url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-marks-policy-oversight-accomplishments-115th-congress,"Grassley Marks Policy, Oversight Accomplishments of the 115th Congress",2018-12-28,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa marked a series of policy and oversight accomplishments in the 115th Congress. Serving the people of Iowa as their United States Senator is my first priority and it's an honor that I take seriously, Grassley said. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and through my extensive oversight efforts, my work focuses on making government more transparent, efficient and accountable to Iowans and all Americans. Grassley holds at least one question-and-answer session in each of Iowa's 99 counties every year to hear concerns and answer questions on any subject fromIowans. In 2018, Grassleycompletedhisannual county meetings for the 38th year in a row. Grassley holdsmeetings in a variety of settingsto ensure that a broad cross-section of Iowans can participate, includingbusinesses, schools,townmeetings andfactory floors. Although the setting may differ from county to county, the format is the same: Iowans set the agenda. In addition to his annual meetings, Grassley attended or convened a variety of events and forums, including: In 2018, Grassley created a social media series called #CornWatch that gave followers an insider look at farming operations and tracked the progression of the corn crop 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 everyMondaythroughThursdayto meet with Iowans in Washington, D.C., including advocacy groups, associations, chambers of commerce and local business leaders, students and families. During the 115th Congress, Grassley metwith more than 2,000 groups of Iowans visiting the nation's capital and discussed a variety of policy issues affecting Iowans such as trade, tax reform and health care. Grassley also joined 26 Iowa schoolsfor Q&As via video conferencing and, as an avid fan of Iowa universities, attended dozens of sporting events. Highlights of Grassley's legislative and oversight work follow here: Agriculture: As the senior senator of one of the top agricultural states in the country, Grassley has been an outspoken advocate for farmers and Rural America. He has consistently called for a new Farm Bill that would include commonsense reforms to ensure federal assistance only goes to farmers who truly need it instead of millionaire non-farmers gaming the system. Grassley, along with Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, raised concerns with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency over potentially wasteful payouts made to the estates of deceases farmers. Grassley was also a leading supporter for the confirmation of Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey to be Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservations at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Grassley introduced Northey at his nomination hearing, praised his qualifications and congratulated him at his long-overdue confirmation. Grassley joined fellow Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst in introducing the Give Our Resources the Opportunity to Work (GROW) Act of 2018, which was largely enacted in the 2018 Farm Bill. It refocuses conservation spending on marginal cropland to benefit soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat. It also protects rural economies and ensures greater farmland access for beginning and young farmers. Grassley and Ernst, along with other members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, urged the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review the proposed purchase of National Beef Packing Co. by a Brazilian meat company. During the fall of 2017, Grassley reintroduced theFamily Farmer Bankruptcy Clarification Act of 2017to reverse a Supreme Court ruling (Hall v. United States) that made it harder for family farmers to reorganize their finances after declaring bankruptcy. The bill was included as part of the supplemental appropriations package and was signed into law by President Trump. Also in 2017, the USDA withdrew two rules related to thePackers and Stockyards Act, commonly referred to as the GIPSA rules. As the only two farmers currently serving in the U.S. Senate, Grassley, along with Sen. Jon Tester of Montana,wrote a letterto USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue to express their disagreement over the agency's decision to withdraw these rules. Grassley also offered legislation toamend thePackers and Stockyards Actto make it unlawful for a packer to own, feed or control livestock intended for slaughter. Grassley introduced theFood Security is National Security Act of 2017, which would give top U.S. agriculture and food officials permanent representation on CFIUS. It would also include new agriculture and food-related criteria for CFIUS to consider when reviewing transactions that could result in control of a U.S. business by a foreign company, ensuring the U.S. has the tools and people it needs to safeguard the nation's food security, food safety, biosecurity and bring security to Iowa farmers and the U.S. farm sector as a whole. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Grassleywrote a letterto the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting an update of its 2013 report on farm program eligibility in advance of the Farm Bill. In 2014, Grassley led an effort to fix loopholes that allowed farmers to exploit the system by using non-farming family members to receive additional subsidies from the government. Both chambers of Congress passed his bipartisan amendment that included reforms to farm program eligibility, but the amendment was significantly watered down during conference and ultimatelybecame lawas part of the 2014 Farm Bill. In 2018, Grassley introduced the same payment limit loophole amendment, but again it was left out of the final text of the Farm Bill. Antitrust: In his capacity as Senate Judiciary chairman, Grassley, along with House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, requested input from the Justice Department's (DOJ) antitrust division on a proposal to hold the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members accountable for antitrust violations. In aletterto Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim, the lawmakers touted the bicameral, bipartisan support for theNo Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act, or NOPEC, which Grassley introduced. Grassley and Goodlatte also sent a letter to President Trump regarding the impact of foreign antitrust enforcement on American citizens and businesses abroad. In the letter, they requested the President establish a White House Working Group on International Competition to coordinate international competition and trade policy with the United States. They also requested the development of a comprehensive and consistent strategy to address misuse of foreign competition law by foreign governments. In a letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Joseph Simons, Grassley requested the FTC conduct an assessment of recent and ongoing consolidation in the pharmaceutical supply chain and its potential impact on prescription drug prices for American consumers. Grassley also called on the DOJ's antitrust divisionto conduct a vigorous review of the proposed mergers of Cigna Corp. with Express Scripts Holding Co., and CVS Health Corp. with Aetna Inc. due to the potential influence the mergers could have on the price of prescription drugs. Grassley also sent a letter to Chairman Simons requesting the FTC conduct an assessment of potentially anticompetitive contracting practices between insurers and hospital systems in the United States deliberately designed to prevent consumers' access to quality, lower cost care. The Senate passed Grassley'sCriminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act, which would extend whistleblower protections for employees who provide information to the DOJ related to criminal antitrust violations. This is part of Grassley's decades-long effort to protect and empower whistleblowers. The legislation passed the Senate the past two congresses, but has not been taken up by the House of Representatives. Grassley and Goodlatte called on the DOJ and FTC to work with the U.S. Trade Representative to make strong competition provisions a central part of upcoming trade negotiations.In their 2017letter, Grassley and Goodlatte encouraged the federal antitrust agencies to include a competition chapter in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to establish a high standard for competition chapters in future trade negotiations. Criminal Justice Reform: As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassley, along with Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois, Mike Lee of Utah, Corey Booker of New Jersey, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, introduced the bipartisan First Step Act. The legislation the most significant criminal justice reform effort in a generation passed the House and the Senate and was signed into law by President Trump, will reduce recidivism, promote public safety and improve fairness in sentencing of federal crimes. Grassley, along with a bipartisan group of senators, reintroducedthe landmarkSentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2017, which would recalibrate prison sentences for nonviolent drug offenders, target violent and career criminals and save taxpayer dollars.The bill would allow increased judicial discretion at sentencing for offenders with minimal criminal histories and help inmates successfully re-enter society. It would also tighten penalties for violent criminals and preserve key prosecutorial tools for law enforcement. The legislation advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee in early 2018 with broad support. Defense Oversight: Grassley's extensive 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. Grassley has repeatedly pressed Secretary of Defense James Mattis to follow through on his commitment to end waste, fraud and abuse at the Department of Defense (DOD). Along with Sens. Mike Enzi of Wyoming, Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Ron Wyden of Oregon, Grassley requested the GAO conduct an independent review of the reasons behind DOD's failure to acquire modern financial information technology systems capable of generating reliable information and supporting credible financial statements. In the fall of 2018, the Pentagon released the results of a full financial audit, showing it failed to produce a clean audit. Grassley commented on those results, saying that they were disappointing but not surprising. The results of the audit follow multiple calls from Grassley for the DOD to make the changes necessary to pass a full financial audit. In early 2018, Grassley received the results of an audit he requested in 2016 along with then-Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, from the Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR). The results were alarming, showing poor recordkeeping, lack of mission, poor planning and incomplete projects, among other dissatisfactory conclusions. One example of note is the $43 million DOD spent on a gas station in Afghanistan. Throughout 2018, Grassley engaged repeatedly with DOD leaders, including Principal Deputy Inspector General Glenn A. Fine and Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Heather Wilson, seeking answers as to why the department was wasting $14,000 of taxpayer dollars on individual toilet seat covers and $1,280 on individual water-heating cups an expense that totaled nearly $326,785 over three years. After Grassley's inquiry, the Air Force stopped purchasing the exorbitantly-priced cups. It still has not provided a complete response for its purchasing of $14,000 individual toilet seat covers. Grassley raised questions about a DOD Inspector General (IG) audit report on TRICARE overpayments. The report cited improper payments of up to $81.2 million made by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to TRICARE providers in 2015 and 2016. Despite providing a number of pointed questions aimed at getting to the bottom of these overpayments, Fine side-stepped providing detailed and specific answers in his responseletterto Grassley. In fact, the letter did not include a timetable requested for recovering the TRICARE overpayments, it did not acknowledge accountability for the overpayments and did not recommend solutions to ensure accountability moving forward. DOD currently estimates that it would cost $182 million of taxpayer money to recover the improper payments. Grassley also pressed Mattis to review which employees were responsible for wasting at least $64.8 million on a plane intended for counter-narcotics work in Afghanistan that never flew a single such mission and was later put up for auction. DOJ/ FBI: As a watchdog of the federal bureaucracy, Grassley continues staunch oversight of the Justice Department the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in 2017. He also built upon longstanding efforts to protect whistleblowers bypressingthe FBI to explain why it has failed to update its whistleblower policies, employee trainings and internal communications to comply with theFederal Bureau of Investigation Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act(FBI WPEA). Grassley introduced the new protections last congress to bring FBI whistleblower policies in line with those at other federal agencies. The bipartisan bill was signed into law on December 16, 2016. Grassley alsopressedthe DOJ regarding the FBI's implementation of whistleblower protections. In a letter to DOJ, Grassley outlined a series of concerns about whistleblower protections that have gone unaddressed despite government reports drawing attention to these problems and recommending changes. Grassleycalled onthe FBI to explain its advance knowledge and any plan to thwart a 2015 terrorist attack in Garland, Texas, andpressedfor answers on how an FBI translator wasreportedlyable to travel to Syria and marry the ISIS operative whom she was supposed to be investigating. With Whitehouse and Sens. Dianne Feinstein of California and John Cornyn of Texas, Grassley introduced theCombating Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Counterfeiting Act of 2017. The legislation would modernize and strengthen criminal laws againstmoney laundering, update criminal money laundering and counterfeiting statutes and promote transparency in the U.S. financial system. Grassley and Feinstein also introduced theStrengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act of 2017.The legislation wouldauthorize for the first time the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI), which provides law enforcement with techniques and best practices for handling digital forensics evidence. Grassley introduced theLawsuit Abuse Reduction Act,legislation that would put in place stricter rules todeter harmful, abusive and frivolous litigation. Drug Prices: Grassley continued to be a leader in the fight to decrease prescription drug costs during the 115th Congress. Along with Durbin, Grassley introduced an amendment, which passed the Senate, to bolster efforts by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to require pharmaceutical companies todisclose prescription list drug pricesin television ads. Grassley introduced the Right Rebate Act of 2018 with Wyden. The legislation will close a loophole in Medicaid that has allowed pharmaceutical manufacturers to misclassify their drugs and overcharge taxpayers by billions of dollars and provide HHS with additional authorities to ensure drugs are properly classified. Grassley first became aware of the issue during the Obama administration when Iowans regularly contacted him regarding the exorbitantly high cost of the anti-allergy EpiPen device. Grassley applauded the approval of the first generic version of the EpiPen, an emergency auto-injector of epinephrine used to treat severe, life-threatening allergic reactions. Grassley has been a critic of EpiPen's high cost. After conducting years-long oversight of the issue, Grassley learned that Mylan, EpiPen's distributor, classified its popular anti-allergy medicine as a generic instead of as a brand name product in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (MDRP). That incorrect classification allowed Mylan to pay smaller rebates to States and government programs, such as the MDRP.Grassley's investigation also found that the HHS and the HHS Inspector General (IG) did not have adequate authorities to properly oversee the MDRP and ensure drugs were properly classified. The costly practices were confirmed by the HHS IG when it found, at Grassley's request that taxpayers may have overpaid for the EpiPen by as