Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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667 rows where chamber = "House", state = "IA" and year = 2016 sorted by date descending
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| url | title | date ▲ | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-judiciary-committee-progress-report-114th-congress | Senate Judiciary Committee Progress Report for the 114th Congress | 2016-12-29 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley released the final progress report on the committee’s actions during the 114th Congress. Upon becoming Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee at the start of this Congress, Grassley pledged that he would strive to be fair while restoring the committee’s role as a “true check on the massive and powerful federal bureaucracy.” In the following two years, the Senate Judiciary Committee has been working in a largely bipartisan fashion to meet these goals. The committee, under Grassley’s leadership, has far surpassed its legislative productivity in the previous Congress. The committee reported to the Senate 30 bills, all with bipartisan support, and 24 of the 30 bills reported out of committee have been passed by the full Senate with 17 of those bills becoming law. Grassley’s longstanding focus on oversight has renewed the committee’s focus on ensuring accountability and transparency in government as mandated by the Constitution. The full report can be found here. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/newsletters/12-photos-2016 | 12 photos from 2016 | 2016-12-26 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Friends, Throughout the year I’ve had many wonderful opportunities to meet with and listen to you and your neighbors, the folks I am humbled to represent. As 2016 comes to a close, I wanted to share with you a photo from each month - every image depicts a moment from a fantastic year working for Iowans of the Third Congressional District. JANUARY Jack Oberman, an Iowa Midshipman at the United States Naval Academy, was my guest to the president’s State of the Union address this January. Before the address, during which the president outlined his vision for 2016 to members of Congress, I had the opportunity to show Jack a bit of the historic building that houses the legislative branch: the U.S. Capitol. FEBRUARY I led a roundtable discussion alongside the Iowa Farm Bureau for Iowa farmers, agricultural producers, transportation industry leaders, and other key Iowa stakeholders to talk directly with representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Transportation about the need for a long term agriculture-transportation strategy. Our conversation provided an opportunity for members of our community to share their feedback, concerns and ideas directly with the federal agencies who can play a big role in helping and restraining our agricultural economy. MARCH Each year, I host Coffee with My Congressman meetings in all 16 counties of the Third Congressional District. Whether in Truro or Hamburg, Urbandale (pictured above), Macedonia, or elsewhere, the folks I met with voiced their ideas, concerns and opinions about many issues of great importance to our state and our country. I enjoy these meetings, for democracy is a two way street, and it is through ongoing conversations that I am best able to represent the Third Congressional District. APRIL Each month I make it my mission to meet with and listen to Iowans in all 16 counties of the Third Congressional District. During a visit to Glenwood High School, I had a nice time speaking with students about my role in Congress and answering the… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-people%E2%80%99s-business | Q&A: The Peoples Business | 2016-12-23 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | With U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: What are some highlights from the 114th Congress?A: When visiting with Iowans during my 99-county meetings, I hear a common refrain from people across the state. Households are working harder than ever to get ahead and stay ahead. Putting gas in the car, buying groceries and medicine, shouldering student debt, absorbing double-digit insurance premiums and saving for retirement contribute to the troubled mindset among working families who are scraping to get by from paycheck to paycheck. And when taxpayers are reminded about the $19 trillion federal debt and their exposure to waste, fraud and abuse running rampant in the federal bureaucracy, it strikes a raw nerve. As Iowa’s watchdog, I make it my business to hold government to account and work for openness and transparency whenever and wherever the federal bureaucracy conducts the people’s business. For 36 years straight, I’ve listened to Iowans in every county, at least once, every year. Throughout 2016, Iowans shared their concerns about emerging threats to public safety and national security, the growing size and scope of the federal government – from Obamacare to Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) and restoring the American Dream for generations to come. The bigger Washington’s bite, from cumbersome taxes to burdensome regulations and abusive government surveillance, it seems the more that personal freedoms are on the line. Just as importantly, policymakers entrusted with the public good must uphold the integrity of our justice system, our system of free enterprise and the rule of law to ensure fairness, security, certainty and stability on our streets, in our schools and throughout our communities and to foster growth in the U.S. economy, from agriculture to housing, banking, pharmaceuticals, clean energy and trade.From my leadership position as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I work to uphold core principles of our republic relative to life in 21st century American society. Many Iowans know that I place a high prior… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-us-air-force-academy-selects-davenport-student | Grassley: U.S. Air Force Academy Selects Davenport Student | 2016-12-23 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa said today that Shannon Grace Guy of Davenport has received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO., for the 2017-2018 school year. Guy is the daughter of Greg and Sona Guy of Davenport. She will graduate in May from Assumption High School. Guy is a member of Key Club, student council, student ambassadors, Spanish club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She has also participated in Academic Decathlon and has been yearbook editor. “Students work very hard to earn this kind of opportunity. Admission to the service academies is highly competitive and a great honor,” Grassley said. “I wish Shannon well and thank her for her commitment to serve our nation.” Guy was among the 34 Iowans Grassley nominated this year for appointments to the U.S. service academies. Upon receiving an appointment, the student then decides whether to attend the academy. Information about seeking nominations can be found on Grassley’s website. For more than 200 years, these academies have educated and trained individuals to lead and command the U.S. armed forces.-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-us-naval-academy-selects-marion-student | Grassley: U.S. Naval Academy Selects Marion Student | 2016-12-22 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa said today that Carter Andrew Lorenz of Marion has received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., for the 2017-2018 school year. Lorenz is the son of David and Leslie Lorenz of Marion. He will graduate in May from Linn-Mar High School. Lorenz has participated in cross country, swimming and track and field. He is a member of the National Honor Society, student council, student advisory council and National Council on Youth Leadership. He is also a swim instructor at the Linn-Mar Aquatic Center. “Students work very hard to earn this kind of opportunity. Admission to the service academies is highly competitive and a great honor,” Grassley said. “I wish Carter well and thank him for his commitment to serve our nation.” Lorenz was among the 34 Iowans Grassley nominated this year for appointments to the U.S. service academies. Upon receiving an appointment, the student then decides whether to attend the academy. Information about seeking nominations can be found on Grassley’s website. For more than 200 years, these academies have educated and trained individuals to lead and command the U.S. armed forces.-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://loebsack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394970 | Loebsack Calls on CMS to Rescind Iowas Medicaid Waiver | 2016-12-21 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | IA | Dave Loebsack | L000565 | loebsack.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Dave Loebsack today called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency responsible for granting the State of Iowa the waiver to privatize its Medicaid program, to rescind the waiver. A report published today by the Des Moines Register shows that payment shortages have created a 'catastrophic experience' for the program’s private managers. This new report comes on top of continued complaints from patients about access to services and providers about delayed reimbursements. A separate report issued today by the nonpartisan Iowa Legislative Services Agency, shows that the state’s Medicaid program faces a $14.5 million shortfall for FY2017 and a $109 million shortfall in FY2018.“Since the plan to privatize Medicaid in Iowa was announced, I have been wary of this proposal. Nearly 600,000 of our state’s most vulnerable populations, including low-income families, children, seniors and individuals with disabilities rely on Medicaid. Throughout this transition to a privatized system, my number one concern has been about their ability to receive quality health care,” said Loebsack. “As the program has progressed, it’s become more and more clear that the privatized Medicaid program is not working. Thus, CMS needs to rescind the waiver it granted the state of Iowa. This plan was implemented too quickly and is grossly underfunded.”Loebsack has met with families who have been personally affected by this transition and has received feedback from providers who are having issues with being reimbursed in a timely manner. Since last year, Loebsack has been leading the fight with leaders from the Iowa Senate to ensure all 600,000 Iowans who rely on Medicaid are not negatively affected by the transition. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-retains-seats-judiciary-finance-agriculture-and-budget-committees | Grassley Retains Seats on Judiciary, Finance, Agriculture and Budget Committees | 2016-12-21 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today said he will keep his seats on the Senate Judiciary, Finance, Agriculture and Budget Committees in the 115th Congress. It is expected he will also retain his position as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Republican leadership alerted senators of committee assignments. “The start of a new Congress and new administration means big changes for the country. These committees have broad jurisdiction that will continue to be helpful in serving the best interests of Iowans. I hope to continue my good working relationship with Senator Feinstein, who will become Ranking Member on the Judiciary Committee,” Grassley said. “As the Senate processes nominees in a new administration, opens up work on a new farm bill, and begins work on health care and tax overhauls, I will continue to focus on issues important to Iowans.” As expected Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassley will lead the hearings and confirmation process on executive branch nominations to the Department of Justice, starting with United States Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions. The committee will also receive and process the nomination of a new Supreme Court justice. Grassley plans to focus on reforming the federal criminal justice system, conducting rigorous oversight of the FBI and Justice Department, ensuring the immigration laws are enforced, working to keep competition in the prescription drug market, reining in excessive government regulations, and protecting whistleblowers and the tools used to root out fraud against the federal government. As a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, depending on what the committee takes up, Grassley could be an influential voice in replacing the Affordable Care Act to make health care coverage more affordable and in overhauling the federal tax code to make taxes fair and easier to administer for individuals, families, companies and small businesses. Tax reform should increase job creation and economic grow… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-what-do-consumers-want-hearing-aid | ICYMI: "What Do Consumers Want in a Hearing Aid?" | 2016-12-21 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Elizabeth Warren are the sponsors of the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act to help make certain hearing aids more available to consumers. A post on aarp.org explains why this bill is a good idea.HEALTH Conditions & Treatments What Do Consumers Want in a Hearing Aid? by Katherine Bouton, December 19, 2016| If you asked consumers what is most important when buying a hearing aid, would they say price or sound quality? Hearing Tracker, a respected independent online resource for consumers, and USB Evidence Labs recently surveyed more than 360 audiologists about what brands and features consumers ask for most when buying a hearing aid. Not surprisingly, sound quality came in first by a long shot (56 percent), with reliability a distant second (17 percent) and value for money in third place (12 percent). I don't doubt that is exactly what the audiologists' customers said they wanted. But I also wonder if the answers would have been different if the customers, especially those who never go to an audiologist, had been asked directly. I expect those consumers would say an affordable price was their top priority. Currently, only 1 in 7 U.S. adults who can benefit from a hearing aid have one. Why don't the other six? The answer is cost. "Hearing aids are expensive," Jan Blustein and Barbara Weinstein wrote in a June 2016 article in the American Journal of Public Health. Medicare and most insurance plans don't cover them, and so consumers typically pay for aids and fittings out of pocket. And that can get costly. The average cost of a single hearing aid is $2,300, but because age-related hearing loss typically affects both ears, that's a tidy $4,600 — a sum beyond the reach of many older people. Blustein and Weinstein note that "in a recent population-based prospective study, a majority of participants cited cost as a major deterrent to buying a hearing aid." Kim Cavitt, a past president of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, says audiologists have turned a blind eye to consumer w… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/Grassley-Presses-for-Information-about-Oversight-of-Foreign-Students-Attending-Flight-Schools | Grassley Presses for Information about Oversight of Foreign Students Attending Flight Schools | 2016-12-20 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley is questioning the Obama administration’s oversight of flight schools and their training of foreign nationals. Grassley is reiterating concerns after a Jordanian national, who was reportedly in the United States on a student visa, in October crashed a small plane during a training exercise at the entrance to the Pratt & Whitney factory in East Hartford, Conn. According to local law enforcement, the Pratt & Whitney plant is classified as a “critical infrastructure” facility by the U.S. government.In a letter to department heads of both the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration, Grassley expressed concern that foreign nationals continue trying to use flight schools as a means to harm or kill Americans, and asked what is being done to prevent exploitation of flight training programs. He also asked for additional information on the latest incident involving the Jordanian national in Connecticut. “Ever since the September 11 terrorist attacks, oversight of flight training by foreign nationals has been an issue of enormous national security importance. Concerns about the potential use of small aircraft in particular have been increasing,” Grassley wrote. Grassley introduced legislation in 2014 to reform the student visa program. The bill would help root out fraud and abuse in the student visa system, including ending a flight school’s participation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program if the training program is not certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. Here is the text of Grassley’s letter to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration Michael Huerta. A copy of the letter can also be found here. December 19, 2016VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSIONThe Honorable Jeh Johnson Secretary Department of Homeland Security Washington, D.C. 20528The Honorable Michael Huerta Administrator Federal Aviation Administration … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-goodlatte-probe-u-visa-immigration-parole-practices-following-fraud | Grassley, Goodlatte Probe U Visa, Immigration Parole Practices Following Fraud & Overreach | 2016-12-20 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senate and House Judiciary Committee Chairmen Chuck Grassley and Bob Goodlatte today are calling on the Obama Administration to explain its management of the U visa program following significant findings of fraud and a new administrative policy that appears to violate the law. The U visa program was designed to allow foreign nationals who fall victim to crime in the United States to remain here to assist in the investigation and prosecution of their perpetrator. However, falsified U visa applications and Obama Administration policies that ignore congressional limits have distorted the program beyond its original intent.A law enforcement agency investigating a crime can certify a U Visa application if the foreign national cooperates in the investigation. However, recent cases have highlighted how the program is being exploited through falsified police reports and bribes to secure U visas allowing foreign nationals to avoid deportation. According to whistleblowers, such illicit activity to secure U visas is common. In a letter today to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, the chairmen are seeking information regarding how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services certifies the validity of U visa applications. “Although the U visa program can be an important tool in the investigation and prosecution of crimes, fraud and abuse of the program can lead to unjustified approvals leaving legitimate victims in the shadows,” the chairmen said in the letter.The chairmen are also raising concern about new Obama Administration policies that effectively ignore an annual 10,000 visa cap for principle applicants. The Obama Administration is seeking to grant “conditional approval” to applicants after the cap is reached, preventing deportation and allowing the applicant to remain in the United States until more visas are available in a subsequent year. Applicants living abroad could be admitted into the United States while their application is being reviewed under a proposed blanket immigration parole policy.… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/node/12586 | Grassley Presses for Information about Oversight of Foreign Students Attending Flight Schools | 2016-12-20 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley is questioning the Obama administration’s oversight of flight schools and their training of foreign nationals. Grassley is reiterating concerns after a Jordanian national, who was reportedly in the United States on a student visa, in October crashed a small plane during a training exercise at the entrance to the Pratt & Whitney factory in East Hartford, Conn. According to local law enforcement, the Pratt & Whitney plant is classified as a “critical infrastructure” facility by the U.S. government.In a letter to department heads of both the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration, Grassley expressed concern that foreign nationals continue trying to use flight schools as a means to harm or kill Americans, and asked what is being done to prevent exploitation of flight training programs. He also asked for additional information on the latest incident involving the Jordanian national in Connecticut. “Ever since the September 11 terrorist attacks, oversight of flight training by foreign nationals has been an issue of enormous national security importance. Concerns about the potential use of small aircraft in particular have been increasing,” Grassley wrote. Grassley introduced legislation in 2014 to reform the student visa program. The bill would help root out fraud and abuse in the student visa system, including ending a flight school’s participation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program if the training program is not certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. Here is the text of Grassley’s letter to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration Michael Huerta. A copy of the letter can also be found here. December 19, 2016VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSIONThe Honorable Jeh Johnson Secretary Department of Homeland Security Washington, D.C. 20528The Honorable Michael Huerta Administrator Federal Aviation Administration … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/blessed-be-iowan | Blessed to be an Iowan | 2016-12-16 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Blessed to be an Iowan In the Young household, Christmas is an opportunity to reflect on and recommit to our faith, unplug, connect, and catch up with one another after a long year. We attend church services and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. We gather as a family, reminiscing about past memories around the supper table, and make new memories for our future generations to continue. I always enjoy this time of year - the Christmas season marked by family tradition, joy, thankfulness, and faith. It is a time embraced with compassion and generosity as we remember those less fortunate, help our communities, and assist our neighbors in need. Whatever your traditions or beliefs may be, it is my hope you may spend time or connect with those you love and cherish, even if it’s from afar. We know Christmas and holidays can be difficult for some. None of us are perfect and immune to spiritual trials or relationship struggles with others. It is my prayer that with humility and forgiveness, we can find peace and love we all desire and deserve this Christmas. As we reflect on the passing of another year, let us be reminded of the love, joy, and gratitude the holiday season brings, and the blessings life in this great nation afford us. And, we are especially blessed to be Iowans - America's true heartland is our home. It is especially fitting to remember as Americans, we have the right to practice the religion of our choosing, and observe its holidays and traditions, without the fear of government persecution. Unfortunately, this is a liberty many families in nations around the world can only dream of. We have the right to have beliefs and ways of thinking which may differ from our neighbors, our family members, and our elected officials. The willingness to accept and respect these differences is a foundation of this nation. We are grateful for the service and sacrifice of our military members who stand to protect these rights and freedoms. This season, please join me in taking a moment to think about and thank o… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-counterfeits-spoil-gift-giving | Q&A: Counterfeits Spoil Gift-Giving | 2016-12-16 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: Are counterfeit goods a bigger risk during the holiday gift season? A: Americans work hard for their