{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"Senate\", state = \"IA\" and year = 2025 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-shares-overview-of-his-2025-policy-and-oversight-achievements", "Grassley Shares Overview of His 2025 Policy and Oversight Achievements", "2025-12-29", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA \u2013 U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is sharing an overview of his 2025 legislative and oversight work on behalf of Iowans.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s an honor serving the people of Iowa every day. I\u2019m happy to report that Senate Republicans made a great impact this year by preventing the largest tax increase in U.S. history and ending the Biden Border Crisis, providing American families with increased safety and prosperity. In 2026, I\u2019ll continue my efforts to bring down costs for Iowans and make government more accountable and transparent. We\u2019ve got more work to do to lower the price of prescription drugs, pass a five-year Farm Bill and root out wasteful spending. I encourage all Iowans to share their views with me while I continue working for them in Washington,\u201d Grassley said.\n\nClick HERE to read Grassley's 2025 Year in Review.\n\nTable of Contents:\n\n1 Welcome\n\nNumbers to Know\n\n2 Iowa: Number One in the Senate\n\nHIStory Series\n\n3 Every County, Every Year\n\n4 Year One of Trump\u2019s Second Term\n\n5 Tax Cuts for Working Families\n\n6 Advancing Iowa\u2019s Clean Energy Future\n\n7 Agriculture\n\nPushing for Year-Round, Nationwide E15\n\nLowering the High Cost of Fertilizer\n\nSupporting Farm Aid\n\n9 Health Care\n\nProtecting Rural Health Care and Supporting Telehealth\n\nPreserving and Strengthening Medicaid\n\nCracking down on Obamacare Fraud\n\nLowering Prescription Drug Prices through PBM Transparency\n\nCaring for Rural Iowans\n\n11 The Senate Judiciary Committee | Chairman Chuck Grassley\n\nAbout the Committee\n\nEnding the Biden Border Crisis\n\nSupporting the American Workforce\n\nPutting President Trump\u2019s Team in Place\n\nLifetime Judicial Appointments\n\nBreaking Through the Partisan Blockade\n\nFighting Unconstitutional Judicial Overreach\n\nKeeping an Eye on the Courts\n\nRestoring Law and Order\n\nDelivering for American Communities\n\nCombating Organized Retail Crime\n\nHalting the Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl\n\nSafeguarding Children\n\n17 Transparency Brings Accountability\n\n18 Arctic Frost: A Scandal Worse than Watergate\n\n19 Standing Strong at Home and Abroad\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-welcomes-historic-investment-in-iowa-rural-health-care-from-republicans-working-family-tax-cuts-law", "Grassley Welcomes Historic Investment in Iowa Rural Health Care from Republicans\u2019 Working Family Tax Cuts Law", "2025-12-29", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA \u2013 U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, welcomed news from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that Iowa will receive $209,040,064 in Fiscal Year 2026 from the Rural Health Transformation Fund to boost hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers and other rural providers.\n\n\u201cSenate Republicans fought hard to ensure our Working Family Tax Cuts Law included significant funding for rural communities. I was proud to help craft this legislation that provides the largest federal investment in rural health care in history. It\u2019s fantastic news that Iowa will receive $209 million in the next year to support its Healthy Hometowns program and revitalize rural care across the state. I thank Governor Reynolds and her team for working with my office and our congressional delegation to make this substantial investment in Iowa health care,\u201d Grassley said.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe rural health care funding comes from the Grassley-backed Working Family Tax Cuts law, titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. In addition to preventing the largest tax increase in history and providing major investments in border security and law enforcement, the law includes a historic investment in rural health care.\n\nLast month, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the state had submitted its \u201cHealthy Hometowns\u201d application for a portion of the law\u2019s funding. Iowa\u2019s plan is aimed at building a high-quality, sustainable system of care that improves the health, well-being and quality of life in rural communities across the state.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-an-iowans-advice-after-70-years-of-parenting", "ICYMI: An Iowan\u2019s Advice After 70 Years of Parenting", "2025-12-27", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "An Iowan\u2019s Advice After 70 Years of Parenting\n\nBy Senator Chuck Grassley\n\nDecember 26, 2025\n\nWall Street Journal\n\nLast weekend I encouraged everyone to read Rahm Emanuel\u2019s op-ed \u201cLessons From Modern Parenthood\u201d (Dec. 20). He\u2019s a Democrat, and I\u2019m a Republican, but his advice is sound for moms and dads of any stripe. Kudos to him for speaking up on a consequential issue on many Americans\u2019 minds.\n\nAfter years of policymaking and parenting, I agree that there\u2019s no \u201csecret sauce\u201d to raising a family. Good parenting isn\u2019t partisan. My wife of 71 years and I agree with the Emanuels on the ritual of eating together as a family. The conversations around the table in my own childhood are seared in my memory\u2014they prompted an interest in government that turned into my vocation.\n\nWhen our five kids were growing up, I can\u2019t pretend I was at every meal. I give Barbara credit for serving as commander in chief of our household, acting as mom, homework-helper, chore-taskmaster and more when I was in Washington. Yet there was no daylight between us in our approach to parenthood. We taught our kids to work hard and live by the Golden Rule. Farm chores and school work didn\u2019t leave much time to waste on television.\n\nRaising kids today comes with new challenges, but the fundamentals haven\u2019t changed. Our advice: Stick your nose in their business and keep strict boundaries. The internet poses risks beyond idleness and harm to mental health. Nefarious predators are targeting children with all manner of schemes.\n\nAs chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I\u2019m leading bipartisan efforts with Sen. Dick Durbin (D., Ill.) to combat online child exploitation and keep the next generation safe. Our reforms will help deter bad actors by revamping federal sentencing laws, targeting online criminal networks and cracking down on offenders who use child sex-abuse material to extort and coerce children.\n\nHaving and raising children is our nation\u2019s most important work. Parents deserve to feel empowered, to be assured that Washington is an ally.\n\nBarbara and I didn\u2019t fall into helicopter- or tiger-parenting categories. Our Midwestern philosophy was handed down from our parents: Have faith in God and yourself; don\u2019t worry about failure\u2014it yields resilience\u2014and remember that love guarantees you a permanent seat at the supper table.\n\nSen. Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa)", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-time-to-end-section-230", "Q&A: Time to End Section 230", "2025-12-23", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Q: What is Section 230?\n\nA: Section 230 refers to the federal statute that provides legal immunity to Big Tech. The outdated law shields social media platforms and prevents parents and victims from seeking justice from online harm. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I\u2019m co-sponsoring the bipartisan Sunset Section 230 Act to repeal this provision of the Communication Decency Act of 1996. This nearly 30-year old measure was written to give emerging internet entities the runway to get off the ground. It allowed social media companies to host and moderate third-party content unencumbered by the fear of costly litigation. Fast forward three decades, many of these entities are among the most powerful, profitable companies in the world; they use Section 230 to evade badly needed accountability. At the helm of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I\u2019ve convened congressional hearings to gather expert testimony on child online exploitation to inform public policy; heard from witnesses exposing online child extortion rings, like the \u201c764\u201d network; and introduced bipartisan legislation to implement whistleblower protections in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry. I\u2019ll continue advocating for parents, including Deric and Kathy Kidd of Des Moines, who lost their son in 2021 when he took half of what he thought was a pain pill that was actually fentanyl.\n\nCongress must take swift action to empower victims and send a message to Big Tech. With passage of our legislation, social media companies would no longer have license to profit from heinous material and drug trafficking pushed on their platforms with immunity. The day is long overdue to open the courthouse doors for victims of online crimes and exploitation to seek justice and hold wrongdoers accountable.\n\nQ: What are the next steps in the new year?\n\nA: I wrote a bipartisan letter alongside the cosponsors of the Sunset Section 230 Act and called upon the Senate Majority and Minority leaders to prioritize this issue and our bipartisan bill for next year\u2019s legislative calendar. Common sense says Section 230 has outlived its utility and instead fosters a breeding ground for online harms and criminal exploitation. The bottom line is clear: Big Tech is profiting at the expense of the American people, especially young people. Section 230 allows online predators to sexually groom and extort kids. Predators create and distribute AI-generated deepfake pornography; drug traffickers sell fentanyl-laced pills to teenagers; impressionable adolescents experience harm to their mental health, with online content exploiting body image issues, anxieties about isolation and stress over peer exclusion. Vulnerable victims and distraught parents are at their wit\u2019s end with no meaningful relief for exploited consumers. Policymakers need to put the American people first and open the door to our system of justice for the redress of grievances. Too many grieving parents will observe this holiday season another year without a precious son or daughter lost to online exploitation or drug trafficking.\n\nWhen Congress returns to work in the new year, we\u2019ve asked Senate leaders to dedicate a week in February to advance bipartisan legislation that protects children from online threats \u2013 including my landmark legislative package to target lax sentencing laws, violent online criminal networks and child sextortion crimes \u2013 and end the crisis that\u2019s cropped up after three decades of legal immunity once and for all. After 30 years in the wilderness of legal immunity, it\u2019s time to chop down Section 230 and give victims of online crimes their day in court and parents better peace of mind.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-nominates-31-iowa-students-to-us-military-academies", "Grassley Nominates 31 Iowa Students to U.S. Military Academies", "2025-12-22", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA \u2013 U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is announcing his support for 31 Iowa students seeking acceptance to U.S. military academies.\n\n\u201cI am proud to nominate these 31 young Iowans to our nation\u2019s prestigious military academies,\u201d Grassley said. These young men and women have bright futures, and I\u2019m inspired by their leadership, achievements and motivation to serve our country. It\u2019s my honor to nominate them.\u201d\n\nEach year, Grassley nominates Iowa high school seniors for placements at the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. All service academies select at least one of Grassley\u2019s nominees.\n\nLearn more about service academy nominations HERE.\n\nGrassley\u2019s nominees for entrance during the 2026-2027 academic year follow:\n\nUnited States Air Force Academy\n\nJorge Camarena, Council Bluffs\n\nGabriel Conrad, Iowa City\n\nOdin Hankins, Ainsworth\n\nMackenzie McClelland, Grinnell\n\nCharlee DeJong, West Des Moines\n\nCalan Peters, Milford\n\nLydia Weininger, Palo\n\nLuke Miller, Polk City\n\nLydia Meunsaveng, Indianola\n\nAlexis Bogardus, Granger\n\nJackson Goslin, Hiawatha\n\nCamilla McArthur, Atlantic\n\nCarter Mitchell, Des Moines\n\nShae Magley, Cedar Falls\n\nJack Franzen, Urbandale\n\nUnited States Military Academy at West Point\n\nBerit Kallemeier, Urbandale\n\nAvery Schnack, Decorah\n\nNaomi Templeman, Dallas Center\n\nGabrielle Wilker, Saint Olaf\n\nKamryn Wolkenhauer, Danville\n\nAlexis Bogardus, Granger\n\nPatrick Bowser, Urbandale\n\nJackson Goslin, Hiawatha\n\nJackson Lampe, Dubuque\n\nCamilla McArthur, Atlantic\n\nQuentin Moore, Des Moines\n\nMackenzie McClelland, Grinnell\n\nAllie Sackett, Cedar Rapids\n\nDaniel Spooner, Mason City\n\nJack Franzen, Urbandale\n\nUnited States Merchant Marine Academy\n\nJackson Lampe, Dubuque\n\nJack Franzen, Urbandale\n\nUnited States Naval Academy\n\nDane Thomas, Cedar Rapids\n\nJoseph Winland, Cedar Falls\n\nLuke Miller, Polk City\n\nAlexis Bogardus, Granger\n\nPatrick Bowser, Urbandale\n\nCharles Crane, West Des Moines\n\nEllie Hance, Palo\n\nJackson Lampe, Dubuque\n\nCamilla McArthur, Atlantic\n\nQuentin Moore, Des Moines\n\nOwen Powell, Blue Grass\n\nConnor Rash, Ames\n\nAllie Sackett, Cedar Rapids\n\nDaniel Spooner, Mason City\n\nJackson Goslin, Hiawatha", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/more-medical-residency-positions-headed-to-iowa-thanks-to-grassley-law", "More Medical Residency Positions Headed to Iowa Thanks to Grassley Law", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA \u2013 U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) announced Iowa Methodist Medical Center (UnityPoint) will receive additional Medicare funds to cover added graduate medical education (GME) residency positions in emergency medicine. The positions are a result of a 2020 law Grassley championed as then-Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee to support Iowa\u2019s growing health care workforce needs.\n\nThis is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services\u2019 (CMS) fourth round of residency funding. Iowa has been awarded federal funding for over 14 permanent additional GME residency positions so far.\n\n\u201cDuring my 99 county meetings, I hear from patients and health care professionals who tell me our medical workforce needs more support. We especially need more emergency room doctors in rural communities, so today\u2019s announcement is welcome news. I\u2019m gratified to see my efforts are continuing to support Iowans seeking medical care,\u201d Grassley said.\n\n\u201cThe additional Medicare-funded residency slots help address critical physician shortages here in Iowa and helps ensure Iowans continue to have access to high quality health care in their local community. Our programs consistently produce physicians and surgeons that remain in Iowa to serve Iowans. We appreciate Senator Grassley\u2019s continued work on this issue,\u201d said Dr. William J. Yost, Chief Academic Officer and Vice President of Medical Education and Research at Iowa Methodist Medical Center.\n\nBelow is an overview of GME residency positions CMS has awarded to Iowa hospitals:\n\nBackground:\n\nWhile chairing the Senate Finance Committee, Grassley worked in 2020 to add 1,000 additional Medicare-funded GME residency positions nationwide to strengthen America\u2019s health care workforce \u2013 particularly in rural and underserved communities. This was the largest increase in Medicare-funded residency positions in over 25 years.\n\nFollowing further Grassley oversight, CMS confirmed it intends to meet the 10% rural hospital distribution threshold in the overall distribution of 1,000 residency positions. Grassley highlighted the importance of distributing medical residency positions to rural areas during a May 2024 Finance Committee hearing, in a March 2025 Finance Committee nomination hearing and on the Senate floor in May 2025.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-national-defense-matters", "Q&A: National Defense Matters", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Q: Why is the national defense bill an annual priority?\n\nA: National security is the number one responsibility of the federal government. For 65 years in a row, Congress has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that shapes defense policies, from nuclear weapons to cybersecurity, drones, troop pay and military construction. As customary, the House and Senate Armed Services Committees conducted a series of hearings throughout the year to dig into the details of the massive legislative package that forms the blueprint for America\u2019s national defense. The $900 billion, 3,086-page bipartisan bill outlines defense priorities for the coming fiscal year to ramp up military readiness and beef up support for our nation\u2019s men and women in uniform, including a 3.8% pay raise, better housing, child care and health benefits. For example, the defense bill on its way to the president\u2019s desk paves the way for improved access to specialty care for service members by lowering the mileage for travel reimbursement for medical appointments from 100 to 75 miles. It allows members of the National Guard and reserves called up to active duty to enroll their children in Defense Department schools and bumps up the family separation allowance for deployed service members. These improvements signal to members of the Armed Forces that Uncle Sam stands shoulder to shoulder with our troops for the service and sacrifice they make for freedom and liberty.\n\nOn December 13, 2026, two Iowans made the ultimate sacrifice while serving overseas in Syria. Sergeant William N. \u201cNate\u201d Howard of Marshalltown and Sergeant Edgar B. Torres-Tovar of Des Moines were members of the Iowa National Guard Second Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division. I attended the dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base to pay tribute to these fallen heroes on their solemn homecoming in flag-draped cases and introduced a Senate resolution with Sen. Joni Ernst honoring their service and sacrifice. The ambush attack also killed a civilian interpreter and injured three service members from the Iowa National Guard. The terrorist attack is a stark reminder of the courage, patriotism and sacrifice these fallen heroes gave to their country and affirms why it\u2019s imperative to ensure the full measure of the federal government supports the needs of our troops. That\u2019s why I work every year to strengthen the annual defense authorization bill, including my efforts to protect defense dollars from waste, fraud and abuse. Every dollar lost to fraud is one less dollar for military readiness and our troops.\n\nQ: What measures did you work to secure in the defense bill before final passage?\n\nA: I pushed successfully for authorizing funds for Iowa\u2019s military installations, including $220 million for projects at the 185th Air Refueling Wing at the Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City and $13.8 million for the vehicle maintenance shop at the Waterloo Armory. As a longtime advocate for the Rock Island Arsenal, I also supported bipartisan measures to beef up its minimum workload and encourage a public-private partnership to help ensure the nation\u2019s domestic arsenals stand ready long term to supply our nation\u2019s munitions needs. In addition, I worked with Sen. Dick Durbin to enhance and strengthen U.S. security cooperation with the Baltic States. Russia\u2019s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine calls for a united front to deter Vladimir Putin\u2019s aggression to resurrect the Soviet empire.\n\nAs chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I held two hearings this year to examine the threat drones pose to public safety, from smuggling weapons and drugs across our borders to spying on sensitive facilities or committing acts of terror in a crowded stadium or other public space. My bipartisan bill called the SAFER SKIES Act was included in the defense bill and expands the authority of state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement entities, as well as correctional agencies, to use counter-unmanned aircraft system technologies to stop malicious drone activity.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-republicans-confirm-14-law-and-order-nominees-to-deliver-safer-streets-for-americans", "Senate Republicans Confirm 14 Law and Order Nominees to Deliver Safer Streets for Americans", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) applauded the Senate\u2019s confirmation of 13 U.S. Attorneys and the Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice\u2019s (DOJ) Criminal Division. The nominees were confirmed last night as part of a nominations package of 97 executive nominees, by a vote of 53-43.\n\nUnder Grassley\u2019s leadership, the Senate this year confirmed 31 of President Trump\u2019s U.S. Attorneys, which is the same number of U.S. Attorneys confirmed during the first year of the Biden administration. Four of the 31 confirmed U.S. Attorneys received blue slips from Democrat senators.\n\n\u201cU.S. Attorneys are an essential component of law enforcement \u2013 responsible for prosecuting violent criminals, protecting the public and enforcing the rule of law. Yesterday, Senate Republicans successfully voted to confirm these critical law enforcement officers to protect communities across the country. The bulk of Senate Democrats who voted \u2018no\u2019 yet again proved their disdain for the safety and wellbeing of Americans. As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I\u2019ll continue working in the new year to successfully and efficiently advance and confirm President Trump\u2019s nominees,\u201d Grassley said.\n\nThe nominees confirmed last night include:\n\nAndrew Duva, to be Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division;\n\nErin Creegan, to be U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire;\n\nJerome Francis Gorgon, Jr., to be U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan;\n\nDavid Courcelle, to be U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana;\n\nBraden Boucek, to be U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee;\n\nDomonick Gerace II, to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio;\n\nBryan Stirling, to be U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina;\n\nThomas Wheeler II, to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana;\n\nAdam Mildred, to be U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana;\n\nThomas Albus, to be U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri;\n\nThomas Ferguson III, to be U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina;\n\nRyan Antony Kriegshauser, to be U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas;\n\nJames Kruger, to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi; and\n\nScott Leary, to be U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi.\n\nBackground:\n\nHistorically, U.S. Attorneys were routinely confirmed on a bipartisan basis due to their non-political and non-controversial nature. That bipartisan tradition was destroyed this year when Senate Democrats placed indefinite, blanket holds on all of President Trump\u2019s 93 U.S. attorneys. Senate Republicans overcame the partisan blockade in October, confirming 18 U.S. Attorneys as part of the first nominations package of 107 executive nominees.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-graham-bipartisan-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-sunset-section-230-protect-americans-online", "Grassley, Graham, Bipartisan Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Sunset Section 230, Protect Americans Online", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in introducing the Sunset Section 230 Act. The bipartisan bill would repeal Section 230 immunity two years after the date of the bill\u2019s enactment, allowing users who have been harmed by online platforms to hold those platforms accountable.\n\n\u201cFor nearly 30 years, Section 230 has provided Big Tech cover as they turn a blind eye to heinous crimes committed on its platforms,\u201d Grassley said. \u201cAs Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I\u2019m glad to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to update our nation\u2019s laws, rein in Section 230 and hold Big Tech accountable.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am extremely pleased that there is such wide and deep bipartisan support for repealing Section 230, which protects social media companies from being sued by the people whose lives they destroy. Giant social media platforms are unregulated, immune from lawsuits and are making billions of dollars in advertising revenue off some of the most unsavory content and criminal activity imaginable,\u201d Graham said. \u201cIt is past time to allow those who have been harmed by these behemoths to have their day in court.\u201d\n\n\u201cChildren are being exploited and abused because Big Tech consistently prioritizes profits over people. Enough is enough. Sunsetting Section 230 will force Big Tech to come to the table and take ownership over the harms it has wrought. And if Big Tech doesn\u2019t, this bill will open the courtroom to victims of its platforms. Parents have been begging Congress to step in, and it\u2019s time we do so. I\u2019m proud to partner with Senator Graham on this effort, and we will push for it to become law,\u201d Durbin said.\n\nAdditional cosponsors include Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), all members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.\n\nBill text is available HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nSection 230, enacted as part of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, provides legal immunity to online platforms for third-party content. The provision was originally created to allow then-fledgling internet entities \u2013 like social media companies \u2013 to host and moderate user content without fear of lawsuits. Today, many of these entities are some of the most powerful companies in the world and rely on Section 230 to shield themselves from much needed accountability.\n\nIn 2025, Grassley chaired two Senate Judiciary Committee hearings to examine online safety and online child exploitation, and introduced three bipartisan bills with Durbin to hold violent online criminals accountable.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-thune-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-combat-chinas-unfair-trade-practices-stand-up-for-american-farmers", "Grassley, Thune, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Combat China\u2019s Unfair Trade Practices, Stand Up for American Farmers", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) to reintroduce the Trade Cheating Restitution Act, legislation that would support American producers who have been harmed by unfair trade practices, primarily by China. The bill would direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to distribute interest realized on certain anti-dumping and countervailing duties since 2000 to qualifying U.S. producers harmed by decades of trade distortions that continue to undercut these domestic industries.\n\n\u201cIowans produce some of the best agricultural products in the world. As a result of Iowa farmers\u2019 hard work, America is the world\u2019s top agricultural exporter. Unfortunately, China\u2019s unfair trade practices have hurt Americans who produce quality products in an honest manner. Our bipartisan legislation will help restore fairness to international trade and compensate producers who\u2019ve been injured by the Chinese Communist Party,\u201d Grassley said.\n\nIn addition to Grassley, Thune and Smith, the legislation is cosponsored by Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.).\n\nRead bill text HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Trade Cheating Restitution Act of 2025 builds on a Thune-Grassley provision that was signed into law in 2015 as part of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, which required CBP to distribute the interest realized on duties collected since 2014.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/photos-grassley-honors-fallen-iowa-national-guardsmen", "PHOTOS: Grassley Honors Fallen Iowa National Guardsmen", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) yesterday attended a solemn transfer of remains at Dover Air Force Base for two Iowa National Guard members killed in Syria: Sgt. William Nathaniel \u201cNate\u201d Howard of Marshalltown and Sgt. Edgar Torres-Tovar of Des Moines. President Donald Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chief of Staff of the Army General Randy George also attended, along with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and members of the Iowa congressional delegation.\n\nGrassley and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) also introduced a Senate resolution honoring the lives and service of Howard and Torres-Tovar. Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) is leading a companion resolution in the House of Representatives.\n\n\u201cSergeant Howard and Sergeant Torres-Tovar paid the ultimate sacrifice, and we owe them a debt that can never be repaid,\" Grassley said. \"Yesterday\u2019s transfer of remains allowed us to continue paying our respects to these young men. Barbara and I are praying for their families and loved ones. I\u2019m also joining Senator Ernst to introduce a resolution in their honor. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten, and will be written in the Senate\u2019s history books forever.\u201d\n\nDownload photos HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-passes-peters-and-grassleys-bipartisan-bills-to-help-prevent-foreign-influence-in-us-policy", "Senate Passes Peters and Grassley\u2019s Bipartisan Bills to Help Prevent Foreign Influence in U.S. Policy", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 The Senate unanimously approved two bipartisan bills authored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-Mich) to improve America\u2019s ability to prevent foreign governments from attempting to influence U.S. policy without making appropriate disclosures. The bills will close loopholes that foreign governments could exploit to conceal their roles in lobbying efforts.\n\n\u201cAmericans ought to know if a foreign government is trying to sway policy here in the United States,\u201d Grassley said. \u201cOur bills finally close a loophole that\u2019s allowed individuals to conceal their lobbying efforts, and they make sure all foreign actors are disclosed to the American people. By passing our bipartisan bills with broad support, the Senate demonstrated our commitment to getting these vital reforms to President Trump\u2019s desk.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe American people should know when foreign governments try to influence our political process,\u201d Peters said. \u201cThese bipartisan bills will let us take commonsense steps to protect our national security by ensuring foreign actors can\u2019t exploit loopholes to hide their activities when attempting to shape policy in the United States. We must ensure that our government is working in the best interests of the American people, not those of our adversaries.\u201d\n\nThe Lobbying Disclosure Improvement Act would improve transparency around the activities of lobbyists who represent foreign persons or organizations by requiring them to indicate whether they are taking advantage of an exemption under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) when they register under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. This will help the government ensure no lobbyists representing foreign governments are using the exemption inappropriately.\n\nThe Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act closes a loophole in the Lobbying Disclosure Act that foreign adversaries \u2013 including the Russian and Chinese governments \u2013 can exploit to conceal their roles in lobbying efforts. Think tanks and law enforcement agencies have identified instances in which foreign adversaries exploited this loophole by using closely connected organizations and businesses to push their interests when lobbying the U.S. government. The bill makes clear that lobbying organizations must disclose when foreign governments and political parties participate in their lobbying efforts, regardless of any financial contribution to the lobbying effort.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-applauds-final-passage-of-fiscal-year-2026-defense-authorization-bill", "Grassley Applauds Final Passage of Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Authorization Bill", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) welcomed final passage of the annual defense policy bill, authorizing critical resources for national defense and military readiness. The legislation now heads to the president\u2019s desk. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 includes several Grassley-backed provisions and was approved by a vote of 77-20.\n\nGrassley on Monday voted to end debate on the legislation and advance to a final vote on the bill. He missed today\u2019s final vote while attending a solemn ceremony at Dover Air Force Base to receive the remains of two fallen Iowa National Guard members: Sgt. William Nathaniel \u201cNate\u201d Howard of Marshalltown and Sgt. Edgar Torres-Tovar of Des Moines.\n\n\u201cToday, Congress sent President Trump a robust defense package that prioritizes our service members and ensures American dominance on the world stage. I\u2019m pleased several of my provisions were included in the final bill, like authorizing funding for Iowa\u2019s military installations, improved oversight of Defense Department spending and support for key programs to help law enforcement officers,\u201d Grassley said.\n\n\u201cWe strongly support the inclusion of several critical public safety provisions in the compromise Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). These measures directly confront real threats, close longstanding operational gaps, support our nation\u2019s first responders, and will make communities across the United States safer \u2026 We appreciate your efforts to respond to the needs of public safety agencies and the attention given to these urgent issues. We stand ready to support you as Congress advances the NDAA and as these new authorities and programs are implemented to protect the public and the officers who serve them,\u201d said representatives from 16 major law enforcement groups.\n\nThe bill authorizes a 3.8% pay raise for military service members, as well as:\n\n$161 billion for procurement including missiles, combat vehicles, and aircraft;\n\n$26 billion for shipbuilding; and\n\n$25 billion for munitions.\n\nGrassley secured the following priorities in the FY26 NDAA:\n\nAuthorization of federal funds to support Iowa\u2019s military installations:\n\n$220 million for projects at the 185th Air Refueling Wing/Sioux Gateway Airport, including aircraft parking apron, extended runway, runway repair and warm-up/holding pad;\n\n$13.8 million for the vehicle maintenance shop at the Waterloo Armory (Army National Guard);\n\nProvisions to bolster the Rock Island Arsenal through a pilot program on arsenal workload sustainment, encouraging public-private partnerships to increase minimum workloads at domestic arsenals like Rock Island;\n\nThe Abducted Ukrainian Children Recovery and Accountability Act, cosponsored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), to support Ukraine\u2019s efforts to investigate and track the nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children who have been abducted during Putin\u2019s brutal invasion. The legislation will also assist with the rehabilitation and reintegration of children who are returned and provide justice and accountability for perpetrators of these abductions; and\n\nThe Baltic Security Initiative Act, cosponsored by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), to enhance and strengthen U.S. security cooperation with the Baltics amid Putin\u2019s aggressive action in the region. The legislation effectively codifies the Baltic Security Initiative effort.\n\nGrassley secured key wins in his capacity as Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, including U.S. Marshal and police protection for retired Supreme Court Justices.\n\nThe NDAA includes four bipartisan law enforcement bills, which passed out of the Judiciary Committee during Police Week in May:\n\nThe PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act to aid state and local law enforcement agencies in combating child sexual exploitation online. This bill was previously blocked by Senate Democrats who were seeking to funnel federal dollars to dangerous sanctuary cities.\n\nThe Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act to expand access to federal support for the families of firefighters and other first responders who pass away or become permanently disabled from service-related cancers.\n\nThe Improving Police CARE Act to equip law enforcement officers with quality trauma kits, allowing them to respond immediately if a civilian or fellow officer experiences a traumatic injury during a call.\n\nThe Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act to ensure families of retired law enforcement officers who were killed as a result of their service are not unjustly denied benefits.\n\nThe NDAA also includes expanded counter-drone authorities for state, local and territorial law enforcement agencies to help mitigate threats posed by drones. This provision was based off Grassley and Sen. Gary Peters\u2019 (D-Mich.) bipartisan SAFER SKIES Act. Under Grassley\u2019s leadership, the Judiciary Committee this year has held two hearings on drones and their potential threats to public safety.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-durbin-reintroduce-bipartisan-criminal-justice-bills", "Grassley, Durbin Reintroduce Bipartisan Criminal Justice Bills", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced four bipartisan criminal justice bills to better protect American communities and strengthen the nation\u2019s criminal justice system. The First Step Implementation Act, the Safer Detention Act, the Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act and the FSA Reporting Extension Act each build off the successes of the lawmakers\u2019 First Step Act (FSA), which President Trump signed into law in 2018.\n\n\u201cCriminals must face just penalties, and our nation\u2019s criminal justice system should seek to prevent recidivism,\u201d Grassley said. \u201cI\u2019m committed to advancing efforts that will help reduce crime, improve our nation\u2019s justice system and safeguard American communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cSeven years ago, Congress came together to pass the most important criminal justice reform law in a generation. But as its name suggests, it was just the first step,\u201d Durbin said. \u201cIn order to keep making our justice system fairer and our communities safer, we must continue reforming our antiquated and outdated sentencing laws and providing opportunities for those who are incarcerated to prepare to reenter society successfully. I appreciate Senator Grassley\u2019s partnership in this important endeavor.\u201d\n\nThe First Step Implementation Act, the Safer Detention Act and the Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act are endorsed by Right On Crime, the Conservative Political Action Conference and Americans for Prosperity. A full list of endorsements is available HERE.\n\n\u201cEach of these bills strengthens public safety in a different way \u2014 by ensuring fairness at sentencing, focusing resources on dangerous individuals, and fully implementing reforms that reduce recidivism. Together, they move the federal system toward a smarter, more accountable, and more effective approach to public safety,\u201d said Brett Tolman, Executive Director for Right On Crime.\n\n\u201cThese solutions complement one another and point in the same direction: a justice system that is more focused on actual risk, more respectful of constitutional limits, and more effective at reducing crime. That\u2019s the type of system communities can trust,\u201d said Rachel Wright, National Policy Director for Right On Crime.