much as $1.27 billion over 10 years. The IG also found that additional drugs could be misclassified.The costly practices were confirmed by the government's internal watchdog when it found that taxpayers may have overpaid for the EpiPen by as much as$1.27 billionover 10 years. Grassley continuallypressedfor the accurate classification of prescription drugs under the MDRP. Hesought answersfrom the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on whether it sought to recoup tax dollars overpaid for EpiPens from Mylan. He sent a follow-upletterafter receiving no response from CMS, reiterating his initial request for information. Grassley continued pressing for answers when news broke that EpiPen maker Mylan was in discussions with the DOJ to settle a case and repay the taxpayers for over-charging for EpiPen. Grassley sent a letter to then-President-elect Trump urging appropriate classification under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. That letter is availablehere.Grassley also sent a letter to the outgoing Administration on the issue, which is availablehere. His Oct. 3, 2016 letter to the prior administration on the EpiPen misclassification is availablehere. When the DOJ and EpiPen maker Mylan settled its case over the drug's misclassification, Grassley issued astatement of disappointment, saying it shortchanged taxpayers. On behalf of Iowans, Grassley alsowroteto Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller seeking clarification regarding his office's ability to determine the value of reimbursement to the state necessary to make Iowa whole from EpiPen's apparent misclassification. A few months later, Grassley followed up with anotherletterseeking additional details and accompanying documentation regarding the state's receiving $1.5 million as part of a DOJ settlement with Mylan. In his capacity as Senate Judiciary chairman, Grassley shepherded the bipartisan Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act through the committee. The legislation, cosponsored by Grassley, would combat anticompetitive practices used by some brand-name pharmaceutical and biologic companies to block lower-cost generic drugs from entering the market. Grassley introduced the Ensuring the Value of the 340B Program Act to increase transparency in a targeted way into the 340B program, which was created by Congress in theVeterans Health Care Act of 1992and allows hospitals and other health care entities to receive discounted prices on prescription drugs and biologics from drug manufacturers. By law, these drug manufacturers must offer 340B discounts to covered entities in order to participate in the Medicaid program. The statute does not require hospitals to track or report savings or how they are used, however. It also doesn't require hospitals to report the level of charity care they provide to patients. The lack of reporting requirements have resulted in a lack of transparency in this program. This legislation addresses the problem by requiring participating hospitals to report the total acquisition costs for drugs collected through the 340B program, as well as revenues received from all third party payers for those same drugs. With Ernst and Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Grassley introduced the bipartisan Access to Increased Drug Disposal (AIDD) Act of 2018. The legislation is designed to increase participation in the federal prescription drug take-back programs to help combat prescription drug abuse and the growing opioid epidemic. Grassley pushed back on prescription drug price discrepancies between the United States and other countries, saying there's no reason that Americans should pay more than anyone else for exactly the same medications. An advocate for the importation of prescription drugs from Canada, Grassley, along with the late Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesotaurgedthen-Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tom Price to use his statutory authority to fast track the importation of prescription drugs from Canada under certain circumstances as a remedy to recent drastic drug price increases in the United States. Earlier this year, HHS announced it would create a task force to explore prescription drug importation as a way to reduce drug prices in the United States. At the start of the Congress, Grassley cosponsored the bipartisanPreserve Access to Affordable GenericsAct, which would crack down on anti-competitive agreements between branded and generic companies to postpone entry of generic drugs in the marketplace. These pay-off settlements delay consumer access to generic drugs, which can be as much as 90 percent cheaper than brand-name drugs. The legislation would stop these anti-competitive pay-off agreements to keep more affordable generic equivalents off the market and make sure consumers have access to the cost saving generics they need. In April, 2017, Grassleyaskedhealth insurer CareFirst to explain an apparent practice of charging customers more for receiving a brand name prescription drug than a generic drug when the insurer's own doctors explicitly prescribed the brand name drug for medical reasons. Grassley also noted due process concerns about this potential practice if the insurer was not complying with its own policies. He also wrote aletterto Kalo Pharmaceuticals, the maker of epinephrine injector Auvi-Q, to explain its pricing, including which entities in the health care system will pay the cited price of $4,500 for a two-pack when consumers without insurance will pay $360 for the product. Grassley said the pricing of Auvi-Q appears to draw parallels with concern about EpiPen's pricing structure. Education: As part of his extensive oversight work, Grassley sought answers from then-U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on whether the DOJ has made efforts to look into Confucius Institutes. These institutes are controlled by the government of China and exist within colleges and universities under the guise of teaching Chinese language, culture in history, but too often their activities are political in nature and intended to influence American policy and public opinion. Grassley sent a letter to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Francis S. Collins seeking information about the vetting processes in place at NIH regarding foreign researchers and public grants and the steps NIH has taken to ensure the integrity of taxpayer funded research. Grassley cited a case from 2013 in which foreign researchers were charged with conspiring to steal research funded by a multi-million dollar NIH grant for the benefit of a Chinese governmental entity and a direct competitor of the American university where the research was conducted. Grassley sent a letter to then-DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen asking for information on the Student and Exchange Visitor Program that allows private institutions to manage visas for foreign students seeking enrollment in a U.S.-based school with limited oversight. The program creates a perverse incentive for the foreign students, the schools that recruit them and the employers that hire them, all of whom benefit from the program at the expense of American workers and taxpayers. There is no cap for the number of foreign students who can enroll in the program. Grassley also introduced a series of bills aimed at providing students and their families a better idea of the true costs of higher education and giving them the tools needed to make informed decisions based on tuition costs, financial aid and loan and repayment options. TheNet Price Calculator Improvement Actwould improve the effectiveness and access to net price calculators, tools that provide students with early, individualized estimates of higher education costs and financial aid figures before they decide where to apply. TheUnderstanding the True Cost of College Actwould create a universal financial aid award letter so that students could easily compare financial aid packages between schools. It would clarify what financial aid families would receive from a school and create standard terms for the aid offered so that students could accurately compare offers from different schools. TheKnow Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Actwould increase the amount of information students receive about federal student loans, including their potential ability to repay, before rather than after signing up for tens of thousands of dollars in debt to Uncle Sam. Grassley cosponsored the Teachers Are Leaders Act, which would create partnerships between colleges and high-need schools to develop and support innovative teacher leader roles, which would support efforts already underway in Iowa. Additionally, Grassley and fellow legislators have worked with federal agencies to clarify that nonprofit lenders, including state-run or state-chartered organizations, can use tax-exempt bonds for student loan refinancing, which will expand the number of options for those seeking to refinance federal student loans. Along with 14 fellow senators, Grassleyurgedthe Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Treasury Department to make technical clarifications to rules on refinancing options for student debt. Grassley also offered a resolution designating March 3, 2017 as""National Speech and Debate Education Day,"" which passed the Senate by unanimous consent. Grassley also offered a resolution designating the week beginning October 15, 2017, as ""National Character Counts Week,"" which passed the Senate with unanimous consent. Energy: As a champion of renewable fuels and an all-of-the-above American energy policy, Grassley continued his extensive work to enact responsible energy policies during the 115th Congress. Grassley has been a leader in the effort to allow the sale of year-round E15. After regular correspondence with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and meetings at the White House, President Trump announced in October 2018 that he has instructed the EPA to begin the process of allowing year-round use of E15. Grassley has also led the fight to maintain a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). He led efforts to put pressure on the EPA to stop issuing hardship waivers to obligated refiners as well as make the waiver process more transparent and highlight the importance of the RFS to President Trump. In November 2018, the EPA announced its 2019 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the RFS. Grassley applauded the increases projections and noted them as a bright spot in the agricultural economy and for farmers after regularly underwhelming and often disappointing news from then-EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. Prior to the Administration taking action on E15, Grassley, along with Sens. Deb Fischer of Nebraska and Joe Donnelly of Indiana, introduced the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would extend the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver to ethanol blends above 10 percent, increasing market opportunities for higher blends of ethanol. It would also allow retailers to sell E15 and other higher-ethanol/gasoline fuel blends year-round. Much of Grassley's energy agenda focused on the RFS. Grassley worked extensively with Senate colleagues, President Trump and the EPA to find ways forward on renewable energies and fulfill congressional intent on the RFS. Under new proposed rules, America's commitment to biofuels would have been decreased,resulting in less renewable fuels being blended. In aletter, Grassley and a bipartisan group of 23 senators urged President Trumpto maintain the point of obligation under the RFS and reject changes that would upend the current successful system. In November 2017, EPA announced it would maintain the point of obligation. Grassley also sent aletterto Pruitt asking him to supporta strong RFS as the agency worked toward finalizing its rule on biofuels volume requirements for 2018 under the RFS. The letter urged the continued implementation of the RFS as intended by Congress and the release of a strong final rule that would give consumers more choices at the pump, strengthen the economy and make the country more secure. Grassley continued to put pressure on the EPA by joining Sens. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Roy Blunt of Missouri, Patty Murray of Washington and a bipartisan group of 29 senators in aletterurging the agency to increase its proposed 2019 RVOs for biodiesel. The move would encourage growth in the industry and diversity in the nation's energy supply. Grassleyraised concernstoEnergy Secretary Rick Perry regarding a study he directed that appeared geared toward undermining the wind energy industry. The study was meant to explore issues central to protecting the long-term reliability of the electricity grid, including an investigation of market-distorting federal policies that create acute and chronic problems for maintaining adequate baseload generation and have impacted reliable generators of all types. Grassley asked a series of questions about the study, including which organizations that analyze grid reliability and security would be involved, whether a contractor would conduct it, the cost to taxpayers and whether stakeholders would be able to comment on a draft. Grassley and other Midwestern senatorsreceived several assurancesin a letterfrom Pruitt ensuring that the EPA would not follow through on a proposal that would have undermined the integrity of the RFS. The letter from Pruitt can be foundhere.This came after Grassley led several letters and meetings on the issue. Grassley led a bipartisan group of senatorsurgingU.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to work with the Brazilian government to end a recently reinstated 20 percent tariff on ethanol imports in excess of 600 million liters (158 million gallons) annually. The United States is the primary exporter of ethanol into Brazil. U.S. producers called Brazil's tariff plan a trade barrier that threatens over $750 million in U.S. exports and American jobs. Grassley was presented with the 2018 Fueling Growth award by Growth Energy for his strong support and consistent work on behalf of ethanol. Grassley was presented with the 2018 American Wind Energy Association's U.S. Wind Champion award by the American Wind Energy Association for his support for wind energy technologies. Grassley was presented with the 2018 Innovator in Biotechnology award by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, recognizing his contributions to the biotechnology industries. Federal Judiciary: Grassley presided over a historic number of federal judicial confirmations during the 115th Congress, including the confirmation of two Supreme Court justices. As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassley rigorously vetted and reviewed judicial nominations to ensure our federal judges will interpret and apply the law as written, not legislate from the bench based on policy preferences. President Trump has endeavored to nominate constitutionalist and textualist judges who understand the role of the judiciary in our constitutional system. Under Grassley's leadership, the committee oversaw the confirmation of a record 30 circuit court judges, which is the most circuit court confirmations in the first two years of any presidency in history. These confirmations will have an important impact on our country not just for this Congress or presidency, but for decades to come. Foster youth, adoption, missing children, families and elder care: Throughout his career, Grassley has been a staunch advocate for children and families. He continued his work on these issues in the 115th Congress by introducing a number of bills aimed at protecting special needs children, preventing elder abuse, encouraging elder independence and funding programs to improve family health. Grassley and Klobuchar introduced Kevin and Avonte's Law, named in honor of two boys with autism who perished after wandering from safety. This bipartisan bill unanimously passed the Senate and later was enacted as part of an omnibus spending measure. The legislation will help families locate missing loved ones with Alzheimer's disease, Autism and related conditions. It would also support training for caregivers to prevent and respond to instances of wandering. Grassley, along with Feinstein, Klobuchar and Sens. Orrin Hatch of Utah and Rob Portman of Ohio, introduced the bipartisan Missing Children's Assistance Act of 2018, which would make resources available for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to continue its fight against child abduction and exploitation. The bill became law in October of 2018. Grassley and Feinstein pressed Sessions to enforce the International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act and ensure all American children