money and look for ways to stretch their dollars, especially when household expenses go up during the season of gift giving. Savvy shoppers scour sales racks and online flash sales to score decent savings and good deals to get the best value for their money. However, consumers always need to be mindful of dangerous counterfeit items and knock-off goods that make their way into mainstream commerce and online shopping, from luxury brands to basement bargains. Around the holiday season, the generosity of Americans is undermined by cheap knock-offs that rip off consumers and creators and pose health and safety hazards, as well. The trafficking of counterfeit goods and online piracy undermines the integrity of free markets, trade and innovation. As people tighten their belts and carefully watch their spending, it’s important to raise awareness about the danger of deals that are too good to be true. Bad deals and bad bargains are bad for the economy and bad for consumer safety. For example, counterfeit electronics and fake accessories may risk overheating, counterfeit cosmetics and beauty supplies may contain hazardous chemicals, counterfeit auto supplies, sport and safety gear may not provide the protection consumers expect and counterfeit food and pharmaceuticals could be lethal. Consider the prevalence of batteries and chargers used to power up technology products. A recent Underwriters Laboratories test found that 99 percent of counterfeit iPhone chargers did not meet its safety standards or provide adequate power or electrical shielding. These counterfeit items present a risk to user safety and may damage other consumer goods, including the devices being powered. The bottom line is clear. Counterfeiters pad their profits at the expense of consumer and product safety. Q: What do consumers need to know? A: The number one tip is buyer awareness. Word-of-mouth is one way bad … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-johnson-write-presidential-transition-team-outlining-va-concerns | Grassley, Johnson Write Presidential Transition Team Outlining VA Concerns | 2016-12-16 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON — Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Vice President-elect Mike Pence, head of the Trump transition team, Thursday regarding the state of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and concerns they share about the numerous shortcomings within the department. “Our veterans deserve the finest care. All too often, unfortunately, we learn of serious allegations of mismanagement and wrongdoing at the VA facilities across the country. Whether it is unreasonable wait times at multiple facilities, the widespread overprescription of highly addictive opioids, veteran suicides, misconduct by VA management, or retaliation against whistleblowers, it is clear that not all veterans are receiving the high-quality care they deserve,” Johnson and Grassley wrote. “We are hopeful that under new leadership, the VA can embrace these principles to ensure that our nation’s veterans receive the care they deserve.”The letter can be found here and below:December 15, 2016The Honorable Mike Pence Vice President-elect Presidential Transition Office 1800 F Street NW Washington, DC 20006Dear Vice President-elect Pence:Congratulations to President-elect Trump and you. We share your commitment to improving the care our nation’s veterans receive and welcome the opportunity to work with the incoming Administration to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). As you consider priorities for the VA, we write to inform you about how our ongoing oversight of the VA shows an urgent need to improve veteran care, promote accountability, and protect whistleblowing within the VA. Our veterans deserve the finest care. All too often, unfortunately, we learn of serious allegations of mismanagement and wrongdoing at VA facilities across the country. Whether it is unreasonable wait times at multiple facilities, the widespread over-prescription of highly addictive opi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-leahy-comment-us-copyright-office-report-examining-legal-framework | Grassley, Leahy Comment on U.S. Copyright Office Report Examining the Legal Framework of Software-Enabled Consumer Products | 2016-12-16 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – The U.S. Copyright Office released an analysis of how copyright law applies to software-enabled consumer products, which are becoming increasingly prevalent in the lives of American consumers. The report was prompted by a 2015 request from Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). The senators issued the following statement: “In everything from Fitbit to farm equipment, we’ve seen a sweeping expansion of smart technology in recent years and the emergence of the new internet of things. While this innovation presents new opportunities, it also poses important questions about privacy, consumer protection, public safety, cybersecurity, competition, and the development of the digital economy. To help us understand a critical component of these issues, we asked the Copyright Office for a study of how our copyright laws are implicated by the prevalence of software enabled devices. We greatly appreciate the Copyright Office’s hard work in producing this timely study, which will prove invaluable to the Senate Judiciary Committee as we continue to work together to make informed policy choices that protect the interests of consumers, creators and innovators.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-nominates-iowa-students-us-service-academies-2 | Grassley Nominates Iowa Students to the U.S. Service Academies | 2016-12-15 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley has nominated 34 Iowa students to be considered for appointments to the U.S. service academies. “Young Iowans who want to enter the academies and serve our country are a remarkable reflection on our state. These candidates’ accomplishments and leadership are exceptional, and their early desire to serve signals continued excellence in the U.S. armed forces,” Grassley said. Each year Grassley has the opportunity as a U.S. senator to nominate either current or future Iowa high school graduates for a select few service academy placements. The U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy all select at least one qualified student from Grassley’s 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 Iowa’s U.S. senators. Students may receive more than one nomination. Students interested in academy appointments should begin the application process in the spring of their junior year of high school. Early application is encouraged. The academies select students based on the number of vacancies available for the next school year. “The academies offer some of the best options for higher education, and they offer an outstanding way to serve our country. It’s a tremendous opportunity for young Iowans,” Grassley said. Traditionally, the high quality of Iowa nominees results in several Iowa students being offered admission to attend each of the service academies. The students then choose whether or not to attend the academy. More information about service academy nominations can be found here. Grassley will make announcements as academy appointments are offered to Iowans. The lists below include the names and hometowns of Grassl… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/refugee-vetting-ohio-state-attacker-missed-signs-possible-link-terrorism | Refugee Vetting for Ohio State Attacker Missed Signs of Possible Link to Terrorism | 2016-12-15 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley is raising new questions about the Obama administration’s prior vetting of the man who launched an attack on the Ohio State University campus in November following tips that the refugee background checks for him and his family may have been incomplete.Abdul Razak Ali Artan, the man behind the November attack, arrived in the United States with his mother and six siblings as refugees originally from Somalia in 2013, according to documents obtained by the committee. During the refugee vetting process, Artan’s mother indicated that she was seeking refugee status, in part, because she feared the terrorist group “Al-Shabbah” would kidnap and recruit her children. This claim should have triggered additional vetting for the older children, including Artan, to determine what, if any, interactions they may have had with the terrorist organization. However, this additional vetting apparently didn’t happen. Additionally, government forms used in the 2013 vetting interview appear to be from the Immigration and Naturalization Service, which was replaced by the Department of Homeland Security in 2002. It’s unclear whether the forms used in the interview excluded certain fields that may have been required in the 2013 version of the forms, leading to an incomplete review.Artan was killed by law enforcement after he drove his vehicle into a crowd and then began slashing people with a knife. Federal investigators reportedly believe Artan was inspired by ISIS and the radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, Grassley is seeking the immigration and criminal histories of Artan’s mother and siblings, as well as records related to the interview conducted with Artan’s mother to evaluate her request for refugee status. Grassley also implored the department to use up-to-date forms to ensure that the proper information is documented. Grassley previously requested Artan’s immigration and criminal history in November.Full text o… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-comments-final-rules-help-address-ag-competition | Grassley Comments on Final Rules to Help Address Ag Competition | 2016-12-14 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Senator Chuck Grassley made the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture released interim final rules to increase competitiveness in the livestock and poultry industry. Grassley fought to ensure competition was addressed in the 2008 farm bill, which required the proposed rules. A family farmer himself, Grassley has led the congressional effort to address unfair practices, monopsony and vertical integration in agriculture. “For too many years these rules have been stymied by appropriations riders. Now we’re finally seeing some results of the 2008 farm bill, while weaker than I had hoped, it appears to be a step in the right direction in addressing the unprecedented level of concentration in agriculture that is putting independent producers at a disadvantage. I’ve heard loud and clear from Iowa cattlemen over the last several months about the power packers continue to exercise to the detriment of independent livestock operators. “The farmer fair practices rules enjoy bipartisan support in Congress, I’m glad Secretary Vilsack has finally been able to take action which will help level the playing field for small producers in rural America.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-intends-press-epa-energy-nominees-ethanol-views | Grassley Intends to Press EPA, Energy Nominees on Ethanol Views | 2016-12-14 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is a long-time proponent of renewable fuels as part of an all-inclusive energy strategy to meet the country’s tremendous energy needs. He made the following comment on the nominations of Scott Pruitt, attorney general of Oklahoma, to head the Environmental Protection Agency and Rick Perry, former governor of Texas, to lead the Energy Department. “President-elect Trump has indicated his support for the Renewable Fuel Standard and the ethanol industry and has recognized ethanol’s contribution to energy independence. I look forward to working with the President-elect and his nominees to continue the success of domestic biofuels. I intend to press the nominees on their views on renewable fuels since they come from fossil fuels-producing states. If needed, I’ll be glad to explain the many benefits of biofuels to U.S. economic and national security, energy independence, and American job growth.” -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-53-billion-lost-fraud | Grassley Reform Credited with Recovering More Than $53 Billion Lost to Fraud | 2016-12-14 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | More than $4.7 Billion in Taxpayer Funds Recouped from Fraudsters in 2016 AloneWASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley’s False Claims Act reforms helped the federal government recover more than $4.7 billion from fraudsters in fiscal 2016, according to a Justice Department announcement today. That brings the total amount of taxpayer dollars recovered from fraud since Grassley’s reforms to more than $53.1 billion.“Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone in our efforts to protect taxpayers against fraud. The False Claims Act is the single most effective tool to recovering taxpayer dollars lost to fraudsters who exploit the government. It encourages whistleblowers to raise the alarm when they encounter unscrupulous actors and prevent further government waste. And it is clearly working. For those who doubt the value of whistleblowers and the False Claims Act, when it comes to fraud against the government, I’d say at least $53 billion, and counting,” Grassley said.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 $3.4 billion annually, thanks in large part, to Grassley’s qui tam provisions, which allow whistleblowers to share in the government’s recovery. Many of the recoveries were initiated by whistleblowers who took advantage of Grassley’s provisions allowing them to bring their own case on the government’s behalf.Grassley also led an effort in 2009 to pass the Fraud Enforcement Recovery Act, which bolstered existing tools and resources for government investigators and prosecutors to combat fraud. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-sessions-hearing-track | Grassley: Sessions Hearing on Track | 2016-12-14 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley today said that the hearing for Attorney General nominee Senator Jeff Sessions is on track after returning the committee questionnaire last week. Grassley noted that Attorney General Eric Holder supplemented his questionnaire with hundreds of additional items in 2008, 2009 and even in 2010, and his hearing remained on schedule on the timeline the committee will follow for Sessions. Grassley added that Sessions’ more than 20 years in public service, along with the fact that members of the committee have worked next to him on issues such as sentencing reform, civil rights, and victims of crime make the committee more than equipped to hold the hearing consistent with the timeline set for Attorney General Holder. Here is Grassley’s letter to Feinstein. His comment yesterday regarding the hearing is here. Dear Senator Feinstein: I write in response to your December 13, 2016 letter concerning Senator Sessions’ nomination to serve as Attorney General of the United States. As an initial matter, thank you for your letter of Friday, December 9. I appreciate your agreement to follow the precedent that the timeline for holding a hearing begins to run when the nominee returns his or her Questionnaire materials. Senator Sessions produced the remainder of his materials in response to the Questionnaire within minutes of your staff delivering your letter to mine on Friday. As you know, the Questionnaire calls for nominees to produce a wide range of published writings and public statements. Senator Sessions expeditiously collected the records of his decades in public life to provide the Committee with fulsome responses to the Questionnaire on a timeline similar to past nominees. It is no surprise that Senator Sessions’ twenty years of service as our colleague—not to mention his service in the Department of Justice and to the State of Alabama—yielded an extensive record. Nor is it any surprise that Senator Sessions’ … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/congress-sends-several-grassley%E2%80%99s-good-government-initiatives-president%E2%80%99s-desk | Congress Sends Several of Grassleys Good-Government Initiatives to Presidents Desk | 2016-12-13 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – The U.S. Congress just approved a slate of measures championed by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley to improve government accountability, cut waste and empower whistleblowers. The measures were approved as both chambers prepared to bring the 114th Congress to a close.The measures include Grassley’s Inspector General Empowerment Act and FBI Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act as well as a provision in a bill funding the Department of Defense to curb the use of extended paid leave for government employees based on Grassley’s Administrative Leave Act. “A government for the people must be accountable to the people. But all too often the federal bureaucracy falls short, leaving taxpayers underserved and overcharged. Government watchdogs and whistleblowers are critical to identifying fraud, waste and misconduct, and restoring the accountability taxpayers deserve. Congress’ approval of these bills will not only empower watchdogs and whistleblowers, it will also help cut waste and encourage greater accountability. The president should now sign these bills into law to improve the government for the people it serves,” Grassley said.The following legislation and nominations were approved last week before Congress adjourned:Inspector General Empowerment Act Despite a 1978 law granting inspectors general authority to review all agency records in the course of their oversight work, a recent Justice Department legal opinion has been used by several Obama administration agencies to withhold documents from such scrutiny. The lack of cooperation prevents inspectors general from conducting full and thorough investigations to identify and address inefficiencies or misconduct.Grassley’s bipartisan bill restores Congress’ intent to guarantee inspectors general access to “all records” of the agencies they oversee. The Inspector General Empowerment Act contains additional provisions to improve the independence of inspectors general and to equip them with the tools to more effectively and efficie… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-refers-planned-parenthood-fetal-tissue-procurement-organizations-fbi | Grassley Refers Planned Parenthood, Fetal Tissue Procurement Organizations to FBI, Justice Dept. for Investigation | 2016-12-13 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Following an investigation into the practice of fetal tissue transfers and the federal laws governing the practice, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley is referring several Planned Parenthood affiliates and companies involved in fetal tissue transfers, as well as the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, to the FBI and the Department of Justice for investigation and possible prosecution.“I don’t take lightly making a criminal referral. But, the seeming disregard for the law by these entities has been fueled by decades of utter failure by the Justice Department to enforce it,” Grassley said. “And, unless there is a renewed commitment by everyone involved against commercializing the trade in aborted fetal body parts for profit, then the problem is likely to continue.” Grassley’s referral follows the completion of a Senate Judiciary Committee majority staff analysis of more than 20,000 pages of documents provided voluntarily by the organizations and companies involved. While the impetus for the investigation was the release of a series of videos regarding transfers of fetal tissue by the Center for Medical Progress, the committee’s analysis and findings are based strictly on the documents obtained independently from tissue procurement companies and Planned Parenthood. The Majority Staff Report concludes: • Despite the clear legislative history of the 1993 NIH Revitalization Act, the executive branch across multiple administrations has failed to enforce the law’s safeguards.• Since 2010, three companies - Advanced Bioscience Resources, Inc.; StemExpress, LLC; and Novogenix Laboratories, LLC (Novogenix has since gone out of business) - have paid affiliates of Planned Parenthood Federation of America to acquire aborted fetuses, and then sold the fetal tissue to their respective customers at substantially higher prices than their documented costs. • The Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) initially had a policy in place to ensure its affiliates were complyi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-sessions-nomination-be-attorney-general | Grassley Statement on Sessions Nomination to be Attorney General | 2016-12-13 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley released the following statement regarding the nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General.“The materials provided to the committee by Senator Sessions are in large part public documents that anyone can find on his official Senate website. It’s information that’s been publicly available, in some instances, for twenty years. In fact, only a small percentage of the material was not already publicly available. As the committee members know, Attorney General Holder supplemented his questionnaire multiple times with, literally, hundreds of additions and clarifications, including one update more than a year after he was confirmed. And, most importantly, his hearing remained on schedule. So, any suggestion that a nominee’s good faith efforts to locate and produce responsive material is cause for delay begins to look like a call for delay for delay’s sake, rather than a thorough review of a colleague’s character and qualifications. I look forward to hearing from Senator Sessions on Jan. 10.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-urges-president-elect-trump-prioritize-fixing-medicaid-drug | Grassley Urges President-elect Trump to Prioritize Fixing Medicaid Drug Misclassifications, Preserving a Competitive Marketplace to Help Bring Down Drug Prices | 2016-12-13 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa urged President-elect Donald Trump to counteract high prescription drug prices by addressing drug misclassifications under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program and making sure laws to fight monopolistic behavior are enforced. Grassley is working to understand the reasons behind the high cost of EpiPens. The product has been misclassified under the Medicaid rebate program, likely leading to overcharges of hundreds of millions of dollars to taxpayers.“Moving forward, I strongly urge your Administration to look at the pharmaceutical landscape and improve the regulatory approval process and enforcement authorities already in place,” Grassley wrote. “I urge you to work with the Congress on legislative efforts to address anti-competitive behavior and to alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens that may be impairing the timely introduction of safe, lower cost prescription drug alternatives in the market. Congress and your Administration can work together to devise policies that incentivize innovation and promote competition to the benefit of patients and taxpayers. “I also urge you to reverse the unwillingness of the executive branch – specifically the failure of the Obama Administration – to fully cooperate with congressional requests, whether it be oversight letters or hearings. Government actions must be disclosed to the public and held out in the open to foster transparency and accountability.”Grassley scheduled a hearing in November to explore a reported government settlement with EpiPen maker Mylan over the Medicaid misclassification and explore the Obama Administration’s efforts to hold companies accountable for drug misclassifications. However, Obama Administration officials from the Justice Department and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services CMS) refused to testify. Mylan followed their poor example. Grassley plans to reschedule the hearing in 2017.Grassley raised the misclassification problem during his meeting last week with Trump’s nominee for CMS administrato… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-congressional-review-election-cyberattacks | Grassley Statement on Congressional Review of Election Cyberattacks | 2016-12-12 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley made the following statement on congressional oversight of the cyberattacks targeting political organizations and political operatives.