., from the Iowa Bankers Association. Senator Grassley will be a guest on public affairs programs hosted by Sally Hart on KCII radio in Washington, Theresa Rose on KILJ radio in Mt. Pleasant, Bob Leonard on KNIA/KRLS radio in Knoxville/Pella, Dan Kennedy and Dan Deibert on WOC radio in Davenport, and Captain Steve on KCJJ radio in Iowa City. On Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 10 a.m. (ET), Senator Grassley will participate in a Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights hearing on Ensuring Competition Remains on Tap: The Anheuser Bush InBev/SABMiller merger and the State of Competition in the Beer Industry. Mr. J Wilson, of Prescott, Iowa, will testify.  Mr. Wilson is the Minister of Iowa Beer of the Iowa Brewers Guild. On Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 10 a.m. (ET), Senator Grassley will preside over a Judiciary Committee hearing on Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. FBI Director James B. Comey, Jr. will testify. On Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 10:30 a.m. CT, Senator Grassley will participate in a Budget Committee hearing on Moving to a Stronger Economy with a Regulatory Budget. On Thursday, Dec. 10, at 10 a.m. (ET), Senator Grassley will preside over the weekly executive business meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee will consider S. 247, the Expatriate Terrorist Act, sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz, Grassley and Roy Blunt and S. 1318, the Nuclear Terrorism Conventions Implementation and Safety of Maritime Navigation Act of 2015, sponsored by Senators Grassley and Sheldon Whitehouse. The committee will also consider the nominations of Dana J. Boente to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and John P. Fishwick, Jr. to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/education-decisions-belong-iowas-parents-and-educators", "Education Decisions Belong With Iowa's Parents And Educators", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "When I visit folks throughout the Third District,theyshare with me their successes, and unfortunately, their struggles. I take their stories with me to Congress where I work as hard as I can to help Iowans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/education-decisions-belong-iowas-parents-and-educators-0", "Education Decisions Belong With Iowa's Parents And Educators", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman David Young's Capitol Solutions  Weekly Report to Iowa'sHardworking Taxpayers\nEDITORS NOTE: I look forward to providing this report each week as a resource of information for Iowans on the issues being debated and discussed in my goal to be the most accessible member of congress possible.\nEducation Decisions Belong With Iowa's Parents And Educators\nWe pride ourselves in Iowa on being at the forefront of education and student achievement. And we know the one size fits all federal system has been stifling our students, parents and teachers. From Farragut in Fremont County to my hometown of Van Meter in Dallas County, we understand local control of education empowers our parents and educators  while reducing the grip of the federal bureaucracy on our classrooms.\nBottom line, the people of Iowa are best equipped to determine what happens in Iowa. I firmly believe this is the best approach for our kids. They are the future and our country depends on their success.\nThis week, I voted for the Every Student Succeeds Act because it is a step in the right direction. It passed with an overwhelming majority and broad bipartisan support, 359-64. The House and Senate worked together to put a bill on President Obama's desk rolling back federal control of our education system.\nThe criticism launched at the Every Student Succeeds Act cannot take away from what it actually does. The Wall Street Journal said this legislation is, \"The largest devolution of federal control to the states in a quarter-century.\"The bill repeals the web of federal testing mandates created by No Child Left Behind and 49 other ineffective programs. Two big reforms for parents: it prevents the federal government from forcing states to adopt Common Core and it dramatically reduces the control of Washington bureaucrats  namely the Secretary of Education  in the classrooms of Iowa's children.\nRestoring local control to education is common sense. States can now choose to opt out of federal educations programs that dont work for their students. Moreover, states and local leaders once again have the responsibility to lead on school improvement and accountability measures. Equally as important, school districts are granted more funding flexibility to tailor specific plans for their students'needs. And it protects the rights of states to determine what standards, assessments, and curriculum are best for their students.\nLikewise, parents must be in charge of their own kids'education plan, not some Washington bureaucrat. The flexibility to homeschool their kids or send their kids to different public schools, regardless of their zip code or school district, is crucial. They should also have the right to choose between private schools, charter schools, or magnet schools. The federal government does not have a right to get between a parent and what classroom works best for their child. School choice drives a culture of excellence in education and the Every Student Succeeds Act makes this possible.\nI was also happy the TALENT Act, bipartisan legislation of which I am one of the two lead sponsors, was included in the Every Student Succeeds Act. In Iowa and across the country we have exceptionally gifted students who are not reaching their full potential. The legislation I worked on changes that, giving local school districts tools that will help us fully embrace the abilities of the younger generation.\nThere is no doubt the future of this country depends on our students  the next generation of leaders. As I visit each county each month, in the 3rd Congressional District, I often visit schools and am encouraged by what I see and hear. These school visits and community meetings with administrators, teachers, parents and our exceptional students reinforce what I already believe  education is best suited at the local level. One teacher said it best about the current climate of education, \"I do not feel like a teacher anymore; I am a tester.\"That is unacceptable. As this bill moves toward becoming law, and even after, I will continue to seek ways to improve the education of our children and empower parents and local educators  I will always be a tireless advocate for Iowans being in control of what happens in Iowa classrooms.\nDavid Young is the Congressman serving all the people of Iowa's 3rd District. He is a member of the Committee on Appropriations and Subcommittees on Agriculture, Homeland Security, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/days-program-expires-leahy-grassley-urge-support-legislation-reform-extend-job", "Days Before Program Expires, Leahy & Grassley Urge Support for Legislation to Reform & Extend Job-Creating Foreign Investment Program", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  The job-creating immigrant investor visa program, known as the EB-5 Regional Center program, is set to expire in just one week if Congress does not move to reauthorize it.  Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) are urging Congressional leaders to support a bipartisan, bicameral proposal that would provide much-needed reforms to the program and reauthorize it for four years. The EB-5 program is not working how it was intended to by Congress. The EB-5 program has serious vulnerabilities, is loaded with fraud and abuse, and isn't nearly the job-creator it has been purported to be. We need to be sure that the EB-5 Regional Center program is not only creating economic stimulus and jobs in areas that need it the most, but also not jeopardizing the nation's security or harming U.S. investors, Grassley said. The program needs an overhaul with the common sense reforms that we've put together in a bipartisan, bicameral way. The status quo is unacceptable. The EB-5 Regional Center program has generated investment and created jobs in distressed communities, but the program is facing some pressing challenges. Reports of rampant fraud and abuse raise serious concerns and threaten the program's mission. The incentives Congress established to spur investment in high unemployment and rural communities are also routinely abused, undermining a core objective of the program, Leahy said. The Regional Center should be reauthorized, but only if reformed. There is now bipartisan consensus around these reforms, and we cannot squander this opportunity. Since launching in 1993, this program has generated capital investment and created jobs across the country. But the program has also experienced significant problems in recent years, underscoring the need for Congress to restore the program to one that transforms local economies in impoverished areas as well as rural states. To improve the program and ensure its reauthorization, Grassley and Leahy on Friday released the text of a carefully-crafted compromise with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.), Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), and House Immigration Subcommittee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The proposal modifies legislation the lawmakers unveiled earlier this year to bolster the Department of Homeland Security's authorities to administer the program, and provide investors with greater protections and more information about their investments.  Additionally, the bipartisan proposal increases transparency and oversight and provides DHS the ability to proactively investigate fraud, both in the United States and abroad, using a dedicated fund paid for by certain program participants. It raises the amount of investment required and helps to restore the program to its original intent, by ensuring that much of the capital generated and jobs created occur in rural areas and areas with high unemployment. The bipartisan compromise has the support of Invest in the USA (IIUSA), by far the largest association of regional centers and EB-5 stakeholders, as well as the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. An outline of the bipartisan proposal can be found here. Text of legislation can also be found here.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-reforms-help-feds-recoup-more-35-billion-fraudsters-2015", "Grassley Reforms Help Feds Recoup More Than $3.5 Billion from Fraudsters in 2015", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "More than $48 Billion Restored to Treasury Following Grassley Policy WASHINGTON  The federal government recovered more than $3.5 billion in taxpayer dollars lost to fraud in fiscal 2015, thanks in large part to reforms championed by Senator Chuck Grassley. The Justice Department announced the recoveries, which came from judgments and settlements of civil cases brought under the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act is the most successful tool of the federal government in rooting out fraud against the Treasury and recovering taxpayer dollars lost to deceitful individuals and government contractors. We all owe a thank you' to the many whistleblowers who raised the alarm to correct fraud and save taxpayer dollars from being wasted, Grassley said. Grassley, the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, authored reforms to the False Claims Act to encourage whistleblowers to come forward with information involving fraud against the government. Since the reforms were enacted, the government has recouped more than $48.2 billion. Many of the recoveries were initiated by whistleblowers who took advantage of Grassley's provisions allowing them to bring their own case on the government's behalf. The False Claims Act was enacted to prosecute fraud against taxpayers by unscrupulous companies and government contractors. Grassley also led an effort in 2009 to pass the Fraud Enforcement Recovery Act, which bolstered existing tools and resources for government investigators and prosecutors to combat fraud. Grassley recently received the Honest Abe Integrity in Government award from the Taxpayers Against Fraud Education Fund for his work to shield taxpayers from fraud against the government. Inscribed on the award is, Senator Chuck Grassley  the father of the modern False Claims Act, for his lifetime of public service, tireless commitment to protecting America's tax dollars, and unwavering support for whistleblower programs. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-welcomes-enactment-bipartisan-highway-bill", "Grassley Welcomes Enactment of Bipartisan Highway Bill", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on a bipartisan highway bill that Congress passed this week and that the President signed into law. It was important for Congress to get back to regular business on transportation funding, and I was glad to help pass a five-year highway bill. The Republican majority deserves credit for getting this done. While there are things I would have changed in the bill, Iowa and other states need predictability in policy so they can plan transportation projects. It's hard to get roads and bridges built when funding isn't predictable. More needs to be done to address the long-term health of the Highway Trust Fund, but the bill I voted for continues in the right direction of providing certainty for those planning state and local projects. This creates the environment for more jobs, enhanced safety, and the expedited completion of projects.   -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://loebsack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394844", "Loebsack Applauds Passage of Five-Year Highway Bill", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "IA", "Dave Loebsack", "L000565", "loebsack.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Dave Loebsack today voted in favor of the conference report on Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. This measure reauthorizes highway, bridge, transportation safety, and public transit projects for the next five years and provides $281 billion in guaranteed funding. Also included in the conference report is a fix to the devastating cuts to the crop insurance program, which were included in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 that passed earlier this year. Loebsack helped lead the fight to restore these cuts since they were originally proposed. I am pleased that Congress could come together in a bipartisan fashion to pass a long-term highway reauthorization bill today, said Loebsack. For too long, Congress has passed one short-term extension after another, leaving state and local governments in limbo and preventing many transportation projects from being built. By providing guaranteed funding for the next five years, this measure will help create jobs in Iowa and give communities the certainty needed to invest in necessary infrastructure improvements.  Earlier this year, in a misguided and potentially devastating attempt, Congress tried to balance the budget on the backs of Americas farmers and ranchers by cutting the crop insurance program. I strongly opposed this move and was pleased to help lead the fight to reverse these cuts.  The conference report includes a number of key transportation provisions, including: - Loebsacks amendment to create a nationwide $1.5 billion grant program to update aging buses and bus facilities. The Bus and Bus Facilities Competitive Grant Program gives all 50 states the ability to compete for limited bus funding based on the merits of the project not just geographic location.  \r\n- Injecting $3.7 billion over five years into bus funding  a 75 percent increase over current levels. This will reduce traffic congestion, by providing more public transportation options.  \r\n- Increasing American manufacturing jobs by strengthening Buy America requirements.  \r\n- Boosting commerce and strengthening our economic competitiveness by providing dedicated funding specifically for freight projects, including freight rail, for the first time.  \r\n- Authorizing $10.2 billion for intercity passenger rail investment, including Amtrak, while providing $199 million in guaranteed funding to help commuter railroads implement Positive Train Control systems.  \r\n  \r\nThe measure also reauthorizes the critically important Export-Import Bank for four years, which helps American workers and businesses compete in the global economy. I am also very pleased to be voting today to reauthorize the job-creating Export-Import Bank, Loebsack said. For more than eight decades, the Export-Import Bank has helped level the playing field for American workers and businesses, big and small, to compete in the global economy. The Bank has created and supported hundreds of thousands of jobs over the years, all at no cost to taxpayers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-wins-us-house-fight-reverse-crop-insurance-cuts", "YOUNG WINS U.S. HOUSE FIGHT TO REVERSE CROP INSURANCE CUTS", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "YOUNG WINS U.S. HOUSE FIGHT TO REVERSE CROP INSURANCE CUTS\n\"This legislation restores a promise to Iowa farmers by reversing the $3 billion in crop insurance cuts -a big win for rural America.\"\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation today to improve America's transportation infrastructure. The legislation included a legislative proposal authored by Iowa Congressman David Young, reversing crop insurance cuts.\nCongressman Young said, \"This legislation restores a promise to Iowa farmers by reversing the $3 billion in crop insurance cuts -a big win for rural America.\"\nIn October, Congress reached a budget agreement that reopened the 2014 Farm Bill and took $3 billion from federal crop insurance program to increase federal spending on non-agricultural related programs. Young immediately introduced legislation, H.R. 3845 - the Crop Insurance Restoration Act, leading the charge to repeal the crop insurance reductions and honor the commitment Congress made to America's farmers in the 2014 Farm Bill. \nThe bill now awaits a vote in the U.S. Senate before it can go to the president's desk.\nDavid Young is the Congressman serving all the people of Iowa's 3rd District, with offices in Des Moines, Creston and Council Bluffs. He is a member of the Committee on Appropriations.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/federal-farm-policy-and-reopening-farm-bill", "Federal Farm Policy and Reopening the Farm Bill", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Floor Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa  Federal Farm Policy and Reopening the Farm Bill  Thursday, December 3, 2015   Mr. President, I rise to speak about the 2014 farm bill and attempts to change it by members of this Congress. The farm bill process was a long, hard and frustrating exercise. Nobody got everything they wanted, but in the end we got a new bill for farmers across the country.  Our country needs good farm policy, which means an adequate, yet limited safety net for farmers. Our farmers face real, uncontrollable risks every year. The farm bill provides farmers with a number of programs that help mitigate those risks.  