are returned to the United States after international parental child abduction. Grassley and Feinstein, along with Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Bob Menendez of New Jersey, introduced a bipartisan resolution designating the month of April as International Parental Child Abduction Month, which passed the Senate. Grassley, along with Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, led a bipartisan group of senators in sending a letter to Assistant Secretary for Family Support Lynn Johnson, urging her to implement recommendations from a recent HHS IG report that would help foster children who appear to be overprescribed psychotropic medications. Along with Stabenow and Sens. Michael Bennet of Colorado and Todd Young of Indiana, Grassley sent a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar asking him to ensure that the implementation of theFamily First Prevention Services Act(FFPSA) will help older youth avoid foster care entry or re-entry, and successfully transition out of care. Grassley, along with Menendez, introduced the bipartisanBuilding Capacity for Family Focused Residential Treatment Act, a grant program to help child welfare agencies, treatment centers or non-profit organizations establish evidence-based, family-focused residential treatment programs. This legislation was signed into law as part of a package of bills to help alleviate the opioid crisis. Grassley continued his aggressive oversight of elder care in nursing homes. After the death of an elderly woman in Buffalo Center, Iowa, reportedly due to neglect by nursing home staff, Grassley repeatedly sought answers from CMS Administrator Seema Verma about the agency's oversight efforts of nursing homes. Grassley introduced theStrong Families Act of 2017,legislation which would re-authorize the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, a program that provides grants to states, territories and tribal entities to develop and implement evidence-based, voluntary programs to improve maternal and child health, prevent child abuse and promote child development and school readiness. A strong advocate for fostering and adoption programs, Grassley introduced theFoster Youth Independence Act of 2017,which allows states to provide assistance and services under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program to young adults who have aged out of foster care until the age of 23. This bill was signed into law as part of the Family First Prevention Services Act. Grassley also introduced theFostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act of 2017,legislation which would grantpriority preference for federal housing assistance to foster youth who are aging out of care and allow youth in foster care to apply for housing assistance at the age of 16, prior to aging out. Focusing on the health and well-being of America's senior citizens, Grassley introduced theCommunity-based Independence for Seniors Act, legislation that would allow older Americans to receive individualized care that would help them continue to stay in their own homes rather than nursing homes. Grassley also introduced theElder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act, which became law. The law enhances enforcement against perpetrators of crimes targeting senior citizens. Specifically, it increases training for federal investigators and prosecutors and calls for the designation of at least one prosecutor in each federal judicial district who will be tasked with handling cases of elder abuse.It also ensures that the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection and the DOJ will both have an elder justice coordinator and increases penalties for perpetrators. Grassleysought informationfrom a Florida assisted living facility about criminal charges filed against an employee who allegedly violated the privacy of two residents using Snapchat. The case is one of the latest examples of exploitive videos or photos involving elder care facilities on Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook. Along with Ernst, Grassley sent aletterto the DOJ asking for an explanation regarding penalties against an Iowa nursing home that was ordered closed and to pay $100,000 to federal taxpayers over grossly substandard care that was essentially without value. Grassley and Ernst said the Abbey of Le Mars was on a federal watch list for two years during the Obama administration because of concerns about care. Grassley also offered a resolutionrecognizing National Foster Care Month as an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges of children in the foster-care system, and encourage Congress to implement policies to improve the lives of children in the foster-care system. It passed the Senate with unanimous consent. Good Government and Transparency: Grassley introduced theAmerican Red Cross Transparency Act of 2017, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would give the Government Accountability Office complete access to American Red Cross records for oversight purposes. The bill also responds to concerns that the Red Cross tried to quash a GAO review of its practices, successfully limiting the scope of the review. In his continuing effort to drain the swamp, Grassley excoriated the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC)in its attempt to insulate unelected government bureaucrats from questions by the people's elected representatives in Congress and called on President Trump to rescind the OLC opinion. In hisletter, Grassley laid out the constitutional case for every member of Congress to exercise their powers of inquiry and oversight of the executive bureaucracy, regardless of committee membership or chairmanship. He emphasized the importance of oversight and inquiry regardless of partisan affiliation. In response to his inquiry, the White House has committed to voluntarily answer all congressional inquiries, not just those from committee chairmen. GrassleyurgedtheOffice of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney to ensure that any executive branch ethics pledge waivers granted by the Trump administration are immediately provided to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and made publicly available. Grassley made asimilar requestof the Obama administration in 2009.Those waivers were ultimately published on OGE's website following Grassley's request. Grassley also sent letters to HHS, Mattis and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross regarding issues relating to wasteful government spending by bureaucrats and government efficiency and accountability. Grassley introduced theSunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2017,legislation which would end the practice of creating new federal red tape outside of the public rulemaking process, shine a light on sue-and-settle litigation and restore the transparency, public scrutiny and judicial review protections of the rulemaking process. Grassley also introduced the bipartisanCameras in the Courtroom Act of 2017, whichwould require the Supreme Court to permit television coverage of all open sessions of the Court. The legislation allows the Court to restrict cameras only if it decides, by a majority vote that televised proceedings would constitute a violation of the due process rights of one or more of the parties before the Court. Grassley offered two resolutions pertaining to classified documents about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which were being held by the National Archives and Records Administration. The first urged the National Archives and Records Administration to publicly release records detailing the assassination, the second commending the National Archives and Records Administration and its staff for working to comply with the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 and release all records related to the assassination. Gun Violence: As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassley has worked to find solutions to prevent gun violence at schools. Grassley is a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights, but has continued to be a leader in the effort to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and dangerous people. Grassley held a hearing entitled See Something, Say Something in the aftermath of the Parkland Shooting to discuss legislative steps to improve school safety. In addition, in the aftermath of the Las Vegas and Sutherland Springs shootings, Grassley held a hearing entitled Firearm Accessory Regulation and Enforcing Federal and State Reporting to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Grassley also supported the Administration's regulatory effort to restrict the sale of bump stock devises such as those used in the Las Vegas shooting. With Hatch and a group of bipartisan senators, Grassley introduced the Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act of 2018. The legislation funds school security improvements and invests in early intervention and prevention programs to stop school violence before it happens. Grassley successfully negotiated with appropriators and the White House to make sure that this program received the funding it deserved and fought for its inclusion in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, which the President signed into law in March of 2018. Along with Cruz, Grassley reintroduced the Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2018. The legislation improves school safety and prevents guns from falling into the wrong hands by ensuring that relevant agencies and institutions accurately submit records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Grassley also cosponsored Cornyn's bill, the Fix NICS Act of 2017, which gives incentives for state and federal government agencies to improve their reporting into the NICS system. The legislation was signed into law in March of 2018. Grassley joined Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and a group of senators in introducing the School Safety & Mental Health Services Improvement Act. The legislation would allow 100,000 public schools to improve school safety by using federal dollars for school counselors, alarm systems, security cameras and crisis intervention training. Grassley introduced the EAGLES Act, along with Hatch and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, to expand the U.S. Secret Service's National Threat Assessment Center to help communities proactively mitigate threats of violence at schools by establishing a national program on targeted school violence prevention and providing additional resources to expand research and training on a national scale. The bill also requires Secret Service to develop an expansion plan and to provide periodic progress reports to Congress. Grassley pressed the FBI, Facebook and Google Inc., which owns YouTube, to explain why warnings about threats by the man who later carried out the Parkland shooting did not result in preventative action. Health care Grassley signed on to the bipartisan Facilitating Accessible Resources for Mental Health and Encouraging Rural Solutions For Immediate Response to Stressful Times (FARMERS FIRST) Act, legislation introduced Ernst and Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin that would provide the nation's agricultural community with critical mental health support and resources. Grassley introduced the bipartisan Accelerating Access to Kids Care Act with Bennet. The legislation, would provide an optional service for families of children with complex medical needs that would improve the coordination of their care across multiple health care providers. Grassley and Bennet, along with Portman, Blunt, Murray, Brown and Sens. Kamala Harris of California, Bill Nelson of Florida and Cory Gardner of Colorado, also reintroduced the Advancing Care for Exceptional (ACE) Kids Act. The legislation will improve health care delivery for children with complex medical needs by streamlining the credentialing process, in Medicaid, for certain pediatric health care providers, across state lines. Grassley joined Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina in introducing theEnsuring Coverage for Patients with Pre-Existing Conditions Act, legislation that would guarantee Americans have health care coverage, regardless of their health status or pre-existing conditions. After the outbreak of a mysterious, polio-like illness, Grassley joined Ernst, Klobuchar and Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota in sending a letter to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) urging them to investigate and respond to recent cases. Along with Hatch, Grassley requested specific information from the IRS regarding their oversight activities of nonprofit hospitals after media reports brought forward questions about whether some nonprofit hospitals were meeting the criteria for tax-exempt status, serving their communities appropriately and serving individuals in need regardless of ability to pay. Grassley joined Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and a bipartisan group of senators of the bipartisan Senate health care price transparency working group, in releasing draft legislation called the Protecting Patients from Surprise Medical Bills Act, which aims to protect patients from surprise medical bills. The draft bill is intended to jumpstart discussions in Congress about how to best stop the use of balanced billing to charge patients for emergency treatment or treatment provided by an out-of-network provider at an in-network facility. With Warren, Grassley introduced theOver-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act, which became law as part of the FDA Reauthorization Act. The bipartisan measure requires the FDA to write regulations ensuring that the new category of over-the-counter hearing aids meets the same high standards for safety, consumer labeling and manufacturing protections as all medical devices, providing consumers the option of an FDA-regulated device at lower cost. Along with Brown and Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Grassley reintroduced thePharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act, bipartisan legislation which would encourage pharmacists to serve older Americans in communities lacking easy access to doctors or where pharmacists are more convenient to visit for certain services than doctors. Grassley also reintroduced theProvider Payment Sunshine Act, legislation that would require drug companies and medical device makers to publicly disclose their payments to nurse practitioners and physician assistants for promotional talks, consulting and other interactions. The disclosures already apply to doctors, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists and podiatrists under thePhysician Payment Sunshine Act, co-authored by Grassley and enacted in 2010. Along with Klobuchar, Grassley introduced theReducing Drug Waste Act of 2017,bipartisan legislation which wouldrequire the FDA to coordinate with CMS to develop a joint action plan to reduce waste generated by single use drug vials and better manage costs with respect to drug vial sizes and other drug delivery systems, such as eye-drops. In his continued support for rural health care, Grassley introduced theRural Hospital Access Act of 2017,which would permanently extend key Medicare rural hospital programs critical to five Iowa hospitals and many others around the country. He also reintroduced theRural Emergency Acute Care Hospital (REACH) Act, which would help rural hospitals stay open while meeting the needs of rural residents for emergency room care and outpatient services. Grassley, along with Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, reintroduced theMedicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation that would apply accreditation and other standards for orthotics and prosthetics, such as prosthetic limbs, under Medicare, helping to guarantee access to quality products for beneficiaries. Housing: Grassleycontinued hisoversightof TARP's Hardest Hit Fund (HHF), a $9.6 billion program that began in 2010 to help homeowners who suffered during the housing crisis.Wasteful spending of these funds by state agencies persisted unchecked for many years of the Obama administration, and the need for accountability remains. In a continuation of Grassley's request to audit state agency expenses, the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP) isreviewingstate agency spending on travel, conferences and other administrative spending. Grassley alsopressedthe Treasury Department on why it has recovered only one percent $113,592 of $11 million wasted on restaurant meals, employee gifts and a $500-per-month company Mercedes from the HHF. Grassleyaskedthe Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority and newly-confirmed Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson to explain potentially excessive travel and conference expenses by the housing authority, including that the executive director reportedly has spent 158 days over four years attending conferences.Grassley alsocalled onthe HUD OIG to complete its investigation into the mismanagement at the Alexander County Housing Authority (ACHA) in Cairo, Illinois, and make its findings public. Grassley met with Carson prior to his confirmation, at which time he raised concerns about millions of dollars of wasteful spending at HUD. In an effort to assist public housing authorities (PHAs), the federal government allows PHAs to establish nonprofit affiliates through which development activities are conducted. However, PHAs throughout the country often use taxpayer dollars to fund personal priorities and feather their own nests rather than to provide safe, affordable housing for those in need. Grassleywroteto Carson concerning the agency's two failed projects to update its financial management system. HUD spent 14 years and more than $131 million only to pull the plug on both projects prior to completion. Illegal and illicit drugs: Congress passed and President Trump signed into law the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, which included seven separate bills approved earlier this year by the Senate Judiciary Committee under Chairman Grassley's leadership, including: The Access to Increased Drug Disposal Act of 2018, which will encourage increased participation of authorized collectors in drug take back programs by awarding grants to states. It will focus particular attention on states within the lowest quartile of participation in take back programs. The Opioid Quota Reform Act, which will empower the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to consider additional factors when setting annual quotas for opioid drug production in the United States. Currently, DEA can only consider past sales and estimated demand. This bill allows the agency to take into account diversion, abuse, overdose deaths and public health impacts when setting quotas. The Substance Abuse Prevention Act, which will reauthorize the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), keeping the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) and High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) programs within that office. It will also boost public awareness of opioid and heroin addiction as authorized under theComprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act(CARA), provide resources for families to stay together when one is battling substance abuse and require the attorney general and HHS to complete a plan for educating and training health care providers in best practices for prescribing controlled substances. The Synthetic Abuse and Labeling of Toxic Substances Act of 2017, which will close a legal loophole that inhibits the prosecution of opioid analogue traffickers by clarifying when a controlled substance analogue is or is not intended for human consumption. The Using Data to Prevent Opioid Diversion Act of 2018, which will require DEA to use anonymized data to track and prevent the diversion of prescription opioids into illegal sales. The data will be available to registrants, and will include the total number of distributors serving a single pharmacy or practitioner and the total number of opioid pills distributed to a single pharmacy or practitioner. The Preventing Drug Diversion Act of 2018, which will amend the Controlled Substances Act to define suspicious order and will require registrants to design a system to identify suspicious orders, and notify DEA of those orders. The Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act of 2018, which will prohibit sober home and substance abuse treatment centers, as well as their employees, from receiving or providing kickbacks for patient referrals. While this bill was referred to but not voted on in committee, Grassley worked closely with its lead sponsor Rubio, during its formulation and helped shepherd it into the final package passed by the Senate. Grassley introduced the bipartisan Addiction Treatment Quality Improvement Act with Warner and Nelson. The legislation would require CMS to work with a coalition of health care providers to identify quality measures to be used to assess the effectiveness of substance use disorder treatment programs. Along with Brown and Blumenthal, Grassley introduced the bipartisan Fighting the Opioid Epidemic with Sunshine Act, which would increase transparency in the prescription drug payment process by requiring drug companies and medical device makers to publicly disclose the same payments made to nurse practitioners and physician assistants for promotional talks, consulting, and other interactions. Grassley continued to raise awareness about the flow of fentanyl into the United States from China as part of Congress's larger effort to curb the opioid epidemic. Grassley also applauded President Trump's 2018 agreement with Chinese President Xi to have the Chinese government crack-down on this issue and help stem the flow of the deadly drug into the United States. Along with Feinstein, Grassley re-introduced theProtecting Kids from Candy-Flavored Drugs Act, legislation that would increase the criminal penalties for marketing candy-flavored drugs to appeal to children.It would provide an enhanced penalty when a person manufactures, creates, distributes, dispenses or possesses with intent to distribute a controlled substance combined with a beverage or candy product, marketed or packaged to appear similar to a beverage or candy product, or modified by flavoring or coloring to appear similar to a candy or beverage product. Grassley and Feinstein also introduced theStop the Importation and Trafficking of Synthetic Analogues (SITSA) Act of 2017,which would allow substances that are substantially similar to controlled drugs to be rapidly regulated without additional time-consuming testing and analysis. Grassley also led a group of senators in a call for the Trump administration to prioritize the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the Fiscal Year 2018 budget. Thelettercited the previous success of the office in preventing use of illicit drugs in American communities. This important effort has only increased in light of the ongoing opioid epidemic across the country. As part of that ongoing effort to fight opioid abuse, Grassley joined a bipartisan group of legislators in aletterto Sessions asking him to provide Congress with information detailing how the DOJ is supporting and prioritizing forensic science service providers across the nation as part of a broader approach to combat the opioid epidemic. Along with Ernst, Grassleyurgedthe Office of National Drug Control Policy to include an evaluation of drug take back programs in the final report of the President's Commission on Combatting Opioid Abuse, correcting a shortcoming in the interim report. At Grassley and Ernst's request, the GAO is studying the DEA's implementation of the law allowing local pharmacies to accept unused controlled substances for public convenience, amid concerns that regulations present barriers to participation. Infrastructure: Grassley has been a vocal advocate for disaster relief funding on behalf of Cedar Rapids since the floods in 2008. Grassley, along with Ernst and Congressman Rod Blum,pressedthe Army Corps of Engineers for answers on funding for the project after regular delays by the Army Corps of Engineers. In June of 2018, the Army Corps of Engineers announced its plans to move forward with disaster recovery efforts in Cedar Rapids. A history of Grassley's efforts on this issue is available here. Grassley, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and lifelong family farmer, joined Blunt and Baldwin in sending a letter to Mulvaney urging the Administration to include sufficient funding in its fiscal year 2019 budget request to continue preconstruction engineering and design for the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP). Grassley worked with a bipartisan group of Senators to get the NESP Program, a multi-purpose program aimed at upgrading critical Upper Mississippi River System navigation lock and dam infrastructure and providing an integrated approach to addressing Mississippi River ecosystem restoration, authorized in the Water Resources Development Act of 2007.Grassley has advocated for funding to improve Iowa's aging waterways for more than a decade.Grassley also joined Durbin in sending a bipartisan letter to James of the Army Corps of Engineers urging it to provide sufficient funding for NESP for fiscal year 2019 while ensuring the timely completion of the project's economic update funded by the fiscal year 2018 work plan. Immigration and Visas: Grassley called on the Trump administration to seek an agreement with Mexico to assist in accommodating a steady stream of migrants traveling through Mexico seeking asylum. The senators noted acknowledgements by Obama administration officials that potential security threats are exploiting immigration vulnerabilities to enter the United States. An agreement was announced in December 2018. Grassley also called for briefings from the Departments of State and Homeland Security on potential national security threats relating to the migrant caravan. Grassley and a group of senators introduced the Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act, which would require that children and their parents remain together during immigration or asylum legal proceedings. Grassley advocated for the repealing of the Flores v. Reno settlement in order to stop family separations at the border and hosted a Judiciary member briefing on family reunification. Along with Feinstein, Grassley also sought an investigation into allegations of sexual, physical and emotional abuse at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and HHS detention facilities charged with holding unauthorized immigrants. Grassley, along with Ernst, Cornyn, Tillis, Cotton and Sens. David Perdue of Georgia and James Lankford of Oklahoma, introduced the Secure and Succeed Act, which would appropriate $25 billion for real border security such as physical and virtual fencing, radar and other technologies. It would provide for additional personnel for border control and ends key loopholes in current law that allow dangerous criminals to enter our country.It would also prospectively limit family-based immigration to the nuclear family and reallocates the Diversity Visa lottery, while grandfathering in all pending family-based visa applications in order to reward those who chose to follow the law and immigrate legally. Grassley sought information on a number of cases in which illegal activity was conducted by someone in the United States illegally. Grassley wrote to Nielsen seeking details on a man and 13 year-old girl who were apprehended by Customs and Border Patrol after illegally crossing the southern border. After the man fraudulently claimed the young girl as his daughter, both were released under conditions that they maintain contact with federal officials as an alternative to detention (ATD). The girl was later found to have been sexually abused. In a letter to then-Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, Grassley asked how a man illegally in the country with a long, violent criminal record and multiple encounters with immigration officials could be allowed not only to remain in the country, but also be granted a work permit. The man, Armando Rodrigo Garcia-Ramirez, waschargedin the murder of his 15-year-old stepdaughter, who was nine months pregnant with their second child. Grassley also requested the records of two teens who entered the country illegally and were charged with brutal raping a high school classmate, as well as information about the criminal and immigration history of an unauthorized immigrant who nearly killed a 6-year-old child while drunk driving. Grassley and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire requested the reauthorization of the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for Afghans who have supported U.S. military or diplomatic efforts in Afghanistan, asking leaders of the Senate Appropriations Committee to include language in a forthcoming appropriations package that would allow for an additional 4,000 visas. Grassley reintroduced theTaking Action Against Drunk Drivers Act, legislation that would require federal immigration authorities to take action against undocumented immigrants arrested for driving under the influence. Grassley first introduced the bill followingseveral tragediesinvolving immigrants who were arrested for drunk driving, including one incident that claimed the life of 21-year-old Iowan Sarah Root. In 2017, Grassley introduced theSecurity, Enforcement, and Compassion United in Reform Efforts, (SECURE) Act, legislation which would protect and provide certainty to DACA recipients, and improve the lawful immigration system by targeting illegal immigration and criminal aliens. The bill contains provisions from several immigration proposals, including Durbin's bipartisan BRIDGE Act, which would protect DACA recipients from deportation. Grassley reintroduced the Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act, which would permanently authorize and require employers to use the E-Verify program, an Internet-based system that assists employers in determining the eligibility of employees to work in the United States. Grassley wrote oversight letters to Lighthizer, Kelly, then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson,acting director of Homeland Security Elaine Duke, the Department of Labor (DOL) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on a wide range of issues related to visas and immigration. Several letters focused on obtaining information regarding theDiversity Visa program,the process by which DHS reviews theTemporary Protected Status(TPS) designation, and theO visa program. Grassley also raised questions about theForeign Agents Registration Act(FARA) andH-2Bforeign worker andEB-5investor visa programs. Juvenile Justice: Grassley introduced the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2017 to improve protections for minors who come into contact with the justice system and led the bicameral negotiations that resulted in the final version of the legislation. The final version, the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018, is now headed President Trump to be signed into law after passing both chambers unanimously earlier this month. Its passage represents the first time in 16 years that Congress has reauthorized this federal grant program. Law enforcement: In honor of the service and sacrifice made by the men and women in law enforcement, Grassley introduced a resolution designating the week of May 15 through May 21, 2017, as ""National Police Week,"" which passed the Senate with unanimous consent. ThePublic Safety Officers' Benefits Improvement Act, which became law in June 2017, helps families of fallen first responders receive the survivor benefits they'd been promised. Congress established the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program in 1976 to provide death benefits to survivors of officers who die in the line of duty. Grassley's oversight revealed, however, that many of these survivors were waiting years to receive their benefits. His legislation will reduce this wait time and provide greater accountability in the process. Thousands of U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) officers tasked with h",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-passing-john-c-culver,Grassley Statement on the Passing of John C. Culver,2018-12-27,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today released the following statement regarding the passing of former U.S. Sen. John C. Culver of Iowa. My wife Barbara and I were sorry to hear about Senator Culver's passing. He served his country in the Marine Corps and continued his devotion to public service throughout his life, representing Iowa in both chambers of Congress for 16 years Senator Culver was a tough competitor. He was proud of his record and defended it, not sacrificing his stands for political expediency, and that deserves to be recognized. Personally, I'll never forget his grace and good wishes after the election of 1980 and when we would cross paths over time afterward. My thoughts are with his friends and family as I join all Iowans in mourning the loss of a devoted public servant. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=9759FB17-E646-49B6-AB0A-3B655C2A4EE4,"Radio Iowa: Ernst touts Pentagon requirement to track, treat soldiers brain injuries",2018-12-25,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Republican Senator Joni Ernst, a combat veteran, says one of her top legislative accomplishments this past year was a collaboration with one of the Senate's most liberal Democrats. That measure in the National Defense Authorization Act to raise awareness and to treat traumatic brain injury, that was done with my colleague Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Ernst says. The legislation directs the military to take steps to track, treat and prevent brain injuries among soldiers. The Pentagon is now required to include information about recognizing brain injuries in its regular training sessions for soldiers. That's one that was very important to me and we were able to see that through to fruition, Ernst says. Ernst has collaborated with other Democratic senators on military matters. In 2015, for example, Ernst and California Democrat Barbara Boxer sponsored legislation signed by President Obama that allowed female pilots from World War II to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. In 2019, Ernst will for the first time be serving in a politically-divided legislative branch. It can be painted as very difficult and in some circumstances it will be difficult having a divided congress with Democrats taking majority in the House of Representatives, Ernst says, but, at the same time, there is still opportunity and a lot of the work that I do here in the United States Senate is done in a bipartisan manner. In August, Ernst and a Democratic senator from Delaware cosponsored legislation designed to help military veterans get college credit for their military training. Click here to read the full story from Radio Iowa.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/115th-congress,The 115th Congress,2018-12-24,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,David Young,Y000066,davidyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"The 115thCongress has been productive and I spent it working to deliver solutions to the issues facing Iowans. I've worked to make sure our countryand her people aresafe, Iowans have economic security and the ability to plan for the future, to protect our environment,and to ensure the liberties and freedoms laid out in our Constitution are protected. As a largely agriculture state, Iowanstake pride in their ability to feed and fuel the country.This Congress, I worked with my colleagues and the president to secure year-round E15sales so we bolster our rural economy, promote cleaner air, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. In the recently passed Farm Bill, my bill, the WATER Act, was included in the final package signed into law. The WATER Act helps improve conservation practices by streamlining access to grant funding and establishing a publicly accessible database which shows how conservation practices work on different soils and topographies. Iowans are also keeping more of their hard-earned money because of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. You know how to spend your money better than the federal governmentand I've heard from Iowans across the Third District who are using their bigger paychecks to pay for groceries, a vacation, student loans, or saving for the future. It's your money you should decide how it's used. Our economy continues to grow and we see the lowest unemployment rates in decades. There are more job openings than there are people looking for jobs. I've heard from business owners who say they have to turn down work because they don't have enough employees to get it all done. We have started rebuilding our military after years of neglect. Our women and men in uniform need the resources to train, fight, win, and return home safely and the 115thCongress started to deliver those resources. We've invested in border security so we know who and what is coming into our country. A secure border will help stop criminals, drugs, illegal weapons, and human trafficking. Another of my bills, the Rural Call Quality Act, was signed into law this Congress. This will help put an end to the dropped, looped, and poor quality calls many Iowans living in rural areas are experiencing. In a bipartisan fashion, we passed the most comprehensive legislation to combat the opioid crisis in a generation. The opioid epidemic has impactedfamiliesfrom every walk of life and doesn'tdiscriminate. Our bipartisan work will combat the crisis by increasing treatment and prevention efforts, seeking alternative pain treatments, ensuring law enforcement can combat illegal drug flows in our communities, and stopping the flow of heroin, fentanyl, and other addictive drugs into our country. These are just a few of the accomplishments of the 115th Congress and I was honored to carry your voices to Washington to seek solutions to the challenges Iowans are facing.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-partial-government-shutdown,Grassley Statement on Partial Government Shutdown,2018-12-22,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today released the following statement regarding the partial shutdown of the federal government due to a lapse in funding for certain departments and agencies. We shouldn't have to choose between keeping the government open and protecting our national borders. There's no question that dangerous individuals, from drug traffickers to violent criminals, attempt to cross the border illegally every day. I support President Trump's request for $5 billion to fund border security. Additional wall on specific parts of the border like we've already seen in Yuma, El Paso and San Diego would go a long way in stopping those dangerous individuals from entering the country. Congress should fully fund the Department of Homeland Security to make security improvements on the border, including more strategic walling and fencing, but also with the proper personnel and 21st century technology needed to do the job. I hope Democrats come to the table and work with congressional Republicans and President Trump to arrive at a reasonable resolution. There's no reason we can't keep the government open and protect our nation's borders. In the meantime, Iowans should know that most of the federal government remains open. The military continues to defend our national security. The postal service continuesto function. Essential services during the holidays such as airport security will also continue. My office will work with the Administration to determine how the partial shutdown might affect Iowans, and I'll keep working with my colleagues to come to a resolution as soon as possible. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://loebsack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395212,Loebsack: Careless Actions by Republicans Lead to Needless Shutdown,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,IA,Dave Loebsack,L000565,loebsack.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the President and Republicans in Congress forced a needless government shutdown.It is shameful that we are even in this position. There is a noncontroversial bipartisan deal that the White House had previously agreed to and has passed the Senate and would pass the House if brought up. Republicans must put aside the gimmicks and immediately vote on the only funding bill that is guaranteed to pass. Additionally, it is irresponsible that the House has adjourned just hours before the government will shutdown without passing a funding bill. It is unacceptable that Republican leaders have caved to political games and failed to pass a funding bill to keep the government open. The number one job of Congress is to ensure our government is serving the needs of the people. There is no good reason we are in this situation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E370752F-9137-4184-B3CD-763965BAD360,Ernst Questions the VA on Lackluster Performance in Suicide Prevention Outreach,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a combat veteran, is calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide answers for the agency's lackluster performance when it comes to suicide prevention outreach. In a letter to VA Secretary Wilkie, Senator Ernst writes, With approximately 20 veteran suicides every day in the United States, this lack of outreach is simply unacceptable...I am profoundly disappointed to learn that the VA has fallen short in fulfilling this responsibility. We can and must do better for our veterans. This letter follows a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report detailing a decrease in suicide prevention outreach services at the VA. The outreach fell from 339 in 2016 to 157 in 2017, and through October 2018, there were only 47 outreach efforts. The VA was appropriated $1.7 million for suicide prevention outreach, but has only used around eight percent of their allotment. Ernst asked Secretary Wilkie to respond to the following questions: Do you agree with the GAO's analysis? If so, do you have an explanation for why this lack of performance was able to continue? Why did the VA not use the full appropriation it was provided? Will the VA commit to increase its suicide prevention outreach efforts? What steps is it undertaking to do so? What safeguards do you have in place to ensure that the program functions better in the future? To read the full letter, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/photos-grassleys-year-review,Photos: Grassley's Year in Review,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"met with-then Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey in January before he was confirmed to be the U.S. Department of Agriculture'sUnder Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service. In honor of the reauthorization of the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program that I introduced with Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey, I met with actress Jennifer Garner and other advocates to discuss the program's benefits for families across America. Ipaid tribute to 93 veterans from Eastern Iowa who were visiting the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice, including the World War II, Vietnam and Korean War memorials, as well as the Arlington National Cemetery, as part of the Honor Flight program. I greeted witnesses Amanda Nguyen and actor Terry Crews ahead of the Judiciary Committee hearing I chaired on the Survivors' Bill of Rights, a 2016 law I led that secured new rights for survivors of sexual assault. I visited the Iowa State Fair this year where I celebrated 4-H day by thanking volunteers. I greeted over 65Habitat for Humanity volunteers working to restore Marshalltown after it was devastated by a tornado. They helped Iowans rebuild after losing everything. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I led the confirmation process for Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was confirmed by the Senate on October 6, 2018. I had a great meeting with leaders of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. This year, I led efforts to put pressure on the EPA to stop issuing hardship waivers to obligated refiners as well as make the waiver process more transparent and highlight the importance of the RFS to President Trump. I gave my Instagram and Twitter followers an insider look at farming operations and tracked the progression of the corn crop grown on the Grassley family farm in New Hartford, Iowa from planting through harvest. #CornWatch I completed my 38th annual #99CountyMeetings, with at least one Q&A in every county, every year. I began my 2018 meetings in Harrison County in January and finished in Clarke County in September. The USS Sioux City was commissioned on November 17, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. This is the first warship commissioned at the Naval Academy. I am proud to have the USS Sioux City protecting our nation at sea. Senator Joni Ernst, my friend and colleague, was elected to serve as Vice Chair of the Senate Republican Conference. She will serve Senate Republicans superbly, just as she serves Iowans. Congress passed the First Step Act, which I cosponsored with Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois. This bill will reduce crime, strengthen faith in our justice system, support law enforcement and give thousands of people a better shot at living a good life. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://loebsack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395210,Loebsack and Gianfortes Rural EMS Bill Now Law,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,IA,Dave Loebsack,L000565,loebsack.house.gov,,,legacy,"President Trump today signed into law the Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act of 2018. Congressmen Loebsack and Gianforte's bipartisan law reauthorizes a federal grant program that helps rural communities and the EMS providers that serve them.Patients in rural areas have the same medical conditions requiring an emergency response as those in urban areas do, however many rural EMS agencies face unique challenges in delivering quality care, said Loebsack. I am pleased to have worked with Rep. Gianforte to get this bipartisan legislation signed into law to invest in our rural communities and ensure they have the tools necessary to treat patients no matter where they live. Our rural EMS providers are the first line of care for Americans in more remote areas who face a medical emergency, Gianforte said. The SIREN Act provides access to resources so that EMS providers in our rural areas have the training and equipment they need to get the job done. I appreciate working with Congressman Loebsack to get the SIREN Act signed into law.The SIREN Act creates a $10 million grant program for EMS agencies in rural areas to help address issues they face, including personnel recruitment and retention, providing continuing education and preparedness training, purchasing updated equipment, maintaining adequate coverage during prolonged transport times, and obtaining qualified medical oversight.The SIREN Act was included in the 2018 Farm Bill, which President Trump signed into law.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://loebsack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395211,"With Signing of Farm Bill, Loebsack and Lattas Precision Ag Bill to Become Law",2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,IA,Dave Loebsack,L000565,loebsack.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, the President Donald Trump signed into law the 2018 Farm Bill conference report, which contained the language from H.R. 4881, the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act. Congressmen Loebsack and Latta have been working in a bipartisan fashion to get the bill signed into law. Earlier this year, the House passed H.R. 4881 on a standalone basis. I am proud to work with Rep. Latta to get the language of this bipartisan bill signed into law. It is important that our farmers have access to the technology necessary to assist in planting and monitoring their crops, said Loebsack. The task force established by this bill will help examine the broadband needs of farmers and rural communities to allow them to take advantage of these new technologies in order to increase crop yields. I've talked with farmers throughout Ohio's 5th Congressional District that are utilizing advanced technologies to improve farm productivity and sustainability, and it's making a big difference, said Latta. However, it's clear that the agricultural community is at a disadvantage compared to other sectors because they are in rural areas that often have limited access to high-speed Internet. It's critical that we close the Digital Divide' to ensure that the agricultural community can fully utilize this cutting-edge technology. I want to thank Congressman Loebsack for working together with me on the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act and helping get this important legislation to the President's desk.The Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act establishes a Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States, which will operate under the direction of the Federal Communications Committee (FCC) and in collaboration with US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Task Force must be comprised of agricultural producers, Internet service providers, broadband mapping experts, and representatives from the satellite industry, electric cooperatives, precision agriculture equipment manufacturers, and local and state government representatives. The duties of the Task Force include: Identifying and measuring current gaps in broadband coverage on agricultural land; Developing policy recommendations to promote the rapid, expanded deployment of broadband Internet access service on agricultural land, with a goal of achieving reliable service on 95 percent of agricultural land by 2025; Recommending steps the FCC should take to obtain reliable and standardized data measurements of broadband Internet access service availability as may be necessary to target funding support to unserved agricultural land in need of broadband Internet access service; and Recommending steps the FCC should consider to ensure that the expertise of USDA and available farm data are reflected in developing future programs of the Commission to deploy broadband Internet access service and to direct available funding to unserved agricultural land where needed.