Press releases
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1,404 rows where party = "Republican", state = "IA" and year = 2019 sorted by date descending
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| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/grassley-op-ed-unwrapping-2019-and-looking-ahead-2020 | Grassley op-ed: Unwrapping 2019 and Looking Ahead to 2020 | 2019-12-31 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Unwrapping 2019 and Looking Ahead to 2020 By U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley At the start of 2019, I became only the second U.S. senator from Iowa to be sworn in as Senate president pro tempore, one of only two constitutional officers in Congress. As the most senior lawmaker in the Senate Majority, it's an honor to serve in this leadership position on behalf of Iowans. Although I'm now third in the presidential succession line, the prestige of the office hasn't changed the way I serve Iowans. In August, I wrapped up my 39thconsecutive year holding meetings in each of Iowa's 99 counties. Meeting with Iowans where they work, attend school, access health care and even get their gas and groceries makes me a better senator. Having face-to-face dialogue where constituents set the agenda is essential to representative government. One thing's for sure, Iowans aren't wrapped up with tweets and partisan-driven hysteria that consume people inside the Beltway. Here's what is on their minds. Iowans harmed by historic floods are still coping and working to restore their homes, businesses and livelihoods. In April I participated in a field hearing led by Sen. Joni Ernst and made clear to the U.S. Army Corps that flood control needs to be its number one priority. I helped secure a federal disaster relief bill, including an amendment to help farmers who lost on-farm stored grain due to busted binseligible for disaster payments. I'll continue to work with Iowans on flood recovery and the Corps on restoring the levee system.I am a sponsor of three bills with colleagues in the region to help with these efforts. I'm also pleased we were able to get additional tax relief for Iowans affected by the floods in the year-end appropriations package. Although the overall U.S. economy is experiencing wage growth and historic low unemployment, the farm economy is straddled with low commodity prices, trade uncertainty and natural disasters. Iowa farmers depend on trade to boost the prices they're paid for the grain they grow, the hogs they ra… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-marks-policy-oversight-accomplishments-2019 | Grassley Marks Policy, Oversight Accomplishments in 2019 | 2019-12-31 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) marked a series of policy and oversight accomplishments of 2019. Serving the people of Iowa as their United States Senator is my first priority and it's an honor that I take seriously. As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and through my extensive oversight efforts, my work focuses on making government more transparent, efficient and accountable to Iowans and all Americans, Grassley said. Grassley holds at least one question-and-answer session in each of Iowa's 99 counties every year to hear concerns and answer questions on any subject from Iowans. In 2019, Grassley completed his annual county meetings for the 39th year in a row. Grassley holds meetings in a variety of settings to ensure that a broad cross-section of Iowans can participate, including businesses, schools, town meetings and factory 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 attended or convened a variety of events and forums, including: In 2019, Grassley continued his social media series called #CornWatch and launched #SoybeanWatch. These gave followers an insider look at farming operations and tracked the progression of the corn and soybean crops grown on the Grassley family farm in New Hartford, Iowa from planting through harvest. When the Senate is in session, Grassley sets aside eight 15-minute meetings every Monday through Thursday to meet with Iowans in Washington, D.C., including advocacy groups, associations, chambers of commerce and local business leaders, students and families. Throughout 2019, Grassley met with more than 1,200 groups of Iowans visiting the nation's capital and discussed a variety of policy issues affecting Iowans such as trade, tax reform and prescription drug pricing. Grassley also joined 25 Iowa schools for photos on the Senate steps or Q&As via video conferencing and, as an avid fan of Iowa universities, attended dozens of sporting events. Grassley was also … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-op-ed-unwrapping-2019-and-looking-ahead-2020 | Grassley op-ed: Unwrapping 2019 and Looking Ahead to 2020 | 2019-12-31 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Unwrapping 2019 and Looking Ahead to 2020 By U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley At the start of 2019, I became only the second U.S. senator from Iowa to be sworn in as Senate president pro tempore, one of only two constitutional officers in Congress. As the most senior lawmaker in the Senate Majority, it's an honor to serve in this leadership position on behalf of Iowans. Although I'm now third in the presidential succession line, the prestige of the office hasn't changed the way I serve Iowans. In August, I wrapped up my 39thconsecutive year holding meetings in each of Iowa's 99 counties. Meeting with Iowans where they work, attend school, access health care and even get their gas and groceries makes me a better senator. Having face-to-face dialogue where constituents set the agenda is essential to representative government. One thing's for sure, Iowans aren't wrapped up with tweets and partisan-driven hysteria that consume people inside the Beltway. Here's what is on their minds. Iowans harmed by historic floods are still coping and working to restore their homes, businesses and livelihoods. In April I participated in a field hearing led by Sen. Joni Ernst and made clear to the U.S. Army Corps that flood control needs to be its number one priority. I helped secure a federal disaster relief bill, including an amendment to help farmers who lost on-farm stored grain due to busted binseligible for disaster payments. I'll continue to work with Iowans on flood recovery and the Corps on restoring the levee system.I am a sponsor of three bills with colleagues in the region to help with these efforts. I'm also pleased we were able to get additional tax relief for Iowans affected by the floods in the year-end appropriations package. Although the overall U.S. economy is experiencing wage growth and historic low unemployment, the farm economy is straddled with low commodity prices, trade uncertainty and natural disasters. Iowa farmers depend on trade to boost the prices they're paid for the grain they grow, the hogs they ra… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qa-improving-us-organ-transplant-system | Q&A: Improving U.S. Organ Transplant System | 2019-12-30 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Q&A: Improving U.S. Organ Transplant System With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: Why are you looking into the nation's organ procurement and transplant system? A:Advances in medical science, specifically organ transplants, save lives and give loved ones a new lease on life. Incredible gifts of life are made possible when family members and even total strangers donate to a patient in need. Postmortem donations give the gift of life from deceased donors who match an individual on the national wait list through the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). Administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the OPTN operates the national database of all patientswaiting for a transplant. The OPTN contracts with the Unified Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), which is charged with overseeing the 58 organ procurement organizations (OPOs) located throughout the United States. Americans on the wait list are in a life and death situation. It is imperative the system functions fairly and effectively. There's a scarcity of available organs compared to the number of people added to the wait list every single day. This shortfall contributes to a dire situation in which 113,000 Americans on the wait list risk losing their lives without receiving a transplant in time. According to the head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), at least 20 Americans die each day because a potentially life-saving organ transplant is out of reach. Based on investigative reports and whistleblower accounts, I'm concerned about inefficiencies and mismanagement of the procurement process,as well as the performance standards used by the 58 OPOs. As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which has legislative and oversight jurisdiction of many public health programs, I'm calling for increased oversight to correct flaws in this vital network in the nation's health care system. For more than a dozen years, the need for more accountability and transparency in the organ procurement and transplantati… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/grassley-op-ed-lets-break-silence-and-talk-about-mental-health-farm | Grassley op-ed: Let's break silence and talk about mental health on the farm | 2019-12-26 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | By Sen. Chuck Grassley As this year nears its end, the Grassley family is grateful for another fall harvest. Like other family farms across Iowa, our three-generation farming operation experiences many of the uncertainties blanketing our profession. For starters, our livelihoods are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Getting the crops out of the ground before Old Man Winter shows up gets tricky with unplanned machinery repairs, the high-moisture content of corn and wet field conditions. This year brought extra layers of uncertainty. Excessive rain and snowmelt in April led to prevented and delayed planting. The October snowstorms stalled field work for many farmers across the upper Midwest. The itch to get behind the wheel of the combine brings sleepless nights and weighs heavily on the minds of farmers already anxious about matters beyond their control. As a lifelong family farmer, I can relate to the joys and hardships of our vocation. We have a passion to provide for our families. We have a bone-deep determination, passed on from one generation to the next, to keep on keeping on. We have a sense of duty to keep the farm intact for generations yet to come. I started farming when my dad passed away in 1960. I've coped with the highs and lows that go hand in glove from one season to the next. The cyclical nature of our profession is an occupational hazard and it can take a toll on mental wellness. We know that prosperity requires sound caretaking of Earth's natural resources and conservative stewardship of financial resources. Pinching pennies comes second nature because history teaches us that it's often feast or famine for farmers. Right now, the agriculture horizon is a bit cloudy. A five-year decline in farm income, retaliatory tariffs on U.S. ag commodities, stalled trade agreements, disrupted renewable biofuel policies, devastating natural disasters, and shortages of LP gas needed to dry harvested grain add to the growing burdens weighing heavily on the minds of farmers. Mounting pressures to pay the bill… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-op-ed-lets-break-silence-and-talk-about-mental-health-farm | Grassley op-ed: Let's break silence and talk about mental health on the farm | 2019-12-26 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | By Sen. Chuck Grassley As this year nears its end, the Grassley family is grateful for another fall harvest. Like other family farms across Iowa, our three-generation farming operation experiences many of the uncertainties blanketing our profession. For starters, our livelihoods are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Getting the crops out of the ground before Old Man Winter shows up gets tricky with unplanned machinery repairs, the high-moisture content of corn and wet field conditions. This year brought extra layers of uncertainty. Excessive rain and snowmelt in April led to prevented and delayed planting. The October snowstorms stalled field work for many farmers across the upper Midwest. The itch to get behind the wheel of the combine brings sleepless nights and weighs heavily on the minds of farmers already anxious about matters beyond their control. As a lifelong family farmer, I can relate to the joys and hardships of our vocation. We have a passion to provide for our families. We have a bone-deep determination, passed on from one generation to the next, to keep on keeping on. We have a sense of duty to keep the farm intact for generations yet to come. I started farming when my dad passed away in 1960. I've coped with the highs and lows that go hand in glove from one season to the next. The cyclical nature of our profession is an occupational hazard and it can take a toll on mental wellness. We know that prosperity requires sound caretaking of Earth's natural resources and conservative stewardship of financial resources. Pinching pennies comes second nature because history teaches us that it's often feast or famine for farmers. Right now, the agriculture horizon is a bit cloudy. A five-year decline in farm income, retaliatory tariffs on U.S. ag commodities, stalled trade agreements, disrupted renewable biofuel policies, devastating natural disasters, and shortages of LP gas needed to dry harvested grain add to the growing burdens weighing heavily on the minds of farmers. Mounting pressures to pay the bill… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/columns?ContentRecord_id=D63564D5-34F5-479F-8043-47DCCE8069EB | Joni Ernst: 2019 was a great year, hearing from and delivering for Iowans across our state. | 2019-12-23 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | As we wrap-up 2019, I wanted to take a moment to look back on some of the highlights of the past year. First and foremost, I completed my fifth 99 County Tour, my annual tradition where I visit every single one of Iowa's 99 counties within a calendar year, and hold public town hall meetings to hear directly from constituents. In fact, over the last year, I held 35 public town hall meetingsin small rural areas, like my hometown of Red Oak to Iowa's most populated county, Polk County. And as of this year, I've officially held a public event in all 99 counties since I first started serving in office. Getting out and hearing from Iowans in every corner of the state allows me not only to connect with my fellow Iowans, but to hear directly from folks about the issues that are important to them. This input has helped me every step of the way in delivering real results for the people of Iowa. Throughout 2019, Iowa experienced devastating flooding, including in areas around my hometown of Red Oak. As a member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, I've used my position there to fight for flood relief, improved river management, and the development of Iowa's infrastructure. We passed a federal disaster relief package, which included my provision to extend USDA funds to cover Iowa farmers who had lost stored grain. In addition, following years of relentless efforts to secure federal funding for the Cedar Rapids flood mitigation project, I was thrilled to witness the groundbreaking of this critical infrastructure project. I also helped finalize the roll back of the harmful Obama-era Waters of the U.S.or WOTUSrule, which would have allowed the federal government to regulate 97% of the land in Iowa. After working closely with President Trump, we finally got E15 year-round by the summer driving season, which provided a boon for our farmers and growers, and more choice at the pump for Iowa consumers. I also helped secure an extension of the biodiesel tax credit which ensures predictability for Iowa biofuel prod… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/columns?ContentRecord_id=DD080DA2-931F-4BC9-B096-10D8A58DD58F | Joni Ernst: 2019 was a great year, hearing from and delivering for Iowans across our state. | 2019-12-23 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | As we wrap-up 2019, I wanted to take a moment to look back on some of the highlights of the past year. First and foremost, I completed my fifth 99 County Tour, my annual tradition where I visit every single one of Iowa's 99 counties within a calendar year, and hold public town hall meetings to hear directly from constituents. In fact, over the last year, I held 35 public town hall meetingsin small rural areas, like my hometown of Red Oak to Iowa's most populated county, Polk County. And as of this year, I've officially held a public event in all 99 counties since I first started serving in office. Getting out and hearing from Iowans in every corner of the state allows me not only to connect with my fellow Iowans, but to hear directly from folks about the issues that are important to them. This input has helped me every step of the way in delivering real results for the people of Iowa. Throughout 2019, Iowa experienced devastating flooding, including in areas around my hometown of Red Oak. As a member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, I've used my position there to fight for flood relief, improved river management, and the development of Iowa's infrastructure. We passed a federal disaster relief package, which included my provision to extend USDA funds to cover Iowa farmers who had lost stored grain. In addition, following years of relentless efforts to secure federal funding for the Cedar Rapids flood mitigation project, I was thrilled to witness the groundbreaking of this critical infrastructure project. I also helped finalize the roll back of the harmful Obama-era Waters of the U.S.or WOTUSrule, which would have allowed the federal government to regulate 97% of the land in Iowa. After working closely with President Trump, we finally got E15 year-round by the summer driving season, which provided a boon for our farmers and growers, and more choice at the pump for Iowa consumers. I also helped secure an extension of the biodiesel tax credit which ensures predictability for Iowa biofuel prod… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/grassley-op-ed-decade-making-difference-senate-caucus-foster-youth | Grassley op-ed: A decade of making a difference: Senate Caucus on Foster Youth | 2019-12-23 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | By Sen. Chuck Grassley Ten years ago this month, Sen. Mary Landrieu and I founded the bipartisan Senate Caucus on Foster Youth. We launched this caucus a decade ago to give voice to the thousands of young people in America who deserved a platform to break the silence on the challenges and success stories of foster care. This issue impacts every community in America. Our caucus not only provides the platform, we encourage foster youth to participate and lead discussions on issues that matter most to them. It's become a vital network for young people to connect with other youth in foster care and empowers them to share their ideas with researchers, advocates and lawmakers. When I first got involved in foster care and adoption policy more than 20 years ago, I learned kids in foster care are the last ones to have a say in determining their future. If they are even asked at all. I learned older youth in foster care are brimming with innovative ideas to improve the system. And yet, they rarely had an opportunity to share those ideas with policymakers. When we launched the foster youth caucus in 2009, we made this a specific priority. Our mission was to ensure foster youth had a seat at the table. Over the years, we've hosted discussions to consider barriers facing foster youth, including access to education, pervasive rates of homelessness and juvenile justice involvement, and substance abuse. We heard astounding stories of seemingly impossible success, as well as heartbreaking examples about things that are broken in the foster care system. The caucus invited stakeholders in the foster care system to learn about innovative programs working in communities across the country. We've followed up with researchers to understand why. But most importantly, we listened to the real experts on foster care: youth who have firsthand experience. Listening directly to them has made a big impact on policy development and implementation. Time and again, foster kids tell us they want stability, a safe place to live, and a loving f… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-nominates-50-iowa-students-us-service-academies | Grassley Nominates 50 Iowa Students to the U.S. Service Academies | 2019-12-23 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has nominated 50 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. Their accomplishments, leadership and desire to serve are exceptional, and signal continued excellence in the U.S. armed forces, Grassley said. Each year, Grassley has the opportunity as a U.S. senator to nominate either current or future Iowa high school graduates for a select few service academy placements. The U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy all select at least one qualified student from Grassley's nominations. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy makes selections in proportion to states' representation in Congress. Grassley encourages Iowa students to consider applying to more than one service academy due to the highly competitive nature of admissions. Iowa members serving in the U.S. House of Representatives make nominations in addition to both of Iowa's U.S. senators. Students may receive more than one nomination. Students interested in academy appointments should begin the application process in the spring of their junior year of high school. Early application is encouraged. The academies select students based on the number of vacancies available for the next school year. The academies offer some of the best options for higher education as well as an outstanding way to serve our country. It's a tremendous opportunity for young Iowans, Grassley said. Traditionally, the high quality of Iowa nominees results in several Iowa students being offered admission to attend each of the service academies. These students then choose whether to attend the academy. More information about service academy nominations can be foundhere. Grassley will make announcements as academy appointments are offered to Iowans. The list of Grassley's nominees for the 2020 2021 school year follows. U.S. Military Academy at West Point Kaylah Ajram… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-op-ed-decade-making-difference-senate-caucus-foster-youth | Grassley op-ed: A decade of making a difference: Senate Caucus on Foster Youth | 2019-12-23 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | By Sen. Chuck Grassley Ten years ago this month, Sen. Mary Landrieu and I founded the bipartisan Senate Caucus on Foster Youth. We launched this caucus a decade ago to give voice to the thousands of young people in America who deserved a platform to break the silence on the challenges and success stories of foster care. This issue impacts every community in America. Our caucus not only provides the platform, we encourage foster youth to participate and lead discussions on issues that matter most to them. It's become a vital network for young people to connect with other youth in foster care and empowers them to share their ideas with researchers, advocates and lawmakers. When I first got involved in foster care and adoption policy more than 20 years ago, I learned kids in foster care are the last ones to have a say in determining their future. If they are even asked at all. I learned older youth in foster care are brimming with innovative ideas to improve the system. And yet, they rarely had an opportunity to share those ideas with policymakers. When we launched the foster youth caucus in 2009, we made this a specific priority. Our mission was to ensure foster youth had a seat at the table. Over the years, we've hosted discussions to consider barriers facing foster youth, including access to education, pervasive rates of homelessness and juvenile justice involvement, and substance abuse. We heard astounding stories of seemingly impossible success, as well as heartbreaking examples about things that are broken in the foster care system. The caucus invited stakeholders in the foster care system to learn about innovative programs working in communities across the country. We've followed up with researchers to understand why. But most importantly, we listened to the real experts on foster care: youth who have firsthand experience. Listening directly to them has made a big impact on policy development and implementation. Time and again, foster kids tell us they want stability, a safe place to live, and a loving f… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-grassley-explains-secret-holds-congress | ICYMI: Grassley Explains Secret Holds in Congress | 2019-12-23 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | ICYMI: Grassley Explains Secret Holds in Congress December 22, 2019 In the odd inner workings of Congress, there's something called a legislative hold. It gives any individual senator the power to stop a nominee or a bill put a hold on them. The idea is to encourage negotiations between those for and against. But sometimes the Senator making the hold keeps his name secret. Senator Chuck Grassley tells why he's been trying for a decade to stop the secrecy. Sen. Grassley: So why do you put a hold on? Lot of times, people put a hold on because they want to negotiate something, or they want to use it as a lever to get something else. So I use holds, but I've always put a statement in the record of why I'm putting a hold on an individual nominee or a bill. So people know who it is, come and talk to Chuck Grassley and I'll tell you what the problems is I've got. And you can negotiate then, whatever you want to negotiate. Sharyl: What is a secret hold? Sen. Grassley: Well, a secret hold is when you put a hold on, you don't want anybody to know about it. So don't you think the public's business ought to be public? Well, if it's going to be secret, how's anybody know why you're holding it. Maybe they do it for a reason that's not a very good reason. So it's secret. Some important secret holds have gotten a lot of attention over the years. One senator's secret hold killed a new Whistleblower bill to protect federal employees reporting corruption. And an unnamed senator temporarily blocked a cost of living increase for disabled veterans and their survivors. With the names of the holding Senators kept anonymous, it's impossible for other Senators know their reasoning or negotiate a compromise. So in 2011, Senators Grassley and Ron Wyden successfully led a bipartisan effort to ban secret holds starting in 2013. A new rule said that all Senators must disclose their names and reasoning in the Congressional record within two days of making a hold. Sen. Grassley: Eight years later, it happens every day that people put a ho… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=98957366-1174-4A97-8F78-40A5E9D2F6D9 | Ernst Week in Review | 2019-12-21 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | Increasing Flood Protection and Support for Iowa's Communities In the wake of this spring's devastating floods, this week Senator Ernst put forward bipartisan legislation to help communities, like Hamburg, Iowa, make temporary flood protection structures permanent. Earlier this year, Senator Ernst chaired a Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee field hearing in southwest Iowa where she questioned U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) witnesses on their management of the river and heard from local stakeholders, including Cathy Crain, the Mayor of Hamburg, who described her community's struggles to make their heightened levee permanent. Providing Servicemembers with Much-Needed Resources On Tuesday, Senator Ernst proudly supported the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The final bipartisan, bicameral defense bill includes nearly all of Senator Ernst's priorities, including her proposals to address military sexual assault, to improve Iowa's critical contributions to our nation's defense, and to invest in technological advancements to keep America ahead of our adversaries. Click here or the image above to watch Senator Ernst's remarks on the NDAA. Pressing DOJ for Updates on Glenwood and Woodward Resource Center Investigation As the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigates disturbing allegations of federal rights violations at the Glenwood Resource Center and the Woodward Resource Center, Senator Ernst is requesting regular updates on the status of their investigation and that information on potential violations be provided immediately. In a letter to Attorney General William Barr and Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Drelband, Senator Ernst asked: When did the Department of Justice first became aware of this alarming increase in reported deaths at the Glenwood Resource Center? What prevented the Department from initiating this investigation more quickly? WHO Radio covered the Senator's efforts. Click here or on the image above to listen. Combatting the … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-s-china-surveillance-amendment-becomes-law-with-trump-s-signature | Kings China Surveillance Amendment Becomes Law with Trumps Signature on National Defense Authorization Act | 2019-12-20 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Steve King releases the following video statement regarding the imminent enactment into law of an amendment he put in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which identifies China's growing surveillance state as a threat to the security interests of the United States. The NDAA is scheduled to signed into law by President Donald Trump at 7:30 PM in a ceremony held tonight at Joint Base Andrews. To watch the video, please click the image above or on this link. Transcript of Congressman King's remarks: I'm happy to announce that the President's likely to soon sign the NDAA, the National Defense Authorization Act. We did some really good things in that bill, and one of them is to give our troops a pay raise that's significant, and they deserve it. They put their lives on the line for us. And another component is the King provision that is written into the bill that addresses the Chinese surveillance and their oppression of human liberty. They have been reaching into the communities around China, the Uighur community, the Christian communities that are there, persecuting them, taking their children out of the home and moving them into indoctrination camps, and putting Uighur's and other religious people into camps to orient them according to what they think is Chinese culture. Just suppressing human freedom. So I asked for a report in there on how it [the Chinese Surveillance State] might affect our national defense, and what the Chinese are doing to suppress human freedom and human rights of thought, religion, and expression, not only in China, but around the world. So we will get a good look at what's going on in China and around the world as a result of the King provision that's in the NDAA. And I supported it along the way, and, of course, voted for it. We are getting some things done in this Congress, in spite of the impeachment effort that has just unfolded recently. King's China Surveillance Language: The King provision appears in section 1260 of the NDAA. The relevant language reads as fol… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-announces-usmca-markup-january-7 | Grassley Announces USMCA Markup January 7 | 2019-12-20 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today announced his intention to lead a markup of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on January 7, 2020, based on the expectation that the Senate will have received the legislation beforehand from the House of Representatives. This markup will move us closer to ratifying USMCA in early 2020, Grassley said. Farmers, manufacturers and all American workers will soon be able to benefit from a stronger and modernized trade agreement with Canada and Mexico. Further details regarding exact timing and location will be provided at a later date. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-receives-response-defense-department-transdigm-price-gouging | Grassley Receives Response from Defense Department on TransDigm Price Gouging | 2019-12-20 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Following inquiries from Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) regarding TransDigm Group, Inc.'s (TransDigm) price-gouging of spare parts purchased by the Department of Defense (DoD), Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen M. Lord provided further information about DoD's TransDigm contracts and the efforts DoD is taking to protect taxpayer dollars. I appreciate Under Secretary Lord's answers to my questions.The Defense Department needs to continue to be transparent on the issues it faces with respect to overpricing and price gouging on spare parts.I am hopeful that the new Cadre of Experts' is ready to tackle these issues and stop the egregious spare parts rip-offs that were uncovered by the Inspector General earlier this year. While I'm looking forward to working with the department to assure that it is working diligently to protect taxpayer dollars, I'll continue to conduct aggressive oversight to ensure that these goals are in fact met, Grassley said. Grassley has been a watchdog against waste, fraud, and abuse at DoD for nearly four decades. Grassley'sextensive oversight work throughout his career has included a dogged pursuit for answers from the Pentagon over decades of wasteful spending and its inability to produce a clean financial audit.In his October letter to Lord, Grassley asked a series of questions about what DoD is doing to aggressively confront and end the excessive price-gouging of spare parts by TransDigm.Full text of Under Secretary Lord's response can be found HERE. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qa-creating-rx-savings | Q&A: Creating Rx Savings | 2019-12-20 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: How will the CREATES Act help drive down prescription drug prices? A:America's free enterprise system has engineered technological and medical innovation like nowhere else on Earth. Consumers and patients benefit when competition drives the entrepreneurial spirit and pushes inventors, innovators and investors to take risks and create new products and cures. Millions of American families depend on pharmaceutical medicines to treat cancer, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease, among so many others. Prescription drugs also provide life-saving treatments for tens of millions of Americans to manage diabetes and other chronic conditions, such as arthritis, high blood pressure or asthma. There's no question America leads the way in breakthrough medicines and medical cures. There's also no question that Americans are shouldering the financial burden to finance pharmaceutical research and development for the rest of the world. America's system of free enterprise requires robust competition to deliver another big benefit of the free marketplace: lower prices for consumers. To ensure Americans continue to experience healthy outcomes and better quality of life from scientific advances, including next generation pharmaceuticals and biologics, public policy needs to address sticker shock at the pharmacy counter. Prescription drugs won't do consumers a bit of good if they can't afford to pay for them. Skipping doses to stretch out prescriptions put patient health and outcomes at risk. During my tenure as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I developed bipartisan legislation with Senator Leahy of Vermont to root out anti-competitive behaviors that some brand-name pharmaceutical and biologic companies are using to block or delay lower-cost generic drugs from reaching the marketplace. A few bad actors were exploiting the system by deploying anti-competitive tactics, such as restricting access to their samples to perform necessary testing to gain FDA approval… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0727A0BC-F86F-4308-B6D9-1BA115693A52 | As Feds Investigate Glenwood and Woodward Resource Centers, Ernst Requests Regular, Immediate Updates | 2019-12-19 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON As the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigates disturbing allegations of federal rights violations at the Glenwood Resource Center (GRC) and the Woodward Resource Center (WRC), U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is requesting regular updates on the status of their investigation and that information on potential violations be provided immediately. In a letter to Attorney General William Barr and Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Drelband today, Senator Ernst asks of DOJ: When did the Department of Justice first became aware of this alarming increase in reported deaths at the Glenwood Resource Center? What prevented the Department from initiating this investigation more quickly? The senator goes on to write: It is the duty of the federal government and elected officials to protect the health and safety of our most vulnerable citizens. These troubling reports will be of upmost concern to communities across Iowa and particularly to the residents of these centers, their families, and their loved ones. I will be closely monitoring this situation and the Department's ongoing investigation. Glenwood Resource Center has a history of disturbing mistreatment of its residents. In 2017, state inspectorsfound that the center failed to report allegations of abuse and did not address incidents of suspicious injuries and mistreatment. The Des Moines Register has also reportedthat 14 residents of the center died between June 2018 and April 2019, and three more residents died in just the last two months. Click HERE for a PDF of Senator Ernst's letter. The full text of Senator Ernst's letter is below: Dear Attorney General Barr and Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Drelband: I write regarding the Department of Justice investigation into disturbing reports of potential systematic violations of the federal rights of individuals with disabilities at the Glenwood Resource Center (GRC) and Woodward Resource Center (WRC) in Iowa. I request that you use the full exten… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E4D9DC10-ED8E-473D-AC9A-28F468074B05 | Ernst, Grassley Issue Statements on EPAs Renewable Fuel Standard Rule | 2019-12-19 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONU.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), tireless advocates for Iowa's renewable fuels industry, issued the following statements with regard to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) final rule to establish the required renewable volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for 2020, and the biomass-based diesel volume for 2021: Throughout this process, I, along with Senator Grassley and Governor Reynolds have made it crystal clear that Iowa's farmers and biofuel producers need certainty that EPA will follow the law. After shaking hands in the Oval Office this fall, EPA had an opportunity to restore the broken trust of farmers and to follow through on the president's commitment, but it appears they've missed the markagain. We were guaranteed a deal in September, and we were assured of that same deal in October, yet EPA rolled out, and has now finalized, a different proposal. It's no wonder trust has been lost, said Senator Ernst. While I'm hopeful we get to the 15 billion or more gallons of ethanol that we've been promised, I clearly understand the hesitation from Iowans to trust the word of EPA to actually follow through on that commitment. I believe President Trump wants to do right for the biofuels community we've seen that with E15 year-round and most recently the biodiesel tax incentive. But Administrator Wheeler should know: this is not the end. I will continue to fight tirelessly to make sure that my fellow Iowans have a seat at the table when it comes to renewable fuels. We will keep holding EPA's feet to the fire to ensure they truly uphold the RFS, the law, as intended and fully implement the other critical aspects of this rule, said Ernst. Once again, EPA is playing games and not helping President Trump with farmers. An agreement was reached on September 12 in an Oval Office meeting between several Midwest leaders, President Trump and other members of his Administration. This does not reflect what we agreed to in that meeting. Simply requiring that t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/champion-of-agriculture-steve-king-praises-house-passage-of-usmca | Champion of Agriculture Steve King Praises House Passage of USMCA | 2019-12-19 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | This is a terrific trade agreement. . . It's a huge victory for the President of the United States, for Americans everywhere, for Iowans in the 4th Congressional District which is the number one agriculture producing district in all of America. Washington D.C- Congressman Steve King releases video of floor remarks he delivered in the House of Representatives today in which he expresses his support for the passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Trade Agreement successfully negotiated by President Trump. King voted in favor of the USMCA, which passed the House of Representatives on a vote of 385-41. Prior to delivering his USMCA remarks, Congressman King was recognized by Rep. Kevin Brady, the Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, as a champion of agriculture. To view the video, click the image above or on this link. Transcript of Rep. King's remarks: Thank you, Madame Speaker, and I thank the Gentleman from Texas, the Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Committee, and perhaps one of the most successful in my modern time. I'm looking at this USMCA trade agreement. I've said from the beginning that I would not have opened up NAFTA. It was good for Iowa agriculture, it was good for Iowa manufacturing, it was good for America in many areas. But the President promised that he would open it up, and that he would prevail in his negotiations. He has followed through and he has kept his word. For a year and a half, I've been having discussions with every entity that I can find that has been affected by this trade agreement. They all say, we are better off!' They might say we are marginally better off, but they say we are better off!' Until you get to dairy, where we are a lot, lot, better off than we were in the past. This is a terrific trade agreement. Whatever the nuances were afterwards were some changes that didn't affect, I don't think, the district that I represent. But what this amounts to is this: It's a huge victory for the President of the United States, for Americans everywhere… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/bipartisan-legislation-boosting-support-foster-care-system-passes-congress | Bipartisan Legislation Boosting Support for Foster Care System Passes Congress | 2019-12-19 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), along with House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.) and Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-Texas), praised the inclusion of the Family First Transition Act in the end-of-year funding legislation that passed in the Senate today and heads to the president's desk for signature. The legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senators Grassley and Wyden, and in the House by Representatives Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.) and Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.). The legislation provides states with additional tools to successfully implement the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), which became law last year. FFPSA established federal support for states to transform child welfare systems and keep more children safely at home, instead of placing them in foster care. The Family First Transition Act is supported by over 100 national organizations and more than 350 state and local groups. The Family First Prevention Services Act will change the landscape of child welfare, making it possible for more kids to stay with their families instead of entering foster care. I'm glad that states will now receive additional tools to successfully transform their systems, as I know these resources will directly help kids at risk of abuse and neglect, Grassley said. Families and their children in and at risk of entering foster care need help now, Wyden said. The enactment of this legislation will enable states to move forward more quickly in providing critical services to safely prevent foster care entries and move children who are already in foster care into placements that will best meet their needs. I am hopeful that states will seize the opportunity Congress has provided and move to make the promise of the Family First Prevention Services Act a reality. The Family First Transition Act will provide states with the tools they told us they need to implement the Family First Prevention Services Act and transform our na… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-ernst-statements-epa-s-2020-rfs-rule | Grassley, Ernst Statements on EPA’s 2020 RFS Rule | 2019-12-19 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today released the following statements regarding the EPA's final 2020 renewable volume obligations rule under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Once again, EPA is playing games and not helping President Trump with farmers. An agreement was reached on September 12 in an Oval Office meeting between several Midwest leaders, President Trump and other members of his Administration. This does not reflect what we agreed to in that meeting. Simply requiring that the three-year rolling average be based on hard data and actual waived gallons rather than Department of Energy recommendations and EPA discretion would solve this problem and ensure the renewable volume obligations are met. Administrator Wheeler has put the president in a bad situation by not following the law as intended by Congress and as the president has promised to uphold. No matter what EPA says about the impact of its waivers to oil companies making billions in profits, farmers and biofuels producers know and feel the negative impact of the agency's actions. I will hold EPA's feet to the fire to make certain they abide by the Department of Energy's recommendations and ensure integrity in the RFS. Whether that happens is up to Administrator Wheeler and the president's support among farmers is in his hands. The magic words from the Oval Office meeting were three-year rolling average based on hard data and actual waived gallons. Abiding by this would have solved all the problem's EPA has created, Grassley said. Throughout this process, I, along with Senator Grassley and Governor Reynolds have made it crystal clear that Iowa's farmers and biofuel producers need certainty that EPA will follow the law. After shaking hands in the Oval Office this fall, EPA had an opportunity to restore the broken trust of farmers and to follow through on the president's commitment, but it appears they've missed the markagain. We were guaranteed a deal in September, and we… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-house-passage-usmca | Grassley Statement on House Passage of USMCA | 2019-12-19 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Grassley Expects Senate Passage and Final Ratification Early Next Year Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released the following statement regarding passage in the House of Representatives of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The overwhelming, bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives is a historic victory for President Trump and the entire country. President Trump was adamant in campaigning for an overhaul to NAFTA. Now he's put to rest any doubt that USMCA is a significant improvement and a win for Americans, Grassley said. President Trump and Ambassador Lighthizer have worked hard to achieve a strong deal with bipartisan support. They deserve congratulations for this historic achievement. Ratification of USMCA in 2019 is no longer possible because it took more than a year for House Democrats to act. It's unfortunate that farmers, manufacturers and all American workers had to wait so long. Impeaching the president and passing USMCA in the same week makes immediate action impossible. But I look forward to getting USMCA passed in the Senate and ratified early next year. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-passage-anti-robocall-legislation-0 | Grassley Statement on Passage of Anti-Robocall Legislation | 2019-12-19 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | For Immediate Release Thursday,December 19, 2019 Grassley Statement on Passage of Anti-Robocall Legislation WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released the following statement on the passage of thePallone-ThuneTelephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act. Senator Grassley cosponsored theTRACED Actin the Senate, which was authored by Senator John Thune (R-S.D.). Robocalls aren't just annoying, they can be dangerous. Wily scammers are stealing money and personal information from unsuspecting victims through robocalls.Grassley said. Passage of theTRACED Actwill help bring some much-needed relief of robocalls in Iowa and across the country. It is vital that these scammers are stopped and that enforcement be robust. According to YouMail, there were an estimated 48 billion robocalls in 2018, which is up over 65% since 2016. This number has already been surpassed in the first ten months of 2019. In fact, Americans received a record-high number of 5.7 billion robocalls in October. First Orion predicts that this year 44.6 percent of all calls to mobile devices will be scams. In 2018, the FCC received 232,000 consumer complaints of unwanted calls, a nearly 35 percent increase since 2015. In May, the Senate passed theTRACED Actby a vote of 97-1. In July, the House of Representatives passed theStopping Bad Robocalls Actby a vote of 429-3. These bills were reconciled resulting in thePallone-Thune TRACED Act. ThePallone-ThuneTRACED Act, S. 151, is bipartisan legislation that takes aim at telemarketers who prey on consumers. The following is a summary of the major provisions of the bill: TRACED grants the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) more latitude to pursue civil forfeiture penalties against the worst offendersrobocallers intentionally violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Under current law, the FCC must first issue a citation to a robocaller, and then can only seek penalties within a year of a subsequent violation. This bill would permit the FCC … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-passage-rural-broadband-deployment-and-mapping-bill | Grassley Statement on Passage of Rural Broadband Deployment and Mapping Bill | 2019-12-19 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released the following statement on the passage of the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act. I'm concerned that the current FCC maps dramatically overstate broadband access in Iowa in a way that has a negative impact on our funding eligibility, Grassley said. Better data will ensure that funding is available throughout rural America. This bill should help the FCC accomplish these goals. The Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue new rules to require the collection and dissemination of granular broadband availability data and to establish a process to verify the accuracy of such data. Grassley has a long history of working to close the digital divide in Iowa. He is a strong advocate for rural broadband deployment and providing the tools necessary to make sure that rural America is not left behind. All Americans ought to be able to share in the opportunity that advanced telecommunications and mobile technology can bring to one's home, classroom, hospital, business, or tractor, Grassley stated. Most recently, Grassley and Sen. Joni Ernst sent a letter on July 8, 2019 to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai regarding the FCC's role in ensuring the accuracy of broadband maps. In August 2019, the FCC voted to create a new Digital Opportunity Data Collection regime based on geospatial broadband coverage maps provided by fixed Internet service providers. The Universal Service Administration Company was charged with the new data collection and will create a portal for collecting the carrier data and allow for crowdsourced challenges to the maps. The FCC is continuing to collect data based on census blocks, but will require fixed broadband suppliers to also provide coverage maps based on shapefiles for more granular data. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-wyden-introduce-bill-tackle-medicare-appeals-backlog | Grassley, Wyden Introduce Bill to Tackle Medicare Appeals Backlog | 2019-12-19 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) reintroduced legislation to reduce the backlog of Medicare appeals cases. The bipartisan Audit & Appeals Fairness, Integrity, and Reforms in Medicare Act (AFIRM) of 2019, establishes new tools for the Office of Medicare Hearing and Appeals (OMHA) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to resolve outstanding appeals cases in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. HHS has made great strides to reduce the backlog of Medicare appeals at OMHA. However, despite their best efforts, more than 300,000 Medicare appeals were still pending as of June this year. As a result, hospitals, doctors and nursing homes are being forced to wait for up to three years for their appeal to be adjudicated. This bill gives HHS the ability to eliminate the backlog more quickly and help prevent bottlenecks in the future, Grassley said. Care providers and seniors shouldn't have to wait years for the federal government to determine it has improperly denied a health care claim and compensate them accordingly. This bipartisan bill has been before Congress for far too long. I thank Chairman Grassley for continuing this bipartisan work and I hope it can become law soon to finally eliminate this backlog, Wyden said. The AFIRM Act (S.3078) builds on the Committee's past oversight and investigative efforts to identify ways to make Medicare appeals more efficient for healthcare providers. In 2015, an earlier version of the AFIRM Act was passed out of the Senate Finance Committee by unanimous consent, but failed to pass the Senate. Since the beginning of the year, Grassley and Wyden have worked to identify opportunities to reduce costs associated with the bill. Earlier versions of the bill were estimated to cost more than $1 billion over a ten year period, while this version is expected to cost just a fraction of that amount. The legislation introduced this week would help HHS adjudicate low-value claims by providing HHS… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senators-request-comprehensive-study-national-organ-donor-system | Senators Request Comprehensive Study of National Organ Donor System | 2019-12-19 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Todd Young, a member of the Committee, wrote to Health and Human Services Acting Inspector General (HHS OIG) Joanne Chiedi requesting a comprehensive examination of the adequacy of the organ procurement and transplantation system in the United States. President Trump's historic executive order will transform the nation's organ procurement and transplant system. I'm confident that the proposed rule being developed by Secretary Azar as the result of President Trump's directive will save thousands of American lives. But there's also no question that more can be done right now to improve a system that is mired by inefficiency, waste and a serious lack of accountability. Grassley said. Because our organ donation system is so complex, most people don't know how it works, or if patients are being protected. This is why we are taking a look behind the curtain of a system that so many lives depend on. My friend, Marine Dave Gunny' McFarland from Jeffersonville, Indiana, died because his heart transplant never came. That is unacceptable. I won't stop working on this issue until we increase the availability of organs for patients in need, and eliminate the inefficiencies occurring in our organ donation system, Young said. The senators are seeking information about the extent of HHS OIG oversight of OPOs and other information regarding previous relevant investigations. The letter from Grassley and Young can be found HERE.Grassley, Young and a bipartisan group of senators wrote to HHS earlier this year demanding answers to a recent change in the national liver distribution policy made by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). Under the new policy, transplant hospitals in areas with rural and low-income populations could see patients waiting longer for a liver match and losing livers donated in their state.-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=60DD3F05-EB9B-4D21-B2E5-72DAB9B6D546 | Ernst Bill Would Help Iowa CommunitiesLike HamburgMake Temporary Flood Protection Structures Permanent | 2019-12-18 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON In April 2019, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) chaired a Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee field hearing in southwest Iowa where she questioned U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) witnesses on their management of the river and heard from local stakeholders, including Cathy Crain, Mayor of Hamburg, Iowa who described her community's struggles to make their heightened levee permanent. Today, Ernst is putting forward bipartisan legislation, with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), to help communities, like Hamburg, make temporary flood protection structures permanent. Rural communities like Hamburg, Iowa deserve the same flood protection as any other community across the country, said Senator Joni Ernst. Iowa's communities, regardless of their size, should be able to get the flood protection they need, and our bipartisan bill helps them do just that. In emergency situations, the Corps has the authority to construct temporary flood structures. In 2011, it raised the levee protecting Hamburg by about 8 feet to improve the town's defenses against flood waters. This temporary improvement helped withstand the flood waters, but Corps policy dictated that the structure had to be either taken down or built to Corps specificationsat a cost to the town. Because Hamburg could not afford to make the levee permanent, it had to be removed. The Local Expertise is Vital for Effective Embankments (LEVEE) Act gives the Corps the authority to review whether temporary flood control structures should be made permanent. In making these determinations, the Corps is directed to consider the likelihood of needing to construct a similar structure in the future, and the economic and safety benefits of making the structure permanent. The legislation also allows the local cost share for making the structure permanent to be waived for communities with populations less than 10,000, or that are financially disadvantaged or at risk from recurring flood events. Background Atan oversight hearing earlier this year, Sena… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B2973EAF-E501-475B-A43F-1AA614A33AEA | Ernst Nominates 40 Iowans for Admission to U.S. Service Academies | 2019-12-18 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, today announced U.S. Service Academy nominations for 40 young Iowans. As a combat veteran, and mother of a West Point cadet, it's truly an honor to nominate these qualified Iowa students for admittance to our U.S. Service Academies. Each of these students has exemplified strong leadership, dedication to academics and commitment to community service. This nomination is an important step in the admissions process, and I'm proud to assist these students in reaching their goal of serving our nation in uniform, said Senator Ernst. Each year, Senator Ernst nominates 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 the service academy nomination process, click here. Below is a complete list of the students nominated by Senator Ernst for the Class of 2024. U.S. Air Force Academy Scott Bell Altoona* Anthony Cordes Avoca Anton Dahm Bettendorf Jacob DeJohn Urbandale Keegan Eitter Dubuque* Emma Holesinger Dubuque* Jacob Hrasky Treynor Nolan McGregor Sergeant Bluff Benson Redfern Cedar Falls Jordyn Wagner Clive U.S. Military Academy at West Point Margaret Cristoforo Mt. Pleasant Madison Corey Ankeny Ethan Flege Waverly Grace Greer Iowa City James Pinter Iowa City Luke South Linden Mikail Syed Iowa City Gaige Tvrs West Liberty Jerry Vesey III Bettendorf Wynn Yeager Winterset U.S. Naval Academy Kaylah Ajram-Wright Cedar Rapids Bryce Anstoetter Dubuque John Bell Waterloo Scott Bell Altoona* Chloe David Granger Mason Dunn Bettendorf Mitchell Engelbart Wyoming Keegan Eitter Dubuque* Madison Foht Davenport* MaryClare Greer Iowa City Emma Holesinger Dubuque* Nicholas McGowan Sioux City Lucas Miller Urbandale* Jacob Nelson Bettendorf* Lucas Paskach Des Mo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-stands-with-the-constitution-and-president-trump-votes-against-sore | King Stands with the Constitution and President Trump, Votes Against Sore Loser Democrats Sham Articles of Impeachment | 2019-12-18 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | Washington D.C- Congressman Steve King releases the following statement after voting against both of the sham impeachment articles introduced by House Democrats. The Articles of Impeachment passed the House of Representatives on a vote of 230-197 (Article One) and 229-198 (Article Two). Not a single Republican voted in favor of the Impeachment Articles; in fact, the Democrats' Impeachment Articles were so meritless that a handful of conscientious Democrats were willing to cross party lines to join Republicans in voting against them. For three years, sore loser Democrats have feverishly attempted to undo election results that they have never accepted, and these sham impeachment articles represent the futile culmination of the far-left's impotent frustration and rage, said King. Leftist Democrats and Never-Trumpers created a Resistance movement to thwart President Trump at every turn, and they have turned Constitutional protections like due process inside-out and upside-down in their quest to remove our remarkably successful President from office. The simple fact of the matter is this: Democrats realize that they can't beat the President in 2020, and they've decided to use the impeachment process as a campaign weapon against him. The people of Iowa see through the Democrats' cynical ploy. Iowans support this President and the great work he is doing for our country, they want their votes for President Trump respected, and they understand that adherence to our Constitution means rejecting the impeachment of a duly-elected President on such baseless, politically motivated charges. In rejecting the Articles of Impeachment, Congressman King stands firmly on the side of the United States Constitution, protecting a duly-elected President from hyper-partisan House Democrats' illegitimate effort to remove him from the office to which the American people, including the people of Iowa, elected him to serve. As a reminder, in the 2016 Presidential election, the people of Iowa voted 51.1% to 41.7% to elect President Trump over … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-king-defends-president-trump-against-articles-of-impeachment | Video: King Defends President Trump Against Articles of Impeachment | 2019-12-18 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | You're accusing Donald Trump of doing that which Joe Biden has confessed to doing! Washington D.C- Congressman Steve King releases the following video of comments he delivered during House debate this afternoon over the Articles of Impeachment that House Democrats have introduced to impeach and seek the removal of President Donald J. Trump from office. King opposes both Articles of Impeachment being brought against the President. To watch the video, please click the image above or on this link. Transcript: I thank you Madame Speaker and I thank the Gentleman for yielding. I start off first that this is the largest and most massive cover-up of such a list of crimes against our country, and it goes so far as to bring impeachment hearings to try to cover all of this up. And I would take you back to October of 2015 when Barack Obama said, Hillary Clinton would never intend to jeopardize our national security.' Again, the following April, the next month, Peter Strzok wrote the statement that was delivered by James Comey. And they've spent Democrat money and Hillary Clinton money in Russia to pick up dirt on Donald Trump! And, then, Joe Biden goes to Ukraine and makes a statement Here's a billion dollars, but you must do what I tell you to do!' You're accusing Donald Trump of doing that which Joe Biden has confessed to doing! And, by the way, Joe Biden was not the opponent of Donald Trump. He's in a 21-way primary for Democrats; he's running third in that race. His [Biden's] opponents are the other 20 Democrats. How would anybody dig in to that mess of 21 people and decide he's going to go overseas and pull some maneuver like this? You have to assign him a motive. You assign him a motive, then you create the dots, then you go dot to dot. But the reality is that it was Biden that was doing the extortion of the power play in order to protect his own son, and it was Donald Trump that was following the law that said you have to ensure that there is not corruption here before this money is handed over. And, by the way, … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-first-step-act-one-year-anniversary-senate-passage | Grassley on the First Step Act: One Year Anniversary of Senate Passage | 2019-12-18 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa The First Step Act: One Year Anniversary of Senate Passage Wednesday, December 18, 2019 I come to the floor today to commemorate and celebrate the one year anniversary of a groundbreaking achievement. On December 18, 2018, the Senate passed the First Step Act. Three days later, President Trump signed this monumental bill into law. The First Step Act is the most significant criminal justice reform law in a generation. I'm proud of the work we accomplished a year ago here on the Senate floor by voting it out of this chamber with a roll call vote of 87-12. This historic vote means a lot to me. In fact, in one of the conference rooms in my office here in Washington, I have the official tally sheet from this bill's vote framed and hung on a wall. Now, Iowans, advocates, and those who visit my office can see a piece of history. Our criminal justice system is based on the rule of law. That means when you commit a crime, you should be punished. But the punishment should fit the crime. If the penalty is too harsh, it doesn't do any more to deter criminal activity and it's a bad value for taxpayers. Overly harsh penalties can also make it harder for prisoners who are trying to change their lives to turn over a new leaf. It's worth noting that almost all criminals are eventually released from prison. So our criminal justice system must do more than punish and deter. It must rehabilitate and prepare prisoners to reenter society. And that's what the First Step Act does. It gives non-violent prisoners an incentive to participate in programs in prison like job training, drug treatment programs, and counseling that have been shown to reduce recidivism. The First Step Act also makes sentencing more fair. It leaves tough penalties in place for the worst criminals, but it reduces mandatory minimum sentences giving judges the ability to tailor punishments to fit crimes. Today marks a happy occasion and a time for reflection. However, we must remain focused on the… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-lauds-inclusion-plan-restore-access-justice-us-victims-terrorism | Grassley Lauds Inclusion of Plan to Restore Access to Justice for U.S. Victims of Terrorism in Spending Package | 2019-12-18 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Bipartisan bill allows PA to be held accountable in U.S. courts based on martyr payments to families of terrorists & activities by the PA on U.S. soil. WASHINGTON Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released the following statement after successfully securing the inclusion of the bipartisan Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act of 2019 in the year-end appropriations package. In October, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the legislationintroduced by Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.)to ensure American victims of international terrorism can seek justice in U.S. courts. The legislation builds upon the 1992Anti-Terrorism Actauthored by Grassley and responds to the Palestinian Authority's (PA) shameful restriction on humanitarian aid in its effort to thwart accountability for supporting acts of terrorism. It also corrects a recent circuit court decision that effectively closed the courthouse doors to American victims. The American principle that everyone deserves meaningful access to justice is as old as the Constitution itself. That's why, in 1992, Congress unanimously passed theAnti-Terrorism Actto open the courthouse doors to American victims and their families. Unfortunately, recent flawed court decisions gutted the law that had worked for nearly 30 years. When Congress sought to close that loophole, the Palestinian Authority responded by thumbing its nose at our justice system and unnecessarily blocked humanitarian aid from its own people in the process. ThePromoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Actrestores jurisdiction in U.S. courts and ensures that critical humanitarian aid can continue to flow. This bill marks a rare compromise reached by American victims of terrorism, the State Department, and other key stakeholders. I'm grateful for their tireless work and the efforts of colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and especially the leadership of Senator Lankford, to move this bill forward. After over a year of negotiations, I'm glad … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-partners-leeve-act-make-temporary-flood-protection-structures-permanent | Grassley Partners on LEEVE Act to Make Temporary Flood Protection Structures Permanent | 2019-12-18 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Kirsten Gilibrand (D-N.Y.) in introducing the Local Expertise is Vital for Effective Embankments (LEVEE) Act to help communities make temporary flood protection structures permanent.In April, Grassley participated in a field hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in southwest Iowa chaired by Ernst, in which local stakeholders, including Mayor Crain of Hamburg, described the struggles communities have in keeping levee improvements made in face of flooding permanent. Cities like Hamburg have struggled after disasters to keep their temporary flood protection structures in place to provide further protection from flooding.We should use some good Iowa common sense and not tear down these structures. This bill was discussed at the hearing and we are following through on our commitment. It's important that communities do not have to go through the situation that Hamburg has gone through along our mighty rivers, Grassley said. The Local Expertise is Vital for Effective Embankments (LEVEE) Act gives the Army Corps of Engineers the authority to review whether temporary flood control structures should be made permanent. In making these determinations, the Corps is directed to consider the likelihood of needing to construct a similar structure in the future, and the economic and safety benefits of making the structure permanent. The legislation also allows the local cost share for making the structure permanent to be waived for communities with populations less than 10,000, or that are financially disadvantaged or at risk from recurring flood events. In 2011, the Corps raised the Ditch 6 levee by about eight feet to help protect the town against flood waters. This levee held the floodwaters back, but unfortunately, Corps policy told them they had to take down the additional protection or rebuild it to Corps specifications. Hamburg was unable to come up with the additional funds to rebuild the levee so they were forced t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-praises-committee-passage-bipartisan-national-bio-and-agro-defense | Grassley Praises Committee Passage of Bipartisan National Bio and Agro-Defense Legislation, Lands Package | 2019-12-18 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined his colleagues, Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) in supporting the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) Act of 2019, which recently passed out of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. National security is a growing priority for the agriculture industry, which faces many potential foreign threats. This bipartisan bill will add another layer of defense for the food supply in our country. I'm glad to see a collaborative cross-agency approach to address emerging threats and prioritize farm and food safety, Grassley said. The Committee passed S. 2695, as amended by a manager's amendment, on a voice vote. Read full text of the bill here.