That is why I was very concerned when I learned the budget deal was cutting $3 billion from the federal crop insurance program. That cut would have forced the Risk Management Agency at the Department of Agriculture to renegotiate the Standard Reinsurance Agreement next year and save $300 million per year. These cuts were almost universally opposed by rural America. Lenders, commodity groups, input suppliers, and many others opposed the cuts to the crop insurance program.  Beyond being bad policy, I opposed the crop insurance cuts, because like many of my colleagues on both the House and Senate Agriculture committees, I do not support reopening the 2014 Farm Bill. I'm very glad the Highway Bill is going to reverse these cuts to the crop insurance program.  I also want to speak to the importance of not reopening the farm bill in the Omnibus. Section 739 of the House Agriculture Appropriations Bill reauthorized commodity certificates. For those who don't remember what commodity certificates are, they are a way around payment limits. The language in the House bill specifically directs USDA to administer commodity certificates as they were in 2008 when they were not subject to any payment limits at all. I want to be very clear so there is no misunderstanding by those in this body or the agriculture lobby  Section 739 of the House Ag Appropriations Bill brings back commodity certificates, which reopens the 2014 Farm Bill. If the agriculture community wants to be taken seriously, we should heed our own advice and not reopen the Farm Bill by reauthorizing commodity certificates. I'm opposing cuts to the crop insurance program today because that would reopen the farm bill. I hope tomorrow I don't have to oppose commodity certificates in the Omnibus because a few people want to reinstate unlimited farm subsidies. Mr. President, I yield the floor.   -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-cantwell-introduce-biodiesel-tax-reform-extension-act-urge-inclusion-tax", "Grassley, Cantwell Introduce Biodiesel Tax Reform, Extension Act, Urge Inclusion in Tax Extenders Package Under Discussion", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington today introduced legislation to reform and extend the biodiesel tax credit. The legislation is similar to the provision that passed out of the Finance Committee in July. This provision should be included in the tax extenders package under discussion, Grassley said. Converting to a production credit would improve the biodiesel incentive in many ways. It would make the biodiesel incentive easier to administer. Also, a credit for domestic production would ensure that we're incentivizing a domestic industry rather than subsidizing imported biofuels. The goal is to meet the country's biodiesel needs and support domestic producers at the same time. And it would save money over the current biodiesel tax incentive.  Investing in America's clean energy economy is the smart thing to do for our environment and America's energy security, Cantwell said. The biodiesel tax credit has been an extremely successful energy tax policy, allowing biodiesel to become America's first advanced biofuel. Since the credit was created in 2005, 8.2 billion gallons of biodiesel have replaced traditional diesel, the equivalent of removing nearly 16 million vehicles from our roadways. This bill gives businesses the certainty they need to invest in biodiesel, create jobs here in America, and continue the development of affordable, domestic alternatives to fossil fuels. The senators' Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2015 would modify the biodiesel fuel blenders credit to a domestic production credit and extend the credit through 2018. The change would offer numerous benefits, Grassley and Cantwell said. The blenders credit can be difficult to administer, because the blending of the fuel can occur at many different stages of the fuel distribution. This can make it difficult to ensure that only fuel that qualifies for the credit claims the incentive. It has been susceptible to abuse because of this. A credit for domestic production would ensure that the United States is incentivizing the domestic industry rather than subsidizing imported biofuels. It's projected that imports from Argentina, Singapore, the European Union, South Korea and others could exceed 1.5 billion gallons over this year and next. In many cases, foreign biodiesel is already heavily subsidized, so U.S. taxpayers should not be providing a subsidy to such imports.  Grassley and Cantwell said modifying the credit would have little to no impact on the consumer. Much of the credit would continue to be passed on to the blender and ultimately, the consumer. Additionally, the U.S. biodiesel industry is currently operating at only 60 percent of capacity. The domestic biodiesel industry has the capacity and access to affordable feedstocks to meet the demand of U.S. consumers, the senators said. The Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2015 would allow the nation to continue enjoying the significant benefits of biodiesel since Congress created the biodiesel tax incentive in 2005. As a result of this incentive, the Renewable Fuel Standard, and consumer interest, biodiesel is providing significant benefits to the nation. Domestic biodiesel production supports tens of thousands of jobs. Replacing traditional diesel with biodiesel reduces emissions and creates cleaner air. Homegrown biodiesel improves U.S. energy security by diversifying transportation fuels and reducing dependence on foreign oil. Biodiesel itself is a diverse fuel that can be produced from a wide array of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean and other plant oils, and animal fats.  The text of the Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2015 is available here.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-hatch-seek-accounting-recovery-misused-state-health-care-exchange-funds", "Grassley, Hatch Seek Accounting of Recovery of Misused State Health Care Exchange Funds", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah are asking the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to account for how much federal money it has given to each state health care exchange, how much money it has identified as misused, what it can do to recover money for unallowable activities, and how much money for unallowable activities it has recovered. Given the continuing failure of SBMs (state-based marketplaces or exchanges) and the use of taxpayer funds for unallowable activities, CMS has an elevated responsibility to ensure that any future funding to SBMs is appropriate and that SBMs fulfill all grant terms and conditions, Grassley and Hatch wrote to CMS Acting Administrator Andrew Slavitt. With the ongoing risk that more SBMs will shut down or partially transition to the federal IT structure, and the continuing threat that SBMs will use taxpayer funds for unallowable activities, it is imperative to determine the full cost to the taxpayer of the failures thus far, and what funds the federal government has been able to recover. Grassley and Hatch described the failure of Maryland's exchange as an example of a murky outcome for federal taxpayers. As a result of a lawsuit, the Maryland exchange's prime contractor settled with the state for $45 million. That amount appears to contain federal funds, since the federal government provided $179 million to create the Maryland exchange. Grassley and Hatch said Slavitt wrote in a prior response that CMS is working with the Maryland SBM so that funds are returned to the Treasury. The senators wrote, but it is not clear what specifically the federal government is doing to recoup these federal monies. The Grassley-Hatch letter to Slavitt is available here. Their prior letter to Slavitt is available here. Slavitt's response to the prior letter is available here. Hatch is chairman and Grassley is former chairman and a senior member of the Finance Committee, with jurisdiction over federal health care programs.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-regional-director-holding-local-office-hours-2", "Grassley Regional Director Holding Local Office Hours", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Chuck Grassley's regional director based in Davenport, Penny Vacek, will be holding open office hours in Scott, Cedar, Clinton and Jackson counties on Monday, Dec. 14, and Thursday, Dec. 17. The office hours provide an opportunity for Iowans to obtain casework assistance or to express views.         Vacek's schedule is as follows:  Monday, Dec. 14, 2015  2:30-3:30 p.m.  Scott County  Walcott City Hall  128 Lincoln St.  Walcott    Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015  8-9 a.m.  Cedar County  Cedar County Courthouse  Basement Meeting Room  400 Cedar St.  Tipton    10-11 a.m.  Clinton County  DeWitt City Hall  Council Chambers  510 9th St.  DeWitt    3-4 p.m.  Jackson County  Maquoketa City Hall  Council Chambers  201 East Pleasant St.  Maquoketa    Grassley's offices in Iowa regularly help constituents contact federal agencies to sort through problems with Social Security payments, military service matters, immigration cases and other issues. His state offices are located in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Sioux City and Waterloo. Here is a comment from Grassley about his staff's upcoming office hours: Open office hours are designed to help more Iowans access the assistance that is available from the office of their United States senator. I hope anyone with federal agency-related casework will take advantage of Penny's visits.  Should constituents have any questions, please contact Grassley's Davenport office at (563) 322-4331. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/private-housing-security-defense-department-employees-afghanistan", "Private Housing, Security for Defense Department Employees in Afghanistan", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is investigating the compressed natural gas station in Afghanistan that cost the U.S. taxpayers $43 million, as much as $42.5 million more than it should have, and the $800 million Pentagon task force that oversaw the construction. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction is releasing a letter to the Secretary of Defense regarding the security and housing expenditures of the task force, called the Task Force for Business and Stability Operations. Grassley made the following comment on the letter. I hope this inquiry is the beginning of much more insight into how this task force operated. So far, the Defense Department hasn't been forthcoming with task force documents. The concerns raised in SIGAR's letter don't inspire confidence that the task force took care with spending. For example, the assertion that task force employees had to have outside housing and security to set an example for private companies sounds like U.S. Grade A baloney. I look forward to learning more about how the task force operated and what, if any, results it achieved in exchange for spending $800 million.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://loebsack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394846", "Loebsack Backed Legislation to Improve K-12 Education Passes House", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "IA", "Dave Loebsack", "L000565", "loebsack.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation replaces the outdated No Child Left Behind and ensures children across the country have access to a quality education and important resources and opportunities that will prepare them for college and career. The bill was passed by a bipartisan vote of 359-64 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.As someone who grew up in poverty, I know firsthand how important education is for kids to get ahead in life. With the passage of this legislation, our nations schools finally have the meaningful reform that students and teachers have long needed. The Every Student Succeeds Act ensures that all students graduate from high school with college and career-ready skills by investing in our childrens education and our countrys future economic growth. I am proud that many of my priorities have been included in this bipartisan, compromise legislation.As a former member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, Loebsack worked to ensure his proposals were included in this bipartisan compromise. Loebsacks Schools of the Future Act, which provides resources to rural schools for improving their education technology programs, was included in the House version of the bill as an amendment that was passed on a bipartisan vote. Loebsacks amendment paved the way for the creation of the Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant program, a new $1.6 billion dedicated funding stream, up to 60 percent of which can be used by districts to support the effective use of technology in schools. This new fund will be distributed based on need, with a large proportion flowing to rural schools, and can be used to: Provide educators, school leaders and administrators with the professional learning tools, content and resources to provide high quality digital learning;\r\n Provide students in rural, remote, and underserved areas with the resources to take advantage of high-quality digital learning experiences, digital resources, and access to online courses taught by effective educators;\r\n Build technological capacity and infrastructure;\r\n Develop or use innovated or effective strategies for the delivery of curricula through technology;\r\n Carry out blended learning projects; and\r\n Provide professional development for educators in the use of technology to increase student achievement.The Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant program also supports two of Loebsacks other priorities, including: Improving mental health supports and services in our schools. Funding from this grant can be used to hire more mental health personnel including counselors, school psychologists, social workers and other instructional support personnel, a priority Loebsack advanced in his Reducing Barriers to Learning Act.\r\n Supporting community involvement by encouraging schools to partner with public, private, nonprofit and community-based entities to address nonacademic factors affecting student academic performance, which mirrors Loebsacks Working to Encourage Community Action and Responsibility in Education (WE CARE) Act.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-votes-block-federal-stranglehold-education-iowas-kids", "YOUNG VOTES TO BLOCK FEDERAL STRANGLEHOLD ON EDUCATION OF IOWA'S KIDS", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "YOUNG VOTES TO BLOCK FEDERAL STRANGLEHOLD ON EDUCATION OF IOWA'S KIDS\n\"This legislation kills Common Core and kicks the federal government out of Iowa's classrooms.\"\nWASHINGTON, D.C. - Iowa Congressman David Young voted for S. 1177 Every Student Succeeds Act. The commonsense legislation sets federal elementary and secondary education policy, replacing No Child Left Behind. It passed with an overwhelming majority and broad bipartisan support, 359-64.\nCongressman Young said, \"This legislation kills Common Core and kicks the federal government out of Iowa's schools and classrooms. This is a clear step in the right direction and a vote for local control of our education system - empowering parents to be in charge of their kids'education plan, not some Washington bureaucrat.\n\"A no vote on this bill would have been a vote to continue the failed status quo of federal control. A no vote would have given the federal government a blank check to continue implementing policies and regulations to continue mandating Common Core against the will of Iowa parents and the American people, I could not support that,\"said Congressman Young.\nThe Every Student Success Act repeals the web of federal testing mandates created by No Child Left Behind and 49 other ineffective programs. Two big reforms for parents: it prevents the federal government from forcing states to adopt Common Core and it dramatically reduces the control of Washington bureaucrats - namely the Secretary of Education - in Iowa classrooms. The Wall Street Journal noted the bill represents, \"the largest devolution of federal control to the states in a quarter-century.\"\nDavid Young is the Congressman serving all the people of Iowa's 3rd District, with offices in Des Moines, Creston and Council Bluffs. He is a member of the Committee on Appropriations.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-obamacares-failures-need-replace-it-better-changes", "Grassley on Obamacare's Failures, Need to Replace it With Better Changes", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Floor Speech of Sen. Chuck Grassley on Obamacare and the Reconciliation Debate  Delivered Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015 Several years ago, I gave a speech about Obamacare. As we begin debate, I harken back to that speech. Obamacare wasn't working then; it's not working now. Webster's Dictionary defines the word success as the correct or desired result of an attempt. I want to discuss the definition of the word success as we consider repeal of Obamacare. On the day the bill was signed into law, President Obama said the following: QUOTE: Today we are affirming that essential truth, a truth every generation is called to rediscover for itself, that we are not a nation that scales back its aspirations. END OF QUOTE Such grand words for where we are today. Five years later, the success of the law that now bears his name, Obamacare, is defined in much more meager terms. Think of all that we have been through to this point. The fight over the bill and the extreme legislative means used to pass it through Congress. The Supreme Court decision that effectively repealed half of the law's coverage. Think of all the changes made to the law through regulation to make sure Obamacare launched. The postponing of the employer mandate. The postponing of lifetime limits. Think of the impact this law has had on our economy. People losing jobs. People losing the health insurance they currently have, because if you like what you have you may NOT be able to keep it.  