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/columns/farm-bill-meets-needs-of-rural-america,Farm Bill Meets Needs of Rural America,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Steve King,K000362,steveking.house.gov,,,legacy,"I couldn't be happier to make the following announcement: Congress has passed a Farm Bill that I fully support because this legislation meets rural America's most pressing needs. As I meet with my Agriculture Leadership Committees throughout the 4th District, they provide me with important first-hand accounts of the difficulties our producers face. They also provide me with invaluable insights into the solutions that would be the most beneficial for rural America. Armed with this knowledge, I have used my position on the House Agriculture Committee to ensure that the Farm Bill reflects the feedback I have received. And, for the most part, it surely does. Here are some of the important provisions I worked to include in the Farm Bill as a result of these consultations: The number one risk management tool for our producers is crop insurance. We were able to protect our essential federal crop insurance program. A top priority of my Ag Leadership Committees was to reform CRP payments. The Farm Bill does this, reducing payment amounts to 90% for continuous contracts and 85% for general contracts. This change makes putting the land to productive use more attractive, because rent is now priced more competitively with CRP contracts. Our producers have made one thing very clear: enhancing their ability to trade agricultural goods into foreign markets is one of the most significant things that we can do to help the farm economy. As I requested, the Farm Bill contained full combined funding of $255,000,000/yr for the Market Access Program, the Foreign Market Development, technical assistance for specialty crops, and Emerging Markets program. These programs are specifically designed to increase trade by opening new markets, and expanding existing markets, for Iowa's agricultural goods. Preserving our rural communities requires making farming an attractive option for younger people. The Farm Bill has increased the limits of loan guarantees that are now available through FSA's Beginning Farmer loan program. The new loan limits are now: $1,750,000 for guaranteed loans (up from $1,400,000), $400,000 for direct operating loans (up from $300,000), and $600,000 for direct farm ownership loan limits (up from $300,000). As farming practices become more high-tech reliant, improved internet service in rural communities becomes even more important. This bill acknowledges this by increasing the minimum standard for broadband internet service in rural areas. A sudden disease outbreak, especially of diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease, is always a concern for livestock producers. This legislation not only sets up a FMD Vaccine Bank, but it also contains language that will allow the USDA to promote the development of a GMO vaccine that can be produced in the United States. This change is the direct result of several meetings that I helped organize at ISU where it became clear to me that the U.S. needs to be in control of our own production of vaccines rather than depend on foreign countries. I have discussed this frequently with Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, who understands the issue very well. I requested Genome to Phenome language sought by Iowa State University to be included in the base text of the Farm Bill, and am happy to report that it was included and survived the conference committee. This legislative language will support ISU's important research into how to improve yields by merging the studies of all factors affecting yields. Importantly, the Farm Bill also protected existing policy for important biofuel programs, because we successfully shielded the Energy Title from efforts by the Chairman of the House Agriculture committee to strip it out. It is important to keep the Energy Title intact for Iowa's biofuel industry and for our corn and soybean producers. Is this a perfect Farm Bill? No. I would have liked to see it include some of my other initiatives as well. For example, my House-passed PICA amendment, which prevents states like California from attempting to regulate agricultural production in other states, did not survive the conference committee. I am also disappointed that the final bill did not include stringent work requirements I supported for the food-stamp program. But you can't let the perfect be the enemy of the good, and this is a very good Farm Bill for Iowa's producers. It meets farmers' current needs by providing them with the predictability that is necessary to efficiently manage their operations. The Farm Bill also places an emphasis on enhancing our ability to trade Iowa's world-class goods in foreign markets. I view it as a victory for our producers, and I have already encouraged President Trump to quickly sign it into law. Congressman Steve King, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, represents Iowa's 4th District in Congress. NOTE: This op-ed originally ran in the Sioux City Journal on 12/18/18.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0FF30B75-A905-4DC0-AA08-107551DF0953,Joni Ernst Incentives and Victories - 2018,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON From her efforts to secure $117 million in federal funding for the Cedar Rapids flood mitigation project to successfully getting E15 year-round to watching the President of the United States sign the VA MISSION Act into law, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) spent 2018 fighting for Iowa. 2018 was one for the books! I worked hard, day-in and day-out to deliver real solutions to Iowa. While it is hard to narrow down the year's work into a few words, watching the VA MISSION Act bipartisan legislation that improves veterans' access to health care services signed into law was one of my proudest moments as a U.S. Senator, said Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA). Senator Joni Ernst's Top 2018 Accomplishments: Cedar Rapids: Secured $117 million in federal funds for Cedar Rapids flood mitigation. Regulatory Reforms: Held EPA to fulfilling President Trump's promise to provide E15 year-round, as well as repealing and replacing the 2015 waters of the United States rule (WOTUS). National Security: As a member of the conference committee, she secured a number of provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that help bolster our nation's security and support our military. Trade Deals: Pushed the administration to open up new markets and finalize trade deals, including the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement to ensure the success of Iowa and America's agricultural economy. Historic Opioid Legislation: Supported and helped pass historic opioid legislation that included her Access to Increased Drug Disposal Act, which will increase participation in federal prescription drug take-back programs, and her Education Disposal of Unused Opioid Act, which requires Medicare Advantage plans and prescription drug plans to provide information on safe disposals. Making em Squeal: Successfully pushed Senate Leadership to cancel August recess and stay in session to work on our nation's budget and spending bills. Supporting Veterans: Helped secure final passage of the VA MISSION Act, a bipartisan bill signed by President Trump that included Senator Ernst's bipartisan VETS Act, which will finally allow our rural or homebound veterans in Iowa, and across the U.S., to receive necessary care from the comfort of their homes. Zero Tolerance on Sexual Harassment: Ensured that members of Congress hold themselves to the same standards as the rest of the country, through Senate passage of an anti-sexual harassment bill, the bipartisan Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) of 1995 Reform Act. To view a detailed report of Senator Ernst's work in 2018, please visit here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=366CE232-2C95-40BC-97E1-20F5D7E213ED,2018 Farm Bill Signed Into Law,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) worked hard to get the 2018 Farm Bill, which was signed into law today by President Trump, across the finish line and to secure key provisions that will boost Iowa's agriculture industry. The 2018 Farm Bill was a must-do and a big-win for Iowa. The 2018 Farm Bill will strengthen conservation programs, provide critical mental health support to the agriculture community, support our nation's dairy farmers and maintain a robust crop insurance program, said Senator Ernst, a member of the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee. This Farm Bill, along with the senator's efforts, are receiving praise from across the state: David Trowbridge, president, Iowa Cattlemen's Association: The Farm Bill offers crucial certainty for Iowa's cattle producers and farmers. We are encouraged to see ICA's priorities addressed, including authorization and funding of a Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine bank, investment in trade promotion and market access, and reauthorization of key conservation programs. Iowa's cattlemen appreciate the hard work of Congress, especially our own Senator Joni Ernst, to get the Farm Bill over the finish line before the holidays. Curt Mether, president, Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA): Iowa Corn welcomes the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill before the start of the new year. ICGA is pleased to see there were no cuts to the current crop insurance program and a continuation of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) All of these programs are crucial to the success of Iowa's corn growers and we thank our grower members for your efforts in urging lawmakers to reach a deal before the New Year. Mike Naig, secretary, Iowa Department of Agriculture: A new five-year Farm Bill will provide needed certainty and predictability for farmers in what has been a very volatile and challenging time. I commend the efforts by leaders in both the House and Senate, including Sen. Ernst who was a conferee, to finalize the agreement and get it passed. Craig Hill, president, Iowa Farm Bureau: We are thankful both the U.S. House and Senate have moved forward with a comprehensive farm bill with strong provisions supporting agriculture, including the reauthorization of critical crop insurance programs, environmental stewardship programs, and Title One provisions that are key to sustainable family farmsWe are confident the programs in the new farm bill will help facilitate new market opportunities and provide farmers the tools needed to manage risk. Gregg Hora, president, Iowa Pork Producers Association: TheIowa Pork Producers Associationapplauds Congress on passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill provides guaranteed funding for foreign animal disease prevention and efforts that will help U.S. pig farmers be prepared should an outbreak take place. Iowa pig farmers take much pride in producing safe, affordable protein for consumers in Iowa, the U.S. and around the world. We are thankful for all the hard work Iowa's Congressional delegation has put toward this effort Lindsay Greiner, president, Iowa Soybean Association: Iowa soybean farmers congratulate members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees and the Farm Bill Conference Committee for passing a new farm bill. We also recognize Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst for her leadership on the conference committee in helping craft this important legislation. Mitch Schulte, executive director, Iowa State Dairy Association: The Iowa State Dairy Association (ISDA) thanks the House and the Senate for passing a farm bill that includes much needed reforms to dairy programs that will boost producer incomes in a tough economic environmentIt is critical for our dairy industry and our representatives to work together during these difficult times. The ISDA thanks Senator Joni Ernst along with the House and Senate for passing a Farm Bill that will have a positive impact on the dairy industry. Tim Palmer (Truro, IA), president-elect, National Association of Conservation Districts: As a fellow Iowan, I particularly appreciate the commitment Senator Ernst made to our home state throughout these farm bill negotiation. Ernst recognizes, as NACD does, that successful implementation of on-the-ground conservation is possible through conservation districts and the locally-led conservation model. Investing in conservation is an investment in the nation's future, and this agreement continues to make that a priority. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B08BA9BE-4F0F-4140-B7E3-E594A1480BBB,Bipartisan Sentencing Reform Legislation Passes the Senate with Broad Support,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan First Step Act this week, legislation to reduce recidivism and improve fairness in sentencing of federal crimes. The First Step Act will reduce recidivism, improve fairness in federal sentencing and help low-risk inmates prepare to rejoin society. I also believe the First Step Act will help women, especially mothers, in our justice system by addressing their unique needs, said Senator Joni Ernst, an original cosponsor of the First Step Act. On Tuesday, December 18, 2018 the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan First Step Act. The legislation was approved by a vote of 87-12. The First Step Act will now go to the United States House of Representatives for a vote, and then, if passed, to President Trump's desk for signature. The First Step Act aims to improve fairness by: recalibrating certain mandatory minimum sentences; providing greater discretion for judges in sentencing of low-level, nonviolent drug crimes; and, clarifying congressional intent on sentencing enhancements for certain crimes involving firearms. The comprehensive and bipartisan legislation provides opportunities for low-risk inmates to rejoin society, while ensuring that dangerous criminals stay behind bars.Under The First Step Act, each inmate is evaluated using data-driven risk and needs assessment tools and only those who are found to be low or minimum risk may benefit from earned time credits. Conviction for a number of serious offenses disqualifies inmates from earning time credits. Earned time credits created by the bill do not reduce an inmate's sentence. Rather, they allow the inmate to serve out a portion of the term in pre-release custody. Inmates that are eligible only receive the credits upon successful completion of the evidence-based recidivism reduction and professional development programs. These are created by the Attorney General, in conjunction with an independent review committee selected by the National Institute of Justice. There is an overwhelming trend over the past few decades that shows women, especially mothers, going to prison at higher and higher rates. Women are the fastest growing segment of the prison population, outpacing men by more than 50 percent since 1980, and about two-thirds of incarcerated women are mothers to children under the age of 18. The First Step Act is backed by a number of organizations, including: ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F11C5D14-70E7-479F-BDEB-9F274BB3294B,"Sens. Ernst, Graham, Shaheen, King, Cotton, Rubio Urge Trump Administration to Reconsider Withdrawing U.S. Forces from Syria",2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), joined her colleagues, Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), Angus King (I-Maine), Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Marco Rubio (R-Florida) in sending a letter to President Donald Trump expressing their concern regarding the consideration to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria. If you decide to follow through with your decision to pull our troops out of Syria, any remnants of ISIS in Syria will surely renew and embolden their efforts in the region. However, ISIS is not the only threat. The brutal dictatorship of Bashar al Assad continues to weigh heavily upon the Syrian people, and we fear that a withdrawal of our troops may embolden Bashar al Assad to take further actions to solidify his power, the Senators wrote. They continued, The withdrawal of American presence from Syria also bolsters two other adversaries to the United