“I’ve been asking questions of intelligence officials, and will be staying involved, about the cyberattacks targeting political organizations and political operatives. The Russians, and possibly others, may very well have launched these cyberattacks. We need to get to the bottom of the Obama administration’s failure to stop these attacks and to determine accountability, to prevent it from happening, and to craft an appropriate response. But, we shouldn’t confuse an attack with influence. So, in addition to isolating and deterring such hacking, another question remains. Did exposing inappropriate and unethical actions on the part of Democratic officials actually change votes, let alone change the election? Congressional oversight can be an effective tool to understand what may or may not have occurred by Russian hackers. As Congress investigates, it will provide important context to the allegations.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/fbi-whistleblowers-receive-protections-rooting-out-waste-fraud-and-abuse | FBI Whistleblowers to Receive Protections for Rooting out Waste, Fraud and Abuse | 2016-12-10 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and long-time advocate for whistleblowers said that a modified version of his FBI Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act cleared the Senate today and is now headed to the President for signature.“This is a really important provision for the patriotic men and women at the FBI who have gone without the whistleblower protections given to other federal employees for far too long. The current process is vague, confusing and lacks common sense, and it often puts people in hot water for no legitimate reason,” Grassley said. “The protections in this bill ensure a logical reporting requirement which allows more cases to be heard on the merits instead of being senselessly dismissed because an FBI employee logically reported wrongdoing to their supervisor.” The modified bill that cleared the Senate protects from reprisal FBI whistleblowers who disclose wrongdoing to their direct supervisors. Currently, FBI employees are not protected when they disclose wrongdoing to their supervisors. Instead, Justice Department regulations require disclosures to be made to a limited group of senior officials even though FBI policy encourages employees to report to supervisors. As a result, FBI whistleblowers often make their initial disclosure to a supervisor, but have no legal protection in the event of retaliation. Grassley said that he will pursue the remaining provisions of the FBI Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act in the next Congress. Grassley is a long-time advocate for whistleblowers. He’s the founder of the Whistleblower Protection Caucus which focuses on raising awareness of the important role whistleblowers play in bringing about accountability in government and the workplace, and the need to protect them from retaliation when they disclose fraud or misconduct. Grassley also authored changes in 1986 to the President Lincoln-era federal False Claims Act to empower private-sector whistleblowers. Since the 1986 amendments were signed into law, the … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-praises-final-passage-water-resources-development-act-2016 | Grassley Praises Final Passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 | 2016-12-10 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley today praised the final passage of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, which includes the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016. This bill addresses the civil works program of the Army Corps of Engineers and drinking water and wastewater funding programs through the Environmental Protection Agency. It highlights the flood protection needs in Cedar Rapids and authorizes studies of flood protection in Dubuque and the levees along the upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The Committee on Environment and Public Works will also be sending a letter to the Government Accountability Office requesting a study of the Corps’ methods used to calculate benefit-cost ratios of interest to Iowa communities including Des Moines. “It’s critical to Iowa’s economy to maintain the flow of commerce by improving and updating the country’s water infrastructure,” Grassley said. “I’ve been an advocate for inland waterways and ports for a long period of time. Shippers and consumers depend on the ability to move more than 604 million tons of cargo valued at more than $232 billion on these waterways every year. The nation’s inland waterways system also provides a cost-effective, fuel-efficient, and environmentally friendly way to move bulk products.” Grassley said the legislation also contains a number of provisions to expand and add additional flexibility to programs that assist communities with drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. “Many Iowa communities have major water infrastructure needs, particularly with EPA mandates becoming increasingly burdensome,” Grassley said. Specific Iowa-related provisions included in the bill are: · Cedar River, Cedar Rapids. The bill states that the Corps of Engineers shall expedite the completion of this authorized project for flood damage reduction and flood risk management. The Cedar Rapids project is listed as one of nine projects to be expedited by the Corps. The other projects are Chicagoland Underflow Plan, IL; … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-passes-grassley-bill-restoring-watchdogs%E2%80%99-authority-access-%E2%80%9Call-records%E2%80%9D | Senate Passes Grassley Bill Restoring Watchdogs Authority to Access All Records | 2016-12-10 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | IG Empowerment Act Now Awaits President’s Signature to become LawWASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today passed Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley’s legislation to expand tools for inspectors general to identify and address fraud, waste and misconduct in government. The Inspector General Empowerment Act restores Congress’ intent to guarantee inspectors general access to “all records” of the agencies they oversee, overturning a 2015 Obama administration legal memo roundly criticized by both Republicans and Democrats. The House of Representatives passed identical legislation earlier this week. The bill must now be signed by the President before becoming law.“If we’ve learned one thing in the last year, it’s that government needs more transparency and oversight, not less. Inspectors general are our eyes and ears in government. They are on the front lines in the fight against fraud, waste and misconduct, but they can’t do their job if they can’t access the necessary government documents. This bill makes sure that they have the tools and access they need to safeguard our tax dollars, improve efficiency, and tackle misconduct. It also reinforces Congress’ intent to grant IGs access to all agency records in the course of their work, a longstanding authority that the bureaucracy has gone great lengths to resist,” Grassley said.The Inspector General Act of 1978 authorizes each inspector general to access “all records” in their agency’s possession in the conduct of an oversight investigation or audit. However, on July 20, 2015, the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel issued an opinion arguing that other provisions generally restricting the “disclosure” of certain kinds of information override the “all records” provision of the Inspector General Act. The Inspector General Empowerment Act reverses the flawed legal opinion, which several agencies have cited when withholding or delaying access to documents inspectors general needed to perform thorough and complete investigations.The key provision of… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/bill-improve-veterans-crisis-line-signed-law | Bill to Improve the Veterans Crisis Line Signed into Law | 2016-12-09 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Bill to Improve the Veterans Crisis Line Signed into Law Here at home in Iowa, I make it my mission to meet with and listen to folks in all of the 16 counties of the Third Congressional District every month. I believe the best way to serve the Iowans I work for is by being consistently available, and I stand always ready and willing to listen to the issues, concerns, frustrations and ideas of folks in our state. When I visit with our veterans, service members, and the organizations which exist to support them, I hear too often about the problems plaguing veterans’ mental health services, including the Veterans Crisis Line, which is the confidential, toll free hotline for veterans seeking suicide prevention and crisis resources help from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) responders. This critical mental health tool for our veterans has come under fire after veterans in crisis received busy signals, answering machines, or no answer at all, when seeking help they desperately needed at a moment of crisis. The Government Accountability Office (GAO), a nonpartisan government watchdog organization, released a report confirming the problems, as nearly 30 percent of text messages they sent as a test to the Veterans Crisis Line went unanswered. A report from the VA Inspector General, which is the investigative arm of the VA, disappointingly reported the same issues and failures. Because our veterans deserve better, I introduced the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act, legislation seeking critical improvements to the Veterans Crisis Line. This legislation requires the VA identify what is causing the failures and openly tell us what improvements and fixes are needed, to ensure that every veteran’s call is answered and that they are given the help they need. In a victory for our veterans, the president signed this bill into law on November 28, 2016. The No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives in September by a vote of 357-0 and was later approved… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-over-counter-hearing-aids | Q&A: Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids | 2016-12-09 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | With U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: Why are you working to ensure certain types of hearing aids are available over the counter?A: Throughout my public service, I make it a number one priority to listen to the people of Iowa. Representative government is a two-way street and it’s my job to make sure government works for “we the people” not the other way around. Too many people feel their concerns and points of view are unheard in Washington. Pulling the curtain back on bloated bureaucracies and rolling back red tape and excessive regulation will help improve accountability, solve problems and better serve Americans in their daily lives. That includes working to make it easier and more affordable for the millions of aging Americans who live with hearing loss to get hearing aids if they choose to do so.Consider that about 40 percent of Americans age 60 and older live with hearing loss. And yet, of those, less than 20 percent use a hearing aid. Why would millions of American adults with impaired hearing avoid assistive medical technology? This is rather surprising because hearing loss affects our ability to participate in conversations, our work productivity, and even traffic safety. Hearing loss can contribute to social isolation among seniors. Iowans tell me that a couple of factors influence their decision to take a pass on hearing aids: They are too expensive and inconvenient to obtain in the first place. The average price for a hearing aid is $2,000 per device.Until recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required a medical evaluation to obtain a prescription or a signed waiver declining a medical exam before a person could buy a hearing aid. The good news is that the FDA recently agreed that this outdated policy is unnecessary. Making hearing aids more affordable and accessible to people with mild to moderate hearing loss arguably would be a game-changer for roughly 30 million Americans who may benefit from assistive hearing technology. It’s bewildering that a consumer can buy non-prescription reading… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-fellow-senators-urge-va-comply-2010-law-protecting-veterans-exorbitant | Grassley, Fellow Senators Urge the VA to Comply with 2010 Law Protecting Veterans from Exorbitant Emergency Room Bills | 2016-12-09 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Please note: Senator Grassley has heard from Iowans who have had this problem where the Department of Veterans Affairs won’t pay for emergency care because the veterans have Medicare even though Medicare doesn’t cover all of the cost, whereas veterans with no other insurance would have it fully covered. “Common sense dictates that the VA fix this. That’s what Congress directed the VA to do in enacting legislation in 2010,” Senator Grassley said. WASHINGTON— Led by U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), 22 senators, including six from the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, wrote to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert McDonald to urge him to comply with the Emergency Care Fairness Act (ECFA). The ECFA was enacted in 2010 and directed the VA to cover veterans with private health insurance when that insurance doesn’t cover the full amount of non-VA emergency care. Yet since 2010, the VA has not complied with the law, denying hundreds of thousands of veterans’ reimbursement claims for emergency care. Earlier this year, a federal court ordered the VA to write regulations that comply with the ECFA. In addition to urging the VA to comply with the law, the senators also requested that the agency fix its mistake and re-open all previously-denied claims. “Congress’s clear intent in passing the ECFA was to expand veteran eligibility for reimbursement for emergency treatment furnished to veterans in non-department facilities,” wrote the senators. “Specifically, congressional intent was to require the VA to act as a secondary payer for emergency treatment costs not covered by the veteran’s third-party insurance. It is evident that the VA has ignored congressional intent. Most troubling is the fact that those who are most affected by the VA’s non-compliance with the ECFA are our elderly veterans, many of whom are living on fixed incomes and have limited resources to pay medical bills.”In addition to Rounds and Klobuchar, the letter was signed by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Cla… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-sets-hearing-date-attorney-general-nominee | Grassley Sets Hearing Date for Attorney General Nominee | 2016-12-09 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON—The Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Chuck Grassley, today announced that the hearing for Attorney General nominee, Senator Jeff Sessions, will be held on January 10-11, 2017.Sessions returned the committee questionnaire today, and after speaking with incoming Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein, Grassley scheduled the hearings consistent with historical practice.“I appreciate Senator Sessions’ prompt response. We will begin reviewing his questionnaire and going through the documents so we’re ready to hold a fair and thorough hearing on Jan. 10,” Grassley said. “We all know Senator Sessions to be an honorable man who has held public office for more than 20 years. I look forward to hearing from him next month.”The hearings for the last four Attorneys General lasted one to two days with anywhere from three to nine outside witnesses testifying at each. The hearing for the nominee for Attorney General for every new president dating back to President Dwight Eisenhower has been held before the Presidential Inauguration, with the exception of President George H.W. Bush who retained President Ronald Reagan's Attorney General who had been confirmed five months earlier. Attorney General Eric Holder’s hearing was held the week prior to President Barack Obama’s inauguration, 31 days after the committee received his questionnaire. Sessions' hearing will occur 32 days after he returned his questionnaire, affording adequate time for committee members to prepare for the hearing.Grassley sent the questionnaire to Sessions on November 22, four days after President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate him. Sessions returned his questionnaire to the committee a week earlier than former Attorney General Holder, who returned his questionnaire to the Committee on December 15. The questionnaire and other documents will be available on the Judiciary Committee website. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-tester-bill-slash-bureaucratic-waste-abuse-heads-presidents-desk | Grassley, Tester Bill to Slash Bureaucratic Waste, Abuse Heads to President's Desk | 2016-12-09 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – After introducing their bipartisan bill back in January to increase oversight and eliminate wasteful federal spending, Senators Jon Tester and Chuck Grassley today celebrated the passage of their Administrative Leave Act, which will now head to the President’s desk for signature. “I came to Washington to clean this place up and this bill is a responsible step toward accomplishing that goal,” Tester said. “This bipartisan legislation will save taxpayers millions, make government work better for the people of Montana, and protect workers’ rights.” “This is a red letter day for everybody who cares about good government,” Grassley said. “Paid leave shouldn’t be a crutch for management to avoid making tough personnel decisions or a club for wrongdoers to use against whistleblowers. I hope the reforms will become law as soon as possible, and I look forward to overseeing their implementation.”Tester and Grassley introduced the Administrative Leave Act after a GAO Report found that between 2011 and 2013, a total of 57,000 employees across five federal agencies had been put on paid administrative leave for a month or more. Agencies spent a total of $3.1 billion on paid administrative leave during this time. This occurred, in part, because of agencies’ varying interpretation and use of existing administrative leave authorities.Even worse, the report found that 263 employees had been on paid administrative leave for a year or more, costing the federal government a staggering $31 million in salary payments. Subsequent investigations determined that the majority of employees put on administrative leave for a year or more were out pending investigations for misconduct or fitness of duty. The legislation will prevent this kind of systematic waste and abuse by: • Limiting paid administrative leave to a maximum of ten days a year. • Creating new types of leave—including investigative and notice leave—that would be available for the agency to use while its investigating misconduct or taking action agains… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-urges-president-elect-trump-reverse-obama-admins-harmful-actions | Grassley Urges President-elect Trump to Reverse Obama Admin's Harmful Actions | 2016-12-09 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Senate Floor Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of IowaChairman, Senate Judiciary CommitteeReversing Obama administration’s Harmful Executive Actions on Day OneDecember 9, 2016For the last eight years, we’ve seen President Obama’s administration take action after action and do it without regard for concerns expressed by the American people or their elected representatives in Congress. That may amount to a great deal of unconstitutional or at least contrary-to-statute executive overreach.The Obama administration used executive fiat to push sweeping regulations with little thought about the damage to American jobs. It has repeatedly stretched its authority beyond limits set by Congress. It has twisted the law and even the Constitution itself to justify this executive overreach. And despite early promises of transparency, it has kept the American people and Congress in the dark about many of its most significant decisions.Americans are right to be frustrated with what they see as more unnecessary burdens and unchecked abuses being handed down by an out-of-touch bureaucracy. And in November, they made their voices heard. President-elect Trump has said that he intends to roll back the mess of harmful regulations and executive power grabs of the last eight years. He is certainly going to have his hands full, but there’s plenty he can do to begin the process on January 20th.President Obama’s tenure has brought about an unprecedented expansion of the regulatory state. By some estimates, bureaucratic red tape now places a $2 trillion burden on our nation’s economy. I don’t doubt that there is some good intention behind just about every new rule. But, the notion that so-called experts in Washington, D.C., need to regulate every aspect of our lives doesn’t make much sense to many of the Iowans I talk to. They are hoping that a President Trump will bring common sense to Washington, D.C.Take, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the United States Rule. It’s often referred to by the ac… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-watchdog-right-review-misclassifications-under-medicaid-drug-rebate | Grassley: Watchdog is Right to Review Misclassifications Under Medicaid Drug Rebate Program | 2016-12-09 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | In September, Sen. Chuck Grassley and fellow senators asked the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services to examine the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) oversight of the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. After the letter, Grassley continued to push for OIG involvement. Grassley learned that CMS knew in 2009 in that EpiPens and two other drugs were misclassified under the program, leading to taxpayer overpayments by hundreds of millions of dollars or more. The OIG confirmed that it will conduct three new reviews of the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. Grassley made the following comment on this development.“The more we learn about the misclassifications, the more we know this program is in dire need of proper oversight. It’s unclear whether CMS took any action between 2009 and now to get the EpiPen classification back on track after being told about the misclassification. If CMS did nothing, that’s a dereliction of duty to the taxpayers. The OIG is right to look at this program and help determine whether it works or doesn’t work as intended.