-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-prescription-drug-pricing-reduction-act-would-help-americans-parkinson-s | Grassley: Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act Would Help Americans with Parkinson’s | 2019-12-18 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Finance Committee Wednesday, December 18, 2019 Senator Wyden and I received a letter from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research endorsing our bipartisan Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act. One million Americans have Parkinson's disease. There's no way to stop it or cure it. But thanks to modern medicine, the symptoms can be treated to help patients live a better life. Ninety percent of all individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease are on Medicare. Our bill would help these seniors afford their medicine with a cap on out-of-pocket expenses. Now's the time for Congress to act. Not only for those with Parkinson's disease, but for all Americans who need our help. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-fifth-circuit-court-appeals-obamacare-ruling | Grassley Statement on Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Obamacare Ruling | 2019-12-18 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released the following statement regarding the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate. In 2012, the Supreme Court upheld Obamacare, despite serious constitutional issues with the federal government forcing Americans to purchase a product from a private company. Until an ultimate decision is made by the Supreme Court or Congress decides otherwise, the Affordable Care Act will remain the law of the land, Grassley said. Congress should work to ensure that no matter the ultimate outcome, Americans who have pre-existing conditions are protected from losing their insurance or facing discrimination. This is something that has broad, bipartisan support. The only reason for Democrats not to act on legislation like the Protect Act is because they would prefer to keep a partisan political issue alive. That's the definition of putting politics before people and it shouldn't stand. Earlier this year, Grassley joined Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and several other senators in introducing the Protect Act, legislation that would protect Americans with pre-existing conditions and ensure that Americans have the peace of mind knowing that they and their loved ones will never be denied health care coverage or be charged more because of a pre-existing condition.-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-impeachment-president-trump | Grassley Statement on the Impeachment of President Trump | 2019-12-18 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), president pro tempore of the United States Senate, released the following statement regarding the impeachment of the President of the United States by the House of Representatives. This is a sad day for our country. The impeachment of a president is a serious matter. Today marks the first partisan impeachment of the President of the United States in modern history. The only bipartisanship the American people witnessed today stood opposed to impeachment. The Framers of the Constitutiondid not want impeachment to be a partisan process. The House of Representatives will soon present articles of impeachment to the Senate. I will examine the evidence of the charges presented before the Senateand uphold my oath and duty as a juror. As president pro tempore of the Senate, Grassley will swear in Chief Justice John Roberts, who will preside over the Senate trial. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-trump-drug-importation-plan | Grassley Statement on Trump Drug Importation Plan | 2019-12-18 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Longtime Drug Importation Advocate Grassley Praises Trump Effort to Lower Prescription Drug Prices Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) released the following statement regarding the Trump administration's announcement of a proposed rule to allow certain prescription drugs to be imported from Canada.This is a long time in the making and an important piece of the puzzle to lower prescription drug prices. I applaud President Trump and Secretary Azar for not succumbing to Big Pharma scare tactics and moving forward with this bold but thoughtful plan to finally allow more competition in the marketplace, Grassley said. I've been a longtime advocate of allowing prescription medicine from Canada to be imported to the United States. This proposal would ensure that any drug imported for sale to Americans abides by strict FDA health and safety standards. I look forward to closely reviewing this proposed rule and continuing to work with President Trump and Secretary Azar on bipartisan legislation to lower prescription drug prices.The Trump administration proposed rule mirrors bipartisan legislation from Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Grassley, the Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2019, to import prescription drugs from Canada that meet Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety standards, pose no risk to the health and safety of Americans, as well as not allowing controlled substances or biologics to be imported.Grassley has repeatedly encouraged increased importation of prescription drugs from Canada and worked to address the ever-increasing costs of prescription drugs. In 2017, Grassley and other senators urged HHS Secretary Tom Price to use statutory authority to fast-track the importation of prescription drugs from Canada. Grassley sent a similar letter to then-Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell in 2015.Grassley had previously urged HHS and FDA to reinstate unannounced inspections of prescription drug manufacturing facilities in foreign countri… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-grassley-delivers-soybean-farmers-biodiesel | ICYMI: Grassley Delivers for Soybean Farmers, Biodiesel | 2019-12-18 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Here's what advocates are saying about the Biodiesel Tax Credit extension secured by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in negotiations this week with House and Senate leadership, which the Senate will take up this week: Passage of the biodiesel tax credit is much-needed good news in rural America. We thank Senator Grassley for working into the wee hours of the morning to ensure this crucial policy finally moves forward. This credit has long been a priority for the Senator, and as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee he has shepherded it through to spark the growth of next generation biofuels. We express the utmost gratitude to Sen. Chuck Grassley, our most ardent champion, for fighting for this policy. The entire U.S. biodiesel industry owes him our humble thanks for his leadership. Biodiesel adds value to every bushel of soybeans The Iowa Soybean Associationis grateful forIowa Senators Grassley and Ernst for their steadfast leadership and tremendous support This is welcome news for the entire renewable fuels industry, and we thank Senator Grassley, Speaker Pelosi and other congressional leadership who made this important compromise possible. ASA is grateful to Congress for its support of the tax creditwhich will help expand markets for soybean growers during an unsteady time. Read more about the expected extension from Iowa Public Radio: Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, worked late into the night Monday to Tuesday finalizing a deal on the so-called tax extenders. I'm happy to report, we've restored the $1 per gallon biodiesel tax credit, and we did it retroactively to its expiring on Dec. 31 2017, Grassley said. That means it will apply to 2018 and 2019 and the provision also calls on it to continue through 2022. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senators-seek-interviews-former-obama-administration-officials-regarding-burisma | Senators seek interviews with former Obama Administration officials regarding Burisma Holdings and Hunter Biden | 2019-12-18 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) are seeking records from and transcribed staff interviews with five former Obama administration officials: Antony Blinken Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Amos Hochstein Former senior advisor on international energy affairs to Vice President Joe Biden Catherine Novelli Former Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Victoria Nuland Former Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs David Wade Former Chief of Staff to Secretary of State John Kerry These interview requests continue the chairmen's oversight efforts (seehere,here,here, andhere) related to potential conflicts of interest and political influence by Ukrainian elements, including the natural gas firm Burisma, which employed Hunter Biden as a board member while his father was vice president and the public face of the Obama administration's handling of Ukraine.Additional records and interviews related to these matters may also be necessary. The chairmen have requested these individuals to respond by no later than December 23, 2019.On December 6, 2019, Johnson, Grassley, and Graham requested records and transcribed interviews with Andrii Telizhenko and Alexandra Chalupa, two individuals reportedly involved in an effort by Ukrainian embassy officials to undermine the Trump campaign in the 2016 election (see here).Both individuals have since been in contact with the committees and discussions are ongoing regarding document productions and scheduling interviews. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5CDFCB35-DCC7-48E6-AE8D-ED9C81D6DDC3 | Ernst: Defense Bill Provides Servicemembers with Much-Needed Resources | 2019-12-17 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a combat veteran and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats & Capabilities, applauded the bipartisan passage of this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Ernst thanked Senate Armed Services Chairman, Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), for his leadership and emphasized the importance of the bill, which includes a pay-raise for our troops and supports the needs of our special operators. She also highlighted her provisions that were included in the final bill to expand support for victims of military sexual assault and domestic violence. Click here or the image above to watch Senator Ernst's remarks. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B47C0707-EA5D-4B33-99D0-19704D3BDB33 | Annual Defense Bill Advances with Ernsts Support and Priorities Included | 2019-12-17 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a combat veteran and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, proudly supported theFiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The final bipartisan, bicameral defense bill includes nearly all of Senator Ernst's priorities, including her proposals to address military sexual assault, to improve Iowa's critical contributions to our nation's defense, and to invest in technological advancements to face the threats of today and well into the future. Having worn our nation's uniform, I take seriously the responsibility we have to provide our servicemembers with the support, authorities, and resources they need to carry out their mission. This bipartisan defense bill includes a number of my priorities that will directly impact all Americans and bolster our national security so that we are outpacing and maintaining a strategic advantage against our adversaries. Congress has passed an annual defense bill 58 years in a row, and in an overwhelmingly bipartisan way, and I'm proud to say that after tremendous hard work and commitment, we've fulfilled our obligation once again. The House and Senate have acted, and I'm confident President Trump will swiftly sign this critical bill into law, said Senator Joni Ernst, the first female combat veteran elected to the Senate. Nearly all of Ernst's priorities from the Senate-passed NDAA were included in the FY20 NDAA Conference Report.Below are a few highlights: Expanding support for victims of military sexual assault and domestic violencethrough provisions focusing on both prevention and successful prosecution of these serious offenses; Improving research on TBIamong servicemembers and strengthening the capacity to track and mitigate injuries caused by blast pressure exposure; Sustaining and enhancing the workload at the Rock Island Arsenal; Ensuring the production of much needed combat munitions at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant; Requesting a briefingon DoD's efficient… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F568F669-9B2D-4EAF-BA2D-B7971C6FB3A9 | Ernst Leads Bipartisan Hearing on Opioid and Meth Crisis | 2019-12-17 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON With Congress dedicating nearly $11 billion to tackle the opioid crisis to date, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) chaired a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing today focused on examining the federal government's strategy for combating the epidemic, including the daunting rates of methamphetamine abuse in Iowa in particular, and to conduct oversight on the nation's top agencies and departments tasked with the job. Click here or on the image above to watch Senator Ernst's opening remarks. Witnesses included top officials from the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The NOPAIN Act Senator Ernst is also joining her colleagues, Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Doug Jones (D-AL), in introducing a bipartisan bill to provide more non-opioid pain treatment options for Medicare beneficiaries, to help prevent abuse. The NOPAIN Actor the Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation Actwould help alleviate barriers for Medicare beneficiaries to use non-opioid pain management alternatives. Under current law, hospitals receive the same Medicare payment for both opioid and non-opioid prescriptions. This creates a disincentive for doctors to prescribe non-opioids, given that traditional opioids are typically dispensed by a pharmacy at little or no cost to the hospital. The NOPAIN Act addresses this payment disincentive by requiring the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide separate Medicare reimbursement for non-opioid pain management options. Senator Ernst's full opening remarks in today's hearing are below: Since 1999, more than 700,000 people have died from a drug overdose in the United States. Increased opioid addiction and the production of deadly synthetic opioids have exasperated America's staggering overdose death rates. In 2017, more than 70,000 people died from drug overdoses, making it the leading cause of injury-related death in the Unite… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-discusses-votes-against-14-trillion-in-irresponsible-spending-bills | King Discusses Votes Against $1.4 Trillion in Irresponsible Spending Bills | 2019-12-17 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | Too much money, too little time, and no process that allowed for any kind of oversight. Washington D.C- Congressman Steve King releases the following video of comments he delivered during a Facebook Live broadcast today. In his remarks, King discusses his reasons for voting against irresponsible spending bills totaling $1.4 Trillion in spending that were rushed through the House of Representatives today with little to no opportunity for Members to review the contents prior to the votes. While there are things in each of the bills that King likes (see the included list of King's legislative successes below), such as the tax extenders package for the Bio-diesel credit (King was a cosponsor of that legislation), in the end it came down to this: To watch the video, please click on the image or on this link. "The first thing I request is this: I want regular order. I want an open process. I want an opportunity to weigh in on these pieces of appropriations bills with amendments. I want to hear the debate on the amendments that others might have offered. And, in the end, I want also fiscal responsibility. $1.4 Trillion in spending without scrutiny is not fiscal responsibility. . .The whole picture was too much money, too little time, no process that allowed for any kind of oversight by the regular members on the floor of the House of Representatives." Despite his opposition to the underlying bills, Congressman King was incredibly successful in ensuring that many of his most important legislative priorities received funding. According to a document prepared by the House Appropriations Committee, the following King priorities were included in the 12 bills passed in the House of Representatives today. Congressman Steve King (IA-4) Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies $1 million is provided for the new Genome to Phenome program at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. No language is included to interfere with the mandatory funds provided to the Market Access Prog… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-completes-2019-social-media-series-cornwatch-soybeanwatch | Grassley Completes 2019 Social Media Series #CornWatch, #SoybeanWatch | 2019-12-17 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a family farmer, completed his two social media series called #CornWatch and #SoybeanWatch that gave followers an inside look at farming operations on the Grassley family farm in New Hartford, Iowa. His 20-week series highlighted the progression, from planting to harvest, of the farm's corn and soybean crops. Most people have never stepped foot on a family farm, let alone know about all the complexities that go into planting, growing and harvesting a bountiful crop. The purpose of my #CornWatch and #SoybeanWatch series was to highlight how this small group, only 2 percent of Americans, do the work that feeds and fuels the world. The process of seeing a crop from beginning to end is one that many wouldn't have an opportunity to see, including most of my colleagues in Washington. My hope is that everyone was able to learn more about farming through my #CornWatch and #SoybeanWatch series' and how important farming is to the country's success. While this is the second year in a row that Grassley has featured his #CornWatch series, this is the first year that he launched his #SoybeanWatch series. Grassley created #SoybeanWatch to help provide additional education about another important crop to Iowa. As one of only two farmers in the Senate and the senior senator of one of the top agricultural states in the country, Grassley has been an outspoken advocate for farmers and Rural America. Grassley has been a steadfast proponent of the Renewable Fuel Standard. He's continued to act as a watchdog over the EPA so they do not undercut ethanol and biodiesel production. Grassley's also been a champion for the biodiesel industry, ensuring that the biodiesel tax credit was guaranteed by Congress through 2022.Grassley also took action when there was a liquid propane shortage in Iowa this fall. After hearing concerns from people from every corner of the state, he joined his colleagues, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Gov. Kim Reynolds in pushing the Federal Energy Regulatory Comm… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-partners-bill-stop-flow-drugs-pill-mills | Grassley Partners on Bill to Stop Flow of Drugs to Pill Mills | 2019-12-17 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to give the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) additional tools to hold drug distributors, manufacturers and pharmacies accountable for identifying, reporting and stopping suspicious orders of controlled substances. The Preventing Pill Mills Through Data Sharing Act was introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and also cosponsored by Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). The bill builds upon the Using Data to Prevent Opioid Diversion Act, which was enacted last year as a part of a comprehensive package to combat the opioid addiction crisis. As communities across the country continue to battle the flood of heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine and other illicit opioids, we can't ignore the drug dealers wearing white coats. Bad actors in the legitimate medication supply chain have also contributed to the spread of opioid addiction