And let's talk about that for a moment. If you like what you have, you can keep it. This was the promise the President made to the American people on at least thirty-six separate occasions. It's a great soundbite. It's easy to say; it rolls off the tongue. It's also not true. It was never true. It was obviously not true when the law was written. It was obviously not true when the first proposed regulation came out. This is what I said on the Senate floor in September of 2010: QUOTE: Only in the District of Columbia could you get away with telling the people if you like what you have you can keep it, and then pass regulations six months later that do just the opposite and figure that people are going to ignore it. END OF QUOTE It's not that I have some magic crystal ball. We all knew it. The Administration certainly knew that the day would come when millions of people would receive cancellation notices. Now, my constituents clearly know it. I heard from many Iowans who found out the hard way that the President made a bunch of pie-in-the-sky promises that he knew he couldn't keep. Constituents like this one from Perry, Iowa, who wrote to me saying: QUOTE: My husband and I are farmers. For nine years now we have bought our own policy. To keep the cost affordable our plan is a major medical plan with a very high deductible. We recently received our letter that our plan was going away. Effective Jan 1, 2014, it will be updated to comply with the mandates of Obamacare. To manage the risk of much higher premiums, our insurance company is asking us to cancel our current policy and sign on at a higher rate effective Dec 1, 2013 or we could go to the government exchange. We did not get to keep our current policy. We did not get to keep our lower rates. I now have to pay for coverage that I do not want or will never use. We are not low income that might qualify for assistance. We are the small business owner that is trying to live the American dream. I do not believe in large government that wants to run my life. END OF QUOTE And from a constituent living in Mason City: QUOTE: My wife and I are both 60 years old, and have been covered by an excellent Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield policy for several years. It is not through my employer. We selected the plan because it had the features we wanted and needed...our choice. And because we are healthy, we have a preferred premium rate. Yesterday, we got a call from our agent explaining that since our plan is not grandfathered, it will need to be replaced at the end of 2014. The current plan has a $5,000 deductible and the premium is $511 per month. The best option going forward for us from Wellmark would cost $955 per month (a modest 87% increase), and have at $10,000 deductible! And because we have been diligent and responsible in saving for our upcoming retirement, we do not qualify for any taxpayer-funded subsidies. END OF QUOTE. These are just two of the many letters, emails, and phone calls I've received from Iowans. Several years ago, it was about losing the coverage you have. And now the issue has turned to cost. Millions of Americans face rising premiums. The impact is real and undeniable. Here's another from a constituent from Des Moines. QUOTE: In 2013, I encountered some medical problems which caused me to retire early. My spouse works as an adjunct instructor  thus not qualifying for medical coverage. In 2014, with 4 part-time jobs between us, we made $44,289 in Adjusted Gross Income. Our Obamacare insurance cost $968 per month and after credits, we paid $478 per mo. or approximately 13% of our Adjusted Gross Income. In 2015, our Adjusted Gross Income will be approximately the same, however our Obamacare insurance jumped to a premium of $1,028.82 and our cost to $590.12. The insurance company touted that premiums went up less than 10%, but as you can see, my cost went up 23%! The impact to Adjusted Gross Income went to 16%, a 23% increase. I just received my 2016 premium estimate. Our Adjusted Gross Income is likely to be the same. Our gross premium is scheduled to rise 36% to nearly $1,400; our cost after the credit is jumping 63% and the impact to our Adjusted Gross Income is that 25% of our income will be spent on Health Insurance (a 56% increase!). END OF QUOTE Thousands of Iowans have contacted me asking what can be done, now that we clearly see that what the President sold the American people was a bag of Washington's best gift-wrapped hot air. All the grandiose talk about the importance of this statute. And what we ultimately have is an optional Medicaid expansion with a glorified high risk pool and a government portal that makes the DMV look efficient. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the co-op disaster. The first co-op to fail was Iowa's CoOportunity. CoOportunity enrolled the second most beneficiaries of any co-op in America. CoOportunity knew they were in trouble because they enrolled more than 100,000 people when they were planning for less than 20,000. CoOportunity was in contact with CMS and so was the State of Iowa. CMS chose not to further fund CoOportunity and CoOportunity has since been liquidated. American taxpayers have billions of dollars invested in these co-ops. The taxpayer only gets their money back when co-ops succeed. CMS stewardship of this program has proven that CoOportunity was not an exception, but unfortunately the rule as more and more co-ops have failed.  Americans deserve better. They voted for better. It is time to admit that Obamacare has not achieved the correct or desired result of an attempt. It has not been a success by any measure. Unless of course you lower your standard to the point that the mere act of keeping the doors open is a success. That simply has not changed. How sad is that for all we have been through. Maybe, just maybe, it is time to admit that massive restructuring has failed. Partisanship has failed. Perhaps it is time to sit down and consider common sense, bipartisan steps that we could take to lower cost and improve quality. Perhaps we could enact alternative reforms aimed at solving America's biggest health-care problems. Reforms like revising the tax code to help individuals who buy their own health insurance; allowing people to purchase health coverage across state lines and form risk pools in the individual market; expanding tax-free Health Savings Accounts; making health-care price and quality information more transparent; cracking down on frivolous medical-malpractice lawsuits; using high-risk pools to insure folks with preexisting conditions; giving states more freedom to improve Medicaid; and using provider competition and consumer choice to bring down costs in Medicare, and throughout the health care delivery system. The American people need to know that this failed program is not the only answer and we are not scaling back our aspirations. And with this vote this week, we once again demonstrate to the American people our willingness to not accept failure and aim for better.   -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-judiciary-committee-hearing-oversight-obama-administration%E2%80%99s", "Grassley Statement at a Judiciary Committee Hearing on Oversight of the Obama Administrations Criminal Alien Removal Policies", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley of IowaChairman, U.S. Senate Committee on the JudiciaryHearing on Oversight of the Obama Administration'sCriminal Alien Removal PoliciesWednesday, December 2, 2015 Over the last several years, the Obama administration has made many public statements about focusing immigration enforcement resources on removing undocumented criminals from the United States. In one such statement, the President promised, we're focusing our limited resources and people on violent offenders and people convicted of crimes  not just families.  But, although there has been more funding for enforcement in 2015, the President's promise goes unfulfilled and many criminals remain in our communities.  Too often we hear stories of undocumented or gang-affiliated violent criminals who are released from custody or receive protection in so called sanctuary jurisdictions. And since our hearing on the administration's misdirected immigration enforcement in July, unfortunately, there have been even more victims. Recently, I sent a letter to Secretary Johnson about the murder of a teenager from Loudoun Countyjust beyond the beltway from where we all sit today. Danny Centeno Miranda was 17 when he was allegedly murdered on the way to his high school bus stop by three undocumented criminals with ties to the MS-13 gang. These gang members were in Homeland Security custody, but released and told to appear for their court date in August. They never showed up to their hearing. The murder occurred several days later. Across the country in California, Francisco Javier Chavez was arrested for brutally beating a two year old baby girl. Although Chavez had been previously convicted three times, he was still not deemed a priority by this administration, and is currently out on bail. When will enough be enough? Even those with violent criminal histories aren't being removed, as promised, to the extent they should be, and American citizens are paying the price while law enforcement officers are instructed to look the other way. The administration says it does not have the resources to enforce the law against all undocumented criminals, and as a result, must prioritize deportations. But the Obama administration appears to be accomplishing less with more resources. There are currently about 900,000 undocumented immigrants present in the United States who have been ordered to leave the country, but have not. And despite receiving $3.4 billion for detention and removal operations in 2015, Homeland Security only managed to remove roughly 63,000 undocumented criminals from the United States. However, in 2014, the department removed about 87,000 undocumented criminals with a budget of $2.8 billion. A lack of resources are not the problem. It's a lack of will. And the policies of this administration prove it. When first preparing for this hearing, several administration officials informed this committee that they were unable to testify because the hearing wasn't in response to a particular crisis. Congressional oversight isn't contingent on a crisis. And when you listen to the testimony today, keep in mind that there are 179,027 undocumented criminals with final orders of removal at large in the United States today, thousands of victims, and many of the agency's own officers who are unable to do the job they signed up to do. Do we still think there is no crisis? Today, we'll hear from Assistant Secretary Saldana about the effectiveness of the Priority Enforcement Program, and the state of Immigration and Customs Enforcement's ability to remove criminals off the streets, and keep Americans safe. I look forward to hearing from all the witnesses, and will reserve the remainder of my time for Senator Sessions to speak. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-judiciary-committee-hearing-theft-trade-secrets", "Grassley Statement at a Judiciary Committee Hearing on Theft of Trade Secrets", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of IowaChairman, Senate Judiciary CommitteeHearing on Protecting Trade Secrets: the Impact of Trade Secret Theft on American Competitiveness and Potential Solutions to Remedy This Harm.December 2, 2015 The United States is the world's leader in innovation, creating cutting-edge technologies and products that improve our daily lives. This occurs in good measure because of our robust system of intellectual property protection and enforcement. Trade secrets are a lesser known, but increasingly important form of intellectual property. Trade secrets allow for the legal protection of commercially valuable, proprietary information. Some famous and oft-cited examples of trade secrets include the formula for Coca-Cola or the recipe for Kentucky Fried Chicken.  In fact, a broad range of valuable information may be protected as a trade secret, including complex financial and technical information and computer algorithms.    These trade secrets hold immense value to American companies. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently released a report stating that publicly traded U.S. companies own an estimated $5 trillion worth of trade secrets.  Trade secrets encompass an expanding portion of firms' intellectual property portfolios, particularly in knowledge-centric areas of the economy such as technology and manufacturing.    However, the theft of trade secrets of American companies is increasing, and this hurts the U.S. economy and costs American jobs. Globalization, the emergence of the digital economy, and the increasing frequency with which trade secret thieves utilize technology and cyber capabilities, has made it more difficult for trade secret owners and law enforcement to guard against theft and to fight back. Last year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Assistant Director of the Counterintelligence Division, Randall Coleman, testified before the Committee that economic espionage and theft of trade secrets are increasingly linked to the insider threat and the growing trend of cyber-enable trade secret theft. In February 2013, the White House released a report detailing that [e]merging trends indicate that the pace of economic espionage and trade secret theft against U.S. corporations is accelerating. Then-Attorney General Eric Holder underscored these findings when he stated that, There are only two categories of companies affected by trade-secret theft: those that know they've been compromised and those that don't know yet. The result is that, according to a recent report of the Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property, annual losses owing to trade secret theft are likely comparable to the current annual level of U.S. exports to Asia  over $300 billion. The report further estimates that trade secret theft is responsible for the loss of 2.1 million American jobs.  Unlike other areas of intellectual property, the protection of trade secrets in the United States has mainly been a matter of state law, with forty-seven states having enacted some variation of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.  While differing state trade secret laws share many features, state legislatures often made changes as they enacted the UTSA. This has led some to argue that the existing patchwork of state laws imposes difficult procedural hurdles in the many cases where a trade secret is taken across state lines. Federal law, through the Economic Espionage Act of 1996 (EEA), allows federal law enforcement authorities to criminally prosecute trade secret thieves, but it doesn't give trade secret owners a private right of action in federal court.  As companies increasingly utilize trade secrets and as trade secret theft has soared, the FBI reports that their caseload for economic espionage and trade secret theft cases increased more than 60% from 2009 to 2013. In fact, some commentators point out that in the face of what the FBI has described as an immense threat, the Bureau's Counterintelligence Division's Economic Espionage Unit, which is tasked with investigating offenses under the EEA, does not have the resources and necessary bandwidth to bring prosecution of all trade secret cases. I've heard from a broad coalition of stakeholders - large and small - representing job creating businesses in innovative sectors of the American economy, about the need for a federal law to protect their valuable trade secrets.  In my own state of Iowa, we've seen first-hand how some of our most innovative agricultural companies, like DuPont Pioneer, have become targets of trade secret thieves who seek to profit from the hard work and research of others. In one recent case, foreign nationals were indicted for engaging in a scheme to steal proprietary test seeds from Iowa fields to benefit a foreign agricultural company.    So, I look forward to learning more about this important issue and potential legislative solutions. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-offers-amendment-to-preserve-a-free-and-competitive-energy-market", "King Offers Amendment to Preserve a  Free and Competitive Energy Market", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - Congressman Steve King released the following statement after submitting an amendment to the House Rules Committee for H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015:\nThe petroleum industry lobby is working towards a 100% petroleum mandate, said King. The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is the only tool that provides market access so that ethanol and other renewable fuels are sold in competition with petroleum. Attacking the RFS is forcing Iowa farmers and the ethanol industry out of the competitive market.\nMy amendment to H.R. 8 simply states that, any law that reduces market access or changes the tax structure of one energy industry has to proportionately affect the entire energy sector.\nBy supporting a free and competitive market, it has allowed the innovation of the biofuels sector to lower prices at the pump, create American jobs, and secure Americas domestic energy supply.\nTo view original amendment text, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-co-releases-investigative-report-pricing-strategy-behind-84000-hepatitis", "Grassley Co-Releases Investigative Report on Pricing Strategy Behind $84,000 Hepatitis Drug", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is the lead Republican on a bipartisan investigative report released today that gives rare insight into how a company prices a landmark prescription drug. In this case, the company anticipated it would face public outcry over a high price for a Hepatitis C drug but went forward anyway.  This report sheds light on one example of the pricing decisions made by one company with a new prescription medicine that entered the market without competition in high demand, Grassley said. This might be an example that received the most attention in some time, but it won't be the last. I look forward to discussions with my colleagues and the public on the policy questions in the report. I encourage everyone to read the report for the level of detail into pricing strategy that we don't often see. Grassley and Sen. Ron Wyden released the results of their 18 month investigation into the pricing and marketing of Gilead Sciences' Hepatitis C drug Sovaldi and its successor, Harvoni. The investigation draws on internal documents from the company. These include a chart linking price points with levels of potential public outcry and an email from a company executive saying the company should not fold to advocacy pressure and should hold our position whatever competitors do or whatever the headlines on the price.  The drug went on the market for $1,000 per pill, or $84,000 for a single course of treatment, creating significant expense for Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance companies. Iowa and many other states faced significant pressure on their Medicaid programs over the costs, struggling with wanting to give patients access to a landmark treatment and how much taxpayers can afford. This is the second time in recent weeks that Grassley has weighed in significantly on high prescription drug costs. Last month, he and Sen. John McCain pressed the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to use her full authority to allow the importation of prescription drugs from Canada.  The Sovaldi report, along with more information on the investigation, is available here. Video of the senators' news conference unveiling the report is available here.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-releases-investigative-report-agencies%E2%80%99-use-paid-administrative-leave", "Grassley Releases Investigative Report on Agencies Use of Paid Administrative Leave, Endorses Reports Recommendations to Clamp Down on Overuse", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today released a report from his oversight and investigative staff analyzing 18 federal agencies' responses to his inquiries on paid administrative leave and endorsed the report's recommendations for reining in this largely unproductive, expensive practice.    Everything I've seen shows a Wild West environment among agencies on paid administrative leave, Grassley said. According to this report, and others related to it, every agency uses this leave differently. Some agencies use it too extensively, and the taxpayers get short-changed. The statutory and regulatory vacuum on the use of paid leave has contributed to this problem. As the report recommends, Congress should step in with legislation to fill the void. The legislation would make clear when paid administrative leave is allowable and when employees should be on the job instead. This kind of leave shouldn't be a crutch for management to avoid making tough personnel decisions or a club for wrongdoers to use against whistleblowers.    