{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"IA\" and year = 2017 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://davidyoung.house.gov/survey/top-priority-2018-60-second-survey", "Top Priority of 2018? :60 Second Survey", "2017-12-31", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "240 Cannon House Office Building", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-year-review", "Q&A: Year in Review", "2017-12-30", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: What was the most significant achievement of the U.S. Senate in 2017? A: When the first session of the 115th Congress gaveled to order last January 3, I took the oath of office to serve Iowans for a seventh term in the U.S. Senate. It is an honor I take very seriously. Thats why I work tirelessly to uphold the public trust, including face-to-face dialogue with Iowans at my 99 county meetings and holding government accountable to preserve the personal freedoms and individual liberties guaranteed by our constitutional republic. When the Republican Senate Majority organized its leadership assignments for the new Congress, I was selected again to serve as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. This permanent, standing committee has broad legislative jurisdiction over federal criminal law, victims rights, immigration, intellectual property, anti-trust policy and whistleblower protections. It serves as ground zero for proposed Constitutional Amendments and considers nominations for Article III federal judgeships, including the Supreme Court of the United States. In fact, steering judicial nominations through the U.S. Senate certainly is one of the signature accomplishments of the 115th Congress. Under my guidance as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, the U.S. Senate approved 12 circuit court nominees to serve on the federal bench and confirmed Associate Justice Neil M. Gorsuch to a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court. The federal judiciary leaves a lasting imprint on society, as it is called upon to interpret the laws passed by Congress and administered by the executive branch. Its rulings have a profound effect on our American way of life that stand to sever or secure the blessings of freedom for generations to come. As an outspoken advocate for transparency and open government, I continue my efforts to open the federal judiciary to allow cameras in the courtroom. Opening the courthouse to live audio-visual streaming would build better appreciation for an independent federal judiciary assigned to preserve the constitutional rights of the American people. Allowing cameras in the courts would provide a vital connection for people who arguably may feel disconnected from this branch of the federal government. Landmark decisions handed down by the Supreme Court, such as prayer in schools, segregation, abortion, free speech, privacy, personal property, affirmative action, due process and the right to bear arms have consequential impact on daily life in the United States. Supreme Court precedent also has established equal protection under the law and determined no one is above the law. The federal judiciary serves as the arbiter of the rule of law in the United States. For more than 200 years, it has paved the way for certainty, stability and opportunity in the free marketplace; public safety in the public square; and, freedom and liberty in a just and free society. Approving qualified, independent jurists to the federal bench is vital to the preservation of our republic and vital to secure freedom, liberty and justice for all Americans. Q: What was the signature legislative achievement for Congress in 2017? A: For the first time in more than 30 years, Congress successfully passed historic reforms to the federal tax code. The landmark tax overhaul enacted in December will restore a bigger share of taxpayers hard-earned money to their paychecks. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will simplify federal tax returns for millions of Americans and bring fairness to U.S. workers working paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet. Long-sought reductions to burdensome corporate tax rates will revitalize the U.S. economy by making American businesses and job creators more competitive. It will allow companies to keep more revenue, empowering U.S. businesses to hire more workers, boost wages and grow, innovate and expand. Many Iowans wonder how the new tax law will affect their pay and their household budgets. These historic tax cuts will allow workers to keep more of their hard-earned money, putting more in their pockets to save, spend and invest. Starting in February, workers will see more take-home pay in their paychecks. For the 2018 tax year, American taxpayers will benefit from lower marginal income tax rates, doubling of the standard deduction, increased family tax credits, reduction of the alternative minimum tax, expanded estate tax relief and full repeal of the individual mandate created by the Affordable Care Act. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act keeps the charitable contribution and home mortgage interest deduction and retains the tax benefit for teacher expenses, deductibility for student loan interest and graduate student tuition waivers. Congress delivered on a promise to give Americans tax relief. Im glad we got the job done. Tax cuts will make a real difference for hard-working Iowans who play by the rules to earn a living, pay their bills, build a business and save for retirement. Reducing Uncle Sams share of their paychecks is the right thing to do.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-marks-policy-oversight-accomplishments-2017", "Grassley Marks Policy, Oversight Accomplishments in 2017", "2017-12-30", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa marked a series of policy and oversight accomplishments in 2017.  Serving the people of Iowa as their United States Senator is my first priority and its an honor that I take seriously, Grassley said. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and through my extensive oversight efforts, my work focuses on making government more transparent, efficient and accountable to Iowans and all Americans.  Grassley holds at least one meeting in each of Iowas 99 counties every year to hear concerns and answer questions on any subject fromIowans. In 2017, Grassleycompletedhisannual county meetings for the 37th year in a row. Grassley holdsmeetings in a variety of settingsto ensure that a broad cross-section of Iowans can participate, includingbusinesses, schools,townmeetings andfactory floors. Although the setting may differ from county to county, the format is the same: Iowans set the agenda.  In addition to his annual meetings, Grassley also attended or convened a variety of events and forums, including: county farm bureau meetings, a WOTUS roundtable with Administrator Pruitt, a meeting with biodiesel stakeholders, a tour of the Iowa Veterans Home, an agriculture roundtable with Secretary Perdue, a tax roundtable discussion with local business owners, the Partnership for a Drug Free Iowa Digital Literacy Conference and met with Iowans at the state fair.  When the Senate is in session, Grassley sets aside eight 15-minute meetings everyMondaythroughThursdayto meet with Iowans in Washington, D.C., including advocacy groups, associations, chambers of commerce and local business leaders, students and families. This Congress, Grassley metwith nearly 950 groups of Iowans visiting the nations capital and discussed a variety of policy issues affecting Iowans such as anti-opioid addiction legislation, the farm bill, infrastructure, juvenile justice,sentencing reform, expiring tax provisions, the Affordable Care Act and tax reform. Grassley also joined eight Iowa schoolsfor Q&As via video conferencing, including three college classes, threehigh school classes, and two middle school classes.  Highlights of Grassleys legislative and oversight work follow here: Accountability for sexual harassment and assault: After years of taking a backseat in societal debate, sexual misconduct has taken center stage and renewed an important conversation on Capitol Hill regarding sexual harassment. Grassley spearheaded the passage of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, which established the congressional Office of Compliance (OOC). The OOC offers sexual harassment prevention training to Senate offices, however it was not mandatory. Grassley wrote a letter to the leaders on Rules and Administration asking that committee to make sexual harassment training mandatory for all Senate offices. Soon after, the resolution offered by Grassley passed unanimously in the Senate, requiring regular training for all senators and employees. Grassley also offered an amendment that recognizes and supports the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which passed the Senate with unanimous consent. Agriculture:Changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) would have a significant impact on Iowa farmers, the states economy and U.S. trade. Grassley emphasized his support of continuing NAFTA in abipartisan letterto Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, in which he pressed for an in-depth economic analysis to evaluate how changes to NAFTA would affect changes to the nations crop and livestock sectors.Grassley reintroduced the Family Farmer Bankruptcy Clarification Act of 2017 to reverse a Supreme Court ruling (Hall v. United States) that made it harder for family farmers to reorganize their finances after declaring bankruptcy. The bill was included as part of the supplemental appropriations package and was signed into law by President Trump.The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) withdrew two rules related to thePackers and Stockyards Act, commonly referred to as the GIPSA rules. As the only two farmers currently serving in the U.S. Senate, Grassley, along with Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.),wrote a letterto USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue to express their disagreement over the agencys decision to withdraw these rules. Grassley also offered legislation toamend thePackers and Stockyards Actto make it unlawful for a packer to own, feed or control livestock intended for slaughter.Grassley introduced theFood Security is National Security Act of 2017, which would give top U.S. agriculture and food officials permanent representation on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). It would also include new agriculture and food-related criteria for CFIUS to consider when reviewing transactions that could result in control of a U.S. business by a foreign company, ensuring the U.S. has the tools and people it needs to safeguard the nations food security, food safety, biosecurity and bring security to Iowa farmers and the U.S. farm sector as a whole.As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Grassleywrote a letterto the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting an update of its 2013 report on farm program eligibility in advance of the next farm bill. In 2014, Grassley led an effort to fix loopholes that allowed farmers to exploit the system by using non-farming family members to receive additional subsidies from the government. Both chambers of Congress passed his bipartisan amendment that included reforms to farm program eligibility, but the amendment was significantly watered down during conference and ultimatelybecame lawas part of the 2014 farm bill. Grassley continues work on this issue in order to help young Iowa farmers who cannot get started in farming because of non-farmers who receive substantial subsidies due to a rigged system.Antitrust: The Senate passed Grassleys Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act, which would extend whistleblower protections for employees who provide information to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) related to criminal antitrust violations. This is part of Grassleys decades-long effort to protect and empower whistleblowers. The legislation passed the Senate the past two Congresses, but has not been taken up by the House of Representatives.Grassley, along with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), called on the DOJ and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to work with the U.S. Trade Representative to make strong competition provisions a central part of upcoming trade negotiations.In their letter, Grassley and Goodlatte encouraged the federal antitrust agencies to include a competition chapter in NAFTA to establish a high standard for competition chapters in future trade negotiations.Bureau of Prisons:In 2016, an inspector general review concluded that 157 inmates were erroneously released either before or after their scheduled release dates  sometimes by multiple years  between 2009 and 2014.In his role as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassleycalled onthe Federal Bureau of Prisons to explain why recommendations aimed at preventing untimely release of federal inmates remain unimplemented.Criminal and Juvenile Justice Reform:Grassley, along with a bipartisan group of senators, reintroducedthe landmarkSentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2017, which would recalibrate prison sentences for nonviolent drug offenders, target violent and career criminals and save taxpayer dollars.The bill would allow increased judicial discretion at sentencing for offenders with minimal criminal histories and help inmates successfully re-enter society. It would also tighten penalties for violent criminals and preserve key prosecutorial tools for law enforcement.Grassley introduced the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2017. This bill takes steps to reduce the unnecessary incarceration of youth by securing new protections for minors and improve accountability measures in the federal juvenile justice grant program. The Senate unanimously passed this bipartisan bill to improve protections for minors who come into contact with the justice system.Defense oversight:Grassleyled a bipartisan group of senators in aletterto Secretary of Defense James Mattis calling for the DOD to comply with mandatory audits, which are long overdue by the department.DOJ/ FBI: As a watchdog of the federal bureaucracy, Grassley continues staunch oversight of the various investigations being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in 2017, as well as his efforts to protect whistleblowers by pressing the FBI to explain why it has failed to update its whistleblower policies, employee trainings and internal communications to comply with theFederal Bureau of Investigation Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act(FBI WPEA). Grassley introduced the new protections last Congress to bring FBI whistleblower policies in line with other federal agencies. The bipartisan bill was signed into law on December 16, 2016. Additionally, Grassley pressed the DOJ regarding the implementation of whistleblower protections at the FBI, outlining a series of concerns about whistleblower protections that have gone unaddressed despite government reports drawing attention to these problems and recommending changes.Grassleycalled onthe FBI to explain its advance knowledge and any plan to thwart a 2015 terrorist attack in Garland, Texas andpressedfor answers on how an FBI translator wasreportedlyable to travel to Syria and marry the ISIS operative who she was supposed to be investigating.With Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.),John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sheldon Whitehouse(D-R.I.), Grassley introduced the Combating Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Counterfeiting Act of 2017. The legislation would modernize and strengthen criminal laws againstmoney laundering, update criminal money laundering and counterfeiting statutes and promote transparency in the U.S. financial system.Grassley and Feinstein also introduced theStrengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act of 2017.The legislation wouldauthorize for the first time the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI), which provides law enforcement with techniques and best practices for handling digital forensics evidence.Grassley introduced theLawsuit Abuse Reduction Act,legislation that would put in place stricter rules todeter harmful, abusive and frivolous litigation. Drug prices:Grassley continued his ongoing oversight efforts on drug pricing in 2017. He wrote several letters toFood and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb expressing concerns and advocating for legislative solutions to problems on drug pricing and availability of generic prescription medications. Along with Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Grassley wrote aletterto Gottlieb asking him to address anticompetitive practices currently used by some brand-name pharmaceutical companies to delay the manufacture and introduction of generic drugs in the market. In another letter, Grassley called on Gottlieb to examine legislative proposals and collaborate with other government agencies to increase consumer access to affordable prescription medications. He encouraged a review of two bills that he has cosponsored to address anti-competitive behavior by drug makers and enhance market access to less costly generic medications.ThePreserve Access to Affordable Generics Actand the CREATES Act.For months, Grassleypressedfor the accurate classification of prescription drugs under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. In January, hesought answersfrom the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on whether it sought to recoup tax dollars overpaid for EpiPens from drug maker Mylan and added a new request for two additional drugs reportedly misclassified under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program  Dilaudid and Prilosec. He sentanother letterto CMS later in January, reiterating his initial request for information.Grassleys work was prompted by the news that EpiPen maker Mylan was in discussions with the DOJ to settle a case and repay the taxpayers for over-charging for EpiPen. Grassleys letter to then-President-elect Trump urging appropriate classification under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program is availablehere.Grassleys January letter to the outgoing administration on the issue is availablehere.Grassley alsowroteto Iowa Attorney General Tom Millerseekingclarification regarding his offices ability to determine the value of reimbursement to the state necessary to make Iowa whole from EpiPens apparent misclassification under Medicaids Drug Rebate Program. A few months later, Grassley followed up with anotherletterseeking additional details and accompanying documentation regarding the states receiving $1.5 million as part of a DOJ settlement with Mylan.In February, Grassley, along with Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.),urgedthen-Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tom Price to use his statutory authority to fast track the importation of prescription drugs from Canada under certain circumstances as a remedy to recent drastic drug price increases in the United States.In April, Grassleyaskedhealth insurer CareFirst to explain an apparent practice of charging customers more for receiving a brand name prescription drug than a generic drug when the insurers own doctors explicitly prescribed the brand name drug for medical reasons. Grassley also noted due process concerns about this potential practice if the insurer was not complying with its own policies. He also wrote aletterto Kalo Pharmaceuticals, the maker of epinephrine injector Auvi-Q, to explain its pricing, including which entities in the health care system will pay the cited price of $4,500 for a two-pack when consumers without insurance will pay $360 for the product. Grassley said the pricing of Auvi-Q appears to draw parallels with concern about EpiPens pricing structure. Education:Grassley introduced a series of bills aimed at providing students and their families a better idea of the true costs of higher education and giving them the tools needed to make informed decisions based on tuition costs, financial aid and loan and repayment options. TheNet Price Calculator Improvement Actwould improve the effectiveness and access to net price calculators, tools that provide students with early, individualized estimates of higher education costs and financial aid figures before they decide where to apply.TheUnderstanding the True Cost of College Actwould create a universal financial aid award letter so that students could easily compare financial aid packages between schools. It would clarify what financial aid families would receive from a school and create standard terms for the aid offered so that students could accurately compare offers from different schools.TheKnow Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Actwould increase the amount of information students receive about federal student loans, including their potential ability to repay, before rather than after signing up for tens of thousands of dollars in debt to Uncle Sam.Additionally, Grassley and fellow legislators have worked with federal agencies to clarify that nonprofit lenders, including state-run or state-chartered organizations, can use tax-exempt bonds for student loan refinancing. Along with 14 fellow senators, Grassleyurgedthe IRS and Treasury Department to make technical clarifications to rules on refinancing options for student debt. Grassley also offered a resolution designating March 3, 2017 as\"National Speech and Debate Education Day,\" which passed the Senate by unanimous consent.  Energy:As a champion of renewable fuels and an all-of-the-above American energy policy, Grassley continued his extensive work to enact responsible energy policies in 2017. Grassley introduced theAmerican Renewable Fuel and Job Creation Act of 2017,legislation that wouldextend the biodiesel tax credit, a clean-fuel incentive, for three years and reform the incentive by transferring the credit from the blenders to the producers of biofuels. The switch would ensure that the tax credit incentivizes domestic production and taxpayers arent subsidizing imported fuel. Much of Grassleys 2017 energy agenda focused on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Grassley worked extensively with Senate colleagues, President Trump and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to find ways forward on renewable energies and fulfill congressional intent on the RFS. Under new proposed rules, Americas commitment to biofuels would have been decreased,resulting in less renewable fuels being blended. In aletterearlier this year, Grassley and a bipartisan group of 23 senators urged President Trumpto maintain the point of obligation under the RFS and reject changes that would upend the current successful system. In November, EPA announced it would maintain the point of obligation.Grassley also sent aletterto EPA Administrator Pruitt asking him to supporta strong RFS as the agency worked toward finalizing its rule on biofuels volume requirements for 2018 under the RFS. The letter urged the continued implementation of the RFS as intended by Congress and the release of a strong final rule that would give consumers more choices at the pump, strengthen the economy and make the country more secure.Grassley continued to put pressure on the EPA by joining Sens. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and a bipartisan group of 29 senators in aletterurging the agency to increase its proposed 2019 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for biodiesel. The move would encourage growth in the industry and diversity in the nations energy supply.Grassley joinedaletterled by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) to Pruitt asking him to examine a burdensome regulation that makes it more difficult to sell gasoline with ethanol content above 10 percent, such as E15, year-round. Grassley raised the issue to Pruitts attention when hosting a meeting with him and several senators from ethanol-producing states in January.Grassleyraised concernstoEnergy Secretary Rick Perry regarding a study he directed that appeared geared toward undermining the wind energy industry. The study was meant to explore issues central to protecting the long-term reliability of the electricity grid, including an investigation of market-distorting federal policies that create acute and chronic problems for maintaining adequate baseload generation and have impacted reliable generators of all types. Grassley asked a series of questions about the study, including which organizations that analyze grid reliability and security would be involved, whether a contractor would conduct it, the cost to taxpayers and whether stakeholders would be able to comment on a draft.Grassley and other Midwestern senatorsreceived several assurances in a letterfrom Pruitt ensuring that the EPA would not follow through on a proposal that would have undermined the integrity of the RFS. The letter from Pruitt can be foundhere.This came after Grassley led several letters and meetings on the issue. Grassley led a bipartisan group of senatorsurgingU.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to work with the Brazilian government to end a recently reinstated 20 percent tariff on ethanol imports in excess of 600 million liters (158 million gallons) annually. The United States is the primary exporter of ethanol into Brazil. U.S. producers called Brazils tariff plan a trade barrier that threatens over $750 million in U.S. exports and American jobs. Federal Judiciary:Grassley presided over a historic year of federal judicial nominations and confirmations. Beginning with the nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Grassley rigorously vetted and reviewed judicial nominations to ensure our federal judges will read the law as written, not legislate from the bench based on policy preferences. President Trump has endeavored to nominate strict constructionist and constitutionalist judges that understand the role of the judiciary. Under Grassleys leadership, the committee oversaw the nomination and confirmation of a record 12 appeals court judges in 2017, more than in any first of a presidency since the inception of federal appeals courts in 1891. These confirmations will have an important impact on our country not just for the rest of this Congress or presidency, but for decades to come.  Foster youth, adoption, missing children, families and elder care:Throughout his career, Grassley has been a staunch advocate for children and families. He continued his work on these issues in 2017 by introducing a number of bills aimed at protecting special needs children, preventing elder abuse, encouraging elder independence and funding programs to improve family health. Grassley introduced theStrong Families Act of 2017,legislation which would re-authorize the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, a program that provides grants to states, territories and tribal entities to develop and implement evidence-based, voluntary programs to improve maternal and child health, prevent child abuse and promote child development and school readiness.In honor of two boys with autism who perished after wandering from safety, Grassley reintroduced Kevin and Avonte's Law. The legislation would help families locate missing loved ones with Alzheimers disease, autism and related conditions. It would also support training for caregivers to prevent and respond to instances of wandering. This bipartisan bill unanimously passed in the Senate.Grassley introduced theACE Kids Act of 2017, legislation that would improve the Medicaid program by more efficiently coordinating care for children with complex medical conditions within the system, ensuring positive outcomes while reducing costs.A strong advocate for fostering and adoption programs, Grassley introduced theFoster Youth Independence Act of 2017,which wouldamend a part of theSocial Security Actto allow the chief executive officer of a state to certify that the state will provide assistance and services under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program to young adults who have aged out of foster care but are under the age of 23.Grassley also introduced theFostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act of 2017,legislation which would grantpriority preference for federal housing assistance to foster youth who are aging out of care and allow youth in foster care to apply for housing assistance at the age of 16, prior to aging out.Focusing on the health and well-being of Americas senior citizens, Grassley introduced theCommunity-based Independence for Seniors Act, legislation that would allow older Americans to receive individualized care that would help them continue to stay in their own homes rather than nursing homes.Grassley also introduced the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act, which became law in October. The law enhances enforcement against perpetrators of crimes targeting senior citizens. Specifically, it increases training for federal investigators and prosecutors and calls for the designation of at least one prosecutor in each federal judicial district who will be tasked with handling cases of elder abuse.It also ensures that the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection and the DOJ will both have an elder justice coordinator and increases penalties for perpetrators.Grassleysought informationfrom a Florida assisted living facility about criminal charges filed against an employee alleging she violated the privacy of two residents using Snapchat. The case is ONE OF the latest examples of exploitive videos or photos involving elder care facilities on Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook.Along with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Grassley sent aletterto the DOJ asking for an explanation regarding penalties against an Iowa nursing home that was ordered closed and to pay $100,000 to federal taxpayers over grossly substandard care that was essentially without value. Grassley and Ernst said the Abbey of Le Mars was on a federal watch list for two years during the Obama Administration because of concerns about care. Grassley also offered a resolutionrecognizing National Foster Care Month as an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges of children in the foster-care system, and encourage Congress to implement policies to improve the lives of children in the foster-care system. It passed the Senate with unanimous consent. Fraud fighting:Grassley joined Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) in introducing the bipartisanSaving Federal Dollars Through Better Use of Government Purchase and Travel Cards Act,legislation that was included in the recently passed NDAA legislation and signed into law by President Trump. The legislation will help prevent charge card misuse and abuse by requiring agencies to take a series of steps to strengthen accountability and oversight over purchases made using federal government charge cards.Good Government/Transparency:Grassley introduced the American Red Cross Transparency Act of 2017, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would give the congressional watchdog arm complete access to American Red Cross records for oversight purposes as well as respond to concerns that the Red Cross tried to quash a review by the GAO of its practices, successfully limiting the scope of the review.Grassley sent many oversight letters in support of whistleblowers and increased transparency in government. Grassley led a bipartisan group of 11 senators on the Whistleblower Protection Caucus in a letter to 19 federal agencies calling on government leaders to promote a culture that welcomes whistleblower disclosures and condemns attacks on whistleblower rights. Grassley also sent a letter to Acting Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Christopher Giancarlo, requesting a formal briefing of CFTCs efforts to address the systemic weaknesses of internal data security policies and procedures, as well as efforts to eliminate whistleblower reprisal.In his continuing effort to drain the swamp, Grassley excoriated the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC)in its attempt to insulate unelected government bureaucrats from questions by the peoples elected representatives in Congress and called on President Trump to rescind the OLC opinion. In his letter, Grassley laid out the constitutional case for every member of Congress to exercise their powers of inquiry and oversight of the executive bureaucracy, regardless of committee membership or chairmanship. He emphasized the importance of oversight and inquiry regardless of partisan affiliation.GrassleyurgedtheOffice of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney to ensure that any executive branch ethics pledge waivers granted by the Trump Administration are immediately provided to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and made publicly available. Grassley made asimilar requestof the Obama Administration in 2009.Those waivers were ultimately published on OGEs website following Grassleys request. Grassley also sent letters to the Department of Health and Human Services, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross regarding issues relating to wasteful government spending by bureaucrats and government efficiency and accountability. Grassley introduced the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2017, legislation which would end the practice of creating new federal red tape outside of the public rulemaking process, shine a light on sue-and-settle litigation and restore the transparency, public scrutiny and judicial review protections of the rulemaking process.Grassley also introduced the bipartisanCameras in the Courtroom Act of 2017, legislation whichwould require the Supreme Court to permit television coverage of all open sessions of the Court, unless the Court decides, by a majority vote of the Justices, that doing so would constitute a violation of the due process rights of one or more of the parties before the Court. Grassley offered two resolutions pertaining to documents about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which were being held by the National Archives and Records Administration. The first urged the National Archives and Records Administration to publicly release records detailing the assassination, the second commending the National Archives and Records Administration and its staff for working to comply with the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 and release all records related to the assassination.  Grassley also offered a resolution designating the week beginning October 15, 2017, as \"National Character Counts Week,\" which passed the Senate with unanimous consent. Health care:Grassley introduced the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act, which became law as part of the FDA Reauthorization Act. The bicameral measure requires the FDA to write regulations ensuring that the new category of over-the-counter hearing aids meets the same high standards for safety, consumer labeling and manufacturing protections as all medical devices, providing consumers the option of an FDA-regulated device at lower cost.Along with Sens. Bob Casey (D-Penn.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Grassley reintroduced thePharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act, bipartisan legislation which would encourage pharmacists to serve older Americans in communities lacking easy access to doctors or where pharmacists are more convenient to visit for certain services than doctors.Grassley also reintroduced theProvider Payment Sunshine Act, legislation that would require drug companies and medical device makers to publicly disclose their payments to nurse practitioners and physician assistants for promotional talks, consulting and other interactions. The disclosures already apply to doctors, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists and podiatrists under thePhysician Payment Sunshine Act, co-authored by Grassley and enacted in 2010.Along with Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Grassley introduced theReducing Drug Waste Act of 2017,bipartisan legislation which wouldrequire the FDA to coordinate with CMS to develop a joint action plan to reduce waste generated by single use drug vials and better manage costs with respect to drug vial sizes and other drug delivery systems, such as eye-drops.In his continued support for rural health care, Grassley introduced theRural Hospital Access Act of 2017,which would permanently extend key Medicare rural hospital programs critical to five Iowa hospitals and many others around the country. He also reintroduced theRural Emergency Acute Care Hospital (REACH) Act, which would help rural hospitals stay open while meeting the needs of rural residents for emergency room care and outpatient services.Grassley, along with Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), reintroduced theMedicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation that would apply accreditation and other standards for orthotics and prosthetics, such as prosthetic limbs, under Medicare, helping to guarantee access to quality products for beneficiaries.Housing:Grassleycontinued hisoversightof TARPs Hardest Hit Fund (HHF), a $9.6 billion program that began in 2010 to help homeowners who suffered during the housing crisis.Wasteful spending of these funds by state agencies persisted unchecked for many years of the Obama Administration, and the need for accountability remains. In a continuation of Grassleys request to audit state agency expenses, the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP) isreviewingstate agency spending on travel, conferences and other administrative spending. Grassley alsopressedthe Treasury Department on why it has recovered only one percent  $113,592 of $11 million  wasted on restaurant meals, employee gifts and a $500-per-month company Mercedes from the HHF.Grassleyaskedthe Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority and newly-confirmed Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson to explain potentially excessive travel and conference expenses by the housing authority, including that the executive director reportedly has spent 158 days over four years attending conferences.Grassley alsocalled onthe HUD Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to complete its investigation into the mismanagement at the Alexander County Housing Authority (ACHA) in Cairo, Illinois, and make its findings public. Grassley met with Secretary Carson prior to his confirmation, at which time he raised concerns about millions of dollars of wasteful spending at HUD. In an effort to assist public housing authorities (PHAs), the federal government allows PHAs to establish nonprofit affiliates through which development activities are conducted. However, PHAs throughout the country often use taxpayer dollars to fund personal priorities and feather their own nests rather than to provide safe, affordable housing for those in need. Grassleywroteto Secretary Carson concerning the agencys two failed projects to update its financial management system. HUD spent 14 years and more than $131 million only to pull the plug on both projects prior to completion.Illegal and illicit drugs: Along with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Grassley re-introduced the Protecting Kids from Candy-Flavored Drugs Act, legislation that would increase the criminal penalties for marketing candy-flavored drugs to appeal to children.It would provide an enhanced penalty when a person manufactures, creates, distributes, dispenses or possesses with intent to distribute a controlled substance combined with a beverage or candy product, marketed or packaged to appear similar to a beverage or candy product, or modified by flavoring or coloring to appear similar to a candy or beverage product.Grassley and Feinstein also introduced theStop the Importation and Trafficking of Synthetic Analogues (SITSA) Act of 2017,which would allow substances that are substantially similar to controlled drugs to be rapidly regulated without additional time-consuming testing and analysis. Grassley also led a group of senators in a call for the Trump Administration to prioritize the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the Fiscal Year 2018 budget. The letter cited the previous success of the office in preventing use of illicit drugs in American communities. This important effort has only increased in light of the ongoing opioid epidemic across the country.As part of that ongoing effort to fight opioid abuse, Grassley joined a bipartisan group of legislators in a letter U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions asking him to provide Congress with information detailing how the DOJ is supporting and prioritizing forensic science service providers across the nation as part of a broader approach to combat the opioid epidemic.Along with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Grassley urged the Office of National Drug Control Policy to include an evaluation of drug take back programs in the final report of the Presidents Commission on Combatting Opioid Abuse, correcting a shortcoming in the interim report. At Grassley and Ernsts request, the GAO is studying the DEAs implementation of the law allowing local pharmacies to accept unused controlled substances for public convenience, amid concerns that regulations present barriers to participation.Immigration and Visas: Grassley introduced the Security, Enforcement, and Compassion United in Reform Efforts, (SECURE) Act, legislation which would protect and provide certainty to DACA recipients, and improve the lawful immigration system by targeting illegal immigration and criminal aliens. The bill contains provisions from several immigration proposals, including Senator Dick Durbins (D-Ill.) bipartisan BRIDGE Act, which would protect DACA recipients from deportation. Its also a significant step forward on the path to immigration reform.Grassley reintroduced the Taking Action Against Drunk Drivers Act, legislation that would require federal immigration authorities to take action against undocumented immigrants arrested for driving under the influence. Grassley first introduced the bill last year followingseveral tragediesinvolving immigrants who were arrested for drunk driving, including one incident that claimed the life of 21-year-old Iowan Sarah Root.Grassley wrote oversight letters to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson,acting director of Homeland Security Elaine Duke, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, then-Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly,the Department of Labor and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on a wide range of issues related to visas and immigration. Several letters focused on obtaining information regarding theDiversity Visa program,the process by which DHS reviews theTemporary Protected Status(TPS) designation, and theO visa program. Grassley also raised questions about theForeign Agents Registration Act(FARA) andH-2Bforeign worker andEB-5investor visa programs. Law enforcement: In honor of the service and sacrifice made by the men and women in law enforcement, Grassley introduced a resolution designating the week of May 15 through May 21, 2017, as \"National Police Week,\" which passed the Senate with unanimous consent. The Public Safety Officers Benefits Improvement Act, which became law in June, helps families of fallen first responders receive the survivor benefits theyd been promised. Congress established the Public Safety Officers Benefits Program in 1976 to provide death benefits to survivors of officers who die in the line of duty. Grassleys oversight revealed, however, that many of these survivors were waiting years to receive their benefits. His legislation will reduce this wait time and provide greater accountability in the process.Thousands of U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) officers tasked with hunting down dangerous fugitives are relying on expired protective and trauma gear and insufficient training, according to information obtained by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Despite repeated warnings about the increased risks to employees and public statements prioritizing safety, agency leadership has reportedly failed to follow through with critical steps to ensure officers are appropriately trained and equipped to carry out often-dangerous duties. In two separate letters to USMS leadership, Grassley called on the agency to explain how the lapses were allowed to occur.National Security:Along with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Grassley urged the Trump Administration to put American victims of terrorism first by securing a binding commitment from Sudan to compensate for its historical support of international terrorism that has killed and injured Americans serving abroad. In a jointletterto Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the chairmen called on the Administration, as a condition of lifting any terrorism-related sanctions, to accept nothing less than a binding commitment from the government of Sudan to resolve or settle the terrorism judgments entered against it in U.S. courts and meet its obligations to compensate American victims. Taxes: Asa senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, Grassley was instrumental in the crafting and passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which was signed into law by President Trump. Two Grassley-led amendments were included in the bills final passage.  The first amendment regards increasing the time period in which taxpayers may seek to have proceeds from the sale of wrongfully levied property returned to them.The IRS is authorized to levy on property to satisfy a tax debt in certain instances. While the IRS is authorized to return property at any time, it is only authorized to return the monetary proceeds from a sale for up to nine months from the date of the levy. Similarly, if a third party believes the property levied or seized belongs to him/her and not the person against whom the tax is assessed, the third party generally only has nine months from the time of the levy to bring an administrative wrongful-levy action to seek the return of monetary proceeds. In many cases the nine-month period is insufficient for individuals and third parties to discover a wrongful or mistaken levy and seek to remedy it. This amendment extends from nine months to two years the time period that individuals and third parties have to seek the return of proceeds on the sale of wrongfullylevied property.  The second amendment included in theTax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017expands provisions relating to the nondeductibility of fines and penalties to prohibit a tax deduction for any amount paid or incurred to, or at the direction of, any governmental entity relating to the violation of any law or the investigation or inquiry into a potential violation of law. It exempts from such prohibition: (1) restitution or amounts paid to come into compliance with any law that was violated or otherwise involved in the investigation or inquiry, (2) amounts paid pursuant to a court order in a suit in which the governmental entity was not a party, and (3) amounts paid or incurred as taxes due. Grassley also reintroduced theTaxpayer Bill of Rights Enhancement Act of 2017, comprehensive legislation which would improve customer service at the IRS, create new taxpayer protections and update and strengthen existing taxpayer protections.Trade:With Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Grassley introducedthe United States Foreign Investment Review Act,which would to review foreign investments in the United States to ensure they are in the long-term economic interests of the U.S.Grassley joineda bipartisan group of 37 senatorsurgingUSDA to push the Chinese government to end its ban on the sale of American poultry products. The ban was instituted by China in 2015 due to the detection of a wild duck with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influence (HPAI) and continues to be enforced today, in contradiction of World Health Organization for Animal Health (OIE) standards.Victims reform: Grassley introduced and the Senate unanimously passed, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017. The bipartisan legislation would renew existing programs that make federal resources available to human trafficking survivors and establish new prevention, prosecution and collaboration initiatives to help bring the perpetrators to justice. Grassley led 22 Senate colleagues incalling on the U.S. Supreme Courtto review a federal appeals court decision undermining the ability of U.S. victims of international terrorism to seek justice.The appeals courts decision effectively nullified theAntiterrorism Act of 1992, a law passed by Congressand championed by Grassleyspecifically to protect Americans abroad and to provide victims with a tool to bring terrorists to justice in U.S. courts.  Grassley offered two resolutions in support of victims reform. The first was a resolution supporting the mission and goals of National Crime Victims' Rights Week in 2017, which includes increasing public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of, and services available to assist, victims and survivors of crime in the United States. The second was a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, commending domestic violence victim advocates, domestic violence victim service providers, crisis hotline staff, and first responders serving victims of domestic violence for their compassionate support of survivors of domestic violence, and expressing the sense of the Senate that Congress should continue to support efforts to end domestic violence, provide safety for victims of domestic violence and their families, and hold perpetrators of domestic violence accountable. Both resolutions passed the Senate by unanimous consent. Whistleblowers: Grassley, along with Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.),introduced theWhistleblower Protection Coordination Act. The legislation would permanently extend the program requiring a dedicated official in each inspector general office focused on whistleblower protection issues. Grassley sent several oversight letters to the DOJ and the DEA requesting information on issues such as why it took the DOJs inspector generals office nearly five years to complete an investigation into the Osorio and Barba trafficking rings. He pressed for answers regarding unaccountability in addressing sexual misconduct and harassment in the DOJ, and inquired about what steps the agency has taken to address the problem. With McCaskill, Grassley also pressed the Missouri National Guard for answers on what it will do to address findings that one of its contractors retaliated against contractor employee Michael Sandknop after he made disclosures that were protected under whistleblower statutes. Grassley, along with Wyden, introduced the bipartisanIRS Whistleblower Improvements Act of 2017,legislation that would improve IRS communication with tax fraud whistleblowers and protect those whistleblowers from workplace retaliation. The bill is based on the Grassley-Wyden amendment included in theTaxpayer Protection Act of 2016.The Taxpayer Protection Act, along with the Grassley-Wyden amendment, passed the Finance Committee in April 2016 but was never considered by the full Senate. In honor of the critical service whistleblowers provide for good governance and our nation, Grassley introduced a resolution designating July 30, 2017, as \"National Whistleblower Appreciation Day,\" which passed the Senate with unanimous consent.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-king-president-trump-speak-regarding-ending-daca", "Congressman King, President Trump Speak Regarding Ending DACA", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King outlines immigration law priorities that would restore respect for the Rule of Law\nWashington, D.C.- Congressman Steve King and President Donald Trump spoke by phone yesterday evening to discuss the unconstitutional Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. During the call, Congressman King reaffirmed his opposition to DACA, an Obama-era amnesty program for illegal aliens that undermines the Rule of Law in America. King encouraged the President to keep the promise, first articulated by candidate Donald Trump on June 16, 2015, to end DACA.\nAfter his constructive discussion with President Trump, King recorded and released the following video providing insights into his call with the president. In his remarks, King outlines an agenda of additional policy proposals he would like President Trump to incorporate into any DACA related negotiations that may occur next year. These proposals, viewed by King as essential elements of restoring respect for the Rule of Law, include: making English the official language of the United States; ensuring illegal aliens are not counted by the census for purposes of Congressional apportionment; ending tax deductions taken by employers of illegal aliens; and ending the current practice of granting automatic US citizenship upon birth to the children of illegal aliens.\nTo watch the video statement, click here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/featured-posts?ContentRecord_id=A173DD72-164C-4708-917C-D59C99625E83", "Click here to learn more", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  As 2017 comes to a close, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) today released a series of initiatives and victories she led throughout the year on behalf of Iowans.\r\nOver the last year, Ive had the opportunity to talk with folks from any every corner of the state to hear exactly what is on their mind, said Senator Ernst. Across Iowa, folks made clear that they wanted to see Washington get to work, from simplifying the tax code, cutting reckless spending, and growing our economy, to protecting the RFS, strengthening our military, and ensuring our veterans receive timely and quality care. We have made significant progress in 2017, and I am looking forward to building on these gains in the new year.\r\nHIGHLIGHTS\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Iowa Senator helped introduce more than 25 bipartisan bills.\r\n\r\n\r\nOctober marked the completion of Senator Ernsts third annual 99 county tour as a U.S. Senator. She held 16 public listening sessions and traveled across the state, visiting schools, small businesses, manufacturers, farms, and much more. To find out more about her 99 county tour stops in 2017, click here. \r\nThe office of Senator Ernst also held traveling office hours in all 99 counties, three times over the course of the year to assist Iowans with problems or questions about eligibility involving issues like Social Security, veterans benefits, military affairs, passports, immigration issues, and other federal programs. \r\nSenator Ernst continued to highlight opportunities for Iowa students, hosting two U.S. Service Academy Open Houses in Cedar Rapids and Johnston for those interested in applying to, or learning more about service academies, as well as internships in Washington, D.C. and state offices.\r\n\r\n\r\nLEGISLATIVE BREAKDOWN BY ISSUE\r\nAGRICULTURE\r\n\r\nRE-NAMED SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR: Senator Ernst, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, was re-named the Subcommittee Chairman on Rural Development and Energy.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst joined a bipartisan group in introducing legislation to reform the biodiesel tax credit and extend the new policy for three years.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced a resolution that expresses the need to vacate the Obama administrations Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.\r\n\r\nIn June, the EPA, Department of the Army, and Army Corps of Engineers proposed a rule to repeal the WOTUS rule. \r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced the Agriculture Students Encourage, Acknowledge, Reward, Nurture (EARN) Act, which supports young people in agriculture by creating a tax exemption for the first $5,000 of income students 18 years of age or younger earn from projects completed through 4-H or FFA.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, introduced legislation to strengthen the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The bipartisan Regional Conservation Partnership Program Improvement Act will provide more resources for partners to expand the reach of conservation projects, while cutting red-tape and increasing flexibility to attract new participants.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen and improve the Agriculture Risk Coverage-County Level program (ARC-CO), which helps farmers when commodity prices fall to damaging levels.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst, King (I-ME), Donnelly (D-IN) and Collins (R-ME) introduced bipartisan legislation that would increase funding to successful U.S. Department of Agriculture export promotion programs and help U.S. farmers maintain an edge in the increasingly competitive global marketplace. The bill, the Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports (CREAATE) Act, aims to revitalize the USDAs export promotion programs, which generated a net return of $28.30 for every dollar invested between 1977 and 2014.\r\nSenator Ernst fought for and received assurances on biofuel volumes and the EPAs commitment to follow both the letter and the spirit of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), as well as a commitment to not pursue other policies harmful to our farmers across Iowa.\r\n\r\nSent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator (EPA) Scott Pruitt asking him to examine a burdensome regulation that makes it more difficult to sell gasoline with ethanol content above ten percent, such as E15 year round.\r\nLed a letter along with Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Ed Markey (D-MA) to Administrator Pruitt expressing support for the current point of obligation under the RFS, and urging the EPA to finalize its decision to reject the petitions for rulemaking to change it as soon as possible.\r\nJoined 22 senators in a bipartisan letter urging President Trump to maintain the point of obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and reject proposed changes that would upend the current successful system.\r\nContinued to push for legislation she cosponsored that would remove unnecessary regulatory hurdles that keep E15, and higher blends of ethanol, from being sold year round across the country.\r\nOffered commentary at the EPA public hearing for the proposed RFS for 2018, and the Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2019.\r\nSent a letter to President Donald Trump expressing her concern over the EPA move to potentially set biodiesel volumes in the RFS for 2018 and 2019 at substantially lower volumes, which could in turn, hurt Iowa farmers, manufacturers, and rural communities.\r\nSent a letter with a bipartisan group of senators to Administrator Scott Pruitt calling for a strong RFS as the agency works toward finalizing its rule on biofuels volume requirements for 2018 under the RFS.\r\nJoined Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) along with a bipartisan group of 28 other senators in urging the EPA to increase its proposed 2019 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for biodiesel to encourage growth in the industry and diversity in the nations energy supply, and to abandon its effort to reduce biofuel production in 2018.\r\nMet with Administrator Pruitt to express her significant concerns over the agencys recent action to potentially set biodiesel volumes in the RFS for 2018 and 2019 at substantially lower volumes.\r\nReceived key commitments for Iowa from Administrator Pruitt to support the spirit and the letter of the RFS. However, she expressed disappointed that the 2019 biodiesel numbers were held flat at the bare minimum level that the Administrator committed to.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBUDGET/SPENDING:\r\n\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst is an original co-sponsor of a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution requiring a balanced budget.\r\nPASSED SENATE: Senator Ernst voted in support of a balanced budget.\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW IN TAX REFORM: Senator Ernst introduced the Stop Questionable, Unnecessary, and Excessive Allowances for Legislators (SQUEAL) Act, which would eliminate a provision of the tax code that allows Members of Congress to deduct, for income tax purposes, up to $3,000 annually in living expenses incurred while away from their districts or home state.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst introduced the Presidential Allowance Modernization Act. This legislation reforms the outdated system that provides former U.S. Presidents with post-presidency benefits by establishing first-ever limits on the taxpayer support they receive. It has since passed out of committee and awaits a final vote on the Senator Floor.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst supports the Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act. This legislation incentivizes federal employees if they report and help identify unneeded or surplus funds within their agency. Once reported, the bill ensures that 90 percent of the unused funds be returned to the Treasury to reduce the deficit or debt.\r\nSenator Ernst led a bipartisan group of senators in a letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis calling for the Department of Defense (DOD) to comply with mandatory audits, which are long-overdue by the department. In December, the DOD announced it would conduct the audit.\r\n\r\nEDUCATION:\r\n\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW IN TAX REFORM: The bipartisan Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act, which Senator Ernst co-sponsored, exempts federal and private student loans from federal income taxes if these loans were forgiven due to death or total and permanent disability.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst helped introduce the bipartisan Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act to increase the amount of information students receive about federal student loans, including their potential ability to repay, before signing up for tens of thousands of dollars in debt to Uncle Sam.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst helped introduce the bipartisan Teachers Are Leaders Act, which would create partnerships between colleges and high-need schools to develop and support innovative teacher leader roles.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst joined a bipartisan group of Senators in reintroducing a bill to prevent sexual assault on college campus  the Campus Accountability and Safety Act. This bipartisan legislation would protect students, professionalize the response to and reporting of sexual assault cases, and provide accountability and transparency for institutions.\r\n\r\nENERGY/ENVIRONMENT\r\n\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst co-sponsored a bipartisan bill to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is a program that provides matching grants to state and local governments for the purpose of acquiring land to develop outdoor recreation facilities.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst was a co-sponsor of a bipartisan bill that would establish a pilot energy efficiency grant program to help nonprofit organizations such as schools, hospitals, and religious organizations improve the energy efficiency of their buildings and generate renewable energy.\r\nThe Keystone XL Pipeline project was finally approved under the Trump administration to help create good jobs for the middle class and help become more energy independent by reducing our reliance on Middle Eastern oil.\r\n\r\nHEALTH CARE\r\n\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: The reality in Iowa is that continuing the status quo simply isnt an option because ObamaCare is unsustainable, which is why Senator Ernst co-sponsored the Bipartisan Health Care Stabilization Act of 2017, which was put forth by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Ranking Member, Patty Murray (D-WA), that would improve flexibility, expand choice, and help stabilize state health insurance markets for 2018 and 2019.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, Senator Ernst voted three times in 2017 to repeal ObamaCare in an effort to replace it with affordable, patient-centered health care.