and overdoes. In some cases, pharmacies have provided small communities with lethal volumes of highly-addictive pills far beyond what could reasonably be prescribed. This bill ensures that the Drug Enforcement Agency is able to collect and share data necessary to identify and prevent suspicious drug orders. It builds on several bills I've pushed to attack the opioid crisis on multiple fronts, Grassley said. Thousands of opioids, often bought from pharmacies, are flooding our communities and leading to devastatingly high levels of addiction and prescription drug-related overdose deaths. One West Virginia town of 392 people received nearly 9 million pills in a single year. We cannot allow pharmacies to order far more drugs than they can responsibly distribute, and drug manufacturers and distributors to supply them. The data needed to stop pharmacies from becoming pill mills already exists, we just have to make it accessible so suspicious orders can be spotted and reported to the authorities. That's exactly what this bill does and I'm proud to introduce… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-passage-national-defense-authorization-act | Grassley Statement on the Passage of National Defense Authorization Act | 2019-12-17 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) released the following statement on the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. The annual funding bill provides critical resources for national defense, military readiness and support for the nation's service members. National defense is the number one responsibility of the federal government, and ensuring our military efforts receive appropriate resources is critical to the safety of our country. This legislation also includes a well-deserved pay raise for members of our armed forced. I will continue to conduct robust oversight to help cut wasteful military spending while also ensuring our men and women in uniform have everything that they need to perform their mission, Grassley said. Grassley introduced an amendment to the FY 2020 NDAA legislation that would have increased transparency by requiring the DOD to report to Congress on contracting practices, specifically on the sole source spare parts contracts for which the DoD is unable to obtain accurate cost data. This amendment is a product of Grassley's continuous oversight work on overpriced spare parts purchased by the DoD. The NDAA as passed by Congress includes similar language requiring the GAO to report on the DoD's efforts to secure reasonable prices in contracts.Grassley also sent a letter to the leadership of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees urging them not to adopt a House provision in the FY 2020 NDAA that would have restricted audit firm transparency requirements that are already in effect. That provision was ultimately not included, and the law requiring audit firms to report all disciplinary proceedings to the DoD will remain in place.Earlier this year, Grassley sent aletterto then-Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan asking for more information about how the DoD contracts with businesses and other entities in overpricing, specifically citing TransDigm. Additionally, Grassley asked about DoD's process to collect cost data from thos… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-temporary-funding-health-programs-opens-door-prescription-drug-pricing | Grassley: Temporary Funding for Health Programs Opens Door to Prescription Drug Pricing in 2020 | 2019-12-17 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released the following statement regarding critical health program funding included in the year-end appropriations package. Grassley and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) have been leading the charge to lower prescription drug prices in Congress.This deal ensures funding for critical health programs won't lapse and provides long-term certainty for some programs, including health research crucial to medical innovation and discovery. By extending some programs until May of next year, Congress will have the opportunity to act on prescription drug pricing and finally make good on a promise nearly all of us have made, Grassley said. The inclusion of the CREATES Act is a good first step toward addressing abuse and establishing a freer and fairer prescription drug marketplace, but much more must be done if Americans are truly going to see lower prices at the pharmacy counter any time soon. Funding for Medicare, Medicaid and key human services programs are within the jurisdiction of the Senate Finance Committee. Background on funding provisions can be found below. Funded until May 21, 2020: Medicare: Extension of the work geographic index floor that increases Medicare payments to rural health care providers, a priority of Grassley's;Extension of funding to support activities related to quality measurement and provider performance in the Medicare and Medicaid programs; andExtension of funding for the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) that helps low-income seniors with Medicare enrollment. Medicaid: Funding for Money Follows the Person program in Medicaid to help states provide transition services to help people move from nursing facilities to home or community-based settings;Funding of a spousal impoverishment protection in Medicaid; andFunding for the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic demonstration in Medicaid. Human Services: Funding of the Health Professions Opportunity Grant program; andExtension of the Sexua… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-two-year-anniversary-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act | Grassley on the Two Year Anniversary of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act | 2019-12-17 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Finance Committee Tuesday, December 17, 2019 This week marks the second anniversary of the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Thanks to theses historic tax cuts and reforms, Americans have more money in their paychecks and pocketbooks. Individuals and families have more to spend or save for retirement. Small businesses and entrepreneurs have more to invest in their employees and business operations. As a result, we have experienced the longest U.S. economic expansion in history, higher wages and historically low unemployment. I am proud to say on this two year anniversary that tax reform has been a resounding success. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-welcomes-inclusion-retirement-savings-legislation-spending-package | Grassley Welcomes Inclusion of Retirement Savings Legislation in Spending Package | 2019-12-17 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | The SECURE Act Mirrors the Bipartisan Grassley-Wyden Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released the following statement after successfully securing the inclusion of legislation based on his bipartisan bill with Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore) in the year-end appropriations package. TheSECURE Actincludes theRetirement Enhancement and Savings (RESA) Act of 2019,legislation Grassley introduced earlier this year with Wyden. This legislation will help more Americans save for their retirement and help more American businesses invest in their employees' future financial security, Grassley said. Government should be doing everything it can to help Americans save more of their own hard-earned money so they can retire with peace of mind, dignity and independence. Passing this bipartisan bill was one of my top priorities as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee this Congress. I'm glad after months of delay it will finally become law. The SECURE ACT includes reform proposals to increase retirement savings in several ways, including: Improving an existing type of retirement plan called a multiple employer plan or MEP. Such plans would be expanded to make it easier for small employers to join together to sponsor a single retirement plan for their workers. This would help millions of Americans save for retirement, and reduce plan-administration costs for small businesses;Helping workers to ensure they have adequate income in retirement by creating new rules for employers that offer lifetime-income arrangements in their retirement plans;Enhancing the ability of employees to transfer their retirement plan assets to a new retirement plan when they change jobs;Encouraging employees to increase their retirement savings annually through automatic increases in contributions to 401(k) plans and requiring employers to provide estimates of how much an employee's account would provide during retirement if it were invested in an annuity; and,Continuing t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/year-end-spending-package-includes-wins-biodiesel-disaster-affected-areas | Year-End Spending Package Includes Wins for Biodiesel, Disaster Affected Areas | 2019-12-17 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) made the following comments on the deal reached by lawmakers regarding temporary tax code provisions also known as extenders. After years of uncertainty for many Americans, we've finally come to an agreement on the future of these temporary tax policies. Many people in my state, farmers and processors alike, can breathe a sigh of relief that Congress will extend the biodiesel tax credit retroactively and through 2022. That industry employs more than 60,000 Americans, including thousands of Iowans. This extension provides important, longer-term stability for them and their communities. As chairman of the Finance Committee, I led the effort to get this top priority done. We are also extending tax relief needed to help rebuild in areas where natural disasters have devastated homes and businesses. This will help people in Iowa who saw historic, damaging floods in 2019 as well as Californians and others who've endured some of the biggest wildfires in recent history. We found a path to extend a small but significant set of policies by negotiating through midnight last night. This may not be the package I'd have pushed for on my own, but it's a reasonable way forward that provides certainty where before there was only anxiety for many Americans. The package includes the extensions of the following policies: Multi-year extension of the Biodiesel Tax Credit through (2022);Multi-year extension of the Short-line Railroad Tax Credit (through 2022);Extension of disaster tax relief;Single-year extension of the Wind Energy Production Tax Credit;Resolution of tax-exempt organization parking tax;Clarification of the tax benefits for rural electric cooperatives (RURAL Act). Full text of the legislative package can be found HERE. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1F01B171-7BDE-4F47-9687-29C927D50F62 | Ernst: We should expect and demand the highest standard of care for Iowas veterans | 2019-12-16 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Followinga Government Accountability Officereport detailing that Veterans Health Administration facilities are hiring providers with a history of misconduct, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), the first female combat veteran elected to the Senate, has fought tirelessly to ensure our nation's veterans are receiving the highest standard of care. Building on her efforts, Ernst joined Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) in putting forward a bipartisan bill to ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is sufficiently vetting and training veteran health providers. We should expect, and demand, the highest standard of care for Iowa's veterans and those across the nation. This bipartisan bill builds on my effort to ensure the VA is held accountable for who they're hiring to provide treatment and care to our nation's veterans, said Senator Ernst. Our nation's veterans have earned the right to the very best care, and it is outrageous that the VA is not sufficiently vetting its health care providers, said Senator Hassan. Following the VA's failure to even respond to a letter asking how it will remedy the issues raised in the Government Accountability Office report, my colleagues and I are introducing bipartisan legislation to ensure that the VA takes action so that veterans are not cared for by providers with a history of misconduct. Arizona veterans rely on the VA for critical health care. Our bipartisan legislation ensures VA medical professionals are qualified to provide the high standard of care Arizona veterans have earned, said Senator Sinema. In October, the senators sent an oversight letter to the VA requesting detailed information about the steps it will take to implement the report's recommendations, but the Senators have yet to receive a response. So, the senators put forward the bipartisan Veterans Health Administration Caregiver Retention and Eligibility Determination (VHA CRED) Act of 2019 which addresses the problems raised in the Government Accountability Office report b… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F4CDFA35-EF4E-4AEF-80C2-28FA6149BC19 | In 2019, Ernst Continues to Fight Relentlessly and Deliver Real Results for Her Fellow Iowans | 2019-12-16 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON From securing E15 year-round, to breaking ground on the Cedar Rapids flood mitigation project, and from seeing her FARMERS FIRST Act in action providing mental health resources for farmers, to having her veterans billthe HAVEN Actsigned into law, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) continued to fight relentlessly to deliver real results for Iowans this year. 2019 was a great year, and I'm proud of the work we've done to help Iowa's farmers and producers, to support our families and communities impacted by the terrible spring floods, to lower the costs of health care and prescription drugs, and to get trade deals finalized, said Senator Joni Ernst. Another year also means another 99 counties in the books! For the fifth time, I've completed my 99 County Tour, holding 35 town halls and hearing directly from thousands of Iowans in every corner of our state. There's plenty to build on in the year ahead, and I look forward to continuing to fight relentlessly for my fellow Iowans. As 2019 comes to a close, Senator Ernst is reflecting on the last year and highlighting the work she's done to deliver real results for her home state of Iowa. VIDEO: Click HERE or on the image below for a video recap of Senator Ernst's 2019. AUDIO: Click HERE for an audio file download of Senator Ernst describing some highlights from 2019. Some highlights from 2019: 99 County Tour Held 35 town halls in every corner of the statefrom rural areas like Red Oak, to Iowa's most populated area, Polk County; has held a public event in every single county in Iowa since being elected. Upholding the RFS Secured E15 year-round by the summer driving season; negotiated an agreement with the White House to guarantee 15 billion gallons of ethanol. Providing flood relief Broke ground on the Cedar Rapids flood mitigation project, following years of relentless efforts to secure $117 million; passed a federal disaster relief package to support Iowans, which included a provision to extend USDA funds to cover Iowa farmers who had lost stored… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-gives-update-usmca-us-china-trade-and-impeachment-morning-tv | Grassley Gives Update on USMCA, U.S.-China Trade and Impeachment on Morning TV | 2019-12-16 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) discussed USMCA, Phase 1 of the new U.S.-China trade deal, and impeachment proceedings this morning on Cavuto Coast to Coast on Fox Business Network and Balance of Power on Bloomberg TV. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-leahy-hail-inclusion-creates-act-year-end-spending-agreement | Grassley, Leahy Hail Inclusion of CREATES Act In Year-End Spending Agreement | 2019-12-16 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Reforms would save taxpayers $3.7B. by removing obstacles to lower-cost prescription drugs Washington Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Monday hailed the inclusion of their legislation to combat anticompetitive practices used by some brand-name pharmaceutical and biologic companies to block entry of lower-cost generic drugs in the domestic appropriations package filed today in the House. The Creating and Restoring Equal Access To Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act would deter pharmaceutical companies from blocking cheaper generic alternatives from entering the marketplace. The bill is sponsored by Leahy and cosponsored by Grassley who, like Leahy, is a former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Other leading cosponsors are Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Amy Klobuchar, leaders of the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights. A companion House bill was introduced by Representatives David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wisc.), the Chairman and Ranking Member, respectively, of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law, joined by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Ranking Member Doug Collins (R-Ga.) and Representatives Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and David McKinley (R-W.Va.). Patients are increasingly facing skyrocketing medication costs, and anti-competitive practices by some brand-name pharmaceutical companies are partially to blame. These companies block access to more affordable generic alternatives, hurting consumers and costing taxpayers billions. The bipartisan CREATES Act puts a stop to this abuse, and encourages greater competition and consumer choice, which lowers prices, while respecting intellectual property of drug makers. This bill saves taxpayers an estimated $3.7 billion on top of reducing sticker prices at the pharmacy counter. Passing the CREATES Act is an important step in a broader bipartisan effort to impro… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-prescription-drug-pricing-affects-everyone | Grassley: Prescription Drug Pricing Affects Everyone | 2019-12-16 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Finance Committee Monday, December 16, 2019 I recently heard from an 81-year old Iowan who is battling cancer. She told me that one test cost more than $12,700, almost an entire year's income. On top of that, her medication is more than $4,700 a month. She's on Humana and Medicare, but that's not enough for her to afford her medicalbills. Too many Americans share this Iowan's story. That's why we must pass thePrescription Drug Pricing Reduction Actto finally help Americans afford the critical medications they need. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A70AB4E9-B186-40C9-9CB8-AF0DA7B36A1A | Ernst Week in Review | 2019-12-14 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | Calling on Congress to Work Together for Iowans With just a few weeks left in 2019, Senator Joni Ernst is calling for her colleagues Democrats and Republicans to put politics aside and work together on issues where there should be common ground, like funding the government, supporting U.S. servicemembers, passing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and providing resources for fellow survivors of sexual and domestic abuse. Click hereor the image above to watch Senator Ernst's remarks. Ernst also took to the Senate floor to outline the need for bipartisan work on these important issues and her willingness to continue working with her Democratic colleagues despite their distractions and delays. Click here or on the image above to watch Senator Ernst's remarks on the floor. Applauding Phase One China Trade Deal As Iowa's fourth largest trading partner, China is a critically important market for Iowa's farmers and manufacturers. Following the news of a phase one trade agreement between the U.S. and China, Senator Ernst, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Energy and Rural Development, thanked President Trump and his administration for their commitment to securing a phase one deal and called on China to follow through. China has been a bad actor for years, and this president has consistently stood up to their harmful trade tactics and worked to get a good deal in place, one that will especially benefit Iowa agriculture. Fighting for Paid Leave for Iowa's Working Families Senator Ernst, a mother and leader on the issue of paid parental leave, joined Ivanka Trump, senior advisor to the President, Dr. Laurie Todd-Smith, Director of the Women's Bureau at the U.S. Department of Labor (DoL), and her colleagues at the White House this week for a working families summit. Senator Ernst remains committed to working alongside her colleagues and the administration to provide commonsense paid leave solutions for families across Iowa. Senator Ernst and her colleagues discuss paid leave… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A5DB7664-0BC8-46E7-AD2C-B5DA064AF558 | Ernst Statement on Phase One China Deal | 2019-12-13 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHIGTON U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Energy and Rural Development, issued the following statement regarding the U.S-China phase one trade deal: As Iowa's fourth largest trading partner, China is a critically important market for our farmers and manufacturers. I'm glad to see there will be no new tariffs going into effect this week. China has been a bad actor for years, and this president has consistently stood up to their harmful trade tactics and worked to get a good deal in place, one that will especially benefit Iowa agriculture. I'm grateful to President Trump and his administration for their commitment to securing a phase one deal. It's time for China to follow through. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-colleagues-urge-epa-to-uphold-rfs-with-rule-ensuring-15-billion | King, Colleagues Urge EPA to Uphold RFS with Rule Ensuring 15 Billion Gallons Are Blended into Fuel Supply | 2019-12-13 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Steve King, a member of the Congressional Biofuel Caucus, releases the text of a letter he signed that has been sent to members of the interagency panel producing the final rule regarding the EPA's October 15, 2019 announcement of the Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program and standards for 2020 and biomass-based diesel volume for 2021. The letter was circulated by Rep. Rodney Davis and Rep. Roger Marshall, and it includes 19 Members of Congress as signatories. It may be seen at this link. The letter requests that the EPA issue a final rule that ultimately ensures that a minimum of 15 billion gallons are blended into the nation's fuel supply starting in 2020. In addition, the letter asks the EPA to propose a fix in the final rule that will more accurately capture the number of gallons that will be lost should waivers be granted in the future. The proposed fix would require the EPA to consider the actual gallons waived when doing Renewable Volume Obligation calculations, in place of a projected number provided by the agency that frequently underestimates the harm done by waivers. The EPA's use of small refinery exemptions (SRE) to undercut the RFS has resulted in a crisis in the corn belt, and the agency must now act to produce a final rule that will preserve and protect the RFS's volume requirements, said King. To do this, the final rule must provide for at least 15 billion gallons to be blended into the fuel supply beginning next year, and it must ensure that the EPA accurately accounts for future waived gallons. This letter tells the EPA how to fix the problem they have created, and it's signatories are united in support of protecting the integrity of the RFS. Protecting the integrity of the RFS from the damage caused by SRE's is a major priority for Congressman King. King introduced two bills in June (HR 3410 and HR 3411) that seek to address this problem. HR 3410 requires that there be no net reduction in RFS volume obligations. HR 3411 contains a r… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-china-trade-deal | Grassley Statement on China Trade Deal | 2019-12-13 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released the following statement regarding the United States' Phase One trade deal with China. This is a very positive development. Easing tensions and lowering tariffs is welcome news. This paves the way for a broader agreement that must address non-tariff barriers and intellectual property issues, Grassley said. President Trump should be commended for working toward a strong, enforceable trade deal that will require China to abide by international trade norms and the rule of law. Iowa in particular will benefit from China's purchasing of agricultural products, especially hog, corn and soybean farmers. But China must know that this gesture of goodwill does not mean the United States will accept anything less than a full and enforceable trade deal. I applaud President Trump, Ambassador Lighthizer and Secretary Mnuchin for their hard work and urge them to remain committed to securing a deal that does away with China's unfair trade practices. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-submission-usmca-congress | Grassley Statement on Submission of USMCA to Congress | 2019-12-13 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released the following statement regarding the U.S. Trade Representative's submission of legislative text and accompanying material to Congress of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This is an important milestone for USMCA. Americans have been waiting for more than a year for House Democrats to act, and now Congress can finally consider this trade agreement negotiated by President Trump and Ambassador Lighthizer, Grassley said. I expect the House of Representatives will pass USMCA soon. The Senate Finance Committee will then review the trade agreement and report it out of committee as well. Final passage in the Senate is within sight and USMCA will soon be the law of the land. This is a historic win for farmers, autoworkers, manufacturers and all Americans. President Trump made a promise to reform the outdated NAFTA. After a lot of hard work, he's made good on that promise. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qa-raising-red-flags-about-world-bank | Q&A: Raising Red Flags about the World Bank | 2019-12-13 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: Why are you raising concerns about World Bank loans to China? A: When I got wind the World Bank approved an over $1 billion a year plan to award China with low-interest loans through 2025, I raised a big red flag. These loans are categorized for structural and environmental reforms under the World Bank's International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) division. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson says the funds will be used for poverty alleviation. This U.S. Senator wasn't born yesterday. News reports have linked World Bank funds to the ruling Communist regime's systematic repression of Muslim Uighurs in the Xinjiang province, which includes mass internment and forced labor. Let's be clear. Institutions like the World Bank have an incumbent responsibility to vet human rights risks when money is handed out for so-called technical and vocational education and training. This language mirrors what the Chinese Communist Party euphemistically calls its internment camps. There's two big reasons Americans see red when they hear about deals like this. For starters, the American taxpayer should not be put on the hook to underwrite loans for the world's second largest economy. China is our biggest competitor. And right now, every farmer in Iowa is hurting from the tariff turf war playing out at the trade negotiating tables. What's more, freedom-loving Americans should not send money to a Communist regime and subsidize projects in a country that imprisons and enslaves people based upon their ethnicity and religious beliefs. Misusing American tax dollars to support the agenda of China's repressive Communist regime is entirely objectionable and unacceptable. Q: What are you doing to protect U.S. tax dollars and protect religious liberty? A:I'm on the same page with President Trump's Treasury Department when Secretary Mnuchin objected to the World Bank's plan. China is the world's second largest economy. It needs to graduate from World Bank lending programs, which are int… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=97F90789-12EA-496A-99B7-87CFBC7A5CE6 | Ernst Joins White House Working Families Summit with Ivanka Trump | 2019-12-12 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a mother and leader on the issue of paid parental leave, joined Ivanka Trump, senior advisor to the President, Dr. Laurie Todd-Smith, Director of the Women's Bureau at the U.S. Department of Labor (DoL), and her colleagues at the White House today for a working families summit. Click here for a downloadable link to the photos. Affording all moms and dads the flexibility to spend time with their newborn or adopted baby is something Iowans, and Americans want to see happen, said Senator Ernst. It's past time we modernize our family leave policies to reflect the evolving needs of today's workforce and reduce the barriers that pose challenges for parents balancing family and work. I'm grateful for Ivanka Trump's leadership to find a pathway forward on this critical issue, and I remain committed to working alongside my colleagues and the administration to provide commonsense paid leave solutions for families across Iowa. In March, Senator Ernst and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) put forward a paid parental leave plan that is budget neutral and flexible for parents who choose to opt in. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/haitian-ambassador-thanks-congressman-king-for-king-s-humanitarian-work | Haitian Ambassador Thanks Congressman King for Kings Humanitarian Work | 2019-12-12 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | Ambassador Denis- We know he is a true friend of Haiti. He has been helping the social and religious organizations, and we are two men of God. We believe strongly and know that prayer can help Haiti to go forward. Washington D.C- Congressman Steve King releases the following video of comments made today by the Haitian Ambassador to the United States, Herve H. Denis, in which the Ambassador expresses thanks to the Congressman for the work he is doing to address the humanitarian crisis in the impoverished Caribbean nation. Earlier this year, less than 24 hours after a meeting between King and Ambassador Denis, USAID announced that they would be sending emergency food assistance to the Island, a development that prompted Ambassador Denis to send a thank you letter to King noting that thanks to your involvement and keen diligence, the people of Haiti were able to receive assistance in this strenuous moment that my country is facing. King is also the lead sponsor of a House Resolution, H. Res 619, which expresses support for the Haitian people while condemning the violence that has recently disrupted the political process in that nation. To view the video, click on the image or on this link. Transcript: Congressman Steve King: Hi, I'm Congressman Steve King here with Ambassador to the United States from Haiti, Herve Denis. We've developed a friendship here over the many months going past, and we've seen what's happened with the terrible earthquake in Haiti and that's brought the attention of America. There's so many Americans that want to help out in Haiti and I've made a trip down and seen the disaster and built friends down there as well. I just appreciate that we're working together to continue to move Haiti up towards first-world status one day. There's so many people down there that can benefit from the work we are doing together. Ambassador Denis: Thank you to Congressman King for the help he provides to us, first of all the earthquake and recently with the humanitarian crisis in Haiti and all he did with his in… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-delivers-11-iowa-veterans-stories-library-congress | Grassley Delivers 11 Iowa Veterans’ Stories to Library of Congress | 2019-12-12 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) delivered recorded interviews and documents comprising the stories of service from 11 Iowa veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces to the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project. Last month, Grassley's office interviewed veterans at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown to document their service to the nation. This is the second time Grassley has submitted interviews to the Library of Congress. A list of the records he has contributed to the project can be found here. Grassley also recently published an op-ed on his experience participating in the program. These stories will be preserved in the permanent collection of the Library, making accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. I want to thank all our veterans who have sacrificed in defense of our freedoms. Their service ensures that all Americans will live in peace and prosperity for generations to come, Grassley said. Established by Congress in 2000, the Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress collects, preserves and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. To date, more than 1,200 stories from Iowans have been recorded by the project. Iowa veterans who would like to have their story recorded can contact Grassley's Veterans Fellow at veterans_fellow@grassley.senate.gov or call the senator's Des Moines office at 515-288-1145.Grassley's leadership on behalf of veterans also includes his oversight work to hold the Department of Veterans Affairs accountable. Last year, Grassley and Sen. Joni Ernst raised questions about improperly canceled diagnostic exams at the Iowa City VA. The internal watchdog at the VA this week reported nearly one-fourth of the radiology orders it investigated at the facility were improperly canceled. Grassley will continue pressing the VA to… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-measure-reauthorizing-domestic-violence-hotline-and-emergency-shelters | Grassley Measure Reauthorizing Domestic Violence Hotline and Emergency Shelters Passes Committee | 2019-12-12 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee today approved Sen. Chuck Grassley's (R-Iowa) bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) as part of a broader package of child and family safety legislation, known as the CAPTA Reauthorization Act. The programs approved will make a real difference to families across the country who deal with domestic violence and abuse. No one should face those problems alone and our provisions will make sure there's help for any child, woman or man who needs it. I thank Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray for their leadership and continued work to improve child and family safety, Grassley said. The legislation that Grassley introduced in January extends the main source of funding for programs established under the FVPSA.These programs, administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, include emergency shelters and other supportive services for survivors of domestic violence across the country. The bill also extends funding for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Congress first adopted FVPSA in 1984, and its most recent authorization expired several years ago.Grassley's reauthorization measure was merged with a related provision introduced by Sens. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Murkowski (R-Alaska) and approved as part of a child safety and welfare package.The original version of Grassley's bipartisan reauthorization bill is cosponsored by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-house-passage-prescription-drug-bill | Grassley Statement on House Passage of Prescription Drug Bill | 2019-12-12 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released the following statement regarding passage in the House of Representatives of legislation to lower prescription drug prices. While this legislation misses the mark, I'm glad the House has acted and I applaud both Democrats and Republicans in the chamber for recognizing the need to address this issue, Grassley said. According to the independent CBO, the House bill would result in dozens fewer potentially life-saving or life-extending drugs being developed. That could include the cure to Alzheimer's disease or cancer. Congress must fix this broken system, but not at the cost of critical innovation that could save and improve countless American lives. Big Pharma is spending millions of dollars opposing any reforms that will cut into their billions of dollars of profits. Any solution must be bipartisan if it's going to stand a chance of becoming law. Right now, the only significant, bipartisan proposal in the Senate is the Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act that I authored with Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden. I know some Democrats would prefer a different approach, as would some Republicans. But the moment is ripe for compromise. Americans are quite literally sick of not being able to afford their prescription medications. The House has acted, and now the Senate must act.-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=526CEA24-2273-42BB-961E-8475914AFF11 | Ernst, Colleagues Push Bipartisan Bill Prioritizing Childrens Health Care Research | 2019-12-11 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONFollowing sharp reductions in pediatric medical researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) is introducing bipartisan legislation to increase pediatric-focused research at the NIH by addressing challenges in researcher recruitment and retention and by creating a pipeline of early-career pediatric researchers. A strong pipeline of pediatric researchers is essential to ensuring kids in Iowa, and across the country, have access to innovative cures and treatments for the complex medical conditions that they and their families are facing, said Senator Ernst. We must work to ensure that children are being adequately represented in federal research. That's why I've put forward this bipartisan bill that will bolster pediatric-focused research and in turn help to improve the lives and health of our children and families. Ernst's legislation is cosponsored by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Bob Casey (D-PA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH). I am proud to support investments in pediatric scientists and research that will helpreduce the suffering experienced byour nation's children.By bolstering the pediatric-scientist workforce, we are creating opportunities forscientificadvancements that will not only improve the health and livelihood of kids across the country but also reduce the burden of disease faced by Americans in later-life, said Senator Coons. The PACT Act would work to stop the steady decline in pediatric research workforce development through a new focus on recruiting and retaining more physician-scientists to work on better treatments and cures for childhood diseases. Children in Mississippi and across the nation will benefit from increased access to cutting-edge care at places like Children's of Mississippi and St. Jude, said Senator Hyde-Smith. Expanding pediatric medical research opportunities is vital to ensure paths to the highest quality care for children and innovation in medicine, said Se… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-legislation-cracking-down-on-chinese-surveillance-state-moves-one | King Legislation Cracking Down on Chinese Surveillance State Moves One Step Closer to Becoming Law | 2019-12-11 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | King's amendment enhances US national security interests and assesses China's surveillance impact on persecuted Religious and Ethnic Minorities Washington D.C- Congressman Steve King releases the following statement after the House of Representatives today passed the National Defense Authorization Act, legislation which contains a King amendment that cracks down on China's pervasive, oppressive, and ever-growing surveillance state. The NDAA conference report passed the House of representatives on a vote of 377-48, with Congressman King voting in favor of the legislation. I am pleased the House-Senate Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act passed the House of Representatives today with the King amendment included in the base text of the bill, said King. This means that the King amendment cracking down on the threat that China's growing surveillance state poses to American national security interests is one step closer to becoming law. The Senate is expected to pass the conference report, and the President is expected to sign the bill when it is presented to him. Once those two remaining steps happen, the King Amendment will be the Law of the Land, and we will be one step closer to safeguarding our national security from the threat of Chinese espionage while simultaneously acting to protect the human rights of China's persecuted ethnic and religious minorities. Congressman King's China surveillance amendment requires the Department of Defense to conduct an annual assessment of China's growing surveillance state, in order to identify the correlation between China's expanding surveillance efforts and the threat it poses to United States national security interests. The King amendment will also require the assessment to determine the extent to which China's surveillance efforts are being used by the Communist Chinese government to target China's religious and ethnic minorities. Other notable provisions included in the NDAA conference report include: 1) a 3.1% military pay raise for our troops; 2)… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/finance-committee-senators-statement-after-briefing-multiemployer-pension | Finance Committee Senators Statement after Briefing on Multiemployer Pension Problems | 2019-12-11 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy Chairman Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) issued the following joint statement after Finance Committee members received a bipartisan briefing on the health of multiemployer pensions plans. Today's briefing affirms the concerns we've all had about the health of some multiemployer pension plans. More than 100 funds are expected to become insolvent in the next 10 to 20 years, putting the financial security of over one million workers and retirees in jeopardy and hurting our economy by potentially forcing thousands of small businesses to close. It's a financial crisis stemming from economic shocks, declining membership in some plans, and the so-called orphan liabilities left by employers who withdrew from plans without paying their full share of the liabilities. There are hundreds of thousands of Americans whose retirement security is at risk because of these problems. We take the issue very seriously and are working to find a bipartisan solution that puts plans at risk of failure on a secure financial footing and protects the structure that insures them so retirees get the benefits they earned. This morning, Senate Finance Committee members were briefed by government experts, including the Joint Committee on Taxation and the Pension Benefits Guarantee Corporation (PBGC)which is the federal government entity that insures pension plans. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-calls-mlb-maintain-business-iowa | Grassley Calls on MLB to Maintain Business in Iowa | 2019-12-11 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) released the following statement regarding his discussion and subsequent letter to Dan Halem, the Deputy Commissioner of Baseball Administration and Chief Legal Officer for Major League Baseball regarding their Iowa teams. I recently spoke with Dan Halem, the Deputy Commissioner of Baseball Administration and Chief Legal Officer for Major League Baseball, about how important minor league baseball teams are to the local communities throughout Iowa. I brought up the concerns we had heard about a potential contraction of teams in Iowa, especially the Burlington Bees, Clinton Lumber Kings and the Quad Cities River Bandits. Deputy Commissioner Halem told me that it is early in the process but there is a proposal to have fewer affiliates with better facilities and pay for the players. He told me unequivocally that the Quad Cities River Bandits, Cedar Rapids Kernels and the Iowa Cubs are not part of the teams being considered in this proposal. I stressed that it was important for Major League Baseball to set and communicate clear facility standards for the communities to meet and give them adequate time to comply with those standards before eliminating any teams. Major League Baseball agreed to continue to communicate with the teams and my office regarding this issue. I forwarded letters from the Bees, Lumber Kings, and River Bandits to Deputy Commissioner Halem reiterating my concerns with the potential loss of teams in Iowa. I'll continue to carefully monitor and communicate with MLB as these negotiations continue, Grassley said.-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-discusses-usmca-china-impeachment-and-fisa-abuse-morning-tv | Grassley Discusses USMCA, China, Impeachment and FISA Abuse on Morning TV | 2019-12-11 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa discussed USMCA, the ongoing trade war with China, impeachment proceedings and the Department of Justice Inspector General's report on the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign in 2016 this morning on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business Network and Daybreak on Bloomberg TV. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-pays-tribute-former-iowa-congressman-berkley-bedell | Grassley Pays Tribute to Former Iowa Congressman Berkley Bedell | 2019-12-11 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Tribute to Former Iowa Congressman Berkley Bedell Wednesday, December 11, 2019 I come to the floor today to pay tribute to an extraordinary Iowan with whom I shared a decades-long friendship. Over this past weekend, former Iowa congressman Berkley Bedell passed away at age 98. For nearly a century of life, Berkley took his grandmother's advice to heart: You can do almost anything, within reason, if you will only set your mind it. From an early age, Berkley set his mind to a high standard of achievement. He set an example for the rest of us. He practiced what he preached. And he made a difference in this world. As a child raised during the Great Depression, Berkley became a soldier in the U.S. Army, a World War II veteran, an entrepreneur and job creator, a member of Congress, a philanthropist, a policy influencer and most of all, a devoted husband and father. Our decades-long friendship began when Berkley and I were elected to serve Iowans in the U.S. House of Representatives. That was in 1974. Soon after the orientation for new members, Barbara and I developed a close friendship with Elinor and Berkley. This friendship remained for the next 45 years. Looking back, those were lonely days for a freshman Republican House member. That's when the Watergate scandal upended the mid-term elections. Voters elected 91 new House members to Congress. I became the only Republican in the Iowa congressional delegation. Among our so-called Watergate Class of 1974, I was joined by Tom Harkin, Michael Blouin and Berkley Bedell. We joined Representatives Neal Smith and Ed Mezvinsky. Senators Dick Clark and John Culver served here in the Senate. Berkley would go on to represent Iowa's sixth congressional district for six terms, from 1975 to 1987. Although Berkley and I didn't share the same political points of view, we shared a common approach for representative government: with dialogue and feedback from Iowans at our respective town hall meetings. Th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-two-year-anniversary-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act | Grassley Statement on Two-Year Anniversary of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act | 2019-12-11 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released the following statement regarding the upcoming two-year anniversary of the landmark Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The once-in-a-generation overhaul of the tax code was signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 22, 2017. The fifty-year low unemployment rate and consistently strong wage growth say everything Americans need to know about how tax reform is working, Grassley said. Democrats would prefer Americans believe things were terrible in their country. But countless hiring' signs on storefronts, higher salaries available to millions, more take-home pay for every tax bracket, decreasing poverty rates and substantial corporate investment in the workforce tell the real story. And Despite Democrat claims to the contrary, the tax law maintained the progressivity of the tax code. In fact, lower-middle income Americans saw the largest reduction in their tax rates. And that's on top of pro-family provisions like a doubling the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000 and a near doubling of the standard deduction, simplifying the tax filing process for millions of Americans. Tax reform also helped make the United States more competitive with other countries and make American workers more attractive to hire. That means fewer jobs outsourced abroad and more made in America' jobs created domestically. At the end of the day, the proof is in the pudding. America is back at work and back on track thanks to President Trump and Republican leadership. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-wyden-introduce-bill-help-youth-aging-out-foster-care-system | Grassley, Wyden Introduce Bill to Help Youth Aging Out of Foster Care System | 2019-12-11 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today introduced the Increasing Opportunities for Former Foster Youth Act, bipartisan legislation to improve services for older youth aging out of the foster care system. The 20,000 kids who age out of foster care each year need support to get an education, find a job, secure housing and do everything else it takes to succeed as an adult, Grassley said. There are innovative programs across the country seeking to help these youth. It's important to evaluate those programs to ensure that they are effective in improving outcomes. This bill would create a pipeline of programs with proven results to ensure that the needs of older youth in foster care are being met. There's no magic age at which young people suddenly turn into adults, fully capable of taking care of their needs without support. The Chafee program was created to address that reality for youth in foster care who often age out' of the system and are left to navigate the transition to adulthood on their own. Wyden said. This bill will help build and expand programs that successfully support young people aging out of foster care, giving them solid footing for a successful future. The Increasing Opportunities for Former Foster Youth Act builds on the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program, created by Sen. John Chafee (R-R.I.) in 1999 to better support youth who age out of the foster care system at the age of 18. The program provides financial support for youth who are transitioning to adulthood with the goal of helping them become successful adults. Grassley and Wyden helped expand the program in 2008 through the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act, and again in 2018 through the Family First Prevention Services Act, which allows states to provide foster care services to youth through the age of 23. The legislation introduced today would establish innovation grants within the Chafee program to help identify and evaluate progr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senators-propose-bills-clamp-down-world-bank-lending-china | Senators Propose Bills to Clamp Down on World Bank Lending to China | 2019-12-11 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Following reports of a questionable $50 million World Bank loan to a Chinese organization associated with the forcible internment of Chinese Uighur Muslims, Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) are introducing legislation to prevent such loans in the future. The three senators introduced S.3108, which instructs U.S. representatives at the World Bank to vote against and use best efforts to deny any loan or extension to countries that significantly exceed the graduation thresholds or that are designated as a country of concern for religious freedom. Grassley and Cotton also introduced an additional measure, S.3017, which is a companion to the Accountability for World Bank Loans to China Act introduced in the House Representatives. That legislation codifies Congress' support for Administration efforts to graduate China from the World Bank's International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) lending program. China has been lending development money outside its borders to extend its influence for years while taking in U.S. taxpayer dollars via World Bank loans. It's confounding that these loans still continue and they ought to stop, Grassley said. What's worse is that these loans might have helped free up resources used to violate human rights and force Uighurs into internment camps. Our bills provide a short-term and longer-term means to take away the status that allows China to receive loans and halt loans to any country like China that exceeds the World Bank graduation thresholds or poses a risk to religious freedom. "This bill will provide the U.S. Governor of the World Bank with the necessary guidance to uphold U.S. interests and to focus on the bank's development mission," Rubio said. For too long, countries like China and Russia have been allowed to exploit the World Bank's limited resources even after they should no longer qualify for assistance. I'm proud to co-sponsor this bill, which will also reaffirm our nation's continued commitment to intern… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=01F9EA21-73F9-47E6-A483-E2266FD27153 | Ernst Statement on USMCA Announcement | 2019-12-10 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Energy & Rural Development, released the following statement today regarding the announcement of a deal on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA): Iowans in every corner of our state have been waiting far too long for Congress to act on the USMCA and now, after months of delay, House Democrats are finally coming on board. President Trump and our Trade Representative Bob Lighthizer negotiated this modernized agreement with our nation's farmers and workers in mindknowing the USMCA will provide an economic boon and certainty to folks back home. I'll be reviewing the updated language, and I'm hopeful we'll be able to put politics aside and give the hardworking men and women across Iowa and this great nation a huge win. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3CD8BC98-A4ED-45CD-B003-99CD43826593 | Ernst: We cannot allow our political differences to keep us from doing our jobs | 2019-12-10 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONWith just a few weeks left in 2019, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) is calling for her colleagues Democrats and Republicans to put politics aside and work together on issues where there should be common ground, like funding the government, supporting U.S. servicemembers, passing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and providing resources for fellow survivors of sexual and domestic abuse. Click here or the image above to watch Senator Ernst's remarks. Ernst also took to the Senate floor on Tuesday to outline the need for bipartisan work on these important issues and her willingness to continue working with her Democratic colleagues despite their distractions and delays. Click here or on the image above to watch Senator Ernst's remarks on the floor. Senator Ernst's full floor remarks are below: There are just 21 days left in 2019. With the days dwindling, Congress has made little progress on its to do list that, without question, must be addressed before going home for the holidays. This is largely due to the distractions and delays caused by the Democratsin this body and especially by those across the Capitol. Let's take the United States Mexico Canada trade agreement. President Trump signed it over one year ago. If approved, USMCA would create 176,000 new jobs by expanding access to markets and providing much-needed certainty for American businesses and farmers. Literally everyone benefits, yet here we are, still waiting for the House Democrats to bring it up for a vote. A vote that would be broadly bipartisan. Speaker Pelosi even admitted today that there is no question' that USMCA is much better than NAFTA.' I am hopeful the House will finally vote on the measure next week before leaving town. This would be a great Christmas gift for American workers, farmers, and businesses. But it's not just on trade deals. We're now over two months into the new federal fiscal year, yet Congress still has not approved the annual funding bills for this fiscal year. These bills wil… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-reacts-to-house-democrats-three-year-impeachment-saga-and-usmca | King Reacts to House Democrats Three-Year Impeachment Saga and USMCA Deal Announcement | 2019-12-10 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Steve King | K000362 | steveking.house.gov | legacy | Washington D.C- Congressman Steve King releases the following video of his reaction to two major developments that occurred in Washington D.C. this morning. In this video, Congressman King offers his reaction to the House Democrats' unveiling of two Articles of Impeachment directed at President Trump. King also discusses the news that a deal appears to have been struck that would allow the House of Representatives to finally move forward on the President's signature United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade deal. The Obstruction of Congress charge is this: that Donald Trump didn't make it easy enough for Democrats to come up with a reason to impeach him. To view the video, click on the image or on this link. On the Democrats' Long Saga of Three Years and One Month Looking for an Excuse to Impeach: Wow, what a stunning hour or a little bit better took place here in the United States Congress today, just a little bit earlier, this morning. The long saga of three years and one month of trying to come up with an excuse to impeach Donald Trump has finally come to pass. The excuses are this: Abuse of Power' and Obstruction of Congress.' The Obstruction of Congress' charge is this: that Donald Trump didn't make it easy enough for Democrats to come up with a reason to impeach him. They've been determined to do that for three years and a month. Then they'll define what that obstruction' actually is. The second thing is Abuse of Power.' If this charge of Abuse of Power' is impeachable, that means that you can impeach any President at any time as soon as you disagree with what he's done with his foreign policy. That's the scenario that is here. There are 4 reasons to impeach a President: Treason- they fell flat there, no treason on Donald Trump's part; Bribery- they talked about it. They can't make that stick either, so that fell in a flop; High Crimes- no High Crimes either. This is down to misdemeanor, and their minutiae definitions of misdemeanor because they have politically decided to impeach this President. And if t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-colleagues-urge-fcc-prioritize-rural-broadband | Grassley, Colleagues Urge FCC to Prioritize Rural Broadband | 2019-12-10 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined his colleagues in a bipartisan letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prioritize sustainable rural broadband networks as the FCC considers new rules in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) proceeding. Led by Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), 45 additional senators signed the letter. If our rural communities are to survive and flourish, our rural constituents need access to services that are on par with those in urban areas. By contrast, it would be an inefficient use of resources to promote services that cannot keep pace with consumer demand and the evolution of broadband in urban areas. As the FCC moves forward to adopt new rules in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund proceeding, we urge you to promote the deployment of networks that will be sustainable even as new advancements are made and are capable of delivering the best level of broadband access for the available USF budget for many years to come,the senators wrote. Full text of theletterbelow: The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman, Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street Southwest Washington, D.C. 20554 Dear Chairman Pai: As the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) considers new rules in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund proceeding, we write to emphasize the importance of sustainable networks that meet the needs of consumers now and in the future. Given that the FCC plays a critical role in connecting rural communities to high-speed internet through the universal service fund (USF), we encourage the FCC to make the most efficient and effective use of those funds. Any large-scale infrastructure project requires reasonable planning that takes account not only of current needs, but also of projected demands over the life of the asset being funded; and the distribution of USF should be no different. For broadband specifically, this requires that networks, built using USF, must be capable of delivering speeds, latency, and usage capacity according to wh… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-democrats-goldilocks-approach-impeachment | Grassley on Democrats’ Goldilocks Approach to Impeachment | 2019-12-10 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa On Democrats' Goldilocks Approach to Impeachment Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Mr. President, the House Democrats announced they're moving to impeach President Trump for 'abuse of power.' When all this started, Democrats said he'd committed a quid pro quo. But that didn't poll well. So they switched to 'bribery.' Maybe that didn't poll well either, or maybe they discovered that history doesn't support their definition. So finally, they've settled on abuse of power. It's like the goldilocks impeachment. The 'quid pro quo' bowl was too cold, and the 'bribery' bowl too hot. But apparently, 'abuse of power' tastes just right. Well, the American people are increasingly getting a bad taste in their mouths about the Democrats' partisan impeachment story. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-featured-stop-opioid-silence-campaign-end-stigma-associated-opioid | Grassley Featured in Stop Opioid Silence Campaign to End Stigma Associated with Opioid Addiction This Holiday Season | 2019-12-10 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON A national campaign on Facebook designed to empower people to break the stigma and shame associated with seeking treatment for opioid use disorder begins today with a video campaign featuring U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). Stop Opioid Silence, which organized the campaign, offers Iowa residents struggling with opioid use disorders, as well as their families the opportunity to share their stories of addiction and recovery. Too many American families and communities have been devastated by the opioid crisis. Many of us know someone who struggles with addiction or have had a loved one suffer from an overdose. In Iowa, synthetic opioids and heroin have led to more than 200 overdose deaths annually in recent years. There are many ways we can work to overcome the opioid crisis, but one of them is to reduce the stigma associated with addiction and openly discuss issues of drug misuse with those who can help us. I applaud Facebook for using its voice to spread the message that we can't stay silent about the important issues of opioid abuse and addiction, Grassley said. Opioid use disorder and opioid-related death are serious issues across the country, including Iowa. Iowa's public and private efforts to combat opioids abuse to-date have started to pay dividends, as the number of Iowans using and dying from opioids decreased 33 percent from 2017 to 2018. Despite this progress, however, there remains a stigma associated with admitting to addiction and seeking assistance. The Stop Opioid Silence campaign focuses on this issue and provides a safe place for Iowa residents struggling with addiction to share their experiences. Facebook is supporting the Stop Opioid Silence campaign by running ads to encourage people to speak out about the crisis. The Facebook ads connect people to information and resources, featuring videos with Grassley, while offering a safe forum to share their stories about addiction and recovery. Stop Opioid Silence was created by Facebook and the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids and Center… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-democrats-diluted-impeachment-articles | Grassley Statement on Democrats’ Diluted Impeachment Articles | 2019-12-10 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today made the following statement regarding House Democrats' announced articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump: The Democrats' desire to overturn the 2016 election by impeaching President Trump has been abundantly clear since before he took the oath of office. But try as they might, they've struggled to arrive at a charge that can stand up to scrutiny. First it was collusion with Russia, but the special counsel spent two years and $35 million investigating, only to debunk the theory. Yesterday's report by the Justice Department Inspector General revealed that this claim was built on a foundation of lies and rumors pushed by Trump's opponents. So the Democrats set their sights on an alleged quid pro quo, but that didn't poll well with voters. They changed their allegation to bribery, but the facts and history didn't seem to support that claim either. So once again, they are watering down their charge. The House's strung-out preoccupation with impeachment has come at a cost. For example, USMCA languished in the House for more than a year, only to finally and conveniently move just minutes after Speaker Pelosi announced articles of impeachment. Meanwhile, the Senate has been focused on issues that matter most to the American people, like strengthening the economy, promoting job and wage growth and preventing a government shutdown. If the House decides to move forward, the Senate will do its constitutional duty with fairness and clear eyes, not blind partisanship. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-usmca-announcement | Grassley Statement on USMCA Announcement | 2019-12-10 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WashingtonSenate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released the following statement regarding the announcement of a deal on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This is long overdue butverywelcome news. I'm glad a deal has finally been reached. I look forward to reviewing the specific language soon and expect committee members will be briefed in person by USTRthis week,Grassley said. Passage of USMCAwill bea significant win for farmers,workers and all Americans. Renegotiating NAFTA was a central campaign promise made by President Trump. He kept his word and Americans will enjoy the many benefits of this upgraded trade deal as a result. The nation's economy under President Trump has achieved historic levels of employment and wages are finally growing after years of stagnation. This trade deal will help create even more jobs and make us stronger as a country.I applaud President Trump andU.S. Trade RepresentativeLighthizerfor their hard work and commitment. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-wto-appellate-body-losing-quorum | Grassley Statement on WTO Appellate Body Losing Quorum | 2019-12-10 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WashingtonSenate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released the following statement regarding the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Appellate Body losing its quorum and therefore the ability to hear or rule on appeals. There have been bipartisan concerns raised by numerous American administrations about systemic issues with the WTO Appellate Body,Grassley said.I wish U.S. concerns would have been resolved before today, but that didn't happen. I hope this provides the impetus for WTO members to seriously address the issues raised by the United States. I have said before that the WTO's success depends on members acknowledging its shortcomings and working together to address our goals to strengthen the institution. The work to restore the Appellate Body should continue in earnest with the shared goal among all members of getting WTO dispute settlement back on track in 2020. Grassley and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) recentlywrote an op-edregarding the need to reform the WTO.