The report analyzes responses from 18 agencies to an inquiry from Grassley and Rep. Darrell Issa in October 2014. The report finds that agencies use the paid leave designation broadly, for everything from negotiating collective bargaining agreements to returning from active military duty to investigating allegations of employee misconduct. This is because agencies' policies on when this type of leave can be used and the appropriate length of time for paid leave vary widely.    Open-ended leave is expensive and unproductive for taxpayers, the report finds.  Seventeen agencies spent almost $80.6 million to place employees on paid administrative leave for one month or more in fiscal year 2014. That amount might be lower than the reality due to the imprecise calculations some agencies provided.    Although requested by Grassley in his inquiry letters, agencies did not always provide sufficient justification for placing employees on administrative leave for more than one year, and their justifications varied widely. When reasons were provided, they were vague, such as investigations for misconduct. Agencies did not explain why these investigations took so long.    The report finds that the use of paid administrative leave can be troubling for employees, such as whistleblowers, whose managers might use leave as retaliation. Employees cannot appeal their administrative leave status.     The report concludes, Based on the explanations and evidence received in the course of this inquiry, agencies are able to place an employee on administrative leave simply to avoid addressing an uncomfortableor potentially even unjustifiablepersonnel action. Maintaining this status quo serves neither the taxpayer nor the employee. Its costs are high, and its benefits dubious. Under current practice, employees who did commit misconduct can avoid accountability on a taxpayer-funded vacation, but employees unjustly accused are deprived of professional development and, more importantly, legal recourse, because employees in administrative leave status have no right to appeal its use.    The report recommends statutory changes and other actions to: authorize and define administrative leave in statute; encourage agencies to use options other than paid administrative leave; limit paid administrative leave to specific purposes and short-term duration; provide safeguards against the retaliatory use of administrative leave; preserve non-duty pay status as authorized by law and in the interests of the agency; ensure tracking and recording of administrative leave; and continue and strengthen congressional oversight over administrative leave.    Grassley is working on bipartisan legislation to implement the recommendations. He is working with the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, with jurisdiction over leave policy, to develop and advance the legislation.    The report is available here. The appendices are available here, here and here.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-hearing-puerto-ricos-fiscal-problems", "Grassley Statement at Hearing on Puerto Rico's Fiscal Problems", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of IowaChairman, Senate Judiciary CommitteeHearing on Puerto Rico's Fiscal Problems:Examining the Source and Exploring the SolutionDecember 1, 2015  Good morning. The purpose of today's hearing is to learn more about the origin of Puerto Rico's fiscal problems, and what's needed to help restore fiscal balance and economic growth. It's my hope that we'll have a valuable discussion based on facts, and informed by our witnesses' expertise. Puerto Rico's debt crisis didn't happen overnight. It's been years in the making. Fundamentally, the starting point for any solution is to first identify the problem and understand its size and scope. Unfortunately, confusion reigns as Puerto Rico has failed to provide audited financial statements for the past two years.  What we do know is that for many years as Puerto Rico's economy suffered, debt and spending increased to the point where the Island lost investor confidence. Puerto Rico has defaulted on certain debt obligations, lost access to the normal markets, and now faces a liquidity crisis. The Governor and others have stated that the Island's current debt is not payable. Puerto Rico's economy has suffered for decades in part because of barriers to job creation and labor force participation. The federal minimum wage mandate, generous entitlement programs, bureaucratic red tape, and a bloated public sector have stifled business activity. This has a direct impact on Puerto Rico's residents, who are our fellow U.S. citizens. High unemployment rates have resulted in a declining population as Puerto Ricans have left the Island in search of jobs. A diminished population means lower tax revenues to fund government spending. Despite these long-term economic challenges, for many years Puerto Rico maintained a balanced budget and high credit ratings on its debt. What, then, led to the fiscal crisis the Island faces today? While the economic challenges may be debatable, it's clear that since 2000, Puerto Rico's public debt has risen from 60 percent of GDP to now more than 100 percent. This is an indication of serious fiscal mismanagement. Thanks to the highly attractive triple-tax exempt status of its bonds, it was easier for Puerto Rico to borrow and paper over deficits, rather than address financial shortcomings and economic realities in order to balance its budget. The consequence of this decision is an accumulation of approximately $72 billion of debt, arising from roughly 17 different debt issuers. This includes more than $18 billion in constitutionally protected general obligation debt. And, also around $24 billion in debt issued by public corporations, like the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA). Moreover, because of its triple-tax exempt status, a wide array of investors own Puerto Rican bonds. According to Bloomberg, Puerto Ricans alone hold $20 billion of the debt. And nearly 60 percent of Puerto Rico's debt is held largely in the individual retirement accounts and 401(k)'s of regular folks throughout the U.S. I'm told that approximately 16,000 Iowans are invested in funds that hold PREPA bonds. These folks aren't vultures. They're middle-class Americans who probably knew little about Puerto Rico's finances. They simply invested in one of many tax-exempt municipal bond fund's containing Puerto Rico's bonds.  Notwithstanding all of this, we're told that Puerto Rico's debt needs to be restructured in order to address its fiscal challenges. Puerto Rico, though, lacks access to an orderly debt restructuring mechanism, like Chapter 9 of the bankruptcy code. Thus, Congress has been called upon to extend Chapter 9 to Puerto Rico's public corporations. Or to create a broad new bankruptcy regime, dubbed Super Chapter 9, to restructure all debt, including the Island's constitutionally guaranteed general obligation bonds. According to a recent New York Times article, advisers to the island's government have been urging the governor to default on the debt, saying that only a catastrophe would move Congress  especially Republicans  to help. I hope the Governor will tell us whether this is accurate. It would trouble me greatly if true. This isn't the first time Congress has been asked to help address a situation like Puerto Rico now faces. In the past, we've provided help in a bipartisan way. During the 1990s, the District of Columbia faced its own fiscal crisis, as it was insolvent and unable to pay its bills. Congress worked with District and Clinton Administration officials to pass the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act in 1995. We'll hear more about the response to that crisis and others from our witnesses today. I'll note that Congress considered extending Chapter 9 to the District of Columbia, but decided that there was little practical significance or advantage to such a legislative gesture. As the committee report to the bill stated, the issues facing the District of Columbia . . . require political and structural, as well as financial remediation.  One of the reasons extending Chapter 9 to the District was rejected is because it's designed primarily to restructure and decrease municipal debt. The idea being that relief from creditors is what's needed in order to gain a fresh start. But Chapter 9 cannot bring about financial rehabilitation. It does not increase economic growth or alter the fundamental fiscal trajectory. In short, Chapter 9 cannot address the root causes of fiscal problems, but instead pushes them off to future generations.  As for Super Chapter 9, this is something that no State can do, and has been described as unprecedented in the American context. It would be a bad idea, with negative consequences, for Congress to permit Puerto Rico to walk away from its constitutional debt obligations. Unlike other bonds, constitutional debt, whether issued by Puerto Rico or a State, has that government's full faith and credit commitment to repay the debt. Let's not forget that Puerto Rico issued its bonds with the knowledge that Chapter 9 bankruptcy wasn't an option in the event of a default. Is it fair to retroactively change the rules at the expense of these investors, if other options exist for addressing Puerto Rico's debt problems? At the very least, this is an idea that should be at the end of the line, not the front. The challenges Puerto Rico faces are great and require more than just short-term solutions that don't provide long-term relief. The debt is a symptom of a bigger problem. Merely extending debt restructuring authority, absent tools to address the fundamental causes of the fiscal problem, is not a long-term solution that will help Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico has struggled to make the difficult decisions to cut spending and balance its budget. If Congress is to act, then we must ensure that Puerto Rico has the tools to help itself out of this situation. Today's hearing can help us identify what may, or may not, need to be looked at for Puerto Rico to get its balance sheet back in order. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://loebsack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394845", "Loebsack Statement on RFS Announcement", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "IA", "Dave Loebsack", "L000565", "loebsack.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final rule for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) obligations. Loebsack, a co-chair of the Biofuels Caucus, has led the fight for a strong RFS and highlighted its importance to Iowa.The RFS has proven it works. It creates jobs, supports our agricultural communities and lessens our dependence on foreign oil. I have been leading the bipartisan fight in Congress for a strong RFS, and while the numbers are greater than the original proposal, they do not go far enough. I will continue to work with the EPA to ensure the RFS remains good for Iowa.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-comments-on-final-rfs-volume-requirements", "King Comments on Final RFS Volume Requirements", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Steve King released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled the final volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2014 through 2016:\n\n\nTo watch Congressman Steve Kings full remarks, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-epa-drops-ball-renewable-fuels-rule", "Grassley: EPA Drops the Ball With Renewable Fuels Rule", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "For months, Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa has urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise and increase its proposed volume obligations for renewable biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2014, 2015 and 2016. After hearing from Grassley and other senators, the EPA released a final rule today that improves the volume requirements over its last proposal but still underestimates the capacity for farmers and ethanol and biodiesel producers to generate enough renewable fuel to meet higher goals. Grassley made the following comment on the final rule.    This rule is a slight improvement but it still sells biofuels short. The EPA just doesn't appreciate that farmers and biofuels producers can generate enough renewable fuels to meet the goals set by Congress. The EPA doesn't seem to appreciate that the law on the books requires strong biofuels targets and that consumers like the chance to use alternate fuels. Instead, the EPA took a flawed approach that seems to buy into Big Oil's rhetoric. The new rule is not only more than two years late, but it also sets back the development of next generation biofuels. This rule undermines the efforts to commercialize the next generation of biofuels. It's unfortunate that this Administration, which claims to be for renewable and clean energy, would stand in the way of the production and use of more renewable fuels.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-weekly-schedule-39", "Grassley Weekly Schedule", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Here is information about Senator Grassley's schedule this week. The Senate is in session.  Senator Grassley will meet with an Iowa family from Bettendorf. Senator Grassley will meet with Iowa students from Iowa Jobs for America's Graduates. On Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 10 a.m. (ET), Senator Grassley will preside over a Judiciary Committee hearing on Puerto Rico's Fiscal Problems: Examining the Source and Exploring the Solution. The hearing will examine the root cause of Puerto Rico's fiscal problems and look at the tools available for Puerto Rico to help itself out of the situation.  On Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 2:45 p.m. (ET), Senator Grassley will participate in a Finance Committee hearing on International Tax: OEDC (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) & EU State Aid. On Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. (ET), Senator Grassley will preside over a Judiciary Committee hearing on Protecting Trade Secrets: the Impact of Trade Secret Theft on American Competitiveness and Potential Solutions to Remedy This Harm. Trade secrets are a form of intellectual property that allows for the legal protection of commercially valuable, proprietary information such as the formula for Coca-Cola or complex financial and technical information and computer algorithms.  On Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. (ET), Senator Grassley will participate in an Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee hearing on Agriculture's Role in Combating Global Hunger. On Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 10:30 a.m. (ET), Senator Grassley will participate in a Budget Committee hearing on Reforming the Federal Budget Process: Modernizing Budget Concepts to Improve Accuracy and Transparency. On Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 2:30 p.m. (ET), Senator Grassley will preside over a Judiciary Committee hearing on Oversight of the Administration's Criminal Alien Removal Policies. Grassley has done extensive oversight on the Obama Administration's decisions to release back into U.S. communities immigrants with criminal records. Between 2010 and 2014, 121 criminal immigrants released by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement went on to commit murder. On Thursday, Dec. 3, at 10 a.m. (ET), Senator Grassley will preside over the weekly executive business meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee may consider S. 247, the Expatriate Terrorist Act, sponsored by Senators Grassley, Ted Cruz and Roy Blunt, and S. 1318, the Nuclear Terrorism Conventions Implementation and Safety of Maritime Navigation Act of 2015, sponsored by Senators Grassley and Sheldon Whitehouse.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/irs-whistleblower-office-needs-improvement-could-collect-even-more-its-2-billion", "IRS Whistleblower Office Needs Improvement, Could Collect Even More Than Its $2 Billion Over Tax Fraud", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa drafted the 2006 provisions that improved the IRS whistleblower office to stop tax fraud. A new report from the non-partisan Government Accountability Office shows the IRS whistleblower office has collected almost $2 billion since 2011 that otherwise would have been lost to fraud. The report describes several major barriers that might discourage whistleblowers from coming forward. Grassley made the following comment on the report.    The IRS commissioner has told me many times that the whistleblower office is an important priority. The GAO report gives the IRS a list of concrete steps to improve the whistleblower office. There's a matter for Congress to consider as well. We all need to make sure the IRS puts out a welcome mat for whistleblowers. The collection of $2 billion for the federal treasury that otherwise would have been lost to fraud is good news for the taxpayers. The news would be even better if the IRS stepped up its work.    The GAO report is available here.   -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/newsletters/iowas-youth-veterans-and-thanksgiving-november-was-great-month", "Iowa's youth, veterans and Thanksgiving - November was a great month!", "2015-11-29", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Here is a quick recap of some of the events I hosted and participated in over the last month. Also, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and family. If you missed my Thanksgiving message, here it is! Read the full newsletter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-asks-about-possible-coordination-between-clinton-and-former-state", "Grassley Asks About Possible Coordination Between Clinton and Former State Department Staff Involved in Email Scandal", "2015-11-25", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Senator Chuck Grassley, Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, is pressing the attorneys for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and several of her former staff members at the department about possible joint defense agreements or other coordination to respond to questions from Congress and other legal inquiries. Grassley's letter comes after news reports that an invoice may have been sent to Clinton's accountant from Platte River Networks, a company providing computer network and server work to Clinton. According to the reports, the invoice included line items for [l]egal activity re: Hillary Clinton and PR for Clinton email media inquiries. In a letter to the attorneys, Grassley wrote, The invoice raises questions as to whether Secretary Clinton has similar arrangements with other people or entities associated with her email server. In light of this, it is important for the Committee to know whether Secretary Clinton and her attorneys are providing financial support, legal support, or other coordination to those associates of hers who are involved in congressional committee and federal law enforcement inquiries relating to her email server. A copy of the text of the letter is below. The letter can also be found here.  November 24, 2015 VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION David E. Kendall, Esq.  Attorney for Secretary Clinton  Williams & Connolly LLP  725 Twelfth Street, N.W.  Washington, DC 20005 Mark MacDougall, Esq.  