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Cory Gardner (R-CO) re-introduced the Allowing Greater Access to Safe and Effective Contraception Act, paving the way for contraceptives to be sold over-the-counter without a prescription. Additionally, Congresswomen Mia Love (R-UT) and Barbara Comstock (R-VA) introduced the companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.\r\nIMPROVING FEDERAL RESPONSE TO OPIOID CRISIS: On November 13, 2017, the GAO released the findings of a study into the Drug Enforcement Agencys (DEA) implementation of regulations that create potential barriers to the participation of local pharmacies in federal drug take-back programs. The report was requested by Iowa Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley in March of 2016. GAO found low voluntary participation among pharmacies, citing high costs and confusion over compliance with federal regulations. Prescription drug take-back programs are a necessary and effective part of an all-of-the-above strategy in combatting the opioid epidemic, and Senator Ernst is continuing to look at ways to increase participation moving forward.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHOMELAND SECURITY\r\n\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst re-introduced Sarahs Lawalong with Senators Grassley, Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Ben Sasse (R-NE). This legislation honors Sarah Root, an Iowan killed by a drunk driver in the country illegally. Sarahs Law would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to take custody of an individual who is in the country illegally and is charged with a crime resulting in the death or serious bodily injury of another person.\r\n\r\nThis legislation was partially enacted this year through an executive order, which ensured that those charged with criminal offenses are considered priorities for enforcement.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst co-sponsored the bipartisan Law Enforcement Heroes Act, which would allow law enforcement grant funds to be used to prioritize the hiring and training of veterans.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst co-sponsored the Thin Blue Line Act, which would make killing or targeting law enforcement officers, firefighters, or other first responders an aggravating factor in death penalty determinations.\r\nPASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE: Joining Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Ron Johnson (R-WI), Senator Ernst helped reintroduce the Fair Chance Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would give formerly incarcerated people a fairer chance at securing employment by prohibiting federal contractors and federal agencies from asking about the criminal history of a job applicant until an applicant receives a conditional offer of employment. This bipartisan legislation passed out of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on September 25, 2017.\r\nRE-INTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Grassley re-introduced legislation to grant the Meskwaki Settlement power to enforce laws for certain crimes committed on its land, bringing its authority in line with that of the vast majority of Indian country.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJOBS, ECONOMY, AND REGULATIONS\r\n\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW: Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which will reform the outdated tax code and provide much-needed relief and opportunity for Iowans. The president signed it into law on December 22, 2017.\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW IN NDAA: Earlier this year, Senator Ernst and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced bipartisan legislation to direct the Small Business Administration to conduct a comprehensive study on women-owned small business (WOSB) participation in multiple award contracts (MACs) from the federal government. This study will address concerns that WOSBs are underrepresented in MACs, and will also examine the participation of all other socio-economic categories of small businesses, including service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and those participating in the Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) program. This legislation was included in the FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act. \r\nSIGNED INTO LAW IN TAX REFORM: The bipartisan Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, which Senator Ernst co-sponsors, would lower federal excise taxes on the brewing industry as well as reduce compliance burdens and regulations on brewers, cider makers, vintners, and distillers.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst and Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) introduced the Prove It Act, bipartisan legislation that aims to improve transparency and strengthen the voices of small businesses in the rulemaking process by giving the Small Business Administrations Office of Advocacy (the small business watchdog for federal rules and regulations) an opportunity to ask agencies to prove their regulatory analysis when proposing a rule that may be economically harmful to small businesses.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst co-sponsored the Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, legislation that would require Congress to carefully review and approve major rules and regulations issued by federal agencies that have an economic impact of $100 million or more annually.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst co-sponsored the RED Tape Act, legislation that would require a federal agency to remove two regulations from the Federal Register for every new one promulgated.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst co-sponsored of the bipartisan Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act, legislation that aims to protect amateur motorsports enthusiasts and parts suppliers from regulations that could negatively impact the sport and the industry that supports it.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst co-sponsored the bipartisan Leveraging and Energizing America's Apprenticeship Programs (LEAP) Act, which would provide a tax credit to businesses who hire apprentices.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: The CLEAR Relief Act, which Senator Ernst co-sponsors, is a bipartisan bill that seeks to reduce the regulatory burden on small banks.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst cosponsors the Taking Account of Institutions with Low Operation Risk Act (TAILOR) Act, which requires financial regulatory agencies to tailor regulatory actions in a way that limits their burden on small, low-risk institutions.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) introduced a bipartisan bill to hold federal agencies accountable to act on recommendations that save taxpayer money and make government more efficient.\r\n\r\nNATIONAL DEFENSE\r\n\r\nNAMED SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR: Senator Ernst, the first female combat veteran to serve in the Senate and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, was named the Subcommittee Chairman on Emerging Threats and Capabilities.\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW: Thirty-seven of Senator Ernsts provisions were included in the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\r\n\r\nSummary of Ernst Bills Included in FY 18 NDAA:\r\n\r\nSummary of Additional Ernst Provisions Included in FY 18 NDAA: \r\n\r\nEnsures appropriate compensation for enlisted servicemembers. This derives from the bipartisan Leadership Recognition Act which, in part, addresses these discrepancies by ensuring fair compensation among senior enlisted advisors.\r\nAuthorizes the Secretary of the Army to award the Personnel Protection Equipment award of the Army to former members of the Army. The Personnel Protection Equipment award is given to servicemembers whose lives were saved by their equipment, such as helmets or body armor.\r\nIncreases the procurement of commercial off-the-shelf personal protective equipment, like body armor. Iowa is home to many companies that build military equipment, and even some who make the strongest body armor in the world.\r\nRestricts the Department of Defense from the use of reverse auctions and lowest price technically acceptable contracting methods when procuring critical safety items, like parachutes. This ensures the best parachutes are purchased for our servicemembers, not just the most cost-effective.\r\nModernizes authority to help the country of Colombia to ensure the country is able to counter armed groups and terrorist organizations. Senator Ernst has been a leader in calling for the U.S. to address the rise of groups, like ISIS, in Latin America.\r\nReviews the Department of Defenses effort to combat the funding of terrorism through the illicit trafficking in commodities, to include tobacco.\r\nAuthorizes the Secretary of Defense to provide assistance to partner forces to support U.S. special operations to combat irregular warfare threats.\r\nExtends the authority for and increases the funding of lethal and non-lethal support to Ukraine to deter Russian aggression.\r\nExtends the ban on military cooperation with Russia.\r\nProhibits any funding for activity that would recognize the sovereignty of the Russian Federation over Crimea.\r\nExtends U.S. anti-tunnel cooperation activities with Israel.\r\nSupports U.S assistance to the Kosovo Security Force as it makes its transition to a multi-ethnic army for the Republic of Kosovo.\r\nRequires the Secretary of the Navy to provide quarterly updates on the progress of the Navys Physiological Episode Team and their efforts to combat physiological episodes in jets. Physiological episodes create an unsafe, and potentially lethal, flying environment.\r\nEncourages the Department of Defense to expand its efforts beyond lightweight polymer ammunition casing into polymer magazine pallets, rounds, and other related equipment.\r\nAllows the U.S. Marine Corps to award M-1 rifles as trophies for marksmanship competitions.\r\nRecognizes computer-based human simulation testing Human Simulation Report Language, like that found at some of Iowas leading universities. Human simulation research lowers costs to enhance warfighter mobility, survivability, welfare and training.\r\nRecognizes military paint training facilities that perform painting and coating operations for the Department of Defense, a key program also found at some of Iowas leading universities. These training programs save the Department time and funding resources.\r\nAcknowledges injuries sustained by helicopter crewmembers due to the type of restraints in use. It encourages the Army to use the Mobile Aircrew Restraint System currently in use by the Air Force to reduce the number of injuries to crewmembers.\r\nProvides a technical change to last years provision for companies like Uber and Lyft to have access to bases.\r\nSupports Department of Defense to start ride-share pilots on base to cut down on DUIs.\r\nUnderscores the importance of protecting the religious liberty of members of the Armed Forces and directs the Department of Defense  in consultation with commanders, chaplains, and judge advocates  to develop and implement a comprehensive training program on religious liberty issues.\r\nRecognizes the risk of Foot and Mouth Disease, or other foreign animal disease, to our food production economy and our national security. It directs the Department of Defense and Department of Agriculture to analyze our ability to respond to such an attack.\r\nRequires a report on the adoption of project, program, and portfolio management standards within the Department of Defense.\r\nRecognizes our adversaries use of low-cost Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and the United States need to expand its capability to protect against UAS threats.\r\nRequires a report on the Department of Defenses implementation of direct hiring authorities for military spouses.\r\nRequires the Secretary of the Army to transfer excess and unused equipment from the Defense Distribution Depot to Rock Island Arsenal to be used to build new warfighting equipment.\r\nAuthorizes the expedited procurement of a commercially available off-the-shelf item or non-developmental item for a 7.62mm rifle capability.\r\nCosponsored a report on the audit of the full financial statements of the Department of Defense.\r\nCosponsored an amendment that encourages government entities to relocate to existing military installations with excess space, like Rock Island Arsenal, before leasing commercial space.\r\nTemporary reutilization authorization for arsenals, depots, and plants.\r\nRequires the Secretary of the Army to establish a make-or-buy guidance illustrating what products should be made at organic industrial bases versus purchased from outside vendors.\r\nClarifies and revises the definition of a commercial item, to address concerns from small businesses who seek to sell items to both the Department of Defense and everyday Iowans.\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW: Senator Ernst cosponsored the Countering Irans Destabilizing Activities Act, introduced by Senator Bob Corker (R-TN). This legislation was passed in its final form as the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, H.R.3364, which the President signed into law. This law directs sanctions against Iran, Russia, and North Korea. \r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Claire McCaskill (D-MO), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, reintroduced the Military Sexual Assault Victims Empowerment (SAVE) Act. If enacted, it would put military sexual trauma (MST) survivors in control of their health care by giving them the opportunity, flexibility, and discretion to choose treatment options that best suit their needs. \r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst, Chairman of the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee on the Senate Armed Services Committee, along with Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), introduced the DoD Emergency Response Capabilities Database Enhancement Act of 2017. This bipartisan legislation that updates a current law and requires the Department of Defense to track cyber capabilities important to national security and domestic response found in the National Guard and Reserve forces within one year.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced the bipartisan Leadership Recognition Act to ensure appropriate compensation for enlisted servicemembers.\r\nPASSED SENATE: Senator Ernst co-sponsored the bipartisan Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act, which passed the Senate. This bill amends the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act of 2015 to impose additional sanctions on the terror group. \r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst joined Senate colleagues in co-sponsoring the bipartisan Combatting BDS Act, which allows state or local governments to enforce measures to restrict investments in an entity, which engages in BDS activity.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst also co-sponsored the bipartisan Israel Anti-Boycott Act, which prohibits U.S. citizens from complying with unsanctioned foreign boycotts imposed by foreign countries and those imposed by international government organizations.\r\n\r\nPOVERTY\r\n\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Marco Rubio (R-FL), members of the Senate Opportunity Coalition, introduced the Economic Mobility, Prosperity, and Opportunities with Waivers that Enable Reforms for States (EMPOWERS) Act, to give states the flexibility to modernize programs to help families and individuals find long-term success. The EMPOWERS Act would create pathways to opportunity by giving states the flexibility to pursue pilot projects that better address the challenges faced by low-income families and individuals.\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW IN TAX REFORM: Senator Ernst co-sponsored the bipartisan Investing in Opportunity Act (IIOA). The IIOA incentivizes investment in economically distressed areas by allowing trillions of dollars in private capital to be used to encourage small businesses, support entrepreneurs, and to develop dilapidated properties in zip codes most in need of a resurgence.\r\n\r\nPROTECTING LIFE\r\n\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW: Senator Ernst and Representative Blacks bicameral legislation to restore states ability to make funding decisions for Title X providers was signed into law by the president. The legislation overturned an eleventh-hour rule issued by the Obama administration that would have forced states to provide entities like Planned Parenthood with federal Title X dollars.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst, joined by 23 other Senators, introduced the Protect Funding for Womens Health Care Act, which would prohibit federal taxpayer dollars from going to Planned Parenthood of America and its affiliates. The legislation ensures that Federal funding for womens health services is reserved in full.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Joni Ernst joined Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and other Senate colleagues and pro-life leaders to introduce thePain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.The legislation would provide common-sense protections for unborn children at 20 weeks after fertilization, a point at which there is significant scientific evidence that abortion inflicts tremendous pain on these vulnerable human beings.\r\n\r\nSECOND AMENDMENT\r\n\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst joined Senator Cornyn (R-TX) and twenty-eight other Senators in introducing the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which would allow concealed carry handgun permit holders to carry in other states that allow residents to conceal carry.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst co-sponsored a measure to reverse a last-minute final rule issued under the Obama administration, which would allow the Social Security Administration (SSA) to report certain individuals to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in a way in which Iowans Second Amendment and constitutional due process rights could be violated.\r\nSenator Ernst joined a group of senators in urging the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives to review an Obama Administration decision that permitted the sale of bump stock devices. They have since initiated a rulemaking seeking to clarify whether bump-stocks constitute a machine gun.\r\n\r\nTRADE\r\n\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst, Joe Donnelly (D-IN), and Rob Portman (R-OH), introduced bipartisan legislation that would ensure the American recreational vehicle industry, as it continues to expand and create jobs in American communities, has access to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) duty-free trade program. The bill would more accurately characterize current domestic economic production by requiring a review of trade data from the last three calendar years, as opposed to antiquated data from 1995, as currently required.\r\nSenator Ernst sent a letter to President Trump expressing her concern over reports that the U.S. might withdraw from the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) and urged him to maintain the agreement.\r\nNORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA) EFFORTS: \r\n\r\nDecember 5, 2017: In a meeting at the White House with President Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Senator Ernst stressed the importance of ensuring that any changes made to NAFTA do not negatively impact the agricultural industry.\r\nNovember 20, 2017: Ernst joined her colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross asking the administration to conduct a robust economic analysis to evaluate how any changes to NAFTA would affect changes to the nations crop and livestock sectors.\r\nJune 28, 2017: Ernst joined 16 of her colleagues in the Senate in urging Lighthizer to strengthen agricultural trade as the administration prepares to begin negotiations to update NAFTA.\r\nMay 15, 2017: Ernst sent a letter along with several Senate colleagues to Lighthizer stressing the positive economic impacts of NAFTA as the administration considers taking a fresh look at the agreement.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE\r\n\r\nSenator Ernst continued to highlight and urge the prioritization for funding for the Cedar Rapids flood mitigation project.\r\n\r\nDuring several Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee hearings, she questioned the head of the Army Corps of Engineers on working towards a solution for the city. Her questions focused on how the Corps cost-benefit metrics for federal assistance favors coastal regions with a high property value, which often leaves rural areas, such as Cedar Rapids, at a disadvantage.\r\nSenator Ernst also organized a meeting with Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney to discuss funding for the Cedar Rapids project.\r\nAt an EPW hearing, Senator Ernst received commitments from the nominee to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Mr. R.D. James, to reevaluate and improve the current benefit-to-cost ratio (BCR) metrics used by the Army Corps of Engineers to determine which flood mitigation projects receive funding, in an effort to make those funds more accessible to rural states like Iowa.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst was a co-sponsor of the Rebuild America Now Act, which aims to expedite the completion of infrastructure projects, with a focus on streamlining the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). Often, the lengthy and complex NEPA review process is blamed for infrastructure project delays, which also increase construction costs.\r\nAt EPW hearings on infrastructure, Senator Ernst stressed the importance of recognizing the differences between the infrastructure needs of rural states and more populated, coastal states. Her questions focused on the importance of transportation infrastructure to the agricultural economy, and the challenges associated with public-private partnerships in rural states.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCOMBATTING SEXUAL ASSAULT & HARASSMENT, STANDING UP FOR SURVIVORS \r\n\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW THROUGH NDAA: Along with the support of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Senator Ernst introduced bipartisan legislation known as the Educating Servicemembers in Training On Prevention (E-STOP) Act. This legislation would implement educational steps to thwart military sexual assault by mandating in-person, comprehensive sexual assault prevention training, and teaches proper use of social media for newly enlisted servicemembers in all branches of the U.S. military before they depart for basic training.\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW THROUGH NDAA: Additionally, Senators Joni Ernst and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) teamed up to offer bipartisan legislation to create a career track for the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps in order to improve expertise within the military justice system. As Senator Ernst explained, Improving the military justice system will ensure victims of sexual assault and other crimes receive legal advice from well-qualified, experienced JAGs in the military justice system. Our servicemembers  both victims and defendants  deserve the best.\r\nPASSED SENATE: Senator Ernst helped lead efforts on bipartisan legislation known as the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act. The legislation to require amateur athletics governing bodies to immediately report sex-abuse allegations to local or federal law enforcement, or a child-welfare agency designated by the Justice Department.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst helped introduce the bipartisan Congressional Harassment Reform Act. This legislation would work to combat sexual harassment and discrimination in Congress, and would help bring more transparency and accountability to the sexual harassment reporting process on Capitol Hill.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst helped introduce a bipartisan Senate resolution mandating Senate Members and employees participate in periodic sexual harassment training. In the days following, near-identical legislation passed by unanimous consent in the Senate.\r\nRE-INTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Joni Ernst and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) re-introduced the bipartisan Military Sexual Assault Victims Empowerment (SAVE) Act. The Military SAVE Act amends the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act to allow veterans who are military sexual trauma (MST) survivors to choose health care providers outside the VA, regardless of certain eligibility requirements.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst joined a bipartisan group of Senators in reintroducing a bill to prevent sexual assault on college campus  the Campus Accountability and Safety Act. This bipartisan legislation would protect students, professionalize the response to and reporting of sexual assault cases, and provide accountability and transparency for institutions.\r\n\r\nSENIORS:\r\n\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst co-sponsored the bipartisan Senior$afe Act, which seeks to protect senior citizens from financial exploitation and fraud.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst led Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Shelley Moore-Capito (R-WV) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in introducing the bipartisan, bicameral Credit for Caring Act, which would provide up to a $3,000 nonrefundable tax credit to working family caregivers for qualified expenses. According to AARP, there are an estimated 40 million family caregivers in the United States, and 317,000 in Iowa. Most of these caregivers spend approximately 18 hours per week providing critical support to a family member.\r\n\r\nVETERANS\r\n\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW: The Global War on Terrorism War Memorial Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Joni Ernst and Joe Manchin (D-WV), was signed into law by President Trump. This legislation authorizes the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation to begin the process of pursuing the construction of a memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The memorial will honor our men and women in uniform, the fallen servicemembers, their families, and all those who have been impacted by our nations longest war.\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW: Senators Ernst and Ron Johnson (R-WI) introduced the Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017. This bill was signed into law by President Trump on October 27. The legislation will strengthen penalties on those who retaliate against whistleblowers, add protections for probationary employees, and ensure that federal employees have a greater knowledge of whistleblower protections.\r\nPASSED SENATE: Senator Ernst led 25 Senate colleagues in introducing a bipartisan Senate Resolution to honor Sailors and Marines who sacrificed their lives for ship and shipmates while serving onboard USS Forrestal 50 years ago, and to commemorate the efforts of those who survived, including now-Senator John McCain (R-AZ). \r\nPASSED COMMITTEE: Senators Joni Ernst and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) reintroduced the Veterans E-Health & Telemedicine Support Act of 2017 (VETS Act). This bipartisan legislation seeks to improve health care access  including mental health treatment  for disabled or rural veterans by expanding telehealth services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VETS Act will help ensure that veterans can receive the timely and quality care they deserve from the comfort of their own homes. The Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs passed legislation that includes the bipartisan VETS Act.\r\nRE-INTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Joni Ernst and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) re-introduced the bipartisan Military Sexual Assault Victims Empowerment (SAVE) Act. The Military SAVE Act amends the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act to allow veterans who are military sexual trauma (MST) survivors to choose health care providers outside the VA, regardless of certain eligibility requirements. The option to access non-VA care applies to injuries directly related to military sexual trauma while serving in the military on active duty or in training.\r\nRE-INTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst re-introduced the Prioritizing Veterans Access to Mental Health Care Act of 2017. This bill expands eligibility for health care under the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to include certain veterans seeking mental health care. This bill also grants a veteran instant authorization of non-VA care if the veteran provides an electronic or hard-copy statement in writing that they are not receiving adequate or timely mental health care at the VA.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst introduced S.1461, the Health Equity and Access for Returning Troops and Servicemembers (HEARTS) Act. The HEARTS Act works to give medically retired servicemembers more flexibility when choosing their health insurance plans, and rectifies an unintended burden currently plaguing wounded servicemembers who return to work after recovering from their injuries.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Joni Ernst joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in introducing bipartisan legislation to re-issue the Gold Star stamp recognizing and honoring families who have lost a child or family member in service to the nation. \r\nSenator Ernst remains focused on making sure Iowa veterans receive timely and quality care:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/featured-posts?ContentRecord_id=F310CDF3-7312-47C2-B502-1A5ADE2579F7", "Find out what that means for Iowa", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Good\r\nmorning\r\n\nI\r\nhave\r\nan\r\nimportant\r\nupdate\r\nto\r\nshare\r\nwith\r\nyou:\nThe\r\nTax\r\nCuts\r\nand\r\nJobs\r\nAct\r\nhas\r\nbeen\r\nsigned\r\ninto\r\nlaw!\nBut\r\nwhat\r\ndoes\r\nthat\r\nmean\r\nfor\r\nyou?\r\nWell,\r\non\r\naverage,\r\ntax\r\nreform\r\nwill\r\nprovide\r\nevery\r\nincome\r\ngroup\r\nwith\r\ntax\r\nrelief.\nUnder\r\nthis\r\nnewlaw\nMiddle-\r\nand\r\nlow-income\r\nIowans\r\nwill\r\nsee\r\nlower\r\ntax\r\nrates.\nObamaCares\r\ncostly\r\nindividual\r\nmandate\r\nwill\r\nbe\r\neliminated.\nFolks\r\nwill\r\nbe\r\nable\r\nto\r\nkeep\r\nmore\r\nof\r\ntheir\r\nhard\r\nearned\r\ndollars.\nThe\r\nchild\r\ntax\r\ncredit\r\nis\r\ndoubled.\nJob\r\ncreators\r\nof\r\nall\r\nsizes\r\nwill\r\nbe\r\nmore\r\ncompetitive\r\nand\r\ncan\r\nreinvest\r\nin\r\ntheir\r\nmost\r\nimportant\r\nresource\r\n\r\ntheir\r\nemployees.\nThe\r\nTax\r\nCuts\r\nand\r\nJobs\r\nAct\r\nalso\r\nincludes\r\ntwo\r\nof\r\nmy\r\nprovisions:\r\ntheStop\r\nQuestionable,\r\nUnnecessary,\r\nand\r\nExcessive\r\nAllowances\r\nfor\r\nLegislators\r\nAct,\r\nalso\r\nknown\r\nas\r\ntheSQUEAL\r\nAct,\r\nwhich\r\neliminates\r\nan\r\nunnecessary\r\ntax\r\nbreak\r\nfor\r\nlawmakers,\r\nand\r\nthe\r\nbipartisan\r\nInvesting\r\nin\r\nOpportunity\r\nActwhich\r\nhelps\r\nspur\r\neconomic\r\ngrowth\r\nin\r\npoverty-stricken\r\nareas.\nI\r\nam\r\nthrilled\r\nthat\r\nthese\r\ncommonsense\r\ninitiatives\r\nwere\r\nincluded\r\nin\r\nthis\r\nlong-overdue\r\nreform\r\nso\r\nthat\r\nIowans\r\nwill\r\nfinally\r\nbe\r\nable\r\nto\r\nsee\r\nrelief\r\nfrom\r\nan\r\noverly-burdensome\r\ntax\r\ncode,\r\nfirst-hand.\n  \nMaking\r\nWashington\r\nSqueal\nAs\r\nI\r\nmentioned,\r\nmySQUEAL\r\nActwas\r\nincluded\r\nin\r\nthe\r\nTax\r\nCuts\r\nand\r\nJobs\r\nAct.\r\nSpecifically,\r\nthis\r\nmeasure\r\ncuts\r\nperks\r\nfor\r\nelected\r\nofficials\r\nby\r\neliminating\r\na\r\nprovision\r\nof\r\nthe\r\ntax\r\ncode\r\nthat\r\nallows\r\nMembers\r\nof\r\nCongress\r\nto\r\ndeduct,\r\nfor\r\nincome\r\ntax\r\npurposes,\r\nup\r\nto\r\nthousands\r\nof\r\ndollarsannually\r\nin\r\nliving\r\nexpenses\r\nwhile\r\nin\r\nthe\r\nWashington,\r\nD.C.\r\narea.\r\n\nIowans\r\nsent\r\nme\r\nto\r\nCongress\r\nto\r\nmake\r\nWashington,\r\nD.C.\r\nsqueal\r\nand\r\nthat\r\nincludes\r\neliminating\r\nhandouts\r\nto\r\npoliticians.\r\nIts\r\nlong-overdue\r\nthat\r\nCongress\r\nstart\r\nleading\r\nby\r\nexample\r\nby\r\noffering\r\nup\r\nits\r\nown\r\nunnecessary\r\ntax\r\nbreak,\r\nand\r\nIm\r\npleased\r\nto\r\nsee\r\nthis\r\nlegislation\r\nsigned\r\ninto\r\nlaw.\nWatch\r\nmoreon\r\nmy\r\nSQUEAL\r\nAct\r\nhere\r\nor\r\nby\r\nclicking\r\non\r\nthe\r\nimage\r\nbelow.\n  \nFor\r\nmore\r\nupdates\r\non\r\nwhat's\r\nhappening\r\nin\r\nWashington,\r\nD.C.\r\nand\r\nIowa,\r\nbe\r\nsure\r\nto\r\n'Like'\r\nmy\r\nFacebook\r\npage,\r\nfollow\r\nme\r\non\r\nTwitter\r\n@SenJoniErnst,\r\nand\r\nsubscribe\r\nto\r\nmy\r\nYouTube\r\nchannel.\nThank\r\nyou!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2CE7CB7C-3C9D-4CCE-B48A-CC57812151FB", "2017 Ernst Initiatives and Victories for Iowa", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  As 2017 comes to a close, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) today released a series of initiatives and victories she led throughout the year on behalf of Iowans.\r\nOver the last year, Ive had the opportunity to talk with folks from any every corner of the state to hear exactly what is on their mind, said Senator Ernst. Across Iowa, folks made clear that they wanted to see Washington get to work, from simplifying the tax code, cutting reckless spending, and growing our economy, to protecting the RFS, strengthening our military, and ensuring our veterans receive timely and quality care. We have made significant progress in 2017, and I am looking forward to building on these gains in the new year.\r\nHIGHLIGHTS\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Iowa Senator helped introduce more than 25 bipartisan bills.\r\n\r\n\r\nOctober marked the completion of Senator Ernsts third annual 99 county tour as a U.S. Senator. She held 16 public listening sessions and traveled across the state, visiting schools, small businesses, manufacturers, farms, and much more. To find out more about her 99 county tour stops in 2017, click here. \r\nThe office of Senator Ernst also held traveling office hours in all 99 counties, three times over the course of the year to assist Iowans with problems or questions about eligibility involving issues like Social Security, veterans benefits, military affairs, passports, immigration issues, and other federal programs. \r\nSenator Ernst continued to highlight opportunities for Iowa students, hosting two U.S. Service Academy Open Houses in Cedar Rapids and Johnston for those interested in applying to, or learning more about service academies, as well as internships in Washington, D.C. and state offices.\r\n\r\n\r\nLEGISLATIVE BREAKDOWN BY ISSUE\r\nAGRICULTURE\r\n\r\nRE-NAMED SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR: Senator Ernst, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, was re-named the Subcommittee Chairman on Rural Development and Energy.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst joined a bipartisan group in introducing legislation to reform the biodiesel tax credit and extend the new policy for three years.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced a resolution that expresses the need to vacate the Obama administrations Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.\r\n\r\nIn June, the EPA, Department of the Army, and Army Corps of Engineers proposed a rule to repeal the WOTUS rule. \r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced the Agriculture Students Encourage, Acknowledge, Reward, Nurture (EARN) Act, which supports young people in agriculture by creating a tax exemption for the first $5,000 of income students 18 years of age or younger earn from projects completed through 4-H or FFA.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, introduced legislation to strengthen the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The bipartisan Regional Conservation Partnership Program Improvement Act will provide more resources for partners to expand the reach of conservation projects, while cutting red-tape and increasing flexibility to attract new participants.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen and improve the Agriculture Risk Coverage-County Level program (ARC-CO), which helps farmers when commodity prices fall to damaging levels.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst, King (I-ME), Donnelly (D-IN) and Collins (R-ME) introduced bipartisan legislation that would increase funding to successful U.S. Department of Agriculture export promotion programs and help U.S. farmers maintain an edge in the increasingly competitive global marketplace. The bill, the Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports (CREAATE) Act, aims to revitalize the USDAs export promotion programs, which generated a net return of $28.30 for every dollar invested between 1977 and 2014.\r\nSenator Ernst fought for and received assurances on biofuel volumes and the EPAs commitment to follow both the letter and the spirit of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), as well as a commitment to not pursue other policies harmful to our farmers across Iowa.\r\n\r\nSent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator (EPA) Scott Pruitt asking him to examine a burdensome regulation that makes it more difficult to sell gasoline with ethanol content above ten percent, such as E15 year round.\r\nLed a letter along with Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Ed Markey (D-MA) to Administrator Pruitt expressing support for the current point of obligation under the RFS, and urging the EPA to finalize its decision to reject the petitions for rulemaking to change it as soon as possible.\r\nJoined 22 senators in a bipartisan letter urging President Trump to maintain the point of obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and reject proposed changes that would upend the current successful system.\r\nContinued to push for legislation she cosponsored that would remove unnecessary regulatory hurdles that keep E15, and higher blends of ethanol, from being sold year round across the country.\r\nOffered commentary at the EPA public hearing for the proposed RFS for 2018, and the Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2019.\r\nSent a letter to President Donald Trump expressing her concern over the EPA move to potentially set biodiesel volumes in the RFS for 2018 and 2019 at substantially lower volumes, which could in turn, hurt Iowa farmers, manufacturers, and rural communities.\r\nSent a letter with a bipartisan group of senators to Administrator Scott Pruitt calling for a strong RFS as the agency works toward finalizing its rule on biofuels volume requirements for 2018 under the RFS.\r\nJoined Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) along with a bipartisan group of 28 other senators in urging the EPA to increase its proposed 2019 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for biodiesel to encourage growth in the industry and diversity in the nations energy supply, and to abandon its effort to reduce biofuel production in 2018.\r\nMet with Administrator Pruitt to express her significant concerns over the agencys recent action to potentially set biodiesel volumes in the RFS for 2018 and 2019 at substantially lower volumes.\r\nReceived key commitments for Iowa from Administrator Pruitt to support the spirit and the letter of the RFS. However, she expressed disappointed that the 2019 biodiesel numbers were held flat at the bare minimum level that the Administrator committed to.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBUDGET/SPENDING:\r\n\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst is an original co-sponsor of a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution requiring a balanced budget.\r\nPASSED SENATE: Senator Ernst voted in support of a balanced budget.\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW IN TAX REFORM: Senator Ernst introduced the Stop Questionable, Unnecessary, and Excessive Allowances for Legislators (SQUEAL) Act, which would eliminate a provision of the tax code that allows Members of Congress to deduct, for income tax purposes, up to $3,000 annually in living expenses incurred while away from their districts or home state.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst introduced the Presidential Allowance Modernization Act. This legislation reforms the outdated system that provides former U.S. Presidents with post-presidency benefits by establishing first-ever limits on the taxpayer support they receive. It has since passed out of committee and awaits a final vote on the Senator Floor.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst supports the Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act. This legislation incentivizes federal employees if they report and help identify unneeded or surplus funds within their agency. Once reported, the bill ensures that 90 percent of the unused funds be returned to the Treasury to reduce the deficit or debt.\r\nSenator Ernst led a bipartisan group of senators in a letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis calling for the Department of Defense (DOD) to comply with mandatory audits, which are long-overdue by the department. In December, the DOD announced it would conduct the audit.\r\n\r\nEDUCATION:\r\n\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW IN TAX REFORM: The bipartisan Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act, which Senator Ernst co-sponsored, exempts federal and private student loans from federal income taxes if these loans were forgiven due to death or total and permanent disability.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst helped introduce the bipartisan Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act to increase the amount of information students receive about federal student loans, including their potential ability to repay, before signing up for tens of thousands of dollars in debt to Uncle Sam.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst helped introduce the bipartisan Teachers Are Leaders Act, which would create partnerships between colleges and high-need schools to develop and support innovative teacher leader roles.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst joined a bipartisan group of Senators in reintroducing a bill to prevent sexual assault on college campus  the Campus Accountability and Safety Act. This bipartisan legislation would protect students, professionalize the response to and reporting of sexual assault cases, and provide accountability and transparency for institutions.\r\n\r\nENERGY/ENVIRONMENT\r\n\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst co-sponsored a bipartisan bill to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is a program that provides matching grants to state and local governments for the purpose of acquiring land to develop outdoor recreation facilities.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst was a co-sponsor of a bipartisan bill that would establish a pilot energy efficiency grant program to help nonprofit organizations such as schools, hospitals, and religious organizations improve the energy efficiency of their buildings and generate renewable energy.\r\nThe Keystone XL Pipeline project was finally approved under the Trump administration to help create good jobs for the middle class and help become more energy independent by reducing our reliance on Middle Eastern oil.\r\n\r\nHEALTH CARE\r\n\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: The reality in Iowa is that continuing the status quo simply isnt an option because ObamaCare is unsustainable, which is why Senator Ernst co-sponsored the Bipartisan Health Care Stabilization Act of 2017, which was put forth by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Ranking Member, Patty Murray (D-WA), that would improve flexibility, expand choice, and help stabilize state health insurance markets for 2018 and 2019.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, Senator Ernst voted three times in 2017 to repeal ObamaCare in an effort to replace it with affordable, patient-centered health care.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Cory Gardner (R-CO) re-introduced the Allowing Greater Access to Safe and Effective Contraception Act, paving the way for contraceptives to be sold over-the-counter without a prescription. Additionally, Congresswomen Mia Love (R-UT) and Barbara Comstock (R-VA) introduced the companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.\r\nIMPROVING FEDERAL RESPONSE TO OPIOID CRISIS: On November 13, 2017, the GAO released the findings of a study into the Drug Enforcement Agencys (DEA) implementation of regulations that create potential barriers to the participation of local pharmacies in federal drug take-back programs. The report was requested by Iowa Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley in March of 2016. GAO found low voluntary participation among pharmacies, citing high costs and confusion over compliance with federal regulations. Prescription drug take-back programs are a necessary and effective part of an all-of-the-above strategy in combatting the opioid epidemic, and Senator Ernst is continuing to look at ways to increase participation moving forward.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHOMELAND SECURITY\r\n\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst re-introduced Sarahs Lawalong with Senators Grassley, Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Ben Sasse (R-NE). This legislation honors Sarah Root, an Iowan killed by a drunk driver in the country illegally. Sarahs Law would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to take custody of an individual who is in the country illegally and is charged with a crime resulting in the death or serious bodily injury of another person.\r\n\r\nThis legislation was partially enacted this year through an executive order, which ensured that those charged with criminal offenses are considered priorities for enforcement.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst co-sponsored the bipartisan Law Enforcement Heroes Act, which would allow law enforcement grant funds to be used to prioritize the hiring and training of veterans.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst co-sponsored the Thin Blue Line Act, which would make killing or targeting law enforcement officers, firefighters, or other first responders an aggravating factor in death penalty determinations.\r\nPASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE: Joining Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Ron Johnson (R-WI), Senator Ernst helped reintroduce the Fair Chance Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would give formerly incarcerated people a fairer chance at securing employment by prohibiting federal contractors and federal agencies from asking about the criminal history of a job applicant until an applicant receives a conditional offer of employment. This bipartisan legislation passed out of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on September 25, 2017.\r\nRE-INTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Grassley re-introduced legislation to grant the Meskwaki Settlement power to enforce laws for certain crimes committed on its land, bringing its authority in line with that of the vast majority of Indian country.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJOBS, ECONOMY, AND REGULATIONS\r\n\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW: Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which will reform the outdated tax code and provide much-needed relief and opportunity for Iowans. The president signed it into law on December 22, 2017.\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW IN NDAA: Earlier this year, Senator Ernst and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced bipartisan legislation to direct the Small Business Administration to conduct a comprehensive study on women-owned small business (WOSB) participation in multiple award contracts (MACs) from the federal government. This study will address concerns that WOSBs are underrepresented in MACs, and will also examine the participation of all other socio-economic categories of small businesses, including service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and those participating in the Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) program. This legislation was included in the FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act. \r\nSIGNED INTO LAW IN TAX REFORM: The bipartisan Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, which Senator Ernst co-sponsors, would lower federal excise taxes on the brewing industry as well as reduce compliance burdens and regulations on brewers, cider makers, vintners, and distillers.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst and Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) introduced the Prove It Act, bipartisan legislation that aims to improve transparency and strengthen the voices of small businesses in the rulemaking process by giving the Small Business Administrations Office of Advocacy (the small business watchdog for federal rules and regulations) an opportunity to ask agencies to prove their regulatory analysis when proposing a rule that may be economically harmful to small businesses.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst co-sponsored the Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, legislation that would require Congress to carefully review and approve major rules and regulations issued by federal agencies that have an economic impact of $100 million or more annually.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst co-sponsored the RED Tape Act, legislation that would require a federal agency to remove two regulations from the Federal Register for every new one promulgated.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst co-sponsored of the bipartisan Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act, legislation that aims to protect amateur motorsports enthusiasts and parts suppliers from regulations that could negatively impact the sport and the industry that supports it.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst co-sponsored the bipartisan Leveraging and Energizing America's Apprenticeship Programs (LEAP) Act, which would provide a tax credit to businesses who hire apprentices.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: The CLEAR Relief Act, which Senator Ernst co-sponsors, is a bipartisan bill that seeks to reduce the regulatory burden on small banks.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst cosponsors the Taking Account of Institutions with Low Operation Risk Act (TAILOR) Act, which requires financial regulatory agencies to tailor regulatory actions in a way that limits their burden on small, low-risk institutions.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) introduced a bipartisan bill to hold federal agencies accountable to act on recommendations that save taxpayer money and make government more efficient.\r\n\r\nNATIONAL DEFENSE\r\n\r\nNAMED SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR: Senator Ernst, the first female combat veteran to serve in the Senate and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, was named the Subcommittee Chairman on Emerging Threats and Capabilities.\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW: Thirty-seven of Senator Ernsts provisions were included in the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\r\n\r\nSummary of Ernst Bills Included in FY 18 NDAA:\r\n\r\nSummary of Additional Ernst Provisions Included in FY 18 NDAA: \r\n\r\nEnsures appropriate compensation for enlisted servicemembers. This derives from the bipartisan Leadership Recognition Act which, in part, addresses these discrepancies by ensuring fair compensation among senior enlisted advisors.\r\nAuthorizes the Secretary of the Army to award the Personnel Protection Equipment award of the Army to former members of the Army. The Personnel Protection Equipment award is given to servicemembers whose lives were saved by their equipment, such as helmets or body armor.\r\nIncreases the procurement of commercial off-the-shelf personal protective equipment, like body armor. Iowa is home to many companies that build military equipment, and even some who make the strongest body armor in the world.\r\nRestricts the Department of Defense from the use of reverse auctions and lowest price technically acceptable contracting methods when procuring critical safety items, like parachutes. This ensures the best parachutes are purchased for our servicemembers, not just the most cost-effective.\r\nModernizes authority to help the country of Colombia to ensure the country is able to counter armed groups and terrorist organizations. Senator Ernst has been a leader in calling for the U.S. to address the rise of groups, like ISIS, in Latin America.\r\nReviews the Department of Defenses effort to combat the funding of terrorism through the illicit trafficking in commodities, to include tobacco.\r\nAuthorizes the Secretary of Defense to provide assistance to partner forces to support U.S. special operations to combat irregular warfare threats.\r\nExtends the authority for and increases the funding of lethal and non-lethal support to Ukraine to deter Russian aggression.\r\nExtends the ban on military cooperation with Russia.\r\nProhibits any funding for activity that would recognize the sovereignty of the Russian Federation over Crimea.\r\nExtends U.S. anti-tunnel cooperation activities with Israel.\r\nSupports U.S assistance to the Kosovo Security Force as it makes its transition to a multi-ethnic army for the Republic of Kosovo.\r\nRequires the Secretary of the Navy to provide quarterly updates on the progress of the Navys Physiological Episode Team and their efforts to combat physiological episodes in jets. Physiological episodes create an unsafe, and potentially lethal, flying environment.\r\nEncourages the Department of Defense to expand its efforts beyond lightweight polymer ammunition casing into polymer magazine pallets, rounds, and other related equipment.\r\nAllows the U.S. Marine Corps to award M-1 rifles as trophies for marksmanship competitions.\r\nRecognizes computer-based human simulation testing Human Simulation Report Language, like that found at some of Iowas leading universities. Human simulation research lowers costs to enhance warfighter mobility, survivability, welfare and training.\r\nRecognizes military paint training facilities that perform painting and coating operations for the Department of Defense, a key program also found at some of Iowas leading universities. These training programs save the Department time and funding resources.\r\nAcknowledges injuries sustained by helicopter crewmembers due to the type of restraints in use. It encourages the Army to use the Mobile Aircrew Restraint System currently in use by the Air Force to reduce the number of injuries to crewmembers.\r\nProvides a technical change to last years provision for companies like Uber and Lyft to have access to bases.\r\nSupports Department of Defense to start ride-share pilots on base to cut down on DUIs.\r\nUnderscores the importance of protecting the religious liberty of members of the Armed Forces and directs the Department of Defense  in consultation with commanders, chaplains, and judge advocates  to develop and implement a comprehensive training program on religious liberty issues.\r\nRecognizes the risk of Foot and Mouth Disease, or other foreign animal disease, to our food production economy and our national security. It directs the Department of Defense and Department of Agriculture to analyze our ability to respond to such an attack.\r\nRequires a report on the adoption of project, program, and portfolio management standards within the Department of Defense.\r\nRecognizes our adversaries use of low-cost Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and the United States need to expand its capability to protect against UAS threats.\r\nRequires a report on the Department of Defenses implementation of direct hiring authorities for military spouses.\r\nRequires the Secretary of the Army to transfer excess and unused equipment from the Defense Distribution Depot to Rock Island Arsenal to be used to build new warfighting equipment.\r\nAuthorizes the expedited procurement of a commercially available off-the-shelf item or non-developmental item for a 7.62mm rifle capability.\r\nCosponsored a report on the audit of the full financial statements of the Department of Defense.\r\nCosponsored an amendment that encourages government entities to relocate to existing military installations with excess space, like Rock Island Arsenal, before leasing commercial space.\r\nTemporary reutilization authorization for arsenals, depots, and plants.\r\nRequires the Secretary of the Army to establish a make-or-buy guidance illustrating what products should be made at organic industrial bases versus purchased from outside vendors.\r\nClarifies and revises the definition of a commercial item, to address concerns from small businesses who seek to sell items to both the Department of Defense and everyday Iowans.\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW: Senator Ernst cosponsored the Countering Irans Destabilizing Activities Act, introduced by Senator Bob Corker (R-TN). This legislation was passed in its final form as the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, H.R.3364, which the President signed into law. This law directs sanctions against Iran, Russia, and North Korea. \r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Claire McCaskill (D-MO), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, reintroduced the Military Sexual Assault Victims Empowerment (SAVE) Act. If enacted, it would put military sexual trauma (MST) survivors in control of their health care by giving them the opportunity, flexibility, and discretion to choose treatment options that best suit their needs. \r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst, Chairman of the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee on the Senate Armed Services Committee, along with Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), introduced the DoD Emergency Response Capabilities Database Enhancement Act of 2017. This bipartisan legislation that updates a current law and requires the Department of Defense to track cyber capabilities important to national security and domestic response found in the National Guard and Reserve forces within one year.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced the bipartisan Leadership Recognition Act to ensure appropriate compensation for enlisted servicemembers.\r\nPASSED SENATE: Senator Ernst co-sponsored the bipartisan Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act, which passed the Senate. This bill amends the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act of 2015 to impose additional sanctions on the terror group. \r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst joined Senate colleagues in co-sponsoring the bipartisan Combatting BDS Act, which allows state or local governments to enforce measures to restrict investments in an entity, which engages in BDS activity.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst also co-sponsored the bipartisan Israel Anti-Boycott Act, which prohibits U.S. citizens from complying with unsanctioned foreign boycotts imposed by foreign countries and those imposed by international government organizations.\r\n\r\nPOVERTY\r\n\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst and Marco Rubio (R-FL), members of the Senate Opportunity Coalition, introduced the Economic Mobility, Prosperity, and Opportunities with Waivers that Enable Reforms for States (EMPOWERS) Act, to give states the flexibility to modernize programs to help families and individuals find long-term success. The EMPOWERS Act would create pathways to opportunity by giving states the flexibility to pursue pilot projects that better address the challenges faced by low-income families and individuals.\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW IN TAX REFORM: Senator Ernst co-sponsored the bipartisan Investing in Opportunity Act (IIOA). The IIOA incentivizes investment in economically distressed areas by allowing trillions of dollars in private capital to be used to encourage small businesses, support entrepreneurs, and to develop dilapidated properties in zip codes most in need of a resurgence.\r\n\r\nPROTECTING LIFE\r\n\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW: Senator Ernst and Representative Blacks bicameral legislation to restore states ability to make funding decisions for Title X providers was signed into law by the president. The legislation overturned an eleventh-hour rule issued by the Obama administration that would have forced states to provide entities like Planned Parenthood with federal Title X dollars.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst, joined by 23 other Senators, introduced the Protect Funding for Womens Health Care Act, which would prohibit federal taxpayer dollars from going to Planned Parenthood of America and its affiliates. The legislation ensures that Federal funding for womens health services is reserved in full.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Joni Ernst joined Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and other Senate colleagues and pro-life leaders to introduce thePain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.The legislation would provide common-sense protections for unborn children at 20 weeks after fertilization, a point at which there is significant scientific evidence that abortion inflicts tremendous pain on these vulnerable human beings.\r\n\r\nSECOND AMENDMENT\r\n\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst joined Senator Cornyn (R-TX) and twenty-eight other Senators in introducing the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which would allow concealed carry handgun permit holders to carry in other states that allow residents to conceal carry.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst co-sponsored a measure to reverse a last-minute final rule issued under the Obama administration, which would allow the Social Security Administration (SSA) to report certain individuals to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in a way in which Iowans Second Amendment and constitutional due process rights could be violated.\r\nSenator Ernst joined a group of senators in urging the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives to review an Obama Administration decision that permitted the sale of bump stock devices. They have since initiated a rulemaking seeking to clarify whether bump-stocks constitute a machine gun.\r\n\r\nTRADE\r\n\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Ernst, Joe Donnelly (D-IN), and Rob Portman (R-OH), introduced bipartisan legislation that would ensure the American recreational vehicle industry, as it continues to expand and create jobs in American communities, has access to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) duty-free trade program. The bill would more accurately characterize current domestic economic production by requiring a review of trade data from the last three calendar years, as opposed to antiquated data from 1995, as currently required.\r\nSenator Ernst sent a letter to President Trump expressing her concern over reports that the U.S. might withdraw from the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) and urged him to maintain the agreement.\r\nNORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA) EFFORTS: \r\n\r\nDecember 5, 2017: In a meeting at the White House with President Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Senator Ernst stressed the importance of ensuring that any changes made to NAFTA do not negatively impact the agricultural industry.\r\nNovember 20, 2017: Ernst joined her colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross asking the administration to conduct a robust economic analysis to evaluate how any changes to NAFTA would affect changes to the nations crop and livestock sectors.