\n\nThe First Step Implementation Act:\n\nThe First Step Implementation Act would strengthen the First Step Act by:\n\nAllowing courts to apply First Step Act sentencing reform provisions retroactively;\n\nGiving courts discretion when sentencing nonviolent controlled substance offenders, or reducing sentences of juvenile offenders who have served more than 20 years;\n\nProviding for the sealing or expungement of records of nonviolent juvenile offenses; and,\n\nRequiring the Attorney General to ensure accurate criminal records are shared for employment-related purposes.\n\nThis legislation is also endorsed by the Prison Fellowship Ministries.\n\nBill text is available HERE.\n\nThe Safer Detention Act:\n\nThe Safer Detention Act would reauthorize and reform the now-expired Elderly Home Detention Pilot Program and clarify applicability of compassionate release from federal prisons.?\n\nThis legislation is also endorsed by the Prison Fellowship Ministries.\n\nBill text is available HERE.\n\nProhibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act\n\nThe Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act would prohibit courts from considering conduct defendants have been acquitted of for sentencing purposes.\n\nBill text is available HERE.\n\nFSA Reporting Extension Act\n\nThe FSA Reporting Extension Act would extend the First Step Act\u2019s annual reporting requirement by five years.\n\nThe First Step Act required the Attorney General to submit annual reports to Congress on the bill\u2019s implementation and impact for five consecutive years, starting two years after implementation. The FSA Reporting Extension Act would extend this reporting through 2030.\n\nBill text is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-unanimously-passes-grassley-backed-bill-to-combat-child-trafficking", "Senate Unanimously Passes Grassley-Backed Bill to Combat Child Trafficking", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today welcomed the Senate\u2019s unanimous passage of his Preventing Child Trafficking Act. The bipartisan bill would require the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement much-needed anti-child trafficking recommendations. The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration.\n\n\u201cThis is an important bill with an important objective, fostering communication between the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services with the result, we hope, of preventing children from falling prey to the evils of human trafficking,\u201d Grassley said on the Senate floor. \u201cPreventing future instances of trafficking is very, very essential and I\u2019m happy to support this bill\u2019s advancement today.\u201d\n\nVideo of Grassley\u2019s floor remarks is below.\n\nVIDEO", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/tomorrow-grassley-to-attend-dignified-transfer-of-deceased-iowa-national-guardsmen-at-dover-afb", "TOMORROW: Grassley to Attend Dignified Transfer of Deceased Iowa National Guardsmen at Dover AFB", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) will attend a solemn dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base tomorrow, December 17, to receive the remains of two Iowa National Guard members killed in Syria: Sgt. William Nathaniel \u201cNate\u201d Howard of Marshalltown and Sgt. Edgar Torres-Tovar of Des Moines.\n\nPresident Donald Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chief of Staff of the Army General Randy George are also scheduled to attend.\n\nGrassley spoke on the Senate floor on Monday to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-12-15-25", "Capitol Hill Report, 12-15-25", "2025-12-15", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Senator Grassley\u2019s Capitol Hill Report can be found HERE.\n\nTopics include: health care subsidies, farm aid package, Grassley-Durbin child safety bills, New World Screwworm, annual defense bill and Ukraine and Russia negotiations.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/new-records-reveal-dojs-yearslong-efforts-to-shut-down-investigation-into-clinton-foundation", "New Records Reveal DOJ\u2019s Yearslong Efforts to Shut Down Investigation into Clinton Foundation", "2025-12-15", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Department of Justice (DOJ) records provided to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) offer a behind-the-scenes look at how top leadership during the Obama-Biden administration repeatedly interfered to prevent DOJ prosecutors and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents from investigating the Clinton Foundation\u2019s financial dealings.\n\n\u201cThe mainstream media smeared any investigation into Hillary Clinton as unfounded nonsense, but in reality, line agents and federal prosecutors seeking to follow up on legitimate leads were sidelined by partisan leadership looking to save Clinton\u2019s reputation. That\u2019s a night-and-day departure from how the Biden Justice Department handled the Arctic Frost investigation against President Trump,\u201d Grassley said. \u201cFor too long, our Justice Department has chosen winners and losers instead of enforcing the law without regard to power, party or privilege. That must never happen again. I thank Attorney General Bondi and Director Patel for turning over these records, so the American people finally know how their Justice Department failed in the Clinton investigations.\u201d\n\nThe records, including internal emails and an investigatory timeline, were provided to Grassley in response to his oversight request and whistleblower allegations. Per the records:\n\nOn July 20, 2016\u2014111 days before the 2016 election\u2014an agent with the FBI\u2019s Criminal Investigative Division ordered that, \u201cbased on the sensitivities surrounding the Clinton Foundation,\u201d agents were prohibited from issuing subpoenas, conducting interviews or sharing information related to the case with other offices so as to avoid \u201c[creating] any impression we are investigating the Clinton Foundation or the Clintons.\u201d\n\nIn November 2016, FBI Headquarters, while under the leadership of then-Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, stepped in to block the Clinton Foundation investigative team from accessing potentially incriminating evidence located on the laptop of Anthony Weiner, the husband of Hillary Clinton\u2019s political aide, Huma Abedin. McCabe, among others, recommended the information instead be routed to the FBI\u2019s \u201cMidyear\u201d investigative team.\n\nAfter the investigation was reopened in 2017, Main Justice holdovers from the previous administration allegedly provided prosecutors in the United States Attorney\u2019s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas (EDAR) with documents that omitted information regarding DOJ and FBI leadership\u2019s interference. Additional requests the EDAR made to the FBI in 2018 \u201cruffled some feathers\u201d and didn\u2019t result in a response.\n\nAn EDAR prosecutor concluded \u201cthere appear to be conflicts of interest for the leadership [at Main Justice, including the Public Integrity Section,] related to the 2016 [Clinton] investigations that undermine any confidence we might normally have in looking to them for assistance.\u201d\n\nView the records and Grassley\u2019s follow-up letter to the DOJ and FBI HERE.\n\nDecember 15, 2025\n\nVIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION\n\nThe Honorable Pamela Bondi\n\nAttorney General\n\nDepartment of Justice\n\nThe Honorable Kash Patel\n\nDirector\n\nFederal Bureau of Investigation\n\nDear Attorney General Bondi and Director Patel:\n\nOn July 18, 2025, I wrote to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) requesting records related to whistleblower allegations that during investigations into the Clintons and their associated groups, DOJ prosecutors and FBI agents didn\u2019t receive support from DOJ\u2019s Public Integrity Section (PIN) and FBI executive management for additional investigative steps.[1] Notably, my letter also requested all records relating to the FBI\u2019s Clinton Foundation investigation.[2] My letter was based on years of investigative work with courageous whistleblowers. Since then, your offices have produced records based on these whistleblower disclosures and I appreciate your cooperation with my investigative work.\n\nAccording to the records obtained by my office, during the Clinton Foundation investigation, FBI Headquarters (HQ) leadership, including former-Deputy Director (DD) McCabe, obstructed investigative activities.[3] Notably, in November 2015, former-DD McCabe\u2019s wife, Dr. Jill McCabe, received over $675,000 from political entities connected to former Virginia Governor and Clinton Foundation Board Member, Terry McAuliffe.[4] According to reports and records, $467,500 came in \u201cmonetary contributions\u201d from McAuliffe\u2019s PAC, and $207,788 came from the Virginia Democratic Party as \u201cin-kind contributions,\u201d when McAuliffe was governor of the state.[5] Ultimately, McCabe had to recuse himself from the investigation on November 1, 2016.[6]\n\nAccording to emails obtained by my office, on July 20, 2016\u2014111 days before the 2016 election\u2014an agent with the FBI\u2019s Criminal Investigative Division (CID) stated that, \u201cbased on the sensitivities surrounding the Clinton Foundation,\u201d agents were prohibited from \u201csubpoena[ing] additional records related to the Foundation, the Clintons\u201d; \u201cconduct[ing] any interviews related to the Foundation or the Clintons\u201d; and \u201cshar[ing] any of the Foundation bank account info with any other offices.\u201d[7] Emails also show that the FBI \u201c[did] not want to create any impression we are investigating the Clinton Foundation or the Clintons.\u201d[8] Internal FBI emails from January 12, 2017, show that the direction came from \u201chigher, i.e., the DD (McCabe).\u201d[9]\n\nRecords provided to my office show that on September 26, 2016, the US Attorney\u2019s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) obtained a search warrant for the laptop of Anthony Weiner, whose wife, Huma Abedin, was a political aide to Hillary Clinton during her time as Secretary of State, in connection with a child exploitation investigation.[10] During the course of their investigation, the SDNY discovered information on the Weiner laptop connected to the FBI\u2019s investigation into Hillary Clinton\u2019s mishandling of classified information.[11] According to the records provided to my office, on November 1, 2016, the FBI\u2019s New York Field Office (NYFO) former-Assistant Director in Charge (ADIC) Sweeney, requested that the Clinton Foundation investigative team be allowed to either review the Weiner laptop or be provided a briefing by the Weiner review team, which allegedly FBI HQ initially refused.[12]\n\nFor example, according to records provided to my office, on November 7, 2016, then-Executive Assistant Director (EAD) Coleman noted that \u201c[i]t was determined by DD McCabe and EAD Steinbach that any follow on investigative activity concerning the emails located on Anthony Weiner\u2019s laptop would be reviewed by the MIDYEAR investigative team.\u201d[13] Accordingly, it appears that the Clinton Foundation investigators, at that time, had to depend on the MIDYEAR team, which included Peter Strzok, for information.[14]\n\nFurthermore, on July 24, 2017, under the Trump administration, the United States Attorney\u2019s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas (USAO EDAR) and FBI Little Rock reopened their investigation into the Clinton Foundation.[15] During the course of their investigation, in November 2017, the US Attorney for the EDAR, Cody Hiland, requested information from then-head of DOJ PIN Ray Hulser and then-Acting Chief Anna Lou Tirol about \u201cwho made the decision to shut the [original] case down.\u201d[16] Documents provided to my office also note that Hulser provided Hiland with a timeline that \u201comitted ALL references to interference from DOJ and FBI leadership.\u201d[17]\n\nEmails provided to my office also show that during the course of their reopened investigation, in July 2018, attorneys at the EDAR requested additional information to determine \u201cwhether sufficient probable cause exists to submit a search warrant affidavit for the Weiner laptop related to violations of 18 U.S.C. 201(b) and 201(c), 18 U.S.C. \u00a7 208, 18 U.S.C. \u00a7\u00a7 1343, 1344, 18 U.S.C. \u00a7 1956, 1957, 18 U.S.C. \u00a7 1962 and perhaps other statutes.\u201d[18] EDAR attorneys also stated that for their team to make the assessment, \u201cour office has determined that there is a need to be given access to some of the information described in the OIG Report that was released on June 11, 2018. This is necessary in order to determine if additional information related to these potential violations is currently possessed and already within the government\u2019s knowledge.\u201d[19] According to emails, the request \u201cruffled some feathers\u201d and the EDAR didn\u2019t \u201creceive[] any response from that request.\u201d[20]\n\nEmails from September 2018 also indicate that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Jonathan Ross at the EDAR had concerns about support from Main Justice and PIN regarding the Clinton Foundation investigation, stating that \u201c[b]ut as we have previously discussed, there appear to be conflicts of interest for the leadership there related to the 2016 [Clinton] investigations that undermine any confidence we might normally have in looking to them for assistance.\u201d[21] According to documents provided to my office, prosecutors at the EDAR recommended in July 2019 that a referral be made to the DOJ OIG regarding the \u201cmanner in which the investigation had been conducted,\u201d and that they did what they could do \u201cabout the interference by DOJ and FBI leadership at the time with the FBI\u2019s [Clinton Foundation] investigation.\u201d[22]\n\nThe above are just some examples of interference that occurred when agents and prosecutors investigated the Clinton Foundation. In order for Congress to conduct proper oversight of past DOJ and FBI conduct, please provide the following no later than December 29, 2025:\n\nProvide the report titled \u201cAnthony Weiner Laptop Review for Communications Pertinent to Midyear Exam\u201d dated November 15, 2016.\n\nProvide all records related to the search warrant affidavits for Anthony Weiner\u2019s laptop.\n\nProvide all records related to the \u201cyellow sheet of paper, at least 7 separate domains viewed on the device that were affiliated with the Clintons,\u201d which was provided to a NYFO ASAC by a NYFO SA Forensic Examiner.[23]\n\nProvide all records related to the decision to withdraw the third 2020 search warrant for the Weiner laptop including copies of all documents attached to the FBI EC titled \u201cWithdrawn Search Warrant \u2013 Western Digital Hard Disk Drive, MODEL WD2003FZEX, S/N WMC6N0D5ZNA9.\u201d[24]\n\nProvide the document titled \u201cInvestigative History, Status, and Recommendations Concerning the Clinton Foundation.\u201d\n\nProvide all emails related to the Clinton Foundation investigation and Anthony Weiner laptop to, from, or cc\u2019ing Cody Hiland, Jonathan Ross, John Huber, Andrew McCabe, Diane Upchurch, Randy Coleman, Ray Hulser, and Anna Lou Tirol.\n\nProvide all records requested in the July 5, 2018, email titled \u201cRequest for information related to DOJ OIG report issued June 11, 2018.\u201d\n\nProvide all emails and records in Exhibit 1, as well as records produced in conjunction with this letter, in unredacted form.\n\nThank you for your prompt review and response. If you have any questions, please contact Tucker Akin of my Committee staff at (202) 224-5225.\n\nSincerely,\n\nCharles E. Grassley\n\nChairman\n\nCommittee on the Judiciary", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-on-death-of-iowa-national-guardsmen", "Grassley Statement on Death of Iowa National Guardsmen", "2025-12-13", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA \u2013 U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) issued a statement on the death of two members of the Iowa National Guard who were killed by an ISIS terrorist in Syria. Three additional Iowans were injured in the attack.\n\n\u201cBarbara and I are heartbroken by the loss of two brave Iowans on a counter-terrorism mission in Syria. These soldiers and the civilian interpreter who was with them paid the ultimate sacrifice, and we are forever indebted to them for their service to our country. My prayers are with their families, loved ones, fellow soldiers and Iowans as we mourn this terrible tragedy. We also pray for the full recovery of the three Iowans who suffered injuries.\u201d\n\nToday is the 389th birthday of the United States National Guard, founded on December 13, 1636, as a colonial militia to protect early settlers.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-colleagues-urge-usda-to-prioritize-hpai-poultry-vaccine-strategy", "Grassley, Colleagues Urge USDA to Prioritize HPAI Poultry Vaccine Strategy", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a lifelong family farmer and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, joined Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ranking Member of the committee, Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and 20 of their Senate colleagues in a letter urging Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins to move forward with the USDA\u2019s avian flu vaccine strategy for poultry while encouraging a comprehensive, science-based approach.\n\n\u201cWe are writing to encourage the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue prioritizing an avian flu vaccine strategy that takes into account a comprehensive, science-based approach for the potential vaccination of poultry and livestock that have been impacted by this disease,\u201d the senators wrote. \u201cAvian flu infections have already begun to increase as winter approaches, and it is essential that USDA take renewed action to address and fight this virus.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe USDA recently noted that a draft proposal of an avian flu vaccine strategy for poultry was currently under review, and we strongly urge the Department to advance this review process with speed and diligence, while allowing for proactive consultation with affected stakeholders,\u201d the senators continued. \u201cAny finalized vaccine strategy must take into account feedback from animal health stakeholders, industry experts, and be grounded in sound science. It must also be comprehensive in scope, addressing all impacted species, including turkeys and egg-laying hens. Once a vaccine is developed and USDA has confirmed its safety and efficacy, a vaccine strategy for dairy cattle should also be prioritized.\u201d\n\nThe National Turkey Federation, the United Egg Producers and the National Milk Producers Federation. endorsed the senators\u2019 call for an HPAI poultry vaccine strategy.\n\n\u201cAmerica's egg farmers genuinely appreciate the bipartisan Senate cooperation in support of farmers' fight against HPAI. Like everyone, we value food affordability, and we believe that a successful trade strategy that leads to a viable vaccine strategy is the right long-term solution. Consumers love eggs and we all benefit from the stability of a market where outbreaks of HPAI can be contained,\u201d United Egg Producers President and CEO Chad Gregory said.\n\n\u201cNational Turkey Foundation (NTF) supports USDA developing a vaccination strategy as one component of a broader approach to HPAI and we believe that plan should be shaped through meaningful stakeholder input and accompanied by active engagement with trading partners to modernize international standards and ensure trade continuity. We look forward to continuing our work with USDA, members of Congress and industry partners to strengthen animal health, ensure food affordability and maintain access to key export markets,\u201d National Turkey Federation President and CEO Leslee Oden said.\n\n\u201cInvesting in vaccine development and strategic deployment will be a critical piece of controlling and eradicating this disease from dairies across the country.. Until that day, we remain diligent in our work with our partners on Capitol Hill, at USDA and in the private sector to mitigate H5N1\u2019s negative effects on dairy producers and consumers,\u201d National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Chief Science Officer Dr. Jamie Jonker said. Jonker leads NMPF\u2019s efforts to coordinate the dairy industry\u2019s response to bird flu.\n\nAlong with Grassley, Klobuchar and Rounds, the letter was signed by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Fetterman (D-Penn.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio).\n\nRead the full letter HERE and below.\n\nDecember 11, 2025\n\nThe Honorable Brooke Rollins\n\nSecretary\n\nU.S. Department of Agriculture\n\n1400 Independence Ave., S.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20250\n\nDear Secretary Rollins,\n\nWe are writing to encourage the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue prioritizing an avian flu vaccine strategy that takes into account a comprehensive, science-based approach for the potential vaccination of poultry and livestock that have been impacted by this disease. We have appreciated your commitment to addressing avian flu thus far in your tenure as Secretary, including the release of the Department\u2019s February 26, 2025, \u201cFive-Pronged Approach to Address Avian Flu\u201d.\n\nSince the beginning of this outbreak in 2022, avian flu has impacted more than 184.03 million birds in 1,905 flocks, including more than 21.1 million turkeys and 141.1 million layers, and 1,083 dairy herds across the country. Avian flu infections have already begun to increase as winter approaches, and it is essential that USDA take renewed action to address and fight this virus.\n\nThe USDA recently noted that a draft proposal of an avian flu vaccine strategy for poultry was currently under review, and we strongly urge the Department to advance this review process with speed and diligence, while allowing for proactive consultation with affected stakeholders. Any finalized vaccine strategy must take into account feedback from animal health stakeholders, industry experts, and be grounded in sound science. It must also be comprehensive in scope, addressing all impacted species, including turkeys and egg-laying hens. Once a vaccine is developed and USDA has confirmed its safety and efficacy, a vaccine strategy for dairy cattle should also be prioritized. We encourage the Department to work closely with trading partners and impacted producers to fully assess and manage any potential trade implications. Finally, as the USDA rolls out any avian flu vaccine strategy, it is critical that clear and transparent communication to producers, veterinarians, and state animal health officials, along with direct guidance and resources, are in place.\n\nWe value USDA\u2019s continued action to curb the spread of avian flu. Producers, veterinarians, and the American public depend on timely, science-based action to safeguard animal health and protect our nation\u2019s food security. As we prepare and respond to the resurgence of this virus, a thoughtful and comprehensive vaccine strategy will strengthen our ability to fight and mitigate avian flu.\n\nThank you for your continued attention to this urgent matter.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-shoppers-beware-of-online-scrooges", "Q&A: Shoppers Beware of Online Scrooges", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Q: How concerned should holiday shoppers be about counterfeit products?\n\nA: Unfortunately, the season of giving is prime time for rip-off artists to worm their way into the wallets of American shoppers during the holidays. As co-chair of the Congressional Trademark Caucus, I lead an annual dialogue in December to raise public awareness about counterfeit products to help educate consumers, particularly during the holiday shopping season. Families work hard for their money and when buying presents for friends and loved ones, you don\u2019t want to end up gifting them with imposter products and getting ripped off with fake knock-offs. What\u2019s worse, some of these fake products pose potential health hazards because they\u2019re not in compliance with safety standards, storage requirements or quality controls.\n\nWith nearly one-third of holiday spending captured by online shopping, it\u2019s even more important for shoppers to be extra savvy. Whether you\u2019re splurging or bargain hunting, every hard-earned dollar spent on toys, clothing, electronics, perfume, cosmetics or jewelry ought to be spent on authentic products. Avoid getting duped by illicit goods. Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, co-chair of the bipartisan trademark caucus, and I use our policy platform to put fraudsters on notice. This year, we were again joined by the International Trademark Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce\u2019s Global Innovation Policy Center to help spread the word and arm consumers with helpful tips. Make no mistake, fake goods rip off customers and harm the bottom lines of law-abiding brands and entrepreneurs. Sales of counterfeit products also have a ripple effect on Main Street, making it harder for businesses to grow and create jobs.\n\nIn the previous Congress, I cosponsored bipartisan legislation called the INFORM Consumers Act that went into effect in 2023. The transparency law gives consumers better tools to identify third-party online sellers and deter criminals from re-selling stolen or counterfeit items via online marketplaces. I\u2019ve also introduced bipartisan, bicameral anti-counterfeiting legislation to hold fraudsters accountable and strengthen protections for consumers. It would authorize U.S. Customs and Border Protection to share suspected counterfeit packing and shipping information with key intellectual property rights holders, e-commerce platforms and transportation carriers. Adding more federal law enforcement tools will help the private sector root out bad actors.\n\nQ: What tips should shoppers keep in mind before making a purchase?\n\nA: Shoppers need to be wary and use common sense when making a purchase. Trust your gut instinct. If the price sounds too good to be true for a luxury item or branded product, it likely is. Remember, purchasing counterfeit merchandise inflicts economic harm along the supply chain and illicit goods put end users at risk for unsafe products. Don\u2019t allow the convenience of online shopping and having products delivered straight to your doorstep cloud your judgment. Counterfeits benefit transnational criminals and infringe on the intellectual property rights of law-abiding producers. Rooting out bogus goods merits your attention for every online purchase. Billions of dollars of counterfeit sales rip off consumers every year, especially during the holiday season.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-votes-to-lower-health-care-costs-for-iowans", "Grassley Votes to Lower Health Care Costs for Iowans", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, voted for the Health Care Freedom for Patients Act to lower health care costs for Iowans. Democrats blocked the measure, which required 60 votes to advance, by a vote of 51-48.\n\n\u201cToday, Republicans put forward a health care plan that provides real relief to a broken system, and I was glad to vote for that legislation. Our bill would have built on the success of the Working Families Tax Cuts by sending money directly to patients so they can control their own health care. In Washington, I\u2019m going to continue leading the fight to lower health care costs through prescription drug middlemen reform, transparency and competition,\u201d Grassley said.\n\n\u201cRather than address the true failures of Obamacare, Democrats want to extend Biden COVID Bonuses for households making $600,000 and insurance companies. By sending billions in taxpayer dollars straight to these companies, Democrats tried to obscure the rising cost of a broken health care system they built. Even worse, they deliberately set up these COVID bonuses to expire, creating an artificial crisis of their own making. My oversight has shown this program is full of fraud and waste, and extending it without any meaningful reform is unacceptable,\u201d Grassley continued.\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Health Care Freedom for Patients Act expands Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility by allowing accounts to be paired with more affordable health insurance plans. These pre-funded, patient-driven accounts will help Americans pay for the out-of-pocket costs that are making health care unaffordable. The bill directly lowers premiums by 11% in 2027 and beyond by providing cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments. It also bars taxpayer funding for abortion or transgender services.\n\nGrassley is a leading voice in Washington to find policy solutions that will make health care services more accessible and affordable. In April, Grassley led the Senate Judiciary Committee in approving six bipartisan bills to boost competition in the pharmaceutical industry and improve access to more affordable prescription drugs.\n\nLower- and middle-income earners will still be eligible for Federal Health Insurance Marketplace subsidies in 2026 because subsidies for households making under 400% of the federal poverty limit are in permanent law. In 2021, Democrats temporarily lifted the income cap for those making over 400% of the federal poverty limit, meaning families making $600,000 per year could qualify for Biden COVID bonuses. These Biden COVID bonuses are set to expire at the end of 2025, returning insurance subsidies to pre-pandemic levels.\n\nSeveral provisions from the Senate Finance Committee\u2019s Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) Price Transparency and Accountability Act were lifted from Grassley\u2019s Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act, which he led through the Finance Committee as chairman in 2019.\n\nIn July, Grassley voted for the Working Family Tax Cuts law, which included a $50 billion rural health transformation fund to ensure hospitals, nursing homes, community health clinics and other rural providers can continue serving their communities and improve care.\n\nEarlier this week, Grassley spoke on the Senate floor about fraud, waste and abuse in Obamacare, and the need for real reforms.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/judiciary-committee-advances-four-us-attorneys-and-three-judicial-nominations", "Judiciary Committee Advances Four U.S. Attorneys and Three Judicial Nominations", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the following nominations:\n\nDavid Clay Fowlkes, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas, by a vote of 15-7;\n\nNicholas Jon Ganjei, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, by a vote of 12-10;\n\nAaron Christian Peterson, to be United States District Judge for the District of Alaska, by a vote of 14-8;\n\nAndrew Benson, to be United States Attorney for the District of Maine, by a vote of 19-3;\n\nWilliam Boyle, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, by a vote of 12-10;\n\nRichard Price, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, by a vote of 12-10; and\n\nDarin Smith, to be United States Attorney for the District of Wyoming, by a vote of 12-10.\n\nWatch the executive business meeting HERE. Read Chairman Chuck Grassley\u2019s (R-Iowa) opening statement at the executive business meeting HERE.\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-durbin-introduce-landmark-legislative-package-to-protect-kids-online", "Grassley, Durbin Introduce Landmark Legislative Package to Protect Kids Online", "2025-12-09", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) today are introducing three bipartisan bills to hold violent criminals accountable and combat the disturbing rise in online child exploitation. The Committee will also convene this morning for a hearing on child safety.\n\nThe Sentencing Accountability for Exploitation Act (SAFE Act), Ending Coercion of Children and Harm Online Act (ECCHO Act) and Stop Sextortion Act would each address concerning developments in online child abuse by revamping federal sentencing laws, targeting online criminal networks and cracking down on offenders who use child sex abuse material (CSAM) to extort and coerce children.\n\n\u201cChanges in technology have created new opportunities for criminals to harass, exploit, intimidate and harm American children. These horrific crimes \u2013 often committed by violent online groups who take advantage of our nation\u2019s outdated laws \u2013 have gone unchecked for far too long,\u201d Grassley said. \u201cCongress must stand up for American families and finally address the online rot that is hurting children nationwide. I\u2019m proud to introduce these bills to protect children from online abuse, hold dangerous criminals accountable and secure much needed justice for victims and their families.\u201d\n\n\u201cBecause of modern technology, child predators from anywhere in the world can target American kids online. As technology has evolved, so have online child exploiters. Today, offenders are engaging in sadistic online exploitation and coercing kids to take their own lives. Big Tech continues to fail our most vulnerable because they refuse to incorporate safety-by-design measures into their platforms or make meaningful efforts to detect the increasingly violent and depraved sexual exploitation of children on their services. I\u2019m proud to join Senator Grassley in introducing three bills aimed at curbing these horrific crimes online, in addition to continuing to work on advancing other critical reforms like my STOP CSAM Act. Congress has spent enough time investigating tech platforms\u2019 failures; it\u2019s now time that we deliver for the American people,\u201d Durbin said.\n\nThe Sentencing Accountability for Exploitation Act (SAFE Act):\n\nThe SAFE Act would repeal outdated sentencing laws and require the U.S. Sentencing Commission to develop a new CSAM sentencing guideline that accounts for modern indicators of especially dangerous conduct. Some of these indicators \u2013 or aggravating factors \u2013 include: (1) if the offender participated in an online group dedicated to CSAM, (2) the length of time an offender was involved in CSAM, (3) the offenders\u2019 use of software or technology to conceal their identity, (4) the offenders\u2019 use of multiple platforms to engage in CSAM and (5) the number of victims.\n\nThe current CSAM sentencing guideline doesn\u2019t consider modern aggravating factors, allowing some of the most nefarious child abusers to skate by with lesser sentences. However, because much of the current guideline was created through decades-old legislation, the Sentencing Commission is prohibited from updating the guideline without congressional action.\n\nRead bill text HERE.\n\nThe Ending Coercion of Children and Harm Online Act (ECCHO Act):\n\nThe ECCHO Act would create a new crime that prohibits individuals from coercing children into physically harming themselves, others or animals. The bill creates a penalty of up to life in prison if the offense involves the actual or attempted suicide by the victim or the death of another person, as well as a 30-year maximum penalty for harmful conduct that does not involve a death.\n\nThe U.S. has seen a recent and disturbing rise in online criminal networks \u2013 like Network 764 \u2013 that use synchronized group chats to coerce emotionally vulnerable children into engaging in abusive and degrading conduct. This conduct may include self-mutilation, online or in-person sexual acts, animal cruelty, acts of random violence, suicide and murder. Existing laws do not adequately address this extreme behavior, as there is no law that explicitly prohibits the coercion of children to hurt themselves or others.\n\nRead bill text HERE.\n\nThe Stop Sextortion Act:\n\nThe Stop Sextortion Act would target offenders that threaten to distribute CSAM to intimidate, extort or coerce children. The bill would increase the maximum penalty for these types of offenses from five to 10 years.\n\nIn recent years, the U.S. has seen a significant increase in offenders who threaten to distribute CSAM to extort and coerce children \u2013 through both financially-motivated sextortion (FMS) and sadistic online exploitation (SOE). In the case of FMS, criminals trick children into sharing sexually explicit images and threaten to release those images if the victim doesn\u2019t pay a ransom. Criminals who engage in SOE also trick children into sharing CSAM but threaten to release the images to compel victims to hurt themselves or others.\n\nAccording to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), in 2024 the number of reports concerning FMS increased by over 33%, and the number of reports concerning SOE increased by more than 200%. As of May 2025, FMS schemes have driven 40 American children to take their own lives.\n\nRead bill text HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-outlines-alarming-obamacare-fraud-unveils-bill-requiring-improved-fraud-risk-assessments", "Grassley Outlines Alarming Obamacare Fraud, Unveils Bill Requiring Improved Fraud Risk Assessments", "2025-12-09", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is shining a light on widespread abuse in the Obamacare program and proposing legislation to stop fraud in its tracks. Grassley\u2019s Fraud Risk Assessment of Obamacare Subsidies Accountability Act would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS) to improve its fraud risk assessment of Obamacare and issue annual updates to Congress and the Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General.\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found HERE and a one-page summary can be found HERE.\n\nVideo and a transcript of Grassley\u2019s floor remarks follow.\n\nVIDEO\n\nWhen the Affordable Care Act became law, President Obama promised affordable health care. So, contrary to Obama\u2019s promises, in reality, Obamacare has spiked health insurance premiums and led to higher costs.\n\nInstead of fixing Obamacare and lowering costs, Democrats established a new, temporary COVID subsidy for wealthy households. Temporary. That temporary ends December 31. Democrats want to extend it way beyond that. Another example of a temporary program never being very temporary.\n\nSo, this temporary subsidy has driven more taxpayer dollars into broken systems where premiums keep going up and more money is shoved to insurance companies. Now remember the promises of 2010, Obamacare\u2019s passage that year. It was promised to bring down health care costs by $2,500 and we see now, 15 years later, it\u2019s up at least $5,000. So you can see the promise of 2010 by President Obama was off by $7,500.\n\nSo, I want to explain how we got here, discuss my concerns about fraud, waste and abuse in Obamacare; and provide some commonsense solutions to bring down health care costs.\n\nWhen Obamacare became law, it established taxpayer-funded subsidies through the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace to reduce a household\u2019s monthly insurance premiums. However, these subsidies go directly to insurance companies, not to the consumer.\n\nIn the United States today, the median household income is $84,000 a year. Permanent law gives Obamacare premium subsidies to a family of three making up to four times the federal poverty line, which is about $106,000 a year.\n\nThat means someone making $20,000 more than the median household income is eligible for a subsidy under permanent law.\n\nI assume the Obamacare authors probably figured households making much more than the median household income made enough money to buy insurance without taxpayers subsidizing it.\n\nNothing in this debate takes away middle-income households\u2019 subsidies. A family making up to $106,000 is at 400% of the poverty line. Let me make it very clear. Those families are eligible for a subsidy today, next year, the year after and so on until the law is changed, and I don\u2019t expect it\u2019ll be changed.\n\nNow, in 2021, things changed. [It was] supposed to be temporary, as I pointed out. Temporary laws in this country soon become permanent. In 2021, the Democrats passed their partisan reconciliation law that temporarily lifted the income cap on Obamacare subsidies. Now, that was supposed to temporary.