Attorney for Mr. Pagliano  Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP  1333 New Hampshire Avenue, NW  Washington, DC 20036    Karen Dunn, Esq.  Attorney for Ms. Abedin  Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP  5301 Wisconsin Avenue, NW  Washington, DC 20015 Miguel Rodriguez, Esq.  Attorney for Ms. Abedin  Bryan Cave LLP  1155 F Street NW  Washington, DC 20004 Beth A. Wilkinson, Esq.  Attorney for Ms. Mills, Ms. Samuelson, Mr. Sullivan  Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP  2001 K Street, NW  Washington, DC 20006    Dear Mr. Kendall, Mr. MacDougall, Ms. Dunn, Mr. Rodriguez, and Ms. Wilkinson: On October 19, 2015, a news reporting website published an invoice allegedly from Platte River Networks and addressed to Marcum, LLP, the accounting firm reportedly representing Bill and Hillary Clinton. The invoice, dated September 16, 2015, includes line items for [l]egal activity re: Hillary Clinton and PR for Clinton email media inquiries. According to a November Politico article, when asked to authenticate the invoice, the Clinton campaign said Clinton is not payingin the present tensefor Platte River Network's legal and public-relations bills. The article also reported that the campaign said it had not received the invoice, though the article was silent as to whether the actual addressee, Marcum, LLP, had received it.  The invoice raises questions as to whether Secretary Clinton has similar arrangements with other people or entities associated with her email server. In light of this, it is important for the Committee to know whether Secretary Clinton and her attorneys are providing financial support, legal support, or other coordination to those associates of hers who are involved in congressional committee and federal law enforcement inquiries relating to her email server.    In particular, the Committee needs to know whether the parties involved have participated in any third-party fee arrangements or joint defense agreements. As you are aware, such arrangements can pose conflict-of-interest issues. Given that the Committee has broached the idea of immunity with Mr. Pagliano, his involvement in a third-party fee arrangement or joint defense agreement with any of the parties about whom he may be asked to testify would raise substantial concerns. Similar concerns may apply to the rest of the parties involved, including companies like Platte River Networks. Accordingly, in order for the Committee to evaluate the potential effects of such arrangements on the Committee's inquiry, please respond to the following:  1. Have you or your clients entered into a third-party fee arrangement or a joint defense agreement relating to the Committee's investigation, or any other government entity's inquiry, into Secretary Clinton's server, email arrangement, or related issues?  2. If so, who are the parties to any such agreement?  3. What are the terms of the agreement(s)?  4. When was the agreement created and who initiated its creation?  5. To date, how much money has been paid pursuant to any such third-party fee agreement? Who made the payments, and who received them? 6. Is any attorney or other party serving as the primary point of contact for responses to inquiries covered by any third-party fee agreement or joint defense agreement? If so, who? Please number your responses according to their corresponding questions and respond no later than December 8, 2015. Thank you in advance for your cooperation with this request. If you have questions, please contact Josh Flynn-Brown of my Committee staff at (202) 224-5225.  Sincerely,    Charles E. Grassley     Chairman   Committee on the Judiciary  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/%E2%80%8Einternal-us-marshals-policy-ambiguous-whistleblower-rights", "Internal U.S. Marshals Policy Ambiguous on Whistleblower Rights", "2015-11-24", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  An internal U.S. Marshals Service policy limiting communications with Congress does not clearly express legal protections for employees who disclose fraud, waste or misconduct. The policy can lead to confusion for staff, and impede oversight needed to improve government operations and guard taxpayer dollars. In a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley is calling on the agency to clarify the policy to include legally protected rights of employees to communicate with Congress. Grassley's letter follows an October 23, 2015, letter to Lynch reiterating whistleblower protections after the Committee obtained email correspondence in which an assistant chief inspector at the Marshals Service discouraged an employee from communicating with the Senate Judiciary Committee on an oversight matter. In February, Grassley raised similar concerns with the FBI, which later revised ITS policy to articulate that it should be applied in a manner consistent with federal law, specifically including whistleblower protections. Grassley has been investigating claims of improper hiring practices and misuse of funds at the Marshals Service for much of this year following whistleblower disclosures. Full text of Grassley's letter to Lynch follows:  November 23, 2015  VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION The Honorable Loretta E. Lynch  Attorney General  U.S. Department of Justice  950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW  Washington, DC 20530 Dear Attorney General Lynch: On October 23, 2015, I sent a letter describing an apparent instruction by Assistant Chief Inspector Sharon Duncan of the U.S. Marshals Service Office of Internal Affairs, to a federal employee to refrain from any direct communications with this Committee.  Among other things, that letter asked what steps the Department would take to prevent Assistant Chief Inspector Duncan from interfering with employees' rights to speak directly to Congress and to determine whether the USMS has violated the relevant statutory and appropriations restrictions. As the Department and the USMS more closely examine these allegations and work to provide a timely and complete response to the October 23, 2015, letter, I have additional questions regarding the USMS Congressional Affairs policy. Specifically, I am concerned that USMS Policy may present employees with an inaccurate or incomplete understanding of the role and responsibility of the Office of Congressional Affairsas well as their own rights and obligations in communicating with Congress. The policy states: The Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA) is the only office authorized to communicate with Members of Congress and their staffs on behalf of the USMS. Only the Director, Chief of Staff, Associate Director of Administration, Associate Director for Operations, or the OCA may authorize exceptions to this directive. If an exception is authorized, the employee meeting with the Member or Staff will submit a written report of the meeting to the OCA within five business days of such meetingEmployees may contact Members of Congress and their staffs to express their personal views on legislationor seek personal assistance on issues of concern.  Although the policy speaks to employees' ability to communicate their personal views on legislation or seek personal assistance on issues of concern, it does not explicitly address protected disclosures or fully explain what it means to speak on behalf of the USMS. The Committee understands and appreciates the agency's need to coordinate official positions on matters of policy, privilege, and procedure; however, whistleblowers have expressed their own belief and concern that this policy may prevent them from communicating with this Committee or with other Members of Congress. Moreover, evidence suggests that the policy may be contributing not only to employees' but also managers' misunderstanding of the applicable rights and obligations.  In addition to the allegations against USMS OPR described in the October 23, 2015, letter, the Committee has received reports that USMS leadership have affirmatively discouraged direct communication with Members of Congress and their staffs. Some managers' directions apparently have left employees with the impression that all communication, no matter the content, must be funneled through their chain of command and the Office of Congressional Affairs. The policy thus appears to cause or potentially contribute to a chilling effect on whistleblowers' willingness and ability to disclose waste, fraud, and abuse to Congress.     The USMS policy thus also may deprive Congress of precisely the type of unfiltered information from whistleblowers that is necessary for the Committee's various functions. As noted in previous letters to the Department, 5 U.S.C.  7211 provides as follows: The right of employees, individually or collectively, to petition Congress or a Member of Congress, or to furnish information to either House of Congress, or to a committee or Member thereof, may not be interfered with or denied.  Furthermore, two anti-gag appropriations riders prevent the USMS from spending any appropriated funds to enforce such a policy as described by Section 1.3 or to pay the salary of any USMS who attempts or threatens to enforce such a policy. Specifically, one of the appropriations riders prohibits the use of funds to enforce any government nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement that does not make it clear that disclosures to Congress are still allowed.  The other anti-gag appropriations rider provides, in relevant part, as follows: No part of any appropriation contained in this or any other Act shall be available for the payment of the salary of any officer or employee of the Federal Government, whoprohibits or prevents, or attempts or threatens to prohibit or prevent, any other officer or employee of the Federal Government from having any direct oral or written communication or contact with any Member, committee, or subcommittee of the Congress in connection with any matter pertaining to the employment of such other officer or employee or pertaining to the department or agency of such other officer or employee in any way, irrespective of whether such communication or contact is at the initiative of such other officer or employee or in response to the request or inquiry of such Member, committee, or subcommittee.  On February 13, 2015, I sent a letter to the FBI regarding a similar policy that seemed to discourage employees from communicating with Congress.  On February 27, 2015, the FBI responded that they had modified the policy, [R]evising the section that articulates the policy's purpose to emphasize that it should be read and applied consistent with federal law, including whistleblower protections.  Hence, by December 7, 2015, please describe what steps the USMS is taking to clarify for its employees and contractors that the aforementioned current policy does not interfere with or prevent an USMS employee or contractor's statutorily protected right to communicate directly with Congress.      If you have any questions, please contact DeLisa Lay of my Committee staff at (202) 224-5225. Thank you for your cooperation regarding this matter.              Sincerely,           Charles E. Grassley  Chairman  Senate Committee on the Judiciary  cc:   Patrick J. Leahy  Ranking Member Senate Committee on the Judiciary   -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/criminal-investigations-under-way-over-pentagons-afghanistan-task-force", "Criminal Investigations Under Way Over Pentagon's Afghanistan Task Force", "2015-11-24", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is investigating the compressed natural gas station in Afghanistan that cost the U.S. taxpayers $43 million, as much as $42.5 million more than it should have, and the Pentagon task force that oversaw the construction. The task force spent $800 million in total on the gas station and other similar projects. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction reported on the gas station cost over-run and cited a lack of cooperation from the Pentagon with its auditors. Grassley is seeking full cooperation from the Pentagon with SIGAR. SIGAR confirmed to Grassley that it has several ongoing criminal investigations related to the task force, called the Task Force for Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO). SIGAR cannot discuss the specifics of those investigations. Grassley made the following comment on this development. Everybody responsible for the tremendous waste of U.S. tax dollars on the gas station and any other projects ought to be held accountable. That includes any warranted criminal cases. I expect the Pentagon to cooperate fully with the inspector general and with my office in all inquiries involving the task force. With the poor track record reported on the auditing side, there's reason to be skeptical on the level of cooperation with the inspector general on the criminal side. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/goodlatte-grassley-press-dhs-information-threat-isis-terrorists-entering-us-sw", "Goodlatte & Grassley Press DHS for Information on Threat of ISIS Terrorists Entering U.S. at SW Border", "2015-11-24", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today pressed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson for information about the threat of ISIS members entering the United States through the porous southwest border.    Recent news reports have highlighted concerns about Syrian nationals with fraudulent passports attempting to come to the U.S. In November 2015, it was reported that five Syrian men with fraudulent Greek passports were apprehended in Honduras with the intention of entering the United States. Additionally, U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed that six Syrians were arrested after they presented themselves at the Laredo, Texas port of entry.     In the letter, Chairmen Goodlatte and Grassley note that ISIS will seize every opportunity to exploit the vulnerabilities inherent in this Obama Administration's reckless open border immigration policies, including the irresponsible effort to resettle 10,000 Syrian refugees in the United States despite the real dangers presented by ISIS operatives posing as refugees. The lawmakers request that Secretary Johnson provide information on aliens from countries of particular concern that have been apprehended at the border, including whether or not the alien had a fraudulent passport or requested asylum.    Below is the text of the Goodlatte-Grassley letter. November 24, 2015   The Honorable Jeh Johnson  Secretary  Department of Homeland Security  U.S. Department of Homeland Security  Washington, D.C. 20528    Dear Secretary Johnson:    We write to express our serious concern regarding recent information that has come to light, which highlights the threat of ISIS members entering the country through the southwest border of the United States. On November 19, 2015, a news report indicated that a Syrian woman was arrested in Costa Rica posing as a Greek citizen. Just one day prior, Reuters reported that five Syrian men were apprehended in Honduras holding fraudulent Greek passports, with the intention of entering the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed that six Syrians, members of two families, were arrested after they presented themselves at the Laredo, Texas port of entry on November 17, 2015. These incidents reflect a concerted effort by Syrians to evade inspection and illegally enter the United States. Of course, these cases represent only those Syrians who were actually apprehended. Undoubtedly, others have evaded detection and succeeded in illegally entering the United States.     There is no doubt that ISIS will seize every opportunity to exploit the vulnerabilities inherent in this Administration's reckless open border immigration policies, including the irresponsible effort to resettle 10,000 Syrian refugees in the United States despite the real dangers presented by ISIS operatives posing as refugees. In fact, ISIS is making no secret of their plans to have their members infiltrate groups of Syrian refugees. We should take ISIS at its word.    On Friday, November 13, ISIS made good on its promise of terrorism by murdering 130 innocent civilians in Paris  including one American. And ISIS has expressed its ultimate goal of bringing the fight to the American homeland, saying specifically that it will strike America at its center in Washington.    Given ISIS's avowed aim of attacking Americans on our own soil and its unconcealed plan to masquerade its terror operatives as Syrians fleeing their country, it is clear that any border apprehensions of putative Syrians presenting fraudulent identification documents is a matter of grave concern.      Over the last week, Administration officials have consistently stated, including in testimony to Congress, that, Applicants to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program are currently subject to the highest level of security checks of any category of traveler to the United States. Such a fact makes it even more important to know whether Syrians apprehended attempting to enter the U.S. illegally have been allowed by this Administration to remain in the U.S. and have been provided immigration benefits.    Given the critical threat posed by ISIS and the national security vulnerabilities created by the Administration's failure to secure our borders, we ask you to respond to the following requests for information by December 4, 2015:    1.   Please provide a list of Special Interest Aliens or aliens from Specially Designated Countries, who were apprehended while entering or attempting to enter the United States at a land, air, or sea border on or after March 15, 2011, including, but not limited to, aliens who claim to be citizens of, or have at any time resided in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan, or Pakistan.   2.   For each apprehension identified in the preceding question, please provide the date, name of the alien, A-number, whether fraudulent identification documents were presented or seized, whether the alien claimed a credible fear or asserted asylum, whether the alien was placed in removal proceedings, whether the alien was detained pending the determination of removability, whether the alien was ordered removed or granted relief from removal, and what, if any, immigration benefit the alien was ultimately granted.  3.   Would the Department of Homeland Security issue a detainer or request for notification if a law enforcement agency notified the Department that an alien from Syria or Iraq was in state custody, there was probable cause to believe that the alien was out of lawful status or present without inspection, and was charged with a violation that did not fall within one of the three enforcement categories under the Department's Priority Enforcement Program?    We appreciate your cooperation in answering the questions and concerns we have raised in this letter. Please contact Kathy Nuebel Kovarik at (202) 224-5225 or Tracy Short at (202) 225-3926 if you have any questions regarding this matter.    Sincerely,    Charles E. Grassley                      Chairman                              Senate Committee on the Judiciary         Bob Goodlatte  Chairman  House Committee on the Judiciary -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/obama-administration-allegedly-releasing-unaccompanied-minors-criminals%E2%80%99-custody", "Obama Administration Allegedly Releasing Unaccompanied Minors into Criminals Custody", "2015-11-24", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Federal authorities responsible for vetting potential guardians of children who enter the country without an adult have been placing some with convicted criminals, according to whistleblower claims. The whistleblower, who is familiar with the vetting process, alleges that at least 3,400 sponsors out of a sample of 29,000 listed in a government database have criminal histories that include domestic violence, homicide, child molestation, sexual assault and human trafficking. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) are seeking details on the review practices for potential sponsors of unaccompanied children, as well as corrective procedures once it has determined that a child has been placed with a convicted criminal sponsor. In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Health and Human Services, the Senators are also asking for statistical information regarding criminal convictions of the sponsors of migrant children. The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement is responsible for coordinating the screening of potential sponsors for exploitation, abuse, or other safety concerns. However, the background checks are allegedly often inadequate, leaving children in the custody of potentially dangerous individuals. Earlier this year federal agents arrested human smugglers who reportedly posed as sponsors to force at least six Guatemalan boys to work 12 hours a day on an Ohio egg farm. The whistleblower brought the claims to the Judiciary Committee's attention after raising concerns with supervisors reportedly yielded no immediate corrective actions. Grassley began asking questions more than a year ago about the process for vetting the people unaccompanied minors have been released to. These questions continue to take on urgency as unaccompanied children arrive at the southern border in record numbers in recent months. Text of the Senators' letter follows: November 23, 2015 VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION The Honorable Jeh Johnson  Secretary  Department of Homeland Security  Washington, DC 20528 The Honorable Sylvia M. Burwell  Secretary  Department of Health and Human Services  Washington, DC 20201 Dear Secretary Johnson and Secretary Burwell: Recently, a whistleblower contacted the Committee alleging that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are releasing Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) to criminal sponsors. According to the whistleblower, data compiled on a subset of UAC sponsors demonstrated that at least 3,400 sponsors of 29,000 listed in a UAC database have later been determined to have criminal convictions including re-entry after deportation, DUI, burglary, distribution of narcotics, domestic violence, homicide, child molestation, and sexual assault. Several of these criminal sponsors are even associated with, or actively engaged in, the practice of sex trafficking and human smuggling. After UACs are processed at the border by DHS, the HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is supposed to coordinate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to conduct investigations and background checks on any potential UAC sponsor. However, according to a whistleblower familiar with the process, often these background checks are not thoroughly performed and sponsors are not properly vetted or even fingerprinted. Internal ORR protocols require the screening of sponsors for exploitation, abuse, trafficking, or other safety concerns, yet allegedly, proper screening is not taking place and children are paying the price. For example, in July of 2015, federal agents arrested human smugglers in Ohio for trafficking at least a half dozen Guatemalan boys to work on an egg farm. Reports claim that these UACs were placed with the traffickers who posed as sponsors, were confined to dilapidated trailers with no beds, worked 12 hours a day, and were threatened with death if they sought help. Apparently, ORR has struggled to ensure that UACs are not placed with criminals since 2013, when it issued an alert warning of three fraudulent sponsors' with addresses in Colorado, Iowa, and Minnesota seeking to claim unrelated unaccompanied minors. It seems little corrective action has been taken, and many are still released into criminal hands.  Although the whistleblower claims to have relayed these concerns to supervisors in August of 2015, apparently these individuals have no immediate plans to remove UACs from their criminal sponsors, but are discussing options. ORR regulations prohibit UACs from being released to a sponsor if there is substantial evidence that the child would be at risk of harm. Yet, due to a breakdown with screening and background checks of sponsors, many of the most vulnerable are being victimized. For more thorough understanding of this situation, please answer the following questions and provide the following requested information by December 7, 2015.   1. Of the sponsors currently listed in the UAC portal (database), how many have criminal records?  2. What policies or procedures are in place to properly investigate and vet sponsors before releasing UACs into their care? What background checks does ORR conduct on sponsors? What personnel are tasked with conducting the background checks? Please explain. 3. Are background checks conducted and fingerprints taken on all potential UAC sponsors? Please explain. 4. If a sponsor is found to have a criminal record, is that sponsor automatically disqualified from accepting UACs? Please explain. a. Which types of criminal convictions automatically disqualify a person from becoming a sponsor? 5. If a sponsor's criminal record is discovered after the sponsor has already accepted UACs, what processes or procedures do the agencies have to ensure the UACs are not left in the criminal sponsor's care? Please explain. 6. How many home studies has ORR conducted for all UACs before and after placing them with a sponsor? Has ORR conducted home studies on any UACs within the 3,400 placed with criminal sponsors presenting a risk of abuse, maltreatment, exploitation or trafficking to the child? If not, why not? Please explain. 7. How many UAC sponsors have been convicted of child molestation? How many UAC sponsors have been convicted of homicide? How many UAC sponsors have been convicted of crimes of violence including sexual assault and domestic violence?  8. Do background checks of UAC sponsors include running the sponsor's name through the National Crime Information Center? If not, why not? Please provide a list of all databases and background checks that are queried for all UAC sponsors. 9. Please provide any information on the alert issued by ORR in 2013 warning of three fraudulent sponsors with addresses in Colorado, Iowa, and Minnesota seeking to claim unrelated unaccompanied minors.  a. What information is included in an ORR alert?  b. Has ORR issued similar alerts in 2014 and/or 2015? Please explain.  c. How does ORR determine if a sponsor is fraudulent? Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Should you have any questions, please contact Katherine Nikas of Chairman Grassley's staff at (202) 224-5225 or Stephen Tausend of Chairman Cornyn's staff at (202) 224-2934. Sincerely,   Charles E. Grassley John Cornyn     Chairman Chairman    Senate Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution  cc: The Honorable Patrick J. Leahy       Ranking Member       Committee on the Judiciary     -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-cosponsored-noaa-sexual-harassment-and-assault-prevention-legislation", "Grassley-Cosponsored NOAA Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Legislation Clears Commerce Committee", "2015-11-23", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  The Senate Commerce Committee unanimously approved the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Act to improve NOAA's response to harassment or abuse in the workplace. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley helped craft key provisions of the version that won committee approval. The reforms follow whistleblower accounts of inadequate procedures to assist victims of abuse at NOAA. Victims of sexual abuse and harassment should not be forced to endure insufficient reporting and support programs in the midst of recovering from their experiences. This bill ensures that victims have reliable access to advocates who can provide a safe place and needed guidance in a difficult time. I applaud the Senate Commerce Committee for recognizing the need for these important reforms to protect and empower victims of abuse and harassment at NOAA, Grassley said.    The bill would require NOAA to develop policies to protect its approximately 12,000 employees. Among its major provisions, the bill calls for: Specified procedures for reporting incidents, including those occurring after business hours, at sea, or in other remote geographically isolated locations;Availability of advocates to aid victims through the reporting and adjudication process;Protection for the rights of accusers and the accused, including changes of duty station; andYearly reporting on the status of efforts to implement the new policies. Whistleblowers called attention to the inadequate reporting procedures late last year when disclosing that they had been sexually abused and harassed while conducting research on behalf of universities aboard NOAA research vessels. Their reports prompted Grassley and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune to raise concerns with the Department of Commerce Inspector General. They also questioned the effectiveness of the current reporting system that directs victims to disclose misconduct through the chain of command, which may include the alleged perpetrator.  The bipartisan National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Act (S. 2206) was introduced on October 26, 2015, by Dan Sullivan of (R-Alaska) with Grassley and four other bipartisan cosponsors. The bill now awaits further consideration by the full Senate. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-explores-whether-pentagon-retaliated-against-colonel-who-questioned-800", "Grassley Explores Whether Pentagon Retaliated Against Colonel Who Questioned $800 Million Afghanistan Task Force Records", "2015-11-23", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is seeking answers on allegations from an Army colonel that the Pentagon is slow-walking his performance review because he questioned the lack of accountability at the $800 million task force that oversaw an excessively expensive $43 million natural gas filling station in Afghanistan. Grassley wrote to Defense Secretary Ash Carter about Army Colonel John C. Hope.     Being long overdue, (the evaluation) has placed his next assignment in jeopardy, leaving him in limbo, Grassley wrote to Carter. He alleges he is being deliberately slow rolled' by his raters.'  Would you please look into this and find out why Colonel Hope's (evaluation) has not been completed? I respectfully ask that you provide a deadline for completing that task and providing Colonel Hope with a new set of orders for his next assignment. Your assistance is necessary in this case.     Grassley wrote that Hope believes he's been singled out for retaliation and retribution for speaking out about a lack of accountability at the task force. He's been told he performed poorly at the task force, in contrast to four previous job reviews recommending a promotion to brigadier general.     If the Pentagon is retaliating against someone for speaking out on poor accountability and wasteful spending, that's unacceptable, Grassley said. It's detrimental to the individual and to the taxpayers.     The now-defunct Task Force for Stability and Business Operations spent $800 million in carrying out its mission to facilitate economic development in Afghanistan. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) faced impeded access to task force documents in reviewing the gas station cost over-run.    Grassley has asked the Defense Department to give him all records related to task force activities pertaining to Afghanistan, from January 1, 2009, through March 31, 2015; and all records concerning the task force from April 1, 2015, to the date of his request, including all records pertaining to SIGAR's requests for information regarding the task force, and all records discussing SIGAR reports, letters, or statements about the task force.    Grassley has pressed the Defense Department to cooperate with SIGAR by releasing all documents, names of staff involved and reasons for placing severe restrictions on information behind the construction of the natural gas filling station.     He plans to seek a Department of Defense inspector general audit of the $800 million task force expenditures and will ask fellow senators to join the request.  Grassley's latest letter is available here. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-floor-speech-terrorist-attacks-against-united-states", "Grassley Floor Speech on Terrorist Attacks Against the United States", "2015-11-23", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Floor Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley  Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee  Remaining Vigilant Against Terrorist Attacks  Delivered Thursday, November 19, 2015 *Video of Grassley's speech can be found here. Madam President, because of what happened in Paris last week, many speeches are going to be given on the floor of the Senate about terrorism. But it's too bad that we only seem to talk about the dangers of terrorism when an attack occurs  either here in the United States, or elsewhere  that brings the issue to our attention. Even though we may not see the effects of terrorism on a daily basis, we should remember that terrorism poses a constant danger. Because somewhere right now, there are people thinking about killing Americans simply because of who we are and what we believe. So I rise today, first to again express my sympathies to the people of Paris and all those affected by Friday's (Nov. 13) terrible attacks by radical Islamic terrorists there. On behalf of the people of Iowa, I continue to stand with the people of France.     Unfortunately, the attacks last Friday (Nov. 13) should not have been a surprise. Radical Islamic terrorists have been waging war against the United States and our allies for years. In 1972, 11 Israeli athletes were massacred during the Munich Olympics. In 1983, 241 U.S. Marines and other service personnel were killed in Beirut by a truck bomb. In 1985, an American was murdered on a hijacked TWA plane there as well. That same year, an American in a wheelchair was thrown overboard into the Mediterranean by terrorists who had hijacked a cruise ship, the Achille Lauro. Not long afterward, in 1993, Al-Qaeda made its first attempt to bring down the Twin Towers with another truck bomb. In 1996, an attack on the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia killed 19 American soldiers. In 1998, attacks on the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania killed over 200 people, including 12 Americans. And in 2000, the attack on the U.S.S. Cole killed 17 American sailors. Now, all of those attacks happened before 9/11. And since 9/11, attacks have continued to occur all around the world  from the train bombings in Madrid in 2004, to the suicide bombings in London in 2005, to the senseless slaughter in the streets of Mumbai in 2008. My focus today, however, is on the United States homeland.    Terrorists have continued to try to attack us here on many occasions since 9/11. Some of these attacks have succeeded. Most of them have failed. Some of them have involved direct coordination with terrorist leaders abroad. And some have been committed by lone wolves, inspired by terrorists overseas or the views. But these threats are ongoing, and we must be vigilant to guard against them. We know we will face them again. Several prominent terrorist attacks in the United States since 9/11 come to mind. We all remember the carnage at the Boston Marathon in April 2013, where two brothers detonated bombs at the finish line that killed an eight-year old boy and two others and injured hundreds more. Although the brothers did not appear to have direct ties with terrorist organizations, they were motivated by radical Islamic beliefs. We also remember the November 2009 shooting at Fort Hood in Texas, where 13 people were killed and several dozen others were wounded. Incredibly, the Obama administration refused to categorize this as a terrorist attack. This was in spite of the fact that the shooter had traded emails with then-senior Al-Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki. The shooter also later identified his extremist beliefs as the basis for his attack. But these tragedies only continued the pattern followed by radical Islamic terrorists since Al-Qaeda hijacked and crashed airplanes into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon that fateful day in 2001. Soon after 9/11, for example, British citizen Richard Reid attempted to detonate explosives packed in his shoes while on a flight to Miami in December 2001. He had previously trained at Al-Qaeda terrorist camps in Afghanistan. Thankfully he failed, but this attempted attack put us on notice that these terrorists were not finished after 9/11.  More attacks and plots followed, perhaps less well remembered after the passage of time. But they still demonstrate the ongoing threat we face.  In July 2002, an Egyptian shot and killed two Israelis and wounded four others at the Los Angeles International Airport. Although the FBI did not find evidence linking the shooter to a terrorist group, the agency concluded the shooting was an act of terrorism.  In March 2006, another radical Islamic terrorist injured six people when he drove his vehicle into a group of pedestrians at the University of North Carolina. The attacker claimed to have conducted the attack in order to avenge the killing of Muslims around the world by the U.S. government. Another example is the Fort Dix Six plot in May 2007. In that case, six men planned to kill American soldiers at a military base in New Jersey, but were arrested before they could do so. The men were inspired by Jihadi videos.  In June 2009, a terrorist shot two recruiters at a military center in Little Rock, Arkansas. One of the recruiters was killed and the other was seriously wounded. The shooter told the judge in his case that he was a soldier of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Later in 2009, three radical Islamic terrorists were arrested just before they were able to conduct suicide attacks in New York City. One of these terrorists drove all the way from his home in Colorado to strike the New York City subway system with homemade explosives hidden inside of backpacks. He later admitted in court that he was trained by Al-Qaeda to be part of a martyrdom operation. He further confessed that Al-Qaeda officials ordered these suicide attacks from Pakistan.  Also in 2009, on Christmas Day, a terrorist often referred to as the underwear bomber attempted to blow up a bomb concealed in his underclothes while on a flight over Detroit. Several days later, Al-Qaeda affiliates in Yemen and Saudi Arabia claimed responsibility for the attack. In May 2010, a terrorist tried to set off a car bomb in the middle of Times Square in New York City. He was arrested while attempting to flee the country on a flight to the Middle East. This bomber was trained and financed by the Pakistani Taliban.      