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-grassley-sponsored-legislation-caps-paid-leave-following-office | ICYMI: Grassley-Sponsored Legislation Caps Paid Leave Following Office Investigation of Agency Abuse | 2016-12-09 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Last year, Senator Grassley released the results of his investigation into federal agencies’ use of paid administrative leave and endorsed the report’s recommendations to rein in overuse of the largely unproductive, expensive practice. Grassley then sponsored legislation to reform federal paid leave and put a cap on the practice. Following Senate passage, the Grassley legislation is now headed to President Obama’s desk for his signature. Yesterday, Grassley welcomed the passage of the reforms limiting paid administrative leave.From today’s Washington Post: “…an investigation by Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) found that the government’s largest agencies paid out more than $80 million in 2014 for thousands of employees to sit home for a month and longer while they faced allegations of misconduct. ‘Paid leave shouldn’t be a crutch for management to avoid making tough personnel decisions or a club for wrongdoers to use against whistleblowers,’ Grassley, one of the legislation’s four Senate sponsors, said in a statement.” (Lisa Rein, “Sidelined federal workers used to get paid indefinitely. Congress just capped it at 10 days.,” Washington Post, 12/9/16)-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/sens-grassley-moran-roberts-press-obama-administration-answers-criminal-immigrant | Sens. Grassley, Moran & Roberts Press Obama Administration for Answers on Criminal Immigrant | 2016-12-09 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Man previously convicted of illegal re-entry into United States is charged in Kansas with sex crime against a childWASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), along with U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), today called on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson to provide information about a criminal immigrant who was charged in September with the rape of a child in Kansas. In a letter to Sec. Johnson, the senators request Tomas Martinez-Maldonado’s full criminal and immigration history. They inquire about why he was able to re-enter and remain in the country despite his unlawful status and previous felony conviction for illegal re-entry into the United States.“This is an extremely disturbing case,” the senators wrote in the letter. “In order for Congress to better understand the circumstances that led to this alleged rape of a child, we request information about Martinez-Maldonado’s criminal and immigration history, and why he was able to enter and remain in the country despite his unlawful status.”The Associated Press reported in October 2016 that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Martinez-Maldonado had been deported from the United States 10 times since 2010.Full text of the letter follows:December 9, 2016The Honorable Jeh Johnson Secretary Department of Homeland Security Washington, D.C. 20528Dear Secretary Johnson:On September 30, a criminal complaint was filed against Tomas Martinez-Maldonado who was arrested and charged with the rape of a child on a coach bus in Kansas. According to the Associated Press, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that Martinez-Maldonado was a citizen of Mexico unlawfully present in the United States and has been deported back to Mexico ten times since 2010. ICE also reportedly said the suspect has a prior federal felony conviction for illegal re-entry into the United States.This is an extremely disturbing case. In order for Congress to better understand the circumstanc… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://loebsack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394967 | Loebsacks Efforts to Expedite Flood Protections in Cedar Rapids Pass House | 2016-12-08 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | IA | Dave Loebsack | L000565 | loebsack.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House passed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (S. 216), which included provisions to expedite the construction of flood protection measures in Cedar Rapids, among other water infrastructure projects. The Cedar Rapids flood control measures were previously authorized, but have not yet been built. Additionally, this legislation authorizes Corps of Engineers funding for improvements to ports, waterways and projects tied to flood protection, drinking water, dams and levees, and environmental restoration.“I am pleased that the bill includes provisions to expedite the much needed flood protection measures to keep homes, businesses and communities safe in Cedar Rapids. The Floods of 2008 devastated much of downtown Cedar Rapids, which still does not have adequate protection to keep them safe from future flooding. “The legislation also includes projects that will create jobs and have a direct impact on our economy. Iowa farmers, manufacturers, businesses and local economies rely on the Mississippi River infrastructure. It is clear that the locks and dams along the Mississippi River are deteriorating and significantly harming the economic development in the region. This bill is very important to Iowa, not just for the locks and dams, but also for much of our flood protection and Army Corps projects that are needed to keep our communities safe.” Specific provisions contained in this legislation, include: Cedar Rapids Flood Control An amendment authored by Congressman Loebsack and Congressman Blum was included that directs the Corps of Engineers to expedite the completion of the previously authorized flood damage reduction, and flood risk management project on the Cedar River. Upper Mississippi Study The bill includes a provision that instructs the Corps to conduct a study of areas located within the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois River basins to identify the risks and vulnerability of those areas to increased flood… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://blum.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/water-infrastructure-improvements-nation-winn-act-passes-us-house | Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WINN) Act Passes U.S. House | 2016-12-08 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Rod Blum | B001294 | blum.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC - The House of Representatives today passed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WINN) Act of 2016 that includes Congressman Rod Blum’s bipartisan amendment calling on the Administration to expedite the Cedar Rapids flood protection project that was authorized by Congress in 2014. WIIN passed with strong bipartisan support, with 360 yes votes and 61 no votes. “The successful passage of WIIN that includes our Cedar Rapids amendment is another positive step in our ongoing work to encourage the Administration to prioritize the Cedar Rapids flood protection project,” said Congressman Blum. “With two major floods in just 8 years, it is clear that this project is vital to protecting the Cedar Rapids community and I hope the Administration acts quickly to fund the project that Congress has now approved twice.” Video: Rep. Blum speaks on House floor in support of the Cedar Rapids project More information on the Blum Cedar Rapids amendment can be found here: https://blum.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-blum-introduces-measure-expedite-cedar-rapids-flood-project Rod Blum is the Republican Congressman in Iowa’s 1st District. He is a member of the Budget and Oversight & Government Reform Committees. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://blum.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=490 | Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WINN) Act Passes U.S. House | 2016-12-08 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Rod Blum | B001294 | blum.house.gov | legacy | Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WINN) Act Passes U.S. House Legislation includes Blum amendment to expedite Cedar Rapids flood protection f t # e Washington, DC, December 8, 2016 The House of Representatives today passed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WINN) Act of 2016 that includes Congressman Rod Blum’s bipartisan amendment calling on the Administration to expedite the Cedar Rapids flood protection project that was authorized by Congress in 2014. WIIN passed with strong bipartisan support, with 360 yes votes and 61 no votes. “The successful passage of WIIN that includes our Cedar Rapids amendment is another positive step in our ongoing work to encourage the Administration to prioritize the Cedar Rapids flood protection project,” said Congressman Blum. “With two major floods in just 8 years, it is clear that this project is vital to protecting the Cedar Rapids community and I hope the Administration acts quickly to fund the project that Congress has now approved twice.” Video: Rep. Blum speaks on House floor in support of the Cedar Rapids project More information on the Blum Cedar Rapids amendment can be found here: https://blum.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-blum-introduces-measure-expedite-cedar-rapids-flood-project Rod Blum is the Republican Congressman in Iowa’s 1st District. He is a member of the Budget and Oversight & Government Reform Committees. ### f t # e | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-introduces-american-future-healthcare-act | King Introduces American Future Healthcare Act | 2016-12-08 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Steve King released the following statement after introducing his American Future Healthcare Act, that would give Americans back the rightful control over their own healthcare decisions: “The American people have rejected, as they have done for the past 6 years, the President’s failed healthcare law, asking both Congress and the 2016 presidential nominees for an alternative,” said King. “Whether it was the botched implementation or the fact that millions of people had their health insurance plans cancelled because they were suddenly in violation of ‘essential health benefits,’ Obamacare has been nothing short of a complete failure. It is time this act of hook, crook and legislative shenanigan be abolished and our health care system restored. That is why I introduced the Obamacare Repeal Act in January 2015, and why I am introducing The American Future Healthcare Act of 2016.My bill would bring an end to this nightmare by giving the American people the ability to make their own healthcare decisions by increasing deductible healthcare savings account (HSA) annual contribution limits to $10,000 per individual and $20,000 per joint return. In this way, HSAs would allow individuals to keep the dollars that they do not use and, unlike under current law, Americans could accumulate money in their HSAs even if they have high deductible health plans (HDHPs) or even no insurance at all. HSAs could also be used to pay health insurance premiums, regardless of the type of health insurance the individual has.Unlike Obamacare, the American Future Healthcare Act actually encourages individuals and families to be fiscally responsible by saving for their healthcare expenses. By encouraging healthcare accountability over a lifetime, my bill will serve as an important piece in ensuring that our citizens and nation thrive in the decades ahead.”To view the original text of the bill, click here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-introduces-substitute-amendment-to-cr | King Introduces Substitute Amendment to CR | 2016-12-08 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Steve King released the following statement after introducing his substitute amendment to the Continuing Resolution (CR) that would set the discretionary budget at the $1.04 trillion level and would include the defunding of fourteen major provisions: “It is the obligation of Congress to work towards balancing the budget and to restore its Article I constitutional authority.” said King. “My substitute amendment to the CR would accomplish both by setting the discretionary budget at the $1.04 trillion level, a $30 billion reduction from the current level, and defunding the fourteen following provisions: 1. Defund President Obama’s unconstitutional amnesty programs for illegal aliens, chiefly DACA, DAPA and the Morton memos. 2. Defund Obamacare in its entirety as if it had never been enacted. 3. Defund the President’s attempt to bring potentially dangerous refugees into the U.S. 4. Defund the President’s unconstitutional agency guidance dealing with trans-gender bathrooms in schools. 5. Defund the Department of Labor’s Overtime Rule. 6. Defund the Environmental Protection Agency’s overreaching and invasive Waters Of The United States definition. 7. Defund the Department of Labor’s Fiduciary Rule. 8. Defund the Clean Power Plan Rule. 9. Block any federal funding from going to Planned Parenthood. 10. Defund the President’s Iran Nuclear Deal, one of the most dangerous proposals of our time. 11. Defund any and all executive action that upholds policy products of the COP21 Conference agreement. 12. Defund executive enforcement of the Obergefell Supreme Court decision. 13. Defund Dodd-Frank in its entirety. 14. Defund Internet domain transfer. With an imminent Trump presidency, Congress can finally fulfill the promises we made to our constituents to balance an out of control budget filled with unconstitutional provisions and fight for the American people.” To view the original text of the amendment, click here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-denounces-inaction-flawed-eb-5-visa-program | Grassley Denounces Inaction on Flawed EB-5 Visa Program | 2016-12-08 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Senate Floor Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of IowaChairman, Senate Judiciary CommitteeEB-5 Regional Center Program ReformsThursday, December 08, 2016Mr. President, One year ago, Ranking Member Leahy and I came to the floor to express frustration that the EB-5 regional center program was extended without reforms. I could easily read the same statement I gave at that time and it would be just as relevant today. We are very disappointed that reforms were not included in the continuing resolution, which extended this very flawed immigration program. The EB-5 regional center program has been plagued by fraud and abuse. It poses significant national security risks. There are serious allegations that the program may be facilitating terrorist travel, economic espionage, money laundering and investment fraud. Yet, the continuing resolution before us fails to include much needed reforms. So after another year, we have yet another missed opportunity. The Chairs and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees have agreed on a package of reforms. We have worked in a bipartisan and bicameral fashion. We have agreed on every aspect. We instituted compliance measures. We instituted background checks. And we instituted transparency provisions. We made sure that rural and distressed urban areas benefited from the program, as Congress always intended, and as Senator Leahy very clearly laid out the problems.Despite the bipartisan support, not a single one of our recommendations will be implemented. Instead of reforming the program, we have status quo. The status quo means this: • Investments can be spent before business plans are approved. • Regional Center operators can charge excessive fees of foreign nationals in addition to their required investments. • None of the jobs created have to be “direct” or verifiable jobs but rather are “indirect” and based on estimates or economic modeling. Again, not knowing for sure if jobs are created. • Investment funds are not adequ… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-hhs-secretary-nominee-price-discuss-rural-hospitals-medicaid-oversight | Grassley, HHS Secretary Nominee Price Discuss Rural Hospitals, Medicaid Oversight, Soaring Drug Prices and Remedies | 2016-12-08 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Sen. Chuck Grassley today met with Rep. Tom Price, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. 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.“I congratulated Dr. Price on his nomination and told him I’d appreciate having a member of Congress at the head of such a critical agency. Congress is the people’s branch of government, and having a member of Congress at the agency would bring responsiveness to the public and I hope to Congress on our oversight inquiries.“We discussed the importance of caring for people with complex medical needs, such as cystic fibrosis and Down syndrome, in Medicaid. Coordinated care for such individuals is a major, ongoing challenge. I said making sure taxpayer money is well-spent is always a priority, so even if we give states more control over Medicaid, we would still need federal oversight to make sure services are delivered as intended. “We discussed critical access hospitals. There are 82 such hospitals located throughout Iowa and many others throughout the country. They provide a lifeline in small, rural communities. I raised the ongoing problem of doctors in rural states like Iowa getting reimbursed less than their counterparts in other parts of the country, despite regularly offering better quality of care. This is something I’d like to see fixed definitively.“Dr. Price and I discussed soaring drug prices and some of the remedies I’m working on. These include reimportation, the CREATES Act to address abuses by brand drug companies to block generic competition, and the bill to limit pay-for-delay agreements between brand and generic companies that delay the entry of cheaper drugs into the market. We touched on the practice of ‘evergreening,’ where drug makers slightly tweak a product to hang onto a patent. “It was a good conversation about some of the many issues of interest to the people of… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-notes-more-slipping-and-sliding-pentagon-clean-audit-deadline | Grassley Notes More Slipping and Sliding on Pentagon Clean Audit Deadline | 2016-12-08 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Floor Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley More Slipping and Sliding on Pentagon Audit Deadline Delivered Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016I come to the floor today to alert the Trump Administration to a problem. There’s a festering sore needing high-level attention. I am talking about a formidable barrier. It stands in the way of an important goal: auditing the Department of Defense’s (DoD) books. At times, this barrier makes the goal seem unattainable.The need for annual financial audits was originally established by the Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Act of 1990. By March 1992, each agency was to present a financial statement to an inspector general for audit. To date, all have earned unqualified or clean opinions except one -- the Department of Defense (DoD). It has the dubious distinction of earning an unblemished string of failing opinions known as disclaimers.In the face of endless stumbling, Congress drew a new line in the sand. It’s in Section 1003 of the fiscal year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act. The Pentagon was given an extra seven years to clean up the books and get ready.Well, guess what? The slipping and sliding never stopped. The revised September 2017 deadline is staring us in the face, and all the evidence tells me the department will never make it. The 25-year effort to audit the books is stuck in the mud. Billions of dollars have been spent trying to solve the root cause problem – a broken accounting system. But the fix is nowhere in sight. And until control at the transaction level is achieved, auditing the books is nothing more than a pipe dream. Under the fiscal year 2010 law, the Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness (FIAR) Plan is supposed to tell us whether the financial statements of the Defense Department “are validated as ready for audit by not later than September 30, 2017.”The latest FIAR report hit the street last month. It does not answer the key question: Is DoD ready for audit? I read it and don’t know for sure. It is a study in fuzzy thinking. It’s like a riddle, and here’… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-treasury-secretary-nominee-steven-mnuchin-discuss-tax-priorities | Grassley, Treasury Secretary Nominee Steven Mnuchin Discuss Tax Priorities, Whistleblowers | 2016-12-08 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today met with President-elect Trump’s Treasury secretary nominee, Steven Mnuchin. 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.“It was our first time meeting, so Mr. Mnuchin and I spent a few minutes getting acquainted. We then discussed a series of issues. We covered the importance of comprehensive tax reform on both the corporate and individual levels and how tax fairness is critical to economic growth and job creation. I’ve often said that a major undertaking like tax reform requires the President’s use of his bully pulpit to rally support behind a plan from Congress and the American people. There’s an opportunity to do that with a new administration. I emphasized the importance of listening to whistleblowers within the Treasury Department and those who come to the IRS with allegations of major tax fraud. The provisions improving the IRS whistleblower office that I drafted are working, but it’s required a lot of oversight to maintain the momentum, and I’d like to see a Treasury secretary who will build on the progress. Enforcing tax fraud is a matter of fairness for the majority of the taxpayers who pay what they owe. Mr. Mnuchin and I discussed the burden of the estate tax on family farms and businesses. I emphasized the need to treat alternative energy tax incentives fairly, including keeping the current phase-out for the wind energy production tax incentive as is. Alternative energy drives job creation in Iowa and nationwide. We discussed currency manipulation as well as the need to broaden the scope of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to cover food security. Mr. Mnuchin seemed to appreciate the need for the review process to become broader than it is now to help protect U.S. interests. I look forward to covering these issues and more in Mr. Mnuchin’s nomination hearing.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-warren-applaud-fda-steps-improve-hearing-aid-accessibility-implement | Grassley, Warren Applaud FDA Steps to Improve Hearing Aid Accessibility, Implement Portions of Bipartisan Legislation | 2016-12-08 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. -- Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) applauded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcement that it will take steps to improve consumer access to hearing aids, including by not enforcing the requirement for a medical evaluation or waiver in order to acquire hearing aids. Earlier this month, Warren and Grassley introduced the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2016, which would make certain types of hearing aids available over the counter (OTC) and remove unnecessary and burdensome requirements that would pose barriers for consumers who could benefit from hearing aids."I'm very glad to see the FDA recognize that over-the-counter hearing aids can improve access to millions of Americans with untreated hearing loss," said Senator Warren. "This announcement by the FDA will implement one of the provisions in the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2016, which I introduced with Senator Grassley earlier this Congress. Our bill will make additional simple changes to help adults with hearing loss get access to hearing aids and make it easier for consumers to shop for the best value.""This is a very good first step," Senator Grassley said. "The FDA is right to help consumers take advantage of innovative products. Making certain hearing aids are available over the counter is meant to increase competition and help bring down costs. The agency move clears a hurdle that people now face in getting hearing aids. It reflects one of the provisions of our legislation. Still, even with this positive step, introducing our legislation in the next Congress will be important. Administrations shift and legal challenges occur. Getting the law on the books would ensure that those who could benefit from over-the-counter hearing aids would have certainty going forward." -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-welcomes-final-passage-reforms-limiting-paid-administrative-leave | Grassley Welcomes Final Passage of Reforms Limiting Paid Administrative Leave | 2016-12-08 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Sen. Chuck Grassley is the co-author of legislation that would reduce the excessive use of paid leave by federal agencies. Grassley developed the legislation after an in-depth investigation finding that agencies sometimes put employees on paid leave for years, either to avoid making tough management decisions or to sideline whistleblowers. The legislation, passed out of committee in February, is part of the National Defense Authorization Act conference report that the Senate passed today. The measure is now on its way to the President for consideration. Grassley made the following comment. “This is a red letter day for everybody who cares about good government. Too often, managers put employees on paid administrative leave either out of convenience to them or as punishment for those who blow the whistle on waste, fraud and abuse. There are many examples, including Brandon Coleman, the whistleblower at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Phoenix who was sidelined but ultimately vindicated for trying to save veterans’ lives. Taxpayers are shortchanged when valuable employees are sidelined or problematic employees are paid to stay home instead of being fired. The reforms put strict limits on administrative leave. They make clear when other forms of paid leave are allowable and when employees should be on the job instead. Paid leave shouldn’t be a crutch for management to avoid making tough personnel decisions or a club for wrongdoers to use against whistleblowers. I hope the reforms will become law as soon as possible, and I look forward to overseeing their implementation.”