\n\nThe cap, which was at four times the poverty line, was removed temporarily in the name of COVID. In other words, the country was facing a very dramatic health issue, and the federal government shut down the economy.\n\nTwenty-two million people were unemployed, and we didn\u2019t really know what it was all about. Now, we learned a lot of lessons from that, and those lessons would not be repeated, hopefully. But this temporary program was set up in this time of great distress about what the future held.\n\nNow, as a result of this temporary program because of Obamacare and COVID, wealthy households making $600,000, which is well above the median household income, are eligible for the temporary taxpayer-funded Obamacare subsidies. Or better known as COVID bonuses.\n\nThe expansion of Obamacare subsidies for wealthy earners has cost billions, and the Congressional Budget Office\u2019s (CBO) projections for its costs keep going up.\n\nSo, in 2021, anticipating some of these problems, I wrote a letter to then-Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary and also the IRS Commissioner.\n\nIn that letter, I expressed concern about the lack of fiscal responsibility in the Obamacare subsidy expansion and how that expansion would lead to more waste, fraud and abuse.\n\nAt the time, the HHS Secretary responded, saying, \u201cHHS and the IRS take program integrity seriously.\u201d\n\nThe HHS Secretary outlined all the ways that the agency was preventing fraud, waste and abuse. I can only conclude that the Biden administration\u2019s response was just empty rhetoric.\n\nSince my letter to the HHS Secretary, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found ongoing fraud risks in these Obamacare subsidies.\n\nIn the last two years, GAO successfully enrolled 96 percent of its fictitious applicants in Obamacare. I really mean fictitious people. This was a test by GAO to see how easy it was to fraud. Now when they started out, they didn\u2019t know that that might be the result. But I\u2019m going to tell you that that is the result.\n\nFor example, the GAO succeeded in enrolling these fake people despite rules requiring documentation to confirm citizenship status and income.\n\nThe GAO also found that HHS had let Social Security Numbers be misused by allowing the same number to be used more than once.\n\nThe agency also failed to match enrollment data with Social Security\u2019s death data and chose not to reconcile the tax credit overpayments with IRS tax data.\n\nFraud, waste and abuse doesn\u2019t stop with those examples. This summer, the Trump administration found 1.6 million people were dually enrolled in 2024 in Medicaid and Obamacare, leading to billions of waste. Now, understand, 1.6 million people having two sources of health care. And then at the same time, we keep telling the public how many people in this country, the millions that don\u2019t have any insurance at all, and here we had 1.6 million people that were enrolled in two health care systems.\n\nMy own oversight has shown how:\n\nBillions in Obamacare subsidy overpayments were not collected and, can you believe this, rules let billions go uncollected.\n\nThe COVID bonuses created incentives to misestimate income to qualify for larger Obamacare subsidies, leading to billions of waste. Yes, higher income people reporting lower income than they actually had, just to get a government subsidy.\n\nAnd lastly, insurance agents are using targeted internet ads to fraudulently enroll consumers with false income verification extension requests.\n\nExtending the COVID bonus permanently increases the deficit by $350 billion and lets billions more go to fraud, waste and abuse.\n\nCBO has found that 3.9 million Americans would lose their employer-sponsored health insurance if we make these subsidies for wealthy earners permanent.\n\nIn other words, because of a government program that was supposed to be temporary, and if it\u2019s continued, employers are smart enough to stop their health insurance program and turn it over to the government. And the government subsidy that goes with it.\n\nMy colleagues on the other side of the aisle will suggest that they\u2019re only asking for another \u201ctemporary\u201d extension of the COVID bonuses for wealthy households. Yet their bill will cost taxpayers nearly $300 billion, and there are no reforms to stop the fraud, waste and abuse.\n\nNow, despite warnings from GAO, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) last issued a comprehensive fraud risk assessment of Obamacare subsidies in 2018. Now, the law doesn\u2019t require that report every year, but the GAO said it ought to be issued every year.\n\nAnd so, by not issuing that on a regular basis, [with] the agency failing to update its fraud risk assessment plan, [it] doesn\u2019t surprise me that we have a lot of fraud. My oversight in 2013 found the Obama administration at the time tried to exempt Obamacare from certain federal anti-trust [fraud] provisions. Yes, the administration, at that time, wanted anti-fraud provisions to be ignored. So, any wonder why you have an environment for fraud.\n\nThe full arsenal of civil and criminal anti-fraud protections must be used.\n\nI\u2019ve introduced the Fraud Risk Assessment of Obamacare Subsidies Accountability Act. My bill simply requires the agency to update its fraud risk assessment of Obamacare and update it yearly.\n\nI\u2019m glad the agency is already working to update its fraud risk assessment, but we must hold the agency accountable to complete this.\n\nI\u2019m glad the Republican-led Congress and the Trump administration have begun cracking down on Obamacare fraud, waste and abuse, thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that the president signed on July 4th.\n\nThe new law stops resources from going to illegal immigrants and those not here permanently, establishes improved pre-enrollment verification and requires excess subsidies to be repaid.\n\nIt\u2019s a start, but more work needs to be done.\n\nWe can lower health care costs and increase quality. It starts with expanding access and competition to high-quality, affordable health insurance through health savings accounts, association health plans and other consumer-driven health plans.\n\nLowering health care costs requires action to reduce prescription drug prices through pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) and reforming that program.\n\nI\u2019ve been leading the charge to hold PBMs accountable and put sunshine on their opaque business practices.\n\nWe also need price transparency. I\u2019m a cosponsor of a bill that\u2019s entitled Patients Deserve Price Tags Act and supported the Trump administration\u2019s efforts to establish price transparency on hospitals and health insurance companies through regulations.\n\nJust like all of my colleagues on this side of the aisle, I\u2019m committed to finding solutions to bring down health care costs for American families and not extending government handouts to insurance companies.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/judiciary-witnesses-urge-congress-to-immediately-address-online-child-extortion", "Judiciary Witnesses Urge Congress to Immediately Address Online Child Extortion", "2025-12-09", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today chaired a hearing to examine emerging online threats against children and proposed legislative solutions. Grassley and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced three bipartisan bills to update federal sentencing guidelines, target violent online criminal networks and crack down on sextortion threats.\n\nIn response to Grassley\u2019s questions, witnesses highlighted an urgent need to address online child extortion \u2013 specifically sextortion and violent online criminal groups like the \u201c764\u201d network. The witnesses discussed gaps in U.S. law that allow child predators to run rampant, with one witness testifying that \u201cthe imagery, the videos, the chats that we are seeing and reading are some of the most graphic that I have ever seen in my 20-year history.\u201d\n\nGrassley questioned the following witnesses:\n\nTamia Woods, mother of James Woods and co-founder of the Do It For James Foundation\n\nLauren Coffren, Executive Director of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children\n\nJessica Lieber Smolar, Esq., Former Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania\n\nVIDEO\n\nOn combating sextortion:\n\nGrassley: \u201cRecently, there have been several news reports on the increase in sextortion cases, and how quickly bad actors can manipulate children\u2026 many of those children think that suicide is the answer\u2026 From a parent\u2019s point of view, why is it important to make sextortion illegal under federal law?\u201d\n\nWoods: \u201cWe have to make sure that, not only do our children see that we have their back on these issues, but we have to make sure that they know there are resources and laws that back them up.\u201d\n\n\u201cPeople need to be held accountable on top of that. They need to know that they shouldn\u2019t be comfortable with doing the things that they\u2019re doing. Right now they\u2019re comfortable, and you see more and more people being victimized because of that.\u201d\n\nOn violent online groups like 764:\n\nGrassley: \u201cMs. Coffren, you\u2019ve been with the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children for over 20 years, having served in a variety of positions involving online child safety. Can you describe the recent trends involving these violent gore groups like 764 and how they operate and target children online?\u201d\n\nCoffren: \u201cSadistic online exploitation, violent online groups\u2026 most often they\u2019re motivated purely by chaos. Their goal is to be able to weaponize our nation\u2019s children to create terror\u2026 Children may be looking for solace, for comfort, for advice in online platforms and spaces where they can find a community. Unfortunately, these offenders are infiltrating and targeting those communities.\n\n\u201cThe imagery, the videos, the chats that we are seeing and reading are some of the most graphic that I have ever seen in my 20-year history. We are hearing from law enforcement out in the field who\u2019ve said that this is the most disturbing content as well. So, you\u2019re talking about seasoned professionals who are really meeting their match with the new and evolving types of exploitation that we\u2019re seeing.\u201d\n\nOn gaps in federal law:\n\nGrassley: \u201cMs. Smolar\u2026 can you share why we need federal legislation specifically to address these gore groups and other individuals who engage in sextortion? Please share your experience in working investigations involving these groups.\u201d\n\nSmolar: \u201cCongress has provided so many important tools to those of us in the field, like mandatory minimums for crimes like receipt and distribution of child pornography or production. [Prosecutors] need those tools in order to properly hold these types of defendants accountable. Right now, when [prosecutors] charge crimes like sextortion or 764 across the country, we all charge them differently\u2026 There\u2019s no consistency that allows [prosecutors] to properly address the specific harm that these actors are committing.\n\n\u201cIn addition, a lot of these actors are overseas. It would be extremely helpful for those of us who want to extradite people here to the United States, to hold them accountable, to have a felony statute that specifically speaks to this harm.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m familiar with a case where a defendant was in Germany. Germany had a coercion to harm statute, but [the United States] did not. [Germany] was able to charge that 764 offender there, but we could not charge him here. That shouldn\u2019t happen. We should be able to charge these offenders, hold them accountable and deter them from continuing to hurt our children.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-12-08-25", "Capitol Hill Report, 12-08-25", "2025-12-08", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Senator Grassley\u2019s weekly Capitol Hill Report is available HERE.\n\nTopics include: farmer aid package, tariffs, Venezuela boat strikes, student loans and birthright citizenship.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-judiciary-committee-plans-series-of-arctic-frost-hearings-for-2026", "Senate Judiciary Committee Plans Series of Arctic Frost Hearings for 2026", "2025-12-08", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is placing Arctic Frost at the top of the committee\u2019s oversight agenda in 2026. Under Grassley\u2019s leadership, the committee plans to hold a series of hearings examining the constitutional and legal implications of the weaponized election case against President Donald Trump, which began at the Biden Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and was expanded by Jack Smith to target hundreds of Republicans, including members of Congress. Grassley is conducting oversight of Arctic Frost in partnership with Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and this year has released thousands of pages of records exposing Arctic Frost\u2019s political origins.\n\n\u201cThanks to whistleblowers who sounded the alarm to me about Arctic Frost\u2019s existence, this shocking political scandal is seeing the light of day,\u201d Grassley said. \u201cArctic Frost was a runaway train that swept up information from hundreds of innocent people simply because of their political affiliation. Congress and the American people want answers, and sunshine is the best disinfectant. The Senate Judiciary Committee is leading this investigation to find out exactly what went wrong, so that bad actors can be held accountable and this sort of political witch hunt never happens again. Transparency brings accountability.\u201d\n\nSubcommittees plan to examine a range of issues related to Arctic Frost, including:\n\nHearings are expected in the following subcommittees:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-wicker-colleagues-introduce-medical-foods-and-formulas-access-act", "Grassley, Wicker, Colleagues Introduce Medical Foods and Formulas Access Act", "2025-12-05", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) introduced the Medical Foods and Formulas Access Act to help Americans with digestive or inherited metabolic disorders access the nourishment they need.\n\nThe legislation would require Medicare, Medicaid, the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program and the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program to cover specialized formulas, vitamins, individual amino acids and other medically necessary foods prescribed for patients with specific gastrointestinal and inherited metabolic disorders.?The legislation ensures state and federal protection for existing coverage.\n\n\u201cPatients with cystic fibrosis, Crohn\u2019s disease or other inherited disorders can get very sick without specialized foods. They may suffer problems like stunted growth or even death if their special nutritional needs aren\u2019t met. Our bipartisan legislation would ensure government insurance plans provide coverage for the nutrition they need to thrive. It makes clear that medical nutrition is just as critical for certain patients as prescription drugs or other medical treatment are for others,\u201d Grassley said.\n\n\u201cIt is crucial that Americans with digestive or inherited metabolic disorders have the nourishment they need. When medical food and formula is necessary, time is of the essence. Metabolic disorders are treatable with the right resources. This legislation would ensure medically necessary nutrition is covered by government health programs,\u201d Wicker said.\n\nAdditional cosponsors include Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. John Rutherford (R-Fla.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Jim McGovern (D-Mass).\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nMedically necessary nutrition must be specially formulated and processed, as opposed to naturally occurring food. The legislation provides coverage for patients receiving active and ongoing medical supervision. Nearly 40 states require coverage of medically necessary nutrition, but that coverage varies by state.\n\nAround 2,000 infants are diagnosed with an inherited metabolic disorder every year. When these conditions are left untreated, food can become toxic, or necessary nutrients aren\u2019t properly absorbed. Pediatric risks of these diseases include inadequate growth, abnormal development, cognitive impairment and behavioral disorders.\n\nThese patients require medically necessary nutrition prescribed by a health care provider to treat their conditions, including highly specialized formula. Many conditions can\u2019t be managed solely by avoiding certain foods.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-afghan-evacuees", "Q&A: Afghan Evacuees", "2025-12-05", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Q: What prompted your oversight of Afghan evacuees paroled into the United States since 2021?\n\nA: Following the disastrous withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, 13 American families will mourn forever the loss of their loved one when a suicide bomber attacked the airport in Kabul on Aug. 26, 2021, killing 13 U.S. service members, including a 23-year-old Marine who grew up in Red Oak, Iowa. The tragic aftermath didn\u2019t end on the day of the bombing. The emergency evacuation was a calamitous result of the Biden administration\u2019s poorly planned departure after the Taliban seized control of the country. The ensuing airlift out of Kabul is reminiscent of the 1975 airlift out of Saigon during the fall of South Vietnam. Scenes from the chaotic evacuation seemed surreal as throngs of people sprinted across the tarmac trying to climb onto the departing military plane. In the span of 16 days, the U.S. evacuated American citizens and tens of thousands of Afghan nationals. The Biden administration launched a program called Operation Allies Welcome to relocate Afghans who had worked alongside U.S. forces or faced threats from the Taliban and were eligible to apply for U.S. Special Immigrant Visas (SIV). The Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 expanded the SIV program to protect Afghan citizens who were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government and included eligibility requirements for those who provided faithful and valuable service to the U.S. government.\n\nAs part of my congressional oversight responsibilities, I work to ensure the executive branch faithfully executes the laws, as Congress intended. My oversight exposed a glaring problem with the Biden administration\u2019s implementation of this program; it dropped the ball on proper precautions to rigorously screen every Afghan national cleared to resettle into the United States. The #1 job of the federal government is protecting the American people. That includes ensuring Afghan evacuees welcomed into the United States do not pose a national security risk. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve pressed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for answers on the botched vetting process to ensure people are properly screened and evacuees who shouldn\u2019t have gotten into our country are removed.\n\nQ: What lessons have been learned by your oversight of Operation Allies Welcome?\n\nA: From rooting out wasteful spending or holding federal agencies accountable, I\u2019ve learned that oversight matters. For example, I\u2019ve sounded the alarm for more than four years about the urgent need to thoroughly vet Afghan evacuee applicants. In 2022, I asked then-FBI Director Chris Wray during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about the program\u2019s national security concerns and whether the FBI knew where Afghans posing potential security concerns were located inside the United States. This year, I asked a similar concern to FBI Director Kash Patel. Also this year, the Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told my office an important data point: of the more than 100,000 Afghan evacuees \u2013 as of August 2022 \u2013 1.6% had links to terrorism or other derogatory information. That means more than 1,600 people at that time posed a potential threat to our homeland. This summer, I called upon the Trump administration to aggressively investigate those evacuees and to shed light on the previous administration\u2019s failure to vet them. Transparency brings accountability. The Biden administration was not honest with the American people about the program\u2019s vetting vulnerabilities. Both DHS and DOJ watchdogs released reports confirming my oversight concerns and highlighted the vetting failures.\n\nTragically, an American family is in mourning for the recent killing of a U.S. service member near the White House while another family prays for the recovery of their loved one. An Afghan national who was welcomed into America under President Biden\u2019s watch is accused of shooting these two members of the West Virginia National Guard. In the same week the two National Guardsmen were shot, an Afghan evacuee was arrested for threatening to bomb a building in Texas. The failure to thoroughly vet Afghan evacuees puts Americans in harm\u2019s way and poses serious consequences yet unknown. I\u2019m glad the Trump administration is responding to my oversight requests and for its efforts to fix the failures of the Biden administration\u2019s resettlement of Afghan evacuees. My oversight will continue.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/key-grassley-provisions-included-in-new-bipartisan-legislation-to-lower-prescription-drug-costs-and-make-health-care-more-affordable", "Key Grassley Provisions Included in New Bipartisan Legislation to Lower Prescription Drug Costs and Make Health Care More Affordable", "2025-12-04", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is cosponsoring legislation alongside Finance Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and 18 senators to improve accountability and oversight of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and bring down the price of prescription drugs for Americans. Grassley is an original cosponsor of the legislation, called the PBM Price Transparency and Accountability Act.\n\n\u201cIowans at my 99 county meetings are fed up with the high cost of prescription drugs, and for good reason. PBMs are driving local pharmacies in Iowa out of business and making it harder for Iowans to access the medications they need. That\u2019s why I\u2019m introducing legislation with my colleagues to put patients over pharmacy benefit managers by shining a light on the complex and opaque tactics these middlemen use. This landmark bill builds on the bipartisan legislation I spearheaded during my time as Finance Chairman, and includes several proposals I helped craft,\u201d Grassley said.\n\nThe Grassley\u2013led provisions included in the bill would:\n\nIncrease PBM reporting requirements to Medicare Part D plan sponsors and the Department of Health and Human Services;\n\nRequire retail community pharmacies and certain other pharmacies to participate in the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey; and\n\nBan PBM spread pricing in the Medicaid program.\n\nSeveral of the above were lifted from the Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act, which Grassley led through the Finance Committee as chairman in 2019, and were included in 118th Congress Finance Committee mark-up. The Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act was an initiative to save seniors and Americans with disabilities $95 billion in out-of-pocket costs in Medicare Part D and reduce premiums by $1 billion.\n\nAs then-chairman of Senate Finance Committee in 2003, Grassley was instrumental in creating Medicare Part D, which was the first outpatient prescription drug benefit for seniors.\n\nYou can view the full text of the bill HERE.\n\nAdditional cosponsors include Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).\n\nBackground:\n\nGrassley has long championed efforts to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. In recent years, three pieces of legislation authored and coauthored by Grassley have been signed into law saving taxpayers billions to combat anticompetitive practices and stop drug makers from reaping profits at the expense of taxpayers and consumers.\n\nOther actions include:\n\nMay 2025: Grassley chaired a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on PBMs where witnesses endorsed Grassley\u2019s PBM transparency push.\n\nApril 2025: The Senate Judiciary Committee approved six bipartisan Grassley-backed bills to boost competition in the pharmaceutical industry and improve access to more affordable prescription drugs.\n\nFebruary 2025: Grassley reintroduced two bills to lower prescription drug costs and drive accountability, the Prescription Pricing for the People Act and the PBM Transparency Act.\n\nJanuary 2025: Grassley welcomed the Federal Trade Commission\u2019s (FTC) second interim staff report on PBMs and urged congressional and executive branch action.\n\nJuly 2024: Grassley welcomed FTC\u2019s interim staff report on PBMs.\n\nJanuary 2024: Grassley sent a letter urging the FTC to complete its investigation into the health care industry\u2019s most powerful prescription drug middlemen.\n\nNovember 2023: The Finance Committee adopted a Grassley-led provision to strengthen oversight of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and hold PBMs accountable.\n\nJuly 2023: The Finance Committee adopted several Grassley-led PBM accountability provisions.\n\nMarch 2023: The Senate Commerce Committee passed a Grassley-backed bill to hold PBMs accountable for unfair practices driving up costs for consumers.\n\nOctober 2022: Grassley led a bipartisan letter urging the FTC to complete its investigation into PBMs to shine light on drug pricing practices.\n\nJune 2022: Following Grassley requests, FTC opens probe of prescription drug middlemen.\n\nJanuary 2021: Grassley and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) released a two-year bipartisan investigation into insulin price gouging.\n\nDecember 2019: Grassley and Wyden released the updated Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act to lower out-of-pocket costs.\n\nAugust 2018: Grassley requested the FTC assess pharmaceutical supply chain intermediaries.\n\nLearn more about Grassley\u2019s persistent efforts to lower prescription drug costs HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-bipartisan-colleagues-reintroduce-inspector-general-access-act", "Grassley, Bipartisan Colleagues Reintroduce Inspector General Access Act", "2025-12-03", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) reintroduced the bipartisan Inspector General Access Act to allow the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) to investigate alleged DOJ attorney misconduct.\n\n\u201cFederal prosecutors have significant authority to enforce our laws. In cases where they abuse that authority, independent watchdogs should be the ones to investigate \u2013 not fellow Justice Department attorneys. This is a cut-and-dry matter of accountability and public trust,\u201d Grassley said.\n\n\u201cThe American people deserve top-notch attorneys representing them at the Justice Department, and Justice Department prosecutors should be subject to independent oversight regardless of the Attorney General. Allegations of professional misconduct should be investigated by the Inspector General, or else we could end up with another instance like the Jeffrey Epstein sweetheart deal struck by then-U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta. This is a simple, bipartisan fix for a clear loophole in federal law, and I thank Senator Lee for joining me in this effort,\u201d Durbin said.\n\n\u201cThe current IG oversight exemption for attorneys is a nonsensical carve out. Our simple bill changes that, ensuring DOJ attorneys are held to the same standard as other federal agencies. I'm proud to partner again with Senator Durbin on this common-sense bipartisan effort,\u201d Lee said.\n\nAs a founding member of the bipartisan Senate Inspector General Caucus, Grassley has supported the Inspector General Access Act since it was first introduced in 2015.\n\nSens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) cosponsor the bill.\n\nRead bill text HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-12-01-25", "Capitol Hill Report, 12-01-25", "2025-12-01", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Senator Grassley\u2019s weekly Capitol Hill Report is available HERE.\n\nTopics include: the D.C. National Guard shooting, Arctic Frost, Pharmacy Benefit Managers, the National Defense Authorization Act and staff traveling office hours.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report11-25-25", "Capitol Hill Report,11-25-25", "2025-11-25", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Senator Grassley\u2019s Capitol Hill Report is available HERE.\n\nTopics include: Thanksgiving, federal judge\u2019s dismissal of indictments against Letitia James and James Comey, the Senate\u2019s focus since the government shutdown, confirming nominations, passing the remaining spending bills and rolling back Biden administration rules through the Congressional Review Act, Grassley\u2019s longtime call for transparency in the Epstein case, Senate Democrats\u2019 calls for military service members to disobey so-called \u201cunlawful\u201d orders and efforts to lower grocery prices.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-rural-health-matters", "Q&A: Rural Health Matters", "2025-11-25", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Q: What is the Rural Health Transformation program?\n\nA: Congress beefed up federal dollars to expand access to health care services in rural communities in the health and tax law signed in July by President Trump. The Rural Health Transformation program was designed to improve access to care, improve health outcomes, prioritize new and emergency technologies, strengthen local and regional partnerships, enhance economic opportunity, prioritize data and technology driven solutions and outline strategies to manage long-term financial solvency and operating models of rural hospitals. I led efforts in the U.S. Senate to support this initiative and add $50 billion in new federal spending to boost resources for Americans in underserved areas by keeping critical health care services available close to home.\n\nThe Rural Health Transformation program will make $10 billion available annually for five years. The law specifies 50% of the $10 billion must be distributed equally among states, so every state will get a minimum of $100 million annually for the five years. The other 50% will be distributed based on state applications reviewed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).\n\nThis month, I joined Iowa\u2019s federal delegation to support Iowa\u2019s application \u2013 called \u201cHealthy Hometowns\u201d \u2013 that seeks $1 billion in funding from the Rural Health Transformation program over the next five years. CMS, the federal agency administering the program, is expected to announce awards by Dec. 31.\n\nIowa\u2019s proposal outlines six specific initiatives to enhance the health care infrastructure and improve health care outcomes, including investments in telehealth, medical equipment and care for uninsured Iowans; recruiting and retaining top-tier health care professionals; increasing access to cancer screening and treatment; coordinating multidisciplinary care teams to stretch resources and support community care professionals; providing seamless access to health records across the state to support continuity of care; and bringing emergency care to rural residents with mobile health and high-risk transport support teams.\n\nQ: What other initiatives are you leading to address disparities in rural health care?\n\nA: This month, I completed my annual 99 county meetings for the 45th year in a row. Health care ranks among the top issues that come up at my meetings, no matter if I\u2019m touring a factory, visiting a school or holding an open town meeting. I also regularly meet with Iowans who come to Washington to discuss health care to inform my work at the policymaking table. Throughout my years serving Iowans in the Senate, I\u2019ve cut my teeth on health care policy as the former chairman and current member of the Senate Finance Committee, which has oversight and legislative jurisdiction over federal health care programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. As you would expect, I\u2019ve leveraged my seniority to go to the mat for Iowans, from allowing local pharmacists to get reimbursed for health care services, such as health and wellness screenings, immunizations and diabetes management, to improving maternal and child health services.\n\nI also spearheaded adoption of the voluntary Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) program to help rural communities who face workforce shortages and financial hardship keep their hometown hospital doors open. Signed into law five years ago, the program gives rural hospitals the flexibility to keep their doors open by focusing on 24/7 emergency care and outpatient services. For several years, I\u2019ve led the charge to ensure this program is working as intended to preserve access to essential health care in rural areas. So far, 42 rural hospitals in 17 states have transitioned to this model and I\u2019m working to get feedback from participating hospitals to better understand their challenges to help smooth the process for other rural hospitals across the country.\n\nEarlier this year, I welcomed action by CMS to fill 10 available spaces in its Rural Community Hospital Demonstration program. Last year, I pushed the Biden administration to fill these openings and will keep up the pressure to ensure Iowa continues to get physician residency slots to support our medical workforce in communities across the state.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-announces-staff-traveling-office-hours-in-28-iowa-counties", "Grassley Announces Staff Traveling Office Hours in 28 Iowa Counties", "2025-11-24", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA \u2013 U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley\u2019s (R-Iowa) staff will hold traveling office hours in 28 Iowa counties next month, from December 1 to December 17. Iowans seeking assistance with a federal agency or wishing to share their views may stop by during the scheduled hours listed below.\n\nNOTE: Senator Grassley will not be in attendance. He will be represented by his Regional Directors, Rochelle Fuller, Noah Schrad, Clayton Brown, Jacob Bossman and Jonathan Bladt and his Deputy State Director, Penny Vacek.\n\n\u201cYou can\u2019t have representative government without dialogue between elected officials and the people we represent. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve held meetings in all of Iowa\u2019s 99 counties for 45 years,\u201d Grassley said. \u201cBecause I\u2019m not able to meet personally with each of Iowa\u2019s over three million people, my staff holds traveling office hours to ensure Iowans\u2019 voices are heard and their issues are addressed. I encourage any Iowan needing assistance with a federal agency to stop by and meet with my staff or contact one of my offices.\u201d\n\nThe schedule is as follows:\n\nMonday, December 1\n\nPolk County\n\n10 \u2013 11 a.m.\n\nAlleman City Hall\n\n14000 Northeast 6th Street\n\nAlleman\n\nRegional Director Noah Schrad\n\nDavis County\n\n10 \u2013 11 a.m.\n\nBy the Hearth Bookshop & Coffeehouse\n\n111 East Jefferson Street\n\nBloomfield\n\nDeputy State Director Penny Vacek\n\nDallas County\n\n2 \u2013 3 p.m.\n\nPerry Public Library\n\nThe Boardroom\n\n1101 Willis Avenue\n\nPerry\n\nRegional Director Noah Schrad\n\nDubuque County\n\n2 \u2013 3 p.m.\n\nDubuque County Courthouse\n\nBoardroom on 4th Floor\n\n720 Central Avenue\n\nDubuque\n\nRegional Director Rochelle Fuller\n\nTuesday, December 2\n\nPage County\n\n10 \u2013 11 a.m.\n\n112 East Main Street\n\nClarinda\n\nRegional Director Jonathan Bladt\n\nJasper County\n\n10 \u2013 11 a.m.\n\nColfax City Hall\n\nCouncil Chambers\n\n20 West Howard Street\n\nColfax\n\nRegional Director Noah Schrad\n\nTaylor County\n\n12 \u2013 1 p.m.\n\nTaylor County Courthouse\n\n405 Jefferson Street\n\nBedford\n\nRegional Director Jonathan Bladt\n\nAllamakee County\n\n12 \u2013 1 p.m.\n\nPostville Library\n\n235 Tilden Street\n\nPostville\n\nRegional Director Rochelle Fuller\n\nMadison County\n\n2 \u2013 3 p.m.\n\nWinterset Public Library\n\nLarge Meeting Room\n\n123 North 2nd Street\n\nWinterset\n\nRegional Director Noah Schrad\n\nClayton County\n\n2:30 \u2013 3:30 p.m.\n\nClayton County Office Building\n\nRoom 1\n\n600 Gunder Road\n\nElkader\n\nRegional Director Rochelle Fuller\n\nWednesday, December 3\n\nWinneshiek County\n\n9:30 \u2013 10:30 a.m.\n\nDecorah Public Library\n\n202 Winnebago Street\n\nDecorah\n\nRegional Director Clayton Brown\n\nAudubon County\n\n10 \u2013 11 a.m.\n\nAudubon Memorial Building\n\n410 North Park Place\n\nAudubon\n\nRegional Director Jonathan Bladt\n\nMahaska County\n\n10 \u2013 11 a.m.\n\nMahaska County Courthouse\n\n3rd Floor Conference Room\n\n106 South 1st Street\n\nOskaloosa\n\nRegional Director Rochelle Fuller\n\nFayette County\n\n11:30 a.m. \u2013 12:30 p.m.\n\nHawkeye Community Hall\n\n102 West Main Street\n\nHawkeye\n\nRegional Director Clayton Brown\n\nMills County\n\n1:30 \u2013 2:30 p.m.\n\nGlenwood Library\n\n109 North Vine Street\n\nGlenwood\n\nRegional Director Jonathan Bladt\n\nBuchanan County\n\n2 \u2013 3 p.m.\n\nIndependence Library\n\n805 1st Street East\n\nIndependence\n\nRegional Director Clayton Brown\n\nWapello County\n\n2 \u2013 3 p.m.\n\nOttumwa City Hall\n\n105 East 3rd Street\n\nOttumwa\n\nDeputy State Director Penny Vacek\n\nPoweshiek County\n\n2 \u2013 3 p.m.\n\nRenfrow Hall\n\nWeingart Room\n\n1115 8th Avenue\n\nGrinnell\n\nRegional Director Rochelle Fuller\n\nWarren County\n\n3 \u2013 4 p.m.\n\nIndianola City Hall\n\nSouth Conference Room\n\n110 North 1st Street\n\nIndianola\n\nRegional Director Noah Schrad\n\nMonday, December 8\n\nBremer County\n\n9 \u2013 10 a.m.\n\nSumner City Hall\n\n105 East 1st Street\n\nSumner\n\nRegional Director Clayton Brown\n\nChickasaw County\n\n12 \u2013 1 p.m.\n\nNew Hampton Public Library\n\n20 West Spring Street\n\nNew Hampton\n\nRegional Director Clayton Brown\n\nFranklin County\n\n2:30 \u2013 3:30 p.m.\n\nHampton Public Library\n\n4 South Federal Street\n\nHampton\n\nRegional Director Clayton Brown\n\nTuesday, December 9\n\nKossuth County\n\n11 a.m. \u2013 12 p.m.\n\nAlgona Public Library\n\nMeeting Room\n\n210 North Phillips Street\n\nAlgona\n\nRegional Director Jacob Bossman\n\nFriday, December 12\n\nMitchell County\n\n9 \u2013 10 a.m.\n\nMitchell County Courthouse\n\nBoard Room\n\n212 South 5th Street\n\nOsage\n\nRegional Director Clayton Brown\n\nClay County\n\n10 \u2013 11 a.m.\n\nSpencer City Hall\n\nCouncil Chambers\n\n101 W 5th Street\n\nSpencer\n\nRegional Director Jacob Bossman\n\nDickinson County\n\n12:30 \u2013 1:30 p.m.\n\nSpirit Lake City Hall\n\n1803 Hill Avenue\n\nSpirit Lake\n\nRegional Director Jacob Bossman\n\nButler County\n\n3 \u2013 4 p.m.\n\nParkersburg Civic Center\n\n502 3rd Street\n\nParkersburg\n\nRegional Director Clayton Brown\n\nWednesday, December 17\n\nHoward County\n\n9 \u2013 10 a.m.\n\nHoward County Courthouse\n\n137 North Elm Street\n\nCresco\n\nRegional Director Clayton Brown", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-iowa-association-of-business-and-industry-endorses-grassleys-combating-organized-retail-crime-act", "ICYMI: Iowa Association of Business and Industry Endorses Grassley\u2019s Combating Organized Retail Crime Act", "2025-11-24", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA \u2013 The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) is applauding U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley\u2019s (R-Iowa) Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA). The bipartisan bill, cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), would establish a multi-agency response to tackle evolving trends in retail theft, recover stolen goods and deter future attacks.\n\n\u201cGrassley\u2019s long record of practical problem-solving continues with this effort. His leadership ensures that Iowa\u2019s voice is shaping national policy on an issue that affects every business and every household in our state,\u201d wrote Brad Hartkopf, Senior Director of Public Policy at Iowa ABI.