More recently, the threat from radical Islamic extremism has sprung from the chaos in Syria. By now, we are all familiar with ISIS, or the Islamic State. Last year, we witnessed the horror of ISIS's brutal and barbaric beheading of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and aid worker Peter Kassig in Syria. But as FBI Director Comey explained to the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this year, ISIS presents a new type of Islamic extremist organization. For one thing, ISIS exploits social media to promote its terrorist agenda and encourage people within the United States to commit terrorist attacks. As Director Comey explained, ISIS's propaganda machine is like a devil on someone's shoulder, saying 'kill, kill, kill, and if you can't come to Syria, kill somebody where you are. Kill somebody in uniform. Kill anybody. ISIS's deadly message of terror is having a profound effect here in our country. Over the last year, the government has stopped numerous individuals in the United States who tried to travel to Syria to fight for ISIS. According to Director Comey, over 200 Americans have traveled, or attempted to travel, to Syria for this purpose. I fear that such individuals who successfully return home could re-create the Paris attacks here in our country, given the training, indoctrination, and battlefield experience they have received abroad. The Washington Post reported on November 16th that 66 men and women in the United States have been charged with crimes associated with ISIS, including both attempting to travel to Syria to join ISIS and planning attacks here.     But beyond ISIS's recruitment of Americans to fight in Syria, the Paris attacks demonstrate the extreme danger the group now poses here in North America. Look what's occurred just over the past year or so. In October 2014, a radical Islamic terrorist who could not obtain a passport to travel to Syria shot up the Parliament in Canada, killing a Canadian soldier on duty at the Canadian National War Memorial. The next day, a self-radicalized Muslim convert attacked four police officers on the streets of New York City with a hatchet after watching ISIS internet propaganda. In January of this year, the FBI arrested a man in Ohio for plotting to attack the U.S. Capitol with pipe bombs and guns. The man also allegedly expressed a desire to support ISIS, and he had posted videos and messages on social media supporting violent attacks by radical Islamic terrorists. Later, in May of this year, two Islamic terrorists drove from Arizona to Garland, Texas to attack a conference center during an art exhibit. The center was hosting an exhibition of cartoons depicting the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. The pair shot and injured a security guard before being killed by a police officer. ISIS subsequently claimed responsibility for that attack. In June 2015, law enforcement officers in Massachusetts shot and killed a knife-wielding member of a group of ISIS supporters who were plotting attacks here in the United States. Two other alleged terrorists were arrested and are being prosecuted. Just this month, an American was arrested in Ohio for supporting ISIS. He allegedly posted online detailed personal information  including their addresses  of 100 U.S. military members. He had then allegedly called on fellow terrorists to kill these military personnel in their homes and communities. Most chilling of all is the video released earlier this week. On Monday, ISIS released a video warning countries against participating in air strikes in Syria. The video claimed that ISIS would attack these countries just as it attacked France last Friday (Nov. 13). The video specifically threatened to attack Washington, D.C. According to the New York Times just this morning, at least three dozen people in the United States suspected of ties to the Islamic State were under heavy electronic or physical surveillance even before the Paris attacks.  So it is all too obvious that we will continue to face attacks from radical Islamic terrorists in the future. To help remind us both of that certainty and that we must prepare for it, I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a long list of terrorist attacks on the United States that I prepared from public sources. The list may not include each and every attack by these terrorists here, but it does include a wide variety of attempted and planned attacks against our citizens. Because of space limitations on materials submitted for the Record, a more complete and annotated list can be found on my website. That list also includes a separate list of individuals prosecuted in the United States for attempting to leave the country to fight for ISIS. These lists include successful attacks that harmed Americans, as well as unsuccessful attacks that did not  often thanks to law enforcement's efforts. What is common to all the attacks is that they were undertaken by terrorists who coordinated with radical Islamist extremists, were inspired by them, or who shared their views. The listed attacks should serve as a reminder that we must always be vigilant. We must never forget that radical Islamic extremists are waging war against us. And so we must always be prepared to fight this battle and to defend against their attacks. I am grateful this Thanksgiving season for the people in this country who do the difficult work of protecting us from terrorists every day. We must continually strengthen our country's ability to win this war. We must ensure that our military and Special Forces have the ability to take the fight to the terrorists overseas, wherever they are lurking. We must ensure that our intelligence agencies have the tools needed to identify terrorists and their plots, while preserving the civil liberties that make our country special. And we must ensure that law enforcement is able to use the lawful tools provided by Congress, consistent with the Constitution and approved by the courts, to help stop terrorist attacks. I yield the floor.   -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-mccain-urge-greater-importation-prescription-drugs-other-countries", "Grassley, McCain Urge Greater Importation of Prescription Drugs from Other Countries", "2015-11-23", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Sen. John McCain of Arizona have urged the secretary of Health and Human Services to use her full authority to increase the importation of prescription drugs from Canada and other countries for the benefit of U.S. consumers. Their action comes as the agency held a drug pricing forum on Friday and amid revelations of drug pricing excesses in the United States. As public concern over rising costs of prescription drugs continues, there is a need to reduce the financial burden that prescription drugs are placing on Americans, Grassley and McCain wrote to Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell. Given the priority that voters place on addressing the high cost of prescription drugs, we believe that it is time Congress and the Administration work together to take concrete steps to address pricing abuses. Grassley and McCain described the significant statutory authority given to the secretary to increase the importation of prescription drugs under certain conditions, such as certification that the imported drug would be safe and reduce U.S. consumer prices. They urged importation under certain circumstances, including significant and unexplained increases in price and that the drug is produced in another country by the name brand manufacturer that initially developed the drug or by a well-known generic manufacturer that commonly sells pharmaceutical products in the United States. Grassley and McCain asked the secretary to outline whether she needs additional statutory authority to undertake prescription drug importation to protect American consumers. The text of the senators' letter is available here.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/state-dept-watchdog-kennedy-mills-ignored-protocols-ambassador-prostitution", "State Dept. Watchdog: Kennedy, Mills Ignored Protocols in Ambassador Prostitution Investigation", "2015-11-23", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley today is asking why senior State Department officials halted an investigation of alleged sex solicitation by a U.S. Ambassador, opting instead to handle the case as a management issue. Grassley's inquiry follows a State Department Inspector General report, which concluded that factors surrounding the handling of the 2011 case created an appearance of undue influence and favoritism by Department management. According to the State Department IG, in May 2011 the department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security launched an investigation into allegations that the U.S. Ambassador to Belgium had solicited a prostitute. However, just two days later, senior department officials halted the investigation after only one of multiple witnesses was interviewed. The IG concluded that additional evidence could have been collected if Diplomatic Security had been allowed to interview more witnesses and the Ambassador himself. Instead of allowing a full internal investigation or referring the case to the independent IG, Under Secretary of State for Management Patrick Kennedy referred the case to then-Chief of Staff Cheryl Mills. Kennedy and Mills held a single meeting with the Ambassador, who denied the allegations. Mills handled the questioning of the Ambassador, but the IG could not find any documentation of this meeting, nor could it find any documentation to explain the handling of this matter or to justify its treatment as a management issue. The ambassador was allowed to return to his post without any further actions taken affecting him. In the course of its review, the IG was given inconsistent explanations for the decision to handle the case as a management issue, including that the allegations of solicitation were relatively minor. However, the agency's own Foreign Affairs Manual prohibits such activities. In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, Grassley is seeking details surrounding the decision to halt the initial Diplomatic Security investigation and ignore usual investigative protocols. Grassley is also asking whether then-Secretary Hillary Clinton was aware of the decision and whether the department has recovered records related to the case following revelations that Clinton and other top aides conduced official business over a private email server. Grassley's letter follows various IG and whistleblower reports questioning the State Department's ability and willingness to hold its own employees accountable for human-trafficking and prostitution violations. Grassley led a coalition of lawmakers in calling on the State Department to adopt a zero-tolerance policy for employees who purchase sex, an activity the department acknowledges can fuel the demand for sex trafficking. Earlier this year, the Judiciary Committee led the effort to pass the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, and Grassley also sent letters to the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security asking them to adopt a zero tolerance policy toward employees who solicit prostitutes. Text of Grassley's letterfollows: November 23, 2015 VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION The Honorable John F. Kerry  Secretary of State       2201 C Street, N.W.  Washington, D.C. 20520             Dear Secretary Kerry:  This past September, the State Department's Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report examining trafficking in persons (TIP) issues at the State Department. In that report, OIG found that the Department is not well-positioned to hold employees accountable for violations of TIP or to ensure TIP policies and requirements are understood and followed. This finding was based on the Department's apparent failure to comply with two of the three recommendations that OIG made four years ago for the purpose of increasing awareness among Department employees about TIP policies and requirements. Separately, in October 2014, OIG found that, under former Secretary Clinton's tenure, the Department's internal investigations of employee misconduct suffered from an appearance of undue influence and favoritism by the Department's managers and leaders.  Several of these allegations involved TIP-related misconduct. For example, one of these investigations concerned a U.S. Ambassador who was suspected of routinely ditching his protective security detail in order to solicit prostitutes in a public park in Belgium in 2011. OIG found that the Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) could not prove the suspected misconduct based on the limited evidence that was collected.  Yet, OIG found that additional evidence could have been collected by DS, had DS's preliminary inquiry in 2011 not been halteda mere two days after it beganby senior Department officials.  In June 2013, the Department's spokesperson, Jen Psaki, was asked about the TIP-related allegations against the U.S. Ambassador to Belgium, as follows: Can you assure the American people that no U.S. Ambassadors are engaged in that kind of inappropriate conduct, or that where there have been such credible allegations they have been fully investigated?  In response, Ms. Psaki stated: Yes, I can confirm they would be fully investigated . . . . [t]he notion that we would not vigorously pursue criminal misconduct in a case, in any case is preposterous. And we've put individuals behind bars for criminal behavior. There is a record of that. Ambassadors would be no exception. Ms. Psaki further stated: We hold all employees to the highest standards. We take allegations of misconduct seriously and we investigate thoroughly. However, the way that the Belgium prostitution case was handled in private is well short of the full and thorough investigation that Ms. Psaki claimed in public. According to OIG: [B]efore the preliminary inquiry was halted, only one of multiple potential witnesses on the embassy's security staff had been interviewed. Additionally, DS never interviewed the Ambassador and did not follow its usual investigative protocol of assigning an investigative case number to the matter or opening and keeping investigative case files.  Further, after DS' inquiry was halted two days after it began, Under Secretary of State for Management Patrick Kennedy decided to treat the matter as a management issue.  Rather than referring the case to the independent OIG or allowing DS to carry out its inquiry, the case was then handed over to Cheryl Millsthe then Chief of Staff to Secretary Clintonwhom Kennedy designated as the individual in charge of conducting the investigation. According to OIG, this investigation consisted of a single meeting on June 3, 2011, during which Ms. Mills handled the questioning of the Ambassador, as follows: The Ambassador was recalled to Washington and, in June 2011, met with the Under Secretary of State for Management and the then Chief of Staff and Counselor to the Secretary of State. At the meeting, the Ambassador denied the allegations and was then permitted to return to post. The Department took no further action affecting the Ambassador. However, as the designated investigating official, Ms. Mills appears to have departed from investigative protocol in a number of important respects. For example, DS managers were not consulted prior to the meeting and they never received a readout of the meeting afterwards: Had the Under Secretary or the Chief of Staff to the Secretary discussed the matter with DS before the June 3 meeting or provided a readout to DS after the meeting, it would have been reasonable to question the Ambassador about a potential contradiction in the explanation he offered . . . namely, that he entered the park following arguments with his wife. [A] May 31 email to DS senior management . . . reported that the Ambassador's unusual behavior was continuing while his wife was out of the country.  OIG found no evidence that this potential contradiction in the Ambassador's proffered explanation was ever addressed. In addition, 6 days before the June 3rd meeting, high-ranking officials within DS exchanged the following communication, suggesting that the outcome of the June 3rd meeting may have been prejudiced, if not predetermined: Be aware that our friend . . . is being recalled to DC for consultations this week. If things hold he will be allowed to return to post through July 4 celebrations and will leave post permanently immediately thereafter. Not for [distribution to the Regional Security Officer] or anyone else for the moment. According to OIG, the Ambassador was allowed to return to post following the meeting and continued to serve as Chief of Mission for another two yearswell beyond July 4, 2011. According to the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), allegations involving Chiefs of Mission that could serve as grounds for disciplinary action and/or criminal prosecution must be immediately referred to DS or OIG to investigate.  This provision further states that the Under Secretary can designate individuals other than DS or OIG to conduct an investigation in exceptional circumstances.  According to Under Secretary Kennedy, an exceptional circumstance in this case was his belief that in Belgium, the solicitation of prostitutes was not a criminal offense.  However, the FAM prohibits Department employees from soliciting prostitutes because it constitutes notoriously disgraceful misconduct that is subject to discipline, regardless of criminality.  Further, the State Department's own cable on human trafficking provides as follows: Women, children, and men are trafficked into the commercial sex trade regardless of whether prostitution is legal or criminalized in a country, and thus, the procurement of commercial sex runs the risk of facilitating or supporting human trafficking . . . .  [I]nvolvement with the commercial sex industry is unacceptable in light of the diplomatic and foreign policy goals of the United States. According to OIG, DS managers provided a different explanation as to why this case was treated as a management issue.  They cited a provision in the FAM that allows a management official to handle an administrative inquiry if the alleged misconduct in question is relatively minor.  However, soliciting prostitutes is not relatively minor misconduct. This past February, 180 trafficking victims' advocacy groups told this Committee that [t]he elimination of sex trafficking is fundamentally linked to targeting the demand for commercial sex. Any effort to prevent sex trafficking must focus on the sex buyers and facilitators. Reportedly, the State Department's Office of Legal Adviser (L) offered a third explanation for the Department's handling of this case: that the disciplinary provision of the FAM cited by the Under Secretary does not apply to Chiefs of Mission who are political appointees and are neither Foreign Service Officers nor Civil Service employees.  Yet, L stated that the Department can still discipline such officials by way of dismissal or termination, if the behavior is egregious.  Given the egregious nature of the alleged misconduct, the Department's failure to conduct a full investigation of the Belgium case is all the more concerning.  