Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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1,077 rows where party = "Republican", state = "IA" and year = 2017 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://davidyoung.house.gov/survey/top-priority-2018-60-second-survey | Top Priority of 2018? :60 Second Survey | 2017-12-31 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | 240 Cannon House Office Building | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-year-review | Q&A: Year in Review | 2017-12-30 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: What was the most significant achievement of the U.S. Senate in 2017? A: When the first session of the 115th Congress gaveled to order last January 3, I took the oath of office to serve Iowans for a seventh term in the U.S. Senate. It is an honor I take very seriously. Thats why I work tirelessly to uphold the public trust, including face-to-face dialogue with Iowans at my 99 county meetings and holding government accountable to preserve the personal freedoms and individual liberties guaranteed by our constitutional republic. When the Republican Senate Majority organized its leadership assignments for the new Congress, I was selected again to serve as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. This permanent, standing committee has broad legislative jurisdiction over federal criminal law, victims rights, immigration, intellectual property, anti-trust policy and whistleblower protections. It serves as ground zero for proposed Constitutional Amendments and considers nominations for Article III federal judgeships, including the Supreme Court of the United States. In fact, steering judicial nominations through the U.S. Senate certainly is one of the signature accomplishments of the 115th Congress. Under my guidance as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, the U.S. Senate approved 12 circuit court nominees to serve on the federal bench and confirmed Associate Justice Neil M. Gorsuch to a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court. The federal judiciary leaves a lasting imprint on society, as it is called upon to interpret the laws passed by Congress and administered by the executive branch. Its rulings have a profound effect on our American way of life that stand to sever or secure the blessings of freedom for generations to come. As an outspoken advocate for transparency and open government, I continue my efforts to open the federal judiciary to allow cameras in the courtroom. Opening the courthouse to live audio-visual streaming would build better appreciation for an independent fe… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-marks-policy-oversight-accomplishments-2017 | Grassley Marks Policy, Oversight Accomplishments in 2017 | 2017-12-30 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa marked a series of policy and oversight accomplishments in 2017. Serving the people of Iowa as their United States Senator is my first priority and its an honor that I take seriously, Grassley said. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and through my extensive oversight efforts, my work focuses on making government more transparent, efficient and accountable to Iowans and all Americans. Grassley holds at least one meeting in each of Iowas 99 counties every year to hear concerns and answer questions on any subject fromIowans. In 2017, Grassleycompletedhisannual county meetings for the 37th year in a row. Grassley holdsmeetings in a variety of settingsto ensure that a broad cross-section of Iowans can participate, includingbusinesses, schools,townmeetings andfactory floors. Although the setting may differ from county to county, the format is the same: Iowans set the agenda. In addition to his annual meetings, Grassley also attended or convened a variety of events and forums, including: county farm bureau meetings, a WOTUS roundtable with Administrator Pruitt, a meeting with biodiesel stakeholders, a tour of the Iowa Veterans Home, an agriculture roundtable with Secretary Perdue, a tax roundtable discussion with local business owners, the Partnership for a Drug Free Iowa Digital Literacy Conference and met with Iowans at the state fair. When the Senate is in session, Grassley sets aside eight 15-minute meetings everyMondaythroughThursdayto meet with Iowans in Washington, D.C., including advocacy groups, associations, chambers of commerce and local business leaders, students and families. This Congress, Grassley metwith nearly 950 groups of Iowans visiting the nations capital and discussed a variety of policy issues affecting Iowans such as anti-opioid addiction legislation, the farm bill, infrastructure, juvenile justice,sentencing reform, expiring tax provisions, the Affordable Care Act and tax reform. Grassley also joined eight Iowa schoolsfor Q&As via video… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-king-president-trump-speak-regarding-ending-daca | Congressman King, President Trump Speak Regarding Ending DACA | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | King outlines immigration law priorities that would restore respect for the Rule of Law Washington, D.C.- Congressman Steve King and President Donald Trump spoke by phone yesterday evening to discuss the unconstitutional Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. During the call, Congressman King reaffirmed his opposition to DACA, an Obama-era amnesty program for illegal aliens that undermines the Rule of Law in America. King encouraged the President to keep the promise, first articulated by candidate Donald Trump on June 16, 2015, to end DACA. After his constructive discussion with President Trump, King recorded and released the following video providing insights into his call with the president. In his remarks, King outlines an agenda of additional policy proposals he would like President Trump to incorporate into any DACA related negotiations that may occur next year. These proposals, viewed by King as essential elements of restoring respect for the Rule of Law, include: making English the official language of the United States; ensuring illegal aliens are not counted by the census for purposes of Congressional apportionment; ending tax deductions taken by employers of illegal aliens; and ending the current practice of granting automatic US citizenship upon birth to the children of illegal aliens. To watch the video statement, click here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/featured-posts?ContentRecord_id=A173DD72-164C-4708-917C-D59C99625E83 | Click here to learn more | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. As 2017 comes to a close, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) today released a series of initiatives and victories she led throughout the year on behalf of Iowans. Over the last year, Ive had the opportunity to talk with folks from any every corner of the state to hear exactly what is on their mind, said Senator Ernst. Across Iowa, folks made clear that they wanted to see Washington get to work, from simplifying the tax code, cutting reckless spending, and growing our economy, to protecting the RFS, strengthening our military, and ensuring our veterans receive timely and quality care. We have made significant progress in 2017, and I am looking forward to building on these gains in the new year. HIGHLIGHTS The Iowa Senator helped introduce more than 25 bipartisan bills. October marked the completion of Senator Ernsts third annual 99 county tour as a U.S. Senator. She held 16 public listening sessions and traveled across the state, visiting schools, small businesses, manufacturers, farms, and much more. To find out more about her 99 county tour stops in 2017, click here. The office of Senator Ernst also held traveling office hours in all 99 counties, three times over the course of the year to assist Iowans with problems or questions about eligibility involving issues like Social Security, veterans benefits, military affairs, passports, immigration issues, and other federal programs. Senator Ernst continued to highlight opportunities for Iowa students, hosting two U.S. Service Academy Open Houses in Cedar Rapids and Johnston for those interested in applying to, or learning more about service academies, as well as internships in Washington, D.C. and state offices. LEGISLATIVE BREAKDOWN BY ISSUE AGRICULTURE RE-NAMED SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR: Senator Ernst, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, was re-named the Subcommittee Chairman on Rural Development and Energy. INTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst joined a bipartisan group in introducing legi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/featured-posts?ContentRecord_id=F310CDF3-7312-47C2-B502-1A5ADE2579F7 | Find out what that means for Iowa | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | Good morning I have an important update to share with you: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has been signed into law! But what does that mean for you? Well, on average, tax reform will provide every income group with tax relief. Under this newlaw Middle- and low-income Iowans will see lower tax rates. ObamaCares costly individual mandate will be eliminated. Folks will be able to keep more of their hard earned dollars. The child tax credit is doubled. Job creators of all sizes will be more competitive and can reinvest in their most important resource their employees. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act also includes two of my provisions: theStop Questionable, Unnecessary, and Excessive Allowances for Legislators Act, also known as theSQUEAL Act, which eliminates an unnecessary tax break for lawmakers, and the bipartisan Investing in Opportunity Actwhich helps spur economic growth in poverty-stricken areas. I am thrilled that these commonsense initiatives were included in this long-overdue reform so that Iowans will finally be able to see relief from an overly-burdensome tax code, first-hand. Making Washington Squeal As I mentioned, mySQUEAL Actwas included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Specifically, this measure cuts perks for elected officials by eliminating a provision of the tax code that allows Members of Congress to deduct, for income tax purposes, up to thousands of dollarsannually in living expenses while in the Washington, D.C. area. Iowans sent me to Congress to make Washington, D.C. squeal and that includes eliminating handouts to politicians. Its long-overdue that Congress start leading by example by offering up its own unnecessary tax break, and Im pleased to see this legislation signed into law. Watch moreon my SQUEAL Act here or by clicking on … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2CE7CB7C-3C9D-4CCE-B48A-CC57812151FB | 2017 Ernst Initiatives and Victories for Iowa | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. As 2017 comes to a close, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) today released a series of initiatives and victories she led throughout the year on behalf of Iowans. Over the last year, Ive had the opportunity to talk with folks from any every corner of the state to hear exactly what is on their mind, said Senator Ernst. Across Iowa, folks made clear that they wanted to see Washington get to work, from simplifying the tax code, cutting reckless spending, and growing our economy, to protecting the RFS, strengthening our military, and ensuring our veterans receive timely and quality care. We have made significant progress in 2017, and I am looking forward to building on these gains in the new year. HIGHLIGHTS The Iowa Senator helped introduce more than 25 bipartisan bills. October marked the completion of Senator Ernsts third annual 99 county tour as a U.S. Senator. She held 16 public listening sessions and traveled across the state, visiting schools, small businesses, manufacturers, farms, and much more. To find out more about her 99 county tour stops in 2017, click here. The office of Senator Ernst also held traveling office hours in all 99 counties, three times over the course of the year to assist Iowans with problems or questions about eligibility involving issues like Social Security, veterans benefits, military affairs, passports, immigration issues, and other federal programs. Senator Ernst continued to highlight opportunities for Iowa students, hosting two U.S. Service Academy Open Houses in Cedar Rapids and Johnston for those interested in applying to, or learning more about service academies, as well as internships in Washington, D.C. and state offices. LEGISLATIVE BREAKDOWN BY ISSUE AGRICULTURE RE-NAMED SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR: Senator Ernst, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, was re-named the Subcommittee Chairman on Rural Development and Energy. INTRODUCED LEGISLATION: Senator Ernst joined a bipartisan group in introducing legi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6046B568-F62D-4558-B115-EC4A326A012A | Tax Reform Signed Into Law | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) issued the following statement after President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which includes the SQUEAL Act, into law: This is a monumental moment for our country; this tax reform, on average, will provide every income group with tax relief. Under this law, middle- and low-income Iowans will see lower tax rates, ObamaCares costly individual mandate will be eliminated, folks will be able to keep more of their hard earned dollars, the child tax credit is doubled, and job creators of all sizes will be more competitive and can reinvest in their most important resource their employees. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act also included two of my provisions: the SQUEAL Act, which eliminates an unnecessary tax break for lawmakers, and the bipartisan Investing in Opportunity Act which helps spur economic growth in poverty-stricken areas. I am thrilled to see my efforts and many other commonsense initiatives included in this long-overdue reform so that Iowans will finally be able to see relief from an overly-burdensome tax code, first-hand. Senator Ernsts efforts included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-colleagues-urge-dea-swiftly-issue-regulations-and-guidance-partial-fill | Grassley, Colleagues Urge DEA to Swiftly Issue Regulations and Guidance on Partial Fill Law to Better Address Nation’s Opioid Crisis | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley joined a bipartisan letter urging the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to update regulations and guidance related to the partial filling of Schedule II controlled substances. Doing so would give prescribers and pharmacists additional clarity about the new provisions of federal law and other steps that can be taken to better address the nations opioid crisis. The letter was penned by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R- W.Va.) and joined by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over the DEA. Reps. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) also signed the letter. More than 33,000 Americans died from opioid-related drug overdoses in 2015, and prescription painkillers continue to be a major contributor to the epidemic. Outdated DEA regulations, which include a different definition of partial filling from the definition provided in CARA, have led to significant confusion on the part of pharmacists and prescribers,wrote the Members of Congress. These health care providers are critical partners in the fight against the opioid epidemic but are reluctant to move forward with implementation of the law or to proactively implement programs to partially fill initial opioid prescriptions until the DEA updates its regulations. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than 70 percent of people who misuse prescription painkillers got them from a friend, relative or doctor.Encouraging prescribers and pharmacists to embrace partial fill policies for their patients would help reduce the number of opioids that are misused in homes and communities across the country. December 21, 2017 Acting Administrator Robert Patterson United States Drug Enforcement Administration 8701 Morrissette Drive Springfield, VA 22152 Dear Acting Administrator Patterson: We are writing to urge you to swiftly update Drug Enforcement … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-klobuchar-tillis-bill-aid-families-missing-autism-alzheimer%E2%80%99s-patients | Grassley, Klobuchar, Tillis Bill to Aid Families of Missing Autism, Alzheimer’s Patients Passes Senate | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Bipartisan legislation to help families locate missing loved ones with Alzheimers disease, autism and related conditions has unanimously passed the U.S. Senate. Kevin and Avontes Law (S. 2070), named in honor of two boys with autism who perished after wandering from safety, would also support training for caregivers to prevent and respond to instances of wandering. The bill, led by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), is now pending approval in the U.S. House of Representatives. The feeling of dread and helplessness families must experience when a loved one with Alzheimers or autism goes missing is unimaginable. But when communities are empowered to lend a hand, these terrifying situations can have happy endings. Kevin and Avontes Law, named for a boy from Jefferson, Iowa and a boy from New York City, makes resources available for technologies that advance the search for missing children, along with specialized training for caregivers and first responders to help prevent wandering by vulnerable individuals, Grassley said. I look forward to its swift passage in the House of Representatives. We need to do everything we can to make sure that kids like Hamza Elmi from St. Cloud and all people with a developmental disability or a form of dementia make it home safely,Klobuchar said.Passing this bipartisan bill into law will mean first responders, law enforcement officers, caregivers, and Minnesota families will have access to the technology, resources, and training they need to prevent wandering and find missing people. Im pleased to see the Senate unanimously passKevin and Avontes Law, which will support training for caregivers to prevent and respond to missing individuals with Alzheimers disease, autism, and related conditions, said Tillis. This legislation has a deep personal meaning for me, as I was a caregiver for my grandmother during her battle with Alzheimers disease. We should be moving heaven and earth to… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-reform-credited-recovering-more-56-billion-lost-fraud | Grassley Reform Credited with Recovering More Than $56 Billion Lost to Fraud | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | More than $3.7 Billion in Taxpayer Funds Recouped from Fraudsters in 2017 Alone WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Chuck Grassleys False Claims Act reforms helped the federal government recover more than $3.7 billion from fraudsters in fiscal year 2017, according to a Justice Department announcement yesterday. That brings the total amount of taxpayer dollars recovered from fraud since Grassleys reforms to more than $56.1 billion. Over and over again the False Claims Act has proven to be the single most effective tool for recovering taxpayer dollars lost to fraudsters who exploit the government. It encourages whistleblowers to raise the alarm when they encounter unscrupulous crooks and prevents further government waste. And it clearly works. To those who doubt the value of whistleblowers and the False Claims Act, Id just say: $56 billion and counting, Grassley said. Yesterdays announcement marks yet another significant milestone in our efforts to protect taxpayers against fraud. The False Claims Act was enacted to prosecute fraud against taxpayers by unscrupulous companies and government contractors. Grassley, the current Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, authored reforms to the False Claims Act in 1986 to encourage whistleblowers to come forward with information involving such fraud. In the last decade, the government has clawed back an average of nearly $3.6 billion annually, thanks in large part to Grassleys qui tam provisions, which allow whistleblowers to share in the governments recovery. Of the more than $3.7 billion recovered in the last fiscal year, over $3.4 billion are related to law suits filed under the qui tam provisions. Many of the recoveries were initiated by whistleblowers who took advantage of Grassleys provisions allowing them to bring their own case on the governments behalf. Grassley also led an effort in 2009 to pass theFraud Enforcement Recovery Act, which bolstered existing tools and resources for government investigators and prosecutors to combat fraud. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-president-trump-signing-historic-tax-reform-legislation-law | Grassley Statement on President Trump Signing Historic Tax Reform Legislation into Law | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | The Presidents signature on this historic tax reform legislation means more money in the pockets of hardworking Iowans. WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, voted for landmark tax reform legislation, which was signed into law this morning by President Trump. President Trump deserves credit for not only running on a promise to reform the tax code, but keeping his word to Americans and signing this historic accomplishment into law. Tax reform makes good on a years-long promise to deliver significant tax relief to Americans from every walk of life and income level. For millions of Americans that relief will begin in February when they begin to see the benefits of lower across-the-board income tax rates in their paychecks, Grassley said. The Presidents signature on this historic tax reform legislation means more money in the pockets of hardworking Iowans. Americans will also see increased wages and more jobs created here and brought back to our shores from overseas. Were already seeing tax reform improve the lives of millions of Americans. Major U.S. companies are making significant commitments to invest millions of dollars back into their domestic operations, increase wages, give bonuses to the men and women on the front lines of their organizations and donate millions more to charitable organizations throughout the nation. Grassley successfully included taxpayer rights and corporate accountability measures in the tax reform legislation. Details of those two provisions are below. Grassley also helped protect the wind energy production tax credit, which he originally authored, and the student loan interest deduction. The wind energy production tax credit was modified in the House-passed version and the student loan interest deduction was eliminated. As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Grassley previously led through Congress $2 trillion in bipartisan tax relief, leaving more money in worker… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/video-audio-grassley%E2%80%99s-christmas-message-iowans | Video & Audio: Grassley’s Christmas Message to Iowans | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa delivered a Christmas message in a video address to Iowans. Christmas is a time to come together with family and friends and to celebrate the great blessings of life and the birth of our Lord and Savior. From my family to yours: Merry Christmas, happy holidays and a happy New Year, Grassley said. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-statement-supplemental-aid-vote | Young statement on supplemental aid vote | 2017-12-21 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. -Iowa Congressman David Young issued the following statement today following his vote on the third supplemental aid package for those affected by natural disasters this fall. "We should help our neighbors in times of need and care for each other. This is why I supported the two previous emergency aid packages, but today's package is nearly double what the administration says it needs and it just doesn't give Iowans a clear explanation of how their taxpayer dollars will be spent. "Iowans have big hearts but want to make sure our hard-earned tax dollars are spent effectively and efficiently so when the government in Puerto Rico hands out$100 million in employee bonusesand then turns around to ask the taxpayers for $94 billion, it is appropriate and necessary to question the decision making process and priorities on the ground. "As Iowa's voice on the Appropriations Committee, I've learned of reports of waste and opportunities for abuse. Fromaid thrown into dumpsters, andno-bid contracts, toforcing aid on folks who didn't ask for or need it, the stories of the improper allocation and waste of resources are disturbing. "There is no question additional aid is needed, but we can't just write a blank check and throw taxpayer money at a problem with no plan and no protections for taxpayers. This is Washington at its worst which is why I'm willing to stay here over Christmas or as long as it takes to get it right."\ # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=9F008A81-6F6B-4D90-96FF-D95B4521B724 | Ernst, Grassley Receive Response from VA on Hiring Practices, Push for More Answers | 2017-12-21 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Responding to a December 4th letter from Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today said that the Iowa City VA doctor in question is no longer a VA employee and that they have issued a new policy to ensure full compliance with the law and a national review to verify that this policy is being implemented correctly. This follows a disturbing report that shed light on hiring practices at VA hospitals, including the Iowa City VA. While Iowa senators are pleased to hear that actions to correct these missteps are taking place, they are calling for more answers to their questions. The full text of Senator Ernst and Grassleys letter is available here and below. The VAs December 21st response letter, can be found here. Senator Ernst and Grassleys original December 4th letter to the VA is available here. December 21, 2017 The Honorable David Shulkin Secretary U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Washington DC 20420 Dear Secretary Shulkin: On December 4, we wrote a letter to you requesting answers regarding hiring practices at the VA. We sent this letter because the VA knowingly hired a neurosurgeon who had his medical license revoked in one state, which goes against VA regulations. We appreciate your responses to our questions and are glad to hear corrective action is being taken. However, we would like you to provide additional clarification regarding your responses. Our first question asked for the incorrect guidance given to the Iowa City VA that allowed them to hire the neurosurgeon. In your response, you stated that the Iowa City VA relied on VA Handbook 5005/57. Please provide the page number and section in VA Handbook 5005/57 which suggested that the Iowa City VA could hire the neurosurgeon. Additionally, please explain how hospital officials were expected to reconcile the aforementioned section with the information on page 80 which states that individuals are not eligible for appointment if their license had been revoked in another … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-lowering-rx-prices | Q&A: Lowering Rx Prices | 2017-12-21 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Find Senator Grassleys Q&A online here. With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: Why are prescription drug prices still climbing? A: Modern medicine, particularly pharmaceuticals, has increased longevity and improved the quality of life for millions of Americans. Thats good for society, especially around this time of year when so many of us look forward to celebrating the holidays and enjoying family traditions with loved ones. For too many Americans, however, prescription drug prices come with substantial sticker shock. Paying for life-saving innovative research and blockbuster medical breakthroughs contributes to the expensive prices consumers pay for their prescription medicines. From that perspective, policy proposals designed to help reduce prescription drug prices must take care not to stifle medical discoveries that unlock cures and treat diseases. American taxpayers and consumers have a vested interest to keep prescription medicine both affordable and accessible. Prescription medication may help keep people out of expensive hospital care; but at the same time, out-of-pocket expenses at the pharmacy counter consume a growing share of household budgets in the United States. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimates spending on prescription drugs reached $457 billion in 2015, or 16.7 percent of personal health care services. Higher spending on prescription medicine adds pressure to public health care programs, especially high-cost drugs that put even more pressure on health care spending. Through my oversight work in Congress, as an example, Im continuing to dig to get to the bottom of the EpiPen pricing fiasco that took taxpayers and families for a ride for nearly a decade. Dozens of Iowans contacted my office to ask about the exorbitant price increase they were paying to fill their childrens prescription; the two-pack auto-injector soared from $100 to $600. During my probe, it was revealed the drug was misclassified as a generic instead of a brand name drug, costing government budgets big… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-ernst-receive-response-va-hiring-practices-press-more-answers | Grassley, Ernst Receive Response from VA on Hiring Practices, Press for More Answers | 2017-12-21 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Responding to a December 4, 2017, letter from Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today said that the Iowa City VA doctor in question is no longer a VA employee and that they have issued a new policy to ensure full compliance with the law and a national review to verify that this policy is being implemented correctly. This follows a disturbing report that shed light on hiring practices at VA hospitals, including the Iowa City VA. While the Iowa senators are pleased to hear that actions to correct these missteps are taking place, they are calling for more answers to their questions.The full text of Senator Grassley and Ernsts letter is available here and below.The VAs December 21 response letter can be found here.Senator Grassley and Ernsts original December 4 letter to the VA is available here. December 21, 2017 The Honorable David Shulkin Secretary U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Washington DC 20420 Dear Secretary Shulkin: On December 4, we wrote a letter to you requesting answers regarding hiring practices at the VA. We sent this letter because the VA knowingly hired a neurosurgeon who had his medical license revoked in one state, which goes against VA regulations. We appreciate your responses to our questions and are glad to hear corrective action is being taken. However, we would like you to provide additional clarification regarding your responses. Our first question asked for the incorrect guidance given to the Iowa City VA that allowed them to hire the neurosurgeon. In your response, you stated that the Iowa City VA relied on VA Handbook 5005/57. Please provide the page number and section in VA Handbook 5005/57 which suggested that the Iowa City VA could hire the neurosurgeon. Additionally, please explain how hospital officials were expected to reconcile the aforementioned section with the information on page 80 which states that individuals are not eligible for appointment if their license had been revoked in another state. You also stated … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-klobuchar-seek-answers-prescription-drug-importation-policies | Grassley, Klobuchar Seek Answers on Prescription Drug Importation Policies | 2017-12-21 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) sent a letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb seeking information regarding FDA policies on imported prescription drugs from Canada.A recent Kaiser Health News article reported that FDA sent criminal investigation agents to nine Florida stores that help patients buy prescription drugs from pharmacies in Canada. Although the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act prohibits the importation of unapproved drugs, the FDA has long focused its enforcement efforts on products apparently intended for the commercial market and on fraudulent products, and those that pose an unreasonable health risk. We are concerned that a November 20, 2017 report by Kaiser Health News may indicate a change in this longstanding policy. It is our understanding that these stores solely assist patients who prefer to purchase prescription drugs from outside the United States including by helping patients avoid websites that sell fraudulent or unsafe products and do not dispense drugs themselves. We are concerned that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may be taking actions to scale back the agencys non-enforcement policy that currently allows for limited importation of prescription drugs.The letter is the latest in a continuing effort by Sens. Grassley and Klobuchar to find solutions to the ever-increasing costs of prescription medications. Earlier this year, they introduced S. 974, theCreating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act, which would address abuses in the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) program by deterring pharmaceutical companies from denying samples to generic companies for product testing and by giving the FDA more flexibility in making REMS distribution systems.In February, Sens. Grassley, Klobuchar and McCain urged then- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tom Price to use his statutory authority to fast track the importation of prescription drugs from Canada u… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://blum.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=667 | Final Tax Bill Passes House, Includes Changes Advocated for by Rep. Rod Blum | 2017-12-20 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Rod Blum | B001294 | blum.house.gov | legacy | After listening to his constituents and the leaders of communities across his district, Congressman Blum advocated for changes and voted in support of the Final Conference Report to HR 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which passed the House of Representatives today. Today, I cast my vote in favor of this historic bill. My criteria for tax reform has been based around these three goals: simplifying tax preparation for families, lowering taxes for middle-income workers, and reigniting our economy. While not perfect, this bill is a positive step forward, and it achieves all three of those criteria. Rep. Blum added, With the doubling of the standard deduction, doubling of the child tax credit, and the lowering of tax brackets for all income levels, middle-income families will see a reduction in their taxes. Letting people keep more of the money they earned is good economic policy. Career politicians in Washington tend to believe that all money is the government's money and letting people keep more of their hard earned money is spending that the government cant afford. Tax cuts are not spending - rather government spending is spending. We dont have deficits because we tax too little - in fact, tax revenues to the federal government are at all time record highs. We have deficits because we spend too much. Addressing the federal deficit, Rep. Blum said, I am very confident that increased economic activity will pay for this $1.5 trillion tax cut. Just as they did in the sixties and again in the eighties after the Kennedy and Reagan tax cuts - revenues to the federal government will increase. The Congressman from the First District of Iowa also noted: We fought hard for certain provisions to be kept or added to the conference report. Provisions such as the Federal Historic Tax Credit, continued tax-exemption for private activity bonds, the wind energy production tax credit, the Section 199 deduction for farmers and their cooperatives, the Medical Expense Deduction, and the Orphan Drug Tax Credit. Additional tax deduct… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/newsletters/tax-relief-hardworking-iowans-way | Tax Relief for Hardworking Iowans is on the way | 2017-12-20 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Friends, Today, I voted to pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to provide tax relief to the hardworking Iowa taxpayers throughout the Third District who sent me to Washington to work for them. As I have traveled throughout the District I have heard from too many folks who are living paycheck to paycheck struggling to get by. My goal has always been to focus tax relief on middle and low income Iowans who deserve it the most. And the tax bill I voted for today does just that. My vote came on the heels of anassessmentby the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation showing middle income Americans, those making less than $200,000, will see the most benefits from the tax relief legislation. The analysis also showed the share of all taxes paid by higher income Americans will continue to grow each year. Analysis of percentage saved by individuals under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The bills doubling of the standard deduction to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for married couples while also lowering tax rates means it will deliver financial relief for those hardworking Iowans who are living paycheck to paycheck. A larger child tax credit and maintaining the adoption tax credit, the tuition and student loan deductions, and the medical expense deduction will all help families thrive. Some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and lobbyists determined to protect the status quo broken tax code are using fear tactics and misinformation to tell you this bill is bad for you. They are wrong. One thing they continue to say is this bill cuts funding to Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid. Let me say this definitively - in this bill, there is not a single penny cut from Medicare, Social Security, or Medicaid. They claim the tax bill will trigger automatic cuts as a result of the PAYGO Act. Congress has waived PAYGO 29 times since 2010 many times in a bipartisan way and we will do it again. Many folks are pointing to comments made by Republican leaders who said they want to focus on entitlement reform next year as eviden… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B3BB27DE-6EDA-44CF-BE41-4F620D36641E | SQUEAL Act, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Passes Senate | 2017-12-20 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) released the following statement after the Senate passed the final version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which includes Senator Ernsts SQUEAL Act. We are one step closer to helping hardworking, lower-and middle-income Iowans keep more of what theyve earned. This tax reform package will also strengthen our economy and ensure job creators of all sizes see relief from an overly-complicated tax code. Additionally, I am thrilled that two of my proposals have been included in the final bill; the SQUEAL Act ensures legislators are offering up their own unnecessary tax break for living expenses in the Washington, D.C. area, and our bipartisan Investing in Opportunity Act will spur economic growth for many distressed rural communities across Iowa and the country. The landmark tax reform package now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for a final vote, and then to the Presidents desk for his signature. Senator Ernsts efforts included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-votes-historic-tax-relief-iowans | Grassley Votes for Historic Tax Relief for Iowans | 2017-12-20 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Grassley Successfully Protects Wind Energy Production Tax Credit and Student Loan Interest Deduction in Final Version of Tax Reform; Grassley Gains Inclusion of Taxpayer Rights and Good Government Measures WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, voted for landmark tax reform legislation, which passed the United States Senate this morning. The legislation will likely be voted on by the House of Representatives later today before going to the President for his signature. This historic legislation makes good on a promise to deliver tax relief to Americans from every walk of life and income level. Its passage is good news for working families, U.S. jobs and industry and an economy that was stagnant for far too long. It will let Iowans keep more of their own money, so they can choose how best to spend what theyve earned. Wages will also grow and jobs will return to our shores as a result of making American industry and workers more globally competitive. There have been some misconceptions about what this legislation does, which ideological opponents of lower taxes have helped sow. Iowans are understandably paying close attention to how they will be impacted. Iowans should rest assured they will begin seeing more in their take home pay almost immediately, and that will continue for years to come. This tax reform legislation lowers rates on every income level, and the progressivity of the tax code is maintained, ensuring that Iowans of all stripes will share the benefits of tax reform, and no one group is treated unfairly. As just one example, the average family of four with two children will see a tax cut of more than $2,000, and millions of lower-income Americans will be removed from the tax rolls entirely. That will make a real difference in the lives of so many hardworking Iowans. This bill also repeals the unfair and regressive Obamacare individual mandate tax. The bottom line is that this gives Io… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/report-taxpayers-lost-billions-hundreds-drugs-misclassified-under-medicaid-drug | Report: Taxpayers Lost Billions as Hundreds of Drugs Misclassified Under Medicaid Drug Rebate Program | 2017-12-20 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement on a report released by the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) that showed 885 drugs were potentially misclassified under the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, resulting in billions in lost taxpayer dollars. In an earlier report requested by Grassley, HHS found that Mylans misclassification of EpiPen under the program cost CMS $1.3 billion over 10 years. Todays OIG report analyzed 2012-2016, suggesting that a 10-year period of analysis would reveal an even bigger loss to taxpayers. It appears that Mylans misclassification of EpiPen under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program was just the tip of the iceberg. The top 10 potentially misclassified drugs cost Medicaid $1.3 billion from 2012-2016 alone. The reports findings that 885 drugs were potentially misclassified likely represents many billions more in lost taxpayer dollars. The report indicates that 97 percent of drugs were classified correctly, but three percent of hundreds of billions of dollars in rebates is still billions of lost taxpayer dollars. Thats not chump change, and it cant be swept under the rug. While Im glad CMS has indicated that it will follow HHS OIGs recommendations, it should also commit to aggressively pursuing corrective action to recoup the billions of taxpayer dollars from all 885 potentially misclassified drugs in consultation with the HHS OIG as appropriate. I appreciate the HHS OIGs work on this issue and I expect them to keep their eye on the ball. I plan on looking into ways there can be better enforcement to make sure this doesnt happen again. For months, Grassley has pressed for the accurate classification of prescription drugs under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. Grassleys work was prompted by letters from Iowans about increasing EpiPen costs. Grassley previously expressed disappointment regarding the settlement between the Justice Depa… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-votes-deliver-tax-relief-iowans-deserve | Young votes to Deliver Tax Relief Iowans Deserve | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. -Iowa Congressman David Young today voted to pass theupdated, finalTax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1)following his efforts to change the bill to includeprovisionsimportant to all Iowans. Passage came on the heels of an assessment by the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation showing middle income Americans, those making less than $200,000, will see the most benefits from the tax relief legislation. The analysis also showed the share of all taxes paid by higher income Americans will continue to grow each year. From the beginning, Congressman Young was focused on fighting for relief for middle income Iowans and those working to get there. The bills doubling of the standard deduction to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for married couples while also lowering tax rates means it will deliver financial relief to hardworking Iowans who are living paycheck to paycheck. "When visiting with Iowa families across the Third District, Ive heard too many are suffocating from an overburdened tax code riddled with protections for special interests while leaving hardworking taxpayers paying the bill. Today is a great day for Iowas families, farmers, and main street job creators who will soon see the needed relief they deserve,"said Congressman Young. "When the House passed the first version of this bill, I said it was not perfect and I would continue fighting to make it better, and I was proud to fight to ensure Iowas voice was heard as we worked to deliver a solution giving Iowans more control over their hard-earned money,"said Congressman Young. Congressman Young led efforts to protect access to affordable student loans for Iowans andworked to ensure graduate student tuition waivers did not change from current law. The preservation of the Historic Tax Credit and the medicalexpensedeductionwerealsoprioritiesfor Congressman Young andincluded in the final bill. Congressman Young ledefforts to protect Iowa'srenewable economybymaintaining thewind energy productiontax credit until 2019. # # # See the letters Congres… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/survey/what-are-your-thoughts-chainfamily-sponsored-migration | What are your thoughts on chain/family-sponsored migration? | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | In the debate over U.S. immigration policies there have been discussions on ending the practice of family-sponsored migration also commonly referred to as chain migration. This method of immigration makes it much easier for relatives of lawful permanent residents to also acquire lawful permanent resident status in the United States. According to the Congressional Research Service, in recent years, family-sponsored/chain migration has accounted for two-thirds of all permanent immigration to the United States. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-is-an-early-christmas-present-to-american | King: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is an Early Christmas Present to American Taxpayers. | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | Congressman King Heralds Historic Tax Reform Bills Benefits to Iowans Washington, D.C.