-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/reforming-copyright-office | Reforming the Copyright Office | 2016-12-08 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Comment of Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), on the House Judiciary Proposal to Reform the Copyright Office “We have been working together for the last year on a legislative proposal to modernize the U.S. Copyright Office in order to better fulfill its mission in a rapidly changing digital environment. Based on our extensive consultation with a broad range of stakeholders, we believe the Copyright Office should have more independence, accountability, and authority to make decisions in areas such as IT, budget, and staffing. Our draft Senate proposal would achieve these important goals. Now that our partners in the House have unveiled their policy proposal, we look forward to working with them next Congress on this important issue.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-applauds-gov-terry-branstad-s-appointment-us-ambassador-china | Young Applauds Gov. Terry Branstads Appointment as U.S. Ambassador to China | 2016-12-07 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Young Applauds Gov. Terry Branstad’s Appointment as U.S. Ambassador to China WASHINGTON, D.C. - Iowa Congressman David Young released the following statement after President-elect Donald Trump indicated he will nominate Iowa Governor Terry Branstad to be the next U.S. ambassador to China: “Governor Branstad, Iowa’s longest serving governor, has spent his career dedicated to the wellbeing of all Iowans and working to strengthen our great state. He has forged a strong relationship with China spanning decades, and has an understanding of the issues important to furthering a longstanding relationship between our two nations. He will bring a high level of commitment and service to this new role, and will also be in a very powerful position to promote and advance policies and relationships important to Iowa and our economy. As a friend and colleague, I wish him and his family all the best. “With this news, I am also looking forward to welcoming Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds to her new role as Iowa’s first ever female governor sometime in 2017 once Governor Branstad is confirmed by the U.S. Senate. I look forward to working with her to make this a smooth transition for the state and our citizens.” # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/epipen-misclassification-case-study-what-not-do-grassley-tells-cms-administrator | EpiPen Misclassification is Case Study in What Not to Do, Grassley Tells CMS Administrator Nominee | 2016-12-07 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today met with Seema Verma, the nominee of President-elect Donald Trump to serve as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). As a senior member of the Finance Committee, Grassley will be involved in considering the nomination. He is reviewing drug price increases, especially involving EpiPens, as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He made the following comment on the meeting.“As part of the EpiPen inquiry, I learned that the Obama Administration knew in 2009 that EpiPens, along with Dilaudid and Prilosec, were misclassified under the Medicaid drug rebate program. That means the taxpayers overpaid for those drugs. For EpiPens alone, the taxpayers probably overpaid by hundreds of millions of dollars. It’s unclear whether the Obama Administration did anything to fix this problem for the taxpayers. The exact details are lacking because CMS, the Justice Department and the EpiPen maker Mylan refused to testify voluntarily at a hearing I scheduled on this problem. Further, the Justice Department, CMS and Mylan have failed to respond in full to my oversight letters. This is unacceptable. A new administration offers an opportunity to exert more oversight of government programs and tax dollars. This agency’s job is to deliver services to patients and get the most value from every tax dollar. It has to carry out the programs and services enacted into law by Congress and the President. It ought to be responsive to Congress, the people’s branch of government. The EpiPen misclassification is a case study in what not to do. I expressed these sentiments to Ms. Verma, and she agreed. I look forward to exploring these ideas further at her nomination hearing.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-johnson-seek-information-dental-safety-veterans-after-wisconsin-incident | Grassley, Johnson Seek Information on Dental Safety for Veterans After Wisconsin Incident | 2016-12-07 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON — Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, on Tuesday asked Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald for more information following reports that veterans at the Tomah (Wis.) Veterans Affairs Medical Center may have been exposed to disease from the improper cleaning of dental equipment. The letter follows news reports that 592 veterans were treated at the facility with dental instruments not compliant with VA policies, which may have exposed them to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. The chairmen asked for information about the VA’s training procedures and equipment protocol as well as steps that the VA is taking to ensure safety.The letter can be found here and below:December 6, 2016The Honorable Robert A. McDonald Secretary U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Avenue NW Washington, DC 20420Dear Secretary McDonald:We write today regarding disturbing news reports about hundreds of veterans that may have been exposed to Hepatitis B, C, and HIV due to the failure of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) dentist to comply with cleaning procedures. The report indicates that this particular dentist, working at the Tomah, Wisconsin VA Medical Center (Tomah VA), used his own equipment, cleaned it, and then reused it all in violation of VA regulations. This activity reportedly occurred for one year. Upon discovery of the dentist’s alleged actions, Tomah VA leadership removed the dentist from patient care and placed him in an administrative role. The dentist, a probationary employee at the time, resigned late last week. We understand the VA Office of Inspector General recently opened a review of this situation. The Acting Medical Director of the facility, Victoria Brahm, was quoted as saying, “[i]t was purposeful that [the dentist] was violating VA regulations.” Ms. Brahm has also stated that the VA is following reporting procedures to th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-nomination-governor-branstad-us-ambassador-china | Grassley on the Nomination of Governor Branstad as U.S. Ambassador to China | 2016-12-07 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on the news that Gov. Terry Branstad has been named the U.S. ambassador to China nominee by President-elect Trump. “Governor Branstad is a friend and colleague and someone I know very well. As the long-time governor of Iowa, he understands the global nature of the state and national economies. Governor Branstad understands China, having been there on numerous trade missions and having a friendship with President Xi Jinping. He’s the longest-serving governor in our nation’s history. Iowans have chosen him for his successful track record as the chief executive, his trustworthiness and his reputation as a straight shooter. Those attributes would serve the United States very well if he’s confirmed for this position. He ought to be confirmed very easily.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-recognizes-200th-anniversary-senate-judiciary-committee | Grassley Recognizes the 200th Anniversary of the Senate Judiciary Committee | 2016-12-07 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Senate Floor Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of IowaChairman, Senate Judiciary CommitteeMarking the 200th Anniversary of the Senate Judiciary CommitteeDecember 7, 2016This Saturday, December 10th, marks the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate. I’m very proud to be the Chairman of this Committee—the first Chairman who is not a lawyer, I might add—and will be offering a resolution, along with some other Committee members, to help commemorate this anniversary.200 years ago, the Senate established 11 original standing committees. Today, although there are many committees, the Senate Judiciary Committee is one of only four original committees that still meet. During the past two centuries, some of the most vital and important questions facing the nation have come before the Committee. For example, during the Civil War, the Committee ensured President Lincoln had the emergency powers he needed to pursue the Civil War effort. And in 1864, the Committee took a critical step in ending slavery in the United States when it reported the 13th Amendment of the Constitution.The Committee has jurisdiction over issues that directly impact American lives and is on the forefront of deciding important policy issues, including immigration, civil liberties, criminal laws and protection for victims, and civil rights. And of course, the Committee examines those nominated for lifetime appointment on the federal bench. Over the years, the Committee has reported legislation that has been vital to the safety and protection of the American people. I don’t have time today to discuss all the Committee has accomplished over the last 200 years, but I do want to take a minute to recognize this important anniversary. I’m very proud of the Committee’s storied history. Today, I celebrate these accomplishments, I follow it up with the introduction of a resolution, and am truly humbled to be its Chairman. 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-statement-judiciary-subcommittee-hearing-examining-proposed-att-time | Grassley Statement at a Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing Examining the Proposed AT&T-Time Warner Merger | 2016-12-07 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of IowaChairman, Senate Judiciary CommitteeAntitrust Subcommittee Hearing: “Examining the Competitive Impact of the AT&T-Time Warner Transaction”December 7, 2016Thank you Mr. Chairman for holding this hearing on the biggest transaction of the year, the proposed AT&T-Time Warner merger. This deal would combine one of the nation’s largest phone and internet providers with a media entertainment titan that among other things, owns HBO, CNN, TBS, TNT and Warner Brothers studios. By expanding into media and entertainment, AT&T strengthens its existing wireless, internet and pay-TV business and also becomes a premier content owner. The Justice Department, and possibly the Federal Communications Commission, will determine whether to approve or reject this merger, and decide whether or what conditions should be imposed in order for the parties to proceed with their transaction. Nonetheless, our oversight responsibility is an important one, where the Committee can flesh out potential issues and highlight possible impacts of the merger on the market and consumers.It’s an understatement to say that this industry is undergoing tremendous change. People are constantly reevaluating what, when, where and how they access their media entertainment and content. Technologies are quickly evolving, and delivery platforms are converging. Companies are improving their technologies so that customers can enjoy better and faster connectivity. Innovation is creating more options and allowing for multiple combinations. The creativity of programming content and device apps is flourishing to satisfy any and every consumer taste, young and old. Customers are becoming increasingly knowledgeable about content offerings and their data consumption needs. No doubt, this industry is going through a transformative and disruptive time, and consumers are enjoying the ride. So we want to make sure that this revolution in technologies and content continues to thrive and evolve to the bene… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-welcomes-passage-cures-act-cites-health-care-provisions-interest-iowans | Grassley Welcomes Passage of Cures Act, Cites Health Care Provisions of Interest to Iowans | 2016-12-07 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley today welcomed Senate passage on a 94 to 5 vote of the 21st Century Cures Act, citing the benefits to find effective medical treatments for chronic and terminal illnesses and the inclusion of his measures to help rural “tweener” hospitals and to restore the ability of small businesses to help their employees with health insurance premiums.“From cancer, to diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, cystic fibrosis and so many other chronic medical conditions and rare diseases, strong support exists to foster more innovation in health care and medical science to help spread hope, healing and health for our fellow Americans,” Grassley said. “As a fiscal conservative and champion for good government, I work to make sure the federal spigot doesn’t shower limited resources down the drain. Instead, good stewardship demands that tax dollars are used wisely and effectively to advance medical science and improve the delivery of health care and patient outcomes. The cystic fibrosis community is a good example of grass roots and expert partnership that produces treatments to improve the quality of life for cystic fibrosis patients. The Cures Act will help promote that model for other medical conditions.” Grassley is co-founder and co-chairman of the Senate Cystic Fibrosis Caucus, announced earlier this year. The Cures Act would inject the views of patients into the drug approval process and accelerate the regulatory process to bring treatments and cures to the market more quickly. Modernizing clinical trials, boosting funding for mental health care, expanding opioid painkiller abuse, prevention and treatment programs and encouraging the use of electronic health records systems will strengthen and improve patient health in America in the 21st century. For Iowans, it will open up opportunities for teaching hospitals and research institutions to secure federal grants to help deliver new scientific discovery and medical innovation. Specifically, it authorizes $1.8 billion for cancer r… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/goodlatte-grassley-call-obama-administration-declassify-secret-refugee-deal | Goodlatte & Grassley Call on Obama Administration to Declassify Secret Refugee Deal | 2016-12-06 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today called on the Obama Administration to declassify its plan to admit into the United States potentially over 2,400 refugees who Australia has refused to admit. Last month, Chairmen Goodlatte and Grassley expressed concern that the Obama Administration’s secret negotiations with Australia left Americans in the dark about the full scope of its resettlement plans and requested a briefing to review the classified agreement. It is unprecedented to classify an agreement to usher in refugees to the United States and the Chairmen’s review of the agreement further confirms that it should never have been classified in the first place.In their letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and Secretary of State John Kerry, Goodlatte and Grassley call for the declassification of the agreement so the American people can review it. Full text of the Goodlatte-Grassley letter to Kerry and Johnson follows:December 6, 2016VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSIONThe Honorable Jeh Johnson Secretary Department of Homeland Security Washington, D.C. 20528The Honorable John Kerry Secretary Department of State Washington, D.C. 20520Dear Secretaries Johnson and Kerry:We write to follow up on our November 22, 2016 letter regarding the agreement between the United States and Australia for the United States to consider for admission as refugees, potentially over 2,400 migrants currently detained in Papua New Guinea and Nauru, whom Australia has refused to admit. These migrants are nationals of countries like Somalia, Syria, Pakistan, Iran, and Sudan, as well as others. As you know, your agencies have deemed the agreement classified. This is despite the fact that classification of an agreement regarding individuals to be considered for admission by the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is unprecedented. We appreciate your making staff available to provide us with the document in… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-continues-push-combat-rising-drug-prices | Grassley Continues Push to Combat Rising Drug Prices | 2016-12-06 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, along with Senators Patrick Leahy, Mike Lee and Amy Klobuchar, is pushing to include legislation that would combat rising drug prices for Iowans by deterring brand-name pharmaceutical companies from blocking the entrance of more affordable generic alternatives in the marketplace in the 21st Century CURES bill being debated in the Senate. “The rising price of prescription drugs is having a major impact on families and seniors everywhere. Some brand-name drug companies are engaging in anti-competitive tactics that delay entry of lower cost generic drugs into the market, and this tactic is becoming more common,” Grassley said. “We need to start taking steps to ensure that our laws are not frustrated and consumers have access to less expensive generic drugs in a timely fashion.”The stand-alone bill, the Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act, was introduced in June. Currently the FDA has a streamlined approval process whereby generic drug companies can conduct testing of generic versions of a brand-name drug prior to its patent expiration. However, concerns have been raised that some brand-name companies are misusing an FDA program, known as the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS), to thwart that process by preventing the sale of samples of their product and refusing to allow generic competitors to participate in their REMS protocol. These tactics result in blocking generic drug approval and keeping drug prices high for consumers. The CREATES Act addresses this anticompetitive behavior by giving generic companies an opportunity to obtain relief in a timely fashion rather than through lengthy antitrust litigation.The amendment filed by the senators refines the CREATES Act text to ensure patient safety by allowing the FDA to require additional information before approving a request for samples of high risk drugs, and by giving the FDA authority to more easily approve safety protocols.Grassley is also the … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-urges-trade-review-consideration-special-factors-harm-us-steel-producers | Grassley Urges Trade Review Consideration of Special Factors for Harm to U.S. Steel Producers, Including Montpelier Plant | 2016-12-06 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley is part of a request to the United States International Trade Commission that it consider specially outlined factors in a trade case involving steel producers, including SSAB Iowa Inc. with a facility in Montpelier in Muscatine County.“We write to express our concern about unfairly dumped and subsidized carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate imports that are harming U.S. producers,” Grassley and fellow senators wrote to Chairman Irving A. Williamson. “As you conduct investigations into the impact of these imports on American manufacturers, we urge you to fully implement the Leveling the Playing Field Act (Title V of P.L. 114-27) and consider a comprehensive list of factors in the Commission’s injury determinations.”The senators wrote that imports of steel plate have skyrocketed in recent years. Between 2013 and 2015, they surged by 100 percent. In 2015 alone, the domestic industry estimates that 1.2 million tons of unfairly traded imports, worth $850 million, entered the U.S. market. “These imports have taken their toll, and U.S. producers were forced to file antidumping and countervailing duty cases in April of this year,” the senators wrote.The senators continued, “As of last year, U.S. producers were utilizing only 66 percent of their capacity, with U.S. plate production falling by nearly 20 percent in 2015. U.S. plate producers’ sales dropped by more than one million tons. At the same time, the U.S. plate industry’s operating income fell by over 90 percent. As a result, more than 200 workers were laid off in 2015. Even where workers have been able to keep their jobs, hourly wages have been reduced significantly.”Grassley said the unfair imports are hard on companies such as SSAB Iowa Inc. with a steel coil facility in Montpelier. “The United States needs to use every tool at its disposal to enforce trade rules,” Grassley said. “Congress passed the Level the Playing Field Act to be sure the specific effects of unfair imports are considered when determining injury … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/phoenix-va-whistleblowers-vindicated-speaking-out-suicide-prevention | Phoenix VA Whistleblowers Vindicated for Speaking out on Suicide Prevention | 2016-12-06 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, as a long-time advocate for whistleblowers, wrote to the Department of Veterans Affairs twice about VA retaliation against Brandon Coleman for pointing out poor treatment of suicidal veterans where he worked in Arizona. Eventually, the Office of Special Counsel helped restore Coleman in a VA position after more than a year on administrative leave. A new report from the Office of Special Counsel finds that Coleman and another whistleblower likely saved lives by speaking out on suicide risks at the Phoenix VA hospital. Grassley has pressed the VA Office of Inspector General to review the suicides of two Iowa veterans. One review is under way, and another is under initial evaluation. Grassley made the following comment on the latest report involving Coleman and the Arizona VA.“This is yet more vindication that the whistleblowers in Arizona were in the right. It’s further proof that whistleblowers deserve the ear of those in charge. Too often, whistleblowers are ignored in violation of common sense and likely legal protections. The problem with veterans suicide is especially serious. When it comes to suicide prevention, every voice must be heard. I appreciate the courage of Brandon Coleman and Jared Kinnaman in Phoenix and the many other whistleblowers who speak out every day to help others. I’m grateful for the Office of Special Counsel as well.”