In light of the OIG reports referenced above, the Belgium case raises questions as to whether the Department takes allegations of TIP-related misconduct seriously and investigates them thoroughly, free from undue influence and favoritism. With the foregoing in mind, I respectfully request on behalf of this Committee that you submit responses to the following questions by December 11, 2015: 1. Why did the Department halt DS's preliminary inquiry of the Belgium case and treat this matter as a management issue? 2. Why did Under Secretary Kennedy, DS, and L provide OIG with three different explanations of the decisions referenced in Question 1?  3. Was Secretary Clinton informed of the decision to halt DS's investigation of the Belgium case or to treat it as a management issue? If so, please provide all related records, including emails. If not, please explain why not. 4. In how many other cases involving allegations of employee misconduct was Ms. Mills designated as the individual to conduct the investigation? 5. Under Secretary Kennedy told OIG that he had relied on Section 4322.2 of the FAM to address misconduct allegations involving other Chiefs of Mission. The Under Secretary acknowledged that such misconduct issues can arise several times each year. During Mr. Kennedy's tenure as Under Secretary, how many misconduct allegations involving Chiefs of Mission have been treated as a management issue? 6. OIG states that it searched for and found no contemporaneous evidence of the Under Secretary's determinations in this case, or of Ms. Mill's investigation.  OIG made this finding in October 2014, before revelations that Secretary Clinton and her senior aides conducted official Department business through a private email server. Does the Department currently have access to any of the records OIG was unable to find? If not, will you commit to notifying this Committee as soon as such access is obtained?  7. In September, I wrote you about Linda Howard, who was found liable in federal district court for human trafficking offenses committed against her Ethiopian housekeeper, while Howard was stationed as a diplomat at the U.S. Embassy in Japan in 2008 and 2009.  Reportedly, however, two years after DS interviewed the victim housekeeper about those offenses, Howard not only remained employed at the Department, but even received an honor award and a cash bonus.  Was the Linda Howard case also treated as a management issue? Please number your responses according to their corresponding questions. Please contact Jay Lim of my Committee staff at (202) 224-5225 should you have any questions. Thank you.     Sincerely, Charles E. Grassley  Chairman cc:  The Honorable Patrick Leahy  Ranking Member The Honorable Steve A. Linick  Inspector General -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/newsletters/60-second-survey-should-we-pause-accepting-refugees", "60 Second Survey: Should we pause accepting refugees?", "2015-11-22", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The most solemn and consequential responsibility of the federal government is to protect our nation and keep the American people safe.\nIn the past few weeks, over 350 innocent people were killed at the hands of ISIS in just two terrorist attacks in Paris and on a Russian passenger jet. It would be reckless for us to not take ISIS'threats against our homeland seriously.\nI joined with a bipartisan and veto-proof majority in the U.S. House this past week to approve legislation pausing the acceptance of refugees until we can enact proper safeguards and background checks to fully verify their identity and intentions. I voted for this commonsense bill because I believe anything less would be irresponsible and would put American lives at risk.\nI have heard from many of you, but I want to know what you think.\nAnswer the survey question here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/keeping-american-people-safe-our-first-responsibility", "Keeping The American People Safe  Our First Responsibility", "2015-11-20", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman David Young's Capitol Solutions  Weekly Report to Iowa's Hardworking Taxpayers\nEDITORS NOTE: I look forward to providing this report each week as a resource of information for Iowans on the issues being debated and discussed in my goal to be the most accessible member of congress possible.\nKeeping The American People Safe  Our First Responsibility\nWhat happened in Paris is devastating and an act of pure evil. I know all across Iowa and America our hearts and prayers go out to France and her people. Our hearts also go out to those refugees fleeing from the violence and terror in Syria. We are a generous nation and have always welcomed those from abroad who are escaping war and oppression. We will continue to be involved in providing assistance to these children, women and men. However, we are in a very dangerous position as we consider opening our doors to those escaping violence in Syria and Iraq. It didn't have to be this way. From the beginning, President Obama has not taken the threat of ISIS as serious as a commander-in-chief should. On the morning of the Paris terrorist attacks, the president said ISIS was \"contained\" just hours before they carried out one of the most deadly and sophisticated attacks since 9/11. The disconnect is alarming to Congress and to the American people. Now the Obama administration is charging full speed ahead on a plan to bring 10,000 Syrian refugees into the United States with no reliable way to vet whether these individuals are members of ISIS or have ties to other terrorist organizations. This makes me think back to 2009, when a flaw in the screening of Iraqi refugees allowed two al Qaeda-linked terrorists to enter the United States and settle in Bowling Green, Kentucky. In the aftermath of this case the Obama administration halted the refugee program for Iraqis for six months. It is clear, we need to press the pause button on the Syrian refugee process. The most solemn and consequential responsibility of the federal government is to protect the American people. ISIS has publicly threatened to launch terror attacks on American soil, just like the threats they made to France before this attack and to Russia before downing a Russian passenger plane two weeks ago.\nDepartment of Homeland Secretary Jeh Johnson said, \"It is true that we are not going to know a whole lot about the Syrians that come forth in this process.\" FBI Director James Comey stated, \"My concern there is that there are certain gaps I dont want to talk about publicly in the data available to us.\"\nIt would be reckless for the Administration and Congress to not take ISIS threats seriously. We have an obligation to implement a well-thought-out process ensuring  without question  any refugee admitted to the United States has been extensively vetted.\nThat is why I joined an overwhelming bipartisan majority of 289 members of the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act. This bill would require the Homeland Security Secretary, FBI Director, and Director of National Intelligence to certify refugees from countries with ISIS strongholds are properly vetted to ensure they are not affiliated with this terrorist organization. This is a commonsense step the federal government is required to take to fulfill its duty to protect Americans.\nThe refugee crisis is a symptom to the broader problem: the lack of a coherent strategy to combat ISIS. The refugee crisis will persist and the very real threat of terrorist attacks on American soil will loom until these terrorists are defeated.\nLast week Congress passed a bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act  the annual bill to set defense policies for the upcoming year. The bill would require the president to finally put together a strategy to end ISIS'occupation of the Middle East. President Obama has threatened to veto it. It's time for America to lead. The president needs to sign this bill and put together a strategy to protect America, aid Syrian refugees, and work with our allies to defeat ISIS.\nWe must all work together to combat this international threat against our way of life. I will work with anyone willing to achieve the goal of peace and respect for all.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/setting-record-straight-sourcing-state-department-inquiries", "Setting the Record Straight on Sourcing for State Department Inquiries", "2015-11-20", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Democratic staff for the Senate minority leader and Democratic operatives appear to be circulating a false, misleading timeline with reporters suggesting incorrectly that a former staffer for Sen. Chuck Grassley is the confidential source for one of many Grassley inquiries into State Department personnel practices. The former Grassley staffer was not the source. The source, in fact, was well-known to bipartisan, bicameral staff who met with him jointly, along with Grassley staff. A comment from Grassley's office in response to comment from staff for the Senate minority leader about fishy coincidences regarding the former Grassley staffer follows. What's fishy' is that the minority leader is engaging in vague implications rather than gathering the facts directly from his colleagues. Senator Grassley has been seeking answers from the State Department on its use of the Special Government Employee designation since June 2013. The Special Government Employee designation is an exception to criminal conflict of interest statutes and can be used as a means of avoiding conflict of interest rules that normally apply. How that specific designation has been used by the department is a matter of public interest, and the laws at issue are within the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee.  Senator Grassley has pressed the State Department for complete responses and added inquiries as new information came to light, such as whether the use of private email interferes with Freedom of Information Act compliance. FOIA is also in the Judiciary Committee's jurisdiction, and the flood of FOIA litigation created by former Secretary Clinton's unusual email arrangement demands the attention of the committee and the State Department's Office of Inspector General. The information in Senator Grassley's July 30, 2015, letter was based on a confidential source who is well-known to staff for senior Democrats in the House and the Senate, not from a former Grassley staffer. If the minority leader wants to know where the information came from, there is no need for public speculation. He merely needs to speak to staff for Ranking Member Leahy or Ranking Member Cummings because their staff members were present for the meeting with the source. The source's attorney was also present. The attorney happens to be a former staffer for Senator Feinstein. So there's no mystery. Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill know exactly where the initial information came from, and they also know that it was later corroborated by documents provided by the State Department itself. Senator Grassley's relationship with the State Department inspector general's office is no different than that of any other inspector general's office. He respects their independence, supports their work, and appropriately seeks information from them to assist in his oversight of the executive branch.  Regarding State Department nominees, the Senate recently confirmed 652 State Department nominees, including 20 who had been subject to Grassley holds. Senator Grassley retains his hold on only three nominees over the State Department's stonewalling of his inquiries since June 2013. He was forced to escalate his holds to an under secretary nominee over the agency's poor responsiveness. Senator Grassley has been completely transparent about his holds and the reason for them.  Grassley's Nov. 19 statement on his holds on State Department nominees is available here. His previous hold statements are available here and here. Grassley's response to the Senate minority leader's floor speech about his inquiry is available here.    -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-escalates-holds-state-department-nominees-over-agency%E2%80%99s-inadequate", "Grassley Escalates Holds on State Department Nominees Over Agencys Inadequate Responsiveness to Inquiries", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, is escalating his holds on State Department nominees over the State Department's continued failure to respond in a timely, reasonable manner to numerous inquiries beginning in June 2013.  Grassley has added a hold on the nomination of Thomas A. Shannon, Jr., to be an Under Secretary of State (Political Affairs). Grassley maintains his hold on two other nominees and released his hold on 20 Foreign Service Officer nominees.  The continued intransigence and lack of cooperation make it clear that the Department did not care enough about their Foreign Service Officer candidates to get in gear' and begin to produce responses to my oversight letters. Accordingly, I have released my hold on these officer candidates and have escalated to Mr. Shannon, Grassley said in his floor statement in placing the latest hold. The Department of State's refusal to fully cooperate with my investigations is unacceptable.  As I have noted before on the floor of the Senate, the Department continues to promise results but there has been very little or no follow-through. The Department's good faith will be measured in documents delivered and witnesses provided.  the Department must recognize that it has an ongoing obligation to respond to Congressional inquiries in a timely and reasonable manner. Grassley detailed the numerous inquiries he has made to the State Department since June 2013. The topics include the State Department's use of the Special Government Employee program and private email use that raises concern about the proper handling of classified information, as well as compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, which is the Judiciary Committee's exclusive jurisdiction in the Senate; federal archiving law compliance; and several State Department Inspector General and whistleblower reports that suggest that the State Department does not hold its own employees accountable for human trafficking and prostitution violations. In addition to Shannon, Grassley maintains his holds on the nominations of Brian James Egan as Legal Adviser and David Malcolm Robinson to be assistant secretary for Conflict and Stabilization Operations and Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization.  Last week, the Senate confirmed 632 State Department nominees, a number vastly larger than the number subject to Grassley's holds. Grassley's statement for the Senate record on his new hold is available here. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-receive-award-cedar-falls-work-protect-seniors", "Grassley to Receive Award in Cedar Falls for Work to Protect Seniors", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONSen. Chuck Grassley will receive the Guardian of Seniors' Rights award from the 60 Plus Association on Friday, November 20, for his work to create financial stability for seniors through tax reform. The 60 Plus Association will present Grassley with the award at Western Home Communities in Cedar Falls. Following the award presentation, Grassley will meet with Western Home Communities employees and answer questions. I'm honored to receive this award. I've worked in the Senate to advance retirement security, going back to my work as chairman of the Aging Committee, continuing as Finance Committee chairman, where I led the committee's work on enacted provisions that improved qualified retirement accounts. This included increasing and indexing to inflation the amounts that can be contributed to IRAs and employer defined contribution plans, such 401(k)s, as well as allowing individuals over the age of 50 to make catch-up' contributions to increase their retirement income security. The catch-up provisions were designed to be especially helpful to women, whose time out of the workforce affected their employment-based retirement savings. Pro-savings and pro-growth tax policy continue to be a high priority for me as a lawmaker. Going forward, the right kind of comprehensive tax reform would increase financial security for everyone by keeping tax rates low and fair and giving certainty to the tax code from year to year, so taxpayers know what to expect and can budget accordingly, Grassley said.  Details on the award presentation are as follows. Members of the press may attend. Friday, November 20  9:15-10 a.m.  Western Home Communities  Windridge  5311 Hyacinth Drive  Cedar Falls  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-executive-business-meeting-8", "Grassley Statement at an Executive Business Meeting", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of IowaChairman, Senate Judiciary CommitteeExecutive Business MeetingThursday, November 19, 2015 Good morning. Today we have two bills on the agenda, they'll both be held over if we get a quorum. Both of these bills would help strengthen our national security at a time when doing so is critically important. S. 247 is the Expatriate Terrorist Act, authored by Senator Cruz. I'm proud to co-sponsor it. The bill would provide a way for the government to recognize a U.S. citizen's renunciation of his citizenship by joining a terrorist group like ISIS, as well as a way to revoke his passport on that basis. Also on the agenda is S. 1318, the Nuclear Terrorism Conventions Implementation and Safety of Maritime Navigation Act of 2015. I was glad to partner with Senator Whitehouse on this bill. Much of it became law earlier this year, with passage of the USA FREEDOM Act. But three important provisions in the bill that were requested by both the Bush and Obama administrations were omitted from what passed Congress. One of those provisions would ensure that nuclear terrorists would be eligible for the death penalty if their acts of terror killed someone. So the committee will consider a manager's amendment that will restore those provisions. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 893, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "IA", "p2": "2015"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=IA&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 866, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=IA&year=2015&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 27, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=IA&year=2015&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=IA&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 893, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=IA&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=IA&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "IA", "label": "IA", "count": 893, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=IA&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "2015", "label": "2015", "count": 893, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=IA", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2015-11-19,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Egrassley~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fnews-releases~2Fgrassley-statement-executive-business-meeting-8", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=IA&year=2015&_next=2015-11-19%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Egrassley~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fnews-releases~2Fgrassley-statement-executive-business-meeting-8&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 233.79427287727594, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}