\r\nJune 28, 2017: Ernst joined 16 of her colleagues in the Senate in urging Lighthizer to strengthen agricultural trade as the administration prepares to begin negotiations to update NAFTA.\r\nMay 15, 2017: Ernst sent a letter along with several Senate colleagues to Lighthizer stressing the positive economic impacts of NAFTA as the administration considers taking a fresh look at the agreement.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE\r\n\r\nSenator Ernst continued to highlight and urge the prioritization for funding for the Cedar Rapids flood mitigation project.\r\n\r\nDuring several Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee hearings, she questioned the head of the Army Corps of Engineers on working towards a solution for the city. Her questions focused on how the Corps cost-benefit metrics for federal assistance favors coastal regions with a high property value, which often leaves rural areas, such as Cedar Rapids, at a disadvantage.\r\nSenator Ernst also organized a meeting with Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney to discuss funding for the Cedar Rapids project.\r\nAt an EPW hearing, Senator Ernst received commitments from the nominee to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Mr. R.D. James, to reevaluate and improve the current benefit-to-cost ratio (BCR) metrics used by the Army Corps of Engineers to determine which flood mitigation projects receive funding, in an effort to make those funds more accessible to rural states like Iowa.\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst was a co-sponsor of the Rebuild America Now Act, which aims to expedite the completion of infrastructure projects, with a focus on streamlining the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). Often, the lengthy and complex NEPA review process is blamed for infrastructure project delays, which also increase construction costs.\r\nAt EPW hearings on infrastructure, Senator Ernst stressed the importance of recognizing the differences between the infrastructure needs of rural states and more populated, coastal states. Her questions focused on the importance of transportation infrastructure to the agricultural economy, and the challenges associated with public-private partnerships in rural states.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCOMBATTING SEXUAL ASSAULT & HARASSMENT, STANDING UP FOR SURVIVORS \r\n\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW THROUGH NDAA: Along with the support of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Senator Ernst introduced bipartisan legislation known as the Educating Servicemembers in Training On Prevention (E-STOP) Act. This legislation would implement educational steps to thwart military sexual assault by mandating in-person, comprehensive sexual assault prevention training, and teaches proper use of social media for newly enlisted servicemembers in all branches of the U.S. military before they depart for basic training.\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW THROUGH NDAA: Additionally, Senators Joni Ernst and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) teamed up to offer bipartisan legislation to create a career track for the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps in order to improve expertise within the military justice system. As Senator Ernst explained, Improving the military justice system will ensure victims of sexual assault and other crimes receive legal advice from well-qualified, experienced JAGs in the military justice system. Our servicemembers  both victims and defendants  deserve the best.\r\nPASSED SENATE: Senator Ernst helped lead efforts on bipartisan legislation known as the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act. The legislation to require amateur athletics governing bodies to immediately report sex-abuse allegations to local or federal law enforcement, or a child-welfare agency designated by the Justice Department.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst helped introduce the bipartisan Congressional Harassment Reform Act. This legislation would work to combat sexual harassment and discrimination in Congress, and would help bring more transparency and accountability to the sexual harassment reporting process on Capitol Hill.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst helped introduce a bipartisan Senate resolution mandating Senate Members and employees participate in periodic sexual harassment training. In the days following, near-identical legislation passed by unanimous consent in the Senate.\r\nRE-INTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Joni Ernst and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) re-introduced the bipartisan Military Sexual Assault Victims Empowerment (SAVE) Act. The Military SAVE Act amends the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act to allow veterans who are military sexual trauma (MST) survivors to choose health care providers outside the VA, regardless of certain eligibility requirements.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst joined a bipartisan group of Senators in reintroducing a bill to prevent sexual assault on college campus  the Campus Accountability and Safety Act. This bipartisan legislation would protect students, professionalize the response to and reporting of sexual assault cases, and provide accountability and transparency for institutions.\r\n\r\nSENIORS:\r\n\r\nCO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst co-sponsored the bipartisan Senior$afe Act, which seeks to protect senior citizens from financial exploitation and fraud.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst led Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Shelley Moore-Capito (R-WV) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in introducing the bipartisan, bicameral Credit for Caring Act, which would provide up to a $3,000 nonrefundable tax credit to working family caregivers for qualified expenses. According to AARP, there are an estimated 40 million family caregivers in the United States, and 317,000 in Iowa. Most of these caregivers spend approximately 18 hours per week providing critical support to a family member.\r\n\r\nVETERANS\r\n\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW: The Global War on Terrorism War Memorial Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Joni Ernst and Joe Manchin (D-WV), was signed into law by President Trump. This legislation authorizes the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation to begin the process of pursuing the construction of a memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The memorial will honor our men and women in uniform, the fallen servicemembers, their families, and all those who have been impacted by our nations longest war.\r\nSIGNED INTO LAW: Senators Ernst and Ron Johnson (R-WI) introduced the Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017. This bill was signed into law by President Trump on October 27. The legislation will strengthen penalties on those who retaliate against whistleblowers, add protections for probationary employees, and ensure that federal employees have a greater knowledge of whistleblower protections.\r\nPASSED SENATE: Senator Ernst led 25 Senate colleagues in introducing a bipartisan Senate Resolution to honor Sailors and Marines who sacrificed their lives for ship and shipmates while serving onboard USS Forrestal 50 years ago, and to commemorate the efforts of those who survived, including now-Senator John McCain (R-AZ). \r\nPASSED COMMITTEE: Senators Joni Ernst and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) reintroduced the Veterans E-Health & Telemedicine Support Act of 2017 (VETS Act). This bipartisan legislation seeks to improve health care access  including mental health treatment  for disabled or rural veterans by expanding telehealth services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VETS Act will help ensure that veterans can receive the timely and quality care they deserve from the comfort of their own homes. The Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs passed legislation that includes the bipartisan VETS Act.\r\nRE-INTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senators Joni Ernst and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) re-introduced the bipartisan Military Sexual Assault Victims Empowerment (SAVE) Act. The Military SAVE Act amends the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act to allow veterans who are military sexual trauma (MST) survivors to choose health care providers outside the VA, regardless of certain eligibility requirements. The option to access non-VA care applies to injuries directly related to military sexual trauma while serving in the military on active duty or in training.\r\nRE-INTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst re-introduced the Prioritizing Veterans Access to Mental Health Care Act of 2017. This bill expands eligibility for health care under the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to include certain veterans seeking mental health care. This bill also grants a veteran instant authorization of non-VA care if the veteran provides an electronic or hard-copy statement in writing that they are not receiving adequate or timely mental health care at the VA.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst introduced S.1461, the Health Equity and Access for Returning Troops and Servicemembers (HEARTS) Act. The HEARTS Act works to give medically retired servicemembers more flexibility when choosing their health insurance plans, and rectifies an unintended burden currently plaguing wounded servicemembers who return to work after recovering from their injuries.\r\nINTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Joni Ernst joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in introducing bipartisan legislation to re-issue the Gold Star stamp recognizing and honoring families who have lost a child or family member in service to the nation. \r\nSenator Ernst remains focused on making sure Iowa veterans receive timely and quality care:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6046B568-F62D-4558-B115-EC4A326A012A", "Tax Reform Signed Into Law", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) issued the following statement after President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which includes the SQUEAL Act, into law:\r\nThis is a monumental moment for our country; this tax reform, on average, will provide every income group with tax relief. Under this law, middle- and low-income Iowans will see lower tax rates, ObamaCares costly individual mandate will be eliminated, folks will be able to keep more of their hard earned dollars, the child tax credit is doubled, and job creators of all sizes will be more competitive and can reinvest in their most important resource  their employees.\r\nThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act also included two of my provisions: the SQUEAL Act, which eliminates an unnecessary tax break for lawmakers, and the bipartisan Investing in Opportunity Act which helps spur economic growth in poverty-stricken areas. I am thrilled to see my efforts and many other commonsense initiatives included in this long-overdue reform so that Iowans will finally be able to see relief from an overly-burdensome tax code, first-hand.\r\nSenator Ernsts efforts included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-colleagues-urge-dea-swiftly-issue-regulations-and-guidance-partial-fill", "Grassley, Colleagues Urge DEA to Swiftly Issue Regulations and Guidance on Partial Fill Law to Better Address Nation\u2019s Opioid Crisis", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Chuck Grassley joined a bipartisan letter urging the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to update regulations and guidance related to the partial filling of Schedule II controlled substances. Doing so would give prescribers and pharmacists additional clarity about the new provisions of federal law and other steps that can be taken to better address the nations opioid crisis. The letter was penned by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R- W.Va.) and joined by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over the DEA. Reps. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) also signed the letter. More than 33,000 Americans died from opioid-related drug overdoses in 2015, and prescription painkillers continue to be a major contributor to the epidemic.  Outdated DEA regulations, which include a different definition of partial filling from the definition provided in CARA, have led to significant confusion on the part of pharmacists and prescribers,wrote the Members of Congress. These health care providers are critical partners in the fight against the opioid epidemic but are reluctant to move forward with implementation of the law or to proactively implement programs to partially fill initial opioid prescriptions until the DEA updates its regulations.  According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than 70 percent of people who misuse prescription painkillers got them from a friend, relative or doctor.Encouraging prescribers and pharmacists to embrace partial fill policies for their patients would help reduce the number of opioids that are misused in homes and communities across the country.  December 21, 2017  Acting Administrator Robert Patterson United States Drug Enforcement Administration 8701 Morrissette Drive Springfield, VA 22152  Dear Acting Administrator Patterson:  We are writing to urge you to swiftly update Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations and guidance related to the partial filling of Schedule II controlled substances. Updated regulations and guidance will give prescribers and pharmacists additional clarity about the new provisions of federal law and other steps that may be taken to better address the nation's opioid crisis.  The opioid crisis continues to have devastating effects across this country. More than 33,000 Americans died from opioid-related drug overdoses in 2015, and prescription painkillers continue to be a major contributor to the epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while opioid prescriptions have decreased in recent years, the rate of prescribing was still three times higher in 2015 compared to 1999. 2 During the same period from 1999 to 2015, opioid related overdose deaths quadrupled.  Large amounts of unused medications are a key contributor to this crisis. A recent report found that between 67 percent and 92 percent of patients who underwent orthopedic, thoracic, obstetric, or general surgical procedures reported they had unused opioids remaining after the procedures. In most cases, these unused prescription drugs are left in the medicine cabinet, and can be easily misused by the patient or diverted to friends and family. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, over 70 percent of people who misuse prescription painkillers got them from a friend, relative, or doctor. The DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back days are a useful tool for safely disposing of unused and unwanted prescription drugs - but they aren't enough. Often, people don't utilize these safe disposal practices and medications continue to sit in the cabinet.  Congress has taken important steps to address the significant role that unused prescription drugs have played in the opioid epidemic, including by enacting bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Warren and Capito, and Representatives Clark and Stivers, to reduce the amount of unused opioid medications in circulation. This legislation, incorporated as Section 702 of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), amended the Controlled Substances Act to enable patients or physicians to request a \"partial fill\" of any Schedule II medication, including prescription opioids like OxyContin and Vicodin.  Partial fill enables a patient to request only a few days' worth of their prescription be filled, and leaves them 'the option to return to the pharmacy for the remainder of their prescription if they still require additional pain treatment. The partial fill legislation empowers patients to have conversations with their health providers and pharmacists about how many prescription opioids they feel comfortable having in their home, and to go home from the pharmacy with an amount appropriate for them - while still having the option to return for the rest.  The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act became law in July 2016 and explicitly authorizes the partial filling of Schedule II controlled substances, unless prohibited by state law. However, a number of states, medical organizations, and pharmacies have expressed concerns about the lack of action by the DEA to update its partial-fill regulations to align with current law. DEA regulations, issued in 2010, only address \"partial fill\" in limited circumstances for pharmacists and Long Term Care Facilities. For instance, DEA regulations state: \"The partial filling of a prescription for a controlled substance listed in Schedule II is permissible if the pharmacist is unable to supply the full quantity called for in a written or emergency oral prescription ... no further quantity may be supplied beyond 72 hours without a new prescription.  These outdated DEA regulations, which include a different definition of \"partial filling\" from the definition provided in CARA, have led to significant confusion on the part of pharmacists and prescribers. These health care providers are critical partners in the fight against the opioid epidemic but are reluctant to move forward with implementation of the law or to proactively implement programs to partially fill initial opioid prescriptions until the DEA updates its regulations. In response to recent letters from Senators Warren and Capito inquiring about their implementation of partial fill authorities, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) indicated that many of their members have expressed significant confusion regarding outdated DEA regulations, and that the outdated definition of \"partial filling\" is contradictory to the current law. For instance, APhA wrote that they are \"aware of significant confusion regarding partial fills because DEA has yet to update their regulations or clarify their position regarding partial fills.\" According to AACP, \"Pharmacy is a highly regulated profession and while state regulations are typically reasonably easy to interpret, it is sometimes much more difficult to understand the DEA position on controlled substances and their management.\" According to the NACDS, \"pharmacies are concerned about potential DEA enforcement action for partially filling controlled substance prescriptions.\"  Medical member organizations are also ready and willing to inform their members about partial fill policies, but are awaiting clear federal guidance before they disseminate additional information. APhA, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and the American Dental Association (ADA) have all indicated that they would be able to disseminate more information about partial fill policies once the DEA has updated its regulations. APhA said, \"when DEA updates their regulations or issues additional clarification regarding partial fills, APhA will use its opioid resource center and other communication tools to increase members' awareness of federal changes.\" AAMC expressed similar sentiments, writing, as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) begins to implement the law, we will have the opportunity to share this information as appropriate through our various membership newsletters, webinars, or other communications.\" The ADA said they \"plan to alert [their] members and share practical resources to help them comply once the final regulations are published.\"  Updating these regulations and providing clarity on the DEA's implementation of the law will help give providers a powerful tool for implementing recent CDC opioid prescribing guidelines, which recommend prescribing \"only the number of days that the pain is expected to be severe enough to require opioids.\" For acute pain, the CDC observes that an opioid prescription of \"three days or less is often enough; more than seven days is rarely needed.\" A recent study of over 215,000 individuals showed that for patients dealing with different medical procedures, the optimal length of an opioid prescription varied. The study concluded that \"the optimal length of opioid prescriptions lies between ... 4 to 9 days for general surgery procedures, 4 to 13 days for women's health procedures, and 6 to 15 days for musculoskeletal procedures.\" The definition of \"partial filling\" provided in CARA enables patients to take home a limited number of pills, only for the expected duration of the pain severe enough to require opioids, and return to the pharmacy to pick up more of their prescription if acute pain persists.  Encouraging prescribers and pharmacists to embrace partial fill policies for their patients will help to reduce the number of opioids that could be misused in homes across the country. We urge you to move swiftly to resolve the current discrepancy between outdated regulatory definitions of \"partial fill\" and changes to federal law made by Section 702 of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act by issuing regulations to implement this provision. We urge you to use these regulations and guidance to provide clarification for prescribers and pharmacists working to implement programs to partially fill opioid prescriptions. Thank you for your immediate attention to the issuance of the partial fill regulations and guidance.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-klobuchar-tillis-bill-aid-families-missing-autism-alzheimer%E2%80%99s-patients", "Grassley, Klobuchar, Tillis Bill to Aid Families of Missing Autism, Alzheimer\u2019s Patients Passes Senate", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Bipartisan legislation to help families locate missing loved ones with Alzheimers disease, autism and related conditions has unanimously passed the U.S. Senate. Kevin and Avontes Law (S. 2070), named in honor of two boys with autism who perished after wandering from safety, would also support training for caregivers to prevent and respond to instances of wandering. The bill, led by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), is now pending approval in the U.S. House of Representatives. The feeling of dread and helplessness families must experience when a loved one with Alzheimers or autism goes missing is unimaginable. But when communities are empowered to lend a hand, these terrifying situations can have happy endings. Kevin and Avontes Law, named for a boy from Jefferson, Iowa and a boy from New York City, makes resources available for technologies that advance the search for missing children, along with specialized training for caregivers and first responders to help prevent wandering by vulnerable individuals, Grassley said. I look forward to its swift passage in the House of Representatives.  We need to do everything we can to make sure that kids like Hamza Elmi from St. Cloud  and all people with a developmental disability or a form of dementia  make it home safely,Klobuchar said.Passing this bipartisan bill into law will mean first responders, law enforcement officers, caregivers, and Minnesota families will have access to the technology, resources, and training they need to prevent wandering and find missing people.  Im pleased to see the Senate unanimously passKevin and Avontes Law, which will support training for caregivers to prevent and respond to missing individuals with Alzheimers disease, autism, and related conditions, said Tillis. This legislation has a deep personal meaning for me, as I was a caregiver for my grandmother during her battle with Alzheimers disease. We should be moving heaven and earth to help families and caregivers reunite with loved ones who wander and disappear, andKevin and Avontes Lawcan truly make a difference in preventing tragedies and give families across America a greater peace of mind. Information on the introduction of this legislation is available HERE, a bill summary can be found HERE and full text of the legislation can be found HERE. In addition to Senators Grassley, Klobuchar and Tillis, the bill is also sponsored by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.).  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-reform-credited-recovering-more-56-billion-lost-fraud", "Grassley Reform Credited with Recovering More Than $56 Billion Lost to Fraud", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "More than $3.7 Billion in Taxpayer Funds Recouped from Fraudsters in 2017 Alone WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Chuck Grassleys False Claims Act reforms helped the federal government recover more than $3.7 billion from fraudsters in fiscal year 2017, according to a Justice Department announcement yesterday. That brings the total amount of taxpayer dollars recovered from fraud since Grassleys reforms to more than $56.1 billion. Over and over again the False Claims Act has proven to be the single most effective tool for recovering taxpayer dollars lost to fraudsters who exploit the government. It encourages whistleblowers to raise the alarm when they encounter unscrupulous crooks and prevents further government waste. And it clearly works. To those who doubt the value of whistleblowers and the False Claims Act, Id just say: $56 billion and counting, Grassley said. Yesterdays announcement marks yet another significant milestone in our efforts to protect taxpayers against fraud.  The False Claims Act was enacted to prosecute fraud against taxpayers by unscrupulous companies and government contractors. Grassley, the current Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, authored reforms to the False Claims Act in 1986 to encourage whistleblowers to come forward with information involving such fraud. In the last decade, the government has clawed back an average of nearly $3.6 billion annually, thanks in large part to Grassleys qui tam provisions, which allow whistleblowers to share in the governments recovery. Of the more than $3.7 billion recovered in the last fiscal year, over $3.4 billion are related to law suits filed under the qui tam provisions. Many of the recoveries were initiated by whistleblowers who took advantage of Grassleys provisions allowing them to bring their own case on the governments behalf. Grassley also led an effort in 2009 to pass theFraud Enforcement Recovery Act, which bolstered existing tools and resources for government investigators and prosecutors to combat fraud. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-president-trump-signing-historic-tax-reform-legislation-law", "Grassley Statement on President Trump Signing Historic Tax Reform Legislation into Law", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Presidents signature on this historic tax reform legislation means more money in the pockets of hardworking Iowans.  WASHINGTON  U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, voted for landmark tax reform legislation, which was signed into law this morning by President Trump. President Trump deserves credit for not only running on a promise to reform the tax code, but keeping his word to Americans and signing this historic accomplishment into law. Tax reform makes good on a years-long promise to deliver significant tax relief to Americans from every walk of life and income level. For millions of Americans that relief will begin in February when they begin to see the benefits of lower across-the-board income tax rates in their paychecks, Grassley said. The Presidents signature on this historic tax reform legislation means more money in the pockets of hardworking Iowans. Americans will also see increased wages and more jobs created here and brought back to our shores from overseas. Were already seeing tax reform improve the lives of millions of Americans. Major U.S. companies are making significant commitments to invest millions of dollars back into their domestic operations, increase wages, give bonuses to the men and women on the front lines of their organizations and donate millions more to charitable organizations throughout the nation. Grassley successfully included taxpayer rights and corporate accountability measures in the tax reform legislation. Details of those two provisions are below. Grassley also helped protect the wind energy production tax credit, which he originally authored, and the student loan interest deduction. The wind energy production tax credit was modified in the House-passed version and the student loan interest deduction was eliminated.  As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Grassley previously led through Congress $2 trillion in bipartisan tax relief, leaving more money in workers pockets, reducing tax rates across the board and spurring economic growth and activity. Congress later made permanent the vast majority of the Grassley-led measures with significant bipartisan support.  Grassley-led provisions include:  To increase the time period in which taxpayers may seek to have proceeds from the sale of wrongfully levied property returned to them.  The IRS is authorized to levy on property to satisfy a tax debt in certain instances. While the IRS is authorized to return property at any time, it is only authorized to return the monetary proceeds from a sale for up to nine months from the date of the levy. Similarly, if a third party believes the property levied or seized belongs to him/her and not the person against whom the tax is assessed, the third party generally only has nine months from the time of the levy to bring an administrative wrongful-levy action to seek the return of monetary proceeds. In many cases the nine month period is insufficient for individuals and third parties to discover a wrongful or mistaken levy and seek to remedy it. Consistent with section 202 of S. 1793, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights Enhancement Act of 2017, this amendment would extend from nine months to two years the time period that individuals and third parties have to seek the return of proceeds on the sale of wrongfully levied property.  Government Settlement Transparency Act. This amendment, consistent with S. 803, Government Settlement Transparency Act, would expand provisions relating to the nondeductibility of fines and penalties to prohibit a tax deduction for any amount paid or incurred to, or at the direction of, any governmental entity relating to the violation of any law or the investigation or inquiry into a potential violation of law. The bill exempts from such prohibition: (1) restitution or amounts paid to come into compliance with any law that was violated or otherwise involved in the investigation or inquiry, (2) amounts paid pursuant to a court order in a suit in which the governmental entity was not a party, and (3) amounts paid or incurred as taxes due. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/video-audio-grassley%E2%80%99s-christmas-message-iowans", "Video & Audio: Grassley\u2019s Christmas Message to Iowans", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa delivered a Christmas message in a video address to Iowans.  Christmas is a time to come together with family and friends and to celebrate the great blessings of life and the birth of our Lord and Savior. From my family to yours: Merry Christmas, happy holidays and a happy New Year, Grassley said.   -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-statement-supplemental-aid-vote", "Young statement on supplemental aid vote", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -Iowa Congressman David Young issued the following statement today following his vote on the third supplemental aid package for those affected by natural disasters this fall.\n\"We should help our neighbors in times of need and care for each other. This is why I supported the two previous emergency aid packages, but today's package is nearly double what the administration says it needs and it just doesn't give Iowans a clear explanation of how their taxpayer dollars will be spent.\n\"Iowans have big hearts but want to make sure our hard-earned tax dollars are spent effectively and efficiently so when the government in Puerto Rico hands out$100 million in employee bonusesand then turns around to ask the taxpayers for $94 billion, it is appropriate and necessary to question the decision making process and priorities on the ground.\n\"As Iowa's voice on the Appropriations Committee, I've learned of reports of waste and opportunities for abuse. Fromaid thrown into dumpsters, andno-bid contracts, toforcing aid on folks who didn't ask for or need it, the stories of the improper allocation and waste of resources are disturbing.\n\"There is no question additional aid is needed, but we can't just write a blank check and throw taxpayer money at a problem with no plan and no protections for taxpayers. This is Washington at its worst which is why I'm willing to stay here over Christmas or as long as it takes to get it right.\"\\\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=9F008A81-6F6B-4D90-96FF-D95B4521B724", "Ernst, Grassley Receive Response from VA on Hiring Practices, Push for More Answers", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Responding to a December 4th letter from Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today said that the Iowa City VA doctor in question is no longer a VA employee and that they have issued a new policy to ensure full compliance with the law and a national review to verify that this policy is being implemented correctly. This follows a disturbing report that shed light on hiring practices at VA hospitals, including the Iowa City VA. While Iowa senators are pleased to hear that actions to correct these missteps are taking place, they are calling for more answers to their questions.\r\nThe full text of Senator Ernst and Grassleys letter is available here and below.\r\nThe VAs December 21st response letter, can be found here.\r\nSenator Ernst and Grassleys original December 4th letter to the VA is available here.\r\n\r\nDecember 21, 2017\r\n\r\nThe Honorable David Shulkin\r\nSecretary\r\nU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs\r\nWashington DC 20420\r\n\r\nDear Secretary Shulkin:\r\n\r\nOn December 4, we wrote a letter to you requesting answers regarding hiring practices at the VA. We sent this letter because the VA knowingly hired a neurosurgeon who had his medical license revoked in one state, which goes against VA regulations. We appreciate your responses to our questions and are glad to hear corrective action is being taken. However, we would like you to provide additional clarification regarding your responses.\r\nOur first question asked for the incorrect guidance given to the Iowa City VA that allowed them to hire the neurosurgeon. In your response, you stated that the Iowa City VA relied on VA Handbook 5005/57. Please provide the page number and section in VA Handbook 5005/57 which suggested that the Iowa City VA could hire the neurosurgeon. Additionally, please explain how hospital officials were expected to reconcile the aforementioned section with the information on page 80 which states that individuals are not eligible for appointment if their license had been revoked in another state. You also stated that the VA issued new guidance that fully complies with current law, accordingly, please provide a reference to the newly issued guidance.\r\nWe also asked what steps the VA is taking to determine how many providers at the Iowa City VA were hired illegally. In your response you stated that the VA has initiated a national review of currently appointed providers to ensure they meet all licensure qualifications. Will the results of the review be made public? Will patients and family members be notified if they received care from a provider who had been hired illegally? In addition, a recent USA Today report found that the VA has been hiring providers illegally since 2002. Will you expand the scope of your national review to examine providers hired from 2002 onwards?\r\nPlease respond by January 22, 2018.\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\n                       \r\n\r\nCharles E. Grassley Joni K. Ernst\r\nUnited States Senator United States Senator", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-lowering-rx-prices", "Q&A: Lowering Rx Prices", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Find Senator Grassleys Q&A online here. With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: Why are prescription drug prices still climbing?  A: Modern medicine, particularly pharmaceuticals, has increased longevity and improved the quality of life for millions of Americans. Thats good for society, especially around this time of year when so many of us look forward to celebrating the holidays and enjoying family traditions with loved ones. For too many Americans, however, prescription drug prices come with substantial sticker shock. Paying for life-saving innovative research and blockbuster medical breakthroughs contributes to the expensive prices consumers pay for their prescription medicines. From that perspective, policy proposals designed to help reduce prescription drug prices must take care not to stifle medical discoveries that unlock cures and treat diseases. American taxpayers and consumers have a vested interest to keep prescription medicine both affordable and accessible. Prescription medication may help keep people out of expensive hospital care; but at the same time, out-of-pocket expenses at the pharmacy counter consume a growing share of household budgets in the United States. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimates spending on prescription drugs reached $457 billion in 2015, or 16.7 percent of personal health care services. Higher spending on prescription medicine adds pressure to public health care programs, especially high-cost drugs that put even more pressure on health care spending. Through my oversight work in Congress, as an example, Im continuing to dig to get to the bottom of the EpiPen pricing fiasco that took taxpayers and families for a ride for nearly a decade. Dozens of Iowans contacted my office to ask about the exorbitant price increase they were paying to fill their childrens prescription; the two-pack auto-injector soared from $100 to $600. During my probe, it was revealed the drug was misclassified as a generic instead of a brand name drug, costing government budgets big-time. In addition, I requested the HHS Inspector General to review the potential cost to the taxpayer for EpiPens misclassification over a 10-year period. The IG estimated the cost to be over $1 billion. Thats outrageous enough to trigger heartburn, indigestion and worse among the taxpaying public. Im working to make sure misclassification errors are scrubbed from government rebate programs and pushing back against anti-competitive behavior in the pharmaceutical industry that harms innovation and inflates drug prices. Just this week, the HHS Inspector General released another report at my urging that illustrates the previous administrations failure to oversee drug classifications and proposed measures to fix the problem going forward. Whats more, Im keeping tabs on the EpiPen settlement between Iowa, the federal government and the drug manufacturer to determine whether Iowa and Iowa taxpayers were made whole by the agreement. Q: What other policies are you proposing to address rising prescription drug prices? A: In the 115th Congress, Im continuing to work with a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers to strengthen competition in the pharmaceutical sector. For example, Senator Amy Klobuchar and I are working to shut down anti-competitive settlements between brand-name drug manufacturers and their generic counterparts. When company A and company B are in cahoots to keep generic medicines off the shelves, consumers and taxpayers dont have more affordable options. In other words, these pay-offs are a rip-off to the taxpaying public and household budgets. The abusive practice results in delayed drug competition in the marketplace and puts consumers at the mercy of higher-priced brand name drugs for a longer period of time. Our bill, the Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act would crack down on anti-competitive pay-offs in which branded companies pay their generic competitors not to compete. Imagine if a convenience store owner on Main Street paid a potential competitor not to open for business. That would reduce consumer choice and increase consumer prices. We have introduced another bipartisan bill called the Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act that is designed to stop brand name drug makers from abusing the risk evaluation and mitigation strategy program (REMS) to block generics from entering the marketplace. Specifically, the bill would prevent brand name drug makers from restricting access to samples which generic manufacturers need to conduct testing and produce more affordable generic drugs. In addition, I support lifting import restrictions on prescription drugs to give consumers the ability to shop for the most affordable price to fill their prescriptions. In the New Year, I will continue working in Congress and through oversight of federal agencies to help expand access and make prescription drugs more affordable. From my 99 county meetings and communications from Iowans, this is a kitchen table issue that affects the personal and financial health of so many families who depend upon prescription medicines to treat chronic conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and other serious diseases.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-ernst-receive-response-va-hiring-practices-press-more-answers", "Grassley, Ernst Receive Response from VA on Hiring Practices, Press for More Answers", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Responding to a December 4, 2017, letter from Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today said that the Iowa City VA doctor in question is no longer a VA employee and that they have issued a new policy to ensure full compliance with the law and a national review to verify that this policy is being implemented correctly. This follows a disturbing report that shed light on hiring practices at VA hospitals, including the Iowa City VA. While the Iowa senators are pleased to hear that actions to correct these missteps are taking place, they are calling for more answers to their questions.The full text of Senator Grassley and Ernsts letter is available here and below.The VAs December 21 response letter can be found here.Senator Grassley and Ernsts original December 4 letter to the VA is available here. December 21, 2017  The Honorable David Shulkin Secretary U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Washington DC 20420  Dear Secretary Shulkin:  On December 4, we wrote a letter to you requesting answers regarding hiring practices at the VA. We sent this letter because the VA knowingly hired a neurosurgeon who had his medical license revoked in one state, which goes against VA regulations. We appreciate your responses to our questions and are glad to hear corrective action is being taken. However, we would like you to provide additional clarification regarding your responses.  Our first question asked for the incorrect guidance given to the Iowa City VA that allowed them to hire the neurosurgeon. In your response, you stated that the Iowa City VA relied on VA Handbook 5005/57. Please provide the page number and section in VA Handbook 5005/57 which suggested that the Iowa City VA could hire the neurosurgeon. Additionally, please explain how hospital officials were expected to reconcile the aforementioned section with the information on page 80 which states that individuals are not eligible for appointment if their license had been revoked in another state. You also stated that the VA issued new guidance that fully complies with current law, accordingly, please provide a reference to the newly issued guidance.  We also asked what steps the VA is taking to determine how many providers at the Iowa City VA were hired illegally. In your response you stated that the VA has initiated a national review of currently appointed providers to ensure they meet all licensure qualifications. Will the results of the review be made public? Will patients and family members be notified if they received care from a provider who had been hired illegally? In addition, a recent USA Today report found that the VA has been hiring providers illegally since 2002. Will you expand the scope of your national review to examine providers hired from 2002 onwards?  Please respond by January 22, 2018.  -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-klobuchar-seek-answers-prescription-drug-importation-policies", "Grassley, Klobuchar Seek Answers on Prescription Drug Importation Policies", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) sent a letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb seeking information regarding FDA policies on imported prescription drugs from Canada.A recent Kaiser Health News article reported that FDA sent criminal investigation agents to nine Florida stores that help patients buy prescription drugs from pharmacies in Canada. Although the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act prohibits the importation of unapproved drugs, the FDA has long focused its enforcement efforts on products apparently intended for the commercial market and on fraudulent products, and those that pose an unreasonable health risk. We are concerned that a November 20, 2017 report by Kaiser Health News may indicate a change in this longstanding policy. It is our understanding that these stores solely assist patients who prefer to purchase prescription drugs from outside the United States  including by helping patients avoid websites that sell fraudulent or unsafe products  and do not dispense drugs themselves. We are concerned that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may be taking actions to scale back the agencys non-enforcement policy that currently allows for limited importation of prescription drugs.The letter is the latest in a continuing effort by Sens. Grassley and Klobuchar to find solutions to the ever-increasing costs of prescription medications. Earlier this year, they introduced S. 974, theCreating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act, which would address abuses in the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) program by deterring pharmaceutical companies from denying samples to generic companies for product testing and by giving the FDA more flexibility in making REMS distribution systems.In February, Sens. Grassley, Klobuchar and McCain urged then- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tom Price to use his statutory authority to fast track the importation of prescription drugs from Canada under certain circumstances as a remedy to recent drastic drug price increases in the United States. They also wrote to Commissioner Gottlieb asking him to address anticompetitive practices currently used by some brand-name pharmaceutical companies to delay the manufacture and introduction of generic drugs in the market. They further urged him to address abuses in the regulatory process that delay competition and increase prescription drug costs.The letter can be found here or below. December 18, 2017  Scott Gottlieb, M.D. Commissioner, U.S. Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20857  Dear Commissioner Gottlieb: We have heard from thousands of our constituents about skyrocketing prescription drug prices and have proposed several bills to address this urgent problemincluding by allowing for the safe importation of prescription drugs. Earlier this year, we also asked the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Health and Human Services to use existing statutory authority to allow for individuals to import prescription drugs for personal use.[1] While we appreciate that you have acknowledged that too many patients are being priced out of the medicines they need,[2] we are concerned that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may be taking actions to scale back the agencys non-enforcement policy that currently allows for limited importation of prescription drugs.Although the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act prohibits the importation of unapproved drugs, the FDA has long focused its enforcement efforts on products apparently intended for the commercial market and on fraudulent products, and those that pose an unreasonable health risk.[3] According to the agencys Regulatory Procedures Manual, FDA personnel may allow entry of shipments when the quantity and purpose are clearly for personal use, and the product does not present an unreasonable risk to the user.[4] This non-enforcement policy for prescription drugs with a valid prescription has been FDAs position for many years.We are concerned that a November 20, 2017 report by Kaiser Health News may indicate a change in this longstanding policy. The article notes that FDA sent criminal investigation agents with search warrants into nine Florida stores that help patients buy prescription drugs from pharmacies in Canada. It is our understanding that these stores solely assist patients who prefer to purchase prescription drugs from outside the United States  including by helping patients avoid websites that sell fraudulent or unsafe products  and do not dispense drugs themselves. The report states that these stores, several of which have been open for more than a decade, fear FDAs actions reflect a decision by the Trump Administration to scale back or reverse the non-enforcement policy.[5] Additionally, Senators McCain (R-AZ) and Klobuchar (D-MN) have introduced the Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act, which would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow for the personal importation of prescription drugs from approved pharmacies in Canada for personal use with a valid prescription. The legislation specifically excludes controlled substances and biologics. Your endorsement of this legislation would demonstrate the FDAs commitment to lowering prescription drug prices in this country.  Due to our concerns that the FDA actions in Florida may reflect a change in policy, we request that you respond to the following questions no later than January 5, 2018.  1. Has the FDA changed the policy included in the 2016 Regulatory Procedures Manual regarding personal importation of safe prescription drugs from Canada?  2. If so, what is the current policy?  3. Are there any barriers to the certification of importation of prescription drugs from Canada in the following circumstances?  The drug is off patent or no longer marketed in the U.S. by the innovator company that initially developed the drug;Significant and unexplained increases in price;No direct competitor drug is currently in the market and introduction of a competitor drug will lower the prices paid by taxpayers and consumers; orThe drug is produced in another country by the name brand manufacturer that initially developed the drug or by a well-known generic manufacturer that commonly sells pharmaceutical products in the U.S.  Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.    -30-  [1] https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/5/klobuchar-mccain-grassley-urge-omb-director-mulvaney-to-use-existing-executive-authority-to-bring-down-prescription-drug-costs[2] https://blogs.fda.gov/fdavoice/index.php/2017/06/fda-working-to-lift-barriers-to-generic-drug-competition/[3] https://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/ImportProgram/ucm173751.htm[4] https://www.fda.gov/ICECI/ComplianceManuals/RegulatoryProceduresManual/default.htm[5] https://khn.org/news/fda-raids-florida-stores-that-consumers-use-to-buy-drugs-from-canada/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blum.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=667", "Final Tax Bill Passes House,  Includes Changes Advocated for by Rep. Rod Blum", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Rod Blum", "B001294", "blum.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "After listening to his constituents and the leaders of communities across his district, Congressman Blum advocated for changes and voted in support of the Final Conference Report to HR 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which passed the House of Representatives today.\r\nToday, I cast my vote in favor of this historic bill. My criteria for tax reform has been based around these three goals: simplifying tax preparation for families, lowering taxes for middle-income workers, and reigniting our economy. While not perfect, this bill is a positive step forward, and it achieves all three of those criteria.\r\nRep. Blum added, With the doubling of the standard deduction, doubling of the child tax credit, and the lowering of tax brackets for all income levels, middle-income families will see a reduction in their taxes. Letting people keep more of the money they earned is good economic policy. Career politicians in Washington tend to believe that all money is the government's money and letting people keep more of their hard earned money is spending that the government cant afford. Tax cuts are not spending - rather government spending is spending. We dont have deficits because we tax too little - in fact, tax revenues to the federal government are at all time record highs. We have deficits because we spend too much. \r\nAddressing the federal deficit, Rep. Blum said, I am very confident that increased economic activity will pay for this $1.5 trillion tax cut. Just as they did in the sixties and again in the eighties after the Kennedy and Reagan tax cuts - revenues to the federal government will increase. \r\nThe Congressman from the First District of Iowa also noted: We fought hard for certain provisions to be kept or added to the conference report. Provisions such as the Federal Historic Tax Credit, continued tax-exemption for private activity bonds, the wind energy production tax credit, the Section 199 deduction for farmers and their cooperatives, the Medical Expense Deduction, and the Orphan Drug Tax Credit.\r\nAdditional tax deductions maintained in this bill that we advocated for include permitting teachers to deduct classroom supplies theyve purchased with their own money, tax-exempt 529 education savings plans, tax-deferment for 401(k)s and IRAs, the mortgage interest deduction, and the state and local tax (SALT) deduction. Keeping these provisions in our tax code is a win for Iowans. \r\nPresident Trump is expected to sign it into law by Christmas. \r\n\r\nText of the Individual Tax Bracket Expiration letter here. \r\nText of the Medical Expense Deduction letter here.\r\nText of the Renewable Energy, PTC, BEAT, AMT letter here.\r\nText of the Federal Historic Tax Credit letter here.\r\nText of the Orphan Drug Tax Credit letter here.\r\nText of the Section 199 Deduction letter here.\r\nText of the Private Activity Bonds letter here.\r\nText of the Private College and University Endowments letter here.\r\n\r\nRod Blum is the Republican Congressman from Iowas 1st District. \r\nHe is a member of the Oversight and Small Business Committees and chair of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy, and Trade.\r\n ### Contact: Alexah Rogge   \r\n(202) 225-2911   \r\nAlexah.Rogge@mail.house.gov", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/newsletters/tax-relief-hardworking-iowans-way", "Tax Relief for Hardworking Iowans is on the way", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Friends,\nToday, I voted to pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to provide tax relief to the hardworking Iowa taxpayers throughout the Third District who sent me to Washington to work for them. As I have traveled throughout the District I have heard from too many folks who are living paycheck to paycheck struggling to get by.\nMy goal has always been to focus tax relief on middle and low income Iowans who deserve it the most. And the tax bill I voted for today does just that.\nMy vote came on the heels of anassessmentby the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation showing middle income Americans, those making less than $200,000, will see the most benefits from the tax relief legislation. The analysis also showed the share of all taxes paid by higher income Americans will continue to grow each year.\n\nAnalysis of percentage saved by individuals under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.\nThe bills doubling of the standard deduction to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for married couples while also lowering tax rates means it will deliver financial relief for those hardworking Iowans who are living paycheck to paycheck. A larger child tax credit and maintaining the adoption tax credit, the tuition and student loan deductions, and the medical expense deduction will all help families thrive.\nSome of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and lobbyists determined to protect the status quo broken tax code are using fear tactics and misinformation to tell you this bill is bad for you. They are wrong.\nOne thing they continue to say is this bill cuts funding to Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid. Let me say this definitively - in this bill, there is not a single penny cut from Medicare, Social Security, or Medicaid. They claim the tax bill will trigger automatic cuts as a result of the PAYGO Act. Congress has waived PAYGO 29 times since 2010 many times in a bipartisan way and we will do it again.\nMany folks are pointing to comments made by Republican leaders who said they want to focus on entitlement reform next year as evidence Republicans are coming after Social Security and Medicare funding. Again, this is simply not true. I am committed to keeping the promise this country made to folks who paid into these programs and to ensuring seniors and those at risk have security in their retirement and access to affordable health care.\nI have always believed Iowans know how to better spend their money than the federal government and it is time to give Iowans their money back. You worked hard for that money and you deserve more of it in your pockets. Soon the IRS will start withholdingless money from your paycheck, meaning you will have a bigger paycheck to spend, save, or invest as you please.\nI appreciate all of the calls, emails, and faxes the folks of the Third District have sent me about this tax bill. They have helped me fight to ensure your voice was included in this process. Pleasecontinue contacting my officewith your thoughts on this bill and any other bill in Congress. It continues to be a great honor for me torepresent you in Congress and I hopeyou have a safe and enjoyable rest of 2017.\nTake care,\nDavid", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B3BB27DE-6EDA-44CF-BE41-4F620D36641E", "SQUEAL Act, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Passes Senate", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) released the following statement after the Senate passed the final version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which includes Senator Ernsts SQUEAL Act.\r\nWe are one step closer to helping hardworking, lower-and middle-income Iowans keep more of what theyve earned. This tax reform package will also strengthen our economy and ensure job creators of all sizes see relief from an overly-complicated tax code.\r\nAdditionally, I am thrilled that two of my proposals have been included in the final bill; the SQUEAL Act ensures legislators are offering up their own unnecessary tax break for living expenses in the Washington, D.C. area, and our bipartisan Investing in Opportunity Act will spur economic growth for many distressed rural communities across Iowa and the country.\r\nThe landmark tax reform package now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for a final vote, and then to the Presidents desk for his signature.\r\nSenator Ernsts efforts included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-votes-historic-tax-relief-iowans", "Grassley Votes for Historic Tax Relief for Iowans", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Grassley Successfully Protects Wind Energy Production Tax Credit and Student Loan Interest Deduction in Final Version of Tax Reform; Grassley Gains Inclusion of Taxpayer Rights and Good Government Measures  WASHINGTON  U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, voted for landmark tax reform legislation, which passed the United States Senate this morning. The legislation will likely be voted on by the House of Representatives later today before going to the President for his signature.  This historic legislation makes good on a promise to deliver tax relief to Americans from every walk of life and income level. Its passage is good news for working families, U.S. jobs and industry and an economy that was stagnant for far too long. It will let Iowans keep more of their own money, so they can choose how best to spend what theyve earned. Wages will also grow and jobs will return to our shores as a result of making American industry and workers more globally competitive.  There have been some misconceptions about what this legislation does, which ideological opponents of lower taxes have helped sow. Iowans are understandably paying close attention to how they will be impacted. Iowans should rest assured they will begin seeing more in their take home pay almost immediately, and that will continue for years to come. This tax reform legislation lowers rates on every income level, and the progressivity of the tax code is maintained, ensuring that Iowans of all stripes will share the benefits of tax reform, and no one group is treated unfairly. As just one example, the average family of four with two children will see a tax cut of more than $2,000, and millions of lower-income Americans will be removed from the tax rolls entirely. That will make a real difference in the lives of so many hardworking Iowans.  This bill also repeals the unfair and regressive Obamacare individual mandate tax. The bottom line is that this gives Iowans the freedom to make health care choices that work best for them, instead of being forced by the government to purchase an unaffordable product they either dont want or dont need. In 2015, more than 52,000 Iowans were required to pay the individual mandate tax, even though more than 80 percent of those who paid the tax made less than $50,000 a year. Thats a tax on middle-class families, and Im glad to see it gone.  Grassley successfully included taxpayer rights and corporate accountability measures in the tax reform legislation. Details of those two provisions are below. Grassley also helped protect the wind energy production tax credit, which he originally authored, and the student loan interest deduction. The wind energy production tax credit was modified in the House-passed version and the student loan interest deduction was eliminated.  As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Grassley previously led through Congress $2 trillion in bipartisan tax relief, leaving more money in workers pockets, reducing tax rates across the board and spurring economic growth and activity. Congress later made permanent the vast majority of the Grassley-led measures with significant bipartisan support.  Grassley-led provisions include:  To increase the time period in which taxpayers may seek to have proceeds from the sale of wrongfully levied property returned to them.  The IRS is authorized to levy on property to satisfy a tax debt in certain instances. While the IRS is authorized to return property at any time, it is only authorized to return the monetary proceeds from a sale for up to nine months from the date of the levy. Similarly, if a third party believes the property levied or seized belongs to him/her and not the person against whom the tax is assessed, the third party generally only has nine months from the time of the levy to bring an administrative wrongful-levy action to seek the return of monetary proceeds. In many cases the nine month period is insufficient for individuals and third parties to discover a wrongful or mistaken levy and seek to remedy it. Consistent with section 202 of S. 1793, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights Enhancement Act of 2017, this amendment would extend from nine months to two years the time period that individuals and third parties have to seek the return of proceeds on the sale of wrongfullylevied property.  