\n\nGrassley chaired a Judiciary Committee hearing on organized retail crime earlier this year, where expert witnesses urged congressional action on Grassley\u2019s \u201cgame changing\u201d legislation. Industry support for CORCA has continued to grow since the hearing \u2013 the bill has been endorsed by 38 state attorneys general, as well as leading advocacy groups, major law enforcement organizations and a coalition of over 260 impacted businesses.\n\nRead ABI\u2019s op-ed in The Gazette, or below.\n\nFighting cargo theft protects Iowa businesses and consumers\n\nBy Brad Hartkopf | Senior Director of Public Policy, Iowa Association of Business and Industry\n\nNovember 22, 2024\n\nThe Gazette\n\nOrganized cargo theft is skyrocketing, and the impact is real for businesses, workers and families here in Iowa and across the country. In fact, there was a recent 60 Minutes report about cargo theft where 24,000 bottles of Guy Fieri\u2019s tequila vanished en route to a warehouse. It might sound like a quirky headline but the truth behind it isn\u2019t novel or isolated.\n\nAccording to CBS Iowa, trucking cargo theft incidents in our state are up 1,500% since 2021, part of a national surge that\u2019s costing billions. Everything from groceries and clothing to electronics and medical supplies is being stolen off trucks, railcars and warehouses before ever reaching store shelves. Three-quarters of Iowa trucking companies say they\u2019ve been hit in the past 18 months.\n\nWhen thefts like these multiply, we all pay more. Businesses lose inventory, insurance rates rise and the higher costs ultimately reach consumers. In a time when costs are already straining Iowa families and small businesses, this is one more problem we can\u2019t afford to ignore.\n\nThat\u2019s why I want to commend Sen. Chuck Grassley for his leadership on a common sense, bipartisan solution \u2014 the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), which he cosponsors with Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada. CORCA would take aim at the root of the problem: organized crime networks that exploit gaps between local, state and federal enforcement.\n\nThe bill would create a national coordination center to help law enforcement agencies share intelligence, track stolen goods and recover lost cargo across state lines. It would also give the Department of Homeland Security new tools to pursue the sophisticated rings behind many of these thefts \u2014 rings that are increasingly tied to international criminal networks.\n\nAs the Association of American Railroads noted in support of the bill, \u201cCargo theft is not a victimless crime \u2014 it increases costs for consumers, endangers workers, and threatens the reliability of the supply chain.\u201d That\u2019s especially true for freight rail, which moves roughly 40% of U.S. long-distance freight and has faced its own rise in thefts targeting high-value goods.\n\nHere in Iowa, where agriculture, manufacturing and logistics are pillars of our economy, the stakes couldn\u2019t be higher. From the pork producers shipping products nationwide to the manufacturers relying on just-in-time deliveries, cargo theft is a drag on productivity and a hidden tax on everyone\u2019s bottom line.\n\nThe Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) believes in solutions that protect both economic growth and consumer well-being. CORCA does just that \u2014 strengthening law enforcement coordination, improving data sharing and helping safeguard the goods that keep our economy running.\n\nSen. Grassley\u2019s long record of practical problem-solving continues with this effort. His leadership ensures that Iowa\u2019s voice is shaping national policy on an issue that affects every business and every household in our state.\n\nCargo theft may make for an eye-catching headline, but the solution lies in steady, bipartisan work \u2014 and Iowa is once again helping lead the way.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/11/21/2025/qanda-national-adoption-month", "Q&A: National Adoption Month", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Q: What is National Adoption Month?\n\nA: More than four decades ago, President Ronald Reagan used the power of the bully pulpit to bring attention to the tens of thousands of children in foster care awaiting a forever home. In 1984, he signed a Senate Joint Resolution to designate the week before Thanksgiving as National Adoption Week. Choosing this week corresponds with the season of thanksgiving and appreciation for the blessings of family. Strong families are the cornerstone of society that strengthens the social fabric of America from one generation to the next. Celebrating family reunification or newly forged families united through adoption inspires others who may be in a position to consider opening their hearts and homes to the rewarding experience that parenthood can bring. During the Clinton administration, the entire month of November was designated to raise more awareness about the chasm between kids awaiting adoption and those blessed with forever homes.\n\nNational Adoption Month honors the parents and families who have answered the call to open their homes and provide a lifelong foundation of support for the tens of thousands of kids awaiting a forever family. I\u2019m glad to report my bipartisan efforts at the policymaking table in recent years have helped reunite and keep families intact, as well as provide financial resources for foster and adoptive families to take in children who encounter the foster care system. For example, the landmark Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 is credited with helping to significantly lower the number of children in Iowa\u2019s foster care system. According to the Iowa Data Center, the number of kids in foster care in Iowa lowered from 10,400 in 2013 to 6,586 in 2022. Giving families tools and services to safely stay intact leads to brighter futures for kids to help overcome neglect and trauma with the certainty and stability of family reunification or kinship care, as an example.\n\nQ: What victories for adoptive families and foster youth have you championed in Congress?\n\nA: Through my committee assignments in the U.S. Senate, I\u2019ve worked at the policymaking table to strengthen families and support kids who enter the foster care system so they may reach their full potential, especially those who age out of foster care without the support of a forever family and permanent place to call home. As a member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I secured legislation to make the federal adoption tax credit a permanent part of the tax code. This summer, I supported the tax law signed by President Trump that expanded the child tax credit, boosted childcare financial assistance and made the adoption tax credit accessible to more families. Allowing families to keep more money in their pocket gives parents more breathing room to pay for groceries, put gas in the car and afford to take care of their kids.\n\nIn 2009, I co-founded the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth to connect federal legislators with researchers, advocates and youth who have lived in a foster care setting to identify and facilitate support as they transition into adulthood. Hosting policy forums give current foster youth and alumni a platform to share their stories and inform policymaking that can protect taxpayer dollars and improve federal programs serving families and children in need. This summer an Iowan participated at an event on Capitol Hill I hosted to discuss barriers foster kids face as they transition into adulthood.\n\nPresident Trump and First Lady Melania Trump announced an initiative called Fostering the Future for American Children and Families during National Adoption Month. The executive order seeks to modernize the child welfare system and develop partnerships with government agencies, academic institutions and private sector organizations to create educational and employment opportunities for youth who age out of the foster care system. I applaud their efforts. Reminiscent of President Reagan some 40 years ago, President Trump and the First Lady are leveraging the power of the bully pulpit to bring awareness to children in America who yearn for a forever home and for parents they can call mom and dad long after they reach adulthood. I\u2019ll continue bringing their voices to the policymaking table and was pleased to cosponsor the bipartisan Senate resolution marking November as National Adoption Month and November 22 as National Adoption Day. Of course, the needs of kids awaiting adoption require attention every day of the year. I\u2019m grateful to collaborate with grassroots advocates on child welfare issues and was pleased to present Four Oaks Family and Children\u2019s Services with the \u201cAngels in Adoption\u201d Award in September for its decades of work on behalf of children and families across Iowa.\n\nFour Oaks manages five regions across Iowa to help local families navigate the process to become foster or adoptive parents. Learn more online or call (877) 364-1113.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-hassan-reintroduce-legislation-targeting-illicit-drug-knockoffs", "Grassley, Hassan Reintroduce Legislation Targeting Illicit Drug Knockoffs", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) today reintroduced the Stop Importation and Manufacturing of Synthetic Analogues (SIMSA) Act. The bipartisan bill would crack down on deadly drugs that are substantially similar to controlled substances but carefully engineered to slip into the U.S. undetected.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s scheduling system is inefficient and outdated, and our law enforcement officers are struggling to keep pace with emerging drug threats,\u201d Grassley said. \u201cThe SIMSA Act would provide much-needed adaptability to get ahead of bad actors and their deadly knockoffs.\u201d\n\n\u201cCommunities across New Hampshire have been devastated by fentanyl and other deadly drugs. Fentanyl analogues pose just as severe a threat as fentanyl itself, and criminals have deliberately engineered these drugs to circumvent our laws and evade bans,\u201d Hassan said. \u201cOur bipartisan legislation will provide law enforcement with the necessary tools to crack down on the criminals flooding our streets with these drug analogues. I urge my colleagues to support this effort to protect our communities and save lives, and I will keep working to combat the fentanyl crisis.\u201d\n\nThe SIMSA Act would create a new schedule of drug \u2013 Schedule A. Substances could be classified as Schedule A if (1) their chemical structure is substantially similar to a controlled substance and (2) they are expected to have the same or greater effect on the human body. The bill would subject individuals who manufacture, export and import these knockoffs to criminal penalties, but includes provisions to ensure legitimate research can continue.\n\nRead the bill text HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nU.S. law prohibits the unauthorized use of certain controlled substances. However, illicit drug makers and importers circumvent those laws by altering single atoms in controlled substances, creating tweaked drugs that are not yet outlawed, but have similar effects on users. Currently, uncontrolled substances must undergo a time-consuming analysis before the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) can permanently schedule them.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/iowa-transit-to-receive-over-82-million-from-grassley-backed-infrastructure-bill", "Iowa Transit to Receive Over $82 Million from Grassley-Backed Infrastructure Bill", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA \u2013 U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) welcomed an announcement from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) that Iowa will receive $82,144,823 to support transit improvements across the state. The awards will be administered through DOT\u2019s Buses & Bus Facilities Program and the Low- or No-Emission Program, which both received funding through the Grassley-backed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).\n\n\u201cI voted for the bipartisan infrastructure bill with Iowa\u2019s future in mind, and it\u2019s good to see the law continue its strong return on investment. By authorizing these grants, the Trump administration is helping provide efficient and reliable travel options for Iowans,\u201d Grassley said.\n\nAward Details:\n\nThe Iowa Department of Transportation will receive $27,834,685 for the Iowa Bus Replacement Program to buy new buses and vans, replacing older vehicles for 14 of Iowa's transit systems.\n\nThe Iowa Department of Transportation will receive $19,892,534 for the Iowa Low-No Project to replace older buses and to construct or expand three bus facilities.\n\nThe Ames Transit Agency (CyRide) will receive $14,648,686 for the Biodiesel and Facility Expansion Project to expand its administrative, maintenance and bus storage facility.\n\nIowa City Transit will receive $8,665,485 for its Driving Economic Opportunity with Replacement Heavy Duty Fixed-Route and Paratransit Vehicles program to purchase diesel and paratransit buses, replacing older buses.\n\nThe University of Iowa will receive $6,171,174 for the CAMBUS Hybrid Bus Project to buy new diesel-electric hybrid buses to replace aging buses to continue providing safe, efficient and reliable transportation.\n\nThe Regional Metropolitan Transit Authority of Omaha (Metro) will receive $4,932,259 for the Promoting Sustainability Through Low Emission Vehicles Program to buy new CNG buses to replace older diesel buses that have reached the end of their useful life.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-donates-shutdown-paychecks-to-local-churches", "Grassley Donates Shutdown Paychecks to Local Churches", "2025-11-20", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cAfter 43 long days, the government shutdown is finally over. Dysfunction in Washington does not serve Iowans. Iowans deserve common sense, not partisan nonsense. As we approach the holiday season, I hope my colleagues are inspired to bring more bipartisanship and cooperation to the policymaking table and to the people\u2019s business. During the government shutdown, I did not take a paycheck. During this season of prayer and thanksgiving, Barbara and I will donate those missed wages to our hometown churches.\u201d\n\nDonation recipients include: First Baptist Church of New Hartford, New Hartford Community Church and Prairie Lakes Church.\n\nBackground:\n\nGrassley is a cosponsor of the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act. Under this legislation, if work on the 12 annual appropriations bills is not completed by the end of the fiscal year, all members of Congress would be required to stay in Washington, D.C. and work until the spending bills are completed. In addition, an automatic continuing resolution would kick in based on the most recent spending levels enacted in the previous fiscal year, and would remain in place until the appropriations bills have been finished. This will save taxpayer money, keep government services operating and stop government shutdowns once and for all.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-seven-leading-whistleblower-groups-praise-grassleys-proven-record-of-support-for-whistleblowers", "ICYMI: Seven Leading Whistleblower Groups Praise Grassley\u2019s \u2018Proven\u2019 Record of Support for Whistleblowers", "2025-11-20", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Seven major whistleblower groups told Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) his whistleblower advocacy \u201chas changed the course of history for freedom of speech and government accountability to taxpayers.\u201d\n\nThis year alone, Grassley has helped secure reinstatement and restitution for at least 15 whistleblowers at three separate government agencies. One of those reinstated whistleblowers wrote in a letter to Grassley: \u201cThank you for believing in me and believing that the choices I made were right and just... I firmly believe your actions in my case should make our fellow Americans very proud and your constituents in Iowa reassured in their choice to make you, their Senator.\u201d\n\nGrassley is the co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Whistleblower Protection Caucus. Read the whistleblower groups\u2019 letter to Grassley on the Government Accountability Project\u2019s website, or below.\n\nNovember 7, 2025\n\nThe Honorable Charles Grassley\n\n135 Hart Senate Office Building\n\nWashington, D.C. 20510\n\nDear Senator Grassley,\n\nAt this year\u2019s National Whistleblower Day luncheon, you pledged to always have whistleblowers\u2019 backs. That was not mere political rhetoric. Again and again, you have proven it is a reality. This letter is to express appreciation for your leadership protecting whistleblowers through legislation and casework, and in particular your congressional amicus advocacy to the Supreme Court. You have been a leader in drafting and obtaining passage of the legal burdens of proof that are the cornerstone of civil service, intelligence community, and corporate whistleblower rights. You monitor their impact in practice as Chair of the Senate Whistleblower Caucus to close the gap between paper rights and reality.\n\nAll whistleblowers should be especially appreciative that you have defended their rights at the Supreme Court in bipartisan amicus briefs with Senator Wyden, the Whistleblower Caucus Vice Chair. You have taken that step twice recently, for corporate workers in Murray v. UBS, and last month for federal employees in Farrington v. Department of Transportation.\n\nFor decades your leadership in creating, monitoring and defending whistleblower rights has changed the course of history for freedom of speech and government accountability to taxpayers. It is deeply appreciated by those of us on the front lines fighting for those same objectives.\n\nSincerely,\n\nGovernment Accountability Project\n\nEmpower Oversight\n\nNational Security Counselors\n\nNational Whistleblower Center (NWC)\n\nPublic Employees for Environmental Accountability (PEER)\n\nProject on Government Oversight (POGO)\n\nWhistleblowers of America (WOA)\n\nThe Make It Safe Coalition is a nonpartisan network advancing whistleblower protections through education and advocacy. We combat government and corporate fraud, waste, and abuse by supporting and empowering those who expose critical public safety and accountability issues. We are united in the cause of protecting those who honor their duties to serve and warn the public as whistleblowers.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/judiciary-committee-advances-nominations-for-assistant-attorney-general-mississippi-and-louisiana-district-courts-and-four-us-attorneys", "Judiciary Committee Advances Nominations for Assistant Attorney General, Mississippi and Louisiana District Courts and Four U.S. Attorneys", "2025-11-20", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the following nominations:\n\nTysen Duva, to be Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, by a vote of 12-10;\n\nRobert P. Chamberlin, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi, by a vote of 12-10;\n\nWilliam J. Crain, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana, by a vote of 12-10;\n\nJames D. Maxwell II, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi, by a vote of 12-10;\n\nAlexander C. Van Hook, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana, by a vote of 16-6;\n\nErin Creegan, to be United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire, by a vote of 18-4;\n\nRyan Anthony Kriegshauser, to be United States Attorney for the District of Kansas, by a vote of 12-10;\n\nJames Kruger, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi, by a vote of 12-10; and\n\nScott Leary, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, by a vote of 17-5.\n\nWatch the executive business meeting HERE. Read Chairman Chuck Grassley\u2019s (R-Iowa) opening statement at the executive business meeting HERE.\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-outlines-his-efforts-to-bring-down-health-care-costs-questions-witness-on-the-need-for-pricing-transparency", "Grassley Outlines His Efforts to Bring Down Health Care Costs, Questions Witness on the Need for Pricing Transparency", "2025-11-19", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 At a hearing today, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, outlined his work to lower health care costs for Iowans, including to bring more transparency and accountability to Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) whose shady tactics raise prescription drug costs.\n\nGrassley noted that current health care discussions in Congress mirror talks in 2009, before Democrats rushed through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on a partisan basis. Since the ACA was enacted, millions of Americans have been removed from their preferred health plan, and health insurance premiums skyrocketed.\n\nIn questions to American Action Forum President Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Grassley asked about ways Congress can promote greater health care price transparency and a competitive private insurance market.\n\nVIDEO\n\nOn the need to lower health care costs:\n\nThanks first of all for the leadership of this committee for holding this hearing. It\u2019s a topic that\u2019s top of the minds of Iowans: high health care costs.\n\nIt\u2019s kind of suffocated Americans for decades.\n\nOne example occurs at the pharmacy counter. I\u2019ve heard from countless Iowans that high prescription drug prices frequently lead folks to having to choose between paying for their prescription [or] other necessities.\n\nThat\u2019s why for years I\u2019ve worked to bring transparency and accountability to tactics deployed by the Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMs.\n\nAnd, I\u2019m not the only one in Congress doing it. In fact, the leadership of this committee is working on that as well.\n\nPBMs play a significant role in the pharmaceutical drug supply chain. They act as middlemen processing prescriptions, negotiating prices [and] setting formularies.\n\nMy bipartisan legislation would increase transparency to better hold PBMs accountable. While not wholly within the committee\u2019s jurisdiction for my legislation, I hope my colleagues will see the importance of acting on PBM reform as soon as possible.\n\nHigh prescription drug prices are one of the several factors driving up health care costs. The rising cost of health care is also evident from escalating health insurance premiums and required copays.\n\nThere are many parallels between the conversations we\u2019re having today and the ones that I had with my Senate colleagues back in 2009.\n\nUnfortunately, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle rushed through Obamacare on a partisan basis. At the time, my Democrat colleagues claimed the law would bend the cost curve down.\n\nIt\u2019s now evident that that was false, as was the promise that individuals could keep their health plan if they liked it.\n\nSince the enactment of Obamacare, millions of Americans have been thrown off their preferred health plan, while health insurance premiums have skyrocketed.\n\nAccording to the Paragon Institute, since 2014, Obamacare benchmark premiums have increased 129 percent for a 50-year-old enrollee. Obamacare premiums have increased twice as fast as premiums for employer provided coverage and three times faster than inflation.\n\nThat leaves us here today \u2013 revisiting the debate on ways to bend the health care cost curve.\n\nWe need to find a solution that will allow all Americans to breathe a little easier when they seek health care while also ensuring those with pre-existing conditions are protected.\n\nOn the need for price transparency and options:\n\nSo, Mr. Holtz-Eakin, I\u2019ve been a proponent of shining light on health care costs, providing businesses the opportunity to help their employees get health insurance and allowing consumers the ability to shop for options.\n\nYou recently expressed concerns that some new mandates around drug pricing, surprise billing and transparency can add burdens which may erode \u201cthe comparative advantage of the private market.\u201d\n\nI\u2019d like to have you elaborate on the factors Congress should consider as they seek to promote greater health care price transparency and a competitive private insurance market.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-11-18-25", "Capitol Hill Report, 11-18-25", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Senator Grassley\u2019s Capitol Hill Report can be found HERE.\n\nTopics include: health care subsidies, rural hospital funding, the Epstein files, cameras in federal court rooms, U.S. and China soybean trade and SNAP.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/omb-releases-nearly-43-million-for-cigie-following-push-by-grassley-collins", "OMB Releases Nearly $4.3 Million for CIGIE Following Push by Grassley, Collins", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chairs of the Senate Committees on the Judiciary and Appropriations, respectively, welcomed the Office of Management and Budget\u2019s (OMB) decision to apportion $4,287,000 for the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE).\n\nThis decision will ensure CIGIE can operate through January 30, consistent with the current Continuing Resolution. OMB will simultaneously be conducting a programmatic review of CIGIE\u2019s activities. OMB\u2019s actions follow Grassley and Collins\u2019 recent letter to OMB Director Russell Vought urging the prompt release of funding for CIGIE and the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC), and Grassley\u2019s call last year for CIGIE to clarify its reporting of spending records.\n\n\u201cWe are pleased that following our continued outreach, OMB is releasing the funding that Congress provided for CIGIE to continue its vital work,\u201d Grassley and Collins said. \u201cThis action, building on OMB\u2019s earlier decision to release funding for PRAC, ensures that these important oversight entities can remain focused on delivering the accountability American taxpayers deserve. Our oversight of the administration\u2019s actions, and CIGIE\u2019s work, will continue.\u201d\n\nGrassley and Collins were leading proponents of the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008, which established CIGIE to address integrity, economy and effectiveness issues that transcend government agencies and to increase the professionalism and effectiveness of Inspectors General (IG) personnel by helping to establish well-trained and highly skilled IG office workforces.\n\nRead the senators\u2019 letter to OMB HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-announces-staff-traveling-office-hours-in-17-iowa-counties", "Grassley Announces Staff Traveling Office Hours in 17 Iowa Counties", "2025-11-17", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA \u2013 U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley\u2019s (R-Iowa) staff will hold traveling office hours in 17 counties next week, from November 24 to November 26. Iowans seeking assistance with a federal agency or wishing to share their views may stop by during the scheduled hours listed below.\n\nNOTE: Senator Grassley will not be in attendance. He will be represented by his Regional Directors, Rochelle Fuller, Jonathan Bladt and Jacob Bossman, and his Deputy State Director, Penny Vacek.\n\n\u201cYou can\u2019t have representative government without dialogue between elected officials and the people we represent. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve held meetings in all of Iowa\u2019s 99 counties for 45 years,\u201d Grassley said. \u201cBecause I\u2019m not able to meet personally with each of Iowa\u2019s over three million people, my staff holds traveling office hours to ensure Iowans\u2019 voices are heard and their issues are addressed. I encourage any Iowan needing assistance with a federal agency to stop by and meet with my staff or contact one of my offices.\u201d\n\nThe schedule is as follows:\n\nMonday, November 24\n\nHarrison County\n\n8 \u2013 9 a.m.\n\nIgnite Pathways\n\n6 7th Street\n\nWoodbine\n\nRegional Director Jonathan Bladt\n\nCedar County\n\n8:30 \u2013 9:30 a.m.\n\nClarence City Hall\n\nCouncil Chambers\n\n411 Lombard Street\n\nClarence\n\nDeputy State Director Penny Vacek\n\nJohnson County\n\n9 \u2013 10 a.m.\n\nJohnson County Health and Human Services Building\n\n855 South Dubuque Street\n\nSuite 203 B/C\n\nIowa City\n\nRegional Director Rochelle Fuller\n\nCrawford County\n\n10 \u2013 11 a.m.\n\nNorelius Library\n\n1403 1st Avenue South\n\nDenison\n\nRegional Director Jonathan Bladt\n\nClinton County\n\n10:30 \u2013 11:30 a.m.\n\nDeWitt City Hall\n\nCouncil Chambers\n\n510 9th Street\n\nDeWitt\n\nDeputy State Director Penny Vacek\n\nSac County\n\n1 \u2013 2 p.m.\n\nSac City Public Library\n\n1001 West Main Street\n\nSac City\n\nRegional Director Jacob Bossman\n\nCarroll County\n\n1 \u2013 2 p.m.\n\nCarroll Public Library\n\n118 5th Street\n\nCarroll\n\nRegional Director Jonathan Bladt\n\nScott County\n\n1 \u2013 2 p.m.\n\nWalcott City Hall\n\n128 W. Lincoln Street\n\nWalcott\n\nDeputy State Director Penny Vacek\n\nIowa County\n\n1 \u2013 2 p.m.\n\nIowa County Courthouse\n\nAnnex Building, Second Floor\n\n970 Court Avenue\n\nMarengo\n\nRegional Director Rochelle Fuller\n\nBuena Vista County\n\n2:30 \u2013 3:30 p.m.\n\nStorm Lake City Hall\n\nSmall Conference Room\n\n620 Erie Street\n\nStorm Lake\n\nRegional Director Jacob Bossman\n\nMuscatine County\n\n3 \u2013 4 p.m.\n\nWilton City Hall\n\nCouncil Chambers\n\n104 East 4th Street\n\nWilton\n\nDeputy State Director Penny Vacek\n\nTuesday, November 25\n\nMontgomery County\n\n9 \u2013 10 a.m.\n\nIowa State Extension Office\n\n1901 N. Broadway Street\n\nRed Oak\n\nRegional Director Jonathan Bladt\n\nDelaware County\n\n10 \u2013 11 a.m.\n\nDelaware County Courthouse\n\nUpper Level\n\n301 East Main Street\n\nManchester\n\nRegional Director Rochelle Fuller\n\nAdams County\n\n11 a.m. \u2013 12 p.m.\n\nAdams County Economic Development Office\n\n710 Davis Street\n\nCorning\n\nRegional Director Jonathan Bladt\n\nCass County\n\n1:30 \u2013 2:30 p.m.\n\nAtlantic Public Library\n\n507 Poplar Street\n\nAtlantic\n\nRegional Director Jonathan Bladt\n\nShelby County\n\n3:30 \u2013 4:30 p.m.\n\nShelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry\n\n1901 Hawkeye Avenue\n\nHarlan\n\nRegional Director Jonathan Bladt\n\nWednesday, November 26\n\nJackson County\n\n1 \u2013 2 p.m.\n\nSabula City Hall\n\n411 Broad Street\n\nSabulaDeputy State Director Penny Vacek", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-11-14-25", "Capitol Hill Report 11-14-25", "2025-11-14", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Senator Grassley\u2019s Capitol Hill Report can be found HERE.\n\nTopics include: China and U.S. soybean trade, the Farm Bill, tariffs on fertilizer, health care subsidies, airline operations and congress members\u2019 pay during the government shutdown.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-completes-45th-annual-99-county-meetings", "Grassley Completes 45th Annual 99 County Meetings", "2025-11-14", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "KOSSUTH COUNTY, IOWA \u2013 U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) yesterday concluded his 45th annual 99 county meetings across Iowa with a tour of Country Maid in West Bend, followed by a question-and-answer session with employees. Earlier in the day, Grassley held meetings in Akron, Sheldon and Rock Rapids. Grassley takes questions on any subject, and Iowans set the agenda.\n\n\u201cRepresentative government is a two-way street. I\u2019m one half of the process, and the people of Iowa are the other. My 99 county meetings allow me to meet with a large cross-section of Iowans from different walks of life, including students, manufacturers, health care providers and more. These meetings guide my policy priorities in Washington, and I appreciate the chance to meet with my constituents face-to-face and hear their concerns. Since I\u2019m not able to meet with over three million Iowans individually, I always encourage people to share their views by writing a letter, sending an email, or calling or stopping by one of my offices,\u201d Grassley said.\n\n\u201cMy leadership to strengthen rural health care, bring transparency to fertilizer pricing and reduce prescription drug costs all stem from my meetings with Iowans,\u201d Grassley continued. \u201cI look forward to hearing from more Iowans at future question-and-answer sessions as I continue serving our state in the U.S. Senate.\u201d\n\nIowans who attended this year\u2019s meetings raised concerns on a variety of issues including pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), the Farm Bill, health care, the 2025 tax law, trade, biofuels, energy, immigration and more. They often shared their support for more transparency and bipartisanship in Washington.\n\nFor a full list of Grassley\u2019s county meetings this year, visit his website. To view his photos and posts from the meetings, search #99CountyMeetings on X and Instagram. Grassley also posts meeting recaps on Facebook.\n\nBackground:\n\nGrassley has been holding his annual county meetings since his election to the U.S. Senate. For the past 45 years, he has held at least one question-and-answer session in each of Iowa\u2019s 99 counties every year. He makes himself available for questions from local media for 15 minutes after each meeting.\n\nGrassley\u2019s 99 county meetings consist of public town halls, meetings with small businesses, factory workers, farmers, schools, health care professionals, community leaders, students and more. Through this process, he hears from a wide range of Iowans, including those who are unable to take time off from work to attend town meetings. Grassley\u2019s tireless efforts to meet Iowans where they work, study and live continues to set the standard for representative government.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-cameras-in-the-courts", "Q&A: Cameras in the Courts", "2025-11-14", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Q: Why are you continuing to push for cameras in federal courtrooms?\n\nA: Opening up the federal courthouse to cameras would help foster civic engagement and boost public confidence in our legal system. As a watchdog for good government, I\u2019ve led a crusade for nearly three decades to let the sun shine on federal court proceedings so people can see the wheels of justice in action and better appreciate how the rule of law shapes prosperity, peace and justice in America. My legislative efforts align with the intent of the founding fathers who believed public trials would help prevent abusive government power and uphold public confidence in the justice system. John Adams said the right to a trial by jury, along with representative government, serve as the \u201cheart and lungs of liberty.\u201d\n\nAlthough American life in the 21st century is much different than in the 18th century, the founding principles must remain ironclad as a check on government power to uphold America\u2019s promise of freedom and liberty for generations yet to come. Allowing cameras in the courtroom would give the American people a front row seat to the federal judiciary, a co-equal branch of the federal government that has tremendous influence over civic life and the economy, tasked with delivering justice on behalf of the American people. Transparency brings accountability. Just consider, cameras have captured every minute of Senate floor proceedings since 1986. Earlier this year, I cosponsored a bipartisan resolution to commemorate the 39th anniversary of C-SPAN 2\u2019s gavel-to-gavel Senate coverage, connecting the American people via a nonpartisan lens to the people\u2019s business. I supported C-SPAN\u2019s fight to be platformed by streaming giants to keep pace with how Americans obtain news and entertainment and welcomed the agreement that they will carry C-SPAN\u2019s coverage of Congress and public affairs programming as a service to the American people.\n\nJust as the American people have a front row seat to the legislative branch, they deserve a front row seat to the judicial branch. Giving people the opportunity to observe its work will enhance public awareness and understanding. The Father of the Constitution, James Madison, extolled the need for an engaged and educated citizenry as an essential lever for the preservation of liberty and the longevity of our republic. That\u2019s why I champion sunshine laws, from strengthening the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to expanding whistleblower protections and broadening public access to the courtroom. As Madison wrote, \u201c\u2026a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.\u201d His words of wisdom written 200 years ago are a clarion call today that \u201cthe advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only Guardian of true liberty.\u201d\n\nQ: What are your two bills that would put cameras in the courts?\n\nA: As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I reintroduced two pieces of bipartisan legislation in March that would allow television cameras in federal courtrooms. The Sunshine in the Courtroom Act would grant the presiding judge in all federal courts, including the Supreme Court, the discretion to allow cameras in the courtroom, while protecting the identities of witnesses and jurors. The bill also prohibits media coverage of private conversations and includes a three-year sunset provision with the requirement Congress evaluate the impact of media access on the federal judiciary. The Cameras in the Courtroom Act would instruct the Supreme Court to permit television coverage of open sessions, unless a majority of the high court decides that doing so would violate due process.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-fbi-records-show-partisan-officials-killed-clinton-campaign-investigation", "Grassley: FBI Records Show Partisan Officials Killed Clinton Campaign Investigation", "2025-11-13", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA \u2013 U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is making public internal emails and a Federal Bureau of Investigation Electronic Communication (FBI EC) exposing Department of Justice (DOJ) officials\u2019 refusal to open a criminal investigation into potential campaign finance violations committed by Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee (DNC), despite FBI agents\u2019 demonstration of a fact-pattern showing Clinton and the DNC intentionally concealed payments to inappropriately target then-candidate Donald Trump.\n\nThe Federal Election Commission in 2022 fined Clinton and the DNC for disguising campaign expenditures to pay Fusion GPS, a political opposition research firm, to craft the debunked Steele Dossier, which falsely alleged that Trump was colluding with Russia.\n\nThe decision to decline the investigation was made by Richard Pilger, of the DOJ\u2019s Public Integrity Section (DOJ-PIN), and J.P. Cooney, who at the time worked in the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office for the District of Columbia (USADC). Pilger was later pivotal in reviewing and approving the opening of Jack Smith\u2019s Arctic Frost investigation. Cooney served as Smith\u2019s Deputy Special Counsel for that investigation.\n\nThe FBI EC was provided to Grassley by the DOJ and FBI, pursuant to his oversight request.\n\n\u201cCourageous whistleblowers came to my office years ago to sound the alarm that the Justice Department inappropriately interfered in efforts to investigate potential criminal activity committed by Hillary Clinton and her campaign,\u201d Grassley said. \u201cThese records show the same partisans who rushed to cover for Clinton rabidly pursued Arctic Frost, which was a runaway train aimed directly at President Trump and the Republican political apparatus. I appreciate Attorney General Bondi and FBI Director Patel\u2019s efforts to turn over the information I requested, and I\u2019ll continue investigating this matter.\u201d\n\nThe FBI EC and accompanying email communications can be found HERE. Grassley sent a follow up letter to DOJ and FBI, HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-johnson-press-for-full-disclosure-of-jack-smith-subpoenas", "Grassley, Johnson Press for Full Disclosure of Jack Smith Subpoenas", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA \u2013 U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) are pressing Verizon, AT&T and Lumen to elaborate on the full extent of the Biden Federal Bureau of Investigation\u2019s (FBI) efforts to obtain information relating to Members of Congress during the partisan Arctic Frost probe.