- Congressman Steve King released the following statement after voting in favor of HR 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The legislation marks the first significant reform to the nations tax laws in more than 30 years, and it contains numerous provisions that provide welcome relief to Iowans at all income levels. In addition to lowering federal taxes for individuals, families, small businesses, and corporations, the final legislation also repeals the ObamaCare Individual Mandate tax currently levied on those who choose not to purchase health insurance. King, a leader in the effort to repeal ObamaCare in its entirety, previously asked Chairman Kevin Brady and Chairman Orrin Hatch to include repeal of the Individual Mandate in the final tax bill. The legislation passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 227-203 and, when passed by the Senate, it is expected that President Trump will sign the bill into law. Passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is an early Christmas present to American taxpayers, said King. When this bill becomes law, the American economy will be poised to have both a Happy New Year and a Happy New Decade of 3% GDP growth or more. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is a welcome gift to everyone who believes Americans should be allowed to keep more of their hard earned money. I look forward to Iowans enjoying the jobs and income growth that will result from this bill over the coming years. Importantly, this bill repeals the Individual Mandate in ObamaCare. This is the most concrete step that Congress has taken towards repealing ObamaCare, and it sets the stage for me to lead additional repeal efforts in 2018. ObamaCare is the coal in Americas stocking, and we need to rid ourselves of it. Provisions Important to Iowans: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will strengthen Iowas economy. Specifically, an analysis prepared by the independent Tax Foundation estimates that passage of this legislation will lead to the creation of 3,68… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/audio/capitol-hill-report-157 | Capitol Hill Report | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | 721 Federal Building 210 Walnut Street Des Moines, IA 50309 Phone: 515-288-1145 Fax: 515-288-5097 111 7th Avenue SE, Box 13 Suite 6800 Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Phone: 319-363-6832 Fax: 319-363-7179 201 West 2nd Street Suite 720 Davenport, IA 52801 Phone: 563-322-4331 Fax: 563-322-8552 210 Waterloo Building 531 Commercial Street Waterloo, IA 50701 Phone: 319-232-6657 Fax: 319-232-9965 307 Federal Building 8 South 6th Street Council Bluffs, IA 51501 Phone: 712-322-7103 Fax: 712-322-7196 120 Federal Building 320 6th Street Sioux City, IA 51101 Phone: 712-233-1860 Fax: 712-233-1634 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/audio/christmas-message-2017 | Christmas Message 2017 | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | 721 Federal Building 210 Walnut Street Des Moines, IA 50309 Phone: 515-288-1145 Fax: 515-288-5097 111 7th Avenue SE, Box 13 Suite 6800 Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Phone: 319-363-6832 Fax: 319-363-7179 201 West 2nd Street Suite 720 Davenport, IA 52801 Phone: 563-322-4331 Fax: 563-322-8552 210 Waterloo Building 531 Commercial Street Waterloo, IA 50701 Phone: 319-232-6657 Fax: 319-232-9965 307 Federal Building 8 South 6th Street Council Bluffs, IA 51501 Phone: 712-322-7103 Fax: 712-322-7196 120 Federal Building 320 6th Street Sioux City, IA 51101 Phone: 712-233-1860 Fax: 712-233-1634 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-delivers-senate-floor-speech-ahead-historic-tax-reform-vote | Grassley Delivers Senate Floor Speech Ahead of Historic Tax Reform Vote | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Senior Member and Former Chairman, Senate Finance Committee Tax Cuts and Jobs Act December 19, 2017 Tonight we will have the opportunity to pass the most sweeping changes to our tax code in more than 30 years.This historic moment is long overdue. Since the last tax reform effort in 1986, the tax code has grown out of control in length and complexity.All told, taxpayers spend over 6 billion hours annually complying with its dictates.Moreover, our outdated corporate tax system puts American companies at a competitive disadvantage as they try to compete in a 21st century global economy. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will make good on our commitment to provide significant tax relief to middle-income taxpayers, while making the tax code simpler, fairer, and more pro-growth. The bill provides significant tax simplification for the vast majority of tax filers.Most taxpayers will find they are better off simply by taking the standard deduction.No longer will they have to spend hours sifting through receipts and forms to determine what they can and cannot deduct. Middle-income taxpayers can also expect to see significant tax cuts. A median income family of four could see their tax bill reduced by over $2,000. This is relief that families will see almost immediately as less tax is taken out of their paychecks. This tax relief stems from many pro-family and pro-middle income tax provisions in the bill. First, there is the nearly doubling of the standard deduction. For families this means the first $24,000 of their income will be exempt from tax all together. As a result, a significant number of lower-income Americans will be removed from the tax rolls entirely. Second, the middle-class tax brackets are significantly lowered and expanded to include more taxpayers. This includes reducing the current 15% bracket to 12% and the 25% bracket to 22%. Third, the tax bill specifically recognizes the cost associated with raising a child by doubling the child tax credit from $1,000 to $… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-nominates-44-iowa-students-us-service-academies | Grassley Nominates 44 Iowa Students to the U.S. Service Academies | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley has nominated 44 Iowa students to be considered for appointments to the U.S. service academies. These young Iowans who want to enter the academies and serve our country are a remarkable reflection on our state, Grassley said. Their accomplishments, leadership and desire to serve are exceptional, and signal continued excellence in the U.S. armed forces. Each year Grassley has the opportunity as a U.S. senator to nominate either current or future Iowa high school graduates for a select few service academy placements. The U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy all select at least one qualified student from Grassleys nominations. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy makes selections in proportion to states representation in Congress. Grassley said he encourages Iowa students to consider applying to more than one service academy due to the highly competitive nature of admissions. Iowa representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives make nominations in addition to both of Iowas U.S. senators. Students may receive more than one nomination. Students interested in academy appointments should begin the application process in the spring of their junior year of high school. Early application is encouraged. The academies select students based on the number of vacancies available for the next school year. The academies offer some of the best options for higher education as well as an outstanding way to serve our country. Its a tremendous opportunity for young Iowans, Grassley said. Traditionally, the high quality of Iowa nominees results in several Iowa students being offered admission to attend each of the service academies. The students then choose whether to attend the academy. More information about service academy nominations can be found here. Grassley will make announcements as academy appointments are offered to Iowans. The lists below include the names and hometowns of Grassleys nominees for the 20182019 school year. U.S. Military Academy at West Po… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-columnist-praises-grassleys-oversight-wasteful-tarp-spending | ICYMI: Columnist Praises Grassley's Oversight of Wasteful TARP Spending | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | ICYMI: A Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist praised Senator Grassleys oversight of wasteful spending of the Troubled Asset Relief Programs (TARP) Hardest Hit Fund, a $9.6 billion program meant to help homeowners who suffered during the housing crisis. Grassley has pressed for better management of the program amid reports that the Nevada state agency engaged in widespread waste and abuse in spending. Earlier, Grassley said, Treasurys explanation of the significant discrepancy between the $8 million that TARPs watchdog said was misspent and the $82,172 [or one percent] recovered from Nevada HFA is inadequate and unconvincing. Grassley has been conducting a review since October 2016. His most recent remarks are here. You can read the column here or excerpts from the column below. Program to help the needy squandered federal dollars in Nevada Las Vegas Review-Journal Jane Ann Morrison December 16, 2017 When bureaucrats waste federal dollars meant to help people save their homes, it makes me crazy. And Im not alone. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, for one, also is upset. Case in point: the Hardest Hit Fund. ... Management of the program was handed to a nonprofit the Nevada Affordable Housing Assistance Corp. with less than stellar results. Employees were living high on the hog, a clearly irritated Grassley wrote in one letter to the Treasury Department.... No matter what the costs, Grassley wanted the wasted dollars returned to the Treasury Department.... -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/week-ahead-scheduled-votes-committee-action-and-other-important-notes-0 | The Week Ahead - scheduled votes, committee action and other important notes for the week of December 18, 2017 | 2017-12-18 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | EDITORS NOTE: The week ahead overview will be sent each week Congress is in session. All times are in Central Time. TOP LINE: PROTECTING IOWA WIND ENERGY:Throughout the development of the tax bill in Congress, Congressman Young has been leading the effort to protect Iowa's wind energy.Learn moreHERE. FIGHTING FOR BIODIESEL:Congressman Young is fighting to restore the biodiesel tax credit which lapsed at the end of 2016. Learn moreHERE. FUNDING CHIP:Last week, Congressman Young went to the House floor to encourage his colleagues to fully fund the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Funding for CHIP is included in a draft funding bill which will keep the government open. Watch his remarksHERE. MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM CONGRESSMAN YOUNG:In his weekly report to constituents in Iowa's Third District, Congressman Young shared a Christmas message. Read itHERE. WEEKLY RADIO:Wednesday morning,Congressman Young is scheduled to join KCSI 95.3 FM Radio at 7:18 AM CT and KMA Radio on 960 AM and 99.1 FM at 7:35 AM CT. MONDAY, DECEMBER 18TH On Monday, the House will meet at 11:00 a.m. for morning hour and 1:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 5:30 p.m. Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules: 1)H.R. 3759 RAISE Family Caregivers Act, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Gregg Harper / Education and the Workforce Committee) 2)H.Con.Res. 95 Expressing support for the use of public-private partnerships to bring computer science education to more K12 classrooms, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Scott Taylor / Education and the Workforce Committee) 3)H.R. 3979 Keep Americas Refuges Operational Act, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries / Natural Resources Committee) 4)H.R. 4661 United States Fire Administration, AFG, and SAFER Program Reauthorization Act of 2017(Sponsored by Rep. Barbara Comstock / Science, Space, and Technology Committee) 5)H.R. 4375 STEM Research and Education Effectiveness and Transparency Act, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Barbara Comstock / Science, Space, and Tech… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-alarming-pattern-conduct-reported-uhs-facilities | Grassley: Alarming Pattern of Conduct Reported at UHS Facilities | 2017-12-18 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley sent a letter to Health & Human Services (HHS) Inspector General Daniel R. Levinson seeking answers to continued reports of wrongdoing at Universal Health Services (UHS) facilities, the countrys largest psychiatric hospital chain.This is the latest in a series of letters from Grassley to HHS, HHSIG and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding disturbing news reports of patient abuse, as well as hospital accrediting organizations ability to access patient mistreatment complaint databases. Grassleys oversight work has found that accrediting organizations (AOs) do not have access to the Immediate Jeopardy and High Priority cases in CMS Automated Survey Processing Environment (ASPEN) database and ASPEN Complaints/Incidents Tracking System (ACTS). These systems may help AOs determine whether hospitals and facilities meet accreditation standards. Grassley has sent several letters to CMS asking for additional information about the problem and potential solutions. In response to Grassleys October inquiry, CMS Administrator Seema Verma sent a letter noting that AOs currently do not have access to ASPEN or ACTS, nor do we support providing access to these systems and that CMS does not believe access to ASPEN or ACTS would provide substantive benefit to the AOs or assist them to be more effective in their investigative or enforcement actions. The response also noted that CMS is in the early stages of designing a replacement system for ASPEN and ACTS and will consider the data needs of AOs as we progress through the design phase. That response can be found here. The response given by CMS regarding these serious issues indicates that they need to take a deeper dive into whether information sharing between ASPEN or ACTS will assist accrediting organizations in their investigatory duties. The continuing reports of patient abuse show an alarming pattern of misconduct, Grassley said. Access to information is critical to solving problems. This is especially true in cases re… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/merry-christmas-capitol-solutions | Merry Christmas: Capitol Solutions | 2017-12-15 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Another year has come and gone.Throughout the Third District the Christmas spirit is in the air. I can see it and feel it when I visit small towns, farms, businesses, factories, schools,andclinicsin every county in the Third District. Iowans are sendingeach other holiday wishes, prayers, and good will and each Christmas we are reminded of the most important things in our lives: faith, family and freedom. The holidays and Christmas season bring together families from all corners of Iowa and the nation to come together for worship, fellowship and celebration. The Christmas season is one of my favorite times of the year. I enjoy spending time with family, worshiping and continuing family traditions set aged ago.We give thanks for Gods blessings, His promise of love and forgiveness, and our families and friends. Folks in Iowas Third District have blessed me with the opportunity to serve them in Congress. Across the District I see folks giving their time, money, and talents to others. When I walk into shops and hear the ringing bells from the volunteers collecting donations, I thank them for their mission. When I see a church sponsoring a food drive to help fill a local food pantry so those who need help can have a holiday meal, we are all inspired. The freedoms we are afforded in this great country are protected by our brave women and men in uniform andwho stepped up and are willing to put their lives on the line for all of us. Without their sacrifice we wouldnt be able to be with our families and friends as we do now. Whatever your traditions or beliefs may be, it is my hope you spend time or connect with those you love and cherish, even if its from afar. I know Christmas and holidays can be difficult for some. None of us are perfect and immune to spiritual trials or relationship struggles with others. But it is my prayer with humility we can find peace and love we all desire and deserve this Christmas. Merry Christmas to you and yours. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/audio/live-jim-fisher-woc | Live with Jim Fisher on WOC | 2017-12-15 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | 721 Federal Building 210 Walnut Street Des Moines, IA 50309 Phone: 515-288-1145 Fax: 515-288-5097 111 7th Avenue SE, Box 13 Suite 6800 Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Phone: 319-363-6832 Fax: 319-363-7179 201 West 2nd Street Suite 720 Davenport, IA 52801 Phone: 563-322-4331 Fax: 563-322-8552 210 Waterloo Building 531 Commercial Street Waterloo, IA 50701 Phone: 319-232-6657 Fax: 319-232-9965 307 Federal Building 8 South 6th Street Council Bluffs, IA 51501 Phone: 712-322-7103 Fax: 712-322-7196 120 Federal Building 320 6th Street Sioux City, IA 51101 Phone: 712-233-1860 Fax: 712-233-1634 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-opioid-public-health-crisis | Q&A: Opioid Public Health Crisis | 2017-12-15 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Q: Why is the opioid epidemic considered a public health crisis? A: Perhaps this staggering fact best sums up the crisis: Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death for Americans under 50 years of age. Thats a startling strand of American society that is devastating families and overwhelming first responders, law enforcement, hospitals and government resources. More people in the last year used prescription painkillers 95 million Americans than tobacco, according to results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. That may help explain why more than 11 million Americans in 2016 misused prescription opioids, according to the survey. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate 142 Americans die every day from a drug overdose. Many Iowans are familiar with the methamphetamine scourge that has torn families apart through addiction and criminal drug trafficking. But what is an opioid? Narcotics derived from opium are known as opiates (morphine, heroin and prescription medicine such as Vicodin, OxyCotin, Percocet) and their synthetic counterparts (such as methadone and fentanyl) are substances commonly used to treat pain. Collectively they are referred to as opioids. Both the natural and synthetic substances are highly addictive and increasingly lead to drug deaths. In fact, new data shows the largest ever recorded overdose drug deaths in the United States: More than 64,000 people were killed by drug overdoses in 2016, a 22 percent increase from 2015. Deaths involving fentanyl increased by 73% from 2014 to 2015, and more than doubled from 2015 to 2016. Law enforcement continues to find increased potency in the fentanyl being encountered on the street, making it all the more dangerous to the user. These numbers underscore why President Trump in October directed his administration to declare the opioid crisis a public health emergency. It hits close to home for too many families. And looking ahead, there seems to be no end in sight with drug deaths continuing to climb in 2017. The prevalence … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=25B8573D-BB3C-45A6-BB93-0657682951FB | Senators Introduce New Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Sexual Harassment and Discrimination in Congress, Bring Transparency and Accountability to Sexual Harassment Reporting Process | 2017-12-14 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Kamala Harris (D-CA), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) today introduced new bipartisan legislation that would overhaul the current process that victims of harassment and discrimination in Congress must go through when reporting a claim. The current process for victims of harassment and discrimination in Congress lacks transparency and is difficult to navigate. This legislation, the Congressional Harassment Reform Act, would bring transparency and accountability to the current process by extending protections to interns and fellows, eliminating forced mediation, ending the current required secrecy in the process by allowing victims to speak publicly about their case, requiring Members of Congress found personally liable for harassment to pay settlements out of their own pockets, and improving systems to address harassment and discrimination in Congress. “Congress should never be above the law or play by their own set of rules,” said Senator Gillibrand. “We should treat every person who works here with respect and dignity, and that means creating a climate where there is accountability, fairness, respect, and access to justice if sexual harassment takes place. There are real costs to sexual harassment in the workplace. We now know that many people quit their jobs because of it, or miss out on promotions or raises, all of which can throw off the entire trajectory in their careers. We must ensure that Congress handles complaints to create an environment where staffers can come forward if something happens to them without having to fear that it will ruin their careers. This bipartisan legisla… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-seeks-clarity-justice-dept%E2%80%99s-response-political-texts | Grassley Seeks Clarity on Justice Dept.’s Response to Political Texts | 2017-12-14 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Senior FBI staffs’ “insurance policy” and “Hillary” texts raise specter of political Influence WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley sought additional background on text messages exchanged between two senior FBI employees and records of their communications with the current FBI Deputy Director. One of the employees, Peter Strzok, played a critical role in the FBI’s investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server for official business and mishandling of classified information. He also appears to be involved in helping to launch the FBI’s investigation into potential collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin during the 2016 presidential election. The text messages provided to Congressional investigators on the eve of testimony by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who is overseeing the special counsel’s investigation, appear to indicate that some officials took actions beyond expressing their political opinions. One message by Strzok apparently referenced a discussion in the current deputy director’s office about the chances that candidate Donald Trump could be elected, saying “I’m afraid we can’t take that risk” and making a comparison to the need for an insurance policy. Another missive referenced a second phone used to “talk about hillary because it can’t be traced.” In a letter Wednesday to Rosenstein, Grassley is seeking additional information, including when and how the department became aware of the politically-charged messages, and what steps are being taken to fully review the activities referenced in the messages and take any necessary disciplinary measures. In October, Grassley sought an interview with Strzok as a part of his ongoing investigation into improper political influence or bias in the Justice Department or FBI. Grassley called on the FBI to turn over any documents related to Strzok’s work and communications following reports of the political messages. December 13, 2017 VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISS… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-executive-business-meeting-us-patent-and-trademark-office | Grassley Statement at Executive Business Meeting on U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Nominee | 2017-12-14 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Business Meeting December 14, 2017 Good morning. Today, we’re considering several nominees and one bill. The judicial nominees are on the agenda for the first time, and the minority has requested that they be held over, so the following nominees will be held over: Kyle Duncan, 5th CircuitDavid Stras, 8th CircuitFernando Rodriguez, Southern District of Texas Andrei Iancu, who has been nominated to serve as Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, is also on today’s agenda. Mr. Iancu has a proven record in the field of intellectual property law. He has an excellent academic and professional background in intellectual property law. He’s extremely knowledgeable about the patent system. He’s well respected in the legal community. His intellectual property practice has covered a wide array of subject areas and he has represented many different kinds of clients. Mr. Iancu has demonstrated that he’s familiar with the issues that concern the various intellectual property stakeholders. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and protecting intellectual property rights. Because intellectual property – patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets – is so important to our national economy, we need the Office to have a strong and accountable leader. I believe that Mr. Iancu will be a responsible leader and manager, and that he’ll be responsive to the various different IP stakeholders. I’m pleased that Mr. Iancu has pledged to work with us to improve our intellectual property system, enforce the law, and boost intellectual property rights. I support Mr. Iancu’s nomination and I urge my colleagues to support him as well. We will also vote on 5 nominees to be United States Attorneys. S. 2152, the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act is on the agenda for the first time and will be held over at the reque… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-fights-iowa-wind-energy | Young fights for Iowa Wind Energy | 2017-12-13 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. - Iowa Congressman David Young is continuing his fight to protect the wind energy production tax credit. In addition to conversations he's had with his colleagues, today he led a letter advocating the agreement made in 2015 to phase-out the wind energy production tax credit be preserved in the final tax bill. The letter was sent to the Conference Committee reconciling the House and Senate versions of the tax bill. Last month, Congressman Young started leading the fight in Congress to preserve the wind energy production tax credit. His actions today are a further demonstration of his commitment to wind energy in Iowa. "The wind energy production tax credit was a settled issue. Congress and wind energy producers agreed to slowly reduce the policy until it ends in 2019. Going back on the deal would be devastating for Iowa's wind energy producers. If the policy is ended prematurely, it will undermine $30 billion in existing project deals. I will continue to fight for Iowans and renewables which have helped Iowa's economy grow," said Congressman Young. The letter also asks the Conference Committee to address other tax provisions that could harm wind energy producers. Full text of the letter is below. A digital copy of the letter is available HERE. Dear Chairman Brady and Chairman Hatch: We write to share our concern for three provisions included in tax legislation which, if enacted into law, would have devastating impacts to America’s wind energy sector. Foremost, we continue to strongly support maintaining the terms of the wind energy production tax credit (PTC) phase out as it is in current law. Members of both bodies of Congress have made clear their concerns about the changes in H.R. 1 to the terms of the phase out as established under the PATH Act of 2015. The change included in H.R. 1 would create uncertainty and would undermine at least $30 billion in existing project deals. We appreciate the Senate bill did not include this change and urge a final bill retain the phase out included in the PAT… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-did-trump-hating-fbi-agent-poison-clinton-and-trump-investigations | King: Did Trump Hating FBI Agent Poison Clinton and Trump Investigations? | 2017-12-13 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C.- Congressman Steve King, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, releases the following video of his questioning of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein during today’s Department of Justice oversight hearing. During his questioning, King focused on newly disclosed text messages between FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page that reveal the presence of significant anti-Trump/Pro-Clinton bias within the FBI. The existence of these text messages further calls into question whether the FBI’s previous investigation of Hillary Clinton and Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s current investigation of President Trump was/is hopelessly compromised by the hyper-partisan Strzok, a man who has played significant roles in both efforts. Full video is available here. Excerpt: King: “I'm looking at what was reported this morning. I just took a picture of the television set. A quote from August 6th, Lisa Page to Peter Strzok, and they're talking about President Trump and she's speaking to Peter Strzok, her lover, I hear. ‘Lisa Page (to Peter Strzok): Maybe you're meant to stay where you are because you are meant to protect the country from that menace. Peter Strzok (to Lisa Page): It's absolutely true that we're both very fortunate and of course I’ll try and approach it that way. I just don't know. It will be tough at times. I can protect our country at many levels, not sure if that helps.’ King: Does that sound like a declaration that he would use his job to leverage his work against the President of the United States?” To many observers, it does sound like such a declaration. The American public deserves to know the extent to which the FBI has been politicized, and whether rabid pro-Clinton partisanship by Peter Strzok, and others associated with Mueller’s team, has thoroughly compromised investigative efforts. It has been established that at least 9 of the 16 members of Special Counsel Mueller’s hand-selected team have donated to Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and/or the Democratic Party. In contrast, onl… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E8F9047D-0B44-4D71-A7E8-AB8461F19DE4 | Ernst Nominates 41 Iowa Students to be Considered for Appointments at U.S. Service Academies | 2017-12-13 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a combat veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced today that she has nominated 41 Iowa students to be considered for appointments to United States Service Academies. “I am proud to nominate these deserving Iowa students for admittance to our U.S. Service Academies,” said Senator Ernst. “This nomination is a critical part of the admissions process, and it is my honor to assist them in achieving their goal of serving our great nation. These exemplary young Iowans have exhibited leadership skills, dedication to academics, and commitment to their communities, and I look forward to seeing all they will accomplish.” Each year, Senator Ernst has the honor and responsibility of nominating Iowa students to the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. To learn more about service academy nominations, click here. Below is a complete list of the students nominated by Senator Ernst for the Class of 2022. United States Air Force Academy Kevin Brisker, Wilton Cory Critchlow, Carlisle Olivia Cowart, Dubuque Jolynn Harris, Des Moines Christine Hess, Shelby Joseph Kenkel, Panama Sheryl McGowan, Sioux City Mallory Nesmith, Cedar Rapids Cody Meyers, Pacific Junction Jacob Mulcahy, Ankeny United States Naval Academy Chaz Clark, Pleasantville Jared Johnson, Urbandale Ian Kennedy, Stuart Katherine McAllister, New London Max Oberman, Clive Joshua Paskach, Des Moines Kyle Puttmann, Orange City Wesley Sebetka, Chelsea August Taylor, Villisca Patricia Teggatz, Hampton United States Military Academy at West Point Adam Bender, Cedar Falls Hunter Carey, New Hampton Eleanor Drexler, Bettendorf Drew Graves, Iowa City Peter Greer, Iowa City Carli Hansen, Adel Payton Hart, Riverside Brianna Hartman, West Des Moines Sierra Howardson, Danville Victoria Johnson, Marshalltown Claire Jones, Council Bluffs Jaxon Jones, Forest City Caleb Kleman, Cedar R… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/chairman-grassley-statement-judicial-nominations-hearing | Chairman Grassley Statement at a Judicial Nominations Hearing | 2017-12-13 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Judicial Nominations Hearing December 13, 2017 Welcome everyone, especially the nominees and their families, to today’s nominations hearing. Today, we’ll hear from two panels. On the first panel we’ll hear from Georgia Court of Appeals Judge Elizabeth Branch, nominated to serve as a Circuit Court Judge on the 11th Circuit. On the second panel, we’ll hear from 5 nominees to District Courts including Magistrate Judge Charles Goodwin, who has been nominated to the Western District of Oklahoma. I mention him specifically because a majority of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary has rated Judge Goodwin “not qualified.” The ABA sent us a letter—characteristically lacking in any detail—that suggests they have questions about Judge Goodwin’s work ethic and accessibility. I reached out to Chief Judge Joe Heaton, who is chief judge of the Western District of Oklahoma and oversees Judge Goodwin, to see if there is any merit to the ABA’s claims. Chief Judge Heaton expressed that his “surprise was considerable” when he learned about the ABA’s rating. He wrote: “I have reviewed various indicators of Judge Goodwin's productivity, such as the number of reports and recommendations generated by him and the complexity of the matters assigned to him. I believe his productivity to be fully comparable with that of the other magistrate judges of this court. As a result, I do not think there is a basis for concern with his professional competence. In sum, I disagree with the Standing Committee's conclusion. Based on his service here and his experience as a partner and practicing lawyer with one of Oklahoma's largest law firms, I believe Judge Goodwin is plainly qualified to be a U. S. District Judge.” I would like to enter this letter into the record. I, for one, credit the views of the chief judge of the district court who oversees Judge Goodwin over the ABA’s unsourced and unsupported accusations. I look forward to hearing Judge Goodwin’s testimo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://blum.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=635 | Rep. Rod Blum’s Bipartisan Whistleblower Bill Signed Into Law | 2017-12-12 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Rod Blum | B001294 | blum.house.gov | legacy | Continuing to advocate for whistleblower protections, Rep. Rod Blum introduced H.R. 69, the Thoroughly Investigating Retaliation Against Whistleblowers Act on January 3, 2017, with his colleagues, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA), and Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-MD). H.R. 69, in conjunction with the Senate version, S. 582, introduced by Senator Ron Johnson, was added to the National Defense Authorization Act and signed into law by President Trump earlier this afternoon. H.R. 69 will amend the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 to reauthorize the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), an independent federal investigative and prosecutorial agency, to protect federal employees, former employees, and applicants for employment from prohibited personnel practices (i.e., employment-related activities that violate the merit system through discrimination, retaliation, improper hiring practices, or failure to adhere to employment law). Congressman Blum, Co-Chair of the Whistleblower Caucus, commented, “The Office of Special Counsel is a proven, important component of eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in our federal agencies. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this important reauthorization.” Full bill text can be found at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/69 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-praises-bipartisanship | King Praises Bipartisanship | 2017-12-12 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | House Judiciary Committee Passes Bipartisan Bills Combatting Exploitation and Fraud Washington, D.C.- Congressman Steve King, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement praising the bipartisan manner in which two pieces of important legislation were passed by the committee today. In action this morning, the Judiciary Committee passed HR 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017, and HR 2595, the Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act. King is a co-sponsor of HR 1865, and both bills passed with significant support from the committee’s Republican and Democratic members. “The House Judiciary Committee is the most polarized committee on Capitol Hill because the issues before us define our country and civilization,” said King. “The members of the committee bring to it a medley of competing views, and it was a pleasure to work with my colleagues to distill our views into bipartisan bills that advance our fundamental interest in protecting Americans from exploitation and fraud.” Background: HR 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017, creates a new federal statute combatting the promotion of sex trafficking online by permitting local and state criminal prosecutions of sex-trafficking websites. HR 2595, the Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act, targets immigration document fraud by allowing the recipient of immigration related paperwork to elect to pay a fee to have the paperwork sent to them through the U.S. mail subject to a hold for pickup or signature confirmation. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8010EEE4-DFD5-4C9D-AB6C-3FAB5A04A752 | NDAA Signed into Law, Includes 37 Ernst Provisions | 2017-12-12 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, released the following statement after President Trump signed the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law, which included 37 of the Iowa Senator’s measures. “The National Defense Authorization Act is critical to the overarching mission of our servicemembers and our great nation. I am pleased President Trump signed this legislation into law and has made it a top priority to improve the readiness and strength of our military. Additionally, I am glad to see 37 of my provisions enacted into law, including my continued efforts to combat sexual assault and hold bad actors within our military accountable for their actions. I am grateful that this bipartisan defense package enacts these measures, and many more, to provide the necessary support for our men and women in uniform as they protect and defend our homeland.” Summary of Ernst Bills Included in FY ‘18 NDAA: S.1243 - Educating Servicemembers in Training On Prevention (E-STOP) Act S.1316 - Suicide Prevention And Resilience Program For The National Guard And Reserves S.1408 - Enhancement of Effective Prosecution and Defense in Courts-Martial S.1296 - PRIVATE Act S.1038 - Legislation to Examine Women-Owned Small Business Opportunities Summary of Additional Ernst Provisions Included in FY ‘18 NDAA: A provision to ensure appropriate compensation for enlisted servicemembers. This derives from the Leadership Recognition Act which, in part, addresses these discrepancies by ensuring fair compensation among senior enlisted advisors. A provision authorizing the Secretary of the Army to award the Personnel Protection Equipment award of the Army to former members of the Army. The Personnel Protection Equipment award is given to servicemembers whose lives were saved by their equipment, such as helmets or body armor. A provision increasing the procurement of commercial off-the-shelf personal … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-dea-must-explain-objections-bill-it-helped-write-fight-against-opioid | Grassley: DEA Must Explain Objections to Bill it Helped Write in Fight against Opioid Abuse | 2017-12-12 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee “Oversight of the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act” December 12, 2017 This hearing is on oversight of the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act. I’ll refer to it as “the Law” or “the Bill.” I’m eager to hear from all the witnesses. Some would like to see this law repealed. Others insist it should remain in place. I haven’t made my own mind up. So I’m interested in hearing both sides of the argument. This discussion is particularly important given the continuing opioid epidemic that has ravaged this country through the past several years. I do have concerns with how we got here. When Congress took this bill up in 2015 and 2016, there was little to no fanfare about the proposal. The basic goal of the bill seemed modest: provide a definition for the term “imminent danger.” Distributors and other providers would have more clear guidance for what was required of them before DEA could issue an immediate suspension order, or “ISO.” In this industry, an ISO is a death sentence. From their standpoint, the clarification seemed not only fair but a necessary step in helping figure out how to comply with the law. There was another practical concern: ordinary patients with legitimate needs could lose access to essential prescriptions if legitimate distributors were shut down. DEA, understandably, had some concerns about curbing their enforcement powers. But the unlimited, undefined enforcement authority needed some refinement. DEA also had litigation risk with such undefined authority. So DEA, too, had an interest in working towards amending the language to reduce their own risk. My understanding was that DEA provided technical assistance to both House and Senate staff for other members who were responsible for drafting the bill. In fact, DEA admitted as much in testimony before the House in October. When the bill came to the Senate, it was referred to Judiciar… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-seeks-immigration-history-nyc-port-authority-terrorist-attacker | Grassley Seeks Immigration History of NYC Port Authority Terrorist Attacker | 2017-12-12 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is requesting background information on Akayed Ullah, the Bangladeshi immigrant who yesterday detonated an improvised explosive device near the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City injuring five. Ullah benefitted from the controversial immigration occurrence known as chain migration. He received a visa based on his indirect familial connection to a U.S. citizen and not based on his skills or potential economic contribution to the U.S. At 20 years old, Ullah immigrated to the United States on an F-43 Family Immigrant visa, a derivative category meant to benefit children of F-41 visa beneficiaries. His mother, the sibling of a U.S. citizen, immigrated to the U.S. on an F-41 visa. In his letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen, Grassley requests the full immigration history of Ullah, records of Ullah’s criminal background, if there are any, or placement on any terrorism watch-lists, if applicable, and any visas held by, applied for or revoked from Ullah. December 11, 2017 VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION The Honorable Kirstjen M. Nielsen The Honorable Rex Tillerson Secretary Secretary U.S. Department of Homeland Security U.S. Department of State Washington, D.C. 20528 Washington, D.C. 20520 Dear Secretary Nielsen and Secretary Tillerson: Earlier today, a man wearing an “improvised low-tech explosive device” similar to a pipe bomb detonated the explosive at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, a busy transit hub near Times Square in New York City.[1] Law enforcement have identified the suspect as 27-year-old Akayed Ullah, a Bangladeshi immigrant who received a green card and currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.[2] According to authorities, the suspect’s device, held together by Velcro and zip ti… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/newsletters/see-what-iowa-students-are | See what Iowa students are up to | 2017-12-11 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Students from across the Third Congressional District participated in the Congressional App Challenge. In this newsletter, Congressman Young highlights all of the apps submitted. View this newsletter HERE. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-leads-restoring-biodiesel-tax-credit | Young leads on restoring biodiesel tax credit | 2017-12-11 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. - Iowa Congressman David Young is leading the effort in the United States House of Representatives to restore the biodiesel tax credit which expired last year. Yesterday, he led a letter to the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives and was joined by 42 of his colleagues. The letter calls on Congress to retroactively restore the credit before the end of year. "Biodiesel has been a critical partner in the growth of Iowa's economy and helps the American people move closer to the freedom of energy independence," said Congressman Young. "Restoring this policy will ensure this renewable using Iowa grown products continues to grow and support Iowa's farmers and rural communities. Congress must act to restore this common sense policy which provides certainty to this American product." Before lapsing at the end of 2016, the biodiesel tax credit lapsed in 2009, 2011, and. 2013. Each time Congress subsequently restored the credit. A digial version of the the letter is available HERE. The text of the letter follows: Dear Speaker Ryan, Leader Pelosi, Leader McCarthy and Whip Hoyer: As we near the end of the First Session of the 115th Congress, we want to thank you for your important work on strengthening the economy for the American people. One issue important to us is extending the tax credit for biodiesel, which lapsed at the end of 2016. If this issue is not addressed in the final version of the comprehensive tax relief bill, we strongly support inclusion of this extension in another legislative vehicle before the end of this calendar year. Biodiesel has been and continues to be a great success story. Economically it has helped our farmers and rural communities across the country. It has also helped broaden the diversity of our fuel sources to help us become more energy independent as a nation. This industry creates jobs and is good for the environment. This growing industry has exceeded established volume requirements despite the uncertainty created by the on-again and off-again nature o… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-names-aaron-mckay-iowa-director | Young Names Aaron McKay Iowa Director | 2017-12-11 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Des Moines, Iowa - Iowa Congressman David Young today announced that Aaron McKay has been named the Iowa Director of his congressional office operations based in his Des Moines Constituent Services Office. McKay has a long history of working on behalf of Iowans and navigating the federal bureaucracy on their behalf. He has worked for Senator Chuck Grassley since 1997, most recently as his state director and worked for the House of Representatives National Security Committee, now the House Armed Services Committee. "Aaron shares my commitment to serving Iowans through the best customer service we can provide them," said Congressman Young. "We are fortunate to have him working with our team." McKay is a graduate of the Upper Iowa University in Fayette. He and his wife and daughter reside in Pleasant Hill. Young has three Iowa constituent services offices located in Des Moines, Creston, and Council Bluffs to serve the people of the sixteen counties of Iowa’s Third Congressional District which geographically makes up the southwestern quarter of the state. The offices provide important services in helping Third District Iowans solve day-to-day problems with federal government agencies and program, such as with obtaining a passport, Social Security, Medicare and veterans’ benefits, solving immigration issues, and resolving questions with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and many of the programs and services they provide Iowans. The full list of constituent casework services provided by Congressman Young’s Office for Third District Iowans includes: SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE: Disability Insurance (SSDI) Supplemental Security Income Survivor benefits and retirement Medicare claims or provider matters VETERANS AND ARMED SERVICES: Compensation eligibility, benefits and VA healthcare services Military awards and service records Service issues U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: Farming issues, natural resources Rural development issues U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE: Entry visa questions International adoptions Status… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeks-ahead/week-ahead-scheduled-votes-committee-action-and-other-important-notes-10 | The Week Ahead - scheduled votes, committee action and other important notes for the week of December 11, 2017 | 2017-12-11 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | EDITORS NOTE: The week ahead overview will be sent each week Congress is in session. All times are in Central Time. TOP LINE: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON TAXES: Some members of Congress have called the tax bill "the end of the world." Congressman Young reviewed some of their previous stances on provisions in the tax bill in his weekly column. Read it HERE. AARON McKAY NAMED IOWA DIRECTOR: Congressman Young announced Aaron McKay as his new Iowa Director. Aaron has worked for Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley since 1997. Learn more HERE. CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE SUBMISSIONS: Congressman Young organized the Congressional App Challenge in Iowa's Third District and students from across the District submitted their apps. See their work HERE. WEEKLY RADIO: Wednesday morning, Congressman Young is scheduled to join KCSI 95.3 FM Radio at 7:18 AM CT and KMA Radio on 960 AM and 99.1 FM at 7:35 AM CT. MONDAY, DECEMBER 11TH On Monday, the House will meet at 11:00 a.m. for morning hour and 1:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 5:30 p.m. Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules: 1) H.R. 3359 – Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act of 2017, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Michael McCaul / Homeland Security Committee) 2) H.R. 3669 – Securing General Aviation and Commercial Charter Air Carrier Service Act of 2017, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Ron Estes / Homeland Security Committee) 3) H.R. 2706 – Financial Institution Customer Protection Act of 2017, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer / Financial Services Committee) 4) H.R. 3093 – Investor Clarity and Bank Parity Act (Sponsored by Rep. Michael Capuano / Financial Services Committee) 5) H.R. 1730 – Protecting Religiously Affiliated Institutions Act of 2017, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. David Kustoff / Judiciary Committee) TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12TH On Tuesday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for morning hour and 11:00 a.m. for legislative business. Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-seeks-repeal-of-obamacare-individual-mandate-in-tax-reform-bill | King Seeks Repeal of ObamaCare Individual Mandate in Tax Reform Bill | 2017-12-11 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Steve King announces that he has signed a letter to House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady and to Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch requesting that the Conference Committee on HR 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, preserve Senate passed language that repeals ObamaCare’s Individual Mandate. This controversial mandate imposes punitive fines on individuals who choose not to purchase health insurance. The text of the letter, and complete list of cosigners, follows: Dear Chairman Brady and Chairman Hatch: As you begin conference proceedings related to H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, we respectfully request that the final package include a repeal of the Obamacare individual mandate. Including language to repeal this harmful policy will return personal decisions about health care choices to patients, fulfilling a key promise we have made to the American people. Until enactment of Obamacare, the federal government had never required individuals, as a condition of lawful residence in the United States, to purchase a product from a private company. Yet the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that the individual mandate will force approximately 13 million people, who would not voluntarily choose to purchase Obamacare-compliant plans without the threat of federal penalties, to do so. This raises an important question: If Obamacare provides Americans with great health insurance, why would they have to be forced to purchase it? Obamacare’s coercive individual mandate represents perhaps the worst example of the federal government violating individual freedom and liberty – which is why we have repeatedly promised to repeal it. Repeal of the individual mandate was included in the Senate-passed bill and had earned robust support in the House. We urge you to help fulfill our promise to the American people and include this language in a final conference package. Sincerely, 1. Mark Walker 2. Sam Johnson 3. Jeb Hensarling 4. Rob Woodall 5. Bill Flores 6. Rick Allen 7. Brian Babin 8. Jim Banks 9. Andy Ba… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-cedar-rapids-gazette-senators%E2%80%99-va-demands-are-proof-watchdog-approach-works | ICYMI: Cedar Rapids Gazette: "Senators’ VA Demands are Proof Watchdog Approach Works" | 2017-12-11 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | ICYMI: The Cedar Rapids Gazette’s editorial board praised Senator Grassley’s and Senator Ernst’s oversight work of Veterans Affairs’ hospitals. You can read the piece here. Cedar Rapids Gazette: Senators’ VA Demands are Proof Watchdog Approach Works Editorial December 9, 2017 With so many high-profile politicians expressing misgivings about media, it’s good to see U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst haven’t hesitated to pounce on news reports of continued trouble within the Department of Veterans Affairs. ... Within hours of a USA Today investigation of questionable hiring practices at the VA, which highlighted a doctor with a history of malpractice claims and license revocation in another state briefly employed by the VA hospital in Iowa City, Grassley and Ernst demanded more information. ... Grassley and Ernst have repeatedly researched and investigated media claims regarding the VA and other government agencies. Iowans and the nation have come to rely on such a joint, watchdog approach to wasteful government spending and disrespect of military men and women. ... “Veterans who receive care through the VA deserve the highest standard of care available,” write the senators. We agree. … It’s important the relationship between elected officials and members of the media remains active and valued. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/setting-record-straight-taxes-capitol-solutions | Setting the record straight on taxes: Capitol Solutions | 2017-12-08 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | When I visit folks throughout the Third District, they share with me their successes, and unfortunately, their struggles. I take their stories with me to Congress where I work as hard as I can to help Iowans. One way to help is by providing tax relief to folks who are struggling to get by, living paycheck to paycheck. And I've met too many folks in the district working more than one job trying to make ends meet. So when I hear talking heads and some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle misleading Americans about the tax relief legislation we're working hard on, I'm disappointed. Some, unfortunately, are using fearful rhetoric and characterizing the legislation as “…the end of the world. …This is Armageddon.” For the single mom working two jobs to support her family, the tax bill expands the child tax credit and lowers her tax rate. This is a new beginning and not the end of the world. And for small business owners struggling to keep their business open and make payroll, the tax legislation means they won’t feel the walls crumbling down but instead have some needed breathing room with their tax rate being lowered. There are too many folks facing dire situations who need help. For them, this tax plan will help by creating more jobs, higher wages, and put more money in their pockets. Throughout the entire process of developing the tax plan, my focus has always been on middle income families and those trying to climb the economic ladder. When anyone incites fear or misleads Americans, it’s a disservice to the process and to people. I recognize some believe the government is best suited to spend taxpayer dollars. That's an honest belief and should be argued and defended with facts and logic. I disagree and believe Iowans and all Americans know how to spend their hard-earned money better than the government. These are fundamental honest differences. An important part of the process and debate means putting forward solutions. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen that from the other side in this most recent ta… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/audio/grassley-live-fred-hofmann-kcps-burlington | Grassley Live with Fred Hofmann on KCPS in Burlington | 2017-12-08 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | 721 Federal Building 210 Walnut Street Des Moines, IA 50309 Phone: 515-288-1145 Fax: 515-288-5097 111 7th Avenue SE, Box 13 Suite 6800 Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Phone: 319-363-6832 Fax: 319-363-7179 201 West 2nd Street Suite 720 Davenport, IA 52801 Phone: 563-322-4331 Fax: 563-322-8552 210 Waterloo Building 531 Commercial Street Waterloo, IA 50701 Phone: 319-232-6657 Fax: 319-232-9965 307 Federal Building 8 South 6th Street Council Bluffs, IA 51501 Phone: 712-322-7103 Fax: 712-322-7196 120 Federal Building 320 6th Street Sioux City, IA 51101 Phone: 712-233-1860 Fax: 712-233-1634 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-taxes-0 | Q&A: Taxes | 2017-12-08 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Q: What’s driving tax cuts to the finish line? A: Congress is reforming the federal tax code to deliver fairness, simplification and relief. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to overhaul a complex tax regime that is over-sized, over-reaching and overwhelming to millions of taxpayers. Since the last major re-write in 1986, tax compliance presents a growing burden on individuals, farmers and small business owners year after year. Considering that it takes the IRS more than 70,000 pages to explain the tax code, it’s not surprising that millions of Americans pay tax professionals to file their federal taxes. Letting working families keep more of their hard-earned money allows households to save, spend and invest more of their own income. Congress can do more to grow the economy. How does cutting taxes help foster economic growth? Lowering taxes on wages, investment and business income triggers productivity. It frees up capital to fire up the economy. For example, reducing the corporate tax rate will make U.S. businesses more competitive, unleashing resources to hire more workers, raise wages and increase spending for research and innovation. On top of that, corporate tax reform will encourage businesses to bring foreign-made profits back home and invest here in the United States. These key reforms will drive up wages and pump up prosperity on Main Street when corporate profits return to local economies and workers’ paychecks. Q: Why are critics of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act opposed to tax relief? A: That’s what millions of American taxpayers, including hard-working families in Iowa, would like to know, especially every year on April 15. Big spenders want every penny of revenue they can get to grow the government’s reach and influence in American society. Taxes will never be high enough to satisfy their appetite. Those of us who believe in limited government, economic freedom and fiscal responsibility know that Washington has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Critics who scorn tax relief and sc… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-confronts-fbi-director-over-curiosities-of-clinton-e-mail | King Confronts FBI Director Over Curiosities of Clinton E-mail Investigation | 2017-12-07 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | King: “It looks to me that the ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card that Hillary Clinton received is rooted clear back in Barack Obama and his introduction of the word intent or lack of intent as a requirement for 18 USC 793 (f).” Congressman Steve King released the following video of his questioning of Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray during a Judiciary Committee oversight hearing held this morning. King used his time to question Director Wray over “curiosities” related to the manner in which the FBI, under the Obama-era leadership of admitted political leaker James Comey, handled the criminal case involving the mishandling of classified information by former Secretary of State and Democratic nominee for President, Hillary Clinton. Among the “curiosities” cited by King are: the apparent failures of the FBI to take or preserve notes and/or transcripts, or to record audio or video during their questioning of Mrs. Clinton; the use of an “intent” standard that does not exist in the statute to justify Comey’s decision to let Mrs. Clinton escape prosecution; and Comey’s strange determination that “extreme carelessness”, a standard for which he admits he has evidence of Mrs. Clinton’s guilt, is somehow different than the synonymous “gross negligence” standard that appears in the statute. Interestingly, in his responses to King, Director Wray admitted that it does not appear standard protocol was followed in the Clinton investigation, and that the statutory “gross negligence” standard is, as King contends, synonymous with a standard of “extreme carelessness.” As such, Mrs. Clinton met the standard for prosecution. Full Video is available at this link. Background: 18 USC 793 is the federal statute that governs the mishandling of classified information, and it is the applicable statute governing Hillary Clinton’s mishandling of classified emails on her private server. Before granting Clinton a “get of jail free card,” former FBI Director James Comey stated: “Although there is evidence of potential violatio… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/grassley-op-ed-tax-reform-american-farmers-and-agriculture | Grassley Op-ed: Tax Reform for American Farmers and Agriculture | 2017-12-07 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa December 7, 2017 It’s been more than three decades since Congress passed significant tax reform legislation. Since then, the tax code has become overwhelming in both its size and complexity, burdening working families and small businesses across the country. At this point, it’s clear an outdated and over-complicated code is keeping the nation, including American agriculture, from realizing its full economic potential. Reform is long overdue. Passing tax reform would be a big win for Americans of every income level and walk of life. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act lowers rates, doubles the child tax credit and simplifies the filing process. It would help raise workers’ wages and bring back and create new jobs by making the United States more competitive with other countries. Tax reform will help rural America, much of which has been struggling economically for far too long. As one of only three Republican senators on both the Finance and Agriculture Committees, I’ve made it a priority to represent agriculture and the family farmer throughout the tax reform debate. This legislation is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make real and long-lasting reforms for farmers, ranchers and every American working in our agriculture industries. Broadly speaking, across-the-board rate reductions will let Americans keep more of their own money. This would afford farmers the opportunity to reinvest in their operations instead of sending that financial capital to politicians in Washington. Tax reform legislation expands Section 179 of the tax code, which helps farmers finance overhead costs. It enables farmers to deduct more expenses in the year they are incurred, and also expands the availability of cash accounting to more farmers in Iowa and throughout the country. These provisions will allow farmers to invest in the equipment necessary to do the job of feeding the nation and the world. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act lowers taxes on capital investments and includes a business income deduc… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/american-people-deserve-whole-story-grassley-importance-congressional-oversight | "The American People Deserve the Whole Story": Grassley on Importance of Congressional Oversight | 2017-12-07 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Senate Floor Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Bipartisan Congressional Oversight December 6, 2017 Mr. President, I have been doing oversight of the executive branch for a very long time. I’ve done it as a Ranking Member. I’ve done it as a Chairman. I’ve done it when my party held the White House. And, I’ve done it when the other party held the White House. Earlier this year, I stood up for the rights of my Democrat colleagues to do oversight of the Trump administration, even while they are in the Minority. I did it because it was the right thing to do. Lots of people give lip service to the notion of bipartisan oversight, but very few actually practice it. It’s tough. You have to be willing to work with colleagues in the other party to ask tough questions of your own political allies. And you can’t just ask. If you actually want the answers, you have follow through. True bipartisan oversight is impossible unless it is a two way street. If Democrats are unwilling to ask hard questions and force answers from their own political allies, then there simply is no way to move forward together in good faith. Both sides need to be committed to getting the whole story—not just the half that they think helps their side. Regardless of whether my Democrat colleagues join me or not, I am interested in the whole story. There are two major controversies plaguing the credibility of the Justice Department and the FBI right now: the Trump/Russia investigation and the handling of the Clinton investigation. Any Congressional oversight related to either one of these topics is not credible without also examining the other. Both cases were active during last year’s campaign. Both cases have been linked to the firing of the FBI Director. I have been trying to explain this to my Democrat colleagues for months. The political reality is that half the country thinks that our law enforcement establishment gave Hillary Clinton and her aides a pass. These questions go to… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-judiciary-committee-meeting-consider-appellate-court-nominees | Grassley Statement at Judiciary Committee Meeting to Consider Appellate Court Nominees Steve Grasz, James Ho & Don Willett | 2017-12-07 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Business Meeting December 7, 2017 Good morning. Today, we have 10 judicial nominees on today’s agenda and all are ready for a vote. Of note, if confirmed, Terry Moorer would be the first African-American to serve as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Alabama. And, if confirmed, James Ho would be the first Asian-American to serve as a United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit. The three circuit-court nominees – one from Nebraska and two from Texas – are all exceptionally well qualified to serve as appellate judges. The first is Steve Grasz for the Eighth Circuit. Like me, Mr. Grasz grew up on a Midwest farm. He is a very experienced and accomplished appellate lawyer in the Omaha office of the law firm Husch Blackwell. Prior to going into private practice, Mr. Grasz served as the Number 2 attorney in the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office for nearly 12 years. Mr. Grasz has extensive experience before the Eighth Circuit, the court to which he is nominated. Mr. Grasz has also briefed nine cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. This includes a case Mr. Grasz argued on behalf of his client – the State of Nebraska – regarding Nebraska’s ban on partial-birth abortions. And this appears to be the driving force in the ABA’s head-scratching decision to argue that Mr. Grasz is “not qualified” to serve as an appellate judge on the Eighth Circuit. Last week, Senator Feinstein asked that the Committee hold over Mr. Grasz’s nomination for another week so that she could ask the ABA some follow-up questions regarding the rating they gave him. As I mentioned last week, I was willing to accommodate the request. But I emphasized that holding over nominees for more than a week will continue to be a rare exception. The Committee has now received a response from the ABA, so we’re ready to proceed on Mr. Grasz’s nomination. I believe Senator Sasse will speak to the ABA’s ra… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E45BDD2C-036A-420D-9553-B824E29B7187 | Ernst Receives Commitments to Improve Flood Project Funding Formula | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – At the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a member of the committee, received commitments from the nominee to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Mr. R.D. James, to reevaluate and improve the current benefit-to-cost ratio (BCR) metrics used by the Army Corps of Engineers to determine which flood mitigation projects receive funding, in an effort to make those funds more accessible to rural states like Iowa. Senator Ernst highlighted the devastation following recent floods in Iowa and described how efforts to protect Cedar Rapids from future floods have been hampered by the current BCR metrics. The Iowa Senator explained that despite being first authorized in the 2014 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and then mentioned for prioritization in WRDA 2016, the Cedar Rapids flood mitigation project has been unable to secure federal funding due to a low BCR that results from the relatively low property values in the area. Mr. James agreed with Senator Ernst that the BCR metrics should be modified, and said, “it’s not right that there’s people in this country [who] will never, ever get any type of water infrastructure project under the current BCR analysis.” Mr. James also committed to working with Senator Ernst and the Office of Management and Budget on modifying the BCR in a timely manner. Watch Senator Ernst’s questioning of Mr. James here or by clicking the image below. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F50CFDBA-47FF-4F77-82DD-06E698F77477 | Ernst Statement on Decision to Recognize Jerusalem as Israels Capital | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) issued the following statement on the Trump Administration’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel: “I am pleased President Trump is following through on a promise made by many U.S. presidents in the past. Recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is an important step forward for Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East. It is essential that the United States continues to stand with our friends and trusted allies around the globe.