Government Settlement Transparency Act. This amendment, consistent with S. 803,Government Settlement Transparency Act, would expand provisions relating to the nondeductibility of fines and penalties to prohibit a tax deduction for any amount paid or incurred to, or at the direction of, any governmental entity relating to the violation of any law or the investigation or inquiry into a potential violation of law. The bill exempts from such prohibition: (1) restitution or amounts paid to come into compliance with any law that was violated or otherwise involved in the investigation or inquiry, (2) amounts paid pursuant to a court order in a suit in which the governmental entity was not a party, and (3) amounts paid or incurred as taxes due. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/report-taxpayers-lost-billions-hundreds-drugs-misclassified-under-medicaid-drug", "Report: Taxpayers Lost Billions as Hundreds of Drugs Misclassified Under Medicaid Drug Rebate Program", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement on a report released by the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) that showed 885 drugs were potentially misclassified under the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, resulting in billions in lost taxpayer dollars. In an earlier report requested by Grassley, HHS found that Mylans misclassification of EpiPen under the program cost CMS $1.3 billion over 10 years. Todays OIG report analyzed 2012-2016, suggesting that a 10-year period of analysis would reveal an even bigger loss to taxpayers. It appears that Mylans misclassification of EpiPen under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program was just the tip of the iceberg. The top 10 potentially misclassified drugs cost Medicaid $1.3 billion from 2012-2016 alone. The reports findings that 885 drugs were potentially misclassified likely represents many billions more in lost taxpayer dollars. The report indicates that 97 percent of drugs were classified correctly, but three percent of hundreds of billions of dollars in rebates is still billions of lost taxpayer dollars. Thats not chump change, and it cant be swept under the rug. While Im glad CMS has indicated that it will follow HHS OIGs recommendations, it should also commit to aggressively pursuing corrective action to recoup the billions of taxpayer dollars from all 885 potentially misclassified drugs in consultation with the HHS OIG as appropriate. I appreciate the HHS OIGs work on this issue and I expect them to keep their eye on the ball. I plan on looking into ways there can be better enforcement to make sure this doesnt happen again. For months, Grassley has pressed for the accurate classification of prescription drugs under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. Grassleys work was prompted by letters from Iowans about increasing EpiPen costs. Grassley previously expressed disappointment regarding the settlement between the Justice Department and EpiPen-maker Mylan over its misclassification, saying the amount shortchanged taxpayers. Grassley also sought accurate overpayment amounts for Dilaudid and Prilosec, two other popular drugs that reportedly were misclassified. Grassleys letter to then-President-elect Trump urging appropriate classification under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program is available here. Grassleys January letter to the outgoing administration on the issue is available here. His Oct. 3 letter to the prior administration on the EpiPen misclassification is available here. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-votes-deliver-tax-relief-iowans-deserve", "Young votes to Deliver Tax Relief Iowans Deserve", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -Iowa Congressman David Young today voted to pass theupdated, finalTax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1)following his efforts to change the bill to includeprovisionsimportant to all Iowans.\nPassage came on the heels of an assessment by the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation showing middle income Americans, those making less than $200,000, will see the most benefits from the tax relief legislation. The analysis also showed the share of all taxes paid by higher income Americans will continue to grow each year.\nFrom the beginning, Congressman Young was focused on fighting for relief for middle income Iowans and those working to get there. The bills doubling of the standard deduction to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for married couples while also lowering tax rates means it will deliver financial relief to hardworking Iowans who are living paycheck to paycheck.\n\"When visiting with Iowa families across the Third District, Ive heard too many are suffocating from an overburdened tax code riddled with protections for special interests while leaving hardworking taxpayers paying the bill. Today is a great day for Iowas families, farmers, and main street job creators who will soon see the needed relief they deserve,\"said Congressman Young.\n\"When the House passed the first version of this bill, I said it was not perfect and I would continue fighting to make it better, and I was proud to fight to ensure Iowas voice was heard as we worked to deliver a solution giving Iowans more control over their hard-earned money,\"said Congressman Young.\nCongressman Young led efforts to protect access to affordable student loans for Iowans andworked to ensure graduate student tuition waivers did not change from current law. The preservation of the Historic Tax Credit and the medicalexpensedeductionwerealsoprioritiesfor Congressman Young andincluded in the final bill.\nCongressman Young ledefforts to protect Iowa'srenewable economybymaintaining thewind energy productiontax credit until 2019.\n# # #\nSee the letters Congressman Young led here:November 8.December 13.\nSee the Joint Committee on Taxation analysisHERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/survey/what-are-your-thoughts-chainfamily-sponsored-migration", "What are your thoughts on chain/family-sponsored migration?", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In the debate over U.S. immigration policies there have been discussions on ending the practice of family-sponsored migration  also commonly referred to as chain migration.\nThis method of immigration makes it much easier for relatives of lawful permanent residents to also acquire lawful permanent resident status in the United States.\nAccording to the Congressional Research Service, in recent years, family-sponsored/chain migration has accounted for two-thirds of all permanent immigration to the United States.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-is-an-early-christmas-present-to-american", "King:  Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is an Early Christmas Present to American Taxpayers.", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman King Heralds Historic Tax Reform Bills Benefits to Iowans\nWashington, D.C.- Congressman Steve King released the following statement after voting in favor of HR 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The legislation marks the first significant reform to the nations tax laws in more than 30 years, and it contains numerous provisions that provide welcome relief to Iowans at all income levels. In addition to lowering federal taxes for individuals, families, small businesses, and corporations, the final legislation also repeals the ObamaCare Individual Mandate tax currently levied on those who choose not to purchase health insurance. King, a leader in the effort to repeal ObamaCare in its entirety, previously asked Chairman Kevin Brady and Chairman Orrin Hatch to include repeal of the Individual Mandate in the final tax bill. The legislation passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 227-203 and, when passed by the Senate, it is expected that President Trump will sign the bill into law.\nPassage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is an early Christmas present to American taxpayers, said King. When this bill becomes law, the American economy will be poised to have both a Happy New Year and a Happy New Decade of 3% GDP growth or more. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is a welcome gift to everyone who believes Americans should be allowed to keep more of their hard earned money. I look forward to Iowans enjoying the jobs and income growth that will result from this bill over the coming years.\nImportantly, this bill repeals the Individual Mandate in ObamaCare. This is the most concrete step that Congress has taken towards repealing ObamaCare, and it sets the stage for me to lead additional repeal efforts in 2018. ObamaCare is the coal in Americas stocking, and we need to rid ourselves of it.\nProvisions Important to Iowans:\nThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will strengthen Iowas economy. Specifically, an analysis prepared by the independent Tax Foundation estimates that passage of this legislation will lead to the creation of 3,682 full-time equivalent jobs in Iowa, and that after-tax incomes for middle income families in Iowa will increase by $650.03.\nThe Tax Foundation estimates that, nationally, passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would result in the creation of roughly 339,000 new full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs, while increasing the after-tax incomes by 1.1 percent in the long run, meaning families would see an after-tax income boost of 1.1 percent by the end of the decade.\nThe House Ways and Means Committee analysis of the bill projects that the typical family of four, earning the median family income of $73,000, will receive a tax cut of $2,059.\nIowans are particularly hard-hit by ObamaCares Individual Mandate tax penalty, an unjust tax which falls disproportionately on low-income earners. In Iowa, 82% of those paying the ObamaCare Individual Mandate tax make less than $50,000/yr. This figure is only 80% nationally. The repeal of this penalty will be an enormous relief to the 52,000 Iowans who paid it in 2015, and will restore the principle that the federal government does not have to authority to force citizens to purchase products from private companies.\nThe 4th District is also home to Iowa State University, and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act preserves current benefits to higher-education, such as tax-free tuition waivers and the ability to deduct student loan interest payments.\nAmong the provisions benefitting Iowans in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are:\n Lower Individual Rates: Lowers individual tax rates to 0%, 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%.\n Increased Standard Deduction: Like the House and Senate bills, roughly doubles the Standard Deduction  from $6,350 to $12,000 for individuals and $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples. 89,133 taxpayers in the 4th District itemize their taxes. As a result of the standard deduction being increased from $6,350 to $12,000 for individuals (and from $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples), many filers will have simpler taxes and a larger total deduction to take.\n Expanded Medical Expense Deduction: Provides relief for Americans with expensive medical bills by expanding the medical expense deduction for 2018 and 2019 for medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of adjusted gross income.\n Increased Child Tax Credit: 58,340 taxpayers in Iowas 4th District claim the child tax credit, and this legislation increases the credit from $1,000 to $2,000.\n Charitable deduction preserved.\n Death Tax Relief: Provides immediate relief from the Death Tax by doubling the exemption amount from $5.49 million to $10.98 million.\n State and Local Taxes remain deductible: Up to $10,000, just like current law.\n Favorable Tax Treatment for Students, Higher Education Preserved: Tuition waivers received by graduate students remain tax-free and students can still deduct loan interest payments.\n Internationally Competitive Corporate Tax Rates: Lowers the corporate tax rate to 21% --down from 35%-- making American companies more competitive against foreign entities.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/audio/capitol-hill-report-157", "Capitol Hill Report", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "721 Federal Building  210 Walnut Street  Des Moines, IA 50309\n      Phone: 515-288-1145  Fax: 515-288-5097\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      111 7th Avenue SE, Box 13  Suite 6800  Cedar Rapids, IA 52401\n      Phone: 319-363-6832  Fax: 319-363-7179\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      201 West 2nd Street  Suite 720  Davenport, IA 52801\n      Phone: 563-322-4331  Fax: 563-322-8552\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      210 Waterloo Building  531 Commercial Street  Waterloo, IA 50701\n      Phone: 319-232-6657  Fax: 319-232-9965\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      307 Federal Building  8 South 6th Street  Council Bluffs, IA 51501\n      Phone: 712-322-7103  Fax: 712-322-7196\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      120 Federal Building  320 6th Street  Sioux City, IA 51101\n      Phone: 712-233-1860  Fax: 712-233-1634", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/audio/christmas-message-2017", "Christmas Message 2017", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "721 Federal Building  210 Walnut Street  Des Moines, IA 50309\n      Phone: 515-288-1145  Fax: 515-288-5097\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      111 7th Avenue SE, Box 13  Suite 6800  Cedar Rapids, IA 52401\n      Phone: 319-363-6832  Fax: 319-363-7179\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      201 West 2nd Street  Suite 720  Davenport, IA 52801\n      Phone: 563-322-4331  Fax: 563-322-8552\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      210 Waterloo Building  531 Commercial Street  Waterloo, IA 50701\n      Phone: 319-232-6657  Fax: 319-232-9965\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      307 Federal Building  8 South 6th Street  Council Bluffs, IA 51501\n      Phone: 712-322-7103  Fax: 712-322-7196\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      120 Federal Building  320 6th Street  Sioux City, IA 51101\n      Phone: 712-233-1860  Fax: 712-233-1634", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-delivers-senate-floor-speech-ahead-historic-tax-reform-vote", "Grassley Delivers Senate Floor Speech Ahead of Historic Tax Reform Vote", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Senior Member and Former Chairman, Senate Finance Committee Tax Cuts and Jobs Act December 19, 2017 Tonight we will have the opportunity to pass the most sweeping changes to our tax code in more than 30 years.This historic moment is long overdue. Since the last tax reform effort in 1986, the tax code has grown out of control in length and complexity.All told, taxpayers spend over 6 billion hours annually complying with its dictates.Moreover, our outdated corporate tax system puts American companies at a competitive disadvantage as they try to compete in a 21st century global economy. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will make good on our commitment to provide significant tax relief to middle-income taxpayers, while making the tax code simpler, fairer, and more pro-growth. The bill provides significant tax simplification for the vast majority of tax filers.Most taxpayers will find they are better off simply by taking the standard deduction.No longer will they have to spend hours sifting through receipts and forms to determine what they can and cannot deduct. Middle-income taxpayers can also expect to see significant tax cuts. A median income family of four could see their tax bill reduced by over $2,000. This is relief that families will see almost immediately as less tax is taken out of their paychecks. This tax relief stems from many pro-family and pro-middle income tax provisions in the bill. First, there is the nearly doubling of the standard deduction. For families this means the first $24,000 of their income will be exempt from tax all together. As a result, a significant number of lower-income Americans will be removed from the tax rolls entirely. Second, the middle-class tax brackets are significantly lowered and expanded to include more taxpayers. This includes reducing the current 15% bracket to 12% and the 25% bracket to 22%. Third, the tax bill specifically recognizes the cost associated with raising a child by doubling the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000. Furthermore, to ensure lower-income families are able to benefit from this expansion the refundable portion of the tax credit is increased from $1000 to $1,400. While my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have attempted to claim this tax bill is all out about the wealthy, this is just simply false. This is evident from the features of the tax bill I just discussed. But, if you need more evidence look no further than the distributional analysis of the bill by the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation. According to their analysis, on average, every income group will experience a tax cut with the largest percentage tax cuts going to middle income groups. Moreover, the tax bill would make the tax code more progressive with taxpayers earning more than $1 million shouldering a larger share of the tax burden than they do under current law. The bill also enacts much needed tax relief for job creators. It provides a significant deduction on business income for small businesses, effectively lowering their top tax rate to under 30%. All small businesses, down to the smallest family-owned corner store and family farmer stand to benefit. As small businesses are responsible for creating the majority of new jobs, this is a key provision for promoting economic growth and job creation. Additionally, the bill lowers the statutory corporate rate down from the highest in the developed world to 21%. At 35%, our current corporate tax rate puts American companies at a competitive disadvantage globally, costing American jobs. Moreover, economists generally agree that a significant portion of the corporate tax falls on workers in the form of reduced wages. Estimates of the burden of the corporate tax on workers range from 25% to more than 70%. While the exact amount may be debated, one thing is clear; a corporate rate reduction results in bigger paychecks for hard working Americans. These business tax reforms are crucial to getting our economy growing. We cant continue to settle for the anemic growth of less than 2% we have experienced since 2010. Lower tax rates coupled with greater expensing under the bill will encourage new capital investments that are necessary to increase productivity, generating both higher wages and higher growth. Our bill signals the faith we have in the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirt of the American people, rather than government, to get our economy on the right track.  In all, tax reform will put more money in the pockets of middle class Americans, make U.S. industry and workers more competitive, and get the economy growing again after years of stagnation. This is a historic opportunity to help Americans from every walk of life. I look forwarding to joining my colleagues to pass this once-in-a generation tax bill and have it enacted into law before the New Year. I yield the floor. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-nominates-44-iowa-students-us-service-academies", "Grassley Nominates 44 Iowa Students to the U.S. Service Academies", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Chuck Grassley has nominated 44 Iowa students to be considered for appointments to the U.S. service academies.  These young Iowans who want to enter the academies and serve our country are a remarkable reflection on our state, Grassley said. Their accomplishments, leadership and desire to serve are exceptional, and signal continued excellence in the U.S. armed forces.  Each year Grassley has the opportunity as a U.S. senator to nominate either current or future Iowa high school graduates for a select few service academy placements. The U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy all select at least one qualified student from Grassleys nominations. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy makes selections in proportion to states representation in Congress.  Grassley said he encourages Iowa students to consider applying to more than one service academy due to the highly competitive nature of admissions. Iowa representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives make nominations in addition to both of Iowas U.S. senators. Students may receive more than one nomination.  Students interested in academy appointments should begin the application process in the spring of their junior year of high school. Early application is encouraged. The academies select students based on the number of vacancies available for the next school year.  The academies offer some of the best options for higher education as well as an outstanding way to serve our country. Its a tremendous opportunity for young Iowans, Grassley said. Traditionally, the high quality of Iowa nominees results in several Iowa students being offered admission to attend each of the service academies. The students then choose whether to attend the academy. More information about service academy nominations can be found here. Grassley will make announcements as academy appointments are offered to Iowans.  The lists below include the names and hometowns of Grassleys nominees for the 20182019 school year.  U.S. Military Academy at West Point Libby Ernst  Red Oak Payton Hart  Riverside Brianna Hartman  Des Moines Sierra Howardson  Danville Jaxon Jones  Forest City Caleb Kleman  Cedar Rapids Nicholas Krabbenhoft  Denver Justin Manternach  Mount Vernon Robert Phillips  Sioux City Luke Whitman  Des Moines  U.S. Naval Academy Nathan Betts  Dyersville Hunter Carey  New Hampton Chaz Clark  Pleasantville Thomas Corbett  Cedar Rapids Lucas Cosselman  Eldridge Jared Johnson  Urbandale Victoria Johnson  Marshalltown Ian Kennedy  Stuart Katherine McAllister  New London Sheryl McGowan  Sioux City Daniel OHara  Robins Max Oberman  Clive Joshua Paskach  Des Moines Kyle Puttman  Orange City August Taylor  Villisca Patricia Teggatz  Hampton Benjamin Toyne  Victor Kitty Turner  Sioux City Luke Whitman  Des Moines Elizabeth Worthington  Brooklyn  U.S. Merchant Marine Nathan Betts  Dyersville Katharina Commins  Altoona Jarred Gaudineer  West Des Moines Peter Greer  Iowa City Jaxon Jones  Forest City Katherine McAllister  New London  U.S. Air Force Academy Cory Critchlow  Granger Savannah David  Granger Eleanor Drexler  Bettendorf Jack Giannettino  Burlington Camden Glenn  Pleasant Valley Christine Hess  Shelby Joseph Kenkel  Panama Grace Proesch  Lowden Harlan Steffensmeier  Farmington Levi Tuecke  Garnavillo -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-columnist-praises-grassleys-oversight-wasteful-tarp-spending", "ICYMI: Columnist Praises Grassley's Oversight of Wasteful TARP Spending", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ICYMI: A Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist praised Senator Grassleys oversight of wasteful spending of the Troubled Asset Relief Programs (TARP) Hardest Hit Fund, a $9.6 billion program meant to help homeowners who suffered during the housing crisis. Grassley has pressed for better management of the program amid reports that the Nevada state agency engaged in widespread waste and abuse in spending. Earlier, Grassley said, Treasurys explanation of the significant discrepancy between the $8 million that TARPs watchdog said was misspent and the $82,172 [or one percent] recovered from Nevada HFA is inadequate and unconvincing. Grassley has been conducting a review since October 2016. His most recent remarks are here. You can read the column here or excerpts from the column below. Program to help the needy squandered federal dollars in Nevada Las Vegas Review-Journal Jane Ann Morrison December 16, 2017  When bureaucrats waste federal dollars meant to help people save their homes, it makes me crazy. And Im not alone. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, for one, also is upset. Case in point: the Hardest Hit Fund. ... Management of the program was handed to a nonprofit  the Nevada Affordable Housing Assistance Corp.  with less than stellar results. Employees were living high on the hog, a clearly irritated Grassley wrote in one letter to the Treasury Department.... No matter what the costs, Grassley wanted the wasted dollars returned to the Treasury Department....   -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/week-ahead-scheduled-votes-committee-action-and-other-important-notes-0", "The Week Ahead - scheduled votes, committee action and other important notes for the week of December 18, 2017", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "EDITORS NOTE: The week ahead overview will be sent each week Congress is in session. All times are in Central Time.\nTOP LINE:\n PROTECTING IOWA WIND ENERGY:Throughout the development of the tax bill in Congress, Congressman Young has been leading the effort to protect Iowa's wind energy.Learn moreHERE.\n\tFIGHTING FOR BIODIESEL:Congressman Young is fighting to restore the biodiesel tax credit which lapsed at the end of 2016. Learn moreHERE.\n\tFUNDING CHIP:Last week, Congressman Young went to the House floor to encourage his colleagues to fully fund the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Funding for CHIP is included in a draft funding bill which will keep the government open. Watch his remarksHERE.\n\tMERRY CHRISTMAS FROM CONGRESSMAN YOUNG:In his weekly report to constituents in Iowa's Third District, Congressman Young shared a Christmas message. Read itHERE.\n\tWEEKLY RADIO:Wednesday morning,Congressman Young is scheduled to join KCSI 95.3 FM Radio at 7:18 AM CT and KMA Radio on 960 AM and 99.1 FM at 7:35 AM CT.\n MONDAY, DECEMBER 18TH  \n\tOn Monday, the House will meet at 11:00 a.m. for morning hour and 1:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 5:30 p.m.\nLegislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:\n1)H.R. 3759 RAISE Family Caregivers Act, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Gregg Harper / Education and the Workforce Committee)\n2)H.Con.Res. 95 Expressing support for the use of public-private partnerships to bring computer science education to more K12 classrooms, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Scott Taylor / Education and the Workforce Committee)\n3)H.R. 3979 Keep Americas Refuges Operational Act, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries / Natural Resources Committee)\n4)H.R. 4661 United States Fire Administration, AFG, and SAFER Program Reauthorization Act of 2017(Sponsored by Rep. Barbara Comstock / Science, Space, and Technology Committee)\n5)H.R. 4375 STEM Research and Education Effectiveness and Transparency Act, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Barbara Comstock / Science, Space, and Technology Committee)\n6)H.R. 4254 Women in Aerospace Education Act, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Steve Knight / Science, Space, and Technology Committee)\n7)H.R. 4323 Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Neal Dunn / Science, Space, and Technology Committee)\n8)H.R. 1159 United States and Israel Space Cooperation Act, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Derek Kilmer / Science, Space, and Technology Committee)\nTUESDAY, DECEMBER 19TH AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK\nLegislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:\n1)S. 1393 Jobs for Our Heroes Act(Sponsored by Sen. John Cornyn / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)\n2)S. 1536 Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act(Sponsored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)\n3)S. 1532 No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act(Sponsored by Sen. John Thune / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)\nConference Report to AccompanyH.R. 1 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (Subject to a Rule)(Sponsored by Rep. Kevin Brady / Ways and Means Committee)\nH.R. 3312 Systemic Risk Designation Improvement Act of 2017, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule)(Sponsored by Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer / Financial Services Committee)\nH.R. 4015 Corporate Governance Reform and Transparency Act of 2017, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule)(Sponsored by Rep. Sean Duffy / Financial Services Committee)\nHouse Amendment to Senate Amendment toH.R. 1370 Further Continuing Resolution (Subject to a Rule)(Sponsored by Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen / Appropriations Committee)\nAdditional Legislative Items are Possible.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-alarming-pattern-conduct-reported-uhs-facilities", "Grassley: Alarming Pattern of Conduct Reported at UHS Facilities", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Chuck Grassley sent a letter to Health & Human Services (HHS) Inspector General Daniel R. Levinson seeking answers to continued reports of wrongdoing at Universal Health Services (UHS) facilities, the countrys largest psychiatric hospital chain.This is the latest in a series of letters from Grassley to HHS, HHSIG and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding disturbing news reports of patient abuse, as well as hospital accrediting organizations ability to access patient mistreatment complaint databases. Grassleys oversight work has found that accrediting organizations (AOs) do not have access to the Immediate Jeopardy and High Priority cases in CMS Automated Survey Processing Environment (ASPEN) database and ASPEN Complaints/Incidents Tracking System (ACTS). These systems may help AOs determine whether hospitals and facilities meet accreditation standards. Grassley has sent several letters to CMS asking for additional information about the problem and potential solutions. In response to Grassleys October inquiry, CMS Administrator Seema Verma sent a letter noting that AOs currently do not have access to ASPEN or ACTS, nor do we support providing access to these systems and that CMS does not believe access to ASPEN or ACTS would provide substantive benefit to the AOs or assist them to be more effective in their investigative or enforcement actions. The response also noted that CMS is in the early stages of designing a replacement system for ASPEN and ACTS and will consider the data needs of AOs as we progress through the design phase. That response can be found here. The response given by CMS regarding these serious issues indicates that they need to take a deeper dive into whether information sharing between ASPEN or ACTS will assist accrediting organizations in their investigatory duties. The continuing reports of patient abuse show an alarming pattern of misconduct, Grassley said. Access to information is critical to solving problems. This is especially true in cases related to health care and patient safety. Last year, news reports surfaced detailing disturbing behavior from several medical facilities within the UHS system. These reports described patients being physically abused, over-prescribed medications, placed in unwarranted physical restraints and completely neglected. Despite these conditions, at least one facility was designated by The Joint Commission as a Top Performer in Key Quality Measures from 2011-2015.The news reports raised questions about how facilities like these receive accreditation, maintain high rankings and continue to operate without repercussions or reforms. Earlier this year, Grassley sent letters to the HHS Office of Inspector General and The Joint Commission on these cases seeking answers. He also sent a letter on this issue last December to the HHS Office of Inspector General. Oversight, accountability, and communication are critical to ensure quality patient care and maintain high standards of conduct and service from medical providers, Grassley continued. The Department of Health and Human Services and its Inspector General must address these concerns and take immediate steps to fix the problems of patient abuse highlighted by the news reports. The letter can be found here or below. December 13, 2017  The Honorable Daniel R. Levinson  Inspector General  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services  330 Independence Avenue SW Washington, DC 20201 Dear Inspector General Levinson:  I have previously written to you in regards to news reports that raised significant examples of wrongdoing at Universal Health Services (UHS) facilities, the countrys largest psychiatric hospital chain. The continued reporting on UHS facilities shows a disturbing trend of behavior. The most recent allegations cause significant concern about whether UHS has the ability to adequately manage the facilities under its control. On November 11, 2017, another report was released focusing on the Hill Crest Behavioral Health facility in Alabama.[1] The investigative report cites specific incidents of abuse at the hands of Hillcrest staff that were caught on video.[2] The investigative report notes that improper restraints, sometimes even chemical restraints, were used by Hill Crest staff putting some patients at serious risk of injury. Allegedly, even more egregious acts occurred off camera, sometimes physical beating resulting in significant injury.[3] The investigation also noted that some patients were given chemical sedatives five or six times a week and that some children were so sedated that they had to miss school.[4] One patient in particular missed so many days that he had to attend summer school in order to make up for time lost.[5]The investigation also raises concerns over the death of a patient after being physically and chemically restrained.[6] And finally, the investigative report alleges UHS employees falsified patient records, defrauded insurers, and withheld information from government regulators.[7]These are serious allegations and the continuing reports further show an alarming pattern of conduct surrounding UHS facilities and its apparent inability to adequately manage its staff. Please explain what steps your office is taking to investigate UHS for the aforementioned abuses at Hill Crest Behavioral Health. If you have any questions, please contact Josh Flynn-Brown of my Judiciary Committee staff at (202) 224-5225. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/merry-christmas-capitol-solutions", "Merry Christmas: Capitol Solutions", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Another year has come and gone.Throughout the Third District the Christmas spirit is in the air. I can see it and feel it when I visit small towns, farms, businesses, factories, schools,andclinicsin every county in the Third District.\nIowans are sendingeach other holiday wishes, prayers, and good will and each Christmas we are reminded of the most important things in our lives: faith, family and freedom.\nThe holidays and Christmas season bring together families from all corners of Iowa and the nation to come together for worship, fellowship and celebration.\nThe Christmas season is one of my favorite times of the year. I enjoy spending time with family, worshiping and continuing family traditions set aged ago.We give thanks for Gods blessings, His promise of love and forgiveness, and our families and friends. Folks in Iowas Third District have blessed me with the opportunity to serve them in Congress.\nAcross the District I see folks giving their time, money, and talents to others. When I walk into shops and hear the ringing bells from the volunteers collecting donations, I thank them for their mission. When I see a church sponsoring a food drive to help fill a local food pantry so those who need help can have a holiday meal, we are all inspired.\nThe freedoms we are afforded in this great country are protected by our brave women and men in uniform andwho stepped up and are willing to put their lives on the line for all of us. Without their sacrifice we wouldnt be able to be with our families and friends as we do now.\nWhatever your traditions or beliefs may be, it is my hope you spend time or connect with those you love and cherish, even if its from afar. I know Christmas and holidays can be difficult for some. None of us are perfect and immune to spiritual trials or relationship struggles with others. But it is my prayer with humility we can find peace and love we all desire and deserve this Christmas.\nMerry Christmas to you and yours.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/audio/live-jim-fisher-woc", "Live with Jim Fisher on WOC", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "721 Federal Building  210 Walnut Street  Des Moines, IA 50309\n      Phone: 515-288-1145  Fax: 515-288-5097\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      111 7th Avenue SE, Box 13  Suite 6800  Cedar Rapids, IA 52401\n      Phone: 319-363-6832  Fax: 319-363-7179\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      201 West 2nd Street  Suite 720  Davenport, IA 52801\n      Phone: 563-322-4331  Fax: 563-322-8552\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      210 Waterloo Building  531 Commercial Street  Waterloo, IA 50701\n      Phone: 319-232-6657  Fax: 319-232-9965\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      307 Federal Building  8 South 6th Street  Council Bluffs, IA 51501\n      Phone: 712-322-7103  Fax: 712-322-7196\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      120 Federal Building  320 6th Street  Sioux City, IA 51101\n      Phone: 712-233-1860  Fax: 712-233-1634", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-opioid-public-health-crisis", "Q&A: Opioid Public Health Crisis", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Q: Why is the opioid epidemic considered a public health crisis? A: Perhaps this staggering fact best sums up the crisis: Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death for Americans under 50 years of age. Thats a startling strand of American society that is devastating families and overwhelming first responders, law enforcement, hospitals and government resources. More people in the last year used prescription painkillers  95 million Americans  than tobacco, according to results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. That may help explain why more than 11 million Americans in 2016 misused prescription opioids, according to the survey. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate 142 Americans die every day from a drug overdose. Many Iowans are familiar with the methamphetamine scourge that has torn families apart through addiction and criminal drug trafficking. But what is an opioid? Narcotics derived from opium are known as opiates (morphine, heroin and prescription medicine such as Vicodin, OxyCotin, Percocet) and their synthetic counterparts (such as methadone and fentanyl) are substances commonly used to treat pain. Collectively they are referred to as opioids. Both the natural and synthetic substances are highly addictive and increasingly lead to drug deaths. In fact, new data shows the largest ever recorded overdose drug deaths in the United States: More than 64,000 people were killed by drug overdoses in 2016, a 22 percent increase from 2015. Deaths involving fentanyl increased by 73% from 2014 to 2015, and more than doubled from 2015 to 2016. Law enforcement continues to find increased potency in the fentanyl being encountered on the street, making it all the more dangerous to the user. These numbers underscore why President Trump in October directed his administration to declare the opioid crisis a public health emergency. It hits close to home for too many families. And looking ahead, there seems to be no end in sight with drug deaths continuing to climb in 2017. The prevalence of drug overdoses and drug deaths are devastating families and communities across the United States, including right here in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Public Health reports overdose deaths in Iowa claimed 309 lives in 2015. The health, social and economic consequences to society and our way of life reaches into families, the workplace and neighborhoods. The surge in overdose-related deaths, from prescription drug abuse to highly potent synthetic opioids, calls for even more urgency to address this public health crisis. Since 2000 more than 300,000 Americans have died of an opioid overdose, according to federal statistics. While the facts are clear, the solutions are more challenging to identify and implement. The good news is that policymakers and stakeholders in the community, business and government are working to move these numbers in the other direction to save lives and restore hope to families. Q: What solutions are being developed to address this public health crisis?  A: America needs all hands on deck to address this challenge. The administration has tasked federal agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration to make this crisis a priority. Work is underway to identify and support research and prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives to end the misuse and addiction causing untold misery and death. I sponsored the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) that was signed into law in July 2016. On this bill I worked to secure continued support for community-based coalitions important to combat meth abuse in our local communities and to ensure funds for first responders in Rural America would be available to help save lives with supplies of Naloxone, an anti-overdose treatment. CARA also provides evidence-based prescription opioid and heroin treatment intervention programs. In December I conducted an oversight hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee to re-examine a 2016 federal law enacted to balance the medical needs of patients and the drug enforcement authority needed to help stop opioids from getting into the wrong hands. We need to make sure federal laws and law enforcement can keep up with criminal distribution and drug trafficking networks that push the poison into our communities. Better data sharing for prescription drug monitoring programs would help curb controlled substance diversion, help track patients shopping around for prescriptions and identify medical professionals with patterns of inappropriate prescribing. Health care providers, prescribers and pharmaceutical makers serve a critical role in prevention efforts, such as improving pain management treatment and overdose-reversal drugs. Law enforcement needs the right tools and resources to stop drug trafficking. To that end, I am sponsoring the Stop the Importation and Trafficking of Synthetic Analogues (SITSA) Act of 2017 to address the emerging fentanyl threat. SITSA provides law enforcement additional tools to react more nimbly to ever-changing synthetics.From my policymaking position in the U.S. Senate, I will continue my oversight and legislative work to help prevent and stop drug addiction that is shattering dreams and costing a generation of younger Americans their lives.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=25B8573D-BB3C-45A6-BB93-0657682951FB", "Senators Introduce New Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Sexual Harassment and Discrimination in Congress, Bring Transparency and Accountability to Sexual Harassment Reporting Process", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Kamala Harris (D-CA), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) today introduced new bipartisan legislation that would overhaul the current process that victims of harassment and discrimination in Congress must go through when reporting a claim. The current process for victims of harassment and discrimination in Congress lacks transparency and is difficult to navigate. This legislation, the Congressional Harassment Reform Act, would bring transparency and accountability to the current process by extending protections to interns and fellows, eliminating forced mediation, ending the current required secrecy in the process by allowing victims to speak publicly about their case, requiring Members of Congress found personally liable for harassment to pay settlements out of their own pockets, and improving systems to address harassment and discrimination in Congress.\r\n\u201cCongress should never be above the law or play by their own set of rules,\u201d said Senator Gillibrand. \u201cWe should treat every person who works here with respect and dignity, and that means creating a climate where there is accountability, fairness, respect, and access to justice if sexual harassment takes place. There are real costs to sexual harassment in the workplace. We now know that many people quit their jobs because of it, or miss out on promotions or raises, all of which can throw off the entire trajectory in their careers. We must ensure that Congress handles complaints to create an environment where staffers can come forward if something happens to them without having to fear that it will ruin their careers. This bipartisan legislation would bring us much closer to that goal.\u201d\r\n\u201cSexual harassment is wrong. Every person, man or woman, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace,\u201d said Senator Cruz. \u201cIn recent months, we've seen wave after wave of appalling sexual harassment and assault allegations -- from Hollywood, to newsrooms, to the halls of Congress. And powerful men who have abused their positions have been held to account. Congress is not above the laws, and secret settlements with taxpayer money to cover up harassment should no longer be tolerated. This legislation seeks to empower victims of harassment to report those crimes and to hold the perpetrators accountable.\"\r\n\u201cThere cannot be tolerance for any type of sexual harassment or abuse in our society. Congress must lead by example and immediately improve upon how it addresses allegations of sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination to make sure that those who have engaged in misconduct are held accountable and the victims are protected. This bipartisan legislation takes the necessary steps to provide victims with greater protections and choice, holds Members of Congress liable for their wrongdoings, and protects taxpayer dollars. Victims are coming forward and making their voices heard; it\u2019s critical that we take action now to protect and defend them,\u201d said Senator Ernst.\r\n\u201cWe\u2019re finally experiencing a cultural shift in this country to a place where sexual abuse and harassment will no longer be tolerated, and Congress needs to lead by example. For starters, that means requiring training to prevent harassment and discrimination, ensuring that no one is silenced or retaliated against, and increasing accountability regarding settlements. Every person\u2014regardless of where they work\u2014should feel safe. Our bill will enact important and necessary reforms as part of a much larger movement,\u201d said Senator Feinstein.\r\n\u201cI am proud to join with a diverse bipartisan group of colleagues in proposing this comprehensive reform of congressional harassment policies. Quite honestly, I am appalled at the current policies and procedures in place regarding harassment claims in Congress and reports of settlement payouts. Looking back, Congress has been reluctant to apply basic civil rights protections to its own employees, and when it finally did, it included arduous requirements that seemed to protect the victimizer more than the victims. This is a significant piece of legislation which levels the playing field for victims, improves transparency, and holds members of Congress who use their positions of power in abusive ways personally liable to repay the government for the cost of their conduct. It is the strong medicine we\u2019ve long needed to deter harassment in the congressional workplace and ensure that those who perpetrate it are held accountable. Every workplace should be a safe-haven for employees, free from any kind of harassment,\u201d said Senator Lisa Murkowski.\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u201cWe urgently need accountability in the halls of Congress,\u201d said Senator Shaheen. \u201cThose who\u2019ve experienced sexual harassment on Capitol Hill face a daunting struggle to reach any semblance of justice and often have egregious restrictions that prevent them from speaking out. And it\u2019s galling that the taxpayer, rather than the perpetrator, is on the hook for paying settlements. Congress must not be resistant to the awareness and accountability that is sweeping the country. This legislation makes long overdue reforms and I\u2019m very encouraged by the bipartisan support. I urge leadership to quickly begin consideration of this important effort.\u201d\r\n\u201cHarassment must not be tolerated in any workplace, especially in Congress. This legislation will institute stronger policies and procedures to deter reprehensible behavior in the first place, and when it does occur, ensure just outcomes for victims,\u201d said Senator Blumenthal. \u201cWhile comprehensive, mandatory training is a straightforward and common-sense step to begin addressing workplace harassment on Capitol Hill, it is not sufficient. Allowing employees access to counseling, mediation and confidential advice will give survivors of harassment the resources and peace of mind they deserve in resolving the misconduct of employers and supervisors.\u201d\r\n\u201cWe need to make major changes here in Congress and get our house in order. The current process for victims of sexual harassment or discrimination on Capitol Hill is difficult to navigate and lacks transparency. This needs to change and Senator Gillibrand\u2019s bipartisan legislation will reform the current process so it works better for victims of sexual harassment or discrimination and provides more transparency to the public,\" said Senator Baldwin.\u00a0\r\n\u201cSexual harassment in the workplace is a pervasive, persistent problem across the country and across industries, and Congress is certainly no exception,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Booker. \u201cThe current system for reporting sexual harassment in Congress is archaic, discourages justice, and focuses on protecting members and offices at the expense of survivors. This bipartisan bill is a much needed step toward creating a reporting system in Congress that puts the rights of survivors first and provides much needed accountability. The survivors of sexual harassment and assault have carried the burden of congressional inaction for far too long. It\u2019s vital that Congress send a clear message to survivors that they are heard and supported, and to those who commit these\u00a0atrocious acts that there\u2019s no place for their behavior anywhere in our\u00a0society.\u201d\r\n\u201cSexual harassment and assault can leave lifelong scars on victims\u2014which can be compounded by an arduous system of reporting,\u201d said Senator Sullivan. \u201cAll of those in Congress must be respectful towards one another. I\u2019m glad to cosponsor this bill that will mandate a much-needed overhaul in our reporting system. Victims and survivors need to know we\u2019ll do all we can do in Congress to make sure that they are protected and that those who abuse their employees are held accountable.\u201d\r\n\u201cOver the past few months, our country has experienced a much-needed transformation when it comes to listening to courageous women share their stories about harassment. No one should be forced to work in an environment where they are made to feel uncomfortable or intimidated. Let me be extremely clear: sexual harassment and workplace misconduct has no place in America, and certainly has no place in the United States Congress,\u201d said Senator Gardner. \u201cI\u2019m proud to join Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and my other colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to introduce this bipartisan\u00a0legislation that reforms the way Congress deals with harassment. This legislation ensures we have an open, transparent process that does not leave the taxpayers on the hook for Members of Congress\u2019 misconduct. I\u2019m proud to introduce this bill today and call on each of my colleagues to\u00a0support this important proposal.\u201d\r\n\"We know that the system in Congress for dealing with sexual harassment is broken, and we must continue working to empower all women and do everything we can to prevent sexual harassment, misconduct, and assault from occurring in the first place,\" Senator Hassan said. \"This bipartisan bill is critical to those efforts, and I will keep working across the aisle to move this important measure forward and to help ensure a safe work environment for all.\"\r\nSpecifically, the Congressional Harassment Reform Act would do the following:\r\nExtends protections to interns and fellows.  Requires everyone working on Capitol Hill, including Members, to take the Office of Compliance training.  Changes the name of the Office of Compliance (OOC) to the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.  Puts victims in the driver\u2019s seat by allowing them to choose how to resolve their complaint (e.g. counseling and mediation are both no longer mandatory) and protecting their option to discuss their claim publicly.  Establishes a Confidential Advisor to consult, on a confidential basis, with any employee who has alleged harassment or discrimination; and assist any employee who has an allegation under Title IV in understanding the procedures, and the significance of the procedures.  Gives OOC\u2019s General Counsel the authority to conduct interviews and gather evidence regarding complaints of covered harassment and discrimination filed under this section, including interviews with former employees.  Allows individuals to work remotely without penalty throughout proceedings.  Improves tracking of complaints and procedures by implementing an online platform.  Requires that if a Member of Congress is found to be personally liable for harassment or discrimination, they will be responsible for the cost of any settlement.  Requires that if a Member of Congress is found to be personally liable for harassment or discrimination, any settlement must be approved by the Senate or House Ethics Committee.  Requires that all settlements will be publicly disclosed unless the victims choose to keep them private.  Requires offices to post notices with information about employees\u2019 rights and how to contact the Office of Compliance.  Provides for a climate survey to identify the pervasiveness of the problem and what gaps continue to exist in its resolution.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-seeks-clarity-justice-dept%E2%80%99s-response-political-texts", "Grassley Seeks Clarity on Justice Dept.\u2019s Response to Political Texts", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senior FBI staffs\u2019 \u201cinsurance policy\u201d and \u201cHillary\u201d texts raise specter of political Influence \u00a0 WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley sought additional background on text messages exchanged between two senior FBI employees and records of their communications with the current FBI Deputy Director.\u00a0 One of the employees, Peter Strzok, played a critical role in the FBI\u2019s investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton\u2019s use of a private email server for official business and mishandling of classified information.\u00a0 He also appears to be involved in helping to launch the FBI\u2019s investigation into potential collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin during the 2016 presidential election. \u00a0 The text messages provided to Congressional investigators on the eve of testimony by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who is overseeing the special counsel\u2019s investigation, appear to indicate that some officials took actions beyond expressing their political opinions.\u00a0 One message by Strzok apparently referenced a discussion in the current deputy director\u2019s office about the chances that candidate Donald Trump could be elected, saying \u201cI\u2019m afraid we can\u2019t take that risk\u201d and making a comparison to the need for an insurance policy. Another missive referenced a second phone used to \u201ctalk about hillary because it can\u2019t be traced.\u201d \u00a0 In a letter Wednesday to Rosenstein, Grassley is seeking additional information, including when and how the department became aware of the politically-charged messages, and what steps are being taken to fully review the activities referenced in the messages and take any necessary disciplinary measures. \u00a0In October, Grassley sought an interview with Strzok as a part of his ongoing investigation into improper political influence or bias in the Justice Department or FBI. Grassley called on the FBI to turn over any documents related to Strzok\u2019s work and communications following reports of the political messages.\u00a0 \u00a0 December 13, 2017 \u00a0 VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION \u00a0 The Honorable Rod J. Rosenstein Deputy Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530 \u00a0 Dear Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein: \u00a0Yesterday, the Justice Department released a subset of text messages requested by the Committee.\u00a0 The limited release of 375 text messages between Mr. Peter Strzok and Ms. Lisa Page indicate a highly politicized FBI environment during both the Clinton and Russia investigations.\u00a0 For example, one text message from Ms. Page proclaims to Mr. Strzok, \u201cGod(,) Trump is a loathsome human.\u201d[1]\u00a0\u00a0 Some of these texts appear to go beyond merely expressing a private political opinion, and appear to cross the line into taking some official action to create an \u201cinsurance policy\u201d against a Trump presidency.\u00a0 Mr. Strzok writes the following to Ms. Page: \u00a0I want to believe the path you threw out for consideration in Andy\u2019s office \u2013 that there\u2019s no way he gets elected \u2013 but I\u2019m afraid we can\u2019t take that risk.\u00a0 It\u2019s like an insurance policy in the unlikely event you die before you\u2019re 40\u2026[2]\u00a0Presumably, \u201cAndy\u201d refers to Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe.\u00a0 So whatever was being discussed extended beyond just Page and Strzok at least to Mr. McCabe, who was involved in supervising both investigations.[3]\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Another text from Ms. Page to Mr. Strzok on April 2, 2016, says the following: \u00a0 So look, you say we text on that phone when we talk about hillary because it can\u2019t be traced, you were just venting bc you feel bad that you\u2019re gone so much but it can\u2019t be helped right now. \u00a0 That text message occurred during Mr. Strzok\u2019s involvement in the Clinton investigation and days before he interviewed Huma Abedin and Cheryl Mills on April 5, 2016 and April 9, 2016, respectively.\u00a0 Thus, the mention of \u201chillary\u201d may refer to Secretary Clinton and therefore could indicate that Mr. Strzok and Ms. Page engaged in other communications about an ongoing investigation on a different phone in an effort to prevent it from being traced.\u00a0 \u00a0 Any improper political influence or motives in the course of any FBI investigation must be brought to light and fully addressed.\u00a0 Former Director Comey\u2019s claims that the FBI \u201cdoesn\u2019t give a rip about politics\u201d certainly are not consistent with the evidence of discussions occurring in the Deputy Director\u2019s office around August 15, 2016.\u00a0 \u00a0 Accordingly, please answer the following no later than December 27, 2017: On what date did you become aware of the text messages between Mr. Strzok and Ms. Page and on what date were they each removed from the Special Counsel\u2019s office?Are there any other records relating to the conversation in Andrew McCabe\u2019s office shortly before the text described above on August 15, 2016?\u00a0 If so please produce them to the Committee.Please provide all records relating to Andrew McCabe\u2019s communications with Peter Strzok or Lisa Page between August 7, 2016 and August 23, 2016.What steps have you taken to determine whether Mr. Strzok, Mr. Page, and Mr. McCabe should face disciplinary action for their conduct?My understanding is that the Inspector General\u2019s current investigation is limited to the handling of the Clinton email matter only.\u00a0 What steps have you taken to determine whether steps taken during the campaign to escalate the Russia investigation might have been a result of the political animus evidenced by these text messages rather than on the merits?Has the Department identified the referenced \u201cthat phone\u201d Mr. Strzok and Ms. Page used to discuss Secretary Clinton? What steps has the Department taken to review the records on this other phone that allegedly \u201ccan\u2019t be traced.\u201d\u00a0 If none, please explain why not?\u00a0 If steps have been taken, please detail them and provide all records reviewed. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I anticipate that your written reply and any responsive documents will be unclassified. \u00a0 Please send all unclassified material directly to the Committee. In keeping with the requirements of Executive Order 13526, if any of the responsive documents do contain classified information, please segregate all unclassified material within the classified documents, provide all unclassified information directly to the Committee, and provide a classified addendum to the Office of Senate Security. Although the Committee complies with all laws and regulations governing the handling of classified information, it is not bound, absent its prior agreement, by any handling restrictions. \u00a0 Should you have any questions, please contact Josh Flynn-Brown of my Judiciary Committee staff at (202) 224-5225.\u00a0 \u00a0 Sincerely, \u00a0 \u00a0 Charles E. Grassley\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chairman\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Committee on the Judiciary \u00a0 \u00a0 cc:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Honorable Michael E. Horowitz \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inspector General \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 U.S. Department of Justice \u00a0 \u00a0 -30-\u00a0  [1] Laura Jarrett, Months-worth of FBI employees\u2019 texts dreading Trump victory released to Congress, CNN (Dec. 13, 2017)[3] Recently, I have written to the Justice Department several times regarding my concerns about Mr. McCabe\u2019s potential conflicts of interest.\u00a0 Letter from Hon. Charles E. Grassley, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, to Hon. James B. Comey, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation (October 28, 2016);\u00a0 Letter from Hon. Charles E. Grassley, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, to Hon. James B. Comey, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation (March 28, 2017);\u00a0 Letter from Hon. Charles E. Grassley, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, to Hon. Rod J. Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice (May 2, 2017);\u00a0 Letter from Hon. Charles E. Grassley, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, to Hon. Rod J. Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice (June 28, 2017);\u00a0 Letter from Hon. Charles E. Grassley, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, to Hon. Michael E. Horowitz, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Justice (June 29, 2017);\u00a0 Letter from Hon. Charles E. Grassley, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, to Hon. Rod J. Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice (December 1, 2017)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-executive-business-meeting-us-patent-and-trademark-office", "Grassley Statement at Executive Business Meeting on U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Nominee", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Business Meeting December 14, 2017 \u00a0 Good morning. Today, we\u2019re considering several nominees and one bill. \u00a0 The judicial nominees are on the agenda for the first time, and the minority has requested that they be held over, so the following nominees will be held over: \u00a0 Kyle Duncan, 5th CircuitDavid Stras, 8th CircuitFernando Rodriguez, Southern District of Texas \u00a0 Andrei Iancu, who has been nominated to serve as Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, is also on today\u2019s agenda. \u00a0 Mr. Iancu has a proven record in the field of intellectual property law. He has an excellent academic and professional background in intellectual property law. He\u2019s extremely knowledgeable about the patent system. He\u2019s well respected in the legal community. \u00a0 His intellectual property practice has covered a wide array of subject areas and he has represented many different kinds of clients. Mr. Iancu has demonstrated that he\u2019s familiar with the issues that concern the various intellectual property stakeholders. \u00a0 The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and protecting intellectual property rights. Because intellectual property \u2013 patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets \u2013 is so important to our national economy, we need the Office to have a strong and accountable leader. I believe that Mr. Iancu will be a responsible leader and manager, and that he\u2019ll be responsive to the various different IP stakeholders. \u00a0 I\u2019m pleased that Mr. Iancu has pledged to work with us to improve our intellectual property system, enforce the law, and boost intellectual property rights. I support Mr. Iancu\u2019s nomination and I urge my colleagues to support him as well. \u00a0 We will also vote on 5 nominees to be United States Attorneys. \u00a0 S. 2152, the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act is on the agenda for the first time and will be held over at the request of the other side. This is a bipartisan bill introduced by Senator Hatch and cosponsored by me as well as by Senators Feinstein, Cornyn, Klobuchar, Whitehouse, Tillis, and Blumenthal. \u00a0 The bill is named after \u201cAmy,\u201d \u201cVicky,\u201d and \u201cAndy,\u201d victims in some of the most widely distributed child pornography in the world. It also creates a better system for compensating victims of child pornography, and addresses the concerns raised in the Supreme Court\u2019s Paroline \u00addecision in 2014. The Paroline decision came in Amy\u2019s restitution case. \u00a0 The bill will establish more relevant and useful standards for the victims of child pornography who seek restitution from criminal defendants. It gives victims the alternative of a one-time fixed compensation payment from the Crime Victims Fund. The bill also requires appointment of a guardian ad litem for victims and allows them access to the images depicting them, which can be important for victim identification, expert testimony, forensic review, and treatment. I look forward to reporting this bill out of committee at our next executive business meeting. \u00a0 I\u2019ll now turn to Senator Feinstein for her remarks. \u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-fights-iowa-wind-energy", "Young fights for Iowa Wind Energy", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -\u00a0Iowa Congressman David Young is continuing his fight to protect the wind energy production tax credit. In addition to conversations he's had with his colleagues, today he led a letter advocating the agreement made in 2015 to phase-out the wind energy production tax credit be preserved in the final tax bill. The letter was sent to the Conference Committee reconciling the House and Senate versions of the tax bill.\nLast month, Congressman Young\u00a0started leading the fight in Congress to preserve the wind energy production tax credit. His actions today are a further demonstration of his commitment to wind energy in Iowa.\u00a0\n\"The wind energy production tax credit was a settled issue. Congress and wind energy producers agreed to slowly reduce the policy until it ends in 2019. Going back on the deal would be devastating for Iowa's wind energy producers. If the policy is ended prematurely, it will undermine $30 billion in existing project deals. I will continue to fight for Iowans and renewables which have helped Iowa's economy grow,\" said Congressman Young.\nThe letter also asks the Conference Committee to address other tax provisions that could harm wind energy producers. Full text of the letter is below. A digital copy of the letter is available HERE.\nDear Chairman Brady and Chairman Hatch:\nWe write to share our concern for three provisions included in tax legislation which, if enacted into law, would have devastating impacts to America\u2019s wind energy sector.\nForemost, we continue to strongly support maintaining the terms of the wind energy production tax credit (PTC) phase out as it is in current law. Members of both bodies of Congress have made clear their concerns about the changes in H.R. 1 to the terms of the phase out as established under the PATH Act of 2015. The change included in H.R. 1 would create uncertainty and would undermine at least $30 billion in existing project deals. We appreciate the Senate bill did not include this change and urge a final bill retain the phase out included in the PATH Act.\u00a0 \u00a0\nSecond, we urge the conferees to amend the Senate\u2019s Base Erosion Anti-Abuse Tax (BEAT), which as currently drafted, would create a significant disincentive to the tax equity financing structure the energy industry relies upon to finance their projects. If this issue is not addressed, tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investments will be jeopardized.\nFinally, like many other industries, the inclusion of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) at a 20% rate in the Senate bill would severely reduce the capacity for companies to utilize the PTC.\u00a0 Between the Senate\u2019s current BEAT and AMT provisions, $95 billion of private investment is at risk across the country, in addition to 90,000 American jobs.\nAs we seek to create a fairer, simpler tax code, we must honor our commitments and the PTC phase out, which will be complete by 2019, and allow the wind industry to utilize those credits so they can continue lowering costs, creating jobs, and growing the economy.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-did-trump-hating-fbi-agent-poison-clinton-and-trump-investigations", "King: Did Trump Hating FBI Agent Poison Clinton and Trump Investigations?", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.- Congressman Steve King, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, releases the following video of his questioning of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein during today\u2019s Department of Justice oversight hearing. During his questioning, King focused on newly disclosed text messages between FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page that reveal the presence of significant anti-Trump/Pro-Clinton bias within the FBI. The existence of these text messages further calls into question whether the FBI\u2019s previous investigation of Hillary Clinton and Special Counsel Robert Mueller\u2019s current investigation of President Trump was/is hopelessly compromised by the hyper-partisan Strzok, a man who has played significant roles in both efforts.\u00a0\nFull video is available here.\nExcerpt:\nKing: \u201cI'm looking at what was reported this morning. I just took a picture of the television set. A quote from August 6th, Lisa Page to Peter Strzok, and they're talking about President Trump and she's speaking to Peter Strzok, her lover, I hear.\n\u2018Lisa Page (to Peter Strzok): Maybe you're meant to stay where you are because you are meant to protect the country from that menace. \nPeter Strzok (to Lisa Page): It's absolutely true that we're both very fortunate and of course I\u2019ll try and approach it that way. I just don't know. It will be tough at times. I can protect our country at many levels, not sure if that helps.\u2019\nKing: Does that sound like a declaration that he would use his job to leverage his work against the President of the United States?\u201d\nTo many observers, it does sound like such a declaration. The American public deserves to know the extent to which the FBI has been politicized, and whether rabid pro-Clinton partisanship by Peter Strzok, and others associated with Mueller\u2019s team, has thoroughly compromised investigative efforts. It has been established that at least 9 of the 16 members of Special Counsel Mueller\u2019s hand-selected team have donated to Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and/or the Democratic Party. In contrast, only one member of the 16 member Mueller team has contributed to Republican candidates.\nSome of the biased Strzok/Page text messages refer to President Trump in such profane and hateful terms that they are deemed unsuitable for inclusion in this press release.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E8F9047D-0B44-4D71-A7E8-AB8461F19DE4", "Ernst Nominates 41 Iowa Students to be Considered for Appointments at U.S. Service Academies", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a combat veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced today that she has nominated 41 Iowa students to be considered for appointments to United States Service Academies.\r\n\u201cI am proud to nominate these deserving Iowa students for admittance to our U.S. Service Academies,\u201d said Senator Ernst. \u201cThis nomination is a critical part of the admissions process, and it is my honor to assist them in achieving their goal of serving our great nation. These\u00a0exemplary young Iowans have exhibited leadership skills, dedication to academics, and commitment to their communities, and I look forward to seeing all they will accomplish.\u201d\r\nEach year, Senator Ernst has the honor and responsibility of nominating Iowa students to the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.\r\nTo learn more about service academy nominations, click here.\r\nBelow is a complete list of the students nominated by Senator Ernst for the Class of 2022.\r\n\r\nUnited States Air Force Academy\r\nKevin Brisker, Wilton\r\nCory Critchlow, Carlisle\r\nOlivia Cowart, Dubuque\r\nJolynn Harris, Des Moines\r\nChristine Hess, Shelby\r\nJoseph Kenkel, Panama\r\nSheryl McGowan, Sioux City\r\nMallory Nesmith, Cedar Rapids\r\nCody Meyers, Pacific Junction\r\nJacob Mulcahy, Ankeny\r\n\u00a0\r\nUnited States Naval Academy\r\nChaz Clark, Pleasantville\r\nJared Johnson, Urbandale\r\nIan Kennedy, Stuart\r\nKatherine McAllister, New London\r\nMax Oberman, Clive\r\nJoshua Paskach, Des Moines\r\nKyle Puttmann, Orange City\r\nWesley Sebetka, Chelsea\r\nAugust Taylor, Villisca\r\nPatricia Teggatz, Hampton\r\n\u00a0\r\nUnited States Military Academy at West Point\r\nAdam Bender, Cedar Falls\r\nHunter Carey, New Hampton\r\nEleanor Drexler, Bettendorf\r\nDrew Graves, Iowa City\r\nPeter Greer, Iowa City\r\nCarli Hansen, Adel\r\nPayton Hart, Riverside\r\nBrianna Hartman, West Des Moines\r\nSierra Howardson, Danville\r\nVictoria Johnson, Marshalltown\r\nClaire Jones, Council Bluffs\r\nJaxon Jones, Forest City\r\nCaleb Kleman, Cedar Rapids\r\nNicholas Krabbenhoft, Denver\r\nRobert Phillips, Sioux City\r\nAustin Rognes, Ankeny\r\nConnor Urquhart, Ankeny\r\nLuke Whitman, Des Moines\r\n\u00a0\r\nUnited States Merchant Marine Academy\r\nNathan Betts, Dyersville\r\nKatharina Commins, Altoona\r\nJarred Gaudineer, West Des Moines\r\n\u00a0\r\nSenator Ernst received her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University where she joined the university\u2019s ROTC program. After graduating, Ernst was commissioned as an officer in U.S. Army Reserves, and after a few years in the Reserves, transferred to the Iowa National Guard. In 2003, she served as a company commander in Kuwait and Iraq, leading 150 Iowa Army National Guardsmen during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Senator Ernst retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard after 23 years of military service.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/chairman-grassley-statement-judicial-nominations-hearing", "Chairman Grassley Statement at a Judicial Nominations Hearing", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Judicial Nominations Hearing December 13, 2017 \u00a0 Welcome everyone, especially the nominees and their families, to today\u2019s nominations hearing. \u00a0 Today, we\u2019ll hear from two panels. On the first panel we\u2019ll hear from Georgia Court of Appeals Judge Elizabeth Branch, nominated to serve as a Circuit Court Judge on the 11th Circuit. \u00a0 On the second panel, we\u2019ll hear from 5 nominees to District Courts including Magistrate Judge Charles Goodwin, who has been nominated to the Western District of Oklahoma. I mention him specifically because a majority of the American Bar Association\u2019s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary has rated Judge Goodwin \u201cnot qualified.\u201d The ABA sent us a letter\u2014characteristically lacking in any detail\u2014that suggests they have questions about Judge Goodwin\u2019s work ethic and accessibility. \u00a0 I reached out to Chief Judge Joe Heaton, who is chief judge of the Western District of Oklahoma and oversees Judge Goodwin, to see if there is any merit to the ABA\u2019s claims.\u00a0 Chief Judge Heaton expressed that his \u201csurprise was considerable\u201d when he learned about the ABA\u2019s rating.\u00a0 He wrote: \u00a0 \u201cI have reviewed various indicators of Judge Goodwin's productivity, such as the number of reports and recommendations generated by him and the complexity of the matters assigned to him. I believe his productivity to be fully comparable with that of the other magistrate judges of this court. As a result, I do not think there is a basis for concern with his professional competence. In sum, I disagree with the Standing Committee's conclusion. Based on his service here and his experience as a partner and practicing lawyer with one of Oklahoma's largest law firms, I believe Judge Goodwin is plainly qualified to be a U. S. District Judge.\u201d \u00a0 I would like to enter this letter into the record. I, for one, credit the views of the chief judge of the district court who oversees Judge Goodwin over the ABA\u2019s unsourced and unsupported accusations. I look forward to hearing Judge Goodwin\u2019s testimony today.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blum.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=635", "Rep. Rod Blum\u2019s Bipartisan Whistleblower Bill Signed Into Law", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Rod Blum", "B001294", "blum.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Continuing to advocate for whistleblower protections, Rep. Rod Blum introduced H.R. 69, the Thoroughly Investigating Retaliation Against Whistleblowers Act on January 3, 2017, with his colleagues, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA), and Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-MD). H.R. 69, in conjunction with the Senate version, S. 582, introduced by Senator Ron Johnson, was added to the National Defense Authorization Act and signed into law by President Trump earlier this afternoon. \r\n\u00a0\r\nH.R. 69 will amend the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 to reauthorize the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), an independent federal investigative and prosecutorial agency, to protect federal employees, former employees, and applicants for employment from prohibited personnel practices (i.e., employment-related activities that violate the merit system through discrimination, retaliation, improper hiring practices, or failure to adhere to employment law).\r\n\u00a0\r\nCongressman Blum, Co-Chair of the Whistleblower Caucus, commented, \u201cThe Office of Special Counsel is a proven, important component of eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in our federal agencies. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this important reauthorization.\u201d \r\n\u00a0\r\nFull bill text can be found at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/69", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-praises-bipartisanship", "King Praises Bipartisanship", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Judiciary Committee Passes Bipartisan Bills Combatting Exploitation and Fraud\nWashington, D.C.- Congressman Steve King, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, \u00a0released the following statement praising the bipartisan manner in which two pieces of important legislation were passed by the committee today. In action this morning, the Judiciary Committee passed HR 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017, and HR 2595, the Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act. King is a co-sponsor of HR 1865, and both bills passed with significant support from the committee\u2019s Republican and Democratic members.\n\u201cThe House Judiciary Committee is the most polarized committee on Capitol Hill because the issues before us define our country and civilization,\u201d said King. \u201cThe members of the committee bring to it a medley of competing views, and it was a pleasure to work with my colleagues to distill our views into bipartisan bills that advance our fundamental interest in protecting Americans from exploitation and fraud.\u201d\nBackground:\nHR 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017, creates a new federal statute combatting the promotion of sex trafficking online by permitting local and state criminal prosecutions of sex-trafficking websites.\nHR 2595, the Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act, targets immigration document fraud by allowing the recipient of immigration related paperwork to elect to pay a fee to have the paperwork sent to them through the U.S. mail subject to a hold for pickup or signature confirmation.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8010EEE4-DFD5-4C9D-AB6C-3FAB5A04A752", "NDAA Signed into Law, Includes 37 Ernst Provisions", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, released the following statement after President Trump signed the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law, which included 37 of the Iowa Senator\u2019s measures.\r\n\u201cThe National Defense Authorization Act is critical to the overarching mission of our servicemembers and our great nation. I am pleased President Trump signed this legislation into law and has made it a top priority to improve the readiness and strength of our military. Additionally, I am glad to see 37 of my provisions enacted into law, including my continued efforts to combat sexual assault and hold bad actors within our military accountable for their actions. I am grateful that this bipartisan defense package enacts these measures, and many more, to provide the necessary support for our men and women in uniform as they protect and defend our homeland.\u201d\r\nSummary of Ernst Bills Included in FY \u201818 NDAA:\u00a0\r\n\r\nS.1243 - Educating Servicemembers in Training On Prevention (E-STOP) Act\r\nS.1316 - Suicide Prevention And Resilience Program For The National Guard And Reserves\r\nS.1408 - Enhancement of Effective Prosecution and Defense in Courts-Martial\r\nS.1296 - PRIVATE Act\r\nS.1038 - Legislation to Examine Women-Owned Small Business Opportunities\r\n\r\n\r\nSummary of Additional Ernst Provisions Included in FY \u201818 NDAA:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\r\nA provision to ensure appropriate compensation for enlisted servicemembers. This derives from the Leadership Recognition Act which, in part, addresses these discrepancies by ensuring fair compensation among senior enlisted advisors.\r\nA provision authorizing the Secretary of the Army to award the Personnel Protection Equipment award of the Army to former members of the Army. The Personnel Protection Equipment award is given to servicemembers whose lives were saved by their equipment, such as helmets or body armor.\r\nA provision increasing the procurement of commercial off-the-shelf personal protective equipment, like body armor. Iowa is home to many companies that build military equipment, and even some who make the strongest body armor in the world.\r\nA provision restricting the Department of Defense from the use of reverse auctions and lowest price technically acceptable contracting methods when procuring critical safety items, like parachutes. This ensures the best parachutes are purchased for our servicemembers, not just the most cost-effective.\r\nA provision to modernize authority to help the country of Colombia to ensure the country is able to counter armed groups and terrorist organizations. Senator Ernst has been a leader in calling for the U.S. to address the rise of groups, like ISIS, in Latin America.\r\nA provision reviewing the Department of Defense\u2019s effort to combat the funding of terrorism through the illicit trafficking in commodities, to include tobacco.\r\nA provision authorizing the Secretary of Defense to provide assistance to partner forces to support U.S. special operations to combat irregular warfare threats.\r\nA provision extending the authority for and increasing the funding of lethal and non-lethal support to Ukraine to deter Russian aggression.\r\nA provision extending the ban on military cooperation with Russia.\r\nA provision prohibiting any funding for activity that would recognize the sovereignty of the Russian Federation over Crimea.\r\nA provision extending U.S. anti-tunnel cooperation activities with Israel.\r\nA provision supporting U.S assistance to the Kosovo Security Force as it makes its transition to a multi-ethnic army for the Republic of Kosovo.\r\nA provision that would require the Secretary of the Navy to provide quarterly updates on the progress of the Navy\u2019s Physiological Episode Team and their efforts to combat physiological episodes in jets. Physiological episodes\u00a0create an unsafe, and potentially lethal, flying environment.\r\nA provision encouraging the Department of Defense to expand its efforts beyond lightweight polymer ammunition casing into polymer magazine pallets, rounds, and other related equipment.\r\nA provision that allows the U.S. Marine Corps to award M-1 rifles as trophies for marksmanship competitions.\r\nA provision recognizing computer-based human simulation testing Human Simulation Report Language, like that found at some of Iowa\u2019s leading universities. Human simulation research lowers costs to enhance warfighter mobility, survivability, welfare and training.\r\nA provision recognizing military paint training facilities that perform painting and coating operations for the Department of Defense, a key program also found at some of Iowa\u2019s leading universities. These training programs save the Department time and funding resources.\r\nA provision acknowledging injuries sustained by helicopter crewmembers due to the type of restraints in use. It encourages the Army to use the Mobile Aircrew Restraint System currently in use by the Air Force to reduce the number of injuries to crewmembers.\r\nA provision providing a technical change to last year\u2019s provision for companies like Uber and Lyft to have access to bases.\r\nA provision that supports Department of Defense to start ride-share pilots on base to cut down on DUIs.\r\nA provision that underscores the importance of protecting the religious liberty of members of the Armed Forces and directs the Department of Defense \u2013 in consultation with commanders, chaplains, and judge advocates \u2013 to develop and implement a comprehensive training program on religious liberty issues.\r\nA provision recognizing the risk of Foot and Mouth Disease, or other foreign animal disease, to our food production economy and our national security. It directs the Department of Defense and Department of Agriculture to analyze our ability to respond to such an attack.\r\nA provision requiring a report on the adoption of project, program, and portfolio management standards within the Department of Defense.\r\nA provision that recognizes our adversaries\u2019 use of low-cost Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and the United States\u2019 need to expand its capability to protect against UAS threats.\r\nA provision requiring a report on the Department of Defense\u2019s implementation of direct hiring authorities for military spouses.\r\nA provision requiring the Secretary of the Army to transfer excess and unused equipment from the Defense Distribution Depot to Rock Island Arsenal to be used to build new warfighting equipment.\r\nAn amendment to authorize the expedited procurement of a commercially available off-the-shelf item or non-developmental item for a 7.62mm rifle capability.\r\nCosponsored a report on the audit of the full financial statements of the Department of Defense.\r\nCosponsored an amendment that encourages government entities to relocate to existing military installations with excess space, like Rock Island Arsenal, before leasing commercial space.\r\nA provision for temporary reutilization authorization for arsenals, depots, and plants.\r\nA provision requiring the Secretary of the Army to establish a make-or-buy guidance illustrating what products should be made at organic industrial bases versus purchased from outside vendors.\r\nA provision that clarifies and revises the definition of a commercial item, to address concerns from small businesses who seek to sell items to both the Department of Defense and everyday Iowans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-dea-must-explain-objections-bill-it-helped-write-fight-against-opioid", "Grassley: DEA Must Explain Objections to Bill it Helped Write in Fight against Opioid Abuse", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee \u201cOversight of the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act\u201d  December 12, 2017 \u00a0 This hearing is on oversight of the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act.\u00a0 I\u2019ll refer to it as \u201cthe Law\u201d or \u201cthe Bill.\u201d\u00a0 I\u2019m eager to hear from all the witnesses.\u00a0 \u00a0 Some would like to see this law repealed.\u00a0 Others insist it should remain in place.\u00a0 I haven\u2019t made my own mind up.\u00a0 So I\u2019m interested in hearing both sides of the argument.\u00a0 This discussion is particularly important given the continuing opioid epidemic that has ravaged this country through the past several years. \u00a0 I do have concerns with how we got here. \u00a0 When Congress took this bill up in 2015 and 2016, there was little to no fanfare about the proposal.\u00a0 The basic goal of the bill seemed modest: provide a definition for the term \u201cimminent danger.\u201d\u00a0 Distributors and other providers would have more clear guidance for what was required of them before DEA could issue an immediate suspension order, or \u201cISO.\u201d\u00a0 In this industry, an ISO is a death sentence.\u00a0 From their standpoint, the clarification seemed not only fair but a necessary step in helping figure out how to comply with the law. \u00a0 There was another practical concern: ordinary patients with legitimate needs could lose access to essential prescriptions if legitimate distributors were shut down. \u00a0 DEA, understandably, had some concerns about curbing their enforcement powers.\u00a0 But the unlimited, undefined enforcement authority needed some refinement.\u00a0 DEA also had litigation risk with such undefined authority.\u00a0 So DEA, too, had an interest in working towards amending the language to reduce their own risk. \u00a0 My understanding was that DEA provided technical assistance to both House and Senate staff for other members who were responsible for drafting the bill.\u00a0 In fact, DEA admitted as much in testimony before the House in October. \u00a0 When the bill came to the Senate, it was referred to Judiciary.\u00a0 I took up the bill based in part on assurances from DEA and DOJ that they agreed to the language in the final bill.\u00a0 We discharged the bill from committee by a unanimous vote.\u00a0 The bill then passed the Senate by unanimous consent; it also passed the House by unanimous consent. \u00a0 President Obama signed the bill into law in April 2016.\u00a0 DEA testified that they advised President Obama to do just that. \u00a0 Let me be clear \u2013 if DEA or DOJ didn\u2019t want this bill, I wouldn\u2019t have taken it up.\u00a0 Period. \u00a0 Then the Washington Post and 60 Minutes ran pieces criticizing the bill.\u00a0 Both stories highlighted former DEA employees and quoted a law review article from the acting Chief Administrative Law Judge from the DEA.\u00a0 \u00a0 The reports suggest that Congress was in the back pocket of the opioid industry \u2013 and that this bill was a giveaway to the prescription drug industry. Nothing could be further from the truth.\u00a0 I\u2019ve worked hard my entire career trying to combat illegal drug trafficking, and providing more effective ways for law enforcement to do their jobs in the drug enforcement area. \u00a0 I\u2019m especially frustrated by the DEA itself \u2013 which gave Congress the go-ahead to enact this legislation.\u00a0 We wouldn\u2019t be here today if the DEA told us that they objected. \u00a0 The news reports also suggest that the law effectively stripped DEA of its enforcement power.\u00a0 The data appears to show otherwise.\u00a0 \u00a0 Prior to the passage of the bill \u2013 between 2011 and 2015 \u2013 the amount of immediate suspension orders dramatically decreased. Since the law was passed, the amount of immediate suspension orders has increased.\u00a0 Moreover, the number of opiates distributed overall decreased between 2016 and 2017 after passage of the bill.\u00a0 \u00a0 DEA has said that the law \u201cdid not stop DEA from doing its job in the diversion space.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0 Even though this bill was vetted by Congress once, I\u2019m open to re-examining the criticisms of this law.\u00a0 I\u2019m looking forward to hearing what those are.\u00a0 That\u2019s why we\u2019re having this hearing. \u00a0 But we shouldn\u2019t be repealing laws just because of the loudest person in the room, and solely based on one person\u2019s say-so.\u00a0 The DEA agent who was the centerpiece of the news articles is a consultant for trial lawyers who are suing the industry.\u00a0 So, his objectivity is under question.\u00a0 The sensational news reports failed to question this conflict of interest.\u00a0 \u00a0 I look forward to hearing the testimony from the witnesses, and finding new ways to strengthen our law enforcement efforts without preventing legitimate access to medications that real patients with legal prescriptions need.\u00a0 Opioids continue to be a huge problem in this country.\u00a0 It is vital that our federal laws keep up with the best way to combat illegal opioid use. \u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-seeks-immigration-history-nyc-port-authority-terrorist-attacker", "Grassley Seeks Immigration History of NYC Port Authority Terrorist Attacker", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is requesting background information on Akayed Ullah, the Bangladeshi immigrant who yesterday detonated an improvised explosive device near the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City injuring five. \u00a0 Ullah benefitted from the controversial immigration occurrence known as chain migration. He received a visa based on his indirect familial connection to a U.S. citizen and not based on his skills or potential economic contribution to the U.S.\u00a0 At 20 years old, Ullah immigrated to the United States on an F-43 Family Immigrant visa, a derivative category meant to benefit children of F-41 visa beneficiaries.\u00a0 His mother, the sibling of a U.S. citizen, immigrated to the U.S. on an F-41 visa. \u00a0 In his letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen, Grassley requests the full immigration history of Ullah, records of Ullah\u2019s criminal background, if there are any, or placement on any terrorism watch-lists, if applicable, and any visas held by, applied for or revoked from Ullah. \u00a0 \u00a0 December 11, 2017 \u00a0 VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION \u00a0 The Honorable Kirstjen M. Nielsen\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Honorable Rex Tillerson Secretary\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Secretary  U.S. Department of Homeland Security\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 U.S. Department of State  Washington, D.C. 20528\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Washington, D.C. 20520 \u00a0 Dear Secretary Nielsen and Secretary Tillerson: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Earlier today, a man wearing an \u201cimprovised low-tech explosive device\u201d similar to a pipe bomb detonated the explosive at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, a busy transit hub near Times Square in New York City.[1]\u00a0 Law enforcement have identified the suspect as 27-year-old Akayed Ullah, a Bangladeshi immigrant who received a green card and currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.[2] According to authorities, the suspect\u2019s device, held together by Velcro and zip ties, prematurely exploded injuring himself and three victims, all of whom are being treated for injuries at nearby hospitals.[3] Reportedly, Ullah told law enforcement that he committed the act in the name of ISIS.[4]\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 According to press reports, Ullah was 20 years old when his uncle, a U.S. citizen, petitioned for Ullah\u2019s mother to receive a derivative visa as a sister of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.[5] Ullah was subsequently allowed to emigrate as a child of a sister of a U.S. citizen benefiting from a controversial immigration occurrence known as chain migration. Therefore, Ullah, as a child of the principal applicant, was also allowed to receive derivative status and a green card, which he used to emigrate from Bangladesh in 2011. If these sources are correct, this further highlights the need to consider whether our country is best served by a family, non-skills based legal immigration system.\u00a0 To better understand what motivated this act of terror, please provide numbered written responses to the following questions no later than December 18, 2017: \u00a0 Department of Homeland Security: \u00a0 Please provide a list of all A-files, executive summaries, or receipt files with TECs hits for terrorism that have been requested from the Department of Homeland Security in furtherance of the investigation into the New York City terrorist attack including any information on Akayed Ullah. \u00a0 Did Akayed Ullah have any criminal convictions?\u00a0 Please explain and provide all relevant documentation. \u00a0 Was Akayed Ullah on any terrorist watch lists? If so, which lists and which dates was he on the lists? \u00a0 Department of State: \u00a0 Please provide all visa records and associated documentation for Akayed Ullah. \u00a0 Did Akayed Ullah apply for any U.S. visa? If the answer is yes, what category of visa was sought? Which embassy or consulate did he submit the application to? If the visa was denied, what was the basis for denial?\u00a0Please provide the visa category and validity period for any and all previous visas issued to Akayed Ullah. \u00a0 Please provide the dates of application submission and the basis of denial for any past visa applications submitted by Akayed Ullah, along with any associated documentation, case or interview notes, or other related information.Has Akayed Ullah ever been in possession of a U.S. visa that was later revoked? If so, please provide any information that supported the decision for revocation.Was Akayed Ullah subjected to any additional administrative processing associated with any visa application? Please explain and provide all documentation uncovered, or created, as a result of such additional processing.Please provide a timeline for all applications or petitions for immigrant and/or non-immigrant visas. \u00a0 Thank you for your attention to this important matter.\u00a0 Should you have any questions, please contact Katherine Nikas of my Committee staff at (202) 224-5225. \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sincerely, \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Charles E. Grassley \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chairman \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Senate Committee on the Judiciary \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 cc: The Honorable Dianne Feinstein Ranking Member \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Senate Committee on the Judiciary \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Honorable Christopher Wray \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Director The Federal Bureau of Investigation \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Washington, D.C. 20535 \u00a0 -30-\u00a0  [1] Melanie Grayce West, Suspect in Custody in New York\u2019s Port Authority Explosion, The Wall Street Journal, available at https://www.wsj.com/articles/explosion-reported-at-new-yorks-port-authority-1512997695[2] http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/12/11/port-authority-terror-suspect/[3] Eliott C. McLaughlin, New York explosion: Man Detonates Pipe Bomb in \u2018Attempted Terrorist Attack,\u2019 Officials Say, CNN News, available at http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/11/us/new-york-possible-explosion-port-authority-subway/index.html; Aaron Katersky, Emily Shapiro, M.L. Niestel, Explosive Detonates Near New York City\u2019s Times Square in \u2018Attempted Terrorist Attack,\u2019 Suspect in Custody, ABC News, available at http://abcnews.go.com/US/nyc-police-respond-reports-explosion-port-authority-bus/story?id=51714989[4] Tom Winter, Jonathan Dienst, and Tracy Connor, NYC Blast Suspect Akayed Ullah Aimed to Avenge Muslim Deaths, Source Says, NBC NEWS, available at https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/akayed-ullah-nyc-explosion-suspect-identified-27-year-old-brooklyn-n828361", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/newsletters/see-what-iowa-students-are", "See what Iowa students are up to", "2017-12-11", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Students from across the Third Congressional District participated in the Congressional App Challenge. In this newsletter, Congressman Young highlights all of the apps submitted.\u00a0\nView this newsletter\u00a0HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-leads-restoring-biodiesel-tax-credit", "Young leads on restoring biodiesel tax credit", "2017-12-11", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0- Iowa Congressman David Young is leading the effort in the United States House of Representatives to restore the biodiesel tax credit which expired last year. Yesterday, he led a letter to the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives and was joined by 42 of his colleagues.\u00a0\nThe letter calls on Congress to retroactively restore the credit before the end of year.\u00a0\n\"Biodiesel has been a critical partner in the growth of Iowa's economy and helps the American people move closer to the freedom of energy independence,\"\u00a0said Congressman Young. \"Restoring this policy will ensure this renewable using Iowa grown products continues to grow and support Iowa's farmers and rural communities. Congress must act to restore this common sense policy which provides certainty to this American product.\"\nBefore lapsing at the end of 2016, the biodiesel tax credit lapsed in 2009, 2011, and. 2013.\u00a0 Each time Congress subsequently restored the credit.\nA digial version of the\u00a0the letter is available\u00a0HERE.\nThe text of the letter follows:\nDear Speaker Ryan, Leader Pelosi, Leader McCarthy and Whip Hoyer:\nAs we near the end of the First Session of the 115th Congress, we want to thank you for your important work on strengthening the economy for the American people.\u00a0\nOne issue important to us is extending the tax credit for biodiesel, which lapsed at the end of 2016.\u00a0 If this issue is not addressed in the final version of the comprehensive tax relief bill, we strongly support inclusion of this extension in another legislative vehicle before the end of this calendar year.\nBiodiesel has been and continues to be a great success story.\u00a0 Economically it has helped our farmers and rural communities across the country.\u00a0 It has also helped broaden the diversity of our fuel sources to help us become more energy independent as a nation.\u00a0 This industry creates jobs and is good for the environment.\nThis growing industry has exceeded established volume requirements despite the uncertainty created by the on-again and off-again nature of tax credit eligibility for biodiesel.\u00a0 This important provision continues to lapse periodically, creating investment and price uncertainty in the sector.\u00a0\nWith that in mind, we ask for a multi-year, retroactive extension that will create the certainty necessary to help this industry, and therefore our economy, continue to grow.\u00a0 Other energy tax credits have received this type of a multi-year treatment, such as wind and solar.\u00a0 We urge a similar approach for the biodiesel tax credit, which will provide industry the certainty necessary to continue moving toward self-sustenance.\nWe look forward to working with you in the coming weeks to resolve this issue of great importance to us and our constituents.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-names-aaron-mckay-iowa-director", "Young Names Aaron McKay Iowa Director", "2017-12-11", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Des Moines, Iowa\u00a0- Iowa Congressman David Young today announced that Aaron McKay has been named the Iowa Director of his congressional office operations based in his Des Moines Constituent Services Office.\u00a0\nMcKay has a long history of working on behalf of Iowans and navigating the federal bureaucracy\u00a0on their behalf. He has worked for Senator Chuck Grassley since 1997, most recently as his state director and worked for the House of Representatives National Security Committee, now the House Armed Services Committee.\n\"Aaron shares my commitment to serving Iowans through the best customer service we can provide them,\" said Congressman Young. \"We are fortunate to have him working with our team.\"\nMcKay is a graduate of the Upper Iowa University in Fayette. He and his wife and daughter reside in Pleasant Hill.\nYoung has three Iowa constituent services offices located in Des Moines, Creston, and Council Bluffs to serve the people of the sixteen counties of Iowa\u2019s Third Congressional District which geographically makes up the southwestern quarter of the state. The offices provide important services in helping Third District Iowans solve day-to-day problems with federal government agencies and program, such as with obtaining a passport, Social Security, Medicare and veterans\u2019 benefits, solving immigration issues, and resolving questions with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and many of the programs and services they provide Iowans.\nThe full list of constituent casework services provided by Congressman Young\u2019s Office for Third District Iowans includes:\nSOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE:\n Disability Insurance (SSDI)\n\tSupplemental Security Income\n\tSurvivor benefits and retirement\n\tMedicare claims or\u00a0provider matters\n VETERANS AND ARMED SERVICES:\n Compensation eligibility, benefits and VA healthcare services\n\tMilitary awards and service records\n\tService issues\n U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE:\n Farming issues, natural resources\n\tRural development issues\n U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE:\n Entry visa questions\n\tInternational adoptions\n\tStatus of naturalization process\n\tAssistance during foreign travel\n U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION:\n Questions regarding student aid\n\tStudent loan questions/concerns\n POSTAL SERVICES:\n Mail delivery concerns\n\tPost Office facility matters\n INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE:\n Tax return questions\n\tMissing or lost refund checks\n\tInappropriate audit questions\n PASSPORTS:\n Eligibility questions\n\tMissing or lost passports\n # # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeks-ahead/week-ahead-scheduled-votes-committee-action-and-other-important-notes-10", "The Week Ahead - scheduled votes, committee action and other important notes for the week of December 11, 2017", "2017-12-11", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "EDITORS NOTE: The week ahead overview will be sent each week Congress is in session. All times are in Central Time.\nTOP LINE:\n SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON TAXES:\u00a0Some members of Congress have called the tax bill \"the end of the world.\" Congressman Young reviewed some of their previous stances on provisions in the tax bill in his weekly column. Read it\u00a0HERE.\u00a0\n\tAARON McKAY NAMED IOWA DIRECTOR:\u00a0Congressman Young announced Aaron McKay as his new Iowa Director. Aaron has worked for Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley since 1997.\u00a0Learn more\u00a0HERE.\n\tCONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE SUBMISSIONS:\u00a0Congressman Young organized the Congressional App Challenge in Iowa's Third District and students from across the District submitted their apps. See their work\u00a0HERE.\u00a0\n\tWEEKLY RADIO:\u00a0Wednesday morning,\u00a0Congressman Young is scheduled to join KCSI 95.3 FM Radio at 7:18 AM CT and KMA Radio on 960 AM and 99.1 FM at 7:35 AM CT.\u00a0\n MONDAY, DECEMBER 11TH\u00a0  \n\tOn Monday, the House will meet at 11:00 a.m. for morning hour and 1:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 5:30 p.m.\nLegislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:\n1)\u00a0H.R. 3359\u00a0\u2013 Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act of 2017, as amended\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Michael McCaul / Homeland Security Committee)\n2)\u00a0H.R. 3669\u00a0\u2013 Securing General Aviation and Commercial Charter Air Carrier Service Act of 2017, as amended\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Ron Estes / Homeland Security Committee)\n3)\u00a0H.R. 2706\u00a0\u2013 Financial Institution Customer Protection Act of 2017, as amended\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer / Financial Services Committee)\n4)\u00a0H.R. 3093\u00a0\u2013 Investor Clarity and Bank Parity Act\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Michael Capuano / Financial Services Committee)\n5)\u00a0H.R. 1730\u00a0\u2013 Protecting Religiously Affiliated Institutions Act of 2017, as amended\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. David Kustoff / Judiciary Committee)\nTUESDAY, DECEMBER 12TH\u00a0  \n\tOn Tuesday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for morning hour and 11:00 a.m. for legislative business.\nLegislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:\n1)\u00a0H.R. 2880\u00a0\u2013 Promoting Closed-Loop Pumped Storage Hydropower Act, as amended\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Morgan Griffith / Energy and Commerce Committee)\n2)\u00a0H.R. 2872\u00a0\u2013 Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act, as amended\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Larry Bucshon / Energy and Commerce Committee)\n3)\u00a0H.R. 1733\u00a0\u2013 To direct the Secretary of Energy to review and update a report on the energy and environmental benefits of the re-refining of used lubricating oil\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Susan Brooks / Energy and Commerce Committee)\n4)\u00a0H.R. 4171\u00a0\u2013 To amend title 5, United States Code, to extend the authority to conduct telework travel expenses test programs, and for other purposes, as amended\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Greg Gianforte / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)\n5)\u00a0H.R. 2815\u00a0\u2013 To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 30 East Somerset Street in Raritan, New Jersey, as the \u201cSergeant John Basilone Post Office\u201d\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Leonard Lance / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)\n6)\u00a0H.R. 1208\u00a0\u2013 To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 9155 Schaefer Road, Converse, Texas, as the \u201cConverse Veterans Post Office Building\u201d\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Henry Cuellar / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)\n7)\u00a0H.R. 3638\u00a0\u2013 To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1100 Kings Road in Jacksonville, Florida, as the \u201cRutledge Pearson Post Office Building\u201d\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Al Lawson / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)\n8)\u00a0H.R. 3655\u00a0\u2013 To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1300 Main Street in Belmar, New Jersey, as the \u201cDr. Walter S. McAfee Post Office Building\u201d\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)\n9)\u00a0H.R. 4042\u00a0\u2013 To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1415 West Oak Street, in Kissimmee, Florida, as the \u201cBorinqueneers Post Office Building\u201d\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Darren Soto / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)\n10)\u00a0H.R. 4285\u00a0\u2013 To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 123 Bridgeton Pike in Mullica Hill, New Jersey, as the \u201cJames C. Billy Johnson Post Office Building\u201d\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Frank LoBiondo / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)\n11)\u00a0H.Res. 407\u00a0\u2013 Condemning the persecution of Christians around the world, as amended\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Glenn Grothman / Foreign Affairs Committee)\n12)\u00a0H.Res. 336\u00a0\u2013 Reaffirming a strong commitment to the United States-Mexico partnership\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Eliot Engel / Foreign Affairs Committee)\n13)\u00a0H.Res. 357\u00a0\u2013 Reaffirming the strategic partnership between the United States and Canada, recognizing bilateral cooperation that advances United States national interests, and urging increased bilateral cooperation on security, economic issues, and energy, and for other purposes, as amended\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Duncan / Foreign Affairs Committee)\nH.R. 3971\u00a0\u2013 Community Institution Mortgage Relief Act of 2017, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule)\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Claudia Tenney / Financial Services Committee)\nWEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13TH\u00a0  \n\tOn Wednesday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for morning hour and 11:00 a.m. for legislative business.\nH.R. 1638\u00a0\u2013 Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule)\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Bruce Poliquin / Financial Services Committee)\nH.R. 4324\u00a0\u2013 Strengthening Oversight of Iran\u2019s Access to Finance Act, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule)\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Roger Williams / Financial Services Committee)\nTHURSDAY, DECEMBER 14TH\u00a0  \n\tOn Thursday, the House will meet at 8:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 2:00 p.m.\nH.R. 2396\u00a0\u2013 Privacy Notification Technical Clarification Act (Subject to a Rule)\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Dave Trott / Financial Services Committee)\nFRIDAY, DECEMBER 15TH\nOn Friday, no votes are expected in the House.\nCommittee activity for the week of December 11 can be found\u00a0HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-seeks-repeal-of-obamacare-individual-mandate-in-tax-reform-bill", "King Seeks Repeal of ObamaCare Individual Mandate in Tax Reform Bill", "2017-12-11", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Steve King announces that he has signed a letter to House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady and to Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch requesting that the Conference Committee on HR 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, preserve Senate passed language that repeals ObamaCare\u2019s Individual Mandate. This controversial mandate imposes punitive fines on individuals who choose not to purchase health insurance.\nThe text of the letter, and complete list of cosigners, follows:\nDear Chairman Brady and Chairman Hatch:\nAs you begin conference proceedings related to H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, we respectfully request that the final package include a repeal of the Obamacare individual mandate.\u00a0 Including language to repeal this harmful policy will return personal decisions about health care choices to patients, fulfilling a key promise we have made to the American people.\nUntil enactment of Obamacare, the federal government had never required individuals, as a condition of lawful residence in the United States, to purchase a product from a private company.\u00a0 Yet the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that the individual mandate will force approximately 13 million people, who would not voluntarily choose to purchase Obamacare-compliant plans without the threat of federal penalties, to do so.\u00a0 This raises an important question: If Obamacare provides Americans with great health insurance, why would they have to be forced to purchase it?\nObamacare\u2019s coercive individual mandate represents perhaps the worst example of the federal government violating individual freedom and liberty \u2013 which is why we have repeatedly promised to repeal it.\u00a0 Repeal of the individual mandate was included in the Senate-passed bill and had earned robust support in the House.\u00a0 We urge you to help fulfill our promise to the American people and include this language in a final conference package.\nSincerely,\n1. Mark Walker\n2. Sam Johnson\n3. Jeb Hensarling\n4. Rob Woodall\n5. Bill Flores\n6. Rick Allen\n7. Brian Babin\n8. Jim Banks\n9. Andy Barr\n10. Joe Barton\n11. Andy Biggs\n12. Marsha Blackburn\n13. Ted Budd\n14. Bradley Byrne\n15. Earl L. Buddy Carter\n16. Steve Chabot\n17. Liz Cheney\n18. Tom Cole\n19. Kevin Cramer\n20. Warren Davidson\n21. Ron DeSantis\n22. Scott DesJarlais\n23. Jeff Duncan\n24. Trent Franks\n25. Matt Gaetz\n26. Mike Gallagher\n27. Bob Gibbs\n28. Bob Goodlatte\n29. Paul Gosar\n30. Tom Graves\n31. Garrett Graves\n32. Andy Harris\n33. Vicky Hartzler\n34. Jody Hice\n35. French Hill\n36. Richard Hudson\n37. Trent Kelly\n38. Steve King\n39. Raul Labrador\n40. Darin LaHood\n41. Doug LaMalfa\n42. Doug Lamborn\n43. Barry Loudermilk\n44. Tom McClintock\n45. Martha McSally\n46. Luke Messer\n47. Alex Mooney\n48. Dan Newhouse\n49. Ralph Norman\n50. Gary Palmer\n51. Scott Perry\n52. Robert Pittenger\n53. Ted Poe\n54. John Ratcliffe\n55. Phil Roe\n56. Todd Rokita\n57. Francis Rooney\n58. Dennis Ross\n59. Keith Rothfus\n60. David Rouzer\n61. Austin Scott\n62. Jason Smith\n63. Lamar Smith\n64. Tim Walberg\n65. Randy Weber\n66. Brad Wenstrup\n67. Bruce Westerman\n68. Roger Williams\n69. Joe Wilson\n70. Ted Yoho\nBackground:\nObamaCare\u2019s Individual Mandate penalty payments, a tax as designated by United States Supreme Court Justice John Roberts, falls disproportionately on low-Income earners. In Iowa, 82% of those paying the ObamaCare Individual Mandate tax make less than $50,000/yr. It has been projected that repealing the Individual Mandate would save more than $300 billion over ten years.\nOn November 16, Congressman King expressed his belief that the tax reform package that passed the House of Representatives would be improved with the inclusion of the Senate\u2019s provision repealing the ObamaCare Individual mandate. King\u2019s earlier comments may be viewed here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-cedar-rapids-gazette-senators%E2%80%99-va-demands-are-proof-watchdog-approach-works", "ICYMI: Cedar Rapids Gazette: \"Senators\u2019 VA Demands are Proof Watchdog Approach Works\"", "2017-12-11", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ICYMI: The Cedar Rapids Gazette\u2019s editorial board praised Senator Grassley\u2019s and Senator Ernst\u2019s oversight work of Veterans Affairs\u2019 hospitals. You can read the piece here.\u00a0 Cedar Rapids Gazette: Senators\u2019 VA Demands are Proof Watchdog Approach Works Editorial December 9, 2017 \u00a0 With so many high-profile politicians expressing misgivings about media, it\u2019s good to see U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst haven\u2019t hesitated to pounce on news reports of continued trouble within the Department of Veterans Affairs. ... \u00a0 Within hours of a USA Today investigation of questionable hiring practices at the VA, which highlighted a doctor with a history of malpractice claims and license revocation in another state briefly employed by the VA hospital in Iowa City, Grassley and Ernst demanded more information. ... \u00a0 Grassley and Ernst have repeatedly researched and investigated media claims regarding the VA and other government agencies. Iowans and the nation have come to rely on such a joint, watchdog approach to wasteful government spending and disrespect of military men and women. ... \u00a0 \u201cVeterans who receive care through the VA deserve the highest standard of care available,\u201d write the senators. We agree. \u2026 \u00a0 It\u2019s important the relationship between elected officials and members of the media remains active and valued. \u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/setting-record-straight-taxes-capitol-solutions", "Setting the record straight on taxes: Capitol Solutions", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "When I visit folks throughout the Third District,\u00a0they\u00a0share with me their successes, and unfortunately, their struggles. I take their stories with me to Congress where I work as hard as I can to help Iowans.\u00a0\nOne way to\u00a0help\u00a0is by providing tax relief to folks who are struggling to get by, living paycheck to paycheck.\u00a0And I've met too many folks in the district working more than one job trying to make ends meet. \u00a0\nSo when I\u00a0hear\u00a0talking heads and some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle misleading Americans about\u00a0the tax relief legislation we're working hard on, I'm disappointed.\u00a0Some, unfortunately, are using fearful rhetoric and characterizing the legislation as\u00a0\u201c\u2026the\u00a0end of the world. \u2026This is Armageddon.\u201d\nFor\u00a0the single mom working two jobs to support her family, the tax bill\u00a0expands the child tax credit and lowers her tax rate. This is a new beginning and not the end of the world.\nAnd for\u00a0small business owners struggling to keep their business open and make payroll, the tax legislation means they\u00a0won\u2019t feel the walls crumbling down but instead have some needed breathing room with their tax rate being lowered.\u00a0\nThere are too many folks facing dire situations who need help.\nFor them, this tax plan\u00a0will help by creating more jobs, higher wages, and put more money in their pockets.\u00a0Throughout the entire process of developing the tax plan, my focus has always been on middle income families and those trying to climb the economic ladder.\nWhen anyone incites fear or misleads Americans, it\u2019s a disservice to the process and to people.\u00a0I recognize some believe the government is best suited to spend taxpayer dollars. That's an honest belief and should be argued and defended with facts and logic. I disagree and believe Iowans and all Americans know how to spend their hard-earned money\u00a0better than the government. These are fundamental honest differences.\u00a0\nAn important part of the process and debate means putting forward solutions. \u00a0Unfortunately, we haven\u2019t seen that from the other side in this most recent tax debate.\u00a0\nWhat's interesting is many of the main provisions included in the tax bill are ideas receiving bipartisan support in the past.\u00a0Former President Obama supported lowering the corporate tax rate.\u00a0Democratic\u00a0Sen.\u00a0Chuck Schumer supported a tax holiday to bring home foreign profits. The top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee,\u00a0Sen. Ron Wyden,\u00a0supported increasing\u00a0the standard deduction and\u00a0proposed\u00a0bills to\u00a0cut the corporate tax rate\u00a0and repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax.\u00a0Democratic\u00a0Senators Bill Nelson and Debbie Stabenow both introduced legislation expanding the child tax credit. \u00a0These are just a few things included and prioritized in the Republican tax bills in the House of Representatives and Senate which many of my Democratic colleagues have supported. But unfortunately don't support now.\u00a0\nThe\u00a0current\u00a0tax plans in Congress\u00a0went through a regular and open process. Public hearings were held, open debate and amendments were voted on,\u00a0and everyone\u00a0has\u00a0had the opportunity to\u00a0evaluate policies and proposals which have been discussed for years. The process created tax relief measures. It\u00a0doubled the standard deduction so Americans can keep more of what they earn tax free, expanded\u00a0the child tax credit, and\u00a0lowered the tax rate on job creators.\u00a0And the process is still moving forward to analyze and make improvements to the tax relief bill.\nThroughout the process, the one thing it seems everyone agrees on is our tax code is broken.\u00a0But Congress cannot continue business as usual by pontificating over and over on proposals and policies without action and instead with rhetoric, exaggerations and hyperbole. Iowans deserve better. You and your family deserve better.\nEnacting major changes to our decades old tax structure can be uncomfortable and upsetting to some who like the status quo. But I\u2019m not working in Congress to protect the status quo or serve the establishment. I'm working for the people of the Third District and\u00a0I came to Congress to deliver real solutions on the big issues we\u2019re confronting as a people, state and nation.\u00a0\nCAPITOL SOLUTIONS\u00a0is a weekly report to the people of Iowa from Third District Congressman David Young.\u00a0The report\u00a0is a resource of information for Iowans on the issues being debated and discussed in Congress, Iowa and the nation.\nDavid Young\u00a0is the Congressman serving all the people of the sixteen counties of Iowa\u2019s Third Congressional District. He is a member of the Committee on Appropriations and Subcommittees on Agriculture, Financial Services and General Government, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. Congressman Young is also the founder and Chairman of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force to Combat Identity Theft and Fraud -\u00a0a\u00a0group of dedicated legislators working towards commonsense solutions to protect all Americans from hackers, scammers, thieves and fraudsters.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/audio/grassley-live-fred-hofmann-kcps-burlington", "Grassley Live with Fred Hofmann on KCPS in Burlington", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "721 Federal Building  210 Walnut Street  Des Moines, IA 50309\n      Phone: 515-288-1145  Fax: 515-288-5097\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      111 7th Avenue SE, Box 13  Suite 6800  Cedar Rapids, IA 52401\n      Phone: 319-363-6832  Fax: 319-363-7179\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      201 West 2nd Street  Suite 720  Davenport, IA 52801\n      Phone: 563-322-4331  Fax: 563-322-8552\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      210 Waterloo Building  531 Commercial Street  Waterloo, IA 50701\n      Phone: 319-232-6657  Fax: 319-232-9965\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      307 Federal Building  8 South 6th Street  Council Bluffs, IA 51501\n      Phone: 712-322-7103  Fax: 712-322-7196\n    \n    \n      \n      \n      120 Federal Building  320 6th Street  Sioux City, IA 51101\n      Phone: 712-233-1860  Fax: 712-233-1634", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-taxes-0", "Q&A: Taxes", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Q: What\u2019s driving tax cuts to the finish line?\u00a0 \u00a0 A:\u00a0Congress is reforming the federal tax code to deliver fairness, simplification and relief. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to overhaul a complex tax regime that is over-sized, over-reaching and overwhelming to millions of taxpayers. Since the last major re-write in 1986, tax compliance presents a growing burden on individuals, farmers and small business owners year after year. Considering that it takes the IRS more than 70,000 pages to explain the tax code, it\u2019s not surprising that millions of Americans pay tax professionals to file their federal taxes. Letting working families keep more of their hard-earned money allows households to save, spend and invest more of their own income. Congress can do more to grow the economy. How does cutting taxes help foster economic growth? Lowering taxes on wages, investment and business income triggers productivity. It frees up capital to fire up the economy. For example, reducing the corporate tax rate will make U.S. businesses more competitive, unleashing resources to hire more workers, raise wages and increase spending for research and innovation. On top of that, corporate tax reform will encourage businesses to bring foreign-made profits back home and invest here in the United States. These key reforms will drive up wages and pump up prosperity on Main Street when corporate profits return to local economies and workers\u2019 paychecks. \u00a0 Q: Why are critics of the\u00a0Tax Cuts and Jobs Act\u00a0opposed to tax relief? \u00a0 A:\u00a0That\u2019s what millions of American taxpayers, including hard-working families in Iowa, would like to know, especially every year on April 15. Big spenders want every penny of revenue they can get to grow the government\u2019s reach and influence in American society. Taxes will never be high enough to satisfy their appetite. Those of us who believe in limited government, economic freedom and fiscal responsibility know that Washington has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Critics who scorn tax relief and scoff at its effectiveness to spur economic growth are harming the ladder of economic mobility. Referring to tax relief as \u201cArmageddon\u201d reveals disdain for hard-working Americans who take home less pay because the government takes a bigger bite out of paychecks. Let\u2019s be clear about the criticism denouncing tax relief. The U.S. tax code is progressive. That means higher-income earners pay higher rates. In fact, the top 10 percent of earners pays about 70 percent of the federal income tax. Our tax relief plan will free up more savings for middle class families by doubling the standard deduction and increasing the child tax credit. The non-partisan Tax Foundation found that the Senate bill would create an additional $1.26 trillion in federal revenues and increase GDP by 3.7 percent. Don\u2019t forget, a robust economy creates more revenue to finance public services and public infrastructure for the American people.\u00a0 And, growing the economic pie gives more Americans opportunity to enjoy a bigger slice of prosperity. The House and Senate are working to reconcile their versions of tax relief legislation. We are working to deliver tax relief for the American people by the new year.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-confronts-fbi-director-over-curiosities-of-clinton-e-mail", "King Confronts FBI Director Over Curiosities of Clinton E-mail Investigation", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King: \u201cIt looks to me that the \u2018Get Out of Jail Free\u2019 card that Hillary Clinton received is rooted clear back in Barack Obama and his introduction of the word intent or lack of intent as a requirement for 18 USC 793 (f).\u201d\nCongressman Steve King released the following video of his questioning of Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray during a Judiciary Committee oversight hearing held this morning. King used his time to question Director Wray over \u201ccuriosities\u201d related to the manner in which the FBI, under the Obama-era leadership of admitted political leaker James Comey, handled the criminal case involving the mishandling of classified information by former Secretary of State and Democratic nominee for President, Hillary Clinton.\nAmong the \u201ccuriosities\u201d cited by King are: the apparent failures of the FBI to take or preserve notes and/or transcripts, or to record audio or video during their questioning of Mrs. Clinton; the use of an \u201cintent\u201d standard that does not exist in the statute to justify Comey\u2019s decision to let Mrs. Clinton escape prosecution; and Comey\u2019s strange determination that \u201cextreme carelessness\u201d, a standard for which he admits he has evidence of Mrs. Clinton\u2019s guilt, is somehow different than the synonymous \u201cgross negligence\u201d standard that appears in the statute.\nInterestingly, in his responses to King, Director Wray admitted that it does not appear standard protocol was followed in the Clinton investigation, and that the statutory \u201cgross negligence\u201d standard is, as King contends, synonymous with a standard of \u201cextreme carelessness.\u201d As such, Mrs. Clinton met the standard for prosecution.\nFull Video is available at this link.\nBackground:\n18 USC 793 is the federal statute that governs the mishandling of classified information, and it is the applicable statute governing Hillary Clinton\u2019s mishandling of classified emails on her private server. Before granting Clinton a \u201cget of jail free card,\u201d former FBI Director James Comey stated:\n\u201cAlthough there is evidence of potential violations of the statutes regarding the handling of classified information, our judgment is that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case. Prosecutors necessarily weigh a number of factors before bringing charges. There are obvious considerations, like the strength of the evidence, especially regarding intent.\u201d\nAs written, 18 USC 793 does not contain a specific \u201cintent\u201d requirement. The applicable standard provided for in statute is that the accused acted with \u201cgross negligence,\u201d a standard Hillary Clinton certainly met based on the existing public evidence, and a standard that appears to be synonymous with the \u201cextreme carelessness\u201d standard Comey has admitted he found prior to absolving Mrs. Clinton.\nClaims of an \u201cintent requirement\u201d allowing the previous administration to avoid prosecuting Hillary Clinton criminally appear to be a political invention of former President Obama. After President Obama defended Clinton publically in October of 2015 and April of 2016 by specifically citing Clinton\u2019s supposed \u201cintent,\u201d it appears the Obama-era FBI applied the non-existent standard promoted by the President to their consideration of the Clinton case.\n18 USC 793 (f) reads as follows:\n\u201c18 USC 793 (f) Whoever, being entrusted with or having lawful possession or control of any document, writing, code book, signal book, sketch, photograph, photographic negative, blueprint, plan, map, model, instrument, appliance, note, or information, relating to the national defense, (1) through gross negligence permits the same to be removed from its proper place of custody or delivered to anyone in violation of his trust, or to be lost, stolen, abstracted, or destroyed, or (2) having knowledge that the same has been illegally removed from its proper place of custody or delivered to anyone in violation of its trust, or lost, or stolen, abstracted, or destroyed, and fails to make prompt report of such loss, theft, abstraction, or destruction to his superior officer\u2014Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/grassley-op-ed-tax-reform-american-farmers-and-agriculture", "Grassley Op-ed: Tax Reform for American Farmers and Agriculture", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa December 7, 2017 \u00a0 It\u2019s been more than three decades since Congress passed significant tax reform legislation. Since then, the tax code has become overwhelming in both its size and complexity, burdening working families and small businesses across the country. At this point, it\u2019s clear an outdated and over-complicated code is keeping the nation, including American agriculture, from realizing its full economic potential. Reform is long overdue. \u00a0\u00a0 Passing tax reform would be a big win for Americans of every income level and walk of life. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act lowers rates, doubles the child tax credit and simplifies the filing process. It would help raise workers\u2019 wages and bring back and create new jobs by making the United States more competitive with other countries. Tax reform will help rural America, much of which has been struggling economically for far too long. \u00a0 As one of only three Republican senators on both the Finance and Agriculture Committees, I\u2019ve made it a priority to represent agriculture and the family farmer throughout the tax reform debate. This legislation is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make real and long-lasting reforms for farmers, ranchers and every American working in our agriculture industries. \u00a0 Broadly speaking, across-the-board rate reductions will let Americans keep more of their own money. This would afford farmers the opportunity to reinvest in their operations instead of sending that financial capital to politicians in Washington. \u00a0 Tax reform legislation expands Section 179 of the tax code, which helps farmers finance overhead costs. It enables farmers to deduct more expenses in the year they are incurred, and also expands the availability of cash accounting to more farmers in Iowa and throughout the country. These provisions will allow farmers to invest in the equipment necessary to do the job of feeding the nation and the world. \u00a0\u00a0 The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act lowers taxes on capital investments and includes a business income deduction, which will help level the playing field between farms that file as corporations and those that file as individuals. More than 94 percent of farms are taxed under IRS provisions affecting individual taxpayers. The bulk of agricultural producers who operate outside the corporate tax code deserve basic fairness. This legislation makes sure that those taxed under the individual and corporate tax codes are treated similarly. \u00a0 One of the most frequently discussed issues in the tax reform discussion is the estate tax, which can force family farms to break up their operations to pay the IRS following the death of a family member. I support a full repeal of this unfair tax, and the Senate\u2019s legislation makes significant progress by doubling the estate tax exemption. This substantial change would let more family farmers pass their hard-earned life\u2019s work on to their children, paving the way for the next generation of family farmers. \u00a0 I\u2019ve long advocated for these commonsense measures because they will help Iowa and the Midwest and will make life easier for middle class Americans. Farmers\u2019 hard work provides the healthy and affordable food that we so often take for granted. We should do everything in our power to support them and create an environment where these small businesses and hardworking families can thrive and prosper. That\u2019s what tax reform will do for farmers, for Iowans and for all Americans. \u00a0 Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is a lifelong family farmer, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy.-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/american-people-deserve-whole-story-grassley-importance-congressional-oversight", "\"The American People Deserve the Whole Story\": Grassley on Importance of Congressional Oversight", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Senate Floor Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Bipartisan Congressional Oversight December 6, 2017 \u00a0 Mr. President, I have been doing oversight of the executive branch for a very long time. \u00a0 I\u2019ve done it as a Ranking Member. I\u2019ve done it as a Chairman. I\u2019ve done it when my party held the White House. And, I\u2019ve done it when the other party held the White House. \u00a0 Earlier this year, I stood up for the rights of my Democrat colleagues to do oversight of the Trump administration, even while they are in the Minority. I did it because it was the right thing to do. \u00a0 Lots of people give lip service to the notion of bipartisan oversight, but very few actually practice it. It\u2019s tough. You have to be willing to work with colleagues in the other party to ask tough questions of your own political allies. And you can\u2019t just ask. If you actually want the answers, you have follow through. \u00a0 True bipartisan oversight is impossible unless it is a two way street. If Democrats are unwilling to ask hard questions and force answers from their own political allies, then there simply is no way to move forward together in good faith. Both sides need to be committed to getting the whole story\u2014not just the half that they think helps their side. Regardless of whether my Democrat colleagues join me or not, I am interested in the whole story. \u00a0 There are two major controversies plaguing the credibility of the Justice Department and the FBI right now: the Trump/Russia investigation and the handling of the Clinton investigation. Any Congressional oversight related to either one of these topics is not credible without also examining the other. \u00a0 Both cases were active during last year\u2019s campaign. Both cases have been linked to the firing of the FBI Director. \u00a0 I have been trying to explain this to my Democrat colleagues for months. The political reality is that half the country thinks that our law enforcement establishment gave Hillary Clinton and her aides a pass. \u00a0 These questions go to the heart of the integrity of our federal law enforcement and justice system. They are not going away just because Clinton lost the election. The independent Inspector General at the Justice Department certainly isn\u2019t ignoring them. \u00a0 Democrats and Republicans in Congress have asked him to look into a host of issues involving the handling of the Clinton investigation during the campaign. His hard work has already uncovered some pretty disturbing information. \u00a0 Over the past week, the press has reported that an FBI agent was removed from the Special Counsel\u2019s team and demoted at the FBI due to political bias. The agent was at the very center of both of these high profile investigations. \u00a0 High-ranking FBI Agent Peter Strzok reportedly used his work phone to send anti-Trump and pro-Clinton text messages to another FBI agent with whom he was having an illicit relationship. This man was the deputy assistant director for the FBI\u2019s counterintelligence division. He worked on the investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton\u2019s use of a private server to conduct official business. \u00a0 According to news reports and documents, it looks like he also helped draft Comey\u2019s controversial public statement ending that case. Specifically, he apparently edited out language that suggested legal jeopardy for Clinton.\u00a0 \u00a0 Press reports also state that he opened the FBI\u2019s investigation of allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. And it\u2019s been reported that he was one of the two FBI agents who interviewed former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.\u00a0 \u00a0 Can you imagine if the shoe were on the other foot? \u00a0 What if a high ranking FBI official got caught expressing pro-Trump political bias on his work phone while leading what is supposed to be a professional, objective, and non-partisan search for the truth? Democrats would go ballistic, and they would have every right to. \u00a0 This man held a crucial position of public trust, charged with protecting this country from counterintelligence threats. He was a key part of Director Comey\u2019s Clinton investigation and his Russia investigation.\u00a0 \u00a0 I have been saying for months that these two cases are forever linked. You cannot separate them. The same people in the same agency handled both cases at the same time. And now, a huge segment of the American people have no faith that these cases were treated impartially. \u00a0 I don\u2019t blame them. \u00a0 It is interesting that before he was fired, FBI Director Comey lectured the Judiciary Committee and the public about how the men and women of the FBI \u201cdon\u2019t give a rip about politics.\u201d I believe that for most of the hard working, rank-and-file FBI agents that is absolutely true. Their jobs normally don\u2019t involve controversial political questions, and their own political views aren\u2019t relevant. They are professionals. \u00a0 But no human is perfect, and no organization is immune from error. It does no good for the leaders of the FBI to pretend that its senior management is above all reproach\u2014that they would never show any improper political bias and would never make mistakes. \u00a0 The only way to protect against bias or misconduct is to recognize it exists and confront it\u2014not to hide it from Congress and the American people. The law and the facts\u2014whatever they are\u2014should guide the work of the FBI and the Justice Department. If politics infected the Department\u2019s decisions during a hotly contested national political campaign, we have to look at it. \u00a0 That is true whether it occurred in the Clinton case or the Trump/Russia case\u2014or both. Anyone claiming to do bipartisan oversight of the Executive Branch has to examine both. Ignoring either half of this story simply won\u2019t be credible with half the country. \u00a0 Everyone thought Hillary Clinton was going to be President. And the perception of a huge segment of the public is that the whole Washington establishment worked overtime to get her name cleared before the Democrat convention last summer. The FBI even called its case \u201cMid Year Exam.\u201d Director Comey testified that the former Attorney General refused to even name the FBI\u2019s work an \u201cinvestigation.\u201d She insisted on calling it a \u201cmatter\u201d\u2014whatever that means. \u00a0 We\u2019ve learned that Director Comey started drafting his exoneration statement long before the investigation was done. It looks like there was a rush to clear her. It looks like the fix was in. \u00a0 I know Democrats don\u2019t want to hear that. They only want to talk about Trump. \u00a0 There is a double standard here in the way they desperately want to go after the President but ignore all other potential wrongdoing in the previous administration. \u00a0 But Democrats have visions of impeachment dancing in their heads. Rather than reserve judgment and carefully examine the facts\u2014all the facts\u2014they are jumping to all sorts of conclusions. \u00a0 The Judiciary Committee has an obligation to do a deep dive into the firing of James Comey and both of the two controversial political investigations that preceded it. Unfortunately, Democrats are preventing any truly bipartisan path forward. They appear to be assuming the conclusion at the outset. \u00a0 They complain publicly and privately that I\u2019m not doing enough to investigate \u201cobstruction of justice.\u201d But \u201cobstruction of justice\u201d is a legal term of art. It is a conclusion \u2013 not evidence.\u00a0 \u00a0 That is not how I conduct my investigations. I do not make my conclusions first and try to shoe-horn the facts to fit my conclusion. I try to get the facts, and then go where they lead. \u00a0 Let\u2019s consider examples of where investigations have uncovered facts that point to \u201cobstruction.\u201d \u00a0 Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon both lied to investigators. That is \u201cobstruction.\u201d\u00a0 And that behavior got one of them impeached and forced the other to resign. \u00a0 We also recently learned that Hillary Clinton\u2019s lawyers used a program called BleachBit to delete 33,000 emails under subpoena by the House of Representatives. Now those government records can never be recovered. Those facts certainly look a lot like obstruction. But we don\u2019t have all the facts here yet. \u00a0 So far, I have seen no credible evidence that President Trump has told anyone to lie. I also have seen no credible evidence that he or his aides have destroyed records being sought by investigators. \u00a0 Many people firmly believe that the President fired the FBI Director in order to improperly halt an investigation of Lt. Gen. Flynn. Now, I am not only willing, but I am eager to delve deeply into all the circumstances surrounding Director Comey\u2019s removal. But to claim at the outset that his removal was \u201cobstruction of justice\u201d puts the cart before the horse. \u00a0 I\u2019d like to place an article in the record at this point by a well-known liberal law professor, Alan Dershowitz. He\u2019s certainly not fan of Donald Trump. And he and I probably wouldn\u2019t agree on very much generally speaking. \u00a0 The title of his article is: \u201cSenator Dianne Feinstein may be provoking a constitutional conflict.\u201d \u00a0 Professor Dershowitz strongly disagrees with the Ranking Member\u2019s statement on Meet the Press this weekend that Comey was fired: \u00a0 ...directly because he did not agree to lift the cloud of the Russia investigation, that\u2019s obstruction of justice. \u00a0 The Professor replied directly: No, it isn\u2019t. \u00a0 \u2026under our constitutional system of separation of powers, the president cannot be charged with a crime for merely exercising his authority under Article 2 of the Constitution. This authority includes firing the director of the FBI, for whatever reason or no reason. \u00a0 That\u2019s not to say that the President can engage in illegal conduct. But the professor\u2019s point, as I understand it, is that when a president takes an action that is within the scope of his clear constitutional authority and discretion, it should be a political question not a criminal one. \u00a0 The Judiciary Committee still needs to investigate the circumstances surrounding Comey\u2019s firing and the Flynn investigation. Those facts may have nothing to do with obstruction but could still provide important insight about potential reforms to how the FBI and Justice Department operate. \u00a0 For example, he explains how President Trump could have halted any investigation of Flynn if he really wanted to: \u00a0 Trump would have been within his constitutional authority to pardon Flynn, as Flynn hoped he would do. That would have kept him from cooperating with the special counsel and becoming a government witness. Had the president done that, he would have acted entirely lawfully, as President George H. W. Bush did when he pardoned Caspar Weinberger in order to stop the Iran-Contra investigation. Although special prosecutor Lawrence Walsh complained bitterly that the Bush presidential pardon had the intent and effect of completely closing down his investigation, no one suggested that Bush had committed the crime of obstruction of justice. \u00a0 Then finally, Professor Dershowitz explains what real obstruction looks like, and how it is different than a president merely exercising his Constitutional authority: \u00a0 Both Presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton were accused of obstruction of justice, but in both cases they were accused of going well beyond the mere exercise of their constitutional authority. Nixon was accused of telling subordinates to lie to the FBI, paying hush money to potential witnesses, and destroying evidence. Clinton was accused of trying to get witnesses, such a Monica Lewinsky, to lie. These charges constitute acts \u2014 independent crimes \u2014 that go well beyond a presidential authority. Trump has not been accused of any acts that would independently constitute crimes. The entire case against him, as outlined by Feinstein, consists of constitutionally authorized acts that were well within the president\u2019s authority under Article 2. That is an enormous and consequential difference under our system of separation of powers. \u00a0 But, our constitutional system of checks and balances is too important to throw it aside when it isn\u2019t politically convenient. You don\u2019t have to be a Trump fan to worry about the consequences of taking short cuts in going after your political opponents. \u00a0 That\u2019s why bipartisan investigations can be so valuable. When it works, a bipartisan inquiry can provide comfort that all angles have been explored thoroughly. But, it takes two to tango, as they say. \u00a0 Earlier this year, Ranking Member Feinstein expressed concerns about reports that former Attorney General Lynch asked Director Comey to downplay the FBI\u2019s Clinton investigation as merely, a \u201cmatter\u201d during the campaign. Yet, since then, the Ranking Member has told me plainly she won\u2019t join in any oversight of the FBI\u2019s Clinton email investigation.\u00a0 \u00a0 Even on Trump/Russia oversight, where we have been able to cooperate a great deal, there have been similar problems. \u00a0 First, all year, I have wanted to learn more about the origins of the dossier that largely kickstarted FBI\u2019s investigation of the Trump campaign. In July, the Ranking Member joined me in a bipartisan letter seeking voluntary cooperation from the firm that produced the dossier. \u00a0 The dossier was based largely on Russian sources within Russia, and was put together by a former British spy. It made salacious and unverified claims about Trump. The company responsible for producing it, Fusion GPS, was uncooperative. \u00a0 In response to our bipartisan request, it dumped on the Committee about 32,000 pages of press clippings and 8,000 pages that were entirely blank. Since then, it has provided zero additional documents. \u00a0 The founder of Fusion GPS initially indicated he would rely on his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination rather than testify at the Committee\u2019s hearing in July. He later agreed to a private staff interview, but refused to answer dozens of key questions. \u00a0 I would like to compel him to answer questions and compel him to provide the documents that Senator Feinstein and I both asked him in July to provide voluntarily. But, under our Committee\u2019s rules, I don\u2019t have the authority to do that on my own. \u00a0 Now, why would Democrats not want to follow-up and get the documents from Fusion GPS that we already asked for together? Do they not want to know more about how this company put together its anti-Trump dossier from Russian government sources? \u00a0 Well, in light of recent news, the resistance from Democrats to this line of Trump/Russia inquiry is now a little more understandable. It turns out, the Clinton campaign and the DNC are the ones who paid Fusion GPS for the information it gathered from Russian government sources. \u00a0 I don\u2019t know whether the Ranking Member or her staff knew that fact earlier this year when I was trying to persuade her to do bipartisan follow-up with Fusion GPS. But, I do know that unless both sides are willing to ask tough questions, no matter where the facts lead, there can be no bipartisan oversight. \u00a0 So, we have learned that the DNC paid for an anti-Trump dossier based on information from Russian government sources. \u00a0 Second, we have learned that the Inspector General uncovered evidence of partisan bias by a senior FBI official at the center of both the Clinton and Trump/Russia investigations, which led to his dismissal from Mueller\u2019s team. \u00a0 Before that news broke, back in October I wrote to that FBI official requesting voluntary cooperation and a private transcribed interview with the Committee. The Ranking Member did not sign that letter. \u00a0 The Committee has received no letter in reply. We are still waiting for documents from the FBI about his and other officials\u2019 participation in the draft Comey statement. \u00a0 The FBI should comply voluntarily, but if they don\u2019t I would issue a subpoena to require that the documents be provided and that the witness sit for a deposition. However, under our Committee rules, I don\u2019t have the authority to do that on my own. \u00a0 Finally, I have long had concerns that the scope of the FBI\u2019s Clinton investigation was artificially narrowed. Recent revelations about these text messages showing political bias only heighten those concerns. \u00a0 In recent federal court filings, the FBI said that the scope of the investigation was limited in two ways. First, it was limited to two issues dealing only with the handling of classified information. Second, the scope of the FBI\u2019s review was limited to the time when former Secretary Clinton was at the State Department. \u00a0 But what if there was evidence of crimes not related to the mishandling of classified information? What if the facts showed some obstruction, such as intentional destruction of documents after she was Secretary of State? \u00a0 Why exclude those topics from the scope of the inquiry? Who made those decisions and why? Was there any political bias in those decisions? \u00a0 Certain areas shouldn\u2019t be declared off-limits beforehand in an investigation. An investigation should go where the facts take it. \u00a0 In multiple letters to the FBI last year, I raised concerns about the scope of the FBI\u2019s investigation. I asked Director Comey back in May of 2016 whether the Justice Department had improperly narrowed the scope of the investigation to only look at mishandling of classified information and ignore other important legal issues. \u00a0 I want to quote from that letter: \u00a0 If federal records on the private server were hidden or destroyed, then there may have been a violation of 18 U.S.C. \u00a7 2071, which prohibits concealing or destroying such federal records.  \u00a0 If any of the deleted emails were responsive to Congressional inquiries or to agency inquiries, such as ones from the State Department Inspector General, then there may have been violations of 18 U.S.C. \u00a7\u00a7 1505 and 1519, respectively. \u00a0 Later in my letter, I specifically asked whether the Justice Department limited the scope of the FBI\u2019s investigation in any way. \u00a0 Then-Director Comey eventually responded months later. He claimed the FBI did investigate whether the unlawful destruction of federal records occurred. But, an FBI agent said under penalty of perjury that the FBI investigation DID NOT include destruction of federal records.\u00a0 \u00a0 So, which is it?\u00a0 Who\u2019s telling the truth? The FBI agent that signed the affidavit or Mr. Comey? \u00a0 Did the FBI really examine whether Secretary Clinton and her associates used the server avoid federal records retention requirements?\u00a0 Or did Mr. Comey simply pay lip-service to that concern and focus only on classification issues? \u00a0 Understanding what really happened is incredibly important. And here\u2019s why. \u00a0 During the course of the FBI\u2019s investigation, it recovered thousands of work-related emails that were not turned over to the State Department by Secretary Clinton. The FBI also recovered work-related emails that Secretary Clinton and her associates apparently deleted. All of this is clear evidence of alienation of federal records. \u00a0 Indeed, even the FBI\u2019s now-public investigative files show that the FBI had knowledge that federal records were deleted. The FBI\u2019s interview summary of Secretary Clinton said that she was asked about \u201ca PRN work ticket, which referenced a conference call among PRN, Kendall, and Mills on March 31, 2015.\u201d \u00a0 PRN stands for Platte River Networks, the company that administered Secretary Clinton\u2019s non-government server. Kendall is David Kendall, her attorney. And Mills is Cheryl Mills, her former Chief of Staff at the State Department. \u00a0 Paul Combetta, the administrator of her server, was also on the conference call and was interviewed multiple times by the FBI. He admitted he lied to the FBI in his initial interviews, and got immunity from the FBI in exchange for agreeing to tell them the truth. According to the summary of that interview, Mr. Combetta deleted Secretary Clinton\u2019s email archives on March 31, 2015. \u00a0 So, you have a conference call with Secretary Clinton\u2019s attorneys on March 31, 2015 and on that very same day her emails are deleted by someone who was on that conference call using special BleachBit software. \u00a0 The emails were State Department Records under subpoena by Congress. \u00a0 What did the FBI do to investigate this apparent obstruction? According to affidavits filed in federal court \u2013 absolutely nothing. The FBI focused only on the handling of classified information. \u00a0 Maybe now we know why.\u00a0 \u00a0 Recently released FBI records show that by May 2, 2016, Mr. Comey sent around a draft of his statement exonerating Secretary Clinton. The FBI interview with Mr. Combetta hadn\u2019t happened yet. \u00a0 The exoneration statement was already in progress before the key witness had coughed up the truth about deleting federal records under subpoena by Congress. \u00a0 Did the FBI look at obstruction in the Clinton case? Mr. Comey says that the FBI looked \u201cvery hard\u201d at obstruction. But that is hard to believe. \u00a0 Director Comey began drafting the exoneration statement in April or early May of 2016. That\u2019s months before he publicly announced he would not recommend charges on July 5, 2016. \u00a0 According to the testimony of senior FBI officials, Comey began drafting his statement early because the FBI knew where the investigation was headed. \u00a0 But at that point, the FBI had not yet interviewed 17 witnesses. One of them was Secretary Clinton. Others included her closest aides and associates. \u00a0 How can you possibly know where an investigation is headed without interviewing the main witnesses and the subject of the investigation? \u00a0 Maybe none of this raises any concerns for Democrats, but it should. The American people deserve to have the whole story. Congress and the public have a right to understand whether the fix was in from the beginning.\u00a0 \u00a0 If so, then we must take steps to make sure it never happens again. \u00a0 I yield the floor.\u00a0 \u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-judiciary-committee-meeting-consider-appellate-court-nominees", "Grassley Statement at Judiciary Committee Meeting to Consider Appellate Court Nominees Steve Grasz, James Ho & Don Willett", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Business Meeting December 7, 2017 \u00a0 Good morning. \u00a0 Today, we have 10 judicial nominees on today\u2019s agenda and all are ready for a vote. \u00a0 Of note, if confirmed, Terry Moorer would be the first African-American to serve as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Alabama. And, if confirmed, James Ho would be the first Asian-American to serve as a United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit. \u00a0 The three circuit-court nominees \u2013 one from Nebraska and two from Texas \u2013 are all exceptionally well qualified to serve as appellate judges. \u00a0 The first is Steve Grasz for the Eighth Circuit. Like me, Mr. Grasz grew up on a Midwest farm. He is a very experienced and accomplished appellate lawyer in the Omaha office of the law firm Husch Blackwell. Prior to going into private practice, Mr. Grasz served as the Number 2 attorney in the Nebraska Attorney General\u2019s Office for nearly 12 years. \u00a0 Mr. Grasz has extensive experience before the Eighth Circuit, the court to which he is nominated.\u00a0 Mr. Grasz has also briefed nine cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. This includes a case Mr. Grasz argued on behalf of his client \u2013 the State of Nebraska \u2013 regarding Nebraska\u2019s ban on partial-birth abortions. And this appears to be the driving force in the ABA\u2019s head-scratching decision to argue that Mr. Grasz is \u201cnot qualified\u201d to serve as an appellate judge on the Eighth Circuit. \u00a0 Last week, Senator Feinstein asked that the Committee hold over Mr. Grasz\u2019s nomination for another week so that she could ask the ABA some follow-up questions regarding the rating they gave him. As I mentioned last week, I was willing to accommodate the request. But I emphasized that holding over nominees for more than a week will continue to be a rare exception.\u00a0 \u00a0 The Committee has now received a response from the ABA, so we\u2019re ready to proceed on Mr. Grasz\u2019s nomination. \u00a0 I believe Senator Sasse will speak to the ABA\u2019s rating of Mr. Grasz in more detail. But I\u2019ll say that we\u2019ve reviewed all the materials we\u2019ve received from the ABA, along with other sources, regarding his ABA rating. \u00a0 The Committee has also received letters of support from hundreds of people who know Mr. Grasz both personally and professionally.\u00a0 And in all these letters, we haven\u2019t heard from any accuser who has said that Mr. Grasz will insert personal bias into his judging, which is one of the ABA\u2019s unverified\u2014and unverifiable\u2014claims against him. All we have is the ABA\u2019s claim that an unspecified number of anonymous accusers believe that Mr. Grasz can\u2019t separate his personal preferences from applying the law in the cases before him.\u00a0 \u00a0 The ABA refuses to tell us the identity of these alleged accusers, so we can assess for ourselves whether these accusers are credible or have their own personal biases.\u00a0 The ABA certainly knows that no good judge would ever permit this type of hearsay evidence into a courtroom, because it is completely unfair and violates the most basic notions of due process. How can Mr. Grasz respond to vague and anonymous charges, when he has no idea who made these charges \u2013 or even what they specifically charge? \u00a0 Moreover, the testimony of the ABA\u2019s evaluators reveals many of Mr. Grasz\u2019s peers find him courteous and able to set aside his personal views in order to even-handedly apply the law. We certainly saw that in him when he came to testify at his nominations hearing. Indeed, Mr. Grasz was the model of a temperate potential judge at his hearing. \u00a0 The ABA\u2019s explanation as to why it credited the views of some anonymous accusers over hundreds of Mr. Grasz\u2019s peers was not, at all, satisfactory. I can\u2019t trust such a secretive process, especially when the ABA won\u2019t even shed any light on with whom it spoke. \u00a0 Given all this, the ABA\u2019s \u201cnot qualified\u201d rating of Mr. Grasz appears nothing more than a \u201chit job\u201d on an exceptionally well-qualified nominee, simply because the nominee is pro-life and conservative.\u00a0 The ABA\u2019s politicizing of the evaluation process for Mr. Grasz raises a number of questions and concerns. \u00a0 When the Ranking Member asked that I hold over Mr. Grasz\u2019s nomination for another week so that she could ask the ABA some follow-up questions, I mentioned that this indicated to me that she was still seriously considering how she would vote on his nomination. If she\u2019s already made up her mind and knew how she intended to vote on this nomination, the extra letters and questions seem like a meaningless endeavor and a waste of our time and resources. \u00a0 So, I\u2019m curious to see how my friends in the minority vote on Mr. Grasz\u2019s nomination today. If they vote against him for doing his job in in the Nebraska Attorney General\u2019s Office to defend Nebraska\u2019s statute related to partial-birth abortions, then all this back and forth with the ABA seems to have been pointless. \u00a0 If the minority ultimately votes against Mr. Grasz because of the rating the ABA gave him, then I\u2019d urge them to consider the ABA\u2019s rating of the two Fifth Circuit nominees from Texas. Both received a \u201cWell-Qualified\u201d rating. The ABA had no concerns regarding today\u2019s two Fifth Circuit nominees. They found that both would be able to act as circuit judges free from bias. Either these ratings matter to the Minority or they don\u2019t. \u00a0 The next nominee on today\u2019s agenda is James Ho for the Fifth Circuit. This week, I received a letter from Democrats on Committee asking me to postpone the vote on his nomination because the Department of Justice hasn\u2019t provided a legal memo Mr. Ho wrote in 2002 during his service as a line attorney in the critically important Office of Legal Counsel. \u00a0 The OLC essentially serves as the general counsel to the Executive Branch. The legal advice that OLC lawyers provide relate to the most pressing issues facing our nation, including our national security, and the legal advice they provide constitutes some of the \u201ccrown jewels\u201d of Executive Privilege and attorney-client privilege. Yesterday, I sent the Democrats on Committee a letter explaining my view on this, but I\u2019ll mention it here as well. \u00a0 First, Mr. Ho is not at liberty to decide whether or not to disclose the OLC memo. He wrote it for the Department of Justice and it\u2019s the Department\u2019s to share or to keep confidential. And the Department has declined to furnish the memo due to \u201csubstantial confidentiality interests.\u201d\u00a0 The Department also indicated that it \u201cneeds to protect the ability of attorneys within OLC to engage in candid internal discussion and avoid the chilling of deliberations that would result from disclosing such communications outside the Department.\u201d \u00a0 I agree. This isn\u2019t a partisan issue. The Committee has respected the Department\u2019s decision to not disclose OLC memos during both Republican and Democratic Administrations. As I said in my letter, I am concerned that requests for disclosure of OLC memoranda may simply be fishing expeditions with no apparent purpose beyond scoring political points. \u00a0 Mr. Ho is a very accomplished attorney who is unquestionably qualified to serve on the Fifth Circuit. He clerked for a judge on the Fifth Circuit and for a Supreme Court Justice. He served in the highly prestigious Office of Legal Counsel in the Department of Justice, as Chief Counsel to Senator Cornyn on this Committee, and as Solicitor General of Texas. For the past seven years, he has been a renowned partner at the law firm of Gibson Dunn in Dallas. He will make an excellent addition to the Fifth Circuit. \u00a0 Justice Don Willett is also on today\u2019s agenda. He\u2019s served as a member of the Texas Supreme Court since 2005. He\u2019s been reelected twice by wide margins. Before serving on the Texas Supreme Court, Justice Willett served as Deputy Texas Attorney General for Legal Counsel and as Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy in the United States Department of Justice. He\u2019s served each of these offices with distinction. \u00a0 I look forward to supporting all of these Circuit Court nominees today. \u00a0 We will also vote on 7 nominees to District Courts today. \u00a0 I\u2019ll now turn to Senator Feinstein for her remarks. \u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E45BDD2C-036A-420D-9553-B824E29B7187", "Ernst Receives Commitments to Improve Flood Project Funding Formula", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 At the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a member of the committee, received commitments from the nominee to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Mr. R.D. James, to reevaluate and improve the current benefit-to-cost ratio (BCR) metrics used by the Army Corps of Engineers to determine which flood mitigation projects receive funding, in an effort to make those funds more accessible to rural states like Iowa.\r\nSenator Ernst highlighted the devastation following recent floods in Iowa and described how efforts to protect Cedar Rapids from future floods have been hampered by the current BCR metrics. The Iowa Senator explained that despite being first authorized in the 2014 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and then mentioned for prioritization in WRDA 2016, the Cedar Rapids flood mitigation project has been unable to secure federal funding due to a low BCR that results from the relatively low property values in the area.\r\nMr. James agreed with Senator Ernst that the BCR metrics should be modified, and said, \u201cit\u2019s not right that there\u2019s people in this country [who] will never, ever get any type of water infrastructure project under the current BCR analysis.\u201d Mr. James also committed to working with Senator Ernst and the Office of Management and Budget on modifying the BCR in a timely manner.\r\nWatch Senator Ernst\u2019s questioning of Mr. James here or by clicking the image below.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F50CFDBA-47FF-4F77-82DD-06E698F77477", "Ernst Statement on Decision to Recognize Jerusalem as Israels Capital", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) issued the following statement on the Trump Administration\u2019s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel:\r\n\u201cI am pleased President Trump is following through on a promise made by many U.S. presidents in the past. Recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is an important step forward for Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East. It is essential that the United States continues to stand with our friends and trusted allies around the globe.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-hearing-bump-stocks-and-nics-reporting-failures", "Grassley Statement at a Hearing on Bump stocks and NICS Reporting Failures", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Firearm Accessory Regulation and Enforcing Federal and State Reporting to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) December 6, 2017 \u00a0 Good morning and thank you for attending today\u2019s hearing. We gather here today in the wake of violent acts by evil men in Las Vegas and Sutherland Springs. Today, with the help of our witnesses, we hope to learn more about how those tragedies might have been prevented. And we will discuss various proposals on preventing similar tragedies in the future. Before October 1, 2017, few Americans knew what a bump stock was. Then a shooter used bump stocks to fire more than 1,100 rounds into a crowd attending a country music concert. The shooting lasted only ten minutes. But bump stocks enabled him to fire ammunition as fast as if he had used an automatic weapon. 58 people died and more than 500 were wounded. It was the deadliest mass shooting in American history. Our laws prohibit the manufacture of machineguns and greatly restrict their sale. But during the Obama Administration the ATF determined that bump stocks are legal. A number of members of Congress, led by Senator Heller of Nevada, recently wrote the ATF to ask it to revisit its decision. Two days ago, the ATF announced it was changing its mind and issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking that would apply the statutory definition of \u201cmachinegun\u201d to bump stocks and similar devices.\u00a0 Publication of this notice will provide the public and the firearms industry an opportunity to submit formal comments to ATF on the proposed rulemaking. We do not have any proposed regulatory text before us today. But I think the Committee deserves to know why the ATF decided that its classification of bump stocks during the Obama administration was incorrect. It is also important for the Committee to understand how ATF is now proposing to interpret the statutory definition of machinegun. Under current case law, the courts may give deference to the agency\u2019s interpretation of the statutes governing firearms. Depending on the ATF\u2019s interpretation, Congress might wish to weigh in.\u00a0\u00a0 Today we will also discuss the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, commonly referred to as NICS. NICS is the system used by those licensed to sell firearms to quickly determine whether a prospective buyer is eligible. NICS background checks are supposed to prevent prohibited persons like convicted felons, domestic abusers, and those who have been determined to have certain mental health problems from purchasing firearms. Every year, tens of thousands of prohibited persons are turned away from purchasing weapons. But for NICS to keep weapons out of the hands of dangerous individuals, federal and state agencies must swiftly and accurately report information on prohibited persons. Unfortunately, this does not always happen as it should. The Sutherland Springs shooting was carried out by an individual who should not have been able to purchase a firearm under current law. While in the Air Force, Devin Kelley was court martialed for domestic violence. He served prison time and was discharged from the Air Force for bad conduct. But because his information was not entered into the NICS system as the law required, Kelley was able to purchase four weapons after his release from prison, including the weapon he used in the Sutherland Springs shooting. Kelley killed 26 people attending Sunday services at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, and wounded 20 more. In the days following the shooting, the Air Force acknowledged its role in failing to report Kelley\u2019s conviction to the FBI. The Air Force\u2019s failure to comply with NICS reporting standards is inexcusable. But I appreciate the way the Air Force has moved to accept responsibility for their mistakes. And I look forward to learning more about the steps the Air Force is taking to make sure that every prohibited person is reported to the FBI. NICS reporting issues are not limited to the Air Force, however. NICS reporting in 1997 and 2015 showed severe reporting problems across the Department of Defense. A report released by the Department of Defense\u2019s Inspector General just two days ago shows that from 2015 to 2016 more than 30% of convictions in the Department of Defense were not reported to the FBI. Other federal agencies and states can also improve their NICS reporting. I was pleased to hear that my former colleague Attorney General Jeff Sessions ordered a federal review of NICS by the FBI and ATF to ensure that all federal agencies are reporting all required information into NICS. As far as states are concerned, some progress in NICS reporting has been made in recent years, especially in the area of reporting mental health records. But some states, even those represented by members of our own committee such as Rhode Island, Vermont, Hawaii, and Louisiana, continue to lag behind\u2014reporting fewer records to NICS on a per capita basis than most other states. And more improvement can be made in other areas, such as reporting domestic violence offenses. It is clear that this is a systemic problem and that there are many thousands of abusers who are not in the NICS system, but should be. States should also work to ensure that all records submitted to NICS are complete and up to date.\u00a0 All of us wish that the recent tragedies in Texas and Nevada could have been avoided. Nothing we do today or in the weeks to come will restore the lives of those lost to the senseless violence in Las Vegas or Sutherland Springs. We owe it to the victims of those shootings to seriously consider what we should do as policymakers. As legislators, one of the most powerful tools we possess is in crafting new legislation. The problem with such a big hammer, however, is that often everything looks like a nail. We must wield our legislative power carefully, particularly where it involves the fundamental liberties of our republic. The Supreme Court has made it clear that laws that concern the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms are subject to heightened scrutiny. So new laws affecting firearms and firearm accessories must be narrowly tailored to address important government interests. In addition, we have laws and regulations already on the books that require NICS reporting and that regulate automatic weapons. The ATF has just issued a notice that they intend to promulgate a new regulation about bump stocks based on existing law. Before we pass new laws, we should make sure that our current laws are being effectively followed and enforced. We should also make sure that existing programs designed to ensure NICS reporting compliance are fully funded and effectively run.\u00a0 I look forward to discussing these issues at today\u2019s hearing. I thank our witnesses and Committee members for their preparations. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/judiciary-chairman-seeks-documents-relating-reported-bias-key-agent-handling", "Judiciary Chairman Seeks Documents Relating to Reported Bias of Key Agent Handling Trump, Clinton Investigations", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is asking the FBI to prioritize producing documents relating to the activities of high-ranking FBI Agent Peter Strzok, following reports that Strzok engaged in communications demonstrating political bias while handling matters in two sensitive, high-profile investigations. \u00a0To date, the FBI has failed to comply with previous, broader Committee requests that called for records relating to the communications of Stzrok and others regarding Director Comey\u2019s controversial public statement during last year\u2019s Presidential election. \u00a0Strzok was the deputy assistant director for the FBI\u2019s counterintelligence division and working on the investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton\u2019s use of a private server to conduct official business when he reportedly shared text messages disparaging now-President Trump and supporting Hillary Clinton. According to news reports and documents provided to the Committee, Strzok appears to have been responsible for removing language suggesting legal jeopardy for Clinton in former FBI director James Comey\u2019s conclusion of that investigation.\u00a0 Strzok was also among the two agents who would eventually interview former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.\u00a0 Strzok\u2019s behavior and involvement in these two politically-sensitive cases raises new concerns of inappropriate political influence in the work of the FBI.\u00a0In October, Grassley wrote to Strzok requesting voluntary cooperation and a private transcribed interview with the Committee.\u00a0 The Committee has received no letter in reply.\u00a0 In a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Grassley requested the text messages at issue, any further communications containing favorable or unfavorable statements about Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton and any communications involving Strzok regarding decisions about closing the Clinton investigation or opening the investigation into potential collusion between Trump associates and the Russian government. \u00a0Full text of Grassley\u2019s letter follows.\u00a0 December 5, 2017 \u00a0 VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION \u00a0 The Honorable Christopher Wray Director Federal Bureau of Investigation 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20535 \u00a0 Dear Director Wray: \u00a0Over the summer, media outlets reported that Peter Strzok was removed from his position in the FBI\u2019s counterintelligence division and from Special Counsel Robert Mueller\u2019s team and had been reassigned to work in the FBI\u2019s human resources department.\u00a0 According to recent media reports, Mr. Mueller removed Mr. Strzok from the team after discovering that he and FBI lawyer Lisa Page, his alleged mistress, \u201chad exchanged politically charged texts disparaging President Trump and supporting Hillary Clinton.\u201d[1]\u00a0 It appears the Special Counsel may have learned this information from the Office of Inspector General\u2019s ongoing review of the handling of controversial pre-election activities of the Justice Department and FBI related to the campaign.[2]\u00a0Reportedly, Mr. Strzok and Ms. Page exchanged these text messages while working on the Clinton investigation.\u00a0 Mr. Strzok has been described as \u201ca key player in the investigation into [Hillary] Clinton\u2019s use of a private email server to do government work as secretary of state.\u201d[3]\u00a0 Ms. Page reportedly \u201cwas a regular participant when Comey would hold \u2018skinny group\u2019 meetings on the case\u2014a small collection of advisers who gathered to address sensitive cases.\u201d[4]\u00a0 Additionally, Mr. Strzok reportedly was one of two FBI agents who interviewed former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.[5]\u00a0 The communications between members of the Clinton email investigation team raise questions about the integrity of that investigation, and about the objectivity of Mr. Strzok\u2019s work for the Special Counsel and in the FBI\u2019s investigation of Mr. Flynn.\u00a0 The Committee has previously written to Mr. Strzok requesting an interview to discuss his knowledge of improper political influence or bias in Justice Department or FBI activities during either the previous or current administration, the removal of James Comey from his position as Director of the FBI, the DOJ\u2019s and FBI\u2019s activities related to Hillary Clinton, the DOJ\u2019s and FBI\u2019s activities related to Donald J. Trump and his associates, and the DOJ\u2019s and FBI\u2019s activities related to Russian interference in the 2016 election.\u00a0 To date, the Committee has received no letter in reply to that request.\u00a0 In advance of Mr. Strzok\u2019s interview, please provide the following communications, in the form of text messages or otherwise, to the Committee no later than December 11, 2017: \u00a0 All communications sent to, received by, or copying Mr. Strzok related to then-Director Comey\u2019s draft or final statement closing the Clinton investigation, including all records related to the change in the portion of the draft language describing Secretary Clinton\u2019s and her associates\u2019 conduct regarding classified information from \u201cgrossly negligent\u201d to \u201cextremely careless\u201d;[6] \u00a0 All communications sent to, received by, or copying Mr. Strzok regarding the decision to close the Clinton investigation without recommending any charges; \u00a0 All communications sent to, received by, or copying Mr. Strzok related to opening the investigation into potential collusion by the Trump campaign with the Russian government, including any FBI electronic communication (EC) authored or authorized by Mr. Strzok and all records forming the basis for that EC; \u00a0 All communications sent to, received by, or copying Mr. Strzok related to the FBI\u2019s interactions with Christopher Steele relating to the investigation into potential collusion by the Trump campaign with the Russian government; including any communications regarding potential or realized financial arrangements with Mr. Steele; \u00a0 All communications sent to, received by, or copying Mr. Strzok related to any instance of the FBI relying on, or referring to, information in Mr. Steele\u2019s memoranda in the course of seeking any FISA warrants, other search warrants, or any other judicial process; \u00a0 All FD-302s of FBI interviews of Lt. Gen. Flynn at which Mr. Strzok was present, as well as all related 1A documents (including any contemporaneous handwritten notes); \u00a0 All communications sent to, received by, or copying Mr. Strzok containing unfavorable statements about Donald Trump or favorable statements about Hillary Clinton, including text messages.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 If you have questions, please contact Patrick Davis of my committee staff at (202) 224-5225.\u00a0 Thank you for your cooperation. \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sincerely, \u00a0 Charles E. Grassley\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chairman \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Committee on the Judiciary\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 cc: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Honorable Michael E. Horowitz Inspector General U.S. Department of Justice \u00a0 The Honorable Rod J. Rosenstein Deputy Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice \u00a0 -30-\u00a0  [3] Dmirjian & Barrett, Top FBI Official Assigned to Mueller\u2019s Russia Probe Said To Have Been Removed After Sending Anti-Trump Texts.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-supreme-court-should-say-i-do-to-cake-baker-s-first-amendment", "King: Supreme Court Should Say I Do to Cake Bakers First Amendment Religious Rights", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.- Congressman Steve King, Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, releases the following photo and statement after appearing \u00a0today at a rally held in front of the United States Supreme Court on behalf of Jack Phillips, a Colorado cake baker. Phillips has been sanctioned by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission for refusing to design cakes for same-sex ceremonies. Phillips contends that Colorado\u2019s efforts to force him to do so violate his First Amendment right to freely exercise his sincere religious convictions. King appeared at a \u201cJustice for Jack\u201d rally to express his support for Mr. Phillips\u2019 First Amendment right to operate his small business in a manner consistent with his religious beliefs.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u201cI am urging the United States Supreme Court to say \u2018I Do\u2019 to the First Amendment by respecting this wedding cake baker\u2019s right to operate his small business in a manner which is consistent with the free exercise of his religious beliefs even if that means the baker will choose not to produce cakes for same-sex ceremonies,\u201d said King. \u201cThe right to freely exercise one\u2019s religion is an explicit right in the First Amendment, whereas the Founding Fathers would have scoffed at the suggestion that a State could punish a baker who refused to violate his conscience by supplying cakes for a same-sex ceremony. The Supreme Court needs to return to reading the Constitution with the meaning it holds as ratified by \u2018We the People,\u2019 or maybe a Constitutional amendment should be introduced that will allow \u2018We the People\u2019 to start directly voting on who gets to sit on the Supreme Court.\u201d\nBackground:\nToday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. V. Colorado Civil Rights Commission.\nJack Phillips is a cake artist and owner of \u201cMasterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd.\u201d Phillips believes the State of Colorado is violating his First Amendment right to freely exercise his religious beliefs by requiring him either to participate in the design of cakes for same-sex wedding ceremonies or to face state mandated penalties for refusing to do so.\u00a0 The State of Colorado asserts it has the right to assess fines and require \u201ccomprehensive staff training\u201d of cake shop employees if Phillips refuses to decorate cakes requested for same-sex weddings.\nMr. Phillips, in operating his business, chooses not to decorate cakes in a manner which conflicts with his Christian faith. In fact, Phillips does not decorate cakes that celebrate Halloween, that promote atheism, that celebrate divorce, or that contain anti-LGBT messages. He is seeking a ruling from the United States Supreme Court that strengthens the First Amendment rights of all Americans by protecting his right to freely exercise his religious beliefs while running his small business.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=36672DEB-AEF4-4230-B88B-9F7A5944B3CF", "Ernst, Grassley Issue Statement on Latest Regarding Omaha VA Waitlist", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Following a letter of response from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding a recent report that details unauthorized waiting lists outside of the VA patient tracking system for some mental health appointments that date back to 2006, Iowa\u2019s U.S. Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley this week each met with VA Deputy Secretary Tom Bowman. Following these meetings, the Iowa Senators issued the following joint statement:\r\n\u201cDuring our meetings, we each stressed that prompt care for our veterans is absolutely critical. As we\u2019ve made clear, it\u2019s important that our veterans and the public know what disciplinary measures are being applied by the VA.