-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-prescription-drug-prices-are-hurting-americans-here-s-solution | ICYMI: Prescription Drug Prices Are Hurting Americans, Here’s The Solution | 2019-12-10 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Op-ed: Prescription Drug Prices Are Hurting Americans, Here's The Solution By Jesse Grady, former Texas Republican National Committee (RNC) staff member December 10, 2019 Americans playing Russian roulette with their medications has prompted Congress to act, and a recently introduced bill is the solution to curbing prescription drug prices. In July, Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Wyden introduced the Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act. If signed into law, the bipartisan legislation would shield Americans, especially those on fixed incomes, from high prescription drug costs by capping out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare beneficiaries and providing needed oversight on drug manufacturers. Those manufacturers would be mandated to justify their price increases and penalized for increasing their prices faster than the rate of inflation. These reforms make it difficult for the pharmaceutical companies to price gouge, and, as a result, would lead to lower prescription drug costs. The bill would come as a relief to the one in four Americans who struggle to pay for their prescription drugs. It's a growing problem that cuts through the partisan divide, which is why over 90 percent of voters agree that Congress should take action to lower prescription drug prices. As a conservative, I understand why some legislators may be hesitant to have the government intervene in the free market. The prescription drug market, however, is not a free market. In fact, it's the lack of market competition that has resulted in steep drug prices. For example, three pharmaceutical companies own 90 percent of the global insulin market; and, without competition, they were able to double the price of insulin over the past few years. One would expect the price of insulin to decrease over time, considering it has been around since 1921. This is a clear example of crony capitalism. The excessive concentration of life-saving products in the pharmaceutical industry has led to the most odious display of price gouging. This has resulted in the… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/inspector-general-report-russia-investigation-and-fisa | On the Inspector General Report on Russia Investigation and FISA | 2019-12-10 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa On the Inspector General Report on Russia Investigation and FISA Tuesday, December 10, 2019 VIDEO On Monday of this week, the Justice Department Inspector General released his report on the Justice Department and FBI investigation into the debunked theory that the Trump campaign colluded with the Russian government. I've pushed to shine a light on the origins of the FBI's Russia investigation for more than two and a half years. It's been a long road. When information is embarrassing, the FBI has a way of fighting tooth and nail to keep it a secret. To keep it heavily classified. To hide behind vague, procedural excuses about protecting the integrity of ongoing investigations. They put up a wall, and you have to keep swinging in order to crack it. I started looking into the origins of the FBI's corrupted Russia investigation in March 2017, when it became clear that the FBI had used Christopher Steele's work to investigate then-candidate Trump. This was done even though it knew Steele was working for Fusion GPS, an opposition research firm paid by the Democratic National Committee and Clinton campaign.When the FBI didn't answer my questions, I used my authority as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold up the nomination of Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein. That got the Judiciary Committee a briefing. It consisted of a lot of veiled, half-answers and assertions that Christopher Steele was reliable.In June 2017, I asked the FBI to produce all of the FISA applications related to its Russia investigation. After six months of wrangling, in December 2017, Senators Graham, Feinstein, and I were permitted to review the four FISA applications in which the FBI sought authority to surveil former Trump Campaign staffer Carter Page, as well as a number of classified documents relating to Mr. Steele. I also directed my staff to look in public places that others were ignoring, including Mr. Steele's court filings in London. What they found was that Mr. St… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=C30F6011-DEFC-45AD-A06D-A05DA3BDD142 | Ernst Builds on Effort to Drive Investment, Economic Growth in Distressed Communities in Iowa | 2019-12-09 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), one of the leaders in first launching Opportunity Zonesa landmark program designed to promote investment and help spur economic growth in low-income areasis introducing legislation with Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to enhance their impact by better tracking their success. The bill institutes a variety of reporting requirements to better determine the impact of the 62 Opportunity Zones in Iowa and the more than 8,700 across the country. Opportunity Zones are a promising tool for driving investment in distressed communities, said Senator Joni Ernst. This important legislation will ensure that we can effectively measure its success in communities across Iowa. Opportunity Zones provide thousands of low-income communities, both urban and rural, across the country with the potential to transform the future for generations to come, Senator Tim Scott said. The IMPACT Act's reporting requirements will help show communities and investors that the initiative is working, as well as help root out any fraud or abuse. This is an important piece of the puzzle to help the more than 31 million Americans living in Opportunity Zones experience a brighter future. Opportunity Zones have the potential to transform some of the most economically underdeveloped parts of the country and lift millions of Americans out of poverty. Everyone deserves a shot at the American Dream. This legislation will help make sure the federal government has the information it needs to track the success of Opportunity Zones, said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley. Background Opportunity Zones were created as a part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. In May 2018, Governor Kim Reynolds announced the designation of 62 Opportunity Zones in Iowa, and, later that summer, in July 2018, Senator Scott, one of the architects of the program, joined Senator Ernst in Des Moines to tour some of the newly designated Opportunity Zones in the state and hold discussions with local leaders and… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/audio/capitol-hill-report-245 | Capitol Hill Report | 2019-12-09 | 2019 | 2019-12 | 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/ferc-moves-forward-send-additional-propane-shipments-midwest | FERC Moves Forward to Send Additional Propane Shipments to Midwest | 2019-12-09 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced that it has accepted two oil pipeline amendments aimed at moving additional propane to the Midwest. This agreement was reached as a result of Iowa officials' recent call for an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to prioritize pipeline shipments to Iowa. The shortage of liquid propane in Iowa has affected people from every corner of the state. Farmers, propane marketers, co-ops and manufacturers all felt pressure from lack of access to liquid propane this harvest season. I'm happy to see FERC has taken this issue seriously and addressed the shortage in a timely manner, Grassley said. Over the last several weeks, Grassley has monitored the situation and been in contact with FERC. He joined Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) in urging FERC to address the Iowa shortage in a letter on Nov. 15. FERC Chairman Chatterjee then announced on Nov. 19 the ADR process and now granted two requests following a shortened comment period.Grassley's tweet thanking FERC can be found here.-30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-backed-private-debt-collection-program-continues-successfully-support | Grassley-backed Private Debt Collection Program Continues to Successfully Support IRS Collection Resources | 2019-12-09 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Senate Finance Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) released the following statement regarding the release of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Special Compliance Personnel Program Annual Report. Numbers don't lie. With every successive quarter, the data show that the Private Debt Collection program is working for taxpayers and making our system of tax collection fairer for every American. This is the most recent in a series of reports that have given me confidence in the program's ability to make the system better for law-abiding citizens while also strengthening the effectiveness of the IRS, Grassley said. Highlights of the report include: Total revenue collected by the program in FY 2019 was nearly $213 million, more than double the revenue collected in FY 2018, and net revenue collected of $147.7 million is nearly triple that of FY 2018; and,The success of the PDC program to date has provided more than $60 million to the IRS special compliance program, which the IRS is currently using to hire 200 special compliance personnel. Grassley was instrumental in creating the bipartisan IRS Private Debt Collection Program as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee in 2004. He was also part of the program's reinstatement in 2015 after the IRS terminated it in 2009 following a flawed review of the program. The Private Debt Collection program is a public/private partnership that works to bolster the U.S. Treasury, strengthen the effectiveness of the IRS and ensure fairness in the federal tax system. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-fbi-s-abuse-surveillance-power-american-citizen-has-done-great-harm | Grassley: FBI’s Abuse of Surveillance Power on American Citizen Has Done Great Harm | 2019-12-09 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), former chairman and senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding the Justice Department Inspector General's report on the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign in 2016. Anyone who values fundamental civil liberties in the United States should be disgusted and terrified by what the inspector general uncovered in today's report on the FBI's spying on an American citizen. That such abuse was carried out against a citizen working on a political campaign is just that much more disturbing. Not only did the FBI use highly-invasive surveillance tools that undermined the Fourth Amendment rights of an American, it also used a counterintelligence briefing with the campaign as an intelligence gathering operation without coordinating with other intelligence community officials. I began raising questions about the FBI's reliance on Christopher Steele immediately after revelations of his involvement with the FBI's Russia probe. We now know that the FBI failed to disclose Steele's credibility problems and political motivations when pushing the FISA Court to grant surveillance authority based largely on his research. On at least 17 separate instances, the FBI botched the FISA applications by neglecting to share exculpatory information with the officials who vetted the applications, including the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, and simply presenting inaccurate information. The FBI's job is to protect Americans, our democracy and our rights. Its actions have done great harm to the public trust and jeopardize the important work that rank-and-file agents do every day for our nation. I look forward to the results of the inspector general's FISA audit, as well as U.S. Attorney John Durham's investigation and I hope we can all work together to begin restoring the standing of America's top law enforcement agency, Grassley said. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act requires the FBI to seek a warrant from a secret court before i… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-praises-house-action-prescription-drug-prices | Grassley Praises House Action on Prescription Drug Prices | 2019-12-09 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WashingtonSenate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released the following statement regarding House Republicans' legislation to lower prescription drug prices. I'm glad both Republicans and Democrats in the House of Representatives have now put forward proposals to lower prescription drug prices. Many of the provisions in this legislation mirror Senate legislation I authored with Ranking Member Wyden,Grassley said.It's clear that any bill must be bipartisan to pass Congress under a divided government. That means both sides must be willing to compromise. ThePrescription Drug Pricing Reduction Actstrikes that balance. It should receive a vote soon in the Senate, where it would surely pass with overwhelming support. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-updated-prescription-drug-pricing-reduction-act | Grassley on the Updated Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act | 2019-12-09 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Finance Committee Monday, December 9, 2019 Senator Wyden and I released an updated version of our bipartisanPrescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act. It will now deliver even more savings for seniors and Americans with disabilities. It also helps pay for critical health programs. Billions of dollars saved in out-of-pocket costs. And billions of dollars allocated for health care programs that tens of millions of Americans rely upon. All without spending a dime more of taxpayer dollars. That's because Big Pharma will finally be held accountable. Taxpayers shouldn't be put on the hook for unlimited subsidies to big companies making billions in profits. TheWashington Postrecentlysaid our bill was the drug pricing bill with the best chance of passing Congress. That's because it's the only significant, bipartisan legislation to address the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs in Congress. The Senate must demonstrate courage and finally act. It should get a vote soon. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-trump-backs-senate-drug-pricing-bill-pressuring-wary-republicans | ICYMI: Trump Backs Senate Drug-Pricing Bill, Pressuring Wary Republicans | 2019-12-09 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | By Tom Howell Jr. December 7, 2019 President Trump late Friday endorsed a Senate drug-pricing bill that would cap what seniors pay at the pharmacy counter and require drug makers to rebate Medicare if prices rise faster than inflation. The bipartisan measure would be another huge step forward for American families for their health, their peace of mind, and their financial security, Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said. The White House calls on Congress to act now to give Americans the relief they need by sending bipartisan drug pricing reform to the president's desk this year. The statement increases pressure on Senate GOP leaders to put the bill up for a floor vote. ... The White House backed the bill after Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, Iowa Republican, and Sen. Ron Wyden, Oregon Democrat, fine-tuned the measure Friday. One change would cap the amount of out-pocket-costs that a senior on Medicare has to pay in any given month, spreading costs over a longer period to avoid large one-time expenses. ... Runaway drug costs are a key issue for voters, however, so Mr. Trump would like to see progress heading into the 2020 reelection year. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=AF8405E5-E86B-4FAF-8A1B-BAAE036CFE13 | Ernst Week in Review | 2019-12-07 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Joni Ernst | E000295 | www.ernst.senate.gov | legacy | Pushing for Properly Fitting Body Armor, Protective Equipment for Female Servicemembers After working closely with soldiers and commanders of the U.S. service branchesincluding meetings with troops and military leaders in Kuwait and Afghanistan just last weekSenator Joni Ernst, the first female combat veteran elected to the Senate, is putting forward a commonsense, bipartisan proposal to ensure body armor and personal protective equipment (PPE) is adequate, properly-fitted, and readily available for female servicemembers. Having served in combat and commanded troops during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and with her own daughter going through training right now at West Point, Senator Ernst understands just how important it is for all servicemembers to be properly equipped for the battlefield. The Washington Times covered Senator Ernst's efforts. Click here or the image above to read the article in The Washington Times. Calling on Congress to Support Our Men and Women in Uniform On the heels of her recent bipartisan, bicameral Congressional delegation visit to Kuwait and Afghanistan, Senator Ernst once again called on Congress to support servicemembers and come together to pass the annual defense authorization bill, as well as defense funding for this next fiscal year. Ernst outlined the importance of ensuring our servicemembers, like those she visited in the Middle East just last week, have the necessary resources to carry out their mission of protecting the homeland. The Senator said in part: Our men and women overseas are serving our purpose abroadnow it's time for Congress to serve their purpose. Click here or the image above to watch Senator Ernst's remarks. Amping Up the Pressure on Speaker Pelosi to Move on USMCA Following the one year anniversary of President Trump signing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Senator Ernst, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Energy and Rural Development, continued to call on Speaker Pelosi and her House colleagues to move on the trade a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/broad-showing-support-grassley-alexander-pension-proposal | Broad Showing of Support for Grassley-Alexander Pension Proposal | 2019-12-06 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Stakeholders, Experts Weigh In on Grassley-Alexander Plan to Shore Up Failing Multiemployer Pension System We applaud the dedicated leadership of Senate Finance Committee Chair Chuck Grassley and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Lamar Alexander, for this vitally important step towards solving the vexing multi-employer pension challenge. The American Bakers Association has represented the American wholesale baking industry since 1897 Business Roundtable applauds Chairmen Grassley and Alexander for their efforts to strengthen the multiemployer pension plan system and safeguard the retirement benefits of millions of employees and their families. Business Roundtable is an association of chief executive officers of America's leading companies working to promote a thriving U.S. economy and expanded opportunity for all Americans through sound public policy The multiemployer pension crisis will not resolve itself absent forceful action by lawmakers. Whether on Grassley-Alexander or on a parallel approach, lawmakers must act. Charles Blahous is the J. Fish and Lillian F. Smith Chair andSenior Research Strategist at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. Blahous specializes in domestic economic policy and retirement The ERISA Industry Committee applauds Senators Grassley and Alexander for moving forward to address the crisis in the multiemployer pension system. Since this crisis impacts plan sponsors of all sizes and across the country, it must be addressed comprehensively to ensure the protection of retirement benefits for millions of workers. The ERISA Industry committee represents companies from every sectory of the economy in their capacity as sponsors of employee benefit plans for their own workforce The Association commends the leadership of Senate Chairman Grassley and Senate Chairman Alexander in developing a comprehensive solution to address the crisis facing the multiemployer pension system. The Association of Food and Dairy Retailers, Wholesalers and Manufacturers respr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-colleagues-introduce-expanded-bill-opportunity-zone-reporting | Grassley, Colleagues Introduce Expanded Bill on Opportunity Zone Reporting Requirements | 2019-12-06 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) in introducing the IMPACT Act, which would reinstate and expand reporting requirements to determine the impact of the more than 8,700 Opportunity Zones across the country. The IMPACT, orImproving and Reinstating the Monitoring, Prevention, Accountability, Certification, and Transparency Provisions of Opportunity Zones, Actincludes a variety of reporting requirements to provide for the most robust and granular analysis over time on the targeted impacts of investments in Opportunity Zones. With more than $63 billion already in anticipated investments, it is critical that this analysis is in place. The IMPACT Act's requirements do this while protecting taxpayer privacy laws and preserving the ability of communities to utilize a wide-variety of possible investments without overburdening entrepreneurs and local governments with mountains of unnecessary paperwork. Opportunity Zones have the potential to transform some of the most economically underdeveloped parts of the country and lift millions of Americans out of poverty. Everyone deserves a shot at the American Dream. This legislation will help make sure the federal government has the information it needs to track the success of Opportunity Zones, Grassley said. Opportunity Zones provide thousands of low-income communities, both urban and rural, across the country with the potential to transform the future for generations to come.The IMPACT Act's reporting requirements will help show communities and investors that the initiative is working, as well as help root out any fraud or abuse. This is an important piece of the puzzle to help the more than 31 million Americans living in Opportunity Zones experience a brighter future, Scott said. Instead of utilizing a Band-Aid method or temporary fix, the Opportunity Zones initiat… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-wyden-release-updated-prescription-drug-pricing-reduction-act-reach | Grassley, Wyden Release Updated Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act, Reach Agreement on Health Extenders | 2019-12-06 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | Updated Bipartisan Legislation Delivers Even More Savings and Affordability Measures to Medicare Beneficiaries, Holds Middlemen Accountable to Consumers Washington Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today released an updated version of their bipartisan Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 and announced that an agreement was reached to fund critical, expiring health care programs. This updated legislation turns a very good bill into a great bill that will help Americans afford the prescription drugs they need, Grassley said. Seniors and Americans with disabilities will see even lower out-of-pocket costs. This bipartisan legislation also helps pay for critical health programs nationwide. And it achieves all of this without charging the taxpayer a dime more. Big Pharma will also finally be held accountable to taxpayers who subsidize their billions of dollars in annual profits. Congress has the opportunity to deliver a real, concrete win for the American people. Now it just needs to show courage and finally act. Members of Congress who fail to meet this test will have to face their constituents and won't have a believable explanation for why they chose not to act. It should get a vote soon. This agreement delivers even more savings to Americans, cracks down on the drug industry's tricks, and secures key health programs for years to come, Wyden said. I'm proud of the bipartisan work that's been accomplished so far, in particular for Chairman Grassley's leadership and our commitment to capping out-of-pocket costs for seniors and requiring drug companies to pay back Medicare if they increase prices faster than inflation. It's time to put Americans over Pharma profits and pass this bill. Legislative text can be found HERE. BACKGROUND: The agreement makes improvements that the chairman, ranking member and other committee members discussed when the committee reported the bipartisan bill in July.The changes build off of the $25 billion reduction … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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