\n\nThe chairmen\u2019s inquiry comes in light of records they received from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) that show employees of NARA, the FBI, Department of Justice (DOJ) and United States Postal Inspection Service discussing subpoenas to the three companies as they collaborated on Arctic Frost and related investigative activities. The subpoenas referenced in the NARA OIG records appear to have been served prior to Special Counsel Jack Smith\u2019s takeover of Arctic Frost. Verizon, AT&T and Lumen have yet to produce subpoenas that align with the time frame referenced in the NARA OIG records.\n\nThrough whistleblower disclosures, Grassley and Johnson have revealed that over 400 Republican organizations and individuals were targeted as part of Arctic Frost and phone records for at least 13 Members of Congress were subpoenaed, including former U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) as the newest addition.\n\nThe chairmen additionally penned letters to Southern First Bank, Microsoft and TDS Telecommunications, as well as six web platforms and social media companies, to determine whether they were also recipients of subpoenas issued by either Smith or the Biden DOJ before Smith became Special Counsel.\n\nA list of the senators\u2019 latest Arctic Frost letters is below.\n\nAT&T\n\nLumen\n\nVerizon\n\nMicrosoft\n\nSouthern First Bank\n\nTDS Telecommunications\n\nAlphabet\n\nApple\n\nMeta\n\nSnapchat\n\nX\n\nYahoo\n\nLearn more about Grassley\u2019s Arctic Frost oversight:\n\nOctober 29, 2025: NEW: Jack Smith Subpoenaed Records for Over 400 Republican Targets As Part of Arctic Frost\n\nOctober 23, 2025: Grassley Responds to Jack Smith Request for a Hearing\n\nOctober 23, 2025: Grassley Reveals Garland, Monaco, Wray Gave Personal Sign-Off to Open Arctic Frost\n\nOctober 14, 2025: Grassley Demands Telecommunications Companies, Federal Entities Turn Over All Records Provided to Jack Smith\n\nOctober 10, 2025: Grassley and Johnson Lead Colleagues in Seeking Release of All DOJ, FBI Records Detailing Biden Administration\u2019s Targeting of Sitting Members of Congress\n\nOctober 10, 2025: ICYMI: Grassley Oversight of Arctic Frost Yields Ongoing Results and Draws National Attention\n\nOctober 6, 2025: Biden FBI Spied on Eight Republican Senators as Part of Arctic Frost Investigation, Grassley Oversight Reveals\n\nSeptember 16, 2025: Grassley Opens Senate Judiciary FBI Oversight Hearing, Releases Additional Records Demonstrating Political Weaponization and Misconduct at Biden FBI\n\nApril 8, 2025: Grassley, Johnson Release Additional Arctic Frost Records Detailing Sweeping Anti-Trump Investigation\n\nMarch 14, 2025: Grassley, Johnson Release Records Showing FBI Obtained Trump, Pence Cell Phones, Conducted Sweeping Interviews to Advance Anti-Trump Arctic Frost Investigation\n\nFebruary 3, 2025: Grassley Underscores FBI Supervisor Misconduct in Trump-Targeted Arctic Frost Investigation\n\nJanuary 30, 2025: Grassley Opening Statement on Kash Patel\u2019s Nomination to be FBI Director\n\nJanuary 30, 2025: Grassley, Johnson Make Public Whistleblower Records Revealing DOJ and FBI Plot to Pin Trump in Jack Smith Elector Case", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/11/07/2025/qanda-veterans-day", "Q&A: Veterans Day", "2025-11-07", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley\n\nQ: What\u2019s the history behind Veterans Day?\n\nA: President Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 that renamed Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all veterans of all wars. Armistice Day was made a national holiday in 1938 to honor the sacrifice of those who served in World War I and commemorate the end of fighting on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. In addition to local observances in communities across the country, America observes Veterans Day with a reverent ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Against the backdrop of taps, the military bugle call, a ceremonial wreath is placed before the Tomb at 11 a.m. and continues with a parade of colors by veterans\u2019 organizations inside the Memorial Amphitheater.\n\nThe federal holiday calls upon Americans to reflect upon the patriotism and service of military men and women, as well as the sacrifices made by their families. Throughout our nation\u2019s history, military families put their lives on hold while veterans put their lives on the line to preserve freedom and liberty at home and abroad. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their courage and commitment to answer the call to serve in uniform, from the American Revolutionary War to the 21st century. As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and signing of the Declaration of Independence, I encourage Iowans to share stories with younger generations about members of their family who have served our nation in uniform. Their experiences are part of their family history and our nation\u2019s history, and ought to be handed down from one generation to the next. I\u2019m proud of my family ties to military service, including my dad, brothers and grandson. Across our state, Iowa\u2019s hometown veterans share in this heritage of service \u2013 including members of the National Guard and Reserves \u2013 united by the bond of military service to support and defend the Constitution.\n\nAs Iowa\u2019s senior U.S. Senator and history enthusiast, I\u2019m proud to help preserve the stories of Iowa\u2019s brave heroes. For nearly a decade, my office has participated in the Veterans History Project to collect video and audio recordings of Iowa veterans. Since Congress created the program 25 years ago, the Library of Congress serves as the permanent repository of the collection that today includes the stories from more than 100,000 veterans. These personal testimonies help ensure current and future generations understand military service and the realities of war. To date, my office has submitted 95 interviews that chronicle first-hand accounts from Iowa veterans\u2019 military service, including wartime experiences.\n\nQ: How would the ACCESS Act help veterans?\n\nA: As a government watchdog working to ensure the promises made to veterans are upheld, I\u2019ve pursued efforts to improve access to health care close to home; root out sexual assault in the military and improve accountability in the military justice system; help veterans make a smooth transition from the military to civilian life; push for stronger suicide prevention and mental health services; and help veterans cut bureaucratic red tape at the Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2018, President Trump signed the VA MISSION Act to provide veterans better pathways to access community health care. Since its passage, I\u2019ve conducted oversight to ensure the law is working as Congress intended so veterans can obtain care they need in a timely manner, including mental and behavioral health. That\u2019s why I\u2019m cosponsoring the ACCESS Act to help address frustrations I\u2019ve been hearing from Iowa veterans. For example, the legislation would codify eligibility requirements for access to community care, including primary care visits with an average 30-minute driving time and a 20-day wait time for an appointment. Specialty care would require access to community care within an average 60-minute driving time and a 28-day wait time for an appointment. It also would accelerate the screening and admission process for mental health treatment programs. I\u2019m also cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to improve the transition to civilian life to help reduce veteran suicide. The bill is named in honor of two veterans who died by suicide, including Cpl. Adam Lambert of Adel who died a decade ago, within one year after returning home from military service as a U.S. Marine. As long as I\u2019m serving Iowans in the U.S. Senate, I\u2019ll do whatever I can to ensure our veterans are neither forsaken, nor forgotten.\n\nVeterans Day is Nov. 11.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-cortez-masto-reintroduce-legislation-to-make-secret-service-director-a-senate-confirmed-position", "Grassley, Cortez Masto Reintroduce Legislation to Make Secret Service Director a Senate Confirmed Position", "2025-11-07", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) are reintroducing the bipartisan Providing Real Oversight and Transparency to Effectively Counter Threats (PROTECT) Act to ensure all future United States Secret Service (USSS) Directors are Senate confirmed and subject to a single, 10-year term.\n\n\u201cThe Secret Service Director is responsible for a critical agency where life and death are at stake. This agency and its leadership require serious congressional oversight to ensure they\u2019re held to a very high standard, so that the failure we saw in Butler last year is never repeated,\u201d Grassley said. \u201cOur bipartisan PROTECT Act is a crucial step towards providing the American people the transparency and accountability they deserve from the Secret Service.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe men and women of the Secret Service have an incredible responsibility, and we must support them and their work. Our bipartisan PROTECT Act will make the Secret Service Director a Senate-confirmed position with a ten-year term, ensuring the same level of oversight as other federal law enforcement agencies while protecting against politicization,\u201d Cortez Masto said.\n\nRead bill text HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nOn July 13, 2025, an assailant opened fire on President Donald Trump at a campaign rally. Despite the presence of USSS, Trump was injured, one rally attendee lost his life and two others suffered serious injuries.\n\nThe Senate confirms the heads of many federal law enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs & Border Protection (CBP).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-durbin-call-on-doj-to-amend-restrictions-on-congressional-oversight-of-foreign-intelligence-surveillance-courts", "Grassley, Durbin Call on DOJ to Amend Restrictions on Congressional Oversight of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Courts", "2025-11-06", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) are urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to amend its procedures for congressional attendance at Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) and Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review (FISCR) proceedings ahead of the expiration of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) next April. The current procedures, first established by the Biden administration in November 2024, and continued under the current administration, hinder congressional oversight and conflict with Section 5(d) of the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act (RISAA).\n\n\u201cThe FISC Procedures, as drafted, comport with neither the plain language nor the spirit of RISAA, and raise numerous separation of powers concerns. As the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate\u2019s primary committee of jurisdiction over the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, we are troubled by the Department\u2019s lack of transparency and failure to engage meaningfully with our committee as these procedures were developed. We request that the Department amend the FISC Procedures to comply with the Constitution and RISAA,\u201d the lawmakers wrote.\n\nRISAA \u2013 signed into law in April 2024 \u2013 requires DOJ to allow select members of Congress and designated staff to attend and conduct oversight of FISC proceedings. In November 2024, the Biden DOJ implemented a policy that requires members of Congress and their staff to agree to a series of arbitrary and inappropriate procedures before being allowed to attend FISC proceedings, which the Trump administration has maintained.\n\nSome of DOJ's policies and procedures include:\n\nProhibiting members of Congress from sharing information with other members of Congress and members of their staff;\n\nRestricting members of Congress from requesting information or documentation from participants of FISC proceedings;\n\nAllowing DOJ staff to remove congressional observers, including members of Congress, from FISC proceedings at any time and at the sole discretion of DOJ;\n\nAllowing only a limited number of congressional observers to attend FISC proceedings at any one time;\n\nProhibiting designated staff from attending the same FISC proceeding as their specified member of Congress; and\n\nProhibiting note taking during proceedings, despite congressional staff\u2019s ability to maintain classified notebooks.\n\nRead Grassley and Durbin\u2019s letter to DOJ HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nSection 5(d) of RISAA requires DOJ to allow specified members of Congress and designated staff to \u201cattend any proceeding of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court or any proceeding of the Foreign Intelligence Court of Review.\u201d Section 5(d) was included in the 2024 reauthorization of Section 702 of FISA to protect Congress\u2019 ability to perform effective oversight over FISC proceedings.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/judiciary-committee-advances-bipartisan-holocaust-survivor-legislation-north-carolina-us-attorney-nominee", "Judiciary Committee Advances Bipartisan Holocaust Survivor Legislation, North Carolina U.S. Attorney Nominee", "2025-11-06", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 The Senate Judiciary Committee today voted unanimously to advance the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025, led by Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is a cosponsor. The bipartisan bill would help reunite Holocaust survivors with their stolen artwork by ensuring that their cases are adjudicated on the merits and procedural loopholes don\u2019t stand in the way of justice.\n\nThe Committee also advanced the nomination of Thomas Ferguson III to be U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, by a vote of 13-9.\n\nWatch the executive business meeting HERE. Read Grassley\u2019s opening statement at the executive business meeting HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-jordan-call-on-chief-justice-roberts-to-address-federal-judges-possible-ethics-violations", "Grassley, Jordan Call on Chief Justice Roberts to Address Federal Judges\u2019 Possible Ethics Violations", "2025-11-05", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) today wrote to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts regarding federal judges\u2019 anonymous, partisan and public statements smearing the Supreme Court.\n\nGrassley and Jordan\u2019s oversight follows anonymous statements made by federal judges to the press, which describe the relationship between the Supreme Court and lower courts as a \u201cwar zone\u201d and accuse the Supreme Court of \u201cundermining the lower courts,\u201d among other criticisms. The chairmen argue these inflammatory comments cast doubt on the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary and may violate the judges\u2019 ethical obligations.\n\n\u201cAs the Chairmen of the Committees on the Judiciary in the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives, we preside over the congressional committees with legislative and oversight jurisdiction over the federal courts. We are deeply concerned that these public attacks on the Court from sitting federal judges damage the public\u2019s faith and confidence in our judicial system. When judges call into question the legitimacy of their own branch of government, they erode faith in the institution itself,\u201d the lawmakers wrote.\n\nGrassley and Jordan are asking Roberts to clarify whether these statements violate the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, and if the judicial branch plans to investigate or address the conduct.\n\n\u201cWe urge you to consider the appropriateness of these public yet anonymous comments and whether they breach the ethical obligations of all federal judges. While we do not yet know the full extent of the comments or who the judges are, we remain convinced that judges should not be going to the press to undermine and denigrate the Supreme Court,\u201d the lawmakers continued.\n\nRead Grassley and Jordan\u2019s letter HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nFederal judges are bound by ethical canons included in the Code of Conduct for United States Judges. Canon 1 of the Code of Conduct states that \u201c[a] judge should uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary.\u201d Canon 2(A) specifies \u201c[a] judge . . . should act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.\u201d Canon 3(A)(6) states: \u201c[a] judge should not make public comment on the merits of a matter pending or impending in any court.\u201d\n\nIn 2024, Chief Judge Albert Diaz of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit resolved a judicial complaint against District Judge Michael Ponsor for publishing an essay titled, \u201cA Federal Judge Wonders: How Could Alito Have Been So Foolish?\u201d Diaz concluded that Ponsor\u2019s statements violated Canons 1 and 2(A) by expressing \u201cpersonal opinions on controversial public issues\u201d and criticizing \u201cthe ethics of a sitting Supreme Court justice.\u201d Diaz also concluded that Ponsor\u2019s statements violated Canon 3(A)(6), noting \u201cit would be reasonable for a member of the public to perceive the essay as a commentary on partisan issues and as a call for Justice Alito\u2019s recusal.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-welcomes-iowan-nominated-for-senior-usda-rural-development-role", "Grassley Welcomes Iowan Nominated for Senior USDA Rural Development Role", "2025-11-05", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a lifelong family farmer and a Senate Agriculture Committee member, questioned Glen Smith of Atlantic, Iowa about the need to support ethanol and biofuels and to improve loan functions at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support family farmers.\n\nGrassley also discussed the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program, which drives economic growth in rural communities where access to financing for improvements and new projects is difficult.\n\nSmith is nominated to serve as Under Secretary for Rural Development at USDA.\n\nVIDEO\n\nOn the importance of Iowa values:\n\nI\u2019m glad your roots are deep in rural America because you\u2019ve been in this town long enough to know that this city is an island surrounded by reality. And, I\u2019m glad to have some of your common sense, been here for a few years.\n\nOn the need to improve loan functions at USDA:\n\nYou have spoken a little bit about your work on the farm credit system. I know you know the importance of federal loan programs, and I think of rural hospitals as an example in this area. But I\u2019m not asking you just about rural hospitals.\n\nHow will you use your experience at the Farm Credit Administration to improve loan functions at the USDA?\n\nOn support for ethanol:\n\nSo, you have an ethanol plant in your backyard. I do as well. Iowa is home to [more than] 40 of these plants. We\u2019re a national leader in biofuels.\n\nEthanol demand increases corn demand, supporting farmers. Do you agree that supporting ethanol \u2014 now, I know you can\u2019t make decisions in this area. It\u2019s mostly in the [jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency]. But you can sure be an advocate.\n\nDo you agree that supporting ethanol and other biofuels in turn supports rural communities and that we should expand domestic production, use and export markets for ethanol?\n\nOn proactive support for biofuels:\n\n...[S]peaking up for rural development is very important ... don\u2019t wait for opportunities to come to you. Seek them out.\n\nThis town is kind of ignorant about biofuels and ethanol. Maybe people in this room aren\u2019t, because this is an Agricultural Committee room. But, just remember that, when you hear people pronounce ethanol \u201cee-thanol,\u201d you\u2019re talking to somebody that doesn\u2019t know much about the program.\n\nOn critical programs for Iowa\u2019s Rural Electric Cooperatives:\n\nThe Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDLG) ... is a critical tool for Iowa\u2019s Rural Electric Cooperatives. These loans and grants drive economic growth in rural communities that would otherwise not have access to financing for improvements and new projects.\n\nWill you work with my office and appropriators to ensure the [Renewable Energy Credits] are supported through the REDLG program, [Rural Energy For America Program] and similar programs?", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-calls-out-democrats-double-standard-on-congressional-oversight", "Grassley Calls out Democrats\u2019 Double Standard on Congressional Oversight", "2025-11-04", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today issued a response to Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and fellow Judiciary Committee Democrats\u2019 inquiries regarding oversight of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Special Counsel Jack Smith\u2019s Arctic Frost investigation.\n\n\u201cMany of my Democratic colleagues failed to speak up when for four years the Biden administration obstructed my oversight and retaliated against my whistleblowers,\u201d Grassley wrote. \u201cIndeed, when I was last Ranking Member of this Committee, for two years I raised concerns about the Biden DOJ and FBI thumbing their nose at my oversight requests. Other than a single short phone call scheduled by you with Attorney General Garland, which proved useless, nothing was done. Here, just this year, I, and my staff, have personally intervened in several Democratic oversight requests, doing more than what was ever done for my office.\u201d\n\nGrassley provided a detailed history of Democrats\u2019 repeated unwillingness to join in Republican oversight efforts when Democrats were in the majority, including oversight of then-Special Counsel Jack Smith, which Grassley began investigating in 2022. Regarding the Committee\u2019s ongoing oversight of Arctic Frost, Grassley wrote:\n\n\u201cAs my Republican colleagues and I made clear before the American people on October 29, 2025, bipartisan hearings will come in time. But we also made clear that we will not hold a hearing until we are in possession of all relevant documents from the FBI and DOJ. I have also written to Jack Smith stating my willingness to host a hearing when we receive and review all relevant records. In that letter, I asked Jack Smith questions which he has thus far failed to answer.\u201d\n\nGrassley additionally noted Democrats\u2019 failure to assist his longtime efforts to declassify and release the Clinton Annex and the Durham Annex, Democrats\u2019 efforts to smear Grassley and Sen. Ron Johnson\u2019s (R-Wis.) Biden family investigation as \u201cRussian disinformation\u201d and Democrats\u2019 failure to support whistleblowers during the Biden administration.\n\n\u201cThe Biden DOJ literally ignored hundreds of my oversight requests. Instead, I relied on whistleblowers to advance my investigative work. Whistleblowers who were retaliated against by the Biden administration, and my Democratic colleagues didn\u2019t lift a finger to help\u2026 [W]histleblowers have said that the Biden DOJ and FBI retaliated against employees for making legally protected whistleblower disclosures or because their political beliefs didn\u2019t align with the Biden administration. Some of [the personnel terminated by the Trump administration] retaliated against my whistleblowers and ruined their lives.\"\n\n\u201cYour side had your chance to run your investigations and do your oversight for the past two Congresses. After my multi-year oversight requests, that never received any assistance from your side, are fulfilled, I will attempt to assist in nonpolitical, legitimate oversight requests from my Democratic colleagues. I remain fully committed to bipartisan, good faith efforts to root out waste, fraud, and abuse within government and doing bipartisan oversight as evidenced by our joint work this year. I hope you and your colleagues will join me in my ongoing efforts,\u201d Grassley concluded.\n\nRead Grassley\u2019s full letter HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-grassley-joins-newsmax-to-discuss-his-arctic-frost-oversight-and-the-democrats-government-shutdown", "ICYMI: Grassley Joins Newsmax to Discuss His Arctic Frost Oversight and the Democrats\u2019 Government Shutdown", "2025-11-04", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined \u201cThe Briefing\u201d with Ed Henry on Newsmax to discuss his release of 197 subpoenas former Special Counsel Jack Smith and his team issued as part of the indiscriminate \u201cArctic Frost\u201d election case against President Donald Trump. Henry and Newsmax were among Smith\u2019s targets.\n\nIn emails released by Grassley earlier this year, one of Jack Smith\u2019s weaponized prosecutors, J.P. Cooney, said, \u201cCan we do some work to nail down Trump\u2019s role in this, perhaps with some process on Ed Henry\u2019s LLC?\u201d Whistleblower records recently provided to Grassley then showed Smith sought records from Apple relating to Trump, Henry and the January 6 prison choir. Smith later obtained a court order to hide the subpoena's existence.\n\nVideo and excerpts of Grassley\u2019s remarks follow:\n\nVIDEO\n\nOn the latest in Grassley\u2019s Arctic Frost investigation:\n\n\u201cWell, of course, until now, we thought they were just after \u2013 to ruin President Trump and put Trump in prison and ruin him financially. Now, we know it was a fishing expedition to go after Republican organizations, people connected to Republicans [and] people that are conservative. Even Charlie Kirk's organization, TPUSA, was involved with this.\n\n\u201cSo, it was very much a fishing expedition. And I think that they were spreading a wide net because they were looking for anything they could to hook on Trump, [to] put Trump in prison, keep him from running for president, and things of that nature.\n\n\u201cBut Jack [Smith] subpoenaed all this stuff, and thank God the whistleblowers told us about it, gave us the documents, and that's why your name came out.\u201d\n\nOn what comes next for Congress' Arctic Frost oversight:\n\n\u201c...[T]he information that Pam Bondi put out about President Trump's telephone and his records, I released that back in March based upon information I got from whistleblowers.\n\n\u201c...[W]e have to get more documents from the bowels of the Department of Justice. And in those bowels of the Department of Justice are a lot of people that don't want this information out because they're probably very, very close to the liberal organizations in this town.\n\n\u201cBut, when we get these documents, we're going to have hearings and get the information out. If there's prosecution, that's obviously got to come from the executive branch of government, not from [Congress]. But I hope to expose enough information so that that would happen.\u201d\n\nOn FBI documents and the Comey case:\n\n\u201cWell, a lot of the documents we've gotten from the FBI have come from that same burn room that you had in your question, and I think the documents that have been available today give more evidence to the fact that Comey lied to the Congress of the United States. And I think that that's very important.\u201d\n\nOn ending Democrats\u2019 government shutdown:\n\n\u201cWell, for the first time this week, there's some talk about reaching an end to it. It isn't reached yet, but we were told to plan to be in session this weekend, if we can actually get it done this week.\n\n\u201cIf it doesn't, it's going to carry over, and I don't know how long could go on. But this is the first best news we had that it could end. And besides the air traffic controllers and shut down airspace, there's 42 million Americans that are on food stamps that can't get food stamps.\n\nAnd people are going to the checkout counter, finding out that there isn't any money in their debit card from the food stamps, and they leave crying, in sobs.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report11-03-2025", "Capitol Hill Report 11-03-2025", "2025-11-03", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Senator Grassley\u2019s Capitol Hill Report can be found HERE.\n\nTopics include: China and U.S. soybean trade, SNAP benefits, government shutdown, Argentina beef imports, and the Fertilizer Research Act.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-spotlight-on-soaring-farm-input-costs", "Q&A: Spotlight on Soaring Farm Input Costs", "2025-10-31", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Q: Why did you hold a Judiciary Committee hearing to examine consolidation in the farm sector?\n\nA: As the only grain farmer in the United States Senate, I\u2019m honored to advocate on behalf of family farmers who are wrapping up the harvest season and looking ahead to next year\u2019s crop. Today U.S. farmers are feeling crushed with uncertainty as they make plans to purchase inputs and take out lines of credit to pay the bills and stay afloat. At my annual county meetings, local co-ops and in communications with my office, Iowa farmers tell me they\u2019re feeling pinched by matters out of their control, including high input costs, high borrowing costs and global trade uncertainty. I held the committee hearing to look under the hood of market concentration in the ag sector and examine how it drives up the cost of production for family farmers and impacts food security for American families. From fertilizer to seed and equipment manufacturing, agribusiness consolidation among global conglomerates calls for a robust effort to promote competition and strengthen transparency to protect the livelihoods of farmers and foster a resilient food production system.\n\nAmerica\u2019s farm families take on the risk, put in the work and feed our nation and much of the world. As Iowa\u2019s senior U.S. Senator, I\u2019ll continue working to address the root causes contributing to soaring prices for farm inputs to strengthen the viability of the family farm for generations to come. Empowering America\u2019s farmers to continue to do what they love and do what they do best will help strengthen rural communities and our nation\u2019s food security. I\u2019ve led the charge in Congress to beef up enforcement of anticompetitive practices and led bipartisan scrutiny of agricultural mergers. Nearly a decade ago, I referred to the consolidation wave in agribusiness as a tsunami. Left unchecked, concentration can lead to exclusionary, anticompetitive practices that impact farmers and the food supply chain. For example, I\u2019m pushing to inject more price transparency in the fertilizer industry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates fertilizer purchases will account for 36% of a corn grower\u2019s operating costs in 2025. My Fertilizer Research Act would require the USDA to conduct a study on competition and trends in the fertilizer market that impact price.\n\nQ: What did you learn from testimony from the witnesses, including two Iowans?\n\nA: Noah Coppess farms full-time in the Stanwood area of Cedar County. He also operates an ag retail business selling pesticides and fertilizer to area farmers. In his testimony, he said consolidation has significantly limited marketing opportunities for farmers, with four big meatpackers dominating beef, pork and poultry processing. He said mega-mergers in the chemical and seed markets have resulted in opaque pricing and choice restrictions when farmers make seed and fertilizer purchasing decisions. According to USDA reports, net farm income in Iowa fell 53% in 2024, from nearly $14.9 billion to $7 billion. Farmers don\u2019t have the luxury of raising the price for their crops when they sell them to pass on the higher cost of production. Declining farm income combined with soaring farm input costs explain why farmers are unable to make a profit on $4 corn and $10 soybeans.\n\nJohn Latham runs a family-owned independent seed business in Franklin County started by his grandfather in 1947. Their customers across the Upper Midwest buy the company\u2019s corn, soybean and alfalfa seed. He testified independent businesses like theirs are going out of business because of the powerful and \u201cpredatory\u201d anticompetitive practices of multi-national companies. He compared their business model to abusive practices by pharmaceutical companies that distort intellectual property laws to keep cheaper generic options off the market. As a result, he said independent companies, farmers and consumers suffer. He described a one-sided situation for independent companies who face financial penalties and restrictive rebates from the large operators with whom they must sign data-sharing agreements about their customers. He explained how technology royalties have surged by 40% to 80% in the last four years.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-duckworth-durbin-sorensen-press-army-leadership-over-impacts-of-army-transformation-initiative-on-rock-island-arsenal", "Grassley, Duckworth, Durbin, Sorensen Press Army Leadership Over Impacts of Army Transformation Initiative on Rock Island Arsenal", "2025-10-30", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), along with Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), had a briefing with Acting Army Materiel Commander Lieutenant General (LTC) Christopher Mohan to learn more about the impacts the Army Transformation Initiative (ATI) could have on Rock Island Arsenal and the Quad Cities region. The initiative calls for calls for a sweeping set of changes for Army operations that include downsizing, consolidating or closing redundant headquarters.\n\nThe members pushed for answers on how the ATI would impact the Arsenal\u2019s workforce and mission, as well as on the ATI\u2019s implementation timeline. They secured a commitment from the LTG to share documentation of the Army\u2019s analysis of impacts.\n\n\u201cThere are clear economic and national security reasons for ensuring the work at Rock Island Arsenal continues. It plays a vital role in our national defense, and it\u2019s a key driver for the Quad Cities\u2019 economy. I appreciated hearing more details from the Army about its plans and how the Arsenal will retain its significance in supporting our warfighters. As those plans move forward, I will continue to work with my colleagues and the Army to support the Arsenal, its important work and the jobs it sustains in the region,\u201d Grassley said.\n\n\u201cThe Rock Island Arsenal is an economic engine for the entire Quad Cities region and plays an important role in our national security. I am deeply committed to the Army and its future\u2014I support Army modernization, but we must balance modernization with readiness. I\u2019ll keep working with my colleagues on the federal level to protect operations and ensure that the Arsenal has the support it needs to succeed for years to come,\u201d Duckworth said.\n\n\u201cRock Island Arsenal is critical to both our national security and the economy of the Quad Cities region. The men and women at the Arsenal manufacture top-of-the-line equipment that contribute to our nation\u2019s military readiness. I will continue to work, on a bipartisan basis, with both my colleagues in Congress and military leaders to ensure security for the workforce at Rock Island Arsenal,\u201d Durbin said.\n\n\u201cThe men and women of the Rock Island Arsenal do essential work that strengthens our military, protects our national security, and keeps Americans safe. I\u2019m glad to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in getting to the bottom of the Army\u2019s plans for the Rock Island Arsenal, and I\u2019m proud to advocate for my neighbors on the House Armed Services Committee to ensure the Arsenal\u2019s essential work is sustainable for the future,\u201d Sorensen said.\n\nBackground:\n\nGrassley has long been a champion for Rock Island Arsenal, including through his legislation to expand manufacturing opportunities for Army arsenals. He also helped secure provisions in appropriations legislation and the annual defense authorization bill to help ensure the long-term viability of the Rock Island Arsenal. Along with his colleagues, he introduced the Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act in March to boost workload at Army arsenals, including Rock Island Arsenal.\n\nIn June, Grassley, Duckworth, Durbin and Sorensen, along with Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), sent a letter to U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll reemphasizing their request for a briefing to discuss any potential command and personnel changes at the Arsenal. Members had first requested a dedicated briefing in April.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-questions-trade-representative-nominees-on-need-to-end-the-biden-phosphate-duties-push-china-to-drop-non-tariff-barriers", "Grassley Questions Trade Representative Nominees on Need to End the Biden Phosphate Duties, Push China to Drop Non-Tariff Barriers", "2025-10-29", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee as well as a lifelong family farmer, questioned two nominees for the U.S. Trade Representative\u2019s office about the need to support Iowa farmers, including by restoring rules-based trade with China and ending the Biden Phosphate Duties that removed Moroccan phosphate as an option for farmers.\n\nIn his questions to Chief Agricultural Negotiator nominee Julie Callahan and Deputy U.S. Trade Representative nominee Jeffrey Goettman, Grassley shared that Iowans have expressed concern about finding more ways to get American dairy into Canada and asked what can be done to address the issue.\n\nVIDEO\n\nOn the need to end the Biden Phosphate Duties:\n\nI\u2019ve been speaking a lot recently about the income crisis in farming, particularly in crops.\n\nFarmers are facing low commodity prices and high input costs. The second highest input cost for farmers is fertilizer. So, directing this not in the form of question but a statement to Dr. Callahan and Mr. Goettman, I know that the responsibility for this rests with the Commerce Department, not at the Trade Representative\u2019s Office.\n\nHowever, I would hope that you take back to your team the message to get rid of the Biden Phosphate Duties that removed Moroccan phosphate as an option for American farmers.\n\nThat represents roughly 70 percent of the global reserves of phosphate, almost making it non-accessible to American farmers.\n\nOn pushing China to comply with rules-based trade, lower non-tariff barriers\n\nSo, to you, Dr. Callahan, this question based on the fact that President Trump is meeting with President Xi [of] China: \u2026 we\u2019re all hoping for good news from their meeting, especially on soybean exports, and I guess there\u2019s some news on that today.\n\nThere are many non-tariff barriers for U.S. farmers hoping to get their products sold to China, including beef producers.\n\nSo, what are some of these non-tariff barriers? And how will you continue to push China to comply with rules-based trade, and even their own regulations, to allow more [American] products into China?\n\nOn getting more U.S. dairy into Canada\n\nAnd for you and Mr. Goettman: as we look to reviewing the USMCA now that Mexico\u2019s GMO corn issue is resolved, the number one issue that I hear from Iowa farmers on USMCA is getting U.S. dairy into Canada.\n\nSo, for you two, is the USMCA dairy issue an enforcement issue, or are there some changes that we should push for in the review to get more dairy into Canada?", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/new-jack-smith-subpoenaed-records-for-over-400-republican-targets-as-part-of-arctic-frost", "NEW: Jack Smith Subpoenaed Records for Over 400 Republican Targets As Part of Arctic Frost", "2025-10-29", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today made public 197 subpoenas former Special Counsel Jack Smith and his team issued as part of the indiscriminate election case against President Trump. Smith\u2019s case began at the Biden Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under the codename \u201cArctic Frost.