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-hearing-bump-stocks-and-nics-reporting-failures | Grassley Statement at a Hearing on Bump stocks and NICS Reporting Failures | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Firearm Accessory Regulation and Enforcing Federal and State Reporting to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) December 6, 2017 Good morning and thank you for attending today’s hearing. We gather here today in the wake of violent acts by evil men in Las Vegas and Sutherland Springs. Today, with the help of our witnesses, we hope to learn more about how those tragedies might have been prevented. And we will discuss various proposals on preventing similar tragedies in the future. Before October 1, 2017, few Americans knew what a bump stock was. Then a shooter used bump stocks to fire more than 1,100 rounds into a crowd attending a country music concert. The shooting lasted only ten minutes. But bump stocks enabled him to fire ammunition as fast as if he had used an automatic weapon. 58 people died and more than 500 were wounded. It was the deadliest mass shooting in American history. Our laws prohibit the manufacture of machineguns and greatly restrict their sale. But during the Obama Administration the ATF determined that bump stocks are legal. A number of members of Congress, led by Senator Heller of Nevada, recently wrote the ATF to ask it to revisit its decision. Two days ago, the ATF announced it was changing its mind and issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking that would apply the statutory definition of “machinegun” to bump stocks and similar devices. Publication of this notice will provide the public and the firearms industry an opportunity to submit formal comments to ATF on the proposed rulemaking. We do not have any proposed regulatory text before us today. But I think the Committee deserves to know why the ATF decided that its classification of bump stocks during the Obama administration was incorrect. It is also important for the Committee to understand how ATF is now proposing to interpret the statutory definition of machinegun. Under current case law, the courts may give defere… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/judiciary-chairman-seeks-documents-relating-reported-bias-key-agent-handling | Judiciary Chairman Seeks Documents Relating to Reported Bias of Key Agent Handling Trump, Clinton Investigations | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is asking the FBI to prioritize producing documents relating to the activities of high-ranking FBI Agent Peter Strzok, following reports that Strzok engaged in communications demonstrating political bias while handling matters in two sensitive, high-profile investigations. To date, the FBI has failed to comply with previous, broader Committee requests that called for records relating to the communications of Stzrok and others regarding Director Comey’s controversial public statement during last year’s Presidential election. Strzok was the deputy assistant director for the FBI’s counterintelligence division and working on the investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a private server to conduct official business when he reportedly shared text messages disparaging now-President Trump and supporting Hillary Clinton. According to news reports and documents provided to the Committee, Strzok appears to have been responsible for removing language suggesting legal jeopardy for Clinton in former FBI director James Comey’s conclusion of that investigation. Strzok was also among the two agents who would eventually interview former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. Strzok’s behavior and involvement in these two politically-sensitive cases raises new concerns of inappropriate political influence in the work of the FBI. In October, Grassley wrote to Strzok requesting voluntary cooperation and a private transcribed interview with the Committee. The Committee has received no letter in reply. In a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Grassley requested the text messages at issue, any further communications containing favorable or unfavorable statements about Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton and any communications involving Strzok regarding decisions about closing the Clinton investigation or opening the investigation into potential collusion between Trump associates and the Russian government. Full text of Grassley’… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-supreme-court-should-say-i-do-to-cake-baker-s-first-amendment | King: Supreme Court Should Say I Do to Cake Bakers First Amendment Religious Rights | 2017-12-05 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C.- Congressman Steve King, Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, releases the following photo and statement after appearing today at a rally held in front of the United States Supreme Court on behalf of Jack Phillips, a Colorado cake baker. Phillips has been sanctioned by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission for refusing to design cakes for same-sex ceremonies. Phillips contends that Colorado’s efforts to force him to do so violate his First Amendment right to freely exercise his sincere religious convictions. King appeared at a “Justice for Jack” rally to express his support for Mr. Phillips’ First Amendment right to operate his small business in a manner consistent with his religious beliefs. “I am urging the United States Supreme Court to say ‘I Do’ to the First Amendment by respecting this wedding cake baker’s right to operate his small business in a manner which is consistent with the free exercise of his religious beliefs even if that means the baker will choose not to produce cakes for same-sex ceremonies,” said King. “The right to freely exercise one’s religion is an explicit right in the First Amendment, whereas the Founding Fathers would have scoffed at the suggestion that a State could punish a baker who refused to violate his conscience by supplying cakes for a same-sex ceremony. The Supreme Court needs to return to reading the Constitution with the meaning it holds as ratified by ‘We the People,’ or maybe a Constitutional amendment should be introduced that will allow ‘We the People’ to start directly voting on who gets to sit on the Supreme Court.” Background: Today, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. V. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Jack Phillips is a cake artist and owner of “Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd.” Phillips believes the State of Colorado is violating his First Amendment right to freely exercise his religious beliefs by requiring him either to participate in the design of ca… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=36672DEB-AEF4-4230-B88B-9F7A5944B3CF | Ernst, Grassley Issue Statement on Latest Regarding Omaha VA Waitlist | 2017-12-05 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following a letter of response from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding a recent report that details unauthorized waiting lists outside of the VA patient tracking system for some mental health appointments that date back to 2006, Iowa’s U.S. Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley this week each met with VA Deputy Secretary Tom Bowman. Following these meetings, the Iowa Senators issued the following joint statement: “During our meetings, we each stressed that prompt care for our veterans is absolutely critical. As we’ve made clear, it’s important that our veterans and the public know what disciplinary measures are being applied by the VA. “Deputy Secretary Bowman stated that individuals identified as being culpable for the secret waitlists will be held accountable. In the two cases he referenced, the individuals resigned and the circumstances regarding their departure will be part of their record. The VA has pledged to provide documentation on the disciplinary action taken against each of the culpable employees. The VA has also committed to issuing further guidance to make it absolutely clear that unofficial waitlists are not permissible. We will continue to hold the VA accountable and ensure they follow through on these commitments.” Additionally, the VA stated that they are working to assess the situation at the Iowa City VA and will be answering the questions in the letter sent by Senators Ernst and Grassley yesterday, following a disturbing report that shed light on hiring practices at VA hospitals. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3BAEAF8B-5FB7-4010-BD8B-A66ED7BD448D | Ernst Applauds Iowan Glen Smith on Confirmation | 2017-12-05 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, issued the following statement after Iowan Glen Smith was confirmed by the Senate to be a member of the Farm Credit Administration Board: “I’m so pleased to see Iowa’s own Glen Smith confirmed today by the Senate to serve as a member of the Farm Credit Administration Board. Glen has an impressive resume as a small business owner and farmer. He has worked for decades to enhance and promote our agricultural economy in Iowa, and I have no doubt he will do the same for our country in his new role.” Senator Ernst introduced Mr. Smith ahead of his testimony before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry last month. Watch Senator Ernst’s introduction here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=9E7ADA5B-1589-4333-932F-FA695E487DD5 | Ernst Stresses Importance of NAFTA at White House Meeting | 2017-12-05 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a meeting at the White House with President Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) today stressed the importance of ensuring that any changes made to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) do not negatively impact the agricultural industry. Following the meeting, Senator Ernst issued this statement: “Today I stressed to President Trump and Trade Representative Lighthizer the importance of maintaining NAFTA, and the duty free access our ag products enjoy under it. “Trade plays a critical role in Iowa’s economy, and I reiterated to the administration the importance of ensuring Iowans remain competitive in the global market – provided our trading partners are operating on a level playing field. I will continue working to ensure that any changes made to NAFTA do not hurt our crop and livestock producers.” BACKGROUND May 15, 2017: Senators Stress Economic Benefits of NAFTA to New U.S. Trade Rep June 28, 2017: Ernst Joins Senators to Urge USTR to Strengthen Agricultural Trade in NAFTA Negotiations November 20, 2017: Senators Call on Commerce Secretary to Conduct Economic Analysis of NAFTA Changes to Ag Sector | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-ernst-issue-statement-latest-regarding-omaha-va-waitlist | Grassley, Ernst Issue Statement on Latest Regarding Omaha VA Waitlist | 2017-12-05 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following a letter of response from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding a recent report that details unauthorized waiting lists outside of the VA patient tracking system for some mental health appointments that date back to 2006, Iowa’s U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst this week each met with VA Deputy Secretary Tom Bowman. Following these meetings, the Iowa Senators issued the following joint statement: “During our meetings, we each stressed that prompt care for our veterans is absolutely critical. As we’ve made clear, it’s important that our veterans and the public know what disciplinary measures are being applied by the VA. “Deputy Secretary Bowman stated that individuals identified as being culpable for the secret waitlists will be held accountable. In the two cases he referenced, the individuals resigned and the circumstances regarding their departure will be part of their record. The VA has pledged to provide documentation on the disciplinary action taken against each of the culpable employees. The VA has also committed to issuing further guidance to make it absolutely clear that unofficial waitlists are not permissible. We will continue to hold the VA accountable and ensure they follow through on these commitments.” Additionally, the VA stated that they are working to assess the situation at the Iowa City VA and will be answering the questions in the letter sent by Senators Grassley and Ernst yesterday, following a disturbing report that shed light on hiring practices at VA hospitals. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-secure-act-protects-daca-recipients-and-provides-needed-reforms | Grassley: SECURE Act Protects DACA Recipients and Provides Needed Reforms to Immigration System | 2017-12-05 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Senate Floor Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee “The Security, Enforcement, and Compassion United in Reform Efforts (SECURE) Act of 2017” December 5, 2017 I rise today to offer brief remarks regarding the introduction of the Security, Enforcement, and Compassion United in Reform Efforts, or SECURE Act, of 2017. This bill promotes and protects the interests of the American people in a lawful immigration system, and provides a fair and equitable solution on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. It’s the product of several months of hard work between myself and Senators Cornyn, Graham, Tillis, Lankford, Perdue, and Cotton. Before I discuss what exactly this bill does, let me talk about the process we used to reach this point. On September 5, 2017, Attorney General Sessions announced that President Trump had decided to rescind former President Obama’s unlawful executive amnesty program. Because almost 700,000 young people relied on President Obama’s false promise, the Trump Administration called on Congress to find the only real type of long-term solution to this issue—a legislative one. Starting in September, I’ve held multiple meetings with Senators Cornyn, Graham, Tillis, Lankford, Perdue, and Cotton to determine how best to fix DACA. Our aim was to find a solution that not only is fair for DACA recipients, but also promotes the interests of the American people. The immigration policies of the previous administration carried consequences that weren’t always in our best interests. For example, President Obama allowed thousands of people to illegally cross our borders and stay in our country, including dangerous gang members, sex offenders, and violent criminals. Robust border security is crucial to bring integrity back to our nation’s immigration enforcement. The enforcement policies of the previous administration enabled dangerous unauthorized criminals, individuals like Kate Steinle’s killer, to have free reign in our country, ri… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/republican-senators-author-plan-resolve-daca-situation-improve-integrity | Republican Senators Author Plan to Resolve DACA Situation, Improve Integrity & Confidence in Immigration System | 2017-12-05 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – A group of senators led by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today introduced legislation to protect and provide certainty to DACA recipients, and improve the lawful immigration system by targeting illegal immigration and criminal aliens. The Security, Enforcement, and Compassion United in Reform Efforts, (SECURE) Act contains provisions from several immigration proposals, including Senator Dick Durbin’s (D-Ill.) bipartisan BRIDGE Act, which protects DACA recipients from deportation. The SECURE Act is cosponsored by senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and David Perdue (R-Ga.). “This legislation combines common sense border security and interior enforcement reforms with Senators Graham’s and Durbin’s bipartisan solution on DACA. It restores integrity to our immigration system by cracking down on illegal immigration and criminal immigrants, while recognizing the circumstances of those brought here through no fault of their own. This bill improves public safety and prosperity for Americans and immigrants alike, and ensures tragedies like the deaths of Kate Steinle and Sarah Root never happen again. This is a bill that our colleagues from both sides of the aisle should be able to support. President Trump is ready and willing to sign it, so it’s time for Congress to get it done,” Grassley said. “This bill provides a real, bipartisan solution for those brought here by their parents illegally who now find themselves in limbo. The SECURE Act gives us the chance to both help these young adults and win back public confidence by securing our borders and enforcing our immigration laws,” Cornyn said. “Congress has a responsibility to secure our borders and address the legal uncertainty facing the DACA-eligible population. The SECURE Act takes concrete steps to accomplish both objectives by helping prevent future illegal immigration while providing Congress with more time to work on a long-term solution for undocumen… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/waukee-students-win-congressional-app-challenge | Waukee students win Congressional App Challenge | 2017-12-04 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | WAUKEE, IOWA - A team of Waukee students were announced the winners of the Third District Congressional App Challenge Monday. The team designed "City Recycle Day" which will remind users when their trash and recycling days are. The app will also alert users to changes in their pickup schedule due to a number of circumstances, including bad weather, and if there are special pickups for items like yard waste. The team consisted of Sabarish Mogallapalli, Shriya Megatapalli, Owen Scott, and Sankalp Yamasani. Monday morning, Iowa Congressman David Young surprised the students by video conferencing into their school and speaking with them about their app. "It is amazing to see what our young people can create. When I was able to see what City Recycle Day can do and the time, research, and effort the students put into it, I was really amazed at how well these students did," said Congressman Young. "After speaking with the students today, I am even more impressed with their continued commitment to the project." The students would like to work with municipalities in the Des Moines area to roll out the app to residents. The team and their app will be featured on displays around the U.S. Capitol Building alongside winners from other congressional districts. Nine teams from across the Third District entered the challenge. The Congressional App Challenge (CAC) is a public effort to encourage kids to learn how to code, through annual district-wide competitions hosted by Members of Congress for their district. Students in participating congressional districts across the country code original applications for the chance to be selected for recognition by their Member of Congress, win prizes, and have their work put on display in the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. The district-wide competitions, now in their third year, take place from July through early November. As a part of their submission, the students created a short video detailing their app. You can view the video below. Below are photos from Congressman Young … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeks-ahead/week-ahead-scheduled-votes-committee-action-and-other-important-notes-9 | The Week Ahead - scheduled votes, committee action and other important notes for the week of December 4, 2017 | 2017-12-04 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | EDITORS NOTE: The week ahead overview will be sent each week Congress is in session. All times are in Central Time. TOP LINE: THE FACTS ON THE GOP TAX PLAN: Because of the myths being spread about the GOP tax plan, Congressman Young debunked these myths in his weekly report to constituents. Read it HERE. REP. YOUNG ON THE RFS, RVOs ANNOUNCEMENT: In response to the EPAs announcement on the 2018 RFS and 2019 RVOs, Congressman Young said he was disappointed biodiesel volumes were not increased. Learn more HERE. CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE WINNERS: Congressman Young congratulated the winners of the Third District Congressional App Challenge. The winning students created app to remind residents of their trash and recycling pickup days. See their work HERE. WEEKLY RADIO: Wednesday morning, Congressman Young is scheduled to join KCSI 95.3 FM Radio at 7:18 AM CT and KMA Radio on 960 AM and 99.1 FM at 7:35 AM CT. MONDAY, DECEMBER 4TH On Monday, the House will meet at 5:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 5:30 p.m. Motion to Go to Conference on H.R. 1, and Democrat Motion to Instruct Conferees TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5TH On Tuesday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for morning hour and 11:00 a.m. for legislative business. Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules: 1) H.R. 3731 – Secret Service Recruitment and Retention Act of 2017, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. John Katko / Judiciary Committee) 2) H.R. 3317 – SAFE Act (Sponsored by Rep. Dave Trott / Judiciary Committee) 3) S. 1266 – Enhancing Veteran Care Act (Sponsored by Sen. James M. Inhofe / Veterans Affairs Committee) 4) H.Res. 259 – Expressing concern and condemnation over the political, economic, social, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Ron DeSantis / Foreign Affairs Committee) 5) H.R. 2658 – Venezuela Humanitarian Assistance and Defense of Democratic Governance Act of 2017, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Eliot Engel / Foreign Affairs Committee) 6) H.Con.Res. 90 – Condemning ethnic clean… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E894DB7F-C064-4264-B2A4-E4EB411DC36F | Iowa Senators Seek Answers on Iowa City VA Hiring Practices | 2017-12-04 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Iowa Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) expressing concern and seeking information over a disturbing report that shines a light on hiring practices at VA hospitals, including the Iowa City VA. The senators wrote, “It should go without saying that physicians hired by the VA should be fit to practice and have a track record of providing quality care. However, a disturbing report in USA Today found that the VA has knowingly hired providers who have a history of providing substandard care. “A neurosurgeon featured in the article had ‘a dozen malpractice claims and settlements in two states’ and had his license revoked in one state, yet he was hired to work at the Iowa City VA this April.” The Iowa senators noted that this hiring goes against the Veterans Health Administration Handbook. The report specifically cites an Iowa City VA neurosurgeon who was hired even though “licensure revocation and other malpractice claims were on his application,” all of which should have prevented him from being lawfully employed by the VA in the first place. Senators Ernst and Grassley are now seeking answers from the VA as to how this individual was hired, and the actions the VA will take if they determine other providers were hired illegally. Additionally, the Senators requested insight into the VA’s hiring practices to better ensure that Iowa’s veterans receive the care they deserve. The full text of the letter is available here and below. December 4, 2017 The Honorable David Shulkin Secretary U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Washington DC 20420 Dear Secretary Shulkin: Veterans who receive care through the VA deserve the highest standard of care available. This high standard applies throughout an entire episode of care, but is most critical when a veteran sees their physicians. It should go without saying that physicians hired by the VA should be fit to pr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-dubuque-telegraph-herald-opinion-senators-led-iowa-charge-renewable-fuels | ICYMI: Dubuque Telegraph Herald opinion: Senators led Iowa charge on renewable fuels | 2017-12-04 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | ICYMI: The Dubuque Telegraph Herald’s editorial board praised Senator Grassley’s work to maintain the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard. You can read the piece here. Dubuque Telegraph Herald: Our opinion: Senators led Iowa charge on renewable fuels Editorial Board December 4, 2017 Although the Environmental Protection Agency’s ruling last week on Renewable Fuel Standard levels wasn’t a complete victory for corn farmers, it could have been much worse. The fact that it wasn’t is owing in large part to Iowa’s voices in the Senate: Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst. ... EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt had threatened to severely decrease the fuel standard. That sent Grassley into hardball mode...enough to have Pruitt back off his plan to move the program backward. ... Cheers to Grassley and Ernst for keeping up the pressure and fighting for Iowans. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/iowa-senators-seek-answers-iowa-city-va-hiring-practices | Iowa Senators Seek Answers on Iowa City VA Hiring Practices | 2017-12-04 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | December 4, 2017 The Honorable David Shulkin Secretary U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Washington DC 20420 Dear Secretary Shulkin: Veterans who receive care through the VA deserve the highest standard of care available. This high standard applies throughout an entire episode of care, but is most critical when a veteran sees their physicians. It should go without saying that physicians hired by the VA should be fit to practice and have a track record of providing quality care. However, a disturbing report in USA Today found that the VA has knowingly hired providers who have a history of providing substandard care. A neurosurgeon featured in the article had “a dozen malpractice claims and settlements in two states” and had his license revoked in one state, yet he was hired to work at the Iowa City VA this April. His hiring goes against Veterans Health Administration Handbook 1100.19 which states:“Applicants…who had such license, registration, or certification revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care by any of those States, or voluntarily relinquished a license, registration or certification in any of those States after being notified in writing by that State of potential termination for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment.”According to the report, the neurosurgeon’s licensure revocation and other malpractice claims were on his application. It is unacceptable that it was only as a result of USA Today’s report that the VA determined that hiring this neurosurgeon was illegal. Accordingly please provide the following: Please describe the “incorrect” guidance that was given to hospital officials in Iowa City that led to the hiring of the neurosurgeon. On his application the neurosurgeon listed the previous malpractice suits and the revocation of his medical license. As part of his contract with the VA, was the neurosurgeon required to … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1CBAD62A-1DF7-48C9-B488-49E5F1B473E9 | Ernst Votes to Reform Tax Code, Promote Economic Growth | 2017-12-02 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) issued the following statement after the Senate passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which includes the SQUEAL Act: “Today, the Senate took a monumental step forward in pursuing a simpler tax code that provides much-needed relief for hardworking Iowans and helps strengthen our economy. It also eliminates ObamaCare’s costly individual mandate that forces Americans to buy health insurance that is in many cases for Iowans, unaffordable. “Additionally, I am thrilled that the SQUEAL Act is included in this tax reform legislation. My proposal will force Congress to offer up its own unnecessary tax break that allows Members of Congress to deduct, for income tax purposes, thousands of dollars annually in living expenses while in the Washington, D.C. area. “This Senate bill also includes a bipartisan measure I helped lead to spur economic growth in poverty-stricken areas, and bring hope and opportunity back to many distressed rural communities in Iowa. “Moreover, job creators of all sizes will finally see relief from the burdensome and complicated tax code. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would allow Iowa small businesses and entrepreneurs to keep more of their hard-earned dollars to reinvest in their companies, and is estimated to create over 10,000 jobs across Iowa. This legislation also gives more money back to Iowa’s hardworking parents by doubling the child tax credit. “While the bill does not include everything I hoped, I am pleased that this legislation creates more opportunities for all, including lower- and middle-income families across the State of Iowa who will see thousands of dollars back in their pockets. I look forward to seeing this important bill move ahead to reduce the burden of our overly-complicated tax code and enact reforms that provide relief to Iowa’s hard-working families and businesses.” Senator Ernst’s efforts included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Read Senator Ernst’s recent column in the Des Moines Register on the importance of tax reform her… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-tax-reform-victory-iowans-every-level-income-and-way-life | Grassley: Tax Reform a Victory for Iowans of Every Level of Income and Way of Life | 2017-12-02 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, voted for landmark tax reform legislation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which passed the United States Senate today. “The passage of this bill is a historic moment for Iowa and the entire country. It’s been more than 30 years since Congress passed significant tax reform. The good news is that this legislation will let Iowans keep more of their own hard-earned money, increase average wages and help create new jobs. “This reform bill enacts across-the-board tax cuts, providing financial relief to middle-class and low-income earners who need it most. As just one example, an average family of four with two children would receive a $2,200 tax cut. Lowering taxes lets people decide how to spend more of their own money instead of Washington politicians. It would help working families struggling to make ends meet, allow farmers and small business owners to further expand and invest, and makes American jobs and workers more competitive globally. “This bill also gets rid of the unfair and regressive Obamacare individual mandate tax, giving Iowans the freedom to make choices that work best for them instead of being forced by the federal government to purchase an unaffordable product they either don’t want or don’t need. More than 52,000 Iowans in 2015 were required to pay the individual mandate tax, even though more than 80 percent of those who paid the tax made less than $50,000 a year. That’s a tax on working families, and I’m hopeful to see it gone. “The Senate passage of this legislation is a victory for Iowans of every income level and way of life, but there’s more work to be done. It now needs to be reconciled with the House-passed version. This is a once-in-a -generation opportunity to make lasting reforms to our broken and outdated tax code. I look forward to working with my House and Senate colleagues to draft a bicameral bill to be signed into law by the President.” Grassley successful… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/myth-vs-fact-gop-tax-plan-capitol-solutions | Myth vs. Fact on the GOP Tax Plan: Capitol Solutions | 2017-12-01 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Congress has been working over the past several months to provide deserved tax relief to hardworking Iowa taxpayers. As we near the finish line, there are groups fighting hard to protect the decades old and status quo tax code which is broken for most everyday Iowans. In their battle to protect the establishment which has left so many individuals and families financially struggling, these groups are spreading falsehoods in an all-out effort to stop progress on common sense tax relief. I thought it was important to dispel some of these myths and present the facts. Myth: This is only a tax cut for the wealthiest Americans. Fact: The U.S. House of Representatives’ GOP tax plan maintains the top tax rate of 39.6 percent and lowers all other tax brackets, especially for those containing middle and low income taxpayers to provide tax relief to those who need it most. An analysis by the House’s Ways and Means Committee found a family of four making the median income in Iowa’s Third District would receive, on average, a $2,370 tax cut. Myth: This bill actually raises taxes on the middle class and the poor. Fact: The House’s GOP tax plan provides relief by lowering taxes on the middle income and those struggling to climb the economic ladder. Recently, even The New York Times released a study revealing “Nearly everyone who takes the standard deduction gets a tax cut in 2018.” And, “Families with children generally get a bigger tax cut.” By doubling the standard deduction from $6,350 to $12,000 for individuals and from $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples, more of your paycheck will be tax free. Myth: Repealing the individual mandate is repealing Affordable Care Act (ACA). Fact: Although the House’s GOP tax plan does not repeal the individual mandate, the Senate’s GOP tax plan does repeal the mandate, but still preserves the exchanges and all health plans folks have. This does not prevent anyone from purchasing health insurance from the ACA’s exchanges. The individual mandate is a tax penalty intended to mandate an… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-verdict-kate-steinle-case | Grassley Statement on Verdict in Kate Steinle Case | 2017-12-01 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley released the following statement regarding the verdict in the murder trial of Kate Steinle. “The death of Kate Steinle was a heartbreaking and preventable tragedy. She died in her father’s arms at the hand of someone who violated our nation’s laws and who never should have been in our country. The sad reality is that had local authorities cooperated with federal law enforcement, this could have been avoided. We must honor Kate’s legacy by taking steps to ensure that this does not happen again. The United States Senate should immediately pass Kate’s Law to improve community safety and prevent future tragedies.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://blum.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=633 | Rep. Blum Announces Original Cosponsorship of Bipartisan Bill to Eliminate Sexual Harassment Payouts with Taxpayer Dollars | 2017-11-30 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | Rod Blum | B001294 | blum.house.gov | legacy | Rep. Blum Announces Original Cosponsorship of Bipartisan Bill to Eliminate Sexual Harassment Payouts with Taxpayer Dollars f t # e Washington, November 30, 2017 Congressman Blum has announced he is an original cosponsor of Rep. Ron Desantis’ bipartisan legislation, H.R. 4494, the Congressional Accountability and Hush Fund Elimination Act. This legislation is in response to the recent discovery of over $17 million in taxpayer dollars used to payout victims of harassment on Capitol Hill. “Constituents in my district are outraged their hard-earned tax dollars are being used to pay off the actions of sexual offenders in Congress. This legislation must pass to undo these abhorrent actions, and as soon as possible. I urge House leadership to make this bill a priority and identify those who committed these violations.” H.R. 4494 will prohibit the use of public funds used to pay sexual harassment settlement claims. The bill would also require a report from the Office of Compliance within 30 days of enactment. The report would disclose the specific amounts paid for settlements, the source of public funds, and identify the office and individual who committed the violations. In addition to being identified publicly, the perpetrators would be required to return the money from their settlement back to the U.S. Treasury, with interest. Past agreements with victims have contained non-disclosure prerequisites; H.R. 4494 would void those clauses and prevent non-disclosure in future assault procedures. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-statement-2018-rfs-volumes-and-2019-rvos | Young Statement on 2018 RFS volumes and 2019 RVOs | 2017-11-30 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. - Iowa Congressman David Young issued the following statement regarding the EPA's rule on the Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2018 and 2019 Renewable Volume Obligations for biodiesel. “While the EPA’s announcement is a great improvement from their previous proposal, I am disappointed the agency didn’t strengthen the biodiesel volume levels. “The biofuels industry is critical to ensuring America’s energy independence and to Iowa’s economy, which is why the Renewable Fuel Standard was implemented by Congress. “I was happy to see Iowans engaging with the EPA and appreciate Administrator Pruitt for his responsiveness to our concerns and keeping the promises he made during his confirmation in the Senate. “I will continue to be a strong advocate for the Renewable Fuel Standard and hold the administration accountable to their commitments.” # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-statement-on-epa-rfs-volume-rule | King Statement on EPA RFS Volume Rule | 2017-11-30 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C.- Congressman Steve King, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement after reviewing the final rule released by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that sets the required renewable fuel volumes for 2018 under the Renewable Fuels Standard. “I am appreciative of the fact that Administrator Pruitt scrapped the EPA’s earlier proposal, and instead finalized a rule with higher levels for renewable fuels than the agency initially sought,” said King. “In October, I asked the Administrator to develop a rule with stronger RFS volume requirements. It appears that he has done so, although I am disappointed that the volume requirement for biomass-based biodiesel is only 2.1 billion gallons when we can produce much more.” “This final rule preserves the 15 billion gallon requirement for corn ethanol and other conventional renewable fuels. It also increases the cellulosic biofuel and advanced biofuel volumes above the levels the agency first proposed. In fact, advanced biofuels actually have an increased volume level over 2017’s requirement.” “Today’s announcement shows that the Trump Administration has not forgotten its promises to those of us who support the increased use of renewable fuels. Administrator Pruitt is to be commended for tanking the EPA’s first proposal, and I will continue to work with him to fuel the growth of the ethanol industry.” The RFS Volume rule finalized by the EPA sets the following volume requirements for 2018: Cellulosic biofuel (million gallons): 288 Biomass-based diesel (billion gallons) 2.1 Advanced biofuel (billion gallons): 4.29 Renewable fuel (billion gallons): 19.29 In October, Congressman King joined with 21 members of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus on a letter asking the EPA “to formulate a more robust final rule regarding the volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard.” A copy of that letter can be seen here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-votes-to-protect-iowans-second-amendment-rights | King Votes to Protect Iowans Second Amendment Rights | 2017-11-30 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | House Judiciary Committee Passes King Cosponsored “Concealed Carry Reciprocity” Legislation Washington, D.C.- Congressman Steve King released the following statement following House Judiciary Committee passage of important legislation he cosponsored that protects Iowans’ ability to legally carry concealed firearms. King, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, voted in favor of H.R. 38, the “Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017,” during committee action yesterday evening. The legislation now moves out of committee and is eligible for consideration on the floor of the House of Representatives. “Law abiding Iowans with concealed carry licenses are exercising our rights under the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, and our Second Amendment rights do not end at our state’s border,” said King. “H.R. 38 ensures that a concealed carry license in Iowa will be honored in any other state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms. This is important legislation that serves notice to gun-grabbers that their efforts to restrict the Constitutional right to keep and bear arms through excessive and burdensome state licensing schemes will not be tolerated.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2F156823-58E4-4808-890C-2CBAEA412F6B | Heitkamp, Ernst Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Government Efficiency and Accountability | 2017-11-30 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | Bill would Improve the Way Inspector General Recommendations are Posted Online; this year Inspectors General Found over $20 Billion in Potential Taxpayer Savings Legislation would Strengthen Congressional Oversight and the Public’s Ability to Evaluate How Federal Agencies are Tackling Problems WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) today introduced a bipartisan bill to hold federal agencies accountable to act on recommendations that save taxpayer money and make government more efficient. The legislation requires that all open recommendations from inspectors general (IG) at federal agencies that have remained unimplemented for more than a year be posted to a single, searchable website. This legislation would allow Congress and the public to keep better tabs on the problems that have been identified at the federal agencies where IGs conduct audits to combat waste, fraud, and abuse – and keep track of whether or not steps have been taken to resolve those problems. IGs serve as federal watchdogs within government agencies by investigating agencies and recommending how to improve operations and transparency on issues ranging from cybersecurity to federal hiring practices. For the third consecutive year, the IGs identified in their recommendations over $20 billion in potential taxpayer savings. However, there is currently no standard requirement for how IGs organize and maintain open recommendations on their websites, and the quality of publicly available information varies from agency to agency. “Each year, our government invests in the important work of inspectors general. Unfortunately, it’s often difficult for taxpayers to assess whether a federal agency is listening to inspector general recommendations and making good-faith efforts to correct major issues that could help the federal government work better,” said Heitkamp. “Our bipartisan bill would allow the public to better hold government agencies and their leadership accountable by making sure the work of inspectors ge… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4331DE0F-A076-404C-A6ED-8ABC048EF203 | Ernst Statement on Final RFS RVO Rule | 2017-11-30 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, made the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released their final rule on Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2018 along with setting the 2019 RVOs for biodiesel: “Today, the EPA has upheld their commitment to set the volume requirements for conventional ethanol for 2018 at approved levels, and I am pleased that this administration is keeping its pledge to rural America to support the RFS. However, I am disappointed that the 2019 biodiesel numbers were held flat at the bare minimum level that the Administrator committed to. Moving forward, I will continue pressing the EPA to further bolster the biodiesel and cellulosic requirements. “I am glad to see my efforts, and those of my colleagues, to hold the EPA accountable to the letter and spirit of the RFS as intended by Congress have been successful thus far, and I will continue working tirelessly to protect and defend the RFS.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-judiciary-committee-executive-business-meeting-judicial | Grassley Statement at Judiciary Committee Executive Business Meeting on Judicial Nominations | 2017-11-30 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Business Meeting November 30, 2017 Good morning. Last night, Senator Feinstein told me that her Members had a meeting that would last until 10:30, so I moved today’s markup half an hour back. Because of the accommodation, I’d ask that after opening statements by the Ranking Member and me, and after we have the necessary number of Members here to vote, we do so. Then, we’ll continue with any other Member statements. Today, we have a number of nominees on today’s agenda for the first time and the Minority has requested that they be held over. They are: James Ho, 5th CircuitDon Willett, 5th CircuitClaria Boom, Eastern and Western Districts of KentuckyJohn Broomes, District of KansasRebecca Jennings, Western District of KentuckyRobert Wier, Eastern District of Kentucky Mr. Grasz’s nomination to the 8th Circuit is on today’s agenda. The Minority requested that he be held over last week. Typically, Members are allowed to hold over a nominee for one week and then the Committee will vote on the nominee the following week. But Senator Feinstein has requested that he be held over again this week because she indicated she wants to consider some information she received about Mr. Grasz’s ABA rating on Tuesday. I believe she’ll be writing a follow-up letter to get this situation fully resolved. I’m willing to accommodate Senator Feinstein’s request this week and will hold Mr. Grasz’s nomination for one more week. The follow-up materials we received from Mr. Grasz this week appear to indicate that the ABA relied on faulty information in their evaluation of him. I believe the Committee should be able to resolve this issue in the next week. This is a special accommodation that I’ll make. But this is a rare exception to our standard practice. And, I’ll just say to you, Senator Feinstein, the letter you sent to me asking that Mr. Grasz be held another week indicates to me that you’re looking into his record and tha… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1515A32F-B126-48B5-96C2-5E75DDADEDF2 | Ernst Applauds Progress on Tax Reform | 2017-11-29 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) issued the following statement after the Senate voted to begin debate on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: “I am pleased that today we voted to begin debate on the much-needed tax reform package. It is estimated that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would create over 10,000 jobs across Iowa, and that on average, low and middle-income earners would see thousands of dollars added back into their pockets. “It also includes a bipartisan measure that I helped lead to incentivize private investment in struggling communities so we can spur economic growth in poverty-stricken areas, and bring hope and opportunity back to many distressed rural communities in Iowa. “Additionally, I am offering two amendments; the SQUEAL Act and the bipartisan Credit For Caring Act. The SQUEAL Act would force Congress to lead by example and offer up its own unnecessary tax break that allows Members of Congress to deduct, for income tax purposes, thousands of dollars annually in living expenses while in the Washington, D.C. area. Meanwhile, the Credit for Caring Act would provide working family caregivers with a nonrefundable tax credit up to $3,000 to assist with out-of-pocket expenses related to caregiving. These are two important reforms that I hope to see included on the Senate floor. “As debate proceeds, I look forward to working with my colleagues on this long-overdue effort to simplify our tax code, and to create more opportunities for all.” NOTE: A motion to proceed to consider is “a motion, usually offered by the majority leader to bring a bill or other measure up for consideration.