-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-support-over-counter-hearing-aid-act-2016 | ICYMI: Support for the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2016 | 2016-12-05 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | The Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2016 from Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Elizabeth Warren is drawing strong support. The bipartisan legislation would make certain types of hearing aids available over the counter and remove unnecessary and burdensome requirements that currently create barriers for consumers who could benefit from hearing aids. From the AARP: “Difficulty hearing creates a barrier to social interaction, and can have a negative health impact. Roughly 40 percent of the over-60 population experiences hearing loss. Unfortunately, hearing aid usage by those experiencing hearing loss is very low, with only about 20 percent of those affected using a hearing aid. A significant factor in the lack of utilization is the cost of hearing aids – which average over $2,000 per ear. Cost and other factors, such as access and social stigma, prevent people from using these life-altering technologies.”From the Consumer Technology Association: "The high cost of hearing aids, the inconvenience and the cost of doctor appointments mean most adults with mild hearing loss don't get the hearing assistance they need. Sens. Warren and Grassley's bill is a great step forward to show how technology can drastically improve the quality of life for those with hearing loss."From the Hearing Loss Association of America: “The benefit of making hearing aids more affordable and accessible extends far beyond the well-being of the individual with hearing loss and his or her family. As more consumers with hearing loss make use of hearing aids, workers become more productive, creating a potential economic benefit to the nation at large.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/survey/60-second-survey-should-we-make-federal-rule-creators-more-accountable | 60 Second Survey - Should we make federal rule creators more accountable? | 2016-12-04 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | This year, the federal government is on track to publish the most rules and regulations in our nation’s history. Burdensome, costly and ineffective federal rules and regulations created by Washington bureaucrats threaten small businesses, good paying jobs, and the bottom line of hardworking families in Iowa and across the country. Yet, Washington bureaucrats continue to implement unnecessary rules and regulations which cost our job creators time, money, and opportunities when struggling to comply. Should there be increased transparency over federal bureaucrats writing rules and regulations? Click here to answer the survey question. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://loebsack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394965 | Loebsack, Bustos and Duckworth Applaud Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act | 2016-12-02 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | IA | Dave Loebsack | L000565 | loebsack.house.gov | legacy | Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-02), Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) and Senator-Elect Tammy Duckworth voted in favor and applauded the passage of the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This was the final House passage of the bill, which will now go to the Senate for approval before the President can sign it into law. Representatives Bustos and Loebsack worked with Duckworth, who led this successful effort through the House Armed Services Committee, to include several provisions that will help ensure the long-term success of the Rock Island Arsenal and the more than 6,000 hard working men and women who work on Arsenal Island.“The Rock Island Arsenal not only supports the brave men and women of our Armed Forces, but also plays a critical role in the Quad Cities economy. I am proud to continue my work with Congresswomen Bustos and Duckworth to ensure the Arsenal has the resources it needs to remain strong,” said Congressman Loebsack. “The Arsenal is vital to the Quad Cities economy and we must continue to work together to secure and strengthen its future. This provision plays a critical role in equipping our troops and spurring job growth in the Quad Cities region and I will continue to advocate for the Arsenal and its workforce.”“As one of the largest employers in our region, the Rock Island Arsenal is the economic engine that drives our community’s success, and I’m incredibly pleased that Congress was able to come together to pass this bipartisan legislation to strengthen the Arsenal for years to come,” Congresswoman Bustos said. “I’d like to thank Congressman Loebsack for his dedicated partnership working to strengthen the Quad-Cities community and Congresswoman Duckworth for her work on the Armed Services Committee to include language benefiting the Arsenal in this year’s national defense authorization. This bill will support Rockford’s defense industry, Peoria’s Air National Guard base and the more than 6,000 hard working men and women on Arsenal Island. By passing today's defe… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-statement-house-passage-2017-ndaa | Young Statement on House Passage of 2017 NDAA | 2016-12-02 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Young Statement on House Passage of 2017 NDAA WASHINGTON, D.C. - Iowa Congressman David Young released the following statement after voting in support of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017, legislation to support our nation’s military, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 375-34. “This year’s NDAA ensures our military has the tools, training, and support they need to keep our country and her people safe, while giving our military members the pay raise they deserve. I’m pleased to support this important legislation as we continue our efforts to ensure our military meets the ever evolving global threats and challenges our nation faces, and work to secure our communities in Iowa and across the country.” # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/patients-and-their-families-come-first | Patients and their Families Come First | 2016-12-02 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Patients and their Families Come First In this country, we have some of the most talented medical researchers in the world working tirelessly to investigate the diseases, cancers, and other health issues affecting countless Americans and their families. The work of these researchers and their programs drives health care innovation, and offers hope to many patients and their families seeking treatment or a cure. With this in mind, many folks in Iowa and across the country will be pleased to learn the House recently passed the 21st Century Cures Act, trailblazing health care and research legislation aimed to improve the way we treat and cure diseases. This was bipartisan legislation I supported and voted for, to improve the lives of patients and their families. The 21st Century Cures Act cuts red tape, addresses harmful rules and regulations, and works to speed up the development of new drugs and devices. Everyone should have access to effective treatments and cures, and this legislation helps to remove barriers getting in the way of innovation Americans need to combat health risks and diseases. This legislation also includes important mental health care reforms, providing for improvements in how we treat the mental health care issues so many Americans face. With approximately 43.8 million Americans experiencing some type of mental illness each year, these improvements will put evidence-based care at the forefront of treatment options, to modernize our mental health care system in a significant, positive way. Notably, this important legislation addresses health care improvements in a commonsense, fiscally responsible way. Any new funding in the 21st Century Cures Act will be fully offset, and annually reviewed, to increase accountability for hardworking American taxpayers, while benefiting researchers, doctors, patients and their families. I’m pleased to have supported this important legislation, for our families in Iowa and in communities across the country. This is an important step for patients and their loved o… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-21st-century-cures-act | Q&A: 21st Century Cures Act | 2016-12-02 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | With U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: What is the “21st Century Cures Act?”A: As Americans we are blessed to live in a free society that bestows inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to its citizenry. For me, it is an honor to represent Iowans in the United States Senate and I take seriously the incredible responsibility to make sure that our government works for the people, not the other way around. Throughout my years of public service, I have made it a priority to listen to Iowans so that I have the benefit of your views when crafting public policy for public benefit. I very much appreciate when Iowans take the time to participate in representative government to influence and shape decisions that will impact their lives and livelihoods. An issue that generates overwhelming participation and strong opinion among Iowans from all walks of life is advocacy for medical treatments and cures for chronic and terminal illnesses, debilitating diseases and mental and behavioral health issues that impact the daily lives of loved ones. From cancer, to diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and so many other chronic medical conditions and rare diseases, profound support exists to foster more innovation in health care and medical science to help spread hope, healing and health for our fellow Americans. As a fiscal conservative and champion for good government, I work to make sure the federal spigot doesn’t shower limited resources down the drain. Instead, good stewardship demands that tax dollars are used wisely and effectively to advance medical science and improve the delivery of health care and patient outcomes. The Cures Act has been in the works for three years and includes broad-based input from patient advocacy groups, doctors, public health officials, medical researchers and policymakers to help get treatments and cures to patients quickly and safely.Q: How will this bill help Iowans?A: The $6.3 billion Cures Act is good news for patient care. It would inject the views of patients into the dr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-warren-introduce-legislation-make-hearing-aids-more-accessible-and | Grassley, Warren Introduce Legislation to Make Hearing Aids More Accessible and Affordable | 2016-12-02 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, DC -- U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Thursday introduced the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2016. The bipartisan legislation would make certain types of hearing aids available over the counter (OTC) and remove unnecessary and burdensome requirements that currently create barriers for consumers who could benefit from hearing aids. Approximately 30 million Americans experience age-related hearing loss, yet only about 14 percent of those with hearing loss use assistive hearing technology, often because they cannot afford costly hearing aids."Millions of people in Massachusetts and across the country experience hearing loss as they get older, but they are unable to get the hearing aids they need because of high costs and complicated regulations," Warren said. "This bipartisan bill is a simple fix that that will make hearing aids easier to access and - unlike in the current marketplace - will make it easier for consumers to shop for the best value.""I hear from Iowans about the high cost of hearing aids, and I understand the concern," Grassley said. "If you can buy non-prescription reading glasses over the counter, it makes sense that you should be able to buy basic, safe hearing aids, too. The goal is that by making more products more easily available to consumers, competition will increase and lead to lower costs. More consumer choice and convenience are what we want to accomplish with this legislation. This won't affect those who need professional expertise to be fitted for hearing aids or have hearing aids implanted. The over-the-counter option is for those who would benefit from a simpler device."The Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2016 would allow hearing aids that are intended to be used by adults to compensate for mild to moderate hearing impairment to be sold over the counter, and would eliminate the requirement that people get a medical evaluation or sign a waiver in order to acquire these hearing aids. It also asks the FDA to issue regulati… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-fights-ensure-accountability-federal-bureaucracy | Grassley Fights to Ensure Accountability in Federal Bureaucracy | 2016-12-01 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and watchdog of the federal bureaucracy, is working to ensure that inspectors general, the public’s eyes and ears for rooting out waste, fraud and abuse within the executive branch, have access to all necessary documents to conduct an investigation.“Inspectors general are critical to good governance and the rule of law, but in order for them to do their jobs, they need independent access to information,” Grassley said. “Agencies denying access to necessary documents is unacceptable. It undermines Congress’ intent and the rule of law, and it makes a mockery of government transparency. And, if we learned anything in the last year, it’s that government can use more transparency, not less.”Grassley today requested to bring up his legislation, the Inspector General Empowerment Act, to clarify once and for all that inspectors general are to receive all documents necessary to do the jobs Congress requires them to do. Grassley and the authors of the bill made tweaks to incorporate various ideas of other members, but the crux of the bill-ensuring access to documents for inspectors general-remains the same. His request to pass the bill by unanimous consent was blocked by another member. The fix was needed after more and more federal agencies began refusing to allow inspectors general to review all of their records, in direct contradiction of the Inspector General Act of 1978 which created inspectors general as independent and objective units within the executive branch. The law authorizes inspectors general access to all records belonging to their respective agency so they can thoroughly investigate how the government operates. This access has helped these watchdogs identify many significant cases of excessive spending and misconduct over the years. There are consequences when agencies deny important documents to inspectors general. For example an important investigation at the Peace Corps was stalled into the agency’s handling of se… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-votes-iran-sanctions-extension-act | Grassley Votes for Iran Sanctions Extension Act | 2016-12-01 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | The Senate voted 99-0 today to approve the Iran Sanctions Extension Act (H.R. 6297). The vote follows House passage of counterpart legislation by a vote of 419-1. The legislation extends the Iran Sanctions Act through 2026. The act is designed to prevent the Iranian regime from obtaining resources to support terrorism and develop weapons of mass destruction. Sen. Chuck Grassley made the following comment on the vote.“I was glad to support the extension of the Iran Sanctions Act. The sanctions regime, which was set to expire at the end of this year, was the driving force to bring Iran to the negotiating table on nuclear weapons. Extending the sanctions regime for ten years is critical to ensure that the United States continues to have these tools at its disposal to respond to Iranian threats and provocations. Because of the flawed nuclear deal negotiated by the Obama Administration, it’s imperative that the United States maintains strong sanctions authority in case Iran fails to live up to the deal.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-whitehouse-speak-out-against-blocking-bill-protect-children-juvenile | Grassley, Whitehouse Speak Out Against Blocking of Bill to Protect Children in Juvenile Justice System | 2016-12-01 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) requested that the Senate pass bipartisan legislation to protect and improve the lives of young people involved with our juvenile and criminal justice systems. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) objected to the request, blocking passage of the bill. Grassley and Whitehouse released the following statements regarding the action on the Senate floor.“Ever since Sen. Whitehouse and I began working on our juvenile justice reform package two years ago, we’ve worked to include input from our colleagues to get a meaningful bill to the President’s desk. Our goal has always been to improve a federal grant program to ensure youth who encounter the juvenile justice system are treated safely, fairly, and in a way that encourages greater respect for the law, while being good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said Grassley. “Sen. Cotton has suggested that judges should retain the authority to jail youth for violating court orders even when the underlying offense would never land an adult behind bars – offenses like truancy or underage tobacco use. We’ve gone back and forth with Sen. Cotton to address his concerns, and today’s effort to pass a House bill is another example of our efforts. Unfortunately, Sen. Cotton objected to moving forward with this latest compromise, which would grant states even greater flexibility than what was in our original bill. We will continue working to find a path forward to provide a long overdue policy update to the juvenile justice program and ensure that it is effectively serving our most vulnerable youth as intended,” Grassley said.“Young people in our juvenile justice system should have the chance to turn their lives around and contribute to society,” said Whitehouse. “This bill would help them do that by ramping up delinquency prevention efforts, addressing offenders’ mental health and substance abuse issues, and providing safer conditions for those in custody. It also calls on states receiving federal fun… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-seeks-details-somali-refugee-behind-ohio-state-university-attack | Grassley Seeks Details on Somali Refugee Behind Ohio State University Attack | 2016-11-30 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley is seeking the immigration and criminal history of the man who launched an attack on Ohio State University’s campus Monday, leaving 11 people injured. Abdul Razak Ali Artan, the student at the university who crashed his vehicle into a crowd before getting out and slashing people with a knife, is believed to be a refugee originally from Somalia. According to reports, federal investigators believe Artan was inspired by ISIS and the radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, and are treating the incident as an act of terrorism. An ISIS propaganda website also called Artan a “soldier.”In a letter late yesterday to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, Grassley is requesting all records related to Artan’s immigration and criminal history to gain a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding his arrival into the United States as well as any subsequent encounters with immigration or law enforcement authorities. Grassley’s letter to Johnson follows:November 29, 2016The Honorable Jeh Johnson Secretary U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, D.C. 20528Dear Secretary Johnson:Yesterday, an Ohio State University student attacked pedestrians on campus with his car and a butcher’s knife leaving 11 injured. According to reports, 18-year-old Abdul Razak Ali Artan was alone in his vehicle when he slammed into a group of people, hopped out, and stabbed several others with a butcher’s knife. The university warned all students on campus to shelter-in-place during the attack. According to sources, Abdul Razak Ali Artan is a lawful permanent resident who originally came to the United States from Somalia as a refugee. Investigators have determined that Artan was inspired by ISIS rhetoric and that this was an act of terror. To better understand the situation, please provide a description of Abdul Razak Ali Artan’s immigration history and copies of his Alien File, including any temporary files, working files, and all documents and items contained in them … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-measure-weakening-transparency-law-dropped | ICYMI: Measure Weakening Transparency Law is Dropped | 2016-11-30 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | As the co-author of the successful Physician Payments Sunshine Act on drug and device company payments to doctors, Sen. Chuck Grassley was concerned by an attempt to strip part of the law. Ultimately, Sen. Grassley prevailed. The controversial provision is gone.From a Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial:“Grassley was one of the Sunshine Law’s strongest champions, arguing sensibly that shining a light on these payments is timely and important. Patients should be able to decide for themselves if their doctor’s financial interests may have influenced a prescription for an expensive drug or particular medical device.”From the Washington Examiner:“A provision in a major medical research package that would have weakened the Sunshine Act, which discloses payments to doctors and healthcare companies, has been dropped.“Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said Tuesday that the provision he objected to was removed from a final version of the 21st Century Cures Act announced on Saturday. Grassley had objected to a quick passage of the bipartisan package unless the provision was dropped.”-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-meets-attorney-general-nominee-sessions | Grassley Meets with Attorney General Nominee Sessions | 2016-11-29 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley made the following statement after meeting with Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions. The meeting focused on a number of issues important to Grassley, such as congressional oversight, the False Claims Act, and criminal justice reform. Grassley has indicated that Sessions is currently completing the committee questionnaire and once that is returned, Grassley will announce a hearing date. As he noted prior to the meeting, Grassley said that he intends to hold the hearing before the President-elect is sworn in. Note that it is customary to hold a hearing for the Attorney General prior to the Inauguration as was the case with both Attorney General Eric Holder and Attorney General John Ashcroft.“I was glad to have Senator Sessions in my office today. Members of the Judiciary Committee know him to be an honorable man, and a person of integrity. He knows the Justice Department well, and cares deeply about the even-handed application of the law.“The process for Attorney General Holder’s hearing was fair, and a good model to follow. Every nominee to be Attorney General has a long record, and Senator Sessions’ record of public service is just that, public. Unlike most recent nominees for Attorney General, members of the committee are extremely well acquainted with Senator Sessions, after having served with him for up to twenty years.“Democratic members of the committee have pledged a fair process. Based on those commitments, I trust the other side will resist what some liberal interest groups are clearly hoping for – an attack on his character. The confirmation process of John Ashcroft to be Attorney General turned into a reckless campaign that snowballed into an avalanche of innuendo, rumor and spin. That will not happen here.“The hearings for the four most recent Attorneys General lasted one to two days each. And at each of those hearings, three to nine outside witnesses testified. Nine witnesses testified at the hearing for Attorney General Lynch, seven witnes… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-welcomes-removal-sunshine-act-weakening-provisions-house-bill | Grassley Welcomes Removal of Sunshine Act Weakening Provisions from House Bill | 2016-11-29 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Sen. Chuck Grassley expressed concern on Monday that the proposed 21st Century CURES Act from the House of Representatives weakens drug and device company reporting requirements under the Physician Payments Sunshine Act. Grassley co-authored the bipartisan sunshine provisions, enacted in 2010. Today, the House of Representatives CURES Act sponsors released a revised bill that removes the provision to weaken the reporting requirements for Continuing Medical Education, medical journal reprints and textbooks. Grassley made the following comment.