\u201d\n\nThe subpoenas, which were provided to Grassley through legally protected whistleblower disclosures, were sent to 34 individuals and 163 businesses. These 197 subpoenas requested testimony, communications and records related to at least 430 named Republican individuals and entities. Some of the records Smith subpoenaed from banks, individuals and businesses included:\n\nCommunications with media companies such as CBS, Fox News, Fox Business, Newsmax, Sinclair and others.\n\nCommunications with \u201cany member, employee or agent of the Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government.\u201d\n\nCommunications with White House advisors, such as Stephen Miller, Dan Scavino, Jared Kushner, Lara Trump and others.\n\nStatistical data and analysis relating to donors and fundraising efforts.\n\nBroad financial data relating to conservative individuals and entities.\n\nGrassley unveiled the subpoenas during a press conference alongside Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.\n\nGrassley at today\u2019s press conference said, in part:\n\n\u201cArctic Frost was the vehicle by which partisan FBI agents and DOJ prosecutors could improperly investigate the entire Republican political apparatus. Contrary to what [Jack] Smith has said publicly, this was clearly a fishing expedition.\n\n\u201cIf this happened to the Democrats, they\u2019d be as rightly outraged as we are.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re making these records public in the interest of transparency and so that the American people can draw their own conclusions.\u201d\n\nA master list of the organizations and individuals Smith subpoenaed is available HERE, compiled by Senate Judiciary Committee staff.\n\nCopies of Smith\u2019s subpoenas can be found HERE.\n\nLearn more about Grassley\u2019s Arctic Frost oversight:\n\nOctober 23, 2025: Grassley Responds to Jack Smith Request for a Hearing\n\nOctober 23, 2025: Grassley Reveals Garland, Monaco, Wray Gave Personal Sign-Off to Open Arctic Frost\n\nOctober 14, 2025: Grassley Demands Telecommunications Companies, Federal Entities Turn Over All Records Provided to Jack Smith\n\nOctober 10, 2025: Grassley and Johnson Lead Colleagues in Seeking Release of All DOJ, FBI Records Detailing Biden Administration\u2019s Targeting of Sitting Members of Congress\n\nOctober 10, 2025: ICYMI: Grassley Oversight of Arctic Frost Yields Ongoing Results and Draws National Attention\n\nOctober 6, 2025: Biden FBI Spied on Eight Republican Senators as Part of Arctic Frost Investigation, Grassley Oversight Reveals\n\nSeptember 16, 2025: Grassley Opens Senate Judiciary FBI Oversight Hearing, Releases Additional Records Demonstrating Political Weaponization and Misconduct at Biden FBI\n\nApril 8, 2025: Grassley, Johnson Release Additional Arctic Frost Records Detailing Sweeping Anti-Trump Investigation\n\nMarch 14, 2025: Grassley, Johnson Release Records Showing FBI Obtained Trump, Pence Cell Phones, Conducted Sweeping Interviews to Advance Anti-Trump Arctic Frost Investigation\n\nFebruary 3, 2025: Grassley Underscores FBI Supervisor Misconduct in Trump-Targeted Arctic Frost Investigation\n\nJanuary 30, 2025: Grassley Opening Statement on Kash Patel\u2019s Nomination to be FBI Director\n\nJanuary 30, 2025: Grassley, Johnson Make Public Whistleblower Records Revealing DOJ and FBI Plot to Pin Trump in Jack Smith Elector Case", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-opens-hearing-to-uncover-forces-driving-the-soaring-cost-of-inputs-identify-practical-steps-to-restore-competition", "Grassley Opens Hearing to Uncover Forces Driving the Soaring Cost of Inputs, Identify Practical Steps to Restore Competition", "2025-10-28", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Prepared Opening Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa\n\nChairman, Senate Judiciary Committee\n\n\u201cPressure Cooker: Competition Issues in the Seed & Fertilizer Industries\u201d\n\nTuesday, October 28, 2025\n\nToday, the Judiciary Committee turns its attention to a problem Iowa farmers talk to me about at the kitchen table and at the co-op. This time of year, farmers are going in to buy the basics they need to plant and harvest a crop \u2013 but they don\u2019t always feel like they have a real choice, let alone a fair price.\n\nAmerica\u2019s farmers are the most productive in the world. They take the risk, put in the work and feed the United States and much of the world. But they also operate on thin profit margins. If input costs go up or switching suppliers is too hard, that pinch is felt by every farmer, family and consumer in the world.\n\nFarmers across the country are shouldering significantly higher input costs, particularly for seed and fertilizer. According to USDA\u2019s Agricultural Prices reports, the price indexes farmers pay for these categories were notably higher in January 2025 than at the start of 2021. This was obviously due, in part, to the record high inflation rates under the Biden administration.\n\nRising input prices squeeze already thin margins, especially when combined with volatile commodity markets, higher borrowing costs and weather risks.\n\nToday\u2019s hearing will examine the drivers behind these trends \u2014 energy markets that influence nitrogen production, global supply disruptions, logistics bottlenecks and market concentration \u2014 and evaluate practical steps that increase transparency and competition so producers can remain viable and resilient.\n\nOne such step would be to pass my legislation, the Fertilizer Research Act. This bill would require the Department of Agriculture to do a comprehensive study on the fertilizer industry to shed light on the reasons farmers are paying so much for fertilizer.\n\nThe department would be required to give recommendations on further regular public reporting.\n\nThis hearing is focused on competition issues. However, there is something that the Trump administration can do right now to help ease the burden for farmers: lowering the countervailing duties on phosphate from Morocco. In 2024, the Biden administration increased duties on Moroccan phosphate to 18 percent.\n\nThe Biden phosphate duties have only hurt farmers by boxing out access to this important market on an essential input with no substitute.\n\nI\u2019m calling on the Trump administration to help American farmers and get rid of the Biden phosphate duties.\n\nOver the last 20 years, a few big companies have bought up many of the smaller seed and chemical businesses. Those same companies now sell not just the seeds, but also the pesticides and digital farming tools that tell farmers what to plant and when.\n\nBecause all those products and data systems are tied together, it\u2019s hard for farmers to switch to a different brand \u2014 their data and recommendations are \u201clocked in\u201d to one company\u2019s system.\n\nOn the fertilizer side, global energy and trade shocks hit prices fast. In regional markets, those prices can be slow to fall. On top of that are the contracts and dealer practices \u2014 loyalty rebates, \u201cmost-favored\u201d clauses and early-order calendars \u2014 that can lock in a farm or a local retailer even when there\u2019s a better option on paper.\n\nNow, nobody here wants to punish innovation. We want better yields, healthier soils and quality products. But we also want competition that\u2019s fair, transparent and local competition that a farmer can actually expect when he or she sits down to make a purchase.\n\nCompetition law is about making sure the rules don\u2019t give a few players the power to decide what everyone else pays and which choices are even available.\n\nThis hearing focuses on problems and workable solutions.\n\nFirst, transparency: farmers deserve to know the effective price they\u2019re paying, including how rebates and claw backs really work, and whether wholesale fertilizer declines are being passed through in a timely way.\n\nSecond, portability: farmers ought to control their own data and move it \u2014 quickly, completely and affordably \u2014 so they can seek independent agronomic advice without fear of losing their history.\n\nThird, fair dealing: contracts and dealer programs shouldn\u2019t operate as de facto exclusive arrangements in rural counties where there might only be one or two full-service outlets.\n\nAnd fourth, accountability: when mergers don\u2019t deliver what was promised on paper, agencies should look back and fix it.\n\nI represent Iowa, so I\u2019m thinking about anhydrous ammonia logistics, early-season timing and the reality that a lost multi-line dealer can mean a long drive and fewer options.\n\nBut these issues cross state lines, and the principles are the same whether you farm in Iowa, Illinois or anywhere else: more sunlight, more choice, less fine print and a level playing field.\n\nI appreciate Senator Durbin\u2019s partnership in setting a constructive, bipartisan tone today. We\u2019ll hear from farmers, producers and industry experts.\n\nMy goal is simple: identify practical steps \u2014 legislative and regulatory \u2014 that respect innovation and property rights but restore real, on-the-ground competition.\n\nWhen farmers win fair choices at fair prices, rural communities win, consumers win and America\u2019s food security wins.\n\nI look forward to the discussion, and I\u2019ll turn to Senator Durbin now for any opening remarks.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-probes-gates-foundation-and-others-for-501c3-compliance", "Grassley Probes Gates Foundation and Others for 501(c)(3) Compliance", "2025-10-28", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is scrutinizing the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Ford Foundation to determine how the organizations are complying with applicable tax laws given their reported funding of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its allies.\n\n\u201cAccording to recent reports, [your organizations], through grants and direct payments, have funded the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its allies,\u201d Grassley wrote. \u201cTo maintain tax exempt status, an organization\u2019s activities must be charitable in nature and may not directly support or promote the interests of a foreign government.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am writing today to ask you whether these reports are true or not and, if true, how your organization\u2019s conduct comports with 501(c)(3) requirements,\u201d Grassley continued.\n\nRead Grassley\u2019s letter to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation HERE.\n\nRead Grassley\u2019s letter to the Rockefeller Brothers Fund HERE.\n\nRead Grassley\u2019s letter to the Ford Foundation HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nSection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code provides tax-exempt status for entities that are charitable in nature and do not directly support or promote the interests of a foreign government. While private foundations are allowed to provide funds to foreign organizations, they must follow specific rules to ensure funds are used for a qualifying charitable purpose and avoid excise taxes.\n\nThe Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2023 reportedly directed approximately $11.7 million to various arms of the CCP, as well as $2 million to a corporation working with the Chinese military and $6.7 million to state-run Chinese universities. In fiscal year 2022, the nonprofit organization reportedly provided roughly $23 million to over 20 different Chinese entities, some of which were labeled \u201cforeign governments.\u201d\n\nThe Rockefeller Brothers Fund, from April 2020 to August 2024, reportedly donated $7.4 million to organizations that were part of the CCP, led by members of the CCP or engaged in partnerships with China. Specifically, the nonprofit partnered with the \u201cSociety of Entrepreneurs of Ecology Foundation,\u201d which partnered with the CCP to assist the Belt and Road Initiative.\n\nThe Ford Foundation, from January 2020 to December 2024, reportedly provided nearly $10 million to the Chinese government to further the Belt and Road Initiative. Most of the Ford Foundation\u2019s Chinese grant funding was reportedly given to state-run, or CCP-run, universities with strong ties to the People\u2019s Liberation Army.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/iowa-farmers-and-hearing-witnesses-endorse-grassley-fertilizer-bill-discuss-need-for-transparency-in-seed-and-fertilizer-industries", "Iowa Farmers and Hearing Witnesses Endorse Grassley Fertilizer Bill, Discuss Need for Transparency in Seed and Fertilizer Industries", "2025-10-28", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate\u2019s only grain farmer, led a committee hearing this morning to examine how market consolidation drives up production costs for family farmers. The hearing also touched on the high cost of fertilizer and efforts to fill in reporting gaps after the Obama administration discontinued annual reports on the fertilizer industry in 2014. Grassley\u2019s bipartisan Fertilizer Research Act would shed light on market factors driving the cost of fertilizer, a major expense for farmers.\n\nWitnesses at the hearing included two Iowans, Noah Coppess of Coppess Family Farms in Stanwood and John Latham of Latham Quality in Alexander. Grassley asked Coppess and Latham to discuss how market consolidation has impacted their businesses, including the number of corn and soybean varieties available to farmers.\n\nLatham stated the percentage of a seed bag\u2019s cost going to royalties has risen from 42% five years ago to 70% today. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service, Bayer and Corteva together account for more than half of U.S. sales of corn, soybean and cotton seed.\n\nDuring the hearing, Grassley entered letters and statements from several groups into the record, including the Iowa Corn Growers Association.\n\nGrassley also questioned the Progressive Policy Institute Vice President and Director of Competition Policy Dr. Diana Moss, the American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland, the Fertilizer Institute CEO Corey Rosenbusch and the American Seed Trade Association President and CEO Andrew LaVigne.\n\nOPENING STATEMENT VIDEO\n\nFIRST ROUND OF QUESTIONS VIDEO\n\nSECOND ROUND OF QUESTIONS VIDEO\n\nOn the need for more information in the fertilizer industry:\n\nMr. Rosenbusch, in 2014, the Obama administration discontinued annual reports on the fertilizer industry. Since then, prices have become more and more opaque, making it harder for farmers to know if they\u2019re getting a fair deal.\n\nMy Fertilizer Research Act seeks to fill in these reporting gaps. So, could you tell us what measures are being taken to ensure transparency in pricing mechanisms, so farmers aren\u2019t unfairly penalized by last-minute price increases?\n\nOn price transparency:\n\nDr. Moss, in your opinion, what types of public reporting could provide the necessary transparency in fertilizer markets for farmers looking to get a fair price?\n\nOn the impact of market consolidation:\n\nMr. Latham and Mr. Coppess, major mergers and business transactions over the last decade reduced the \u2018Big 6\u2019 ag companies to only four. The U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s Economic Research Service reports that Bayer and Corteva together account for more than half of the U.S. sales of corn, soybean and cotton seed.\n\nWhat impact does this have on your business? Has there been an impact on the number of corn and soybean varieties available to farmers?\n\nControl over inputs rivals need:\n\nDr. Moss, in your opinion, if a trait owner conditions access in ways that predictably raises rivals\u2019 costs or limits stacking with competing traits, is that a problem? And, should it trigger enforcement?\n\nOn trait stacking and access:\n\nSo, I'm going to ask Mr. Latham. Across corn and soybeans today, are there still contractual or technical barriers that keep you from offering a seed with a competitor\u2019s trait stacked alongside another? Could you describe the specific clauses and data obligations that get in the way?\n\nOn intimidation and retaliation:\n\nMr. Coppess, farmers report rebate claw backs, delayed allocations and audit threats after trying rival products and services. Could you give us some details of recent incidents where a supplier or retailer used rebate leverage or allocation delays to punish switching?\n\nOn the times licensing promotes competition or forecloses it:\n\nMr. LaVigne, your organization says on its website that your membership includes 85 percent of all private U.S. seed companies operating in the United States, both big and small. Is there disagreement among your members regarding antitrust and intellectual property issues, laws and enforcement?\n\nOn the national security risks of foreign-owned companies:\n\nThis question would be to Dr. Moss, Mr. Rosenbusch and Mr. LaVigne. Only one of the four largest companies controlling the ag market is U.S. owned. In your opinion, does this represent any national security risk to our country?\n\nOn preventing domestic de facto monopolies:\n\nFor you Mr. Rosenbusch, when a single foreign supplier dominates an essential input and [the Department of] Commerce and [the U.S. International Trade Commission] impose duties that may choke off that source, what specific safeguards would the Fertilizer Institute support to prevent a de facto domestic monopoly and keep farmers supplied?\n\nOn speeding innovation versus walling off rivals:\n\nDr. Moss, in plain English, where\u2019s the line between licensing that speeds innovation and licensing that walls off rivals\u2014especially for stacked traits? Do you support narrowly tailored measures similar to Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory (FRAND) agreements? If so, why?\n\nOn availability of generic insect resistant traits:\n\nMy last question will be for Mr. LaVigne and Dr. Moss. I want to understand why generic insect resistant traits haven\u2019t materialized despite patent expirations. I understand that there does not appear to be a single generic insect resistant (IR) trait available to growers, notwithstanding frameworks touted as solutions. Why is this the case?", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-10-27-2025", "Capitol Hill Report, 10-27-2025", "2025-10-27", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Senator Grassley\u2019s Capitol Hill Report can be found HERE.\n\nTopics include: China and U.S. soybean trade, government shutdown, Argentina beef imports, Arctic Frost oversight and \u201cThe Knot\u201d oversight.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-presses-for-answers-on-states-use-of-taxpayer-dollars-to-fund-health-care-for-illegal-immigrants-asks-hhs-to-launch-nationwide-investigation", "Grassley Presses for Answers on States\u2019 Use of Taxpayer Dollars to Fund Health Care for Illegal Immigrants, Asks HHS to Launch Nationwide Investigation", "2025-10-24", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is urging federal health officials to investigate schemes by states to provide taxpayer-funded Medicaid coverage to illegal immigrants.\n\nIn two letters to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Acting Inspector General, Grassley outlines how California and other states use provider taxes as an indirect mechanism to fund Medicaid coverage for illegal immigrants, which is an abuse of the federal Medicaid matching funds process.\n\n\u201c[A]ccording to reports, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont provide Medicaid coverage to income-eligible illegal immigrant children, while California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Illinois, New York, Oregon, and Washington provide coverage to all income-eligible illegal immigrants. All of those states have some kind of provider tax in place,\u201d Grassley wrote to CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz and HHS Acting Inspector General Juliet Hodgkins.\n\nFederal law prohibits states from using federal Medicaid funds to cover illegal immigrants, but provider taxes offer states a strategy to use federal dollars to cross-subsidize their immigrant Medicaid programs. Provider taxes, like the one in California can bring in billions of federal dollars for the federally matched portion of the state\u2019s Medicaid program and frees up other state funds to pay for the illegal immigrant Medicaid program.\n\nLast year, Grassley wrote to CMS and California Governor Gavin Newsom demanding answers after an HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) report found California used an outdated calculation method to determine federal reimbursement amounts and ultimately received $52.7 million in inappropriate federal payments, which CMS confirmed the state paid back.\n\nIn his letters this week, Grassley called on the officials to take action to determine the scope of the problem.\n\n\u201c[T]he HHS OIG has identified impermissible state provider tax programs in the past. Thus, I am requesting that the HHS OIG investigate whether any states are indirectly using federal funds through provider taxes, including but not limited to California\u2019s Managed Care Organization (MCO) tax, to pay for Medicaid coverage for illegal immigrants,\u201d Grassley continued in his letter to the HHS OIG.\n\nGrassley is also requesting a full response to his August 2024 letter to the Biden CMS Administrator, as well information regarding what states have instituted a new provider tax in Fiscal Year 2025. He is asking CMS to detail the steps it has taken to ensure states do not use federal dollars to subsidize Medicaid coverage for illegal immigrants.\n\nIn remarks on the Senate floor, Grassley highlighted the commonsense Medicaid reforms included in the 2025 tax bill.\n\nThe full text of the letter to CMS can be found HERE, and Grassley\u2019s letter to HHS can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-medicare-enrollment-and-rooting-out-fraud", "Q&A: Medicare Enrollment and Rooting Out Fraud", "2025-10-24", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Q: What do Iowans need to know about Medicare Open Enrollment?\n\nA: The annual open enrollment season runs now through December 7, 2025. During the government shutdown, enrollment will continue online at medicare.gov. Iowans can create or log into their online Medicare account to compare plans, find providers and talk to a representative. In 2026, out-of-pocket costs for covered drugs under Medicare Part D are capped at $2,100. When I served as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I steered through Congress historic reforms that added the first-ever, voluntary prescription drug coverage benefit to Medicare. Since then, I\u2019ve worked to ensure Part D is implemented as Congress intended.\n\nNew Medicare enrollees should consider getting a drug plan with a low monthly premium even if you don\u2019t take prescription medication today to avoid the late enrollment penalty in the years ahead. Be mindful if you wait to enroll for drug coverage when you \u201cneed it,\u201d an extra 1 percent of the national base beneficiary premium calculated for each month you could have signed up for Part D will be added to your monthly premium. In addition, examine the \u201cannual notice of change\u201d to determine if your current plan will meet your needs in the coming year. Take care to cross check that your current prescription medicines are on the formulary and pricing tier (a list of pharmaceutical drugs covered by a specific health plan) and confirm which providers and pharmacies are in network or listed as preferred providers. Iowans may contact the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) for personalized counseling that is free, confidential and objective to learn more about their Medicare options. Set up an appointment at shiip.iowa.gov, or call (800) 351-4664.\n\nQ: How are you working to root out wasteful spending in federal health programs?\n\nA: As a taxpayer watchdog, I conduct robust oversight of federal programs to ensure hard-earned taxpayer dollars aren\u2019t lost to waste, fraud and abuse. When there\u2019s a whiff of wrongdoing, I use my oversight tools to get answers. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I recently wrote a letter to UnitedHealth Group demanding information on the company\u2019s Medicare billing practices. Reports of apparent misconduct, including schemes to misdiagnose enrollees to generate revenue, allegedly contributed to $8.7 billion in extra payments in the year 2021. Stories like these undermine confidence in our health care system and fraudulent activity drives up costs to beneficiaries and the taxpayer. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve continuously pushed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to claw back improper payments and improve its stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Most recently, improper Medicare payments exceeded a staggering $87 billion in fiscal year 2024.\n\nMy oversight work also includes efforts to root out fraud in Obamacare. Information provided to my office revealed insurance agents have used targeted internet advertisements to fraudulently enroll consumers. Reports say five million consumers may have inappropriately received health insurance through subsidized plans in the federal marketplace, costing the taxpayer an estimated $20 billion. Last year, I also pressed CMS after a federal watchdog found the state of California improperly claimed nearly $53 million in federal Medicaid reimbursement for illegal immigrants. More recently, I followed up with Dr. Mehmet Oz, the CMS administrator, to dig into details about provider taxes that may be exploited as a kickback scheme to increase the share of federal dollars to provide coverage for illegal immigrants and other populations ineligible for federal Medicaid funds.\n\nProper stewardship of federal health care programs is essential to keep affordable access to health care for tens of millions of Americans for whom these taxpayer-funded programs are intended to serve.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-releases-judges-responses-owning-up-to-ai-use-calls-for-continued-oversight-and-regulation", "Grassley Releases Judges\u2019 Responses Owning Up to AI Use, Calls for Continued Oversight and Regulation", "2025-10-23", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today made public responses from U.S. Southern District of Mississippi Judge Henry T. Wingate, U.S. District of New Jersey Judge Julien Xavier Neals and the Administrative Office of the Courts (AO) Director Robert Conrad regarding Wingate and Neals\u2019 use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to draft factually inaccurate court orders.\n\nBoth judges admitted to Grassley that their staff used generative AI to draft error-ridden orders. These orders misquoted state law, referenced individuals who didn\u2019t appear in the case and attributed fake quotes to defendants, among other significant inaccuracies.\n\n\u201cHonesty is always the best policy. I commend Judges Wingate and Neals for acknowledging their mistakes and I\u2019m glad to hear they\u2019re working to make sure this doesn\u2019t happen again, Grassley said \u201cEach federal judge, and the judiciary as an institution, has an obligation to ensure the use of generative AI does not violate litigants\u2019 rights or prevent fair treatment under the law. The judicial branch needs to develop more decisive, meaningful and permanent AI policies and guidelines. We can\u2019t allow laziness, apathy or overreliance on artificial assistance to upend the Judiciary\u2019s commitment to integrity and factual accuracy. As always, my oversight will continue.\u201d\n\nIn response to Grassley\u2019s oversight, Wingate and Neals have implemented corrective measures to verify the accuracy of their court orders. Wingate now requires all draft opinions, orders and memos to undergo a second independent review and requires all cited cases to be printed and attached to the final draft. Neals implemented a written policy that prohibits all law clerks and interns from using AI when drafting opinions or orders, as well as a multi-level opinion review policy.\n\nThe AO also wrote to Grassley to describe their recently established advisory AI Task Force, which issued interim AI guidance on July 31, 2025. According to the AO, the July guidance includes \u201cgeneral, non-technical suggestions\u201d that allow for \u201cthe use of and experimentation with AI tools.\u201d Among these suggestions is the recommendation that AI users consider \u201cwhether the use of AI should be disclosed.\u201d The AO stated these suggestions are non-exhaustive and are intended to provide temporary guideposts while more permanent policies are developed.\n\nRead Wingate\u2019s full response to Grassley HERE.\n\nRead Neals\u2019 full response to Grassley HERE.\n\nRead AO\u2019s full response to Grassley HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Senate Judiciary Committee has broad oversight and legislative jurisdiction over civil and criminal judicial proceedings, the federal courts, federal judges and other related matters. Errors caused by the use of artificial intelligence, like those found in the decisions issued by Wingate and Neals, cast doubt on the Judiciary\u2019s deliberative process and raise legitimate concerns about the accuracy of courts\u2019 decisions.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-rosen-reintroduce-bipartisan-gang-data-reporting-legislation", "Grassley, Rosen Reintroduce Bipartisan Gang Data Reporting Legislation", "2025-10-23", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) today reintroduced the Gang Activity Reporting Act to confront violent crime. The bipartisan bill would require the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to resume annual reports to Congress on local, national and transnational criminal gang activity trends, which were discontinued in 2009 and 2012.\n\n\u201cCriminal gangs have been responsible for nearly half of all violent crime. To address this longstanding issue, Congress must have access to accurate, consistent and reliable data on gang activity and membership trends,\u201d Grassley said. \u201cThis commonsense, bipartisan bill would revive information-sharing between the executive branch and Congress, allowing lawmakers to make more informed and timely decisions to end the scourge of gang violence in America.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe know that gangs are responsible for a disproportionate amount of violent crime in the United States. As communities across the country grapple with devastating gang violence, we must ensure they have access to the resources and support to combat it,\u201d Rosen said. \u201cWith this bipartisan bill\u2019s required comprehensive federal report on gang membership data and trends, we can better understand how gangs are contributing to violent crime and take the right steps to support law enforcement and strengthen public safety.\u201d\n\nFull text of the legislation is available HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nDespite the DOJ and FBI establishing specified units to address criminal gang activity, reporting to Congress has largely dried up over the last decade. The FBI\u2019s National Gang Threat Assessment stopped reporting trends in gang membership to Congress after 2009. The DOJ\u2019s National Gang Center stopped reporting trends in the quantity and growth of gangs to Congress in 2012. The last Attorney General\u2019s report to Congress on the growth of violent street gangs in suburban areas was submitted in 2008.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-presses-ftc-to-investigate-alleged-fraud-deceptive-business-practices-at-wedding-website-the-knot", "Grassley Presses FTC to Investigate Alleged Fraud, Deceptive Business Practices at Wedding Website \u201cThe Knot\u201d", "2025-10-22", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate allegations of fraudulent and deceptive business practices at The Knot, a wedding planning website, after receiving hundreds of reports from whistleblowers, including Iowans. In a follow up letter to FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, Grassley outlines the new whistleblower allegations, which include repeated failures to honor contracts, and deliberate attempts at fraud.\n\nSince Grassley first raised the issue to the FTC, as well as the Securities and Exchange Commission, in March, Grassley\u2019s office has received nearly 200 messages from whistleblowers nationwide reporting misconduct at The Knot.\n\n\u201cThese small businesses allege that The Knot didn\u2019t advertise their businesses on the website as they were contractually required to and the leads they received were largely fake or otherwise lacked legitimacy. Further, they allege that The Knot promised discount pricing but failed to add them to their customers\u2019 bills. In addition, I was also alerted by several small businesses in Iowa who alleged they were also defrauded by The Knot through these fraudulent and deceptive business practices,\u201d Grassley wrote.\n\nAccording to news reports, more than 200 formal complaints have been made to the FTC about alleged fraudulent activity on the Knot and WeddingWire.\n\n\u201cOne small business owner \u2026 contacted a supervisor on The Knot\u2019s customer support team to discuss why her business continued to be advertised in the wrong section of the website and hadn\u2019t received substantive leads \u2026 The small business owner alleges that the supervisor then turned off the call recorder and told her that she should create fake accounts and leave her own business fake reviews to boost the credibility of her profile, which would in turn help her receive a higher number of legitimate leads,\u201d Grassley continued.\n\nAccording to the small business owner, after she contacted customer service about promised discounts, The Knot removed her small business\u2019 profile from its website with no explanation and continued to charge her credit card for advertisement services.\n\n\u201cThey are preying on small businesses who need help growing their audience and promising things that will never happen. They don\u2019t seem to have an issue taking my money but not providing the advertising services they promised in the contract I signed,\u201d said the small business owner, summarizing her experience with The Knot.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found HERE or below.\n\nOctober 21, 2025\n\nVIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION\n\nThe Honorable Andrew N. Ferguson\n\nChairman\n\nFederal Trade Commission\n\nDear Chairman Ferguson:\n\nOn March 28, 2025, I wrote to you concerning allegations that The Knot, a wedding planning website, defrauded customers and engaged in deceptive business practices.[1] According to whistleblowers and media reports, The Knot promised to advertise their customers\u2019 businesses on The Knot\u2019s website which would lead to them receiving high-quality leads; however, these small businesses allege that The Knot didn\u2019t advertise their businesses on the website as they were contractually required to and the leads they received were largely fake or otherwise lacked legitimacy.[2] Further, they allege that The Knot promised discount pricing, but failed to add them to their customers\u2019 bills.[3] In addition, I was also alerted by several small businesses in Iowa who alleged they were also defrauded by The Knot through these fraudulent and deceptive business practices. In my letter, I asked what steps have been taken to investigate these allegations to determine whether they were accurate, and if the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had yet to do so, that it ought to look into them and hold violators accountable.[4] On April 15, 2025, I received your response stating the FTC couldn\u2019t disclose whether or not the agency started an investigation.[5]\n\nAccording to a March 31, 2025, article by The New Yorker, \u201csince 2018, more than two hundred formal complaints have been made about allegedly fraudulent activity on The Knot and WeddingWire\u201d to the FTC.[6] Further, since I sent you my March 28, 2025, letter, my office has received 184 complaints from small businesses across the country alleging The Knot engaged in the misconduct raised in that letter. One small business owner informed my investigative staff that she contacted a supervisor on The Knot\u2019s customer support team to discuss why her business continued to be advertised in the wrong section of the website and hadn\u2019t received substantive leads. The small business owner told my office that the supervisor said she hadn\u2019t received legitimate leads because her small business didn\u2019t have any reviews on the website. The small business owner alleges that the supervisor then turned off the call recorder and told her that she should create fake accounts and leave her own business fake reviews to boost the credibility of her profile which would in turn help her receive a higher number of legitimate leads. The small business owner told my office that she was shocked The Knot\u2019s solution to their failures was to recommend that she commit fraud by scamming potential customers into selecting her business.\n\nThe small business owner informed my investigative staff that after she continuously called The Knot\u2019s customer service line demanding they provide her with the discounts they promised, in September 2025 The Knot removed her small business\u2019 page from The Knot\u2019s website, with no explanation, but still charged her credit card for the advertisement services. The small business owner summarized her experience with The Knot as: \u201cThey are preying on small businesses who need help growing their audience and promising things that will never happen. They don\u2019t seem to have an issue taking my money but not providing the advertising services they promised in the contract I signed.\u201d\n\nThe almost 200 messages I\u2019ve received since I sent you my March 28 letter, along with these new allegations, show they aren\u2019t merely isolated incidents but are instead a nationwide problem that requires investigation. If the FTC is not investigating, I strongly urge it to do so considering the breadth of alleged wrongdoing and its widespread impact. Moreover, to the extent an investigation is done, I would like to know whether or not the allegations have been found to be true and accurate, and the small businesses, including those in Iowa, want to know too.\n\nThank you for your prompt review and responses. If you have any questions, please contact Brian Randolph on my Committee staff at (202) 224-5225.\n\nSincerely,\n\nCharles E. Grassley\n\nChairman\n\nCommittee on the Judiciary\n\nCC: The Honorable Paul S. Atkins\n\nChairman\n\nSecurities and Exchange Commission\n\n[1] Letter from Senator Charles E. Grassley, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary to Mark T. Uyeda, Acting Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission and Andrew N. Ferguson, Chairman, Federal Trade Commission (Mar. 28, 2025) https://www.grassley.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/grassley_to_sec_ftc_-_the_knot.pdf.\n\n[2] Id.; see Adam Iscoe, Does the Knot Have a \u201cFake Brides\u201d Problem?, The New Yorker (Mar. 31, 2025) https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/04/07/does-the-knot-have-a-fake-brides-problem; Thomas Barrabi, The Knot\u2019s angry vendors dismiss CEO memo as \u2018damage control\u2019 after swindling advertisers allegations, New York Post (Aug. 11, 2023) https://nypost.com/2023/08/11/the-knots-vendors-dismiss-memo-after-alleged-advertiser-swindling/; Alexandra S. Levine and Richard Nieva, How Wedding Giant The Knot Pulled The Veil Over Advertisers\u2019 Eyes, Forbes (Aug. 3, 2023) https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandralevine/2023/08/03/the-knot-wedding-whistleblowers-advertisers-fraud/.\n\n[3] Id.\n\n[4] Id.\n\n[5] Letter from Andrew N. Ferguson, Chairman, Federal Trade Commission to Senator Charles E. Grassley, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary (Apr. 15, 2025) (on file with Committee staff).\n\n[6] Adam Iscoe, Does the Knot Have a \u201cFake Brides\u201d Problem?, The New Yorker (Mar. 31, 2025) https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/04/07/does-the-knot-have-a-fake-brides-problem.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-10-20-2025", "Capitol Hill Report, 10-20-2025", "2025-10-20", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Senator Grassley\u2019s Capitol Hill Report can be found HERE.\n\nTopics include: government shutdown, health care subsidies, Arctic Frost oversight, China and U.S. soybean trade, the Rural Emergency Hospital Program and the \u201cNo Kings\u201d protests.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-arctic-frost", "Q&A: Arctic Frost", "2025-10-17", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Q: What is Arctic Frost?