\r\n\u201cDeputy Secretary Bowman stated that individuals identified as being culpable for the secret waitlists will be held accountable. In the two cases he referenced, the individuals resigned and the circumstances regarding their departure will be part of their record. The VA has pledged to provide documentation on the disciplinary action taken against each of the culpable employees. The VA has also committed to issuing further guidance to make it absolutely clear that unofficial waitlists are not permissible. We will continue to hold the VA accountable and ensure they follow through on these commitments.\u201d\r\nAdditionally, the VA stated that they are working to assess the situation at the Iowa City VA and will be answering the questions in the letter sent by Senators Ernst and Grassley yesterday, following a disturbing report that shed light on hiring practices at VA hospitals.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3BAEAF8B-5FB7-4010-BD8B-A66ED7BD448D", "Ernst Applauds Iowan Glen Smith on Confirmation", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, issued the following statement after Iowan Glen Smith was confirmed by the Senate to be a member of the Farm Credit Administration Board:\r\n\u201cI\u2019m so pleased to see Iowa\u2019s own Glen Smith confirmed today by the Senate to serve as a member of the Farm Credit Administration Board. Glen has an impressive resume as a small business owner and farmer. He has worked for decades to enhance and promote our agricultural economy in Iowa, and I have no doubt he will do the same for our country in his new role.\u201d\r\nSenator Ernst introduced Mr. Smith ahead of his testimony before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry last month. Watch Senator Ernst\u2019s introduction here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=9E7ADA5B-1589-4333-932F-FA695E487DD5", "Ernst Stresses Importance of NAFTA at White House Meeting", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 In a meeting at the White House with President Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) today stressed the importance of ensuring that any changes made to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) do not negatively impact the agricultural industry.\r\nFollowing the meeting, Senator Ernst issued this statement:\r\n\u201cToday I stressed to President Trump and Trade Representative Lighthizer the importance of maintaining NAFTA, and the duty free access our ag products enjoy under it.\r\n\u201cTrade plays a critical role in Iowa\u2019s economy, and I reiterated to the administration the importance of ensuring Iowans remain competitive in the global market \u2013 provided our trading partners are operating on a level playing field. I will continue working to ensure that any changes made to NAFTA do not hurt our crop and livestock producers.\u201d\r\nBACKGROUND\r\n\r\nMay 15, 2017: Senators Stress Economic Benefits of NAFTA to New U.S. Trade Rep\r\nJune 28, 2017: Ernst Joins Senators to Urge USTR to Strengthen Agricultural Trade in NAFTA Negotiations\r\nNovember 20, 2017: \u00a0Senators Call on Commerce Secretary to Conduct Economic Analysis of NAFTA Changes to Ag Sector", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-ernst-issue-statement-latest-regarding-omaha-va-waitlist", "Grassley, Ernst Issue Statement on Latest Regarding Omaha VA Waitlist", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Following a letter of response from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding a recent report that details unauthorized waiting lists outside of the VA patient tracking system for some mental health appointments that date back to 2006, Iowa\u2019s U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst this week each met with VA Deputy Secretary Tom Bowman. Following these meetings, the Iowa Senators issued the following joint statement: \u00a0 \u201cDuring our meetings, we each stressed that prompt care for our veterans is absolutely critical. As we\u2019ve made clear, it\u2019s important that our veterans and the public know what disciplinary measures are being applied by the VA. \u00a0 \u201cDeputy Secretary Bowman stated that individuals identified as being culpable for the secret waitlists will be held accountable. In the two cases he referenced, the individuals resigned and the circumstances regarding their departure will be part of their record. The VA has pledged to provide documentation on the disciplinary action taken against each of the culpable employees. The VA has also committed to issuing further guidance to make it absolutely clear that unofficial waitlists are not permissible. We will continue to hold the VA accountable and ensure they follow through on these commitments.\u201d \u00a0 Additionally, the VA stated that they are working to assess the situation at the Iowa City VA and will be answering the questions in the letter sent by Senators Grassley and Ernst yesterday, following a disturbing report that shed light on hiring practices at VA hospitals. \u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-secure-act-protects-daca-recipients-and-provides-needed-reforms", "Grassley: SECURE Act Protects DACA Recipients and Provides Needed Reforms to Immigration System", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Senate Floor Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee \u201cThe Security, Enforcement, and Compassion United in Reform Efforts (SECURE) Act of 2017\u201d December 5, 2017 \u00a0 I rise today to offer brief remarks regarding the introduction of the Security, Enforcement, and Compassion United in Reform Efforts, or SECURE Act, of 2017. This bill promotes and protects the interests of the American people in a lawful immigration system, and provides a fair and equitable solution on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s the product of several months of hard work between myself and Senators Cornyn, Graham, Tillis, Lankford, Perdue, and Cotton. \u00a0 Before I discuss what exactly this bill does, let me talk about the process we used to reach this point.\u00a0 \u00a0 On September 5, 2017, Attorney General Sessions announced that President Trump had decided to rescind former President Obama\u2019s unlawful executive amnesty program. \u00a0 Because almost 700,000 young people relied on President Obama\u2019s false promise, the Trump Administration called on Congress to find the only real type of long-term solution to this issue\u2014a legislative one.\u00a0 \u00a0 Starting in September, I\u2019ve held multiple meetings with Senators Cornyn, Graham, Tillis, Lankford, Perdue, and Cotton to determine how best to fix DACA. Our aim was to find a solution that not only is fair for DACA recipients, but also promotes the interests of the American people. \u00a0 The immigration policies of the previous administration carried consequences that weren\u2019t always in our best interests.\u00a0 For example, President Obama allowed thousands of people to illegally cross our borders and stay in our country, including dangerous gang members, sex offenders, and violent criminals. Robust border security is crucial to bring integrity back to our nation\u2019s immigration enforcement. \u00a0 The enforcement policies of the previous administration enabled dangerous unauthorized criminals, individuals like Kate Steinle\u2019s killer, to have free reign in our country, risking the safety of innocent Americans. \u00a0 The flagrant disregard of so called \u201csanctuary\u201d jurisdictions unfairly take tax dollars from hardworking Americans, only to ignore the rule of law and their own people\u2019s public safety. \u00a0 In crafting our bill, we also considered the inherent unfairness in our nation\u2019s immigration court and asylum adjudication systems, and how hundreds of thousands of aliens wait in backlogs for years at a time. That\u2019s wrong, it hurts the people who are stuck in that backlog, and it\u2019s unfair to ask the American people and legal immigrants to bear the burden of supporting these people why they wait. \u00a0 And finally, thanks to the leadership of Senators Graham, Perdue, and Cotton, we discussed the need for a merit-based immigration system, one where we bring people to this country based on what they can contribute, and not simply because they have some attenuated family relationship to a legal immigrant who\u2019s already here. \u00a0 So, after having these discussions, and after meeting with the President to get his input and his support, we\u2019ve come up with a plan. This plan is fair to all parties. It\u2019s pro-American. And it\u2019s a solution to DACA. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Our plan, the SECURE Act of 2017, provides a solution to all of the issues we discussed. First, building off of the hard work and leadership of Senator Cornyn, we\u2019re putting the days of porous, uncontrolled borders behind us. \u00a0 We\u2019re doing this by mandating the construction of tactical and technological infrastructure at the border. We\u2019re also beefing up our law enforcement and judicial resources, and putting more boots on the ground in Border States, so that we can better apprehend and prosecute those who enter our country illegally. \u00a0 Our plan takes meaningful steps to end the lawlessness and tragedies at the hands of dangerous criminal aliens throughout our country. We do this by cracking down on sanctuary cities, ending the misguided catch and release policies of the previous administration, and finally taking real steps to address intentional visa overstays. \u00a0 In recognition of the many Americans who\u2019ve lost their lives to criminal aliens, we included Kate\u2019s law, named after Kate Steinle.\u00a0 \u00a0 This legislation enhances penalties for repeat illegal border crossers, and expands the inadmissibility and expedited removal of terrorists, gang members, aggravated felons, and drunk drivers. \u00a0 We also provide a fix to the disastrous Zadvydas decision so that the government doesn\u2019t keep releasing dangerous criminals onto our streets because of their home countries\u2019 refusals to take responsibility. \u00a0 Our bill takes steps to eliminate many of the \u201cpull\u201d factors that encourage people to immigrate illegally. \u00a0 We do this by permanently authorizing the e-verify program and providing immunity and other incentives to encourage small businesses to participate. \u00a0 We also take meaningful steps to reduce immigration court and asylum adjudication backlogs by hiring more judges and personnel, limiting the number of continuances an immigrant can receive, and imposing new safeguards to combat well-documented fraud and abuse. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Again, thanks to the leadership and advocacy of Senators Graham, Perdue, and Cotton, our bill eliminates the phenomenon known as \u2018chain migration.\u2019 \u00a0 From the day this bill becomes law, immigrants will only be able to bring their spouses and minor children into the country. \u00a0 This bi-partisan pro-American worker reform, which the President strongly supports, is an important first step towards creating the merit-based, economically productive immigration system that both Democrats and Republicans want to see. \u00a0 Finally, and most importantly, we provide a bi-partisan solution to protect undocumented young people brought to the United States as children by adopting the Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy, or the BRIDGE Act. \u00a0 Senator Durbin called the BRIDGE Act \u201can opportunity for supporters and critics of DACA to come together and address a compelling humanitarian issue on a bipartisan basis.\u201d We agree. \u00a0 The BRIDGE Act is supported by Senators Graham, Durbin, Gillibrand, Heller, Murkowski, Feinstein, Nelson, Flake, Schumer and Harris. It would provide relief from deportation and work authorization to DACA recipients, allowing them to continue to fulfill their dreams and contribute to our economy. \u00a0 As you can see, our plan has fair, bi-partisan, and serious provisions. By listening to colleagues, and adopting solutions that both sides can agree on, we\u2019re providing a real solution to the immigration issues our country is facing. \u00a0 Our plan protects the DACA kids, it cracks down on the criminal illegal aliens, and it provides real long-term reforms to our nation\u2019s immigration system that benefit the American people. And it does so through the proper legislative process, which provides greater certainty for Americans and immigrants alike.\u00a0 \u00a0 Importantly, it is also supported by the President. That\u2019s all the more reason to pass this bill and fulfill our promises to the American people and the DACA recipients. \u00a0 Again, I want to thank the hard work of Senators Cornyn, Graham, Tillis, Lankford, Perdue, and Cotton, and their staffs, in developing this solution. I\u2019m looking forward to considering this measure in the new year, and to seeing President Trump sign it into law. \u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/republican-senators-author-plan-resolve-daca-situation-improve-integrity", "Republican Senators Author Plan to Resolve DACA Situation, Improve Integrity & Confidence in Immigration System", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 A group of senators led by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today introduced legislation to protect and provide certainty to DACA recipients, and improve the lawful immigration system by targeting illegal immigration and criminal aliens.\u00a0 The Security, Enforcement, and Compassion United in Reform Efforts, (SECURE) Act contains provisions from several immigration proposals, including Senator Dick Durbin\u2019s (D-Ill.) bipartisan BRIDGE Act, which protects DACA recipients from deportation. \u00a0 The SECURE Act is cosponsored by senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and David Perdue (R-Ga.). \u00a0 \u201cThis legislation combines common sense border security and interior enforcement reforms with Senators Graham\u2019s and Durbin\u2019s bipartisan solution on DACA. It restores integrity to our immigration system by cracking down on illegal immigration and criminal immigrants, while recognizing the circumstances of those brought here through no fault of their own. This bill improves public safety and prosperity for Americans and immigrants alike, and ensures tragedies like the deaths of Kate Steinle and Sarah Root never happen again. This is a bill that our colleagues from both sides of the aisle should be able to support. President Trump is ready and willing to sign it, so it\u2019s time for Congress to get it done,\u201d Grassley said. \u00a0 \u201cThis bill provides a real, bipartisan solution for those brought here by their parents illegally who now find themselves in limbo. The SECURE Act gives us the chance to both help these young adults and win back public confidence by securing our borders and enforcing our immigration laws,\u201d Cornyn said. \u00a0 \u201cCongress has a responsibility to secure our borders and address the legal uncertainty facing the DACA-eligible population. The SECURE Act takes concrete steps to accomplish both objectives by helping prevent future illegal immigration while providing Congress with more time to work on a long-term solution for undocumented children,\u201d Tillis said. \u00a0 \u201cAn essential part of national security is border security. Every nation has the right to know who comes into their country. For decades, the United States has ignored obvious issues in our immigration policy, which has only made the problem worse. The President and many Members of Congress believe a DACA solution should be combined with a permanent fix to the many broken elements in our nation\u2019s border security and immigration system. The SECURE Act is a first step to bring everyone to the table to negotiate a common-sense solution to DACA and issues related to illegal immigration. It is my hope that in the months ahead, Republicans and Democrats will come together so that we can provide the certainty that families deserve and the border security our country desperately needs,\u201d Lankford said. \u00a0 \u201cThis bill draws upon ideas supported by members of both parties to provide legal status to the thousands of young people who are here through no fault of their own\u2014without encouraging more illegal immigration in the future. This legislation would go a long way to building an immigration system that supports the American worker, and there\u2019s simply no good reason for either party to oppose it,\u201d Cotton said. \u00a0 \u201cOur outdated and broken immigration system is an economic and national security issue that we have got to fix. As it stands today, our immigration policies encourage illegal immigration, existing laws are being ignored by rogue cities, and our country\u2019s southern border is not secure. Furthermore, green-cards are primarily awarded through a chain migration system that does not prioritize skill and merit. In this proposal, we\u2019ve taken steps to fix these problems and more. It\u2019s time we have an immigration system that meets our country\u2019s economic needs, protects our national security, prioritizes the well-being of Americans, and truly discourages illegal immigration,\u201d Perdue said. \u00a0 The SECURE Act includes various border security provisions, such as additional human and technological resources on the border and fencing in certain areas. It also provides more judicial resources to reduce backlogs in immigration court and target fraud. The bill seeks to improve community safety and cooperation by eliminating so-called \u201csanctuary\u201d policies that inhibit enforcement and it provides expedited removal for individuals involved in certain criminal activities.\u00a0 \u00a0 The SECURE Act permanently reauthorizes the proven E-Verify program and encourages greater voluntary enrollment to strengthen our legal workforce and encourage legal immigration. It also limits family migration to spouses and minor children. \u00a0 Finally, the bill includes the BRIDGE Act, which was cosponsored by senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.).\u00a0 This bill protects the status of the approximately 690,000 current DACA recipients for three years. \u00a0Legislative text is available HERE.\u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/waukee-students-win-congressional-app-challenge", "Waukee students win Congressional App Challenge", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WAUKEE, IOWA\u00a0- A team of Waukee students were announced the winners of the Third District Congressional App Challenge Monday. The team designed \"City Recycle Day\" which will remind users when their trash and recycling days are. The app will also alert users to changes in their pickup schedule due to a number of circumstances, including bad weather, and if there are special pickups for items like yard waste.\u00a0\nThe team consisted of Sabarish Mogallapalli, Shriya Megatapalli, Owen Scott, and Sankalp Yamasani. \nMonday morning, Iowa Congressman David Young surprised the students by video conferencing into their school and speaking with them about their app.\u00a0\n\"It is amazing to see what our young people can create. When I was able to see what City Recycle Day can do and the time, research, and effort the students put into it, I was really amazed at how well these students did,\" said Congressman Young. \"After speaking with the students today, I am even more impressed with their continued commitment to the project.\"\nThe students would like to work with municipalities in the Des Moines area to roll out the app to residents.\u00a0\nThe team and their app will be featured on displays around the U.S. Capitol Building alongside winners from other congressional districts.\u00a0\nNine teams from across the Third District entered the challenge. The Congressional App Challenge (CAC) is a public effort to encourage kids to learn how to code, through annual district-wide competitions hosted by Members of Congress for their district.\nStudents in participating congressional districts across the country code original applications for the chance to be selected for recognition by their Member of Congress, win prizes, and have their work put on display in the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. The district-wide competitions, now in their third year, take place from July through early November.\nAs a part of their submission, the students created a short video detailing their app. You can view the video below.\n\u00a0\nBelow are photos from Congressman Young and the designers of \"City Recycle Day\" speaking on Monday.\u00a0\nCongressman David Young speaking with the designers of \"City Recycle Day\" from his Washington, D.C. office.\n\u00a0\nThe designers of \"City Recycle Day\" speaking with Congressman David Young from their school in Waukee.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeks-ahead/week-ahead-scheduled-votes-committee-action-and-other-important-notes-9", "The Week Ahead - scheduled votes, committee action and other important notes for the week of December 4, 2017", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "EDITORS NOTE: The week ahead overview will be sent each week Congress is in session. All times are in Central Time.\nTOP LINE:\n THE FACTS ON THE GOP TAX PLAN:\u00a0Because of the myths being spread about the GOP tax plan,\u00a0Congressman Young debunked these myths in his weekly report to constituents. Read it\u00a0HERE.\u00a0\n\tREP. YOUNG ON THE RFS, RVOs ANNOUNCEMENT:\u00a0In response to the EPAs announcement on the 2018 RFS and 2019 RVOs, Congressman Young said he was disappointed biodiesel volumes were not increased. Learn more\u00a0HERE.\n\tCONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE WINNERS:\u00a0Congressman Young congratulated the winners of the Third District Congressional App Challenge. The winning students created app to remind residents of their trash and recycling pickup days. See their work\u00a0HERE.\u00a0\n\tWEEKLY RADIO:\u00a0Wednesday morning,\u00a0Congressman Young is scheduled to join KCSI 95.3 FM Radio at 7:18 AM CT and KMA Radio on 960 AM and 99.1 FM at 7:35 AM CT.\n MONDAY, DECEMBER 4TH  \n\tOn Monday, the House will meet at 5:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 5:30 p.m.\nMotion to Go to Conference on H.R. 1, and Democrat Motion to Instruct Conferees\nTUESDAY, DECEMBER 5TH  \n\tOn Tuesday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for morning hour and 11:00 a.m. for legislative business.\nLegislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:\n1)\u00a0H.R. 3731\u00a0\u2013 Secret Service Recruitment and Retention Act of 2017, as amended\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. John Katko / Judiciary Committee)\n2)\u00a0H.R. 3317\u00a0\u2013 SAFE Act\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Dave Trott / Judiciary Committee)\n3)\u00a0S. 1266\u00a0\u2013 Enhancing Veteran Care Act\u00a0(Sponsored by Sen. James M. Inhofe / Veterans Affairs Committee)\n4)\u00a0H.Res. 259\u00a0\u2013 Expressing concern and condemnation over the political, economic, social, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, as amended\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Ron DeSantis / Foreign Affairs Committee)\n5)\u00a0H.R. 2658\u00a0\u2013 Venezuela Humanitarian Assistance and Defense of Democratic Governance Act of 2017, as amended\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Eliot Engel / Foreign Affairs Committee)\n6)\u00a0H.Con.Res. 90\u00a0\u2013 Condemning ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya and calling for an end to the attacks in and an immediate restoration of humanitarian access to the state of Rakhine in Burma, as amended\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Joseph Crowley / Foreign Affairs Committee)\n7)\u00a0H.R. 1164\u00a0\u2013 Taylor Force Act, as amended\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Doug Lamborn / Foreign Affairs Committee)\nWEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6TH AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK  \n\tOn Wednesday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for morning hour and 11:00 a.m. for legislative business.\nOn Thursday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for morning hour and 11:00 a.m. for legislative business.\nOn Friday, the House will meet at 8:00 a.m. for legislative business.\nH.R. 38\u00a0\u2013 Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule)\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Richard Hudson / Judiciary Committee)\nH.R. 3971\u00a0\u2013 Community Institution Mortgage Relief Act of 2017, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule)\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Claudia Tenney / Financial Services Committee)\nH.R. 477\u00a0\u2013 Small Business Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales, and Brokerage Simplification Act of 2017, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule)\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Bill Huizenga / Financial Services Committee)\nConsideration of Legislation Making Further Appropriations for FY 2017\nAdditional Legislative Items are Possible\nCommittee activity for the week of December 4 can be found\u00a0HERE.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E894DB7F-C064-4264-B2A4-E4EB411DC36F", "Iowa Senators Seek Answers on Iowa City VA Hiring Practices", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Iowa Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) expressing concern and seeking information over a disturbing report that shines a light on hiring practices at VA hospitals, including the Iowa City VA.\r\nThe senators wrote, \u201cIt should go without saying that physicians hired by the VA should be fit to practice and have a track record of providing quality care. However, a disturbing report in USA Today found that the VA has knowingly hired providers who have a history of providing substandard care.\r\n\u201cA neurosurgeon featured in the article had \u2018a dozen malpractice claims and settlements in two states\u2019 and had his license revoked in one state, yet he was hired to work at the Iowa City VA this April.\u201d The Iowa senators noted that this hiring goes against the Veterans Health Administration Handbook.\r\nThe report specifically cites an Iowa City VA neurosurgeon who was hired even though \u201clicensure revocation and other malpractice claims were on his application,\u201d all of which should have prevented him from being lawfully employed by the VA in the first place.\r\nSenators Ernst and Grassley are now seeking answers from the VA as to how this individual was hired, and the actions the VA will take if they determine other providers were hired illegally. Additionally, the Senators requested insight into the VA\u2019s hiring practices to better ensure that Iowa\u2019s veterans receive the care they deserve.\r\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below.\r\n\r\nDecember 4, 2017\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe Honorable David Shulkin\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nSecretary\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs \r\nWashington DC 20420\r\n\u00a0\r\nDear Secretary Shulkin: \r\nVeterans who receive care through the VA deserve the highest standard of care available. This high standard applies throughout an entire episode of care, but is most critical when a veteran sees their physicians. It should go without saying that physicians hired by the VA should be fit to practice and have a track record of providing quality care. However, a disturbing report in USA Today found that the VA has knowingly hired providers who have a history of providing substandard care. \r\nA neurosurgeon featured in the article had \u201ca dozen malpractice claims and settlements in two states\u201d and had his license revoked in one state, yet he was hired to work at the Iowa City VA this April. His hiring goes against Veterans Health Administration Handbook 1100.19 which states:\r\n\u201cApplicants\u2026who had such license, registration, or certification revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care by any of those States, or voluntarily relinquished a license, registration or certification in any of those States after being notified in writing by that State of potential termination for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment.\u201d\r\nAccording to the report, the neurosurgeon\u2019s licensure revocation and other malpractice claims were on his application. It is unacceptable that it was only as a result of USA Today\u2019s report that the VA determined that hiring this neurosurgeon was illegal. \r\nAccordingly please provide the following:\r\n1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Please describe the \u201cincorrect\u201d guidance that was given to hospital officials in Iowa City that led to the hiring of the neurosurgeon. \r\n2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 On his application the neurosurgeon listed the previous malpractice suits and the revocation of his medical license. As part of his contract with the VA, was the neurosurgeon required to be monitored while providing care? \r\n3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The VA is initiating an \u201cindependent, third-party clinical review\u201d of the care the neurosurgeon provided. Will the results of the third-party review be shared with the patients and their families?\r\n4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What steps is the VA taking to determine how many providers at the Iowa City VA were hired illegally and what actions will the VA take if they determine that additional providers were hired illegally?\r\n5)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What discretion do VA hospital officials have in regard to hiring providers who have not had their licenses revoked but have had problems with their State Licensing boards?\r\nThank you for your attention. Please respond by December 11, 2017.\r\n\u00a0\r\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-dubuque-telegraph-herald-opinion-senators-led-iowa-charge-renewable-fuels", "ICYMI: Dubuque Telegraph Herald opinion: Senators led Iowa charge on renewable fuels", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ICYMI: The Dubuque Telegraph Herald\u2019s editorial board praised Senator Grassley\u2019s work to maintain the integrity of the\u00a0Renewable Fuel Standard. You can read the piece here.\u00a0 Dubuque Telegraph Herald: Our opinion: Senators led Iowa charge on renewable fuels Editorial Board December 4, 2017 \u00a0 Although the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s ruling last week on Renewable Fuel Standard levels wasn\u2019t a complete victory for corn farmers, it could have been much worse. \u00a0 The fact that it wasn\u2019t is owing in large part to Iowa\u2019s voices in the Senate: Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst. \u00a0 ... \u00a0 EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt had threatened to severely decrease the fuel standard. That sent Grassley into hardball mode...enough to have Pruitt back off his plan to move the program backward. \u00a0 ... \u00a0 Cheers to Grassley and Ernst for keeping up the pressure and fighting for Iowans. \u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/iowa-senators-seek-answers-iowa-city-va-hiring-practices", "Iowa Senators Seek Answers on Iowa City VA Hiring Practices", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 4, 2017\u00a0The Honorable David Shulkin\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Secretary\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Washington DC 20420\u00a0Dear Secretary Shulkin: Veterans who receive care through the VA deserve the highest standard of care available. This high standard applies throughout an entire episode of care, but is most critical when a veteran sees their physicians. It should go without saying that physicians hired by the VA should be fit to practice and have a track record of providing quality care. However, a disturbing report in USA Today found that the VA has knowingly hired providers who have a history of providing substandard care. A neurosurgeon featured in the article had \u201ca dozen malpractice claims and settlements in two states\u201d and had his license revoked in one state, yet he was hired to work at the Iowa City VA this April. His hiring goes against Veterans Health Administration Handbook 1100.19 which states:\u201cApplicants\u2026who had such license, registration, or certification revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care by any of those States, or voluntarily relinquished a license, registration or certification in any of those States after being notified in writing by that State of potential termination for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment.\u201dAccording to the report, the neurosurgeon\u2019s licensure revocation and other malpractice claims were on his application. It is unacceptable that it was only as a result of USA Today\u2019s report that the VA determined that hiring this neurosurgeon was illegal. Accordingly please provide the following:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Please describe the \u201cincorrect\u201d guidance that was given to hospital officials in Iowa City that led to the hiring of the neurosurgeon. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 On his application the neurosurgeon listed the previous malpractice suits and the revocation of his medical license. As part of his contract with the VA, was the neurosurgeon required to be monitored while providing care? \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The VA is initiating an \u201cindependent, third-party clinical review\u201d of the care the neurosurgeon provided. Will the results of the third-party review be shared with the patients and their families?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What steps is the VA taking to determine how many providers at the Iowa City VA were hired illegally and what actions will the VA take if they determine that additional providers were hired illegally?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What discretion do VA hospital officials have in regard to hiring providers who have not had their licenses revoked but have had problems with their State Licensing boards?Thank you for your attention. Please respond by December 11, 2017.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1CBAD62A-1DF7-48C9-B488-49E5F1B473E9", "Ernst Votes to Reform Tax Code, Promote Economic Growth", "2017-12-02", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) issued the following statement after the Senate passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which includes the SQUEAL Act:\r\n\u201cToday, the Senate took a monumental step forward in pursuing a simpler tax code that provides much-needed relief for hardworking Iowans and helps strengthen our economy. It also eliminates ObamaCare\u2019s costly individual mandate that forces Americans to buy health insurance that is in many cases for Iowans, unaffordable.\r\n\u201cAdditionally, I am thrilled that the SQUEAL Act is included in this tax reform legislation. My proposal will force Congress to offer up its own unnecessary tax break that allows Members of Congress to deduct, for income tax purposes, thousands of dollars annually in living expenses while in the Washington, D.C. area.\r\n\u201cThis Senate bill also includes a bipartisan measure I helped lead to spur economic growth in poverty-stricken areas, and bring hope and opportunity back to many distressed rural communities in Iowa.\r\n\u201cMoreover, job creators of all sizes will finally see relief from the burdensome and complicated tax code. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would allow Iowa small businesses and entrepreneurs to keep more of their hard-earned dollars to reinvest in their companies, and is estimated to create over 10,000 jobs across Iowa. This legislation also gives more money back to Iowa\u2019s hardworking parents by doubling the child tax credit.\u00a0\r\n\u201cWhile the bill does not include everything I hoped, I am pleased that this legislation creates more opportunities for all, including lower- and middle-income families across the State of Iowa who will see thousands of dollars back in their pockets. I look forward to seeing this important bill move ahead to reduce the burden of our overly-complicated tax code and enact reforms that provide relief to Iowa\u2019s hard-working families and businesses.\u201d\r\nSenator Ernst\u2019s efforts included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\r\n\r\nRead Senator Ernst\u2019s recent column in the Des Moines Register on the importance of tax reform here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-tax-reform-victory-iowans-every-level-income-and-way-life", "Grassley: Tax Reform a Victory for Iowans of Every Level of Income and Way of Life", "2017-12-02", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, voted for landmark tax reform legislation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which passed the United States Senate today. \u00a0 \u201cThe passage of this bill is a historic moment for Iowa and the entire country. It\u2019s been more than 30 years since Congress passed significant tax reform. The good news is that this legislation will let Iowans keep more of their own hard-earned money, increase average wages and help create new jobs. \u00a0 \u201cThis reform bill enacts across-the-board tax cuts, providing financial relief to middle-class and low-income earners who need it most. As just one example, an average family of four with two children would receive a $2,200 tax cut. Lowering taxes lets people decide how to spend more of their own money instead of Washington politicians. It would help working families struggling to make ends meet, allow farmers and small business owners to further expand and invest, and makes American jobs and workers more competitive globally. \u00a0 \u201cThis bill also gets rid of the unfair and regressive Obamacare individual mandate tax, giving Iowans the freedom to make choices that work best for them instead of being forced by the federal government to purchase an unaffordable product they either don\u2019t want or don\u2019t need. More than 52,000 Iowans in 2015 were required to pay the individual mandate tax, even though more than 80 percent of those who paid the tax made less than $50,000 a year. That\u2019s a tax on working families, and I\u2019m hopeful to see it gone. \u00a0 \u201cThe Senate passage of this legislation is a victory for Iowans of every income level and way of life, but there\u2019s more work to be done. It now needs to be reconciled with the House-passed version. This is a once-in-a -generation opportunity to make lasting reforms to our broken and outdated tax code. I look forward to working with my House and Senate colleagues to draft a bicameral bill to be signed into law by the President.\u201d \u00a0Grassley successfully included several provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, including whistleblower protections, taxpayer rights and corporate accountability measures. More information on these provisions is available here. As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Grassley previously led through Congress $2 trillion in bipartisan tax relief, leaving more money in workers\u2019 pockets, reducing tax rates across the board and spurring economic growth and activity. Congress later made permanent the vast majority of the Grassley-led measures with significant bipartisan support.\u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/myth-vs-fact-gop-tax-plan-capitol-solutions", "Myth vs. Fact on the GOP Tax Plan: Capitol Solutions", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congress has been working over the past several months to provide deserved tax relief to hardworking Iowa taxpayers. As we near the finish line, there are groups fighting hard to protect the decades old and status quo tax code which is broken for most everyday Iowans. In their battle to protect the establishment which has left so many individuals and families financially struggling, these groups are spreading falsehoods in an all-out effort to stop progress on common sense tax relief. I thought it was important to dispel some of these myths and present the facts.\nMyth: This is only a tax cut for the wealthiest Americans.\nFact: The U.S. House of Representatives\u2019 GOP tax plan maintains the top tax rate of 39.6 percent and lowers all other tax brackets, especially for those containing middle and low income taxpayers to provide tax relief to those who need it most.\u00a0An analysis by the House\u2019s Ways and Means Committee\u00a0found\u00a0a family of four making the median income in Iowa\u2019s Third District would receive, on average, a $2,370 tax cut.\n\u00a0\nMyth: This bill actually raises taxes on the middle class and the poor.\u00a0\nFact: The House\u2019s GOP tax plan provides relief by lowering taxes on the middle income and those struggling to climb the economic ladder. \u00a0Recently, even The New York Times released a study\u00a0revealing\u00a0\u201cNearly everyone who takes the standard deduction gets a tax cut in 2018.\u201d \u00a0And, \u201cFamilies with children generally get a bigger tax cut.\u201d\u00a0By doubling the standard deduction from $6,350 to $12,000 for individuals and from $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples, more of your paycheck will be tax free.\n\u00a0\nMyth: Repealing the individual mandate is repealing\u00a0Affordable Care Act (ACA).\nFact: Although the House\u2019s GOP tax plan does not repeal the individual mandate, the Senate\u2019s GOP tax plan does repeal\u00a0the\u00a0mandate, but still\u00a0preserves the exchanges and all health plans folks have.\u00a0This does not prevent anyone from purchasing health insurance from the ACA\u2019s exchanges.\u00a0The individual mandate\u00a0is a tax penalty intended to mandate and force\u00a0people to purchase health insurance, even if they don\u2019t want it. \u00a0Eighty\u00a0percent (80%) of those who\u00a0did not buy insurance who\u00a0paid the penalty\u00a0made less than $50,000. And\u00a0Politico\u00a0reported\u00a0repealing the individual mandate would not have a substantial impact on the ACA\u2019s markets.\u00a0\n\u00a0\nMyth: The House\u2019s GOP tax plan cuts Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.\nFact: The tax plan\u00a0does not\u00a0cut a single penny\u00a0from Social Security,\u00a0Medicare, or\u00a0Medicaid.\u00a0Again, there are no cuts to these critical programs in the plan.\n\u00a0\nMyth: Repealing the estate tax is a massive giveaway to the wealthiest Americans.\nFact: The estate tax (sometimes called the death tax) negatively impacts farms and businesses all over the Third District. These folks have worked hard to build their farm and business from the ground up, paying taxes the whole way through. Death should not be a taxable event and families should not have to fear the Internal Revenue Service and more taxes making it more difficult and costly to pass on the farm or family business to the next generation.\u00a0\n\u00a0\nMyth:\u00a0The House\u2019s GOP tax bill will raise taxes on Americans\u2019 retirement.\nFact: The tax bill retains 401(k) and IRAs exactly as they are in current law.\u00a0\n\u00a0\nMyth: Lowering the tax rate on businesses will not help the economy.\nFact: The nonpartisan Tax Foundation\u00a0analysis\u00a0found the House\u2019s GOP tax plan creates nearly one million new jobs and increases wages, on average, by $2,200. For too long wages have been stagnant and hardworking Iowans have been squeezed. The Iowa Policy Project\u00a0found,\u00a0when adjusted for inflation, Iowans working 40 hours per week at the median wage only got a raise of $270 from 1979-2016. It\u2019s clear something is wrong and a broken tax code is suffocating the economy and keeping it from being healthy.\u00a0\n\u00a0\nMyth:\u00a0The House\u2019s GOP tax plan will add $1.4 trillion to the national debt.\nFact:\u00a0Groups are making inaccurate assumptions about the effect of the bill through something called \u201cstatic scoring.\u201d\u00a0That means they are assuming when folks get a tax cut they all will simply hide their money under their mattress, when, in fact, that isn\u2019t what folks do. When folks get a tax cut, many spend it, invest it, and some may save it for a time only to spend it later. This has a positive impact by growing and strengthening the economy and increasing tax revenue.\nThese are only a few of the many myths being spread about the tax relief plans being considered by Congress. Hardworking Iowans deserve not just tax relief and to keep and control more of their hard earned money, but they also deserve to know the truth.\u00a0\nCAPITOL SOLUTIONS\u00a0is a weekly report to the people of Iowa from Third District Congressman David Young.\u00a0The report\u00a0is a resource of information for Iowans on the issues being debated and discussed in Congress, Iowa and the nation.\nDavid Young\u00a0is the Congressman serving all the people of the sixteen counties of Iowa\u2019s Third Congressional District. He is a member of the Committee on Appropriations and Subcommittees on Agriculture, Financial Services and General Government, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. Congressman Young is also the founder and Chairman of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force to Combat Identity Theft and Fraud -\u00a0a\u00a0group of dedicated legislators working towards commonsense solutions to protect all Americans from hackers, scammers, thieves and fraudsters.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-verdict-kate-steinle-case", "Grassley Statement on Verdict in Kate Steinle Case", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley released the following statement regarding the verdict in the murder trial of Kate Steinle. \u00a0 \u201cThe death of Kate Steinle was a heartbreaking and preventable tragedy.\u00a0 She died in her father\u2019s arms at the hand of someone who violated our nation\u2019s laws and who never should have been in our country. The sad reality is that had local authorities cooperated with federal law enforcement, this could have been avoided. We must honor Kate\u2019s legacy by taking steps to ensure that this does not happen again. The United States Senate should immediately pass Kate\u2019s Law to improve community safety and prevent future tragedies.\u201d \u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blum.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=633", "Rep. Blum Announces Original Cosponsorship of Bipartisan Bill to Eliminate Sexual Harassment Payouts with Taxpayer Dollars", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Rod Blum", "B001294", "blum.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Blum Announces Original Cosponsorship of Bipartisan Bill to Eliminate Sexual Harassment Payouts with Taxpayer Dollars \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        November 30, 2017\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Congressman Blum has announced he is an original cosponsor of Rep. Ron Desantis\u2019 bipartisan legislation, H.R. 4494, the Congressional Accountability and Hush Fund Elimination Act. This legislation is in response to the recent discovery of over $17 million in taxpayer dollars used to payout victims of harassment on Capitol Hill. \u201cConstituents in my district are outraged their hard-earned tax dollars are being used to pay off the actions of sexual offenders in Congress. This legislation must pass to undo these abhorrent actions, and as soon as possible. I urge House leadership to make this bill a priority and identify those who committed these violations.\u201d  H.R. 4494 will prohibit the use of public funds used to pay sexual harassment settlement claims. The bill would also require a report from the Office of Compliance within 30 days of enactment. The report would disclose the specific amounts paid for settlements, the source of public funds, and identify the office and individual who committed the violations. In addition to being identified publicly, the perpetrators would be required to return the money from their settlement back to the U.S. Treasury, with interest. Past agreements with victims have contained non-disclosure prerequisites; H.R. 4494 would void those clauses and prevent non-disclosure in future assault procedures.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-statement-2018-rfs-volumes-and-2019-rvos", "Young Statement on 2018 RFS volumes and 2019 RVOs", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Iowa Congressman David Young issued the following statement regarding the EPA's rule on the Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2018 and 2019 Renewable Volume Obligations for biodiesel.\n\u201cWhile the EPA\u2019s announcement is a great improvement from their previous proposal, I am disappointed the agency didn\u2019t strengthen the biodiesel volume levels.\n\u201cThe biofuels industry is critical to ensuring America\u2019s energy independence and to Iowa\u2019s economy, which is why the Renewable Fuel Standard was implemented by Congress.\n\u201cI was happy to see Iowans engaging with the EPA and appreciate \u00a0Administrator Pruitt for his responsiveness\u00a0to our concerns and keeping the promises he made during his confirmation in the Senate.\n\u201cI will continue to be a strong advocate for the Renewable Fuel Standard and hold\u00a0the administration accountable\u00a0to their\u00a0commitments.\u201d\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-statement-on-epa-rfs-volume-rule", "King Statement on EPA RFS Volume Rule", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.- Congressman Steve King, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement after reviewing the final rule released by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that sets the required renewable fuel volumes for 2018 under the Renewable Fuels Standard.\n\u201cI am appreciative of the fact that Administrator Pruitt scrapped the EPA\u2019s earlier proposal, and instead finalized a rule with higher levels for renewable fuels than the agency initially sought,\u201d said King. \u201cIn October, I asked the Administrator to develop a rule with stronger RFS volume requirements. It appears that he has done so, although I am disappointed that the volume requirement for biomass-based biodiesel is only 2.1 billion gallons when we can produce much more.\u201d \n\u201cThis final rule preserves the 15 billion gallon requirement for corn ethanol and other conventional renewable fuels. It also increases the cellulosic biofuel and advanced biofuel volumes above the levels the agency first proposed. In fact, advanced biofuels actually have an increased volume level over 2017\u2019s requirement.\u201d\n\u201cToday\u2019s announcement shows that the Trump Administration has not forgotten its promises to those of us who support the increased use of renewable fuels. Administrator Pruitt is to be commended for tanking the EPA\u2019s first proposal, and I will continue to work with him to fuel the growth of the ethanol industry.\u201d\nThe RFS Volume rule finalized by the EPA sets the following volume requirements for 2018:\nCellulosic biofuel (million gallons):\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0288\nBiomass-based diesel (billion gallons)\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 2.1\nAdvanced biofuel (billion gallons):\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a04.29\nRenewable fuel (billion gallons):\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a019.29\nIn October, Congressman King joined with 21 members of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus on a letter asking the EPA \u201cto formulate a more robust final rule regarding the volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard.\u201d A copy of that letter can be seen here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-votes-to-protect-iowans-second-amendment-rights", "King Votes to Protect Iowans Second Amendment Rights", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Steve King", "K000362", "steveking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Judiciary Committee Passes King Cosponsored \u201cConcealed Carry Reciprocity\u201d Legislation\nWashington, D.C.- Congressman Steve King released the following statement following House Judiciary Committee passage of important legislation he cosponsored that protects Iowans\u2019 ability to legally carry concealed firearms. King, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, voted in favor of H.R. 38, the \u201cConcealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017,\u201d during committee action yesterday evening. The legislation now moves out of committee and is eligible for consideration on the floor of the House of Representatives.\n\u00a0\u201cLaw abiding Iowans with concealed carry licenses are exercising our rights under the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, and our Second Amendment rights do not end at our state\u2019s border,\u201d said King. \u201cH.R. 38 ensures that a concealed carry license in Iowa will be honored in any other state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms. This is important legislation that serves notice to gun-grabbers that their efforts to restrict the Constitutional right to keep and bear arms through excessive and burdensome state licensing schemes will not be tolerated.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2F156823-58E4-4808-890C-2CBAEA412F6B", "Heitkamp, Ernst Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Government Efficiency and Accountability", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bill would Improve the Way Inspector General Recommendations are Posted Online; this year Inspectors General Found over $20 Billion in Potential Taxpayer Savings\r\nLegislation would Strengthen Congressional Oversight and the Public\u2019s Ability to Evaluate How Federal Agencies are Tackling Problems\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u00a0U.S. Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) today introduced a bipartisan bill to hold federal agencies accountable to act on recommendations that save taxpayer money and make government more efficient.\r\nThe legislation requires that all open recommendations from inspectors general (IG) at federal agencies that have remained unimplemented for more than a year be posted to a single, searchable website. This legislation would allow Congress and the public to keep better tabs on the problems that have been identified at the federal agencies where IGs conduct audits to combat waste, fraud, and abuse \u2013 and keep track of whether or not steps have been taken to resolve those problems.\r\nIGs serve as federal watchdogs within government agencies by investigating agencies and recommending how to improve operations and transparency on issues ranging from cybersecurity to federal hiring practices. For the third consecutive year, the IGs identified in their recommendations over $20 billion in potential taxpayer savings. However, there is currently no standard requirement for how IGs organize and maintain open recommendations on their websites, and the quality of publicly available information varies from agency to agency.\r\n\u201cEach year, our government invests in the important work of inspectors general. Unfortunately, it\u2019s often difficult for taxpayers to assess whether a federal agency is listening to inspector general recommendations and making good-faith efforts to correct major issues that could help the federal government work better,\u201d said Heitkamp. \u201cOur bipartisan bill would allow the public to better hold government agencies and their leadership accountable by making sure the work of inspectors general gets the full and public analysis it deserves. That way recommendations are put to good use and tax dollars are used efficiently.\u201d\r\n\u201cInspectors General play a critical role in the oversight of our federal agencies,\u201d said Ernst. \u201cI am glad to join Senator Heitkamp in this bipartisan effort to make the recommendations made by the Inspectors General more accessible and transparent so we can better combat waste and abuse in our federal agencies.\u201d\r\nHeitkamp has been consistently working with the IG community on ways to implement key elements of this bill to help improve transparency and accountability across the federal government. As members of the Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management Subcommittee within the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Heitkamp \u2013 the ranking member \u2013 and Ernst held a subcommittee hearing on how federal departments and agencies implement recommendations from the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the offices of inspectors general. Before the launch of this legislation, Heitkamp met with U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz to discuss ways to improve Congressional oversight of his agency\u2019s recommendations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4331DE0F-A076-404C-A6ED-8ABC048EF203", "Ernst Statement on Final RFS RVO Rule", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, made the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released their final rule on Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2018 along with setting the 2019 RVOs for biodiesel:\r\n\u201cToday, the EPA has upheld their commitment to set the volume requirements for conventional ethanol for 2018 at approved levels, and I am pleased that this administration is keeping its pledge to rural America to support the RFS. However, I am disappointed that the 2019 biodiesel numbers were held flat at the bare minimum level that the Administrator committed to. Moving forward, I will continue pressing the EPA to further bolster the biodiesel and cellulosic requirements.\r\n\u201cI am glad to see my efforts, and those of my colleagues, to hold the EPA accountable to the letter and spirit of the RFS as intended by Congress have been successful thus far, and I will continue working tirelessly to protect and defend the RFS.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-judiciary-committee-executive-business-meeting-judicial", "Grassley Statement at Judiciary Committee Executive Business Meeting on Judicial Nominations", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Business Meeting November 30, 2017 \u00a0 Good morning. Last night, Senator Feinstein told me that her Members had a meeting that would last until 10:30, so I moved today\u2019s markup half an hour back. Because of the accommodation, I\u2019d ask that after opening statements by the Ranking Member and me, and after we have the necessary number of Members here to vote, we do so. Then, we\u2019ll continue with any other Member statements. \u00a0 Today, we have a number of nominees on today\u2019s agenda for the first time and the Minority has requested that they be held over. They are: \u00a0 James Ho, 5th CircuitDon Willett, 5th CircuitClaria Boom, Eastern and Western Districts of KentuckyJohn Broomes, District of KansasRebecca Jennings, Western District of KentuckyRobert Wier, Eastern District of Kentucky \u00a0 Mr. Grasz\u2019s nomination to the 8th Circuit is on today\u2019s agenda. The Minority requested that he be held over last week. Typically, Members are allowed to hold over a nominee for one week and then the Committee will vote on the nominee the following week. \u00a0 But Senator Feinstein has requested that he be held over again this week because she indicated she wants to consider some information she received about Mr. Grasz\u2019s ABA rating on Tuesday. I believe she\u2019ll be writing a follow-up letter to get this situation fully resolved. \u00a0 I\u2019m willing to accommodate Senator Feinstein\u2019s request this week and will hold Mr. Grasz\u2019s nomination for one more week. \u00a0 The follow-up materials we received from Mr. Grasz this week appear to indicate that the ABA relied on faulty information in their evaluation of him. I believe the Committee should be able to resolve this issue in the next week. \u00a0 This is a special accommodation that I\u2019ll make. But this is a rare exception to our standard practice. \u00a0 And, I\u2019ll just say to you, Senator Feinstein, the letter you sent to me asking that Mr. Grasz be held another week indicates to me that you\u2019re looking into his record and that you haven\u2019t yet decided how you\u2019re going to vote. Of course, if you already knew how you were going to vote, this seems to be a meaningless endeavor. But I\u2019m glad for the nominee to be able to have an opportunity to clarify the record and to clear up his reputation on the issue. \u00a0 I\u2019ll now turn to Senator Feinstein for her remarks. \u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1515A32F-B126-48B5-96C2-5E75DDADEDF2", "Ernst Applauds Progress on Tax Reform", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) issued the following statement after the Senate voted to begin debate on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\r\n\u201cI am pleased that today we voted to begin debate on the much-needed tax reform package. It is estimated that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would create over 10,000 jobs across Iowa, and that on average, low and middle-income earners would see thousands of dollars added back into their pockets.\r\n\u201cIt also includes a bipartisan measure that I helped lead to incentivize private investment in struggling communities so we can spur economic growth in poverty-stricken areas, and bring hope and opportunity back to many distressed rural communities in Iowa.\r\n\u201cAdditionally, I am offering two amendments; the SQUEAL Act and the bipartisan Credit For Caring Act. The SQUEAL Act would force Congress to lead by example and offer up its own unnecessary tax break that allows Members of Congress to deduct, for income tax purposes, thousands of dollars annually in living expenses while in the Washington, D.C. area. Meanwhile, the Credit for Caring Act would provide working family caregivers with a nonrefundable tax credit up to $3,000 to assist with out-of-pocket expenses related to caregiving. These are two important reforms that I hope to see included on the Senate floor.\r\n\u201cAs debate proceeds, I look forward to working with my colleagues on this long-overdue effort to simplify our tax code, and to create more opportunities for all.\u201d\r\nNOTE: A motion to proceed to consider is\u00a0\u201ca motion, usually offered by the majority leader to bring a bill or other measure up for consideration.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=7F99CB76-B4DB-437A-9E61-D36506E61244", "VETS Act Included In Senate Committees Caring For Our Veterans Act", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a combat veteran, issued the following statement after the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs passed legislation that includes the bipartisan Veterans E-Health & Telemedicine Support (VETS) Act. The VETS Act, led by Senators Ernst and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), seeks to improve health care access \u2013 including mental health treatment \u2013 for disabled or rural veterans by expanding telehealth services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).\r\n\u201cI am thrilled that our bipartisan efforts to expand veterans\u2019 access to telehealth services was included in the Caring for Our Veterans Act of 2017, and approved by committee today on a bipartisan basis,\u201d said Senator Ernst. \u201cWith over 200,000 veterans across Iowa, it is imperative that we continue looking for ways to create opportunities to increase access to quality and timely care \u2013 including mental health treatment \u2013 for disabled or rural veterans.\r\n\u201cAs the Care for our Veterans Act heads to the Senate floor, I look forward to continuing to review the legislation as it is finalized.\u201d\r\nAbout the VETS Act:\r\n\r\nSenators Ernst and Hirono first introduced the VETS Act in 2015, and reintroduced it in the 115th Congress in April of 2017.\r\nIn August of 2017, the Department of Veterans\u2019 Affairs (VA) announced it will expand telehealth services for veterans and provide telemedicine across state lines, mirroring efforts in the VETS Act.\r\nThe VETS Act seeks to improve health care access \u2013 including mental health treatment \u2013 for disabled or rural veterans by expanding telehealth services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by allowing VA health officials to practice telemedicine across state lines if they are qualified and practice within the scope of their authorized federal duties.