“This is good news for transparency and the public. The Sunshine Act works as is. Billions of dollars in drug and device company payments to doctors have been disclosed for public benefit. With drug prices through the roof, the way drug and device makers spend money is of more public interest than ever. Given this change, I no longer plan to object to the CURES Act.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/judiciary-committee-report-us-marshals-service-needs-greater-oversight-address | Judiciary Committee Report: U.S. Marshals Service Needs Greater Oversight to address Misconduct and Whistleblower Protections | 2016-11-29 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley today released the findings of an extensive investigation into allegations of misconduct at the U.S. Marshals Service, including misuse of funds, quid pro quos and mistreatment of whistleblowers. The majority staff report recommends that the Justice Department improves oversight of the Marshals Service’s hiring practices, and calls on the Marshals Service to adopt a stronger merit-based culture.“The Judiciary Committee majority staff’s findings highlight some of the concerns raised by several dozen whistleblowers over the past couple years – things like undue favoritism, using official funds as an office piggy bank; and retaliation against those who try to fix these problems. These issues need to be addressed to restore the integrity and morale in an important government agency that we depend on for public safety. Throughout the Committee’s inquiry, several high-level officials have retired, clearing the way for new blood. It’s going to take greater oversight from the Justice Department and a renewed commitment by the Marshals Service to turn things around. The Marshals Service must take the necessary steps to create a positive work environment that rewards success and good behavior in order to continue providing Americans with quality service now and in the future,” Grassley said.Since Grassley began an inquiry into several whistleblower claims of misconduct in early 2015, more than 85 current and former Marshals Service employees have come forward to expose potential misconduct. Throughout the course of the inquiry, the committee has requested information concerning: • An alleged exchange of favors in which a deputy assistant director agreed to hire a friend of the director in return for a promotion; • The alleged improper hiring and promotion of spouses and personal partners; • Misuse of the Assets Forfeiture Fund to purchase expensive and lavish office furnishings; • Misuse of personnel and resources to prepare job applications… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/red-cross-add-slightly-investigations-unit-grassley-plans-reintroduce-reform | Red Cross to Add Slightly to Investigations Unit, Grassley Plans to Reintroduce Reform Legislation | 2016-11-29 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Sen. Chuck Grassley, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, in July introduced legislation to give the congressional watchdog arm complete access to American Red Cross records for oversight purposes and improve the Red Cross’ internal investigative function. The American Red Cross Transparency Act followed the results of a Grassley inquiry into the Red Cross’ response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake. The inquiry found that the Red Cross spent approximately one-fourth of the $487.6 million raised for the relief effort on program management, fund-raising and other expenses; that it tried to quash a Government Accountability Office review of its practices, successfully limiting the scope of the review; and has a poorly staffed ethics and investigations unit. This week, the organization notified Grassley that it plans to increase its Office of Investigations, Compliance and Ethics (ICE) staff to five full-time employees from three. Grassley made the following comment on these developments.“It’s good news to have more staff in the investigations unit, even if it’s a small increase. My inquiry found that the investigations unit was poorly staffed and so mostly incapable of doing the kind of work donors might expect. When there are concerns about program results or spending, an investigations unit is the kind of entity that should be in place to review those concerns. I’m disappointed that the Red Cross will continue to keep the investigations unit under management control instead of requiring it to report to the board of governors. More independence would give the unit more teeth and so increase its effectiveness. Also, making sure the Red Cross fully cooperates with the Government Accountability Office is still an important goal. I intend to re-introduce my legislation in the next Congress. The Red Cross is critical to disaster responses. The American people rely on it, and Congress has a responsibility to help make sure it functions well.”The Red Cross is congressionally chartered and considered a federal inst… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-passes-grassley%E2%80%99s-bill-assist-families-fallen-officers | Senate Passes Grassleys Bill to Assist Families of Fallen Officers | 2016-11-29 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today unanimously passed legislation authored by Senators Chuck Grassley and Kirsten Gillibrand to reduce the backlog of families awaiting approval of survivor benefits of public safety officers killed in the line of duty. The Senate’s action on the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvement Act comes one month after two central Iowa police officers were ambushed and killed while on patrol. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.“Our nation’s public safety officers bravely run toward danger each day to protect our communities. And sadly, as we’ve seen recently in my home state of Iowa, and in communities across the country, these officers too often make the ultimate sacrifice for our safety. As a society, we’ve promised to support the loved ones of fallen officers, so it’s unacceptable that these families are often forced to wait, in some cases, for years, for the Justice Department to process their survivor benefits applications. Many families, like the Langenbaus of Northwood, Iowa, only see results on their applications after public scrutiny of the Justice Department’s delays. So this bill shines a bright public light on the Justice Department’s survivor benefits backlog to get some answers for these families. My colleagues in the House of Representatives should pass this bill as soon as possible to bring needed help to the loved ones of our fallen officers,” Grassley said.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. Over the years, the law has been amended to provide disability and education benefits, and to expand the pool of officers who are eligible for these benefits. While the Justice Department has a goal of processing survivor claims within one year of the time they are filed, many families must wait long periods of time for their applications to be approved. According to recent data, the Justice Department is failing to meet i… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/president-obama-signs-young-s-veterans-crisis-line-improvements-bill-law | President Obama Signs Youngs Veterans Crisis Line Improvements Bill into Law | 2016-11-28 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | President Obama Signs Young’s Veterans Crisis Line Improvements Bill into Law WASHINGTON, D.C. - The president signed into law today the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act (H.R. 5392), legislation introduced by Iowa Congressman David Young to provide necessary responsiveness and performance improvements to the Veterans Crisis Line, which is the hotline for veterans seeking suicide prevention and crisis resources help from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) responders. “In a victory for our veterans, service members, and their families in Iowa and across the country, the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act has been signed into law,” Congressman Young said. “I appreciate my colleagues in the House and Senate and the president for working with me to get this widely supported, critical mental health legislation for our veterans and service members across the finish line. Those who have sacrificed in defense of our freedoms deserve the best quality mental health care possible, and I remain committed to ensuring we uphold the promises made them." Young's Legislation Directs the VA Secretary to: Create a quality assurance process outlining performance indicators and objectives to address responsiveness and performance of the Veterans Crisis Line and backup call centers, and a timeline noting when objectives will be reached. Develop a plan to ensure any communication to the Veterans Crisis Line or backup call center is answered in a timely manner by a person in accordance with the guidance established by the American Association of Suicidology. Submit the plan to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate within 180 days of the legislation’s enactment. More about the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act: November 17, 2016 - Speaker Paul Ryan signed the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act and highlighted the importance of the legislation during his weekly briefing. November 16, 2016 - Congr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-opposes-weakening-physician-payments-sunshine-act-reporting-provisions | Grassley Opposes Weakening of Physician Payments Sunshine Act Reporting Provisions | 2016-11-28 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Sen. Chuck Grassley co-authored the Physician Payments Sunshine Act creating the Open Payments database for drug and device company payments to doctors. Grassley worked on the measure after his oversight and news stories explored payments from the industry to doctors. The Sunshine Act is successful. In program year 2015, health care industry manufacturers reported $7.52 billion in payments and ownership and investment interests to physicians and teaching hospitals. This amount consists of 11.90 million total records attributable to 618,931 physicians and 1,116 teaching hospitals. In October 2015, Grassley authored and introduced new bipartisan legislation to apply the disclosure of drug company and medical device maker payments to nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The proposed 21st Century CURES Act from the House of Representatives includes language that would remove the reporting requirement for Continuing Medical Education and medical journal reprints and textbooks. It also would add an additional exemption for physicians who receive indirect payments for speaking fees. A New York Times magazine article, “Dr. Drug Rep,” Nov. 25, 2007, explores the potential effects of such payments. Grassley made the following comment on the House bill striking part of the Sunshine Act.“I plan to object to unanimous consent to take up the House bill in the Senate unless this provision is removed. The Sunshine Act brings transparency to a big part of the health care system for public benefit. Transparency brings accountability wherever it’s applied. With taxpayers and patients paying billions of dollars for prescription drugs and medical devices, and prices exploding, disclosure of company payments to doctors makes more sense than ever. Watering down sunshine provisions is counter-productive and goes against the trend in health care to have more transparency, not less. A lot of earlier payments to doctors were under the umbrella of Continuing Medical Education. We shouldn’t create a loophole that w… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://loebsack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394966 | Loebsack Statement on EPAs 2017 RFS Obligations | 2016-11-23 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Democrat | House | IA | Dave Loebsack | L000565 | loebsack.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) obligations for 2017. Loebsack, who serves as the co-chair of the House Biofuels Caucus, has led the fight for a strong RFS and highlighted its importance to Iowa.“Today’s announcement is good news for Iowa’s farmers, rural communities and consumers. I am pleased the EPA followed the mandate set for them by Congress to ensure ethanol and biofuels are a source of fuel for the future, while decreasing our dependence on foreign oil. But our work is not done. I will continue to push the EPA to increase the level of bio-diesel and advanced biofuels to what was mandated. I will also continue to fight to create greater access to biofuels at local gas stations across the country.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-releases-statement-epa-s-2017-2018-rfs-volume-requirements | Young Releases Statement on EPAs 2017, 2018 RFS Volume Requirements | 2016-11-23 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Young Releases Statement on EPA’s 2017, 2018 RFS Volume Requirements WASHINGTON, D.C. - Iowa Congressman David Young released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced their finalized rule providing for Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) requirements for 2017 and 2018 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Congressman Young has repeatedly pressed the EPA to ensure RVO requirements meet congressionally mandated levels. The EPA announced final RVO requirements “meet or exceed volume targets specified by Congress for total renewable fuel, biomass-based diesel, and advanced biofuel.” All requirements have increased from 2016. “The EPA’s announcement of increased RVO requirements is a good sign for farmers, producers, and consumers in Iowa and across the country,” Congressman Young said. “Congress set these requirements to ensure a long term RFS which provides for investment and economic development, so folks nationwide have certainty to conduct their business and consumers are not burdened by limited choice. I am pleased the EPA issued the conventional renewable fuels requirement at a level mandated by Congress, and I will continue working to ensure RVO requirements, specifically the biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels requirements, are strengthened under the RFS, for our communities in Iowa and across rural America.” # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/keep-your-financial-personal-information-secure-holiday-season | Keep your Financial, Personal Information Secure this Holiday Season | 2016-11-23 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Keep your Financial, Personal Information Secure this Holiday Season As cofounder of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force to Combat Identity Theft and Fraud, folks often ask me about the many different ways scammers and fraudsters prey on folks in our Iowa communities. I tell them these criminals use increasingly complex and ever evolving tactics, attempting to steal the personal and financial information of unsuspecting Americans all over the country. The best way to stay protected from these threats is to stay informed, and as the holiday season is upon us, this idea especially rings true. Reports of scammers and fraudsters using fake retail apps and fake websites to target folks shopping for gifts and more is an important reminder anyone can be a target. Smart shopping can keep you from falling victim to these unfortunate crimes. When shopping for your loved ones on the internet, always pay close attention to the URL, or the web address, of the website you’re visiting. Be especially mindful of suspicious or misleading domain names. While Younkers-store.3a5.com may appear to direct you to Younkers’ official website, their real website of the department store is Younkers.com. Long and hyphenated names with numbers in them are typically misleading and home to illegitimate online vendors. What’s more, it’s important to take extra precautions when seeking a great deal from an online outlet or megastore, especially if the name is unfamiliar. Mega-bags-for-less.biz may seem like a prime place to score an item marked well below retail value, but a better practice is to stick with trusted websites of stores or e-commerce companies you recognize. Pay attention to shoddy website designs, unclear refund policies, nonexistent or unclear company contact information, and anything that gives you pause. A safe assumption: If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is. If you’re hoping to shop using apps on your smart phone, make sure you’re choosing a retailer’s legitimate app, not one of the numerous counterfeit ones… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-supporting-small-business | Q&A: Supporting Small Business | 2016-11-23 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | With U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: Why do you make it a priority to support small business?A: Small business is the backbone of America’s economic eco-system, serving as primary job creators and civic boosters in local communities across the country. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), small businesses have created more than two-thirds of all net new jobs since the 1970s. They also account for more than half of all U.S. sales. What’s more, franchised small businesses account for 40 percent of all retail sales where eight million workers also earn their wages. Iowa small businesses employ 633,270 workers. Make no mistake. Small businesses provide more than paychecks and employment security. Small business owners are our friends, neighbors and civic leaders who pay it forward in their neighborhoods and local communities by supporting youth sports, food pantries, school auctions and blood drives in their hometowns. And the relationship goes both ways. Consider the groundswell of support this Fall that small businesses in Cedar Rapids and other nearby towns received from residents and volunteers to mitigate flood damage and protect local shops and livelihoods. When small businesses are thriving, they are able to hire more workers, grow wages and expand opportunity and prosperity for their workforce. I see it first hand during my 99 county meetings across Iowa. Main Street store fronts not only provide the convenience to buy merchandise locally, they offer personalized, neighborly services, from independently-owned restaurants and coffee shops to hardware stores, home décor, gifts and antique retailers. Small businesses grow hometown pride, foster vitality and contribute to a strong sense of community. The bottom line is that brick and mortar businesses rely on foot traffic and customer loyalty to own and operate their business and expand their bottom line.Q: What is Small Business Saturday?A: A coalition of small business advocates has worked to capture greater market share during the all-importa… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/cms-justice-dept-mylan-stonewall-only-delays-accountability-americans-deserve | CMS, Justice Dept., Mylan Stonewall Only Delays Accountability Americans Deserve | 2016-11-23 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Judiciary Committee Postpones EpiPen Hearing; Considers Tools to Compel Participation WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee is postponing a hearing on the potential settlement agreement between EpiPen maker Mylan and the Obama Administration as it considers other avenues to ensure government and company witnesses participate. Representatives from the Justice Department, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Mylan have refused to attend the hearing to examine a reported settlement agreement as well as Mylan’s classification procedures and agencies’ authorities to prevent and respond to drug companies that misrepresent their products to the government.“I’m disappointed in the decisions by Mylan, CMS and the Justice Department to delay accountability that American patients and taxpayers deserve. But their decision to duck appropriate scrutiny will not stop this committee’s pursuit for answers. Congress has a constitutional duty to conduct oversight and hearings are an important part of that process. Unfortunately, because of the unconventional refusal by these three entities to attend, we must now consider compelling their participation. “It appears that Mylan’s misclassification of the EpiPen has forced taxpayers and states to foot an unnecessarily higher bill throughout the duration of the Obama Administration, despite notifications to CMS. Both Mylan and the Obama Administration need to answer to these issues. Americans deserve accountability, especially on decisions that impact their health and economic wellbeing. This committee will not stop until our questions are answered and any appropriate actions are taken,” Grassley said.The Justice Department, CMS and Mylan cited pending matters and investigations as their reasoning for not attending the hearing. However, Mylan announced a settlement with the Justice Department on Oct. 7, mentioning specific terms in the alleged settlement and drawing the issue into the public eye. The Justice Department has said there is no “executed settlement.” … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/epa-increases-2017-renewable-fuel-standard-ethanol-falls-short-biodiesel | EPA Increases 2017 Renewable Fuel Standard for Ethanol, Falls Short for Biodiesel | 2016-11-23 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its final Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations for 2017 and biomass-based diesel volume for 2018. In a significant achievement, the EPA reached the 15 billion gallon level required by statute for conventional biofuels, a victory for corn ethanol producers in Iowa. For biodiesel, the agency continues to set levels below the potential of the biodiesel and renewable diesel industries. Senator Grassley made the following comment.“This announcement is good news for Iowa, and in particular corn ethanol producers. While more work needs to be done to increase levels for biodiesel, this is the first time that the EPA has reached the statutory level for traditional corn ethanol. This achievement marks significant progress for renewable energy and is a tribute to Iowa's clean energy leadership.”Grassley fought efforts by the EPA, Big Oil and Big Food to reduce the RFS. Earlier this year, Grassley led a bipartisan coalition of 39 senators to urge the EPA to abide by the congressionally-passed Renewable Fuel Standard for traditional ethanol. Grassley also led a bipartisan coalition of 40 senators urging the EPA to increase biodiesel levels.More information from the EPA about this announcement can be found here. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-thanksgiving-day-statement-audio | Grassley Thanksgiving Day Statement (Audio) | 2016-11-23 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Sen. Chuck Grassley made the following statement for Thanksgiving Day, 2016. Audio of the statement can be found here.“As we gather with friends, family and loved ones on Thanksgiving Day, we give thanks to the brave men and women who keep our country and our communities safe, both at home and abroad, many who cannot be with their families today. Their sacrifices have afforded us the blessings of freedom, safety and security.“And, on a day of plenty, it can be easy to take for granted the food we enjoy, but let’s not forget the hardworking farmers in Iowa and across the country who help fill our pantries and tables with affordable, healthy and abundant food today and every day.“Our country has been bestowed with immeasurable blessings, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve Iowans in the United States Senate.”