\n\nA: Under the Biden administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) opened an investigation in April 2022 codenamed Arctic Frost. I started my congressional oversight of Arctic Frost in July 2022 after whistleblowers approached my office. Ostensibly, the FBI investigation was opened to examine an alleged false electors scheme following the 2020 election. Since then, my oversight has exposed the partisan spear that launched the investigation to go after President Trump, his circle and poison his campaign to return to the White House. Arctic Frost created the framework that Jack Smith, a special counsel appointed by the Biden Department of Justice (DOJ), used to form his election case against President Trump. Even before the special counsel appointment, I flagged the partisan bias of the senior FBI official who ran Arctic Frost. This official\u2019s political tilt undermines the credibility of the entire investigation. FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Timothy Thibault was assigned to oversee public corruption matters. Ironically, he allowed his partisan views to corrupt his decision-making process and tarnish the rule of law. Whistleblower disclosures to my office revealed how Thibault bent FBI rules and, in so doing, weaponized the federal government to take down a political opponent. The Office of Special Counsel confirmed Thibault also broke the law; the Hatch Act prohibits political activity among federal employees while on duty.\n\nAs part of its Arctic Frost investigation, the Biden DOJ, FBI and supporting agencies issued hundreds of subpoenas and conducted dozens of interviews across the country at taxpayer expense. The facts show the investigation was a sweeping partisan fishing expedition to take down political foes. Earlier this year Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, chair of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and I released tranches of whistleblower records detailing the plot to pin Trump in the Jack Smith electoral case. What\u2019s more, my congressional oversight also found the probe targeted 92 conservative organizations, including Charlie Kirk\u2019s Turning Point USA. Thanks to the courageous disclosures by whistleblowers, the truth is seeing the light of day. I\u2019ll continue working to root out abuses of power to restore public trust in government.\n\nQ: How is this targeting of political opponents during the Biden administration worse than Watergate?", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/judiciary-committee-advances-two-us-attorney-nominees", "Judiciary Committee Advances Two U.S. Attorney Nominees", "2025-10-16", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the following nominations:\n\nThomas Albus, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, by a vote of 12-10; and\n\nAdam Mildred, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana by a vote of 12-10.\n\nWatch the executive business meeting HERE. Read Chairman Chuck Grassley\u2019s (R-Iowa) opening statement at the executive business meeting HERE.\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-10-15-2025", "Capitol Hill Report, 10-15-2025", "2025-10-15", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Senator Grassley's weekly Capitol Hill Report can be found HERE.\n\nTopics include: Israel-Hamas ceasefire, aid for farmers, governnment shutdown, and U.S. Supreme Court case on the Voting Rights Act.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-demands-telecommunications-companies-federal-entities-turn-over-all-records-provided-to-jack-smith", "Grassley Demands Telecommunications Companies, Federal Entities Turn Over All Records Provided to Jack Smith", "2025-10-14", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 As part of his ongoing Arctic Frost oversight, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) sent letters to four telecommunications companies and five federal entities requesting they provide to Congress all records that were handed over to former Special Counsel Jack Smith as part of his elector case against President Trump. Smith\u2019s case began at the Biden Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under the codename \u201cArctic Frost.\u201d\n\nGrassley\u2019s oversight recently revealed Smith and the Biden FBI secretly subpoenaed phone records from nine Republican Members of Congress, as well as records from 92 other Republican targets, as part of the partisan Arctic Frost probe. Grassley last week led his colleagues in requesting the Department of Justice and FBI provide all records related to the targeting of congressional members during Arctic Frost.\n\nGrassley sent letters to the following telecommunications companies:\n\nVerizon\n\nAT&T\n\nT-Mobile\n\nLumen\n\nSens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), as well as Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), co-signed the letters.\n\nAdditionally, Grassley and Johnson sent letters to the following federal entities:\n\nDepartment of Homeland Security\n\nDepartment of Defense\n\nOffice of the Director of National Intelligence\n\nNational Archives and Records Administration\n\nU.S. Attorney\u2019s Office for the District of Columbia\n\nLearn more about Grassley\u2019s Arctic Frost oversight:\n\nOctober 10, 2025: Grassley and Johnson Lead Colleagues in Seeking Release of All DOJ, FBI Records Detailing Biden Administration\u2019s Targeting of Sitting Members of Congress\n\nOctober 10, 2025: ICYMI: Grassley Oversight of Arctic Frost Yields Ongoing Results and Draws National Attention\n\nOctober 6, 2025: Biden FBI Spied on Eight Republican Senators as Part of Arctic Frost Investigation, Grassley Oversight Reveals\n\nSeptember 16, 2025: Grassley Opens Senate Judiciary FBI Oversight Hearing, Releases Additional Records Demonstrating Political Weaponization and Misconduct at Biden FBI\n\nApril 8, 2025: Grassley, Johnson Release Additional Arctic Frost Records Detailing Sweeping Anti-Trump Investigation\n\nMarch 14, 2025: Grassley, Johnson Release Records Showing FBI Obtained Trump, Pence Cell Phones, Conducted Sweeping Interviews to Advance Anti-Trump Arctic Frost Investigation\n\nFebruary 3, 2025: Grassley Underscores FBI Supervisor Misconduct in Trump-Targeted Arctic Frost Investigation\n\nJanuary 30, 2025: Grassley Opening Statement on Kash Patel\u2019s Nomination to be FBI Director\n\nJanuary 30, 2025: Grassley, Johnson Make Public Whistleblower Records Revealing DOJ and FBI Plot to Pin Trump in Jack Smith Elector Case", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-and-johnson-lead-colleagues-in-seeking-release-of-all-doj-fbi-records-detailing-biden-administrations-targeting-of-sitting-members-of-congress", "Grassley and Johnson Lead Colleagues in Seeking Release of All DOJ, FBI Records Detailing Biden Administration\u2019s Targeting of Sitting Members of Congress", "2025-10-10", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), along with 16 bicameral colleagues, are demanding the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) produce all records relating to the Biden FBI\u2019s successful efforts to secretly obtain phone data from Members of Congress as part of its Arctic Frost investigation. The lawmakers are also requesting DOJ seek judicial authorization to gain access to relevant records which are subject to federal grand jury secrecy requirements.\n\n\u201cGiven that these materials relate to an unprecedented collection of records and information on sitting [Members of Congress] and raise serious constitutional concerns, Congress\u2019 need for these records clearly outweighs any interest in secrecy,\u201d the lawmakers wrote. \u201cFurther, the unprecedented nature of the DOJ\u2019s and FBI\u2019s actions in collecting [Members of Congress\u2019] communication records falls squarely within Congress\u2019 constitutional duty to thoroughly investigate potential abuses of power and creates a uniquely exceptional circumstance that demands the release of otherwise protected records.\u201d\n\nGrassley and Johnson unveiled the existence of the Arctic Frost investigation \u2013 which ultimately morphed into Jack Smith\u2019s elector case \u2013 in January, after whistleblowers first approached Grassley to disclose potential misconduct at the Biden FBI. On Monday, Grassley released an explosive FBI document showing Jack Smith and the FBI secretly subpoenaed tolling data for the personal cell phones of eight Republican senators and one Republican member of the House of Representatives.\n\nGrassley and Johnson were joined on the letter by all Members of Congress known to have been targeted as part of Arctic Frost and all Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, including: Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), as well as Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Ashley Moody (R-Fla.).\n\nRead the full letter HERE and below.\n\nOctober 9, 2025\n\nThe Honorable Pamela Bondi\n\nAttorney General\n\nDepartment of Justice\n\nThe Honorable Kash Patel\n\nDirector\n\nFederal Bureau of Investigation\n\nDear Attorney General Bondi and Director Patel:\n\nOn October 6, 2025, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Deputy Director Dan Bongino conducted a briefing on the FBI\u2019s Arctic Frost investigation, which later became Jack Smith\u2019s elector case against President Trump. The FBI informed us at that briefing that by September 27, 2023, officials in the FBI\u2019s Washington Field Office possessed call logs from at least nine Members of Congress (MOC). According to Deputy Director Bongino, the FBI obtained call logs for the period of January 4, 2021 \u2013 January 7, 2021. Below is a snapshot of the FBI\u2019s document listing the MOC that Jack Smith targeted:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-grassley-oversight-of-arctic-frost-yields-ongoing-results-and-draws-national-attention", "ICYMI: Grassley Oversight of Arctic Frost Yields Ongoing Results and Draws National Attention", "2025-10-10", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) this week released a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) document revealing Jack Smith and the Biden FBI sought and obtained the cell phone tolling data of eight Republican senators and one Congressman as part of its sweeping Arctic Frost investigation into President Donald Trump.\n\nThe Biden FBI targeted the following lawmakers: Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), as well as Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.).\n\nEarlier this year, Grassley made public whistleblower records revealing the existence of the Arctic Frost investigation, which was opened and advanced by anti-Trump FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Timothy Thibault and other partisan officials. Grassley\u2019s oversight also exposed the Biden FBI for acquiring President Donald Trump\u2019s government cell phone before he was added as a subject of the investigation, and targeting nearly 100 Republican organizations and individuals as part of its sweeping Arctic Frost investigation. This morning, Grassley and Johnson led 16 bicameral colleagues in demanding the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI produce all records related to the Biden FBI\u2019s targeting of lawmakers.\n\nFollowing Grassley\u2019s calls for accountability, the FBI \u2013 led by Director Kash Patel \u2013 reviewed the allegations and dismantled CR-15, the Public Corruption Unit responsible for the investigation. Patel also fired agents, including those involved in the unacceptable privacy breach against Members of Congress.\n\nGrassley noted at a Judiciary Committee meeting yesterday morning:\n\n\u201cRest assured, this investigation is yielding results thanks to whistleblowers. I\u2019ve done four public document productions about Arctic Frost. Starting with the information that has been made public, it\u2019s exposed historic political misconduct to the American public. As a result, the FBI is investigating and has fired agents for misconduct. And the CR-15 unit at the Washington Field Office, which originated Arctic Frost, has been shut down. So, there\u2019s already been some accountability because of Director Patel, and I would expect more will come. My investigation is very active, and I\u2019ll have more to share this month.\u201d\n\nRead national coverage of Grassley\u2019s Arctic Frost oversight below:\n\nThe Wall Street Journal | The FBI, Senate Phone Records, and Jan. 6\n\nThe Associated Press | FBI analyzed phone records of senators as part of Trump Jan. 6 probe, lawmakers say\n\nNew York Post | Biden FBI spied on eight GOP senators, damning new doc claims: \u2018Arguably worse than Watergate\u2019\n\nFox News | FBI fires agents, dismantles corruption squad after probe unveils monitoring of GOP senators, Patel says\n\nCBS News | FBI analyzed some Republican lawmakers' phone records as part of Trump Jan. 6 probe, GOP senators say\n\nWashington Times | New document shows Biden\u2019s FBI spied on nine Republican members of Congress\n\nThe Hill | FBI analyzed lawmakers\u2019 phone records during Trump Jan. 6 probe, Republicans say\n\nNational Review | Kash Patel Says FBI Fired Agents, Dismantled Unit Behind Spying on GOP Senators\n\nRadio Iowa | Iowa | Grassley: FBI review of GOP senators\u2019 phone records is \u2018an outrage\u2019\n\nWSMV | Tennessee | TN senators among group of lawmakers who had phone records analyzed by FBI in Jan. 6 probe\n\nDeseret News | Utah | Sen. Grassley: Biden\u2019s FBI spied on 8 Republican senators in an \u2018unconstitutional breach\u2019\n\n1819 News | Alabama | New documents show Biden\u2019s FBI spied on Tommy Tuberville: \u2018Worse than Watergate\u2019\n\nThe Keystone | Pennsylvania | FBI analyzed phone records of Republican Pa. Congressman Mike Kelly as part of Trump Jan. 6 probe, lawmakers say\n\nAntlers Arch | Wyoming | Declassified Records Reveal FBI Monitoring of GOP Senators; Lummis Demands Accountability\n\nSt. Louis Dispatch | Missouri | FBI analyzed phone records of senators, including Hawley, as part of Trump Jan. 6 probe, lawmakers say", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-foreign-worker-visas-should-not-displace-us-workers", "Q&A: Foreign Worker Visas Should Not Displace U.S. Workers", "2025-10-10", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Q: Why did you write U.S. tech companies about their employment practices?\n\nA: I chair the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over federal immigration laws, including temporary visa programs that govern nonimmigrant visitors. A citizen of a foreign country who comes to the United States to study or obtain employment must obtain permission through one of the more than 20 nonimmigrant visas available, such as a business visitor, nanny, student, temporary agriculture worker and more. For years, I\u2019ve led bipartisan oversight of foreign visa programs with former Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois to close loopholes and root out fraud and abuse.\n\nThe H-1B and L-1 programs provide a pathway for businesses to temporarily employ foreign professionals with specialized knowledge when there\u2019s a shortage of qualified workers at home. It requires an employer to sponsor the visa holder; file required petitions with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of Labor; and pay fees for the application process. Recently, the Trump administration proposed raising the fee to $100,000 per visa holder.\n\nCongress created the H1-B program in 1990; it lasts for three years with a one-time renewal option. Over the years, some employers have exploited the system to cut out American workers for cheap foreign labor. Sen. Durbin and I in September wrote letters to 10 of the biggest companies in the country, including Amazon, Apple and Google, to get an explanation why they continue to hire thousands of H1-B visa holders while recent data show U.S. college graduates with majors in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields now face higher unemployment than the general population. For example, Amazon has laid off tens of thousands of employees in recent years and yet applied and received approval to hire more than 10 thousand foreign H1-B employees. This doesn\u2019t pass the smell test. Homegrown talent must come first. Specifically, we want a full accounting about their recruitment practices; such as the number of H1-B workers they\u2019ve hired, including salary and benefit disparities between visa holders and American workers; and whether U.S. workers were displaced when filing for thousands of visa petitions for foreign workers. Approximately 700,000 people are working in the United States on a H1-B visa, most are from India and China.\n\nQ: How would your legislation close loopholes used to displace U.S. workers?", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-welcomes-senate-passage-of-fiscal-year-2026-defense-authorization-bill", "Grassley Welcomes Senate Passage of Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Authorization Bill", "2025-10-09", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) welcomed Senate passage of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to support critical national security priorities. The legislation, which passed 77-20, includes multiple Grassley-backed provisions and a 3.8 percent pay raise for military service members. The House and Senate will now work together to craft a final, reconciled version that the president will sign into law.\n\n\u201cThe federal government\u2019s number one responsibility is to look after the safety and security of this country. I\u2019m glad this legislation passed the Senate with broad, bipartisan support, and I was proud to secure multiple provisions to support Iowa and invest in our state\u2019s military installations,\u201d Grassley said. \u201cWhile this legislation sets the Defense Department up for success next year, our military service members are sadly working without pay today because Democrats have shut down the government and are holding government funding hostage for unrelated policy demands. I\u2019m once again calling on more of my Democrat colleagues to join the three conscientious members of their party and end their partisan obstruction and join with Republicans to support a continuation of government. Our brave men and women in uniform shouldn\u2019t have to suffer as a result of Democrats\u2019 senseless political tactics.\u201d\n\nGrassley secured the following priorities in the Fiscal Year (FY) 26 NDAA:\n\nAuthorization of federal funds to support Iowa\u2019s military installations:\n\n$148 million for projects at the 185th Air Refueling Wing/Sioux Gateway Airport, including aircraft parking apron, extended runway, runway repair and warm-up/holding pad;\n\n$13.8 million for the vehicle maintenance shop at the Waterloo Armory (Army National Guard);\n\n$8.5 million for Corrosion Control Research which helps support the work at the University of Northern Iowa under the STAR4D program;\n\nProvisions to bolster the Rock Island Arsenal through a pilot program on arsenal workload sustainment, which encourages public-private partnerships to increase minimum workloads at U.S. owned arsenals like Rock Island;\n\nMeasures to crack down on costly price gouging by defense contractors by ensuring the Department of Defense (DoD) gets transparent pricing information. This builds on Grassley\u2019s previous oversight work on price gouging with C-17 spare parts;\n\nA Grassley-led provision to allow the three Baltic countries to share High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers and ammunition purchased from the United States between each other without bureaucratic red tape, to complicate Russian strategic planning;\n\nThe Abducted Ukrainian Children Recovery and Accountability Act with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) to support Ukraine\u2019s efforts to investigate and track the nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children who have been abducted during Putin\u2019s brutal invasion. The bill would also assist with the rehabilitation and reintegration of children who are returned and provide justice and accountability for perpetrators of these abductions;\n\nThe Baltic Security Initiative Act with Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) to enhance and strengthen U.S. security cooperation with the Baltics amid Putin\u2019s aggressive action in the region. The bipartisan legislation effectively codifies the Baltic Security Initiative effort; and\n\nProvisions to increase transparency on foreign influence in U.S. policy by defining \u201cinformational materials\u201d under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The measure would clarify what types of materials that aim to influence public opinion and policy must be both labeled with a conspicuous message and filed with the DOJ.\n\nGrassley also secured key wins in the NDAA in his capacity as Senate Judiciary Chairman, including six bipartisan law enforcement bills that had previously been blocked by Senate Democrats since passing out of the Judiciary Committee during Police Week in May.\n\nThe six law enforcement bills passed as part of the NDAA include:\n\nThe Grassley-Klobuchar Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act to protect officers and first responders against accidental exposure to dangerous substances;\n\nThe Grassley-Klobuchar Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act to address law enforcement staffing shortages;\n\nThe Reauthorizing Support and Treatment for Officers in Crisis Act to expand mental health resources for law enforcement officers;\n\nThe Strong Communities Act to boost law enforcement recruitment and retention;\n\nThe PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act to aid state and local law enforcement agencies in combating child sexual exploitation online; and\n\nThe Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act to expand access to federal support for the families of firefighters and other first responders who pass away or become permanently disabled from service-related cancers.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/judiciary-committee-advances-judicial-nominations-for-seventh-circuit-and-four-district-courts-along-with-nominations-for-the-director-of-national-drug-control-policy-and-five-us-attorneys", "Judiciary Committee Advances Judicial Nominations for Seventh Circuit and Four District Courts, Along with Nominations for the Director of National Drug Control Policy and Five U.S. Attorneys", "2025-10-09", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the following nominations:\n\nRebecca L. Taibleson, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit, by a vote of 12-10;\n\nDavid A. Bragdon, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina, by a vote of 12-10;\n\nLindsey Ann Freeman, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina, by a vote of 15-7;\n\nMatthew E. Orso, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina, by a vote of 14-8;\n\nThe Honorable Susan Courtwright Rodriguez, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina, by a vote of 17-5;\n\nSara Carter Bailey, to be Director of National Drug Control Policy, by a vote of 12-10;\n\nBraden Boucek, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, by a vote of 12-10;\n\nDominick Gerace II, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, by a vote of 16-6;\n\nJerome Francis Gorgon, Jr., to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, by a vote of 20-2;\n\nBryan Stirling, to be United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina, by a vote of 17-5; and\n\nThomas Wheeler II, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, by a vote of 12-10.\n\nWatch the executive business meeting HERE. A recording of the judicial nominations hearing can be found HERE.\n\nRead Chairman Chuck Grassley\u2019s (R-Iowa) opening statement at the executive business meeting HERE, and his statement at the judicial nominations hearing HERE.\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-and-gillibrand-reintroduce-bipartisan-bicameral-legislation-to-combat-sexual-assault-on-college-campuses-improve-accountability-and-transparency-for-higher-education-institutions", "Grassley and Gillibrand Reintroduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Combat Sexual Assault on College Campuses, Improve Accountability and Transparency for Higher Education Institutions", "2025-10-08", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) reintroduced the Campus Accountability and Safety Act (CASA) to help combat sexual assault on college and university campuses. The bipartisan legislation would improve the way institutions of higher education address and report incidents of sexual assault that take place on their campuses, and it would protect both survivors and accused students by ensuring that schools have a uniform and fair process for investigating and conducting campus disciplinary proceedings. The legislation would also create new resources and support services for survivors and set new notification requirements for both survivors and accused students involved in the campus disciplinary process.\n\n\u201cAcross America, inconsistent enforcement mechanisms are failing to treat sexual assault crimes with the seriousness they deserve. We\u2019re taking action to change that. Our legislation creates a coordinated approach to address incidents of sexual assault on college campuses. It would inform university protocols for handling reports, and it would strengthen recovery resources for survivors and empower them to know their rights,\u201d Grassley said.\n\n\u201cSexual assault on college campuses remains a serious and persistent problem, and it is up to us in Congress to protect survivors and make sure these crimes are handled with fairness,\u201d Gillibrand said. \u201cThe bipartisan Campus Accountability and Safety Act would strengthen the support network for survivors and increase accountability for schools by creating a standardized process for investigating instances of sexual assault. This will help survivors get the justice they deserve and ensure a fair process for everyone involved. I\u2019m proud to lead this legislation and committed to working across the aisle to get it passed.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, CASA would:\n\nIncrease transparency and reporting requirements under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act by mandating that the institution\u2019s website include campus safety policies, an annual security report, instructions for filing a complaint and statistics of sexual misconduct allegations on campus;\n\nDirect academic institutions to hire sexual and interpersonal violence specialists to serve as confidential aides for victims, and require those specialists to undergo training by the Department of Education;\n\nEnsure that individuals who report sexual misconduct in good faith are not punished for any physical violence or assault as a defense, or alcohol or drug use, that is revealed by that report;\n\nExpand the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Campus Grant Program to address sexual harassment on campuses; and\n\nRequire the Comptroller General to study VAWA grant efficacy and submit a report to Congress within two years of CASA enactment.\n\nBackground:\n\nGrassley and Gillibrand first introduced CASA in 2014 and have consistently pushed for its passage. Grassley and Gillibrand also teamed up on the Speak Out Act \u2013 which was passed in 2022 \u2013 to clarify nondisclosure agreements cannot prohibit survivors from speaking out about sexual assault or harassment.\n\nDuring the 117th Congress, Grassley and Gillibrand led the effort to fundamentally change the military justice system. They successfully included language in the FY2022 and 2023 defense bills to remove judicial functions and prosecutorial decisions from the chain of command for certain serious crimes, including sexual assault and domestic violence, and put them in the hands of professional military prosecutors.\n\nGrassley and Gillibrand also led the bipartisan Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act to passage in 2022. This crucial legislation prevents perpetrators from being able to push survivors of sexual harassment and sexual assault into the secretive, biased process of forced arbitration.\n\nGrassley is a leading advocate for survivors. After news of USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar\u2019s sexual abuse charges broke, Grassley chaired the first ever congressional hearing to protect young athletes. Soon after, he authored bipartisan legislation to bolster federal sex tourism statutes that had been too weak to convict Nassar. The bill was signed into law as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/iowa-sheriff-robert-rotter-nominated-to-be-us-marshal-for-iowas-northern-district", "Iowa Sheriff Robert Rotter Nominated to be U.S. Marshal for Iowa\u2019s Northern District", "2025-10-08", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) today endorsed Iowan Robert Rotter\u2019s nomination to serve as the U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Iowa.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to endorse Robert Rotter to be U.S. Marshal for Iowa\u2019s Northern District,\u201d Grassley said. \u201cI was glad to join Senator Ernst in recommending Sheriff Rotter for the position, and I thank President Trump for taking our recommendation. With over three decades of experience in state and local law enforcement, Sheriff Rotter is an excellent candidate to protect and serve the people of Iowa. He has my enthusiastic support, and as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I'll work to move his nomination forward swiftly.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to see Iowan Robert Rotter nominated to serve as U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Iowa,\u201d Ernst said. \u201cAs a longtime sheriff, he\u2019s shown unwavering commitment to protecting Iowans and keeping our communities safe. I\u2019m confident he\u2019ll bring the same dedication and integrity to this new role once he is confirmed.\u201d\n\nRotter\u2019s nomination now heads to the Judiciary Committee for vetting and consideration. The full Senate will vote on his nomination after receiving the Committee\u2019s recommendation.\n\nBackground:\n\nRotter is currently serving his fifth term as the Sheriff of Iowa County and has worked in Iowa\u2019s state and local law enforcement for over 30 years. Rotter served as Iowa County\u2019s first K9 officer and has maintained certifications in technical traffic accident investigations, active shooter training, underwater diving and jail administration. He has also completed extensive training by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.\n\nAs Iowa County Sheriff, Rotter spearheaded a program to properly dispose of expired and unused prescription and over-the-counter medication, preventing hundreds of pounds of drugs from falling into the wrong hands. Rotter also initiated a county wide active shooter program that helped train over 1,500 students, teachers, industrial and retail employees.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-ernst-senate-republicans-continue-to-stand-with-israel-two-years-after-brutal-attack-by-iran-backed-hamas", "Grassley, Ernst, Senate Republicans Continue to Stand with Israel Two Years After Brutal Attack by Iran-Backed Hamas", "2025-10-07", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Two years after Hamas terrorists carried out a brutal attack against Israel, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and all Senate Republicans in a bipartisan resolution condemning Iran-backed Hamas terrorists and supporting an outcome to the war that ensures the forever survival of Israel.\n\nThe senators called for the release of all remaining hostages, including the remains of two United States citizens, and voiced support for the complete denial of Hamas\u2019s ability to reconstitute in the region.\n\n\u201cThe October 7th terrorist attack against Israel was the single deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. It was shocking and disgusting. Senate Republicans are sending a clear message that the United States will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel, especially as antisemitism continues to rise across the globe,\u201d Grassley said.\n\n\u201cTwo years ago today, I awoke in the Middle East to horrific news \u2013 Israel was under attack by Iran-backed Hamas and Americans had been killed and taken hostage,\u201d Ernst said. \u201cI immediately traveled into Israel to stand with our ally against Iran-backed terror. Since then, I traveled to the region seven times and met with our Middle East partners to bring our hostages home and end the war. Now that President Trump has restored American leadership on the world stage, I have renewed optimism and will continue to support his peace through strength vision, so another October 7 never happens.\u201d\n\nAdditional cosponsors include Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Curtis (R-Utah), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.)\n\nRead the resolution HERE.\n\nGrassley Stands with Israel:\n\nGrassley has long worked to maintain and fortify America\u2019s partnership with Israel.\n\nSince October 7, 2023, Grassley has led legislative efforts to reaffirm Israel\u2019s right to self-defense, counter Iran\u2019s terrorist regime and seek justice for victims of antisemitism. Learn more HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-questions-bondi-at-doj-oversight-hearing", "Grassley Questions Bondi at DOJ Oversight Hearing", "2025-10-07", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) questioned Department of Justice (DOJ) Attorney General Pam Bondi at today\u2019s DOJ oversight hearing.\n\nGrassley urged Bondi to secure accountability for the Biden administration\u2019s weaponization of government, including addressing the targeting of eight Republican senators as part of its Arctic Frost investigation. Grassley also questioned Bondi about DOJ grants and improving the Public Safety Officers\u2019 Benefits program.\n\nBondi committed to following up with Grassley in writing on what actions the DOJ is taking to hold DOJ and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) personnel accountable for their misconduct as part of Arctic Frost.\n\nGrassley also pressed Bondi on whether the DOJ and FBI have fully investigated, or plan to investigate, the allegations in a FD-1023 document regarding a Biden family bribery scheme, and revisions to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).\n\nVideo and a transcript of Grassley and Bondi\u2019s exchange follow.\n\nVIDEO\n\nEnding the Weaponization of DOJ, Addressing Arctic Frost:\n\nGRASSLEY: We had this recent [Arctic Frost] revelation yesterday, of my Republican senators being targeted by the government \u2026 when taken in context with [the] widespread government weaponization against Trump and conservatives in the last decade, the [Arctic Frost investigation], arguably, is worse than Watergate.\n\nAttorney General Bondi, how many DOJ and FBI personnel have been held accountable for their partisan and constitutionally questionable conduct? And what was their punishment?\n\n\u2026\n\nWas Attorney General [Merrick] Garland, [former FBI] Director Wray or President Biden's White House aware of the FBI targeting Republican senators? Did they approve it? Let's be clear \u2013 either they knew and allowed it to happen, or they didn't know. If they didn't know, it points to lack of oversight of Jack Smith's runaway case.\n\nBONDI: ...Operation Arctic Frost was an unconstitutional, undemocratic abuse of power. During Arctic Frost, the FBI also placed 92 linked Republican individuals and Republican groups, such as Charlie Kirk's Turning Point, on their list. This is the kind of conduct that shattered the American people's faith in our government, as I said in my opening statement. We are ending this weaponization. Our FBI is targeting violent criminals, child predators and other law breakers, not sitting senators who happen to be from the wrong political party.\n\nDOJ Grant Cuts:\n\nGRASSLEY: You inherited a bloated bureaucracy that requires reorientation to better serve the Department\u2019s mission. That includes reassessing grants disguised to help Americans, but many were partisan pet projects. It also requires reallocation of resources to better serve the American people.\n\nWhat updates can you share with the committee about your review, and grants that DOJ has reassessed?\n\nBONDI: During my appearance at the Department's budget hearings, I acknowledged that some grants were mistakenly terminated, and we have made a process to correct that. All grant termination appeals will be individually considered for alignment with our current policies, which are strengthening law enforcement and protecting victims.\n\n\u2026\n\nOf the 5,800 discretionary grants that were reviewed, only 376 \u2013 approximately seven percent \u2013 were terminated. So far, [the Office of Justice Programs] has turned back on 18 awards, 17 appeals have been denied, and the rest are actively being reviewed, with decisions expected soon.\n\nDOJ Reallocation of Resources:\n\nGRASSLEY: My colleagues on the other side claim that your department has reallocated resources to immigration enforcement, [which] has had a negative impact on law enforcement. We know that drugs and crime are very much a part of immigration enforcement, so these attacks are clearly off the mark. Explain your view of these misguided assertions.\n\nBONDI: Every day our FBI, [Drug Enforcement Agency], [Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives] agents, and now, U.S. Marshals working on a task force with Homeland Security, are out there keeping Americans safe and getting illegal aliens out of our country, many of whom have committed violent crimes in this country.\n\n\u2026\n\nOne example is right here in Washington, D.C. We have the D.C. task force that has been incredibly successful \u2026 We have been working hand in hand with the local officials here in D.C., and we are very proud of that work. We're taking that to Tennessee, and around this country to keep Americans safe.\n\nPublic Safety Officers\u2019 Benefits Program:\n\nGRASSLEY: The Public Safety Officers\u2019 Benefits program (PSOB) provides benefits to law enforcement and first responders if they're disabled or killed in line of duty \u2026 My oversight and a Government Accountability Office report shows that some claims have taken thousands of days to conclude. PSOB applicants have also informed my office that they've been left in tears with the disrespectful ways they've been treated by the government.\n\n\u2026\n\nWhat actions have been taken to hold DOJ officials accountable for their failures to manage the program and treat applicants with respect?\n\nBONDI: ... This Department of Justice will treat everyone with respect, and we will do everything in our power to help citizens of this country. Please reach out to us with any individual cases, and I will personally look at them for you.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-grassley-joins-america-reports-to-recap-arctic-frost-oversight-and-biden-fbis-targeting-of-republican-senators", "ICYMI: Grassley Joins America Reports to Recap Arctic Frost Oversight and Biden FBI\u2019s Targeting of Republican Senators", "2025-10-07", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined \u201cAmerica Reports\u201d on Fox News to discuss news he brought to light this week that the Biden administration\u2019s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) spied on eight Republican senators as part of its Arctic Frost investigation.\n\nWatch the full interview HERE and below. Excerpts follow.\n\nVIDEO\n\nOn the Arctic Frost Investigation and the FBI\u2019s Surveillance of Republican Senators:\n\n\u201cI first found out about [the targeting of Republican senators] last Thursday, and arranged a meeting for my colleagues, eight of them, to be briefed by the FBI [yesterday]. They were totally shocked that Jack Smith, at the time that he was prosecuting Trump \u2026 solicited the phone numbers and who they talked to from these eight senators.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s a violation of privacy. We\u2019re getting the FBI to get us further information. They said they\u2019d give us more information by the end of the week. Then I'll have to decide what I'm going to do. I think I have a reputation for following the facts where they lead us and getting to a conclusion.