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=7F99CB76-B4DB-437A-9E61-D36506E61244 | VETS Act Included In Senate Committees Caring For Our Veterans Act | 2017-11-29 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a combat veteran, issued the following statement after the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs passed legislation that includes the bipartisan Veterans E-Health & Telemedicine Support (VETS) Act. The VETS Act, led by Senators Ernst and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), seeks to improve health care access – including mental health treatment – for disabled or rural veterans by expanding telehealth services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). “I am thrilled that our bipartisan efforts to expand veterans’ access to telehealth services was included in the Caring for Our Veterans Act of 2017, and approved by committee today on a bipartisan basis,” said Senator Ernst. “With over 200,000 veterans across Iowa, it is imperative that we continue looking for ways to create opportunities to increase access to quality and timely care – including mental health treatment – for disabled or rural veterans. “As the Care for our Veterans Act heads to the Senate floor, I look forward to continuing to review the legislation as it is finalized.” About the VETS Act: Senators Ernst and Hirono first introduced the VETS Act in 2015, and reintroduced it in the 115th Congress in April of 2017. In August of 2017, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) announced it will expand telehealth services for veterans and provide telemedicine across state lines, mirroring efforts in the VETS Act. The VETS Act seeks to improve health care access – including mental health treatment – for disabled or rural veterans by expanding telehealth services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by allowing VA health officials to practice telemedicine across state lines if they are qualified and practice within the scope of their authorized federal duties. Additionally, the legislation ensures the VA and Congress provide oversight of the VA’s telehealth program by requiring the VA to measure program effectiveness. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-hhs-secretary-nominee-azar-discuss-lowering-drug-prices-protecting | Grassley, HHS Secretary Nominee Azar Discuss Lowering Drug Prices, Protecting Whistleblowers, Responding to Oversight Requests | 2017-11-29 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today met with Alex Azar, President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Grassley is a senior member and former chairman of the Finance Committee, which will consider the nomination. Grassley made the following comment on the meeting. “I congratulated Mr. Azar on his nomination and told him I looked forward to working with him should he be confirmed. “Americans were right to be outraged by the inappropriate and wasteful spending of department funds by the previous secretary. I expect Mr. Azar understands that taxpayer dollars ought to be respected at every level of every agency of the federal government. I expressed my longstanding commitment to oversight of the federal bureaucracy and my expectation that requests from members of both parties be given a timely response in good faith. “Mr. Azar and I discussed the importance of lowering drug prices and encouraging competition in the health care and pharmaceutical industries. Drug prices and medical costs generally continue to grow at unsustainable rates, and consumers and taxpayers are forced to foot the bill. This Congress, I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation to reduce drug waste, expand consumers’ access to generic drugs and increase pharmaceutical marketplace competition. The next secretary should help lead the effort to stem the tide of rising drug prices. “We also discussed the importance of whistleblowers, who put themselves at risk to expose waste, fraud and abuse in both the government and in the health care and pharmaceutical industries. Whistleblowers’ bravery should be praised and rewarded. It’s up to the next secretary to foster a culture at HHS that supports whistleblowers and protects them from retaliation.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-renewable-volume-obligations-fall-short-industry-potential | Grassley: Renewable Volume Obligations Fall Short of Industry Potential | 2017-11-29 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today issued the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) renewable volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. “The EPA’s announced renewable volume obligations fall short of the full potential of the U.S. biofuels industry. That is disappointing, particularly the lack of increase for biodiesel levels and the cut in cellulosic level requirements. Increases in the volume requirements are justified and would be good public policy. Congress intended for the RFS to drive growth in biofuels across all categories. Contrary to that goal, this final rule does little to encourage investment and growth in advanced biofuels. While I hoped for higher levels, they aren’t unexpected and are unfortunately in line with EPA’s original proposal. I’m glad that EPA backed off a later proposal, which would have represented an abandonment of President Trump’s stated commitment to biofuels and the integrity of the RFS. Iowa, rural America and the entire country are made stronger by the many jobs, increased energy independence and cleaner air that biofuels provide. The grassroots energy of this growing industry will continue to be a good news story for the nation. I plan to continue working to impress upon the Administration the capability to grow domestic energy production by unlocking the full potential of biofuels.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-senate-floor-1000-iowa-kids-foster-care-eligible-adoption | Grassley on Senate Floor: 1,000 Iowa Kids in Foster Care Eligible for Adoption | 2017-11-29 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Senate Caucus on Foster Youth National Adoption Month November 29, 2017 Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate November as National Adoption Month. During this month, we’re reminded of the importance of adoption to so many families and children in Iowa, and across the country. As Americans are celebrating the season of Thanksgiving with family and friends, adoptive families are celebrating with their new families – giving thanks for the joy of adoption. Since the first recognition of National Adoption Day in 2000 nearly 65,000 kids have been adopted on National Adoption Day, celebrated the Saturday before Thanksgiving each year. In 2016 alone, over 4,700 adoptions were finalized on National Adoption Day. National Adoption Month is certainly a time to celebrate the joys of a new family. However, it is also a reminder of the obstacles that many children may face. Nationally, there are over 425,000 children in foster care. Over 100,000 of these children are hoping to be adopted. In Iowa, there are around 1,000 kids in foster care who are eligible for adoption. This year, the special focus of National Adoption Month is older youth waiting to be adopted. Teenagers unfortunately face more difficulty in being adopted than younger children. As co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, I’ve had the chance to hear directly from teenagers in foster care. They tell me that more than anything, they want a loving family. They tell me that they need a family, and that nobody is too old to be adopted. The support that parents provide to teens is critical to navigating the transition to adulthood. From making decisions about higher education, to finding a job or buying a car, a loving family continually provides the support that teens need to succeed. Congress must continue to work towards policy that helps make adoption a reality for more foster youth. We must work to ensure that all children, no matt… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-tax-relief-middle-class-heart-tax-reform | Grassley: Tax Relief for the Middle Class at the Heart of Tax Reform | 2017-11-29 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Senior Member and Former Chairman, Senate Finance Committee Tax Cuts and Jobs Act November 29, 2017 Mr. President, the last time Congress modernized the tax code, it was 1986. That’s more than 30 years ago. In the generation since, the tax code has grown out of control. It’s been a dream come true for accountants and lobbyists. But it’s a nightmare for most Americans. The outdated tax code helps the powerful and the well-connected. But hurts American workers. It hurts American industry. And it hurts America’s ability to compete with the rest of the world. The bill passed out of the Finance Committee moves us in the right direction to make our tax code simpler, fairer, and more competitive. At the heart of the legislation is a middle-class tax cut. A typical family of four with two children making $59,000 a year could see a tax cut of more than $1,700. That is significant tax relief. But, you would never know it by listening to the rhetoric of my colleagues on the other side. They have repeatedly recited the tired line that Republicans are only interested in giving “tax cuts to the wealthy.” In fact, they began pushing that narrative before a bill was even written. It was a charge made against the unified framework which merely provided guidelines for the tax writing committee to start from. The partisan Tax Policy Center then filled the gaps with policy assumptions and crafted an analysis to fit their narrative. The problem is, their narrative hasn’t changed, even after the Finance Committee provided policy details. I think even the Tax Policy Center would have to agree that the Finance Committee product differs drastically from the underlying assumptions of their initial analysis. The Finance Committee used all the available tools granted under the Unified Framework to target more relief to middle-income taxpayers and retain the progressivity of the tax code. Let’s take a look at some of the major features of the Finance bill and how they provide relief for the nation’s midd… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-we-are-upholding-blue-slip-courtesy-vast-majority-judiciary-chairman | Grassley: We are Upholding Blue Slip Courtesy of Vast Majority of Judiciary Chairman Over Past Century | 2017-11-29 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Nominations November 29, 2017 Good morning. Congratulations to all the nominees and to your families and welcome to the Committee. Two weeks ago, I announced in a speech on the Senate floor that I’d hold a hearing for Minnesota Supreme Court Justice David Stras and former Louisiana Solicitor General Kyle Duncan despite not receiving two positive blue slips from home-state senators. I explained that nearly all Judiciary Committee Chairmen over the last 100 years allowed for hearings in such circumstances. And I explained that I too wouldn’t treat blue slips as single-senator vetoes. Some of my colleagues and liberal outside groups have accused me of abolishing the 100-year-old blue slip tradition. That’s simply not true. I’m choosing to apply the blue slip policy that most of my predecessors had for the vast majority of this 100-year history. My critics seem to believe the blue slip’s history started with Senator Leahy sixteen years ago. But, as I’ve explained, history is longer than that. Critics also claim that I selectively applied Senator Leahy’s strict blue slip policy in the last two years of the Obama Administration. They point to nine nominees who were supposedly denied hearings because of lack of two positive blue slips. This is also not true. First of all, five of these nominees were district court nominees. I’ve already said that district court nominees typically require the return of two positive blue slips before a hearing. This applies equally to President Trump’s district court nominees as it did to President Obama’s. The four circuit court nominees—on the other hand—weren’t nominated until a presidential election year. As you know, I gave members nearly seven months to return blue slips on Justice Stras. I hoped they’d both be returned to avoid the situation we have today. I recognize that my policy differs somewhat from Senator Leahy’s, so I gave my colleagues from Minnesota ample time … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-wsj-us-senate-tax-plan-includes-gift-whistleblowers | ICYMI: WSJ: U.S. Senate Tax Plan Includes Gift for Whistleblowers | 2017-11-29 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | ICYMI: The Wall Street Journal looks at Senator Grassley’s work to include a clarification of IRS whistleblower reward provisions in the Senate’s tax reform legislation. You can read the piece here. WSJ: U.S. Senate Tax Plan Includes Gift for Whistleblowers By Henry Cutter Nov. 29, 2017 A dispute over how much cash the Internal Revenue Service can hand out to those who help it recover money would end with a win for whistleblowers under a provision included in the Senate tax-overhaul plan. The measure, put forward by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa), chairman of the Senate Whistleblower Protection Caucus, would make it crystal-clear that all funds collected by the IRS as a result of a whistleblower’s efforts would be available to be shared with that person as a reward. … The IRS has argued in court documents that because the whistleblower law deals only with tax matters, for the purpose of calculating rewards, the amount available to be shared, known as “collected proceeds,” only refers to taxes it would have foregone without a whistleblower’s help. Including other funds, such as criminal fines and civil forfeitures, would create a conflict between the tax code and other laws that spell out how that money can be used, it says. Whistleblower advocates argue that the pool should also include fines and forfeitures, making the potential payouts to whistleblowers much bigger. … The question is now under review in appellate court in Washington, D.C., in a case that pits the IRS against a couple that helped the agency collect $74 million. Both sides agree that the couple, whose names are redacted from court papers, should receive 24% of the collected proceeds. The agency’s narrow definition would entitle the couple to share in $20 million, but the two argue that the pool of proceeds should also include the remaining $54 million, comprised of criminal fines and civil forfeitures. In a friend-of-the-court brief, Sen. Grassley argues for a broader definition. Noting that he was the principal author of a prov… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeks-ahead/week-ahead-scheduled-votes-committee-action-and-other-important-notes-8 | The Week Ahead - scheduled votes, committee action and other important notes for the week of November 27, 2017 | 2017-11-28 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | EDITORS NOTE: The week ahead overview will be sent each week Congress is in session. All times are in Central Time. TOP LINE: VISITING TROOPS IN THE MIDDLE EAST: Last week, Congressman Young met with servicemembers in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. Learn more HERE. SHARING MESSAGES FROM OVERSEAS: While visiting servicemembers overseas, Congressman Young recorded their Thanksgiving messages for the folks back home. Watch the messages HERE. A THANK YOU TO IOWANS: Congressman Young wrote a thank you to the folks of Iowa's Third Congressional District. In it, he highlights how Iowans' cooperative and resilient spirit has inspired legislation in Congress. Read the letter HERE. WEEKLY RADIO: Wednesday morning, Congressman Young is scheduled to join KCSI 95.3 FM Radio at 7:18 AM CT and KMA Radio on 960 AM and 99.1 FM at 7:35 AM CT. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH On Tuesday, the House will meet at 11:00 a.m. for morning hour and 1:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 5:30 p.m. Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules: 1) H.R. 2768 – Fowler and Boskoff Peaks Designation Act (Sponsored by Rep. Scott Tipton / Natural Resources Committee) 2) H.R. 2615 – Gulf Islands National Seashore Land Exchange Act of 2017 (Sponsored by Rep. Steven Palazzo / Natural Resources Committee) 3) H.R. 1491 – Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Land Affirmation Act of 2017, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Doug LaMalfa / Natural Resources Committee) 4) H.R. 3115 – Superior National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2017, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Rick Nolan / Natural Resources Committee) 5) H.R. 995 – 21st Century Respect Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries / Natural Resources Committee) 6) H.R. 2228 – Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2017, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Susan Brooks / Judiciary Committee) WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH On Wednesday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for morning hour and 11:00 a.m. for legislative business. Legislation Considered Under Suspension of th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-modernizing-anti-money-laundering-laws | Grassley on Modernizing Anti-Money Laundering Laws | 2017-11-28 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on S.1241: Modernizing AML Laws to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing November 28, 2017 Today’s global economy stretches to every corner of the world and touches every country on earth. Still, the U.S. dollar dominates as the preferred currency in global commerce. Trillions of dollars of transactions flow through U.S. banks daily, which helps to generate great prosperity at home. But this also means that our financial system is prone to exploitation. Terrorists, drug kingpins, and human traffickers need money to fund their operations. Criminals use our banks and institutions to facilitate their operations and realize the financial gains from their illegal conduct. In 1970, Congress passed the Bank Secrecy Act, which provided for the first significant regulations to safeguard the U.S. financial system against such criminal elements. As drug trafficking spiked and international cartels profited in the 1980’s, Congress took action to make money laundering a federal crime for the very first time. And in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Congress again acted to strengthen our laws to protect our country and make it more difficult for terrorists to move money. One of the best ways to stop terrorism and criminal conduct is to hit the terrorists and the criminals where it hurts them the most, in their pocketbooks. We learned this lesson after 9/11, and we must remain stay focused on following the money. It has been almost 15 years since Congress took significant action to update our anti-money laundering laws. The world has changed a great deal in that time. While globalization has made it easier for the small business in Des Moines, Iowa to reach businesses and customers all over the world, it has also made it easier for bad actors to move millions of dollars in illegal funds with the click of a button. We now have new technologies and methods that allow criminals and terrorists to mo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-seeks-assessment-diversity-visa-lottery-program | Grassley Seeks Assessment of Diversity Visa Lottery Program | 2017-11-28 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley is requesting a full-scale review of the Diversity Visa lottery program that has been used by foreign terrorists, human traffickers and fraudsters to immigrate permanently to the United States. The program has received renewed scrutiny following the October 31 terrorist attack in New York City by a Diversity Visa recipient. The Diversity Visa program sets aside 55,000 visas every year, permitting aliens selected via a lottery system—regardless of their ties to the United States and with minimal qualifications—to apply for an immigrant visa. Each approved applicant may also bring to the United States spouses and children, making the annual total of immigrants who arrive through this program much higher. The program is susceptible to fraud and many Diversity Visa applicants are from developing nations, where fraudulent documentation may be more readily available and more difficult to verify. As a result, the program has also been exploited by human traffickers and others who make false claims of familial ties in order to permit other foreign nationals to immigrate to the United States. A 2007 Government Accountability Office report raised concerns that widespread use of fake foreign government documents presented a security risk to the United States, and a 2003 State Department Inspector General report underscored risks of granting Diversity Visas to individuals from countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism. Recent events suggest that these and other national security concerns have never been fully resolved. In a letter last week to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Grassley seeks a full assessment of the Diversity Visa program, including the cost of the program and how the department mitigates risks of fraud and exploitation. Full text of Grassley’s letter follows. November 20, 2017 VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION The Honorable Rex W. Tillerson Secretary … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/columns?ContentRecord_id=370751AC-7B6E-4AA6-B1E6-565879B7F240 | Ernst: Tax reform would provide much-needed relief and opportunity for Iowans | 2017-11-27 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | It has been more than 30 years since the last time the United States comprehensively reformed our tax system. In that time, the length of the tax code has doubled to 2.4 million words — the equivalent of reading "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone" 31 times. While navigating the complex tax code is nowhere near as fun as reading about a Quidditch match, it is often a necessity for hardworking taxpayers who simply want to pay their income taxes on time. The frustrating reality is that Americans spend approximately 8.9 billion hours a year filing taxes. But perhaps more remarkable is the hefty price tag that Americans face when it comes to filing taxes, totaling almost $99 billion a year. Our tax code is not only a complicated headache for families and individuals — it also puts American businesses at a disadvantage. At 35 percent, our tax rate on larger businesses is the highest in the developed world. Meanwhile, small businesses, which make up 97 percent of employers in Iowa, are seeing taxes reach as high as almost 45 percent! These are hardly incentives for businesses of all sizes to move to or remain in the U.S. In the years that followed the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, our economy underachieved, and our outdated tax system certainly did not help. On average, the U.S. economy grew by just 1 or 2 percent annually in prior years. This has left many middle- and low-income households struggling to make ends meet. Since the end of the recession, middle-class folks around Iowa have seen stagnant wages while their bills have become more expensive and health care costs have skyrocketed. With a pro-business president in the White House, we are seeing a return to policies that let the American market do what it does best, for its long overdue that the federal government get out of the business of trying to fix the economy. In fact, economists estimate that lowering the tax rate on job creators of all sizes would foster long-term economic growth, which would boost incomes for the average … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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