-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-goodlatte-seek-immigration-criminal-history-individual-charged-roadside | Grassley, Goodlatte Seek Immigration & Criminal History of Individual Charged in Roadside Rape | 2016-11-22 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senate and House Judiciary Committee Chairmen Chuck Grassley and Bob Goodlatte are requesting the immigration and criminal histories of a man charged in the brutal roadside rape near Fredericksburg, Va., in October.Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian was arrested November 17 and charged with rape and aggravated sexual battery after he allegedly struck the vehicle of a woman with his car, dragged the driver into a ditch and raped her for two hours. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reportedly issued an immigration detainer for Sibrian, which seeks cooperation with local authorities to prevent Sibrian from being released back into the public.In a letter today to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, Grassley and Goodlatte are requesting Sibrian’s full immigration and criminal background, including when and how he entered the United States, whether he has been previously deported and whether he applied for or received any immigration benefits. The chairmen are also asking for details on Sibrian’s previous encounters with law enforcement and immigration authorities, arrest history and any gang affiliations. Finally, the chairmen are asking whether Sibrian would have been considered an enforcement priority under the Obama Administration’s Priority Enforcement Program prior to the rape charges, what steps federal officials will take if local law enforcement refuses to honor the federal detainer, and whether federal officials have contacted the victims of the alleged crimes committed by Sibrian.The Chairmen’s letter to Johnson follows:November 22, 2016The Honorable Jeh Johnson Secretary Department of Homeland Security Washington, D.C. 20528Dear Secretary Johnson:We write to request case information on Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian, reportedly an alien illegally present in the United States, who allegedly brutally raped a woman near Fredericksburg, Virginia on October 31. According to reports, Sibrian allegedly dragged a woman from her car into a ditch and raped her for two hours after striking he… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/refugees-barred-entry-australia | Obama Admin Preps Unilateral Approval of Refugees Barred from Entry in Australia | 2016-11-22 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Congressional Judiciary Committee leaders are expressing frustration and concern with an Obama Administration plan to admit into the United States an unknown number of refugees who Australia has refused to admit. The Administration never disclosed to Congress that it was negotiating a deal with Australia, even though it was apparently in the works when Administration officials provided a legally-required consultation to Congress on refugees in September.Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte today expressed concern that the Obama Administration’s secret negotiations with Australia left Americans in the dark about the full scope of its resettlement plans. In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, the chairmen also said the plan raises other questions, including how many refugees will be resettled in the United States and why Australia refused to resettle them. According to administration officials, the refugees are largely from Iran, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq and Sudan. The State Department has designated Iran and Sudan as state sponsors of terrorism.The chairmen are requesting a copy of the agreement and a classified briefing to gain a better understanding of the unilateral international refugee agreement that the Administration negotiated without Congressional consultation.Full text of the Grassley-Goodlatte letter to Kerry and Johnson follows:November 22, 2016VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSIONThe Honorable Jeh Johnson Secretary Department of Homeland Security Washington, D.C. 20528The Honorable John Kerry Secretary Department of State Washington, D.C. 20520Dear Secretaries Johnson and Kerry:On November 11, a press report surfaced disclosing that the United States Government was finalizing a deal with Australia in which the United States would take refugees located on certain Pacific island nations that Australia has refused to admit. Congress learne… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/members-iowa-delegation-urge-president-elect-scrap-wotus-rule | Members of Iowa Delegation Urge President-Elect to Scrap WOTUS Rule | 2016-11-21 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Members of Iowa Delegation Urge President-Elect to Scrap WOTUS Rule “Last year, both the Senate and the House passed a resolution of disapproval (S.J.Res.22), led by Senator Ernst to scrap this harmful rule. It passed each chamber with bipartisan support, but our current president vetoed it anyway.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Iowa's U.S. Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley and Representatives Rod Blum (R-01), David Young (R-03) and Steve King (R-04) sent President-elect Donald J. Trump a letter urging him to scrap the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule in the first few days of his presidency. In the letter, members of the Iowa delegation wrote, “This misguided WOTUS rule is an economic assault on small businesses, manufacturing and agriculture, and threatens the very livelihood of our fellow Iowans. These industries are the backbone of this country, especially in rural America. The election results signaled that Americans are ready for the last eight years of EPA’s power grabbing mentality to come to an end.” They added, “Last year, both the Senate and the House passed a resolution of disapproval (S.J.Res.22), led by Senator Ernst to scrap this harmful rule. It passed each chamber with bipartisan support, but our current president vetoed it anyway.” The members urged strong action, concluding, “… we strongly encourage you to use all the tools at your disposal to free the American people from this blatant overreach. We also respectfully urge you to direct your EPA to craft a common-sense rule that clarifies the scope of the CWA and does so by taking into consideration the input of all stakeholders.” Click here or see below to view the full letter to President-elect Donald J. Trump. November 21, 2016 The Honorable Donald Trump The President-elect Trump Tower 725 5th Ave New York, NY 10022 Dear Mr. Trump: We write to you today to express our strong concern about the Environmental Protection Ag… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/members-of-iowa-delegation-urge-president-elect-to-scrap-wotus-rule | Members of Iowa Delegation Urge President-Elect to Scrap WOTUS Rule | 2016-11-21 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | “Last year, both the Senate and the House passed a resolution of disapproval (S.J.Res.22), led by Senator Ernst to scrap this harmful rule. It passed each chamber with bipartisan support, but our current president vetoed it anyway.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Iowa's U.S. Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley and Representatives Steve King (R-04), Rod Blum (R-01) and David Young (R-03) sent President-elect Donald J. Trump a letter urging him to scrap the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule in the first few days of his presidency. In the letter, members of the Iowa delegation wrote, “This misguided WOTUS rule is an economic assault on small businesses, manufacturing and agriculture, and threatens the very livelihood of our fellow Iowans. These industries are the backbone of this country, especially in rural America. The election results signaled that Americans are ready for the last eight years of EPA’s power grabbing mentality to come to an end.” They added, “Last year, both the Senate and the House passed a resolution of disapproval (S.J.Res.22), led by Senator Ernst to scrap this harmful rule. It passed each chamber with bipartisan support, but our current president vetoed it anyway.” The members urged strong action, concluding, “… we strongly encourage you to use all the tools at your disposal to free the American people from this blatant overreach. We also respectfully urge you to direct your EPA to craft a common-sense rule that clarifies the scope of the CWA and does so by taking into consideration the input of all stakeholders.” Click here or see below to view the full letter to President-elect Donald J. Trump. November 21, 2016 The Honorable Donald Trump The President-elect Trump Tower 725 5th Ave New York, NY 10022 We write to you today to express our strong concern about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Waters of the U.S. rule (WOTUS), and we respectfully urge you to do everything within your power as chief executive to stop this har… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/epipen-maker-declines-testify-oversight-hearing-following-agency-refusal-testify | EpiPen Maker Declines to Testify at Oversight Hearing Following Agency Refusal to Testify | 2016-11-21 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Following the poor lead of the Department of Justice and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, EpiPen maker Mylan is declining to testify at a Judiciary Committee hearing scheduled for Nov. 30 on the potential settlement between Mylan and the Justice Department over reportedly hundreds of millions of dollars in overpayments by the taxpayers for EpiPens under Medicaid. Sen. Chuck Grassley, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, made the following comment.“The Obama Administration is dodging accountability for an expensive problem, and now a company is following its bad example. Taxpayers have paid and based on reports, continue to pay hundreds of millions of dollars more for the EpiPen than they have to pay. This happened because either the agencies in charge dropped the ball, the company gamed the system, or both. Ironically, the company was eager to talk about this problem a few weeks ago in a press release to investors but not before the United States Senate. It’s a shame government agencies and the company are ducking accountability under a voluntary process. One way or another, I intend to get answers for patients and taxpayers.”Mylan’s letter is available here.-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-seeks-information-sec-whether-mylan-misled-investors-settlement | Grassley Seeks Information from SEC on Whether Mylan Misled Investors on Settlement Announcement | 2016-11-21 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, has asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to inform the Judiciary Committee on whether the commission is looking into whether Mylan misled investors in announcing a settlement on overcharging the taxpayers for EpiPens under Medicaid. “If Mylan’s purpose of the press release was to increase stock prices at the risk of misleading investors, it is exactly this set of facts and circumstances that the SEC should monitor,” Grassley wrote to SEC Chair Mary Jo White. “Companies cannot be allowed to manipulate the markets and investors via press releases. Accordingly, since the SEC is already investigating Mylan, I request that you inform the Committee as to whether the SEC is looking into Mylan’s press release to determine if it was materially misleading.” Grassley wrote that Mylan issued a press release Oct. 7 announcing the settlement with specific references to some of its alleged terms, but the Justice Department has maintained that there is no executed settlement and has been unwilling to confirm the alleged terms. The company also filed a document called an 8-K report describing the settlement and mentioning an SEC investigation over the Medicaid overcharges. “This seems to contradict Mylan’s claim that all potential liability claims have been resolved. Mylan made no mention of the fact that they are under an SEC investigation in their press release,” Grassley wrote. “Given the dissonance between the press release, the 8-K filing, and the fact that no settlement agreement has been executed, Mylan should explain why it released such a strongly worded press release knowing that a finalized settlement did not yet exist and given the apparent SEC investigation. Further, it has now been over five weeks since Mylan’s press release and apparently a settlement has still not been executed.” Grassley asked for a response by Nov. 29. Grassley is looking into the potential settlement between the Justice Department and Mylan over … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/members-iowa-delegation-urge-president-elect-scrap-wotus-rule | Members of Iowa Delegation Urge President-Elect to Scrap WOTUS Rule | 2016-11-21 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Iowa's U.S. Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley and Representatives Rod Blum (R-01), David Young (R-03) and Steve King (R-04) sent President-elect Donald J. Trump a letter urging him to scrap the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule in the first few days of his presidency.In the letter, members of the Iowa delegation wrote, “This misguided WOTUS rule is an economic assault on small businesses, manufacturing and agriculture, and threatens the very livelihood of our fellow Iowans. These industries are the backbone of this country, especially in rural America. The election results signaled that Americans are ready for the last eight years of EPA’s power grabbing mentality to come to an end.”They added, “Last year, both the Senate and the House passed a resolution of disapproval (S.J.Res.22), led by Senator Ernst to scrap this harmful rule. It passed each chamber with bipartisan support, but our current president vetoed it anyway.”The members urged strong action, concluding, “… we strongly encourage you to use all the tools at your disposal to free the American people from this blatant overreach. We also respectfully urge you to direct your EPA to craft a common-sense rule that clarifies the scope of the CWA and does so by taking into consideration the input of all stakeholders.”Click here or see below to view the full letter to President-elect Donald J. Trump.November 21, 2016The Honorable Donald Trump The President-elect Trump Tower 725 5th Ave New York, NY 10022We write to you today to express our strong concern about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Waters of the U.S. rule (WOTUS), and we respectfully urge you to do everything within your power as chief executive to stop this harmful rule in the first days of your presidency.This misguided WOTUS rule is an economic assault on small businesses, manufacturing and agriculture, and threatens the very livelihood of our fellow Iowans. These industries are the backbone of this countr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/newsletters/taking-pause-and-giving-thanks | Taking a Pause and Giving Thanks | 2016-11-20 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Thanksgiving is a holiday rooted in American tradition, engrained in hundreds of years of being grateful for all we have. In looking forward to Thanksgiving this year, I am reminded of how truly thankful I am to live in this great nation, and grateful for those who serve to protect it. Click here to read the full newsletter. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/speaker-ryan-signs-youngs-veterans-crisis-line-improvements-legislation | Speaker Ryan Signs Young's Veterans Crisis Line Improvements Legislation | 2016-11-18 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Speaker Ryan Signs Young's Veterans Crisis Line Improvements Legislation Legislation Heads to President's Desk WASHINGTON, D.C. - Iowa Congressman David Young released the following statement after House Speaker Paul Ryan yesterday signed Congressman Young's No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act (H.R.5392), legislation to make critical improvements to this mental health tool relied upon by our nation's veterans. The legislation heads to the president's desk. "I appreciate Speaker Ryan's support of this important legislation for our veterans, as well as the unanimous support it has received from my colleagues in both the House and the Senate," Congressman Young said. "Our veterans deserve quality mental health resources, and my bill works to ensure the Veterans Crisis Line, one of those tools, is operating effectively to provide help and assistance to our veterans. I urge the president to sign this bill into law without delay." The No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act seeks to provide necessary responsiveness and performance improvements to the Veterans Crisis Line, which is the confidential, toll free hotline for veterans seeking suicide prevention and crisis resources help from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) responders. Speaker Ryan signs the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act. (Photo credit: Speaker Ryan's office) Speaker Ryan discussed Congressman Young's Veterans Crisis Line improvements bill during his weekly press briefing. Click here or on the image below to watch. REMARKS “This week, Congress gave final approval to legislation that will help veterans in need. H.R. 5392 requires the VA [to] respond to calls to its crisis hotlines in a timely manner. “This is one of those bills that should not even be necessary, but sadlyand tragicallyit is. “Earlier this year, we learned that more than one out of three calls to the VA crisis hotline were going unanswered. Imagine a veteran calling for help and then getting sent to voicemail. There is no ex… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-epipen-pricing | Q&A: EpiPen Pricing | 2016-11-18 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | With U.S. Senator Chuck GrassleyQ: Why are you looking into the pricing practices of an FDA-approved product known as an EpiPen?A: Like so much of my oversight work, the issue of exorbitant price increases for a key medicine came to me from Iowans. They wanted answers about the high prices they were paying for their children’s medicine to treat severe allergic reactions. The widely known auto-injector is called an EpiPen and requires a prescription. It is used to inject a life-saving dose of epinephrine to counter an allergic reaction. Dozens of Iowa families contacted my office, writing letters to note the financial hardship that the price hike was creating to keep this life-saving device on hand for their kids. Since 2007, the drug manufacturer has increased the price for a two-pack dose from $100 to $600. Considering many families stock EpiPens at home, in the car and at school -- and in some cases for more than one child in the family -- the huge price increase is creating a big time hardship in household budgets. What’s more, this is a recurring expense for families considering the medication has a one-year shelf life. Families at the mercy of the pharmaceutical company’s pricing decision rightfully want answers. As one Iowan wrote in her letter: “I will pay whatever it takes” to keep her son protected against his severe peanut allergy. Once I started looking into the price increases, I discovered even more troubling issues linked to the drug manufacturer’s pricing strategy. Keep in mind that the taxpaying public pays for a lion’s share of pharmaceuticals prescribed and dispensed to millions of patients though the Medicaid and Medicare programs, as well as millions more of our nation’s veterans and members of the military. This raises a red flag as to how Mylan’s price structure affects taxpayers and consumers, the federal government, state governments and insurers. The deeper I probed, even more troubling questions kept cropping up. It turns out that Mylan, the drug manufacturer, reportedly classified Ep… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-passing-us-marshals-service-deputy-commander-patrick-carothers | Grassley Statement on Passing of U.S. Marshals Service Deputy Commander Patrick Carothers | 2016-11-18 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley today released the following statement on the death of Patrick Carothers, the Deputy Commander for the U.S. Marshals Service’s Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force. Carothers was killed in the line of duty this morning near Ludowici, Ga., while executing an arrest warrant for a fugitive wanted for attempted murder of police officers, domestic violence and unlawfully discharging a weapon.“Deputy Commander Carothers was a dedicated public servant who worked diligently to make our country a safer place. His family, friends and the entire Marshals Service community are in my prayers. The Marshals Service is tasked with apprehending some of the most dangerous fugitives so they can no longer inflict harm on our communities. It’s an important job and I’m grateful for the brave men and women, like Deputy Commander Carothers, for their service,” Grassley said.-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-president-elect-trump-selection-senator-sessions-attorney | Grassley Statement on President-elect Trump Selection of Senator Sessions for Attorney General | 2016-11-18 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley made the following statement regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Senator Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General."Senator Sessions is a respected member and former Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee who has worked across the aisle on major legislation. He knows the Justice Department as a former U.S. attorney, which would serve him very well in this position. With this background, I'm confident he would be reported favorably out of the committee." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-welcomes-ftc-commitment-protecting-consumers-drug-company | Grassley Welcomes FTC Commitment to Protecting Consumers from Drug Company Anticompetitive Behavior Leading to Higher Drug Prices | 2016-11-18 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON -- Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley today welcomed a commitment from the Federal Trade Commission to protect consumers from anticompetitive behavior in the pharmaceutical sector. The statement from the commission chairwoman came in response to a request from Grassley and Ranking Member Patrick Leahy to review Mylan’s business practices on EpiPens for possible anticompetitive behavior. “The laws to prevent anticompetitive practices help promote competition that holds down consumer costs,” Grassley said. “With high drug prices on so many minds, the priority of maintaining competition among drug companies is important and welcome.”In a letter to Grassley, FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez wrote, “… I strongly agree that maintaining competition in pharmaceutical markets is critically important, and I can assure you that protecting consumers from anticompetitive activity in the pharmaceutical sector remains a top priority for the Commission.”The senators’ request to the FTC followed news reports that Mylan engaged in exclusive contracts with schools, potentially precluding them from purchasing products that compete with the auto-injector to treat severe allergic reactions. Ramirez wrote that she could not discuss any matter that may be under review by the commission but “please be assured that we are aware of the concerns you and others have raised on this subject.” Mylan has come under recent scrutiny for dramatic increases in the price of EpiPen and revelations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that Mylan misclassified EpiPen in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, allowing the company to pay lower rebates than it should have.The Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing to explore a reported settlement agreement between the Justice Department and Mylan related to the misclassification issue. The Department of Justice and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid are declining to testify. Grassley has criticized that decision, citing the need for accountability for the hundr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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