\n\n\u201cInformation [on the Arctic Frost investigation] was given to us by a whistleblower. So, it just shows you how important it is [for] people [in] lower levels in the FBI to squeal on people that were violating the law and breaking all FBI rules to get this information.\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cYou can be certain that, with Chuck Grassley\u2019s reputation of following the facts where they lead us, we\u2019re not going to leave a stone unturned.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/waterman-and-olson-confirmed-as-iowas-us-attorneys", "Waterman and Olson Confirmed as Iowa\u2019s U.S. Attorneys", "2025-10-07", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) today welcomed the confirmation of David Waterman to be the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa and Leif Olson to be the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. As Judiciary Chairman, Grassley successfully shepherded Waterman and Olson\u2019s nominations through the committee and the full Senate, despite Democrat efforts to block the confirmation of executive nominees, including many \u2013 like Waterman \u2013 who received bipartisan support in committee.\n\nThe Judiciary Committee advanced Waterman\u2019s nomination by a vote of 20-2. Olson\u2019s nomination was advanced in the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 12-10. Waterman and Olson were confirmed by the full Senate as part of a larger nominations package, by a vote of 51-47.\n\n\u201cAfter months of unprecedented Democrat obstruction, Republicans successfully confirmed Iowa\u2019s highly qualified U.S. Attorney nominees. Mr. Waterman and Mr. Olson will help keep Iowans safe and faithfully serve our great state with honor and distinction,\u201d Grassley said. \u201cIowa needed its top federal law enforcement officials in place, and Senate Republicans delivered.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am proud to see Iowans David Waterman and Leif Olson confirmed as the U.S. Attorney for Iowa\u2019s Southern and Northern Districts,\u201d Ernst said. \u201cThey have both served our state and nation selflessly, and I am thankful for Senator Grassley\u2019s work to move these nominations forward, so they can continue to work diligently for Iowans.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nWaterman is a fifth-generation attorney at Lane & Waterman LLP in Davenport. Previously, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) in the Appellate and Criminal Divisions of the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Prior to serving as an AUSA, Waterman gained federal court experience clerking on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Northern Districts of Iowa.\n\nOlson is Iowa\u2019s Chief Deputy Attorney General under Attorney General Brenna Bird. Previously, he oversaw the Attorney General of Texas\u2019 Special Litigation Division, served as a senior policy advisor for the U.S. Department of Labor and gained courtroom experience as a trial and appellate lawyer.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/biden-fbi-spied-on-eight-republican-senators-as-part-of-arctic-frost-investigation-grassley-oversight-reveals", "Biden FBI Spied on Eight Republican Senators as Part of Arctic Frost Investigation, Grassley Oversight Reveals", "2025-10-06", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 An explosive FBI document obtained by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) reveals the FBI targeted eight Republican senators\u2019 personal cell phones for \u201ctolling data\u201d as part of its Arctic Frost investigation. One Republican member of the House of Representatives was also impacted. The Arctic Frost investigation formed the basis of Jack Smith\u2019s elector case against President Donald Trump.\n\n\u201cBased on the evidence to-date, Arctic Frost and related weaponization by federal law enforcement under Biden was arguably worse than Watergate.\n\n\u201cWhat I\u2019ve uncovered today is disturbing and outrageous political conduct by the Biden FBI. The FBI\u2019s actions were an unconstitutional breach, and Attorney General Bondi and Director Patel need to hold accountable those involved in this serious wrongdoing.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-10-06-2025", "Capitol Hill Report, 10-06-2025", "2025-10-06", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Senator Grassley's weekly Capitol Hill Report can be found HERE.\n\nTopics include: government shutdown, China and U.S. soybean trade, federal judges AI oversight, Epstein files, prevention of shutdowns.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-scrutinizes-federal-judges-apparent-ai-use-in-drafting-error-ridden-rulings", "Grassley Scrutinizes Federal Judges\u2019 Apparent AI Use in Drafting Error-Ridden Rulings", "2025-10-06", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) wrote to two federal judges regarding their alleged use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to draft court orders with little to no human verification. Grassley\u2019s oversight inquiry follows public reporting that U.S. District of Mississippi Judge Henry T. Wingate and U.S. District of New Jersey Judge Julien Xavier Neals issued court orders containing serious factual inaccuracies, prompting allegations of AI use.\n\n\u201cAs Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I am committed to safeguarding litigants\u2019 rights and ensuring that every party in federal court receives fair treatment and careful review by the Article III judges confirmed by the Senate,\u201d Grassley wrote.\n\n\u201cNo less than the attorneys who appear before them, judges must be held to the highest standards of integrity, candor, and factual accuracy. Indeed, Article III judges should be held to a higher standard, given the binding force of their rulings on the rights and obligations of litigants before them,\u201d Grassley continued.\n\nGrassley is asking Wingate and Neals explain whether they, their law clerks or any court staff used generative AI \u2013 or entered non-public case information into generative AI tools \u2013 in preparing their decisions. Further, Grassley called on the district judges to re-docket their original orders to preserve a transparent history of the Courts\u2019 actions.\n\nRead Grassley\u2019s letter to Wingate HERE and letter to Neals HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nOn July 20, 2025, Wingate issued a temporary restraining order pausing a state law that prohibits diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public schools. The defendants, represented by the Attorney General of Mississippi, then filed a motion raising concerns about serious inaccuracies in the order, including: (1) naming plaintiffs and defendants that weren\u2019t parties in the case; (2) misquoting state law; (3) making factually inaccurate statements that weren\u2019t supported by the record; and (4) referencing four individuals who don\u2019t appear in the case. In response to this motion, Wingate replaced his order with a backdated \u201ccorrected\u201d version, removed the original order from the public docket and declined to explain the errors, dismissing the mistakes as \u201cclerical.\u201d\n\nOn July 23, 2025, Neals withdrew his decision in a biopharma securities case after defendants\u2019 counsel identified instances where the Court: (1) attributed inaccurate quotes to defendants; (2) relied on quotes attributed to decisions that didn\u2019t actually contain such quotes; and (3) misstated the outcomes of cited cases \u2013 indicating that motions to dismiss were denied when, in reality, they were granted. Additional reporting notes that \u201ca person familiar with the matter\u201d explained \u201cthat a temporary assistant\u201d in Neals\u2019 court had \u201cused an artificial intelligence platform\u201d in drafting the original decision, and \u201cthat the opinion was inadvertently issued before a review process was able to catch errors introduced by AI.\u201d\n\nThe Senate Judiciary Committee has broad oversight and legislative jurisdiction over civil and criminal judicial proceedings, the federal courts, federal judges and other related matters. Substantive errors, like those found in the decisions of Wingate and Neals, cast doubt on the Judiciary\u2019s deliberative process and raise legitimate concerns about the accuracy of courts\u2019 decisions.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-targeting-crime-in-americas-cities", "Q&A: Targeting Crime in America\u2019s Cities", "2025-10-03", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Q: Why did you convene a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about soft-on-crime policies?\n\nA: I\u2019ve worked on Capitol Hill since 1975 when I was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives and enjoy welcoming Iowans to the nation\u2019s capital. Millions of Americans visit Washington, D.C. every year, including veterans who take pride in seeing war memorials honoring their military service; high school students who join class trips to learn more about the federal government and families who enjoy making memories soaking in the monuments, museums and nation\u2019s history. Two decades ago, our nation\u2019s capital was widely known as the murder capital of the country. People who live, work and visit America\u2019s capital city ought to feel safe walking the streets, taking public transportation and sightseeing. In recent years, violent crime in Washington, D.C. was once again on the rise, putting residents, workers and visitors in harm\u2019s way. According to FBI crime data, the homicide rate in 2024 was nearly twice the rate in 2012, around 25 murders per 100,000 residents.\n\nIn August, the Trump administration declared a crime emergency in Washington, D.C, deploying the National Guard to patrol city streets to help reduce violent crime, including homicide, robbery, car jackings and more. Public safety is the #1 job of law enforcement. And yet, partisan rhetoric and political decisions to \u201cdefund the police\u201d give license to criminals to break the law and put people in harm\u2019s way. Coordinated attacks on law enforcement, including Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) agents, must be condemned before more lives are lost from political violence occurring across our country. The brave men and women in law enforcement who put their lives on the line to keep Americans safe also deserve to return home to their families safe and sound.\n\nQ: What did you learn from witness testimony at the crime hearing you held?\n\nA: One of the witnesses gave emotional testimony about the murder of her grandson on April 23, 2017. Forlesia Cook, a native of Washington, D.C. bravely shared how her family \u201cbegged for justice\u201d and said \u201cmurder in D.C. is treated as a joke\u201d for the victims of violent crime. The Trump administration\u2019s effort to reduce violent crime is not a joke to the people living in cities where violent crime is on the rise. In one month since this administration took action to reduce crime in Washington, D.C., the facts speak volumes: a 53% reduction in murders; a 57% reduction in robberies; and a 75% reduction in carjackings. American families, like Forlesia Cook\u2019s, are pleading for justice and safe neighborhoods.\n\nWhen I questioned the chairman of the D.C. Police Union, his testimony exposed an alarming practice by which crime statistics were being manipulated in the database to falsely reflect violent crime was decreasing in the nation\u2019s capital. Such misconduct pours salt in the wounds of victims begging for justice and underscores the need for oversight to improve public safety.\n\nAt the hearing, I called out the reckless rhetoric targeting law enforcement officials and how the open border policies of the previous administration undermined a cornerstone of American society. We are a nation of laws. Crime-ridden cities who put violent repeat offenders back on the streets need a reality check. Another witness from the U.S. Marshals Service testified about recent consequences of soft-on-crime policies in the nation\u2019s capital, including the murder in May of two embassy staffers; a congressional intern killed in June blocks away from the White House; and the brutal beating of an individual in August who was trying to defend a woman from a violent mob of young men. He told the committee policies such as cashless bail and lenient juvenile prosecution are creating a cycle of \u201ccatch-and-release\u201d that has allowed for a revolving door of criminals on city streets, saying \u201ccriminals no longer fear arrest, convictions or incarcerations.\u201d The Trump administration is taking historic steps to keep America safe in cities across the country. Reducing violent crime is an issue the American people expect and deserve. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I\u2019m leading legislation to combat organized retail crime and strengthen violent crime laws to clarify penalties for violent offenses, including carjacking, robbery and kidnapping.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/dhs-report-confirms-grassley-oversight-biden-admin-failed-to-track-and-enforce-parole-expirations", "DHS Report Confirms Grassley Oversight: Biden Admin Failed to Track and Enforce Parole Expirations", "2025-10-02", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is requesting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem immediately address the Biden administration\u2019s failure to track and enforce parole expirations. Grassley\u2019s inquiry follows a July 2025 DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) report, which confirmed that \u201cunder [Biden] DHS policies and practices, aliens could remain unlawfully in the United States after parole expiration without enforcement consequences.\u201d Over 61,400 parolee visas expired from November 2024 to February 2025.\n\n\u201cThe OIG found that multiple Biden-DHS components \u2013 including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) \u2013 failed to uphold their respective responsibilities under federal law and executive policy for tracking and enforcing parole expirations,\u201d Grassley wrote.\n\nAccording to the DHS OIG report, under the Biden administration:\n\nCBP failed to track parole expirations, despite having a congressional mandate to report data on overstays to Congress and the public;\n\nUSCIS did not establish or maintain a centralized, reliable data system to monitor parole expiration, despite being required to do so; and\n\nICE Enforcement and Removal Operations was not notified by CBP or USCIS when parolees entered the United States, and ICE did not automatically consider parolees as removable after their parole term expired.\n\nGrassley is calling on the Trump administration to implement OIG\u2019s three recommendations, including (1) designating a DHS component or office to oversee parole expiration and report on the prevalence of the issue; (2) developing a process to identify parolees who are no longer authorized to remain in the United States; and (3) ensuring ICE receives timely, accurate data regarding parolees who are no longer authorized to remain in the United States.\n\nRead Grassley\u2019s letter to DHS HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nIn October 2023, Grassley wrote to then-DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the Biden administration\u2019s failure to track and vet individuals paroled into the United States through the CBP One mobile app. In June 2024, Grassley followed up with the Biden DHS, reiterating its responsibility to identify, vet and monitor Afghan evacuees paroled into the United States following the botched Afghanistan withdrawal. In August of 2024, Grassley raised concerns that CBP failed to notify its field offices of the administration\u2019s interview and fingerprint waivers, which prevented agents from flagging parolees who needed further screening. In October 2024, Grassley wrote to DHS after CBP and ICE permitted noncitizens to enter the country without confirming their identity \u2013 days later, an Afghan evacuee was arrested for plotting an Election Day terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS.\n\nThis Congress, Grassley is continuing to press the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for answers regarding the Biden administration\u2019s failure to fully vet Afghan evacuees. Grassley also introduced the Immigration Parole Reform Act to restore integrity to the immigration parole program and ensure parole expirations are enforced.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-leads-over-45-colleagues-in-calling-on-epa-to-stand-with-american-farmers-and-biofuel-producers-by-finalizing-import-rin-reduction-rule", "Grassley Leads Over 45 Colleagues in Calling on EPA to Stand with American Farmers and Biofuel Producers by Finalizing Import RIN Reduction Rule", "2025-10-02", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a lifelong family farmer and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, led over 45 Senate and House colleagues in urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize a rule on imported Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) and hold firm on the proposed biomass-based diesel volumes.\n\nIn their bipartisan, bicameral letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, the members state such measures would ensure the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) continues to strengthen American energy security and support both American farmers and domestic renewable fuel producers.\n\n\u201cAt a time when many farmers are struggling to break even, all federal biofuels policies should prioritize domestic agriculture and biofuel production, not foreign fuels made from foreign feedstocks. Additionally, while farmers face the uncertainty of foreign market demand, the Import RIN reduction would provide essential support for the farm economy so farmers could sell more products domestically,\u201d the members said.\n\nIn June, the EPA proposed record biomass-based diesel (BBD) volumes in its Set 2 proposal and included a 50% reduction in RINs for imported renewable fuels and fuels made from foreign feedstocks (Import RIN reduction).\n\n\u201cThe Import RIN reduction also aligns with congressional intent under the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, which prioritizes domestic feedstocks. Aligning EPA's policy with this standard helps level the playing field for domestic feedstock and biofuel producers with imported feedstocks, such as Brazilian tallow and so called \u2018used cooking oil\u2019 from China, which would otherwise directly undercut U.S. energy, agriculture and manufacturing,\u201d the members continued.\n\nThe EPA's own analysis highlights the positive impact of the Import RIN proposal, saying it will create jobs and generate economic growth in farming, transportation and manufacturing \u2013 particularly in rural communities.\n\nAdditional cosigners include Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Michael Rounds (R-S.D.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.).\n\nIn the House, the letter was signed by Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Derek Schmidt (R-Kan.), Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Tracey Mann (R-Kan.), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), Max Miller (R-Ohio), James Baird (R-Ind.), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.), James Comer (R-Ky.), Mike Bost (R-Ill.), David Kustoff (R-Tenn.), John Rose (R-Tenn.), Erin Houchin (R-Ind.), Mark Messmer (R-Ind.), Ron Estes (R-Kan.), Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), Mark Alford (R-Mo.), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Mich.), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Mike Flood (R-Neb.), Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.), Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), Carol Miller (R-W.Va.) and Adrian Smith (R-Neb.).\n\nOrganizations endorsing the letter include the American Soybean Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Oilseed Processors Association and the National Sorghum Producers.\n\nGrassley helped establish the RFS in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and has worked to ensure the executive branch implements the law as intended. In April, Grassley and Klobuchar urged the EPA to restore integrity, stability and growth to the RFS and the U.S. biofuel sector by raising RVO levels for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels. The Biden-era EPA set RVOs at levels that fail to align with market conditions and production outlook, which has contributed to biodiesel plant closures in the Midwest.\n\nText of the letter can be found HERE or below.\n\nSeptember 30, 2025\n\nThe Honorable Lee M. Zeldin\n\nAdministrator\n\nEnvironmental Protection Agency\n\n1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20460\n\nDear Administrator Zeldin,\n\nWe thank the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for proposing record biomass-based diesel (BBD) volumes in the Set 2 proposal and for including a 50 percent reduction in Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) for imported renewable fuels and fuels made from foreign feedstocks (Import RIN reduction). The combination of the strong BBD volumes coupled with prioritizing U.S. feedstocks represents a commonsense approach that puts American farmers first, strengthens domestic biofuel markets, and delivers tangible economic benefits to rural communities.\n\nSoybean oil may only represent 20 percent of the bean, but it accounts for more than half of its value in the U.S. market, and about half of that oil is used to make advanced biofuels such as biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. That means roughly a quarter of every bushel's value processed here in the U.S. is directly tied to biofuel demand. At a time when many farmers are struggling to break even, all federal biofuels policies should prioritize domestic agriculture and biofuel production, not foreign fuels made from foreign feedstocks. Additionally, while farmers face the uncertainty of foreign market demand, the Import RIN reduction would provide essential support for the farm economy so farmers could sell more products domestically.\n\nThe EPA's own analysis highlights the positive impact of the Import RIN proposal: it will create jobs and generate economic growth in farming, transportation, and manufacturing, particularly in rural communities where oilseed processing facilities are located. This is exactly the outcome Congress intended when it created and expanded the Renewable Fuel Standard.\n\nThe Import RIN reduction also aligns with Congressional intent under the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, which prioritizes domestic feedstocks. Aligning EPA's policy with this standard helps level the playing field for domestic feedstock and biofuel producers with imported feedstocks, such as Brazilian tallow and so called \u201cused cooking oil\u201d from China, which would otherwise directly undercut U.S. energy, agriculture, and manufacturing.\n\nFor these reasons, we urge EPA to finalize the Import RIN reduction as proposed and to hold firm on the biomass-based diesel volumes in the rule. Finalizing the proposal would ensure the Renewable Fuel Standard delivers on its promises of strengthening U.S. energy security, supporting American farmers and domestic renewable fuel producers, and keeping investment and jobs here at home.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/joined-by-iowa-delegation-and-governor-reynolds-grassley-makes-pitch-for-usda-to-bring-ars-projects-to-iowa-amid-departments-ongoing-reorganization-program", "Joined by Iowa Delegation and Governor Reynolds, Grassley Makes Pitch for USDA to Bring ARS Projects to Iowa Amid Department\u2019s Ongoing Reorganization Program", "2025-10-01", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Listen to Grassley discussing the letter HERE\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), along with Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) and Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, are calling on Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to relocate Agricultural Research Service (ARS) projects to Ames as part of the Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA) ongoing reorganization plan.\n\nAmes currently has one of the largest concentrations of USDA facilities and employees outside of Washington. The lawmakers and governor wrote the move would benefit farmers, producers and families nationwide.\n\n\u201cIowa serves as a prime location with its unmatched production of food and fuel. Our state has 35.7 million acres of land, more than 85% of which is used for agriculture. Iowa leads the nation in production of corn, soy, swine, beef, biofuels and more. Located in Ames, Iowa State University (ISU) works closely with the USDA, providing the agency with high-performance computing services to federal researchers,\u201d they wrote.\n\n\u201cMany of the studies conducted at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center [located in Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C.] align with Iowa State University and the Agricultural Research Service\u2019s efforts, including soybean genomics, hydrology and remote sensing, animal genomics, animal biosciences and biotechnology, adaptive cropping systems and bee research,\u201d they continued.\n\nTheir letter notes grocery prices in Iowa are the second lowest in the nation and Iowa\u2019s average cost of living falls 10.3% below the national average, providing more affordable opportunities for USDA employees.\n\n\u201cAs the heart of our nation and a leading agriculture producing state, Iowa brings firsthand knowledge and real-world experience to the USDA. To put it simply, Iowa knows agriculture and would contribute unparalleled opportunities for the agency. We...urge you to bring USDA ARS projects to Iowa\u2019s fields to benefit farmers, producers and families nationwide,\u201d they concluded.\n\nIowa also leads the nation in egg production, with around 45 million laying hens producing about 15 billion eggs a year.\n\nRead the full letter HERE and below.\n\nSeptember 30, 2025\n\nThe Honorable Brooke Rollins\n\nSecretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture\n\n1400 Independence Avenue, SW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20250\n\nDear Secretary Rollins,\n\nAs the United States Department of Agriculture continues its reorganization efforts, we ask that you continue consideration in bringing USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) projects to Ames, Iowa.\n\nIn conjunction with the mission of bringing federal agencies closer to constituents, Iowa serves as a prime location with its unmatched production of food and fuel. Our state has 35.7 million acres of land, more than 85% of which is used for agriculture. Iowa is a national leader in the production of corn, soy, swine, beef, biofuels, and more.\n\nLocated in Ames, Iowa State University (ISU) works closely with the USDA, providing the agency with high-performance computing services to federal researchers. Several students and professors at Iowa State prioritize their work and research with the USDA, many joining the agency after their time at ISU.\n\nAmes currently has one of the largest concentrations of USDA facilities and employees outside of Washington, D.C. The ARS National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment (NLAE), ARS National Animal Disease Center (NADC), ARS North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station (NCRPIS), and ARS Corn Insect and Crop Genetics Research Unit (CICGRU) are all currently based in Ames. It\u2019s also home to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NSVL) and the APHIS Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB). This advances the city\u2019s preparedness, minimizing transition complications for other ARS projects like those studying plant sciences, animal health, and the environment.\n\nFurther, many of the studies conducted at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center align with Iowa State University and the Agricultural Research Service\u2019s efforts including, soybean genomics, hydrology and remote sensing, animal genomics, animal biosciences and biotechnology, adaptive cropping systems, and bee research.\n\nNot only would Iowa benefit on the research front, but employees would be able to own homes and enjoy the lower cost of living. Iowa falls 10.3% below the average cost of living and ranks the 2nd lowest for grocery prices in 2025.\n\nAs the heart of our nation and a leading agriculture producing state, Iowa brings firsthand knowledge and real-world experience to the USDA. To put it simply, Iowa knows agriculture and would contribute unparalleled opportunities for the agency.\n\nWe, the Congressional Delegation of Iowa, urge you to bring USDA ARS projects to Iowa\u2019s fields to benefit farmers, producers, and families nationwide.\n\nThank you for your consideration to strengthen the USDA and its service to Americans through the relocation of essential research projects to the heartland of agriculture.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/judiciary-committee-advances-judicial-nominations-for-third-circuit-and-alabama-district-courts-along-with-eastern-louisiana-us-attorney-nominee", "Judiciary Committee Advances Judicial Nominations for Third Circuit and Alabama District Courts, Along with Eastern Louisiana U.S. Attorney Nominee", "2025-10-01", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the following nominations:\n\nJennifer Lee Mascott, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, by a vote of 12-10;\n\nEdmund G. LaCour, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama, by a vote of 12-10;\n\nBill Lewis, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama, by a vote of 14-8;\n\nHarold D. Mooty III, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama, by a vote of 18-4; and\n\nDavid Courcelle, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, by a vote of 14-8.\n\nWatch the executive business meeting HERE. A recording of the judicial nominations hearing can be found HERE.\n\nRead Chairman Chuck Grassley\u2019s (R-Iowa) opening statement at the executive business meeting HERE, and his statement at the judicial nominations hearing HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/omb-releases-5-million-for-prac-following-push-by-grassley-collins", "OMB Releases $5 Million for PRAC Following Push by Grassley, Collins", "2025-10-01", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chairs of the Senate Judiciary and Appropriations Committees, respectively, welcomed the Office of Management and Budget\u2019s (OMB) decision to apportion $5 million for the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC), ensuring it can continue operations through the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2026.\n\nThis action follows a letter sent by the senators on Monday to OMB Director Russell Vought, requesting that the funding for PRAC and the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) be released.\n\n\u201cWe are pleased that following our outreach, OMB has decided to release funds that will allow PRAC to remain operational and continue its vital oversight work,\u201d Grassley and Collins said. \u201cThis funding ensures that PRAC can keep its staff in place to continue providing the transparency and accountability that taxpayers deserve. While this is a positive step, OMB should promptly apportion funds for CIGIE as well, consistent with congressional intent.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nIn the 2020 CARES Act, Congress established PRAC as part of CIGIE to conduct and support government-wide oversight efforts associated with the emergency response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Congress this year extended PRAC\u2019s authorization and expanded its jurisdiction as part of the 2025 tax law.\n\nRead the senators\u2019 letter to OMB HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-collins-urge-omb-to-release-appropriated-inspector-general-funds", "Grassley, Collins Urge OMB to Release Appropriated Inspector General Funds", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Chuck Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", "grassley", "https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chairs of the Senate Judiciary and Appropriations Committees, respectively, sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought calling on OMB to reverse its decision to withhold apportionments for the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) and the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC).\n\n\u201cAbsent immediate action, CIGIE and PRAC will need to furlough staff and terminate important functions that help prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse throughout the government,\u201d the senators wrote. \u201cCongress has already appropriated FY 2026 funds for CIGIE and PRAC, and both entities enjoy strong bipartisan support. Thus, any adverse consequences will be solely due to OMB\u2019s decision not to apportion available funds, rather than any lapse in appropriations.\u201d\n\n\u201cOf course, we recognize the need to ensure that all government entities are good stewards of taxpayer dollars and operate efficiently and effectively,\u201d the senators continued. \u201cWe understand from your staff that OMB\u2019s apportionment decision may be part of a review of CIGIE and PRAC activities. However, we see no reason why such a review could not occur while those entities remain operational so that they can continue the numerous functions that are mandated by law.\u201d\n\nGrassley and Collins were leading proponents of the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008, which established CIGIE to address integrity, economy and effectiveness issues that transcend government agencies. CIGIE increases the professionalism and effectiveness of federal Inspectors General (IGs) by helping to establish well-trained and highly skilled IG office workforces.\n\nGrassley is a founding member of the bipartisan Senate IG Caucus. Last year, he wrote CIGIE to conduct oversight of its spending data and secure a better understanding of CIGIE\u2019s use of taxpayer funds.\n\nIn the 2020 CARES Act, Congress established PRAC as part of CIGIE to conduct and support government-wide oversight efforts associated with the emergency response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Congress this year extended PRAC\u2019s authorization and expanded its jurisdiction as part of the 2025 tax law.\n\nRead the full letter HERE and below.\n\nSeptember 29, 2025\n\nThe Honorable Russell T. Vought\n\nDirector\n\nThe Office of Management and Budget\n\n725 17th Street, N.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20503\n\nDear Director Vought:\n\nAs leading proponents of the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008, which established the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), we write regarding the recent \u201cpolicy decision\u201d of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to withhold an apportionment for CIGIE\u2019s FY 2026 operations. We were also notified by the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC), which operates within CIGIE, that OMB has not apportioned funds for its FY 2026 operations. We urgently request an explanation for these actions and ask that you to promptly reverse course so that CIGIE and PRAC can continue their important oversight work uninterrupted.\n\nAbsent immediate action, CIGIE and PRAC will need to furlough staff and terminate important functions that help prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse throughout the government. Congress has already appropriated FY 2026 funds for CIGIE and PRAC, and both entities enjoy strong bipartisan support. Thus, any adverse consequences will be solely due to OMB\u2019s decision not to apportion available funds, rather than any lapse in appropriations.\n\nAs you know, CIGIE was created to \u201caddress integrity, economy, and effectiveness issues that transcend individual Government agencies\u201d and \u201cincrease the professionalism and effectiveness of personnel by developing policies, standards, and approaches to aid in the establishment of a well-trained and highly skilled workforce in the offices of the Inspectors General.\u201d 5 U.S.C. \u00a7 424(a). Effectively defunding CIGIE\u2014contrary to congressional intent\u2014will disrupt numerous important oversight functions, including the Oversight.gov website, whistleblower reporting portals, and activities designed to ensure the inspectors general community is held accountable.\n\nCongress established PRAC as part of the CARES Act to conduct and support government-wide oversight efforts associated with the emergency response to the Coronavirus pandemic, including through the use of a sophisticated analytics platform. Just this year, as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Congress extended PRAC\u2019s authorization, expanded its jurisdiction, and appropriated $88 million in additional funding to support its efforts. Shuttering PRAC would be disruptive to ongoing oversight and inhibit future efforts.\n\nOf course, we recognize the need to ensure that all government entities are good stewards of taxpayer dollars and operate efficiently and effectively. We understand from your staff that OMB\u2019s apportionment decision may be part of a review of CIGIE and PRAC activities. However, we see no reason why such a review could not occur while those entities remain operational so that they can continue the numerous functions that are mandated by law. Moreover, to the extent OMB believes that CIGIE or PRAC should be reformed to better achieve their missions, we stand ready to work collaboratively with you to consider potential reforms. Our ongoing oversight of CIGIE can provide useful ways to ensure that it operates optimally for the American people\u2014fixes that can be implemented while the entity is funded.\n\nAs Congress conducts oversight and considers a potential legislative response, please respond to the following questions by no later than Friday, October 3, 2025:\n\nWhy has OMB failed to apportion funds for CIGIE and PRAC FY 2026 operations, and who made this decision?\n\nWhat legal authority is OMB relying upon to withhold apportionments for CIGIE and PRAC?\n\nWhen does OMB intend to apportion funds to CIGIE and PRAC?\n\nTo the extent OMB is reviewing CIGIE and PRAC activities prior to apportioning funds, why can\u2019t that review occur without disrupting operations and furloughing employees?\n\nDescribe in detail any ongoing OMB review of CIGIE or PRAC. Please include detailed timelines, a description of any review\u2019s scope and intended effect, and any potential cost savings to the taxpayer.\n\nWe look forward to your timely response to these questions, and we again urge you to promptly apportion funds to CIGIE and PRAC, consistent with congressional intent.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 522, "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": "Senate", "p1": "IA", "p2": "2025"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=IA&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 522, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=IA&year=2025&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=IA&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 522, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=IA&year=2025", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=IA&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "IA", "label": "IA", "count": 522, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&year=2025", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=IA&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "2025", "label": "2025", "count": 522, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=IA", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2025-09-30,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Egrassley~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fnews-releases~2Fgrassley-collins-urge-omb-to-release-appropriated-inspector-general-funds", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=IA&year=2025&_next=2025-09-30%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Egrassley~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fnews-releases~2Fgrassley-collins-urge-omb-to-release-appropriated-inspector-general-funds&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 191.82090740650892, "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"}