\r\nAdditionally, the legislation ensures the VA and Congress provide oversight of the VA\u2019s telehealth program by requiring the VA to measure program effectiveness.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-hhs-secretary-nominee-azar-discuss-lowering-drug-prices-protecting", "Grassley, HHS Secretary Nominee Azar Discuss Lowering Drug Prices, Protecting Whistleblowers, Responding to Oversight Requests", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today met with Alex Azar, President Donald Trump\u2019s nominee to serve as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Grassley is a senior member and former chairman of the Finance Committee, which will consider the nomination. Grassley made the following comment on the meeting. \u201cI congratulated Mr. Azar on his nomination and told him I looked forward to working with him should he be confirmed. \u201cAmericans were right to be outraged by the inappropriate and wasteful spending of department funds by the previous secretary. I expect Mr. Azar understands that taxpayer dollars ought to be respected at every level of every agency of the federal government. I expressed my longstanding commitment to oversight of the federal bureaucracy and my expectation that requests from members of both parties be given a timely response in good faith. \u201cMr. Azar and I discussed the importance of lowering drug prices and encouraging competition in the health care and pharmaceutical industries. Drug prices and medical costs generally continue to grow at unsustainable rates, and consumers and taxpayers are forced to foot the bill. This Congress, I\u2019ve introduced bipartisan legislation to reduce drug waste, expand consumers\u2019 access to generic drugs and increase pharmaceutical marketplace competition. The next secretary should help lead the effort to stem the tide of rising drug prices. \u201cWe also discussed the importance of whistleblowers, who put themselves at risk to expose waste, fraud and abuse in both the government and in the health care and pharmaceutical industries. Whistleblowers\u2019 bravery should be praised and rewarded. It\u2019s up to the next secretary to foster a culture at HHS that supports whistleblowers and protects them from retaliation.\u201d \u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-renewable-volume-obligations-fall-short-industry-potential", "Grassley: Renewable Volume Obligations Fall Short of Industry Potential", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today issued the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA)\u00a0renewable volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. \u00a0\u201cThe EPA\u2019s announced renewable volume obligations fall short of the full potential of the U.S. biofuels industry. That is disappointing, particularly the lack of increase for biodiesel levels and the cut in cellulosic level requirements. Increases in the volume requirements are justified and would be good public policy. Congress intended for the RFS to drive growth in biofuels across all categories. Contrary to that goal, this final rule does little to encourage investment and growth in advanced biofuels. While I hoped for higher levels, they aren\u2019t unexpected and are unfortunately in line with EPA\u2019s original proposal. I\u2019m glad that EPA backed off a later proposal, which would have represented an abandonment of President Trump\u2019s stated commitment to biofuels and the integrity of the RFS. Iowa, rural America and the entire country are made stronger by the many jobs, increased energy independence and cleaner air that biofuels provide. The grassroots energy of this growing industry will continue to be a good news story for the nation. I plan to continue working to impress upon the Administration the capability to grow domestic energy production by unlocking the full potential of biofuels.\u201d\u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-senate-floor-1000-iowa-kids-foster-care-eligible-adoption", "Grassley on Senate Floor: 1,000 Iowa Kids in Foster Care Eligible for Adoption", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Senate Caucus on Foster Youth National Adoption Month November 29, 2017 \u00a0 Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate November as National Adoption Month. \u00a0 During this month, we\u2019re reminded of the importance of adoption to so many families and children in Iowa, and across the country. \u00a0 As Americans are celebrating the season of Thanksgiving with family and friends, adoptive families are celebrating with their new families \u2013 giving thanks for the joy of adoption. \u00a0 Since the first recognition of National Adoption Day in 2000 nearly 65,000 kids have been adopted on National Adoption Day, celebrated the Saturday before Thanksgiving each year. \u00a0 In 2016 alone, over 4,700 adoptions were finalized on National Adoption Day. \u00a0 National Adoption Month is certainly a time to celebrate the joys of a new family. However, it is also a reminder of the obstacles that many children may face. \u00a0 Nationally, there are over 425,000 children in foster care. Over 100,000 of these children are hoping to be adopted. In Iowa, there are around 1,000 kids in foster care who are eligible for adoption. \u00a0 This year, the special focus of National Adoption Month is older youth waiting to be adopted.\u00a0 Teenagers unfortunately face more difficulty in being adopted than younger children.\u00a0 \u00a0 As co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, I\u2019ve had the chance to hear directly from teenagers in foster care. \u00a0 They tell me that more than anything, they want a loving family. They tell me that they need a family, and that nobody is too old to be adopted. The support that parents provide to teens is critical to navigating the transition to adulthood. From making decisions about higher education, to finding a job or buying a car, a loving family continually provides the support that teens need to succeed. \u00a0 Congress must continue to work towards policy that helps make adoption a reality for more foster youth. \u00a0 We must work to ensure that all children, no matter their circumstances, have a permanent, loving home, and consistent, caring adults in their lives. \u00a0 I am glad that the Senate preserved the Adoption Tax Credit in the tax reform legislation and I am hopeful that Congress will continue to work on policy that promotes adoption, and improves the lives of those in foster care. \u00a0 As National Adoption Month comes to an end, I thank all those who work to improve the lives of children. \u00a0 I thank advocates for children who tirelessly work to make adoption possible, and I thank adoptive parents and families for opening their hearts and homes. \u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-tax-relief-middle-class-heart-tax-reform", "Grassley: Tax Relief for the Middle Class at the Heart of Tax Reform", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senior Member and Former Chairman, Senate Finance Committee Tax Cuts and Jobs Act November 29, 2017 \u00a0 Mr. President, the last time Congress modernized the tax code, it was 1986. \u00a0 That\u2019s more than 30 years ago. \u00a0 In the generation since, the tax code has grown out of control. \u00a0 It\u2019s been a dream come true for accountants and lobbyists.\u00a0 But it\u2019s a nightmare for most Americans. \u00a0 The outdated tax code helps the powerful and the well-connected.\u00a0 But hurts American workers.\u00a0 It hurts American industry.\u00a0 And it hurts America\u2019s ability to compete with the rest of the world. \u00a0 The bill passed out of the Finance Committee moves us in the right direction to make our tax code simpler, fairer, and more competitive. \u00a0 At the heart of the legislation is a middle-class tax cut.\u00a0 A typical family of four with two children making $59,000 a year could see a tax cut of more than $1,700. \u00a0 That is significant tax relief.\u00a0 But, you would never know it by listening to the rhetoric of my colleagues on the other side.\u00a0 \u00a0 They have repeatedly recited the tired line that Republicans are only interested in giving \u201ctax cuts to the wealthy.\u201d \u00a0 In fact, they began pushing that narrative before a bill was even written. \u00a0 It was a charge made against the unified framework which merely provided guidelines for the tax writing committee to start from. \u00a0 The partisan Tax Policy Center then filled the gaps with policy assumptions and crafted an analysis to fit their narrative. \u00a0 The problem is, their narrative hasn\u2019t changed, even after the Finance Committee provided policy details.\u00a0 I think even the Tax Policy Center would have to agree that the Finance Committee product differs drastically from the underlying assumptions of their initial analysis. \u00a0 The Finance Committee used all the available tools granted under the Unified Framework to target more relief to middle-income taxpayers and retain the progressivity of the tax code. \u00a0 Let\u2019s take a look at some of the major features of the Finance bill and how they provide relief for the nation\u2019s middle-class and low-income earners. First, it nearly doubles the standard deduction which means that many lower income Americans will be removed from the tax rolls completely.\u00a0 And tax filing season will be simpler for millions more. \u00a0 Second, it doubles the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000 and moderately increases its refundability. \u00a0 Both of these are made possible in large part by repealing personal exemptions.\u00a0 Personal exemptions for the taxpayer and spouse help to increase the standard deduction, and the personal exemptions for children help with increasing the child tax credit. \u00a0 Interesting enough, these provisions mirror a proposal put out by the Tax Policy Center in December of 2016. \u00a0 Nearly identical to the Finance bill, the Tax Policy Center paper argued for repealing personal exemptions, nearly doubling the standard deduction, and increasing the Child Tax Credit to $2,012. \u00a0 According to the authors of the Tax Policy Center proposal, such a change would \u201creduce complexity, remove inequities, and mitigate marriage penalties.\u201d \u00a0 The fact is, these changes provide more relief to the middle-class and simplify the tax code. \u00a0 As the Tax Policy Center paper points out, the value of the personal exemption is largely dependent on the tax bracket of the taxpayer.\u00a0 The higher the tax bracket, the more benefit. \u00a0 In comparison, the child tax credit generally lowers a taxpayer\u2019s tax liability dollar for dollar regardless of the tax bracket.\u00a0 As a result, repealing personal exemption in favor of expanding the child tax credit makes the tax code MORE progressive and targets more relief to lower and middle-income taxpayers. \u00a0 Admittedly there are some differences between what was suggested by TPC and the Finance bill.\u00a0 Its proposal would have been more generous on the refundable feature of the child tax credit. \u00a0 But on the opposite end, they would have made the child tax credit available to everyone, even millionaires.\u00a0 The Finance bill is less generous to the affluent because it phases out the credit for married taxpayers with incomes over $500,000. \u00a0 You would think the other side would offer some credit for taking this rather progressive approach to providing family tax relief. \u00a0 But no.\u00a0 They continue repeating their line over and over that the bill is a \u201ctax cut for the wealthy.\u201d \u00a0 Another feature of the Finance bill that provides relief to middle-class and low-income earners is the reduction of tax rates for middle-bracket taxpayers. \u00a0 First, it retains the 10 percent bracket, which many on the other side expressed concerns about being repealed based on the Big Six framework. \u00a0 Next, it lowers the current law 15 percent bracket to 12 percent and expands its applicability.\u00a0 Additionally, it reduces what is essentially the current law bracket of 25 percent to 22 percent and what is essentially today\u2019s current law 28 percent bracket to a much wider 24 percent bracket. \u00a0 These rate reductions target tax relief to the heart of the middle-class. \u00a0 You may be wondering how this middle-class tax relief bill will be financed.\u00a0 Largely by repealing the State and Local Tax Deduction, also known as the SALT deduction. \u00a0 Our colleagues on the other side have tried to argue the repeal of SALT is a tax increase on the middle-class.\u00a0 But nothing could be further from the truth, considering the reduced tax brackets I just discussed in combination of with the higher standard deduction and doubled child tax credit. \u00a0 The repeal of SALT is actually a key piece of this legislation which makes middle-class tax cuts possible.\u00a0 \u00a0 The SALT deduction overwhelmingly benefits the so-called \u201cwealthy\u201d that our colleagues on the other side vehemently argue should receive no tax benefits under the bill.\u00a0 \u00a0 You don\u2019t have to take my word for it. Here is what several partisan think tanks have said about SALT in the past. \u00a0 According to TPC, about 40 percent of SALT benefits go to taxpayers with incomes exceeding $500,000. \u00a0 Keep in mind that tax filers with incomes of $500,000 or more only make up about 1% of all tax filers, making it a very lopsided benefit. \u00a0 Here is what the Center for American Progress has said on SALT, \u00a0 \u201cThe deduction for state and local taxes disproportionately benefits high-income taxpayers, property owners, and residents of high-tax states.\u00a0 That\u2019s because those groups pay the most taxes at the state and local level.\u00a0 It also benefits high-income taxpayers because any kind of deduction is worth more to people in high tax brackets than low tax brackets.\u201d \u00a0 To further illustrate who eliminating SALT really hits, I would like to highlight a recent Bloomberg article titled, \u201cTax-Hike Fears Trigger Talk of Exodus from Manhattan and Greenwich.\u201d \u00a0 Now, this article is not about concerns from middle-class police officers or teachers on the repeal of SALT.\u00a0 Instead, it highlights concerns from wealthy hedge fund managers who may now consider moving out of the high-tax state of New York.\u00a0 Here is what that article had to say, \u00a0 \u201cThe problem for the Connecticut hedge-fund set -- and, more broadly, for a lot of the Wall Street crowd -- is that Republican proposals in both the House and Senate would drive up taxes for many high-earners in the New York City area.\u00a0 By eliminating the deduction for most state and local taxes, an individual making a yearly salary of $1,000,000\u2026would owe the Internal Revenue Service an additional $21,000.\u201d \u00a0 So I ask my colleagues on the left, are you prepared to go to bat over the SALT deduction for millionaire hedge-fund managers? \u00a0 In truth, from listening to my Democratic colleague\u2019s rhetoric I am really surprised by this article.\u00a0 I thought Republicans were all about \u201ctax cuts for the wealthy\u201d and giveaways to Wall Street.\u00a0 But this article suggests otherwise.\u00a0 In fact these types of taxpayers are likely to experience a sizable tax hike under our proposal. \u00a0 According to the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation, by 2023 nearly 30 percent of taxpayers with incomes exceeding $1 million will experience a tax hike. \u00a0 That does not sound like a giveaway to the wealthy to me. \u00a0 I yield the floor. \u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-we-are-upholding-blue-slip-courtesy-vast-majority-judiciary-chairman", "Grassley: We are Upholding Blue Slip Courtesy of Vast Majority of Judiciary Chairman Over Past Century", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Nominations November 29, 2017 \u00a0 Good morning.\u00a0Congratulations to all the nominees and to your families and welcome to the Committee. \u00a0 Two weeks ago, I announced in a speech on the Senate floor that I\u2019d hold a hearing for Minnesota Supreme Court Justice David Stras and former Louisiana Solicitor General Kyle Duncan despite not receiving two positive blue slips from home-state senators. I explained that nearly all Judiciary Committee Chairmen over the last 100 years allowed for hearings in such circumstances. And I explained that I too wouldn\u2019t treat blue slips as single-senator vetoes. \u00a0 Some of my colleagues and liberal outside groups have accused me of abolishing the 100-year-old blue slip tradition. That\u2019s simply not true. I\u2019m choosing to apply the blue slip policy that most of my predecessors had for the vast majority of this 100-year history.\u00a0My critics seem to believe the blue slip\u2019s history started with Senator Leahy sixteen years ago. But, as I\u2019ve explained, history is longer than that. \u00a0 Critics also claim that I selectively applied Senator Leahy\u2019s strict blue slip policy in the last two years of the Obama Administration. They point to nine nominees who were supposedly denied hearings because of lack of two positive blue slips. \u00a0 This is also not true. First of all, five of these nominees were district court nominees. I\u2019ve already said that district court nominees typically require the return of two positive blue slips before a hearing. This applies equally to President Trump\u2019s district court nominees as it did to President Obama\u2019s. \u00a0 The four circuit court nominees\u2014on the other hand\u2014weren\u2019t nominated until a presidential election year. As you know, I gave members nearly seven months to return blue slips on Justice Stras. I hoped they\u2019d both be returned to avoid the situation we have today. I recognize that my policy differs somewhat from Senator Leahy\u2019s, so I gave my colleagues from Minnesota ample time before proceeding. \u00a0 And I would\u2019ve given my colleagues the same courtesy in 2016. But then we wouldn\u2019t have held a hearing until July at the earliest, when we were already into the political conventions. Under the Leahy-Thurmond Rule\u2014recognized by both sides\u2014the Senate typically doesn\u2019t confirm judges starting by the summer of a presidential election year. The nominations simply came too late to proceed without home-state senators\u2019 support. \u00a0 Moreover, it was very apparent that even nominees with support of home-state senators and who were processed through the Committee weren\u2019t getting votes on the floor. Senator Durbin on several occasions questioned the wisdom of processing any nominees in such circumstances. Despite this, I held hearings for nearly as many judicial nominees as Senator Leahy did in 2007-2008. \u00a0 All in all, it would\u2019ve been a waste of Committee resources to hold hearings on the four circuit court nominees nominated in 2016 without two blue slips. \u00a0 Senator Leahy knows as well as anyone that there are multiple reasons we don\u2019t hold hearings for some nominees. In fact, Senator Leahy declined to schedule hearings for six of President Bush\u2019s circuit court nominees for reasons besides lack of positive blue slips. He denied hearings to three nominees to the Fourth Circuit\u2014Steve Matthews, Robert Conrad, and Glen Conrad. \u00a0 These nominees had two positive blue slips from their home-state senators, and two were nominated more than a year before the 2008 presidential election. \u00a0 Senator Leahy also refused to act on the nomination of Peter Keisler, President Bush\u2019s nominee to the D.C. Circuit, who was nominated in 2006. Obviously, blue slips were not the reason for my predecessor\u2019s decision to stall Mr. Keisler\u2019s nomination for more than two years. \u00a0 Senator Leahy also declined to hold hearings for two Sixth Circuit nominees\u2014Jeff Sutton and Deborah Cook\u2014even though both Ohio senators returned positive blue slips. The two Democratic Senators from Michigan asked Senator Leahy to halt proceedings on all Sixth Circuit nominees. Senator Leahy honored this request and denied a hearing to the two nominees for the Ohio seats. This was the first time in history a chairman allowed out-of-state senators to halt Committee proceedings on nominees. \u00a0 What my predecessor\u2019s actions show is that there are numerous reasons for a Chairman not to hold a hearing on a nominee besides blue slip problems. I myself did not proceed on several district court nominees who had two positive blue slips because it would have been a waste of Committee resources to go forward because these nominees weren\u2019t going to get confirmed anyway. It\u2019s simply false to say that any decision I made not to hold a hearing for President Obama\u2019s judicial nominees was based solely on blue slips. \u00a0 Additionally, critics have argued that only three nominees in recent decades have been confirmed over blue slip objections. But the question is not whether the nominees before us today will be confirmed. The question is whether they should receive a hearing. Home-state senators are entitled to lobby against confirmation, but they can\u2019t deny a nominee a hearing for political or ideological reasons. \u00a0 But the Democrats abolished an important tool for blocking confirmation of judges who don\u2019t have support of their home-state senators. In 2013, the Democrats abolished the filibuster. The filibuster is what allowed senators to enforce the preferences of home-state senators on the Senate floor. For example, the Democrats filibustered Carolyn Kuhl, Henry Saad, and other nominees of President Bush\u2019s who didn\u2019t have two positive blue slips. But the blue slips did not prevent these nominees from having hearings. \u00a0 Critics have also pointed to a letter sent to President Obama by the Republican Senate conference in 2009 which said we expected to be consulted and approve of all home-state judicial nominees. That letter wasn\u2019t just about the blue slip.\u00a0It was meant to show President Obama that the Republican conference was united\u2014that we\u2019d collectively filibuster nominees for whom there was not a consensus. \u00a0 Of course, the Democrats relinquished the ability to filibuster nominees four years ago. We also believed the Democrats needed to hold Obama nominees to the same standard they forced on President Bush. \u00a0 It\u2019s also worth mentioning that my Democratic colleagues in recent years have a record of using the blue slip aggressively to block highly qualified nominees. Yet they accuse Republicans of blocking 18 of President Obama\u2019s nominees through the blue slip. Leaving aside that many of these nominees didn\u2019t receive hearings for reasons besides the blue slip, Democrats used the blue slip to try to block hearings for 27 of President Bush\u2019s nominees. \u00a0 Republicans blocked none of President Obama\u2019s nominees via the blue slip during the first two years of his presidency. We are less than a year into President Trump\u2019s first term, and already my Democratic colleagues have tried to block a number of his highly qualified nominees. \u00a0 This brings me to my final point.\u00a0Some of my colleagues and outside groups have criticized me for allegedly abolishing a Senate tradition. As I\u2019ve explained, that\u2019s not true.\u00a0I\u2019m restoring the traditional policy and practice of the vast majority of my predecessors over the past 100 years. \u00a0 But it\u2019s also revealing that these same colleagues and groups supported abolishing the filibuster for lower court nominees in 2013\u2014a Senate rule that was more longstanding and established than my immediate predecessor\u2019s strict blue-slip policy. \u00a0 After today\u2019s first panel, we\u2019ll hear from Mr. Rodriguez, nominated to the Southern District of Texas, who will be introduced by the Texas Senators. \u00a0 And in addition to the judicial nominees, we also have before us today Andrei Iancu, who has been nominated to be Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. \u00a0 Intellectual property is critical to our national economy because it encourages the innovation that improves lives and creates jobs. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) plays a crucial role in fostering innovation by protecting intellectual property rights, so it\u2019s important that the PTO have strong and accountable leadership. \u00a0 However, the PTO has been criticized for its implementation of the America Invents Act. Some in the intellectual property community are happy with the PTO\u2019s process for weeding out weak patents and the reforms made by the America Invents Act. \u00a0 Others believe the America Invents Act has undermined intellectual property rights and the PTO has gone too far in eroding patent protections for innovators. Earlier this week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in\u00a0the Oil States case, which addresses whether the post-grant review process created by the America Invents Act is unconstitutional. \u00a0 It\u2019s clear that Mr. Iancu possesses strong legal qualifications. He has a proven record in the field of intellectual property law, and is well respected in the legal community. His intellectual property practice covers a wide array of subject areas, and he successfully has represented clients in cutting edge litigation like the TiVo and Ariosa cases. \u00a0 However, as a practitioner, Mr. Iancu hasn\u2019t expressed his personal opinions on many issues currently facing the PTO. I\u2019m interested in learning what the nominee believes are the biggest challenges for the U.S. intellectual property system and for U.S. innovators. \u00a0 I\u2019m looking forward to hearing Mr. Iancu\u2019s thoughts on these issues and how he intends to lead the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. After the introductions, I\u2019ll allow Senators Franken and Kennedy to make short statements regarding their blue slips if they\u2019d like to. \u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-wsj-us-senate-tax-plan-includes-gift-whistleblowers", "ICYMI: WSJ: U.S. Senate Tax Plan Includes Gift for Whistleblowers", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ICYMI:\u00a0The Wall Street Journal looks at Senator Grassley\u2019s work to include a clarification of IRS whistleblower reward provisions in the Senate\u2019s tax reform legislation. You can read the piece here.\u00a0 WSJ: U.S. Senate Tax Plan Includes Gift for Whistleblowers By Henry Cutter Nov. 29, 2017 \u00a0 A dispute over how much cash the Internal Revenue Service can hand out to those who help it recover money would end with a win for whistleblowers under a provision included in the Senate tax-overhaul plan. \u00a0 The measure, put forward by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa), chairman of the Senate Whistleblower Protection Caucus, would make it crystal-clear that all funds collected by the IRS as a result of a whistleblower\u2019s efforts would be available to be shared with that person as a reward. \u00a0 \u2026 \u00a0 The IRS has argued in court documents that because the whistleblower law deals only with tax matters, for the purpose of calculating rewards, the amount available to be shared, known as \u201ccollected proceeds,\u201d only refers to taxes it would have foregone without a\u00a0 whistleblower\u2019s help. Including other funds, such as criminal fines and civil forfeitures, would create a conflict between the tax code and other laws that spell out how that money can be used, it says. \u00a0 Whistleblower advocates argue that the pool should also include fines and forfeitures, making the potential payouts to whistleblowers much bigger. \u00a0 \u2026 \u00a0 The question is now under review in appellate court in Washington, D.C., in a case that pits the IRS against a couple that helped the agency collect $74 million. Both sides agree that the couple, whose names are redacted from court papers, should receive 24% of the collected proceeds. The agency\u2019s narrow definition would entitle the couple to share in $20 million, but the two argue that the pool of proceeds should also include the remaining $54 million, comprised of criminal fines and civil forfeitures. \u00a0 In a friend-of-the-court brief, Sen. Grassley argues for a broader definition. Noting that he was the principal author of a provision in the IRS Whistleblower Statute establishing mandatory payouts to whistleblowers, he says the law was meant to include awards for criminal fines, forfeitures and funds collected. \u00a0 \u201cThis is sort of to clarify any remaining confusion,\u201d a Grassley aide said of the provision in the Senate tax-overhaul plan. \u201cIt\u2019s a belt-and-suspenders kind of thing.\u201d \u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeks-ahead/week-ahead-scheduled-votes-committee-action-and-other-important-notes-8", "The Week Ahead - scheduled votes, committee action and other important notes for the week of November 27, 2017", "2017-11-28", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "David Young", "Y000066", "davidyoung.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "EDITORS NOTE: The week ahead overview will be sent each week Congress is in session. All times are in Central Time.\nTOP LINE:\n VISITING TROOPS IN THE MIDDLE EAST:\u00a0Last week, Congressman Young met with servicemembers in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. Learn more\u00a0HERE.\u00a0\n\tSHARING MESSAGES FROM OVERSEAS:\u00a0While visiting servicemembers overseas, Congressman Young recorded their Thanksgiving messages for the folks back home.\u00a0Watch the messages\u00a0HERE.\n\tA THANK YOU TO IOWANS:\u00a0Congressman Young wrote a thank you to the folks of Iowa's Third Congressional District. In it, he highlights how Iowans' cooperative and resilient spirit has inspired legislation in Congress. Read the letter HERE.\u00a0\n\tWEEKLY RADIO:\u00a0Wednesday morning,\u00a0Congressman Young is scheduled to join KCSI 95.3 FM Radio at 7:18 AM CT and KMA Radio on 960 AM and 99.1 FM at 7:35 AM CT.\n TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH  \n\tOn Tuesday, the House will meet at 11:00 a.m. for morning hour and 1:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 5:30 p.m.\nLegislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:\n1)\u00a0H.R. 2768\u00a0\u2013 Fowler and Boskoff Peaks Designation Act\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Scott Tipton / Natural Resources Committee)\n2)\u00a0H.R. 2615\u00a0\u2013 Gulf Islands National Seashore Land Exchange Act of 2017\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Steven Palazzo / Natural Resources Committee)\n3)\u00a0H.R. 1491\u00a0\u2013 Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Land Affirmation Act of 2017, as amended\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Doug LaMalfa / Natural Resources Committee)\n4)\u00a0H.R. 3115\u00a0\u2013 Superior National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2017, as amended\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Rick Nolan / Natural Resources Committee)\n5)\u00a0H.R. 995\u00a0\u2013 21st Century Respect Act, as amended\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries / Natural Resources Committee)\n6)\u00a0H.R. 2228\u00a0\u2013 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2017, as amended\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Susan Brooks / Judiciary Committee)\nWEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH  \n\tOn Wednesday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for morning hour and 11:00 a.m. for legislative business.\nLegislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:\n1)\u00a0H.Res. ____\u00a0\u2013 Requiring each Member, officer, and employee of the House of Representatives to complete a program of training in workplace rights and responsibilities each session of each Congress, and for other purposes\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Barbara Comstock / House Administration Committee)\nH.R. 3905\u00a0\u2013 Minnesota\u2019s Economic Rights in the Superior National Forest Act, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule)\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Tom Emmer / Natural Resources Committee)\nTHURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH  \n\tOn Thursday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for morning hour and 11:00 a.m. for legislative business.\nH.R. 3017\u00a0\u2013 Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule)\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. David McKinley / Energy and Commerce Committee)\nH.R. 4182\u00a0\u2013 Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017 (Subject to a Rule)\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. James Comer / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)\nFRIDAY, DECEMBER 1ST  \n\tOn Friday, the House will meet at 8:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m.\nH.R. 1699\u00a0\u2013 Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act of 2017 (Subject to a Rule)\u00a0(Sponsored by Rep. Andy Barr / Financial Services Committee)\nCommittee activity for the week of November 27 can be found\u00a0HERE.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-modernizing-anti-money-laundering-laws", "Grassley on Modernizing Anti-Money Laundering Laws", "2017-11-28", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on S.1241: Modernizing AML Laws to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing November 28, 2017 \u00a0 Today\u2019s global economy stretches to every corner of the world and touches every country on earth. Still, the U.S. dollar dominates as the preferred currency in global commerce. Trillions of dollars of transactions flow through U.S. banks daily, which helps to generate great prosperity at home. But this also means that our financial system is prone to exploitation. Terrorists, drug kingpins, and human traffickers need money to fund their operations. Criminals use our banks and institutions to facilitate their operations and realize the financial gains from their illegal conduct. \u00a0 In 1970, Congress passed the Bank Secrecy Act, which provided for the first significant regulations to safeguard the U.S. financial system against such criminal elements. As drug trafficking spiked and international cartels profited in the 1980\u2019s, Congress took action to make money laundering a federal crime for the very first time. And in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Congress again acted to strengthen our laws to protect our country and make it more difficult for terrorists to move money. \u00a0 One of the best ways to stop terrorism and criminal conduct is to hit the terrorists and the criminals where it hurts them the most, in their pocketbooks. We learned this lesson after 9/11, and we must remain stay focused on following the money. \u00a0 It has been almost 15 years since Congress took significant action to update our anti-money laundering laws. The world has changed a great deal in that time. While globalization has made it easier for the small business in Des Moines, Iowa to reach businesses and customers all over the world, it has also made it easier for bad actors to move millions of dollars in illegal funds with the click of a button. We now have new technologies and methods that allow criminals and terrorists to move money and operate in the dark, outside the traditional financial system and the watchful eyes of law enforcement. Unfortunately, our AML structure is now outdated: our system is designed to prevent and prosecute the 1980\u2019s \u201cCocaine Cowboy\u201d instead of today\u2019s ISIS-inspired terrorist, Russian billionaire kleptocrat, or Mexican drug cartel kingpin. \u00a0 In its 2015 national money laundering risk assessment, the Treasury Department explained that the \u201cfight against money laundering and terrorist financing is a pillar of U.S. national security and a strong financial system.\u201d But it is hard to deny that we are losing this fight. Up to five percent of global GDP consists of dirty money, and $300 billion of dirty money is laundered annually in the U.S. alone. The failure by law enforcement in preventing, identifying, tracing and prosecuting this money laundering is estimated at 99.9%. Ninety-nine point nine percent. In the words of one expert, this means that \u201ctotal failure is just a decimal point away.\u201d \u00a0 Illegal money laundering operations have real effects on real Americans. When we allow the Mexican drug traffickers to turn profits in the U.S., they use that money to develop and smuggle new drugs into the U.S. and pay violent gunmen to intimidate competitors and threaten law enforcement. When we allow fraudsters to turn profits in the U.S., we all end up footing the bill to cover the costs of stolen identities, tax refunds, and Medicare reimbursements. And when we allow organized crime and Russian kleptocrats to hide their dirty cash as payments for high-priced condos in New York and Miami, we price-out honest, hardworking Americans from the U.S. housing market. \u00a0 We need to give law enforcement the tools it needs to do its job. This is why I have introduced S.1241, the \u201cCombating Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Counterfeiting Act of 2017,\u201d along with Senators Feinstein, Cornyn, Whitehouse, Hatch and Klobuchar. This bill will modernize our AML laws by providing new tools, modernizing methods, and closing loopholes to make sure that law enforcement can prevent, identify, and prosecute those who break the law. \u00a0 S.1241 will close a number of legal loopholes that have stifled law enforcement by clarifying for prosecutors and judges precisely the type of evidence that is required to prove money laundering offenses. \u00a0 S.1241 also will enable prosecutors to more effectively charge cases when dirty money is comingled with clean money. The bill also will increase the penalties for bulk cash smuggling, which remains the most common method for drug traffickers to move money into and out of the U.S., and it will update our laws to capture new types of money smuggling through blank checks and other methods.   S.1241 will streamline evidence gathering by making it easier to obtain foreign bank records, which are vital to proving international criminal cases. \u00a0 And S.1241 provides for two new criminal laws that will make it a crime for someone to lie to a bank about the true beneficial ownership of a bank account or whether such an account is associated with a foreign political official, which is the type of information that would trigger enhanced due diligence by banks. \u00a0 This bill has broad bi-partisan support and we currently have three Republican and three Democrat co-sponsors. In addition, a number of law enforcement and other groups have sent letters to the Committee to express their enthusiastic support of the bill. I will enter into the record the letters of support that have been sent to the Committee from the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Association of Police Organizations, National Association of Assistant United States Attorneys, the National District Attorneys Association, the Fraternal Order of Police and the FACT Coalition. \u00a0 Today, we will hear from a number of government witnesses and outside experts. They will hopefully shed more light on the scope of this problem, and give us useful feedback on what we can do to help. I welcome our witnesses, and look forward to all of their testimony today. \u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-seeks-assessment-diversity-visa-lottery-program", "Grassley Seeks Assessment of Diversity Visa Lottery Program", "2017-11-28", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley is requesting a full-scale review of the Diversity Visa lottery program that has been used by foreign terrorists, human traffickers and fraudsters to immigrate permanently to the United States. The program has received renewed scrutiny following the October 31 terrorist attack in New York City by a Diversity Visa recipient.\u00a0 The Diversity Visa program sets aside 55,000 visas every year, permitting aliens selected via a lottery system\u2014regardless of their ties to the United States and with minimal qualifications\u2014to apply for an immigrant visa. Each approved applicant may also bring to the United States spouses and children, making the annual total of immigrants who arrive through this program much higher. \u00a0The program is susceptible to fraud and many Diversity Visa applicants are from developing nations, where fraudulent documentation may be more readily available and more difficult to verify. As a result, the program has also been exploited by human traffickers and others who make false claims of familial ties in order to permit other foreign nationals to immigrate to the United States. A 2007 Government Accountability Office report raised concerns that widespread use of fake foreign government documents presented a security risk to the United States, and a 2003 State Department Inspector General report underscored risks of granting Diversity Visas to individuals from countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism.\u00a0Recent events suggest that these and other national security concerns have never been fully resolved.\u00a0 In a letter last week to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Grassley seeks a full assessment of the Diversity Visa program, including the cost of the program and how the department mitigates risks of fraud and exploitation. \u00a0Full text of Grassley\u2019s letter follows.\u00a0 November 20, 2017 \u00a0 VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION The Honorable Rex W. Tillerson\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Secretary\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 U.S. Department of State\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Washington, D.C. 20520\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Dear Secretary Tillerson: \u00a0I am writing as a follow-up to my letter of November 1, 2017, in which I requested information about the Diversity Visa (DV) recipient who carried out the October 31 terrorist attack in New York City.[1] Since then, reports of additional DV recipients in the U.S. with suspected ties to terror have surfaced.[2] For example, days before the October 31 attack, the Department of Justice announced that another Uzbek national and DV lottery winner, Abdurasul Hasanovich Juraboev, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State, for acts that occurred in 2014.[3] In 2009, Pakistani national and DV recipient Syed Haris Ahmed was convicted of terrorism related activities.[4] In 2002, another Pakistani national and DV recipient, Imran Mandhai, pled guilty to conspiring to bomb several locations near Miami, Florida. [5] Also in 2002, DV recipient Hesham Mohamed Ali Hedeyat perpetrated a terrorist attack on U.S. soil, when he shot and killed two people at Los Angeles International Airport on the 4th of July.[6]\u00a0\u00a0 Because the State Department has single handedly administered this statutorily mandated program since its inception in the 1990s, placing the Department in a unique position to provide feedback, I am requesting your candid assessment of the program\u2019s operation and merits. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As you know, the Diversity Visa program was created when the Immigration Act of 1990 amended[7] the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to create a new class of \u201cdiversity immigrants.\u201d[8] The law currently provides a maximum of 55,000 DVs[9] each fiscal year to be made available to aliens from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.\u00a0 The State Department\u2019s Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) oversees the complex \u201clottery\u201d system whereby aliens register for the chance to be selected at random and, if selected, are then permitted to submit a DV application.[10] Although millions apply for the lottery each year,[11] KCC \u201cprocesses approximately 125,000 registrants (both principals and dependents).\u201d[12] This number appears to be substantially larger than the 55,000 visa annual cap because once approved, DV immigrants may bring along spouses and children under the age of twenty-one.[13]\u00a0Since the October 31 terror attacks, calls for elimination of the DV program have become increasingly strident.[14] As one commentator noted, every year thousands of diversity visas are awarded to aliens from countries that have been flagged by the U.S. government for terrorism scrutiny.[15] \u201c[L]etting people into America from these terror-rocked nations through a veritable game of chance is bizarre and potentially suicidal,\u201d he argued, noting that more than 65,000 aliens from such high risk countries have been welcomed through the DV program since 2007.[16]\u00a0 Although the October 31 attacker was not from one of the highest risk countries, his post-entry radicalization points to a more amorphous but nonetheless serious concern: that some combination of predisposition, lack of skills (which makes assimilation more difficult), and cultural isolation, could render some DV recipients as great a risk to the United States as those who enter with concrete plans to do harm.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The DV program is also highly susceptible to fraud, as a recent prosecution demonstrates: on November 6, 2017, the Department of Justice brought charges against a Somali woman who won the DV lottery and subsequently recruited an entire fictitious family, including a fake husband and two fake adult children, all of whom came to the United States, and later naturalized as U.S. citizens solely on the fraudulent basis that they were related to the Somali woman.[17] All of the fictitious family members claimed, and naturalized under, alternate identities that were clearly made possible through the use of fraudulent identification documents. In another case human traffickers coerced dozens of DV recipients into listing trafficked young women as their own family members on the DV application.[18]\u00a0Because fraudulent documents used to verify family relationships can be difficult to spot and are often readily available[19]\u2014particularly in the developing countries that are likely to be among those eligible for the DV lottery[20]\u2014the DV program has, historically, proved particularly difficult to administer. In 2007 the Government Accountability Office (GAO) described this ongoing concern:\u00a0Consular officers at 6 of the 11 posts we reviewed reported that widespread use of fake documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and passports, presented challenges when verifying the identities of applicants and dependents. Difficulty in verifying identities has security implications because State\u2019s security checks rely heavily on name-based databases. In 2003, State\u2019s Inspector General raised concerns that aliens from countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism can apply for diversity visas. Nearly 9,800 persons from these countries have obtained permanent residency in the United States through the program. We found no documented evidence that DV immigrants from these, or other, countries posed a terrorist or other threat. However, experts familiar with immigration fraud believe that some individuals, including terrorists and criminals, could use fraudulent means to enter or remain in the United States.[21]\u00a0In addition to other concerns, the DV program arguably harms some immigrants themselves, both by exposing DV lottery winners to extortion and fraud,[22] and by permitting lucky lottery winners to jump the queue ahead of hundreds of thousands of family- and employment-based applicants, some of whom have been waiting for years, under other legal immigration programs.[23]\u00a0 In light of these apparent flaws, many have called for the elimination of the DV program, and I am seeking to evaluate its utility and security. To assist in this endeavor, please respond to the following inquiries no later than December 18, 2017: \u00a0 Please describe the internal State Department workflow for DV cases, beginning with determination of DV-eligible countries, through registration by an applicant for the lottery, selection, and visa adjudication and issuance. \u00a0 Evidence suggests that visa application fraud has been a serious concern, historically, within the DV applicant population, and fraudulent documents continue to be available. What technology or process improvements have been made to address this risk since GAO\u2019s 2007 report and since the recently prosecuted fictitious family of applicants were approved for DVs in 2001?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 I am concerned that the complexity, burden, and risks may outweigh the rewards of the DV program. So that we can best assess its true value, please describe the resources expended on an annual basis to manage and oversee the diversity visa program, including the lottery registration and selection process and related web site, and consular adjudication of lottery winners\u2019 applications. \u00a0 Are all DV programs costs, including the lottery and registration web site, covered entirely by applicant fees?\u00a0 \u00a0 How does consular processing of DV cases compare with the adjudication of other immigrant visa applications, in terms of times and resources expended?\u00a0 \u00a0 If such metrics are available, what is the average case processing time for the average DV application?\u00a0 For the average immigrant visa application in other categories? \u00a0 Unlike most other immigrant visa applicants, DV applicants do not submit a petition for advance DHS approval,[24] prior to applying for a visa. What, if any, measures does the Department of State take to compensate for the lack of DHS scrutiny of DV applicants? \u00a0 Unlike most other immigrant visa applicants, DV applicants must be issued a visa during the same fiscal year within which they \u201cwin\u201d the DV lottery. Are DV applications expedited or given any other special consideration due to this restrictive time frame?\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 If statistics are available, please provide the number of DV cases subjected to administrative processing in the past five years, including the number of such cases in which a visa was eventually issued. \u00a0 Please advise whether, in cases during the last five years where no DV was issued, the visa was denied, or the application was not successful because the process could not be completed within the same fiscal year (or for some other reason), if such information is readily available. \u00a0 Posts are required to submit reports of immigrant visas issued and refused, and to report on \u201cSignificant Factors Affecting [Immigrant] Visa Work.\u201d[25]\u00a0 Given that the DV program is available only in countries with lower numbers of immigrant visa applications, do embassies and consulates in countries selected for the program see an annual surge in visa applications due to DV registrants? If so, how is this surge handled, and what efforts are made to ensure that DV applicant screening is consistent with screening of other immigrant visa applicants at these lower volume posts?\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Given significant fraud concerns, has the Department considered employing DNA to verify family relationships among DV applicants? If you do not use DNA testing, why not? \u00a0 Given the lack of reliable documentation in some developing countries, are DV applicants refused at a higher rate than applicants from other countries? Can you calculate the overall refusal rate for DV applicants on an annual basis?\u00a0 \u00a0 If such information is available, please provide the DV applicant visa refusal rate for the past five years and, if readily available, broken down by country of chargeability. \u00a0 The numerous terrorism related prosecutions of former DV applicants raises concerns for those who implement the program. Is there any mechanism whereby the Department is notified of the activity of former DV recipients, once they have arrived in the United States? For example, does the Department of Justice notify the Department of State when it (DOJ) prosecutes a former visa recipient\u2014DV or otherwise\u2014and if so, how is that information evaluated and incorporated into DV (or other visa) program management?\u00a0 \u00a0 Please provide any other information that may be helpful as we evaluate the DV program. \u00a0 Thank you in advance for your cooperation with this request.\u00a0 If you have questions, please contact Katherine Nikas or Brad Watts at (202) 224-5225. \u00a0 Sincerely, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Charles E. Grassley\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chairman Senate Committee on the Judiciary \u00a0 Cc: \u00a0 The Honorable Dianne Feinstein Ranking Member Senate Committee on the Judiciary \u00a0 Ms. Elaine Duke Acting Secretary Department of Homeland Security \u00a0 -30-\u00a0  [1] Ltr. From Chmn Grassley to Act. Sec\u2019y Duke and Sec\u2019y Tillerson (Nov. 1, 2017) available at https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-seeks-details-nyc-attacker.[2] Brooke Singman, Six Terror-Linked Foreigners Entered US Via \u2018Diversity Lottery,\u2019 Says Trump Administration Fox News, available at http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/14/six-terror-linked-foreigners-entered-us-via-diversity-lottery-says-trump-administration.html [hereinafter Singman, Six Terror-Linked Foreigners].[3] U.S. Dept. of Justice, Press Release (Oct. 27, 2017) available at https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/uzbek-citizen-sentenced-15-years-conspiring-provide-material-support-terrorists.[4] Singman, Six Terror-Linked Foreigners.[6] CNN, FBI, Justice: El Al attack was terrorism (Apr. 12, 2003) available at http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/04/12/airport.shooting/.\u00a0[10] See generally, U.S. Dept. of State Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), 9 FAM \u00a7 502.6 (Diversity Immigrant Visas).[11] U.S. Dept. of State, Diversity Visa Program Statistics, available at https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/diversity-visa/diversity-visa-program-statistics.html.[14] See, e.g., Murdock, Deroy, Diversity Visa Lottery is a Jackpot for Immigrants from Terror States, Nat\u2019l Rev. (Nov. 6, 2017) available at http://www.nationalreview.com/article/453460/diversity-visa-lottery-public-safety-terrorism.[17] Dept. of Justice, Press Release, Denaturalization Sought Against Four Somalia-Born Individuals Who Falsely Claimed to be a Family and Were Admitted to the United States on Diversity Immigrant Visas (Nov. 6, 2017) available at https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/denaturalization-sought-against-four-somalia-born-individuals-who-falsely-claimed-be-family.[18] See Fact Summary: U.S. v. Afolabi, UNODC Human Trafficking Knowledge Portal, available at https://www.unodc.org/cld/case-law-doc/traffickingpersonscrimetype/usa/2010/united_states_v._afolabi.html?lng=en&tmpl=htms; see also U.S. Attorney District of New Jersey, \u201cTogolese Woman Sentenced To 27 Years In Prison For Forced Labor,\u201d pressrelease, September 20, 2010, available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/nj/Press/files/pdffiles/2010/ Afolabi,%20Akouavi%20Kpade%20Sentencing%20PR.pdf.\u00a0 The risk of this specific form of fraud has likely been reduced or eliminated by the subsequently imposed requirement that all DV family members be listed at the time of lottery registration.[19] See, e.g., Zill, Oriana, Crossing Borders, How Terrorist Use Fake Passports, Visas, and Other Identity Documents, Public Broadcasting Service (2014), available at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/trail/etc/fake.html; see also Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Identity and Benefit Fraud, available at https://www.ice.gov/identity-benefit-fraud.[20] Countries with otherwise low levels of immigration are selected for the DV lottery. In recent years these countries may tend to be among the least secure, where other means of emigration, including for skilled employment or higher education, are less readily available. See, e.g., Murdock, Deroy, Diversity Visa Lottery is a Jackpot for Immigrants from Terror States, Nat\u2019l Rev. (Nov. 6, 2017) available at http://www.nationalreview.com/article/453460/diversity-visa-lottery-public-safety-terrorism; see also Alvarez, Patricia, The Diversity Visa Program Was Created to Help Irish Immigrants, The Atlantic (Nov. 1, 2017), available at https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/11/diversity-visa-program/544646/ (noting that \u201cOver time, the percentage of these visas allocated to immigrants from Europe has declined, while the share coming from other regions\u2014particularly Africa and Asia\u2014has surged\u201d).[21] GAO Report 07-1174, , available at http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-07-1174.[22] The Department of State recently warned of \u201ca notable increase in fraudulent emails and letters\u201d being sent to DV Lottery winners (U.S. Dept. of State, Visa Services, Diversity Visa Program Scammers Sending Fraudulent Emails and Letters available at https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/fraud.html) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services also warned applicants to \u201c[n]ever send money to anyone who sends you a letter or email claiming you have won.\u201d (USCIS, Green Card Through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, available at https://www.uscis.gov/greencard/diversity-visa.)[23] Cong. Research Serv., Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery Issues (Apr. 1, 2011), p. 9, available at https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41747.pdf.[24] This inquiry is not concerned with DV lottery winners who adjust status from within the United States.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/columns?ContentRecord_id=370751AC-7B6E-4AA6-B1E6-565879B7F240", "Ernst: Tax reform would provide much-needed relief and opportunity for Iowans", "2017-11-27", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "It has been more than 30 years since the last time the United States comprehensively reformed our tax system. In that time, the length of the tax code has doubled to 2.4 million words \u2014 the equivalent of reading \"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer\u2019s Stone\" 31 times.\r\nWhile navigating the complex tax code is nowhere near as fun as reading about a Quidditch match, it is often a necessity for hardworking taxpayers who simply want to pay their income taxes on time.\r\nThe frustrating reality is that Americans spend approximately 8.9 billion hours a year filing taxes. But perhaps more remarkable is the hefty price tag that Americans face when it comes to filing taxes, totaling almost $99 billion a year.\r\nOur tax code is not only a complicated headache for families and individuals \u2014 it also puts American businesses at a disadvantage. At 35 percent, our tax rate on larger businesses is the highest in the developed world. Meanwhile, small businesses, which make up 97 percent of employers in Iowa, are seeing taxes reach as high as almost 45 percent! These are hardly incentives for businesses of all sizes to move to or remain in the U.S.\r\nIn the years that followed the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, our economy underachieved, and our outdated tax system certainly did not help. On average, the U.S. economy grew by just 1 or 2 percent annually in prior years. This has left many middle- and low-income households struggling to make ends meet. Since the end of the recession, middle-class folks around Iowa have seen stagnant wages while their bills have become more expensive and health care costs have skyrocketed.\r\nWith a pro-business president in the White House, we are seeing a return to policies that let the American market do what it does best, for its long overdue that the federal government get out of the business of trying to fix the economy. In fact, economists estimate that lowering the tax rate on job creators of all sizes would foster long-term economic growth, which would boost incomes for the average household by thousands of dollars.\r\nBy streamlining our cumbersome tax system and eliminating loopholes that primarily benefit the wealthy, Congress has an opportunity to lower tax rates for middle- and low-income Iowans and dramatically decrease the amount folks are taxed. Despite what you might read or hear, the Senate proposal would not cut Medicare, Medicaid, mortgage interest deductions, or student loans, just to name a few. The non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation found that the Senate legislation \u2014 on average \u2014 would provide every income group with tax relief.\r\nLikewise, by creating a more competitive tax system for businesses, we can foster greater growth and investment in the United States while boosting wages and job opportunities for hardworking Iowans. The Tax Foundation estimates that the plan would create over 10,000 jobs in Iowa and a middle-income family in Iowa would see roughly $2,600 more in their paycheck annually.\r\nAdditionally, I am thrilled that bipartisan legislation that I helped lead, known as the Investing in Opportunity Act, has been included in the Senate tax reform plan. This provision builds on efforts for much-needed tax relief for low and middle-income earners. By incentivizing private investment in struggling communities, it would spur economic growth in poverty-stricken areas, bringing hope and opportunity back to many distressed rural communities in Iowa and across the country.\r\nI believe Congress would also be remiss if we do not lead by example and offer up our own unnecessary tax break. That is why I introduced the Stop Questionable, Unnecessary, and Excessive Allowances for Legislators (SQUEAL) Act, which would eliminate a provision of the tax code that allows members of Congress to deduct, for income tax purposes, up to $3,000 annually in living expenses while in the Washington, D.C., area. As we seek to achieve the ultimate goal of lowering rates for hardworking families and small businesses, Congress should start by eliminating handouts to politicians.\r\nIt is long overdue for our country to pursue a simpler tax code that provides much-needed relief for hardworking Iowans that puts our economy back on track. In the coming weeks, I look forward to continuing to hear input from Iowans on tax reform, and working with my colleagues on a path forward that reduces the burden our complicated tax system places on our families, individuals, and small businesses and instead creates more opportunities for all.\r\nJoni Ernst is a U.S. senator from Red Oak.\r\nClick here to read the article on the Des Moines Register\u2019s website.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 1077, "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 \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Republican", "p1": "IA", "p2": "2017"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=IA&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 1077, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=IA&year=2017", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=IA&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 1077, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=IA&year=2017&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=IA&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "IA", "label": "IA", "count": 1077, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2017", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=IA&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "2017", "label": "2017", "count": 1077, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=IA", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2017-11-27,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Eernst~2Esenate~2Egov~2F~2Fpublic~2Findex~2Ecfm~2Fcolumns~3FContentRecord_id~3D370751AC-7B6E-4AA6-B1E6-565879B7F240", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=IA&year=2017&_next=2017-11-27%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Eernst~2Esenate~2Egov~2F~2Fpublic~2Findex~2Ecfm~2Fcolumns~3FContentRecord_id~3D370751AC-7B6E-4AA6-B1E6-565879B7F240&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 222.41599997505546, "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"}