States, Iran and Russia. As you are aware, both Iran and Russia have used the Syrian conflict as a stage to magnify their influence in the region. Any sign of weakness perceived by Iran or Russia will only result in their increased presence in the region and a decrease in the trust of our partners and allies. Your administration must not repeat the same mistakes that previous administrations have made and concede to these bad actors. The full text of the letter is below. December 19, 2018 The Honorable Donald J. Trump The President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: We write today to express our concern regarding your Administration's consideration to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria. We believe that such action at this time is a premature and costly mistake that not only threatens the safety and security of the United States, but also emboldens ISIS, Bashar al Assad, Iran, and Russia. The United States currently retains a small and limited military presence within Syria. The approximately 2,000 American troops stationed in Syria serve as a vital shield against ISIS cells operating within Northeast Syria. While you believe the threat of ISIS has dissipated, the conditions on the ground paint a very different picture. In addition, our troops provide critical support for our Kurdish partners, who have been crucial in the fight against ISIS. If our Kurdish partners in the region lose the support of the United States, we run the risk of a resurgence of ISIS and the possible capitulation or all out destruction of Kurdish resistance in the region. Furthermore, hundreds of foreign fighters being held in captivity by our Kurdish partners are at risk of being released or worse if our support is withdrawn. If you decide to follow through with your decision to pull our troops out of Syria, any remnants of ISIS in Syria will surely renew and embolden their efforts in the region. However, ISIS is not the only threat. The brutal dictatorship of Bashar al Assad continues to weigh heavily upon the Syrian people, and we fear that a withdrawal of our troops may embolden Bashar al Assad to take further actions to solidify his power. The withdrawal of American presence from Syria also bolsters two other adversaries to the United States, Iran and Russia. As you are aware, both Iran and Russia have used the Syrian conflict as a stage to magnify their influence in the region. Any sign of weakness perceived by Iran or Russia will only result in their increased presence in the region and a decrease in the trust of our partners and allies. Your administration must not repeat the same mistakes that previous administrations have made and concede to these bad actors. In conclusion, we encourage you to reconsider your proposal to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria to ensure that our nation's strategic interests are secured. Sincerely, Lindsey O. Graham Jeanne Shaheen United States Senator United States Senator Joni Ernst Angus S. King Jr. United States Senator United States Senator Tom Cotton Marco Rubio United States Senator United States Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F3E9FD5A-1898-4B60-B503-83D315E75A18,Senator Ernst Releases Strong Statement Against U.S. Withdraw from Syria,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, a combat veteran, released the following statement following President Trump's statement that U.S. troops are being withdrawn from Syria and that ISIS has been defeated: I am deeply concerned with the administration's decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria. Our mission there is to defeat ISIS, and that is yet to be accomplished. We committed to our partners on the ground to see this fight to the end, and we are now turning our back on their good faith efforts and sacrifices. Our departure will only serve to encourage a reemergence of ISIS, embolden Russia, encourage Iran's malign activity, and deter partners in the Middle East from cooperating with the United States. I have been engaged with White House officials, and I will be seeking a meeting with President Trump to convey my strong opposition to the withdrawal, said Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA). Background: On December 19, 2018, President Trump tweeted that We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency. Senator Ernst has reached out to the White House and requested an in-person meeting with President Trump to outline her concerns with a U.S. troop withdraw from Syria. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-first-step-act-0,Q&A: First Step Act,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Q&A: First Step Act With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: What is the First Step Act A: The bipartisan First Step Act restructures federal criminal sentencing laws for the first time in decades. After years of listening, negotiating and reviewing reforms enacted at the state level, a broad coalition of lawmakers joined together with the White House to secure passage of the historic First Step Act. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I took the lead with Senator Durbin, of Illinois, to fix flaws in the federal sentencing system and improve rehabilitation programs. Taxpayers spend more than $7 billion a year on the federal prison population. That's a lot of money for a system with high rates of recidivism, racial disparity in sentencing, and not enough opportunity for rehabilitation and integration into society. The First Step Act will restore fairness and justice to a system overwhelmed by mass incarceration. The First Step Act will help low-risk, nonviolent offenders put a better foot forward when they re-enter society. More than 95 percent of federal inmates will be released at some point from federal prison. Our criminal justice system needs to do more to prevent them from committing another crime. Society benefits when prisoners who have been released from prison become productive contributors to their communities and families. With the president's strong support, the Senate voted 87-12 for this bill, and the House also passed it by an overwhelming margin of 358-36, reflecting the widespread support and efforts by advocates from across the ideological spectrum. The reforms in the First Step Act will reduce the tax burden, help law enforcement fight crime, stop the revolving prison door, and give nonviolent, low-risk inmates a head start on a fresh start. Q: How does the First Step Act change sentencing laws? A: It improves fairness in sentencing and preserves law enforcement tools to protect public safety. It reduces some mandatory minimums and expands the existing federal safety valve, giving federal judges additional discretion to tailor criminal sentences to better fit low-level, non-violent offenders. In addition, the First Step Act retroactively addresses the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine and clarifies that a sentencing enhancement for using a firearm during a crime of violence or a drug crime is limited to repeat offenders. The First Step Act also incentivizes prisoners to participate in evidence-based programs designed to reduce recidivism. If they successfully participate in these programs, they can earn time credits that will allow them to obtain an early release into prerelease custody. To qualify for these programs, inmates will be filtered through a multi-layer system to weed out violent offenders and identify those likely to commit more crimes. The First Step Act also will invest resources for drug treatment, education and job training programs to help prevent released inmates from committing crimes and returning to prison. To aid in the recidivism reduction effort, the bill makes it easier for prisoners to stay in touch with their families. The law provides that the federal Bureau of Prisons must take into account proximity to family when assigning prison assignments. Again, the new law rewards only those who take personal responsibility for their transgressions. My record reflects my work as a taxpayer watchdog and law and order Republican. I also believe in the redemptive power of rehabilitation. The First Step Act is a good step in the right direction. Not only will it make our streets safer and help those who have made mistakes to turn their lives around, it also sends a signal to the American people that Congress can work together for the public good. At nearly every one of my county meetings, Iowans tell me how fed up they are with divisive politics. This bill is an example of the good work we can do when we listen to each other and put in the hard work required in seeking out bipartisan solutions to complex problems.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-announces-health-policy-staff-116th-congress,Grassley Announces Health Policy Staff for 116th Congress,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, presumptive chairman of the Senate Finance Committee for the 116 Congress, today announced his permanent health policy staff. Dr. Karen Summar, Director, Health Policy Evelyn Fortier, General Counsel, Health Policy and Director of Special Projects Erin Dempsey, Deputy Director, Health Policy Brett Baker, Senior Advisor, Health Policy Ryan Martin, Senior Advisor, Human Services Policy Stuart Portman, Advisor, Health Policy Iowans and the American people are fortunate to have an experienced and highly-qualified staff working on their behalf, Grassley said. My top priorities in health policy as chairman will include lowering health care costs, including prescription drug costs, improving access to affordable and quality health care, especially in rural America, and increasing competition, transparency and accountability in the public and private sectors of the health care industry. We have the chance to make real progress. I look forward to working with my colleagues on a bipartisan basis to get the job done. Summar currently serves as health policy director for Grassley in his personal office and prior to that served as a health policy assistant to Reps. Martha Blackburn and Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Before working on Capitol Hill, Summar served as director of the Jane and Richard Thomas Center for Down Syndrome and worked for thirteen years as a pediatric doctor in Nashville, Tennessee. After receiving her M.D. from the University of Tennessee Center for Health Services, Summar worked for five years as a medical officer in the United States Navy. Summar received her M.S. from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and her B.S. from Middle Tennessee State University. She completed her pediatric residency and developmental pediatric fellowship at Vanderbilt. Fortier currently serves as chief counsel for justice programs for the majority of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.She has worked in the House and Senate for 18 years in various capacities, including as majority counsel to former Sen. Mike DeWine, the chairman of Judiciary's Antitrust Subcommittee, counsel to Sen. Roger Wicker, legislative director to former Sen. David Vitter, and general counsel to former Sen. Peter Fitzgerald. Fortier also worked as deputy general counsel for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling and as a vice president for the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. Early in her career, Fortier practiced law in the corporate litigation department of Richards, Layton & Finger, Delaware's largest law firm. Fortier received her J.D. from the University of Virginia and her A.B. from Harvard University. Dempsey currently serves as deputy health policy director for the majority on the Senate Committee on Finance and previously served as a senior health policy aide to Sen. John Barrasso and the late Sen. Craig Thomas. Before working on Capitol Hill, Dempsey worked at the Wyoming Department of Health's substance abuse division. Dempsey received her B.A. from Colorado College. Baker currently serves as senior health policy advisor for the majority on the Senate Committee on Finance and previously served as a health policy aide for the House Committee on Ways and Means. Before working on Capitol Hill, Baker worked for fifteen years at the American College of Physicians in the governmental affairs and public policy department. Baker received his B.S. from Pennsylvania State University. Martin currently serves as senior human services advisor for the majority on the Senate Committee on Finance and previously served as a policy aide for the House Committee on Ways and Means. Before working on Capitol Hill, Martin worked in various roles at the Office of Family Assistance in the Health and Human Services Administrator for Children and Families. Martin received his M.P.P. and his B.S. from Brigham Young University. Portman currently serves as health policy advisor for the majority on the Senate Committee on Finance and previously served as a health policy aide for Sen. Orrin Hatch. He previously worked as a research assistant at the Department of Health Policy and Management at the George Washington University's Milken Institute School of Public Health. Before that, Portman worked at the University of Denver's Department of Biological Sciences in a forensic genetics laboratory. Portman received his M.P.H. from the George Washington University's Milken Institute School of Public Health and his B.A. from the University of Denver. The permanent health policy staff will be assisted by other committee staff, detailees and fellows. Announcements on tax, trade, oversight and investigations and other committee staff will be made in the new year. After announcing in November that he would opt to serve as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee next Congress, Grassley gave a floor speech outlining his priorities on health care. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-durbin-statements-first-step-act-passing-house,"Grassley, Durbin Statements on First Step Act Passing House",2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois, authors of the First Step Act, released the following statement after the House of Representatives approved the landmark criminal justice reform bill by a vote of 358-36. Today's overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives brings us one step closer to once-in-a-generation criminal justice reform. I commend my colleagues in the House, especially Chairman Bob Goodlatte and Ranking Member Jerry Nadler, as well as Congressman Doug Collins and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, for their leadership and engagement on the First Step Act, and for helping to get this bipartisan bill to President Trump. After years of hard work and dedication, Congress has notched a big victory for families, taxpayers, fairness and justice, Grassley said. By passing this legislation through Congress, we will now finally begin to make our justice system fairer, relieve our overcrowded prisons, redirect funding to our most pressing crime prevention efforts, and make our communities safer. I commend my colleagues in the House of Representatives, especially Representatives Jerry Nadler, Sheila Jackson Lee, Hakeem Jeffries, Bob Goodlatte, and Doug Collins, for their spirit of cooperation on this important piece of legislation, and I look forward to it becoming the law of the land, Durbin said. The First Step Act was approved by the Senate on Tuesday, and now must be signed into law by President Trump, who has endorsed the bill. More on the First Step Act HERE. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-judiciary-committee-has-made-great-progress-behalf-american-people,Grassley: Judiciary Committee Has Made Great Progress on behalf of the American People,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Floor Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Achievements in the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday, December 20, 2018 VIDEO As Congress wraps up business for the 115th Congress, I come to the floor to reflect upon the work of the Senate Judiciary Committee. I've served on the Judiciary Committee for each of my 38 years in the Senate. Four years ago, I became chairman. Senator Leahy, my colleague from Vermont who served as chairman before I took the reins, marked the occasion by presenting me with a larger-than-life gavel. It was a light-hearted moment. And I appreciated his gesture of good will and collegiality. It's this spirit of camaraderie that sustains the United States Senate and has guided the bipartisan accomplishments of the Judiciary Committee. The work we do on the Judiciary Committee shapes our way of life in America. Its legislative jurisdiction includes constitutional amendments; bankruptcy laws; civil liberties; immigration; patents, copyrights and trademarks; antitrust laws; juvenile justice; criminal laws; and more. It conducts oversight of the Justice Department, including the FBI and sections of the Homeland Security Department. It also handles consideration of judicial nominations. As chairman, I put forth a number of legislative priorities. I wanted to increase oversight efforts to hold government accountable and advance judicial confirmations. I wanted to strengthen whistleblower protections and increase competition in the pharmaceutical market to lower the cost of prescription drugs. I wanted to enact juvenile justice reform and update our criminal justice system. I wanted to protect election integrity and bolster victims' rights. At the close of this Congress, I'm happy to report that this committee has made progress on all of these priorities. This week, the Senate passed the First Step Act a historic criminal justice reform bill that had overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress and the backing of the president. And earlier this month, the Senate unanimously passed bipartisan juvenile justice legislation, which hadn't been updated since 2002. The Elder Abuse and Prevention and Prosecution Act; the Missing Children's Reauthorization Act; and Kevin and Avonte's Law to help families locate people with dementia and others who wander and go missing all became law during the 115th Congress. Overall, 61 bills were reported out of the Judiciary Committee. Of those bills, 45 were passed by the Senate and 29 became law in the last two congresses under Presidents Obama and Trump. All of these were bipartisan. The Committee also delivered on judicial nominations. The U.S. Senate confirmed a historic number of lifetime appointments to the federal bench this Congress. That includes 53 district court judges; 30 circuit court judges and two Supreme Court justices. Eighty-five federal judgeships in the last two years alone. This reflects an all-time record for the first two years of any presidency. These lifetime appointments will uphold the rule of law and preserve freedom and liberty for generations to come. These accomplishments weren't easy. There was contention, rigorous debate and plenty of disagreement. The confirmation hearing for Justice Brett Kavanaugh was the height of discord on the committee. As chairman, I was determined to uphold order and the rule of law, protect due process and maintain credibility in our constitutional responsibility of advice and consent. I took the allegations that were brought forth very seriously. The committee conducted the most thorough, comprehensive and transparent confirmation process in history. We left no stone unturned. In the end, another extremely well-qualified justice was confirmed. However, the divisions that defined the Kavanaugh hearing does not define the body of work produced by the committee during this Congress. The Judiciary Committee passed seven bipartisan bills to help families, health care professionals and law enforcement address the opioid crisis in their local communities. The president signed these measures into law with the support for Patients and Communities Act. We also passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act in 2016 to rapidly respond to the opioid crisis and prevent others from falling into addiction. With hearings and legislation the Judiciary Committee also worked toward ending the pervasive problem of human trafficking. In all, the Senate adopted a series of five bills that were signed into law to enhance federal efforts to protect victims and prevent and prosecute enslavement for forced labor and sex trafficking. As a committee, we've made great progress on behalf of the American people. We tackled the priorities I outlined at the beginning of my chairmanship and achieved success on a bipartisan basis. That's what our constituents expect of us. That's what I strived to deliver every day. The 115th Congress is drawing to a close. Though I won't serve as chairman during the next Congress, I have every confidence that my friend, Senator Graham, will build upon the successes we've accomplished. I look forward to continuing my service on the Judiciary Committee in the next Congress and am thankful to my colleagues for their hard work and cooperation on behalf of the American people. I yield the floor. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-klobuchar-introduce-bipartisan-bill-crack-down-anticompetitive-pay-delay,"Grassley, Klobuchar Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on Anticompetitive Pay-for-Delay Deals",2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa are introducing new bipartisan legislation to limit anticompetitive pay-for-delay deals that prevent or delay the introduction of affordable follow-on versions of branded pharmaceuticals. The bill extends the reach of their prior legislation the Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act to cover pay-for-delay deals affecting biosimilar and interchangeable biologics, in addition to the generic drugs already covered under the prior bill. Biologics are a fast-growing class of medicines that are more expensive than traditional pharmaceutical products. The use of pay-for-delay dealsthe practice in which drug companies use pay-off agreements to delay the introduction of cheaper substitutes could make some critical prescriptions unaffordable for patients and impose significant costs on our healthcare system. When brand-name, generic and biologic drug makers enter into agreements to keep more affordable medicines out of the marketplace, all of us are left to pay the price, Grassley said. Competition is critical to keep prescription drug prices low. Generics and biosimilar drugs are critical to treating a variety of serious illnesses. Our bill will curb the anti-competitive, pay-for-delay tactics that artificially inflate prices for patients. Biologics play an important and growing role in treating many serious illnesses. Without competition, U.S. patients will likely see additional price increases on biologics in the years to come, Klobuchar said. This legislation will spur competition to drive down prices, helping to ensure patients can access the medications they need to improve their quality of life. Grassley and Klobuchar have long supported efforts to combat anti-competitive tactics in the pharmaceutical market. The senators are the lead sponsors of the Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act, which would limit pay-for-delay deals in which brand-name and generic drug manufacturers use anti-competitive pay-off agreements to delay cheaper generic equivalents from reaching consumers. Earlier this Congress, Grassley and Klobuchar also introduced the Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act, which would address abuses and delay tactics that prevent generic companies from performing the necessary testing and distribution necessary for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. The CREATES Act passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 14, 2018 on a strong, bipartisan vote of 16 to 5. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that the bill would result in almost $4 billion in savings. In November 2018, Grassley and Klobuchar sent a letter to the sent a letter to the President urging him to support legislation to limit anticompetitive pay-for-delay pharmaceutical settlements as part of the Administration's effort to bring down the skyrocketing price of prescription drugs. Full text of the letter can be found here. In a June 2018 letter, Grassley and Klobuchar urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to examine whether makers of biologic medicines are using strategies like pay-for-delay to hinder or delay biosimilars from entering the market. Full text of the letter 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-nominates-33-iowa-students-us-service-academies,Grassley Nominates 33 Iowa Students to the U.S. Service Academies,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley has nominated 33 Iowa students to be considered for appointments to the U.S. service academies. These young Iowans who want to enter the academies and serve our country are a remarkable reflection on our state, Grassley said. Their accomplishments, leadership and desire to serve are exceptional, and signal continued excellence in the U.S. armed forces. Each year, Grassley has the opportunity as a U.S. senator to nominate either current or future Iowa high school graduates for a select few service academy placements. The U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy all select at least one qualified student from 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 representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives make nominations in addition to both of Iowa's U.S. senators. Students may receive more than one nomination. Students interested in academy appointments should begin the application process in the spring of their junior year of high school. Early application is encouraged. The academies select students based on the number of vacancies available for the next school year. The academies offer some of the best options for higher education 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. The students then choose whether to attend the academy. More information about service academy nominations can be found here. Grassley will make announcements as academy appointments are offered to Iowans. The lists below include the names and hometowns of Grassley's nominees for the 2019 2020 school year. U.S. Military Academy at West Point James Baker Bettendorf Elias Brehm Dubuque Aiden DeWitt Dubuque Jack Gehl Asbury Grace Ries Asbury Grace Greer Iowa City Will Jefferson Le Claire William Jones Council Bluffs Carson Parker Story City Hunter Sherry Boone U.S. Naval Academy Britain Saluri Des Moines Charles Haefner Cedar Rapids Dara Hulstein Cedar Falls Kyle Otte Clive William Rankin Hull Timothy Robertson Dubuque James Sbertoli DeWitt Peter Shippy Sioux Center Micah Treptau Lansing Marika Yang Cedar Falls U.S. Merchant Marine Will Jefferson Le Claire Britain Saluri Des Moines U.S. Air Force Academy Nathan Brush Clive Josiah Cole Altoona Alex Hooker Webster City Adam Laubenthal Davenport Connor Pellett Atlantic William Rankin Hill Kassidy Rashid Burlington Josiah Stearns Windsor Heights Olivia Wong Ames -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-senate-finance-trade-priorities-116th-congress,Grassley on Senate Finance Trade Priorities for 116th Congress,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Prepared Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa On Senate Finance Trade Priorities for the 116th Congress Thursday, December 20, 2018 VIDEO Mr. President, I want to speak on the topic of international trade. During the last two years, there has been more talk about international trade in this town than just about any other point since I have been in Washington. When I was elected to the Senate in 1980, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, known as GATT, was the main guiding document on international trade. GATT was signed by 23 nations in Geneva on October 30, 1947, a little more than two years after World War II ended in Europe. It remained the institutional foundation for global trade until January 1, 1995. That's when the World Trade Organization was born with 81 charter members, including the United States. The WTO has been in place for nearly 24 years, serving as the clearing house for our rules-based international trading system. Since the start of the WTO, international trade volumes have increased by 250 percent. Countries representing 98 percent of global merchandise trade are currently members of the WTO, with 22 more countries officially working toward joining. Overall, the WTO is moving global commerce forward. The rules-based trading system it promotes has been very successful integrating people across the world into the global economy. I also must acknowledge that international trade can be disruptive. There are regions of our country that have been disproportionately impacted by job losses, at least in part, to foreign competition over the last several decades. Those losses become especially problematic when they are the result of market forces being overwhelmed by foreign government intervention. President Trump has rightly pointed that out and is delivering on his promise to make trade fairer for workers across our country. For agriculture, international trade is the bridge to the world's customers. In Iowa, we export every third row of soybeans. Some people like to say God made Iowa for growing corn and soybeans. I agree with that statement. Iowa also has significant pork and beef exports. American farmers produce more than we can possibly consume here in the United States. So we rely on global customers. Export markets are, and will continue to be, vitally important to Iowa's farmers. I will make it a priority as Chairman of the Finance Committee to gain access to new markets. The United States must continue leading the world on trade and economic issues. The U.S. market is one of the most open in the world. Unfortunately, other countries throw up numerous barriers for our exports. President Trump and Ambassador Lighthizer are working to correct these injustices. I intend to assist them with this fight with the understanding that creating market barriers of our own like tariffs is not a long-term solution. One of the top issues Congress needs to address next year is implementation of the recently signed U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement - or USMCA - that updates NAFTA for the modern economy. The new trade deal with Mexico and Canada makes significant updates to the original NAFTA, with new sections on digital trade, currency manipulation and state owned enterprises. It goes further than any other trade agreement in protecting intellectual property rights and makes important changes to market access for agriculture products. While I commend the President for following through on his promise to renegotiate NAFTA, there are a few areas of concern. As long as Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico remain, U.S. farmers and others facing retaliation, along with the American businesses that rely on those imports, will be unable to realize the full potential benefits of USMCA. This is why I urge the Administration to consult with Congress, as intended by Trade Promotion Authority, to ensure a clear path forward for USMCA. I intend to work with members of the Finance Committee and Senate Leadership to move the USMCA quickly in the new Congress. But I can't do it without a strong commitment from the Administration that we will work together. The Constitution tasks Congress with the authority to regulate trade with foreign countries. We collectively have a responsibility to ensure that U.S. farmers, ranchers and businesses face minimal uncertainty from updating NAFTA. Building on the success of USMCA, we must continue to play offense and pursue new market access opportunities. That's why I'm happy the Administration is pursuing new agreements with Japan, the European Union and the United Kingdom. The economies of those countries account for 27.4 percent of global GDP. Having more access to those markets will help U.S. farmers, ranchers and businesses for generations to come. I expect the agreement with the European Union and the UK, when ready to address agriculture. The notion that some people in the EU think there could be an agreement that doesn't address the many ways they block our good agricultural products from being sold in Europe is ridiculous. While I agree with the President that we must have fair trade that benefits Americans, I'm not a fan of tariffs. Put simply tariffs are a tax on U.S. consumers and businesses. The Constitution grants Congress authority over tariffs and international trade, but Congress has delegated some of this authority to the president through legislation. I'm no novice when it comes to understanding the delicate balance between congressional and executive authority over international trade. In fact, I was a leader in renewing Trade Promotion Authority as the ranking member of the Finance Committee in 2002. I strongly supported its renewal under the leadership of Chairman Orrin Hatch in 2015. What was important then and remains truer than ever today is that Congress plays a central and pivotal role in crafting trade policy. Our Founding Fathers were explicit in placing this responsibility with the Congress in Article One of the Constitution. We must remain vigilant to ensure that the aspects of trade authority that Congress has delegated are used appropriately and in the best interest of our country. I am certainly not opposed to being creative in negotiations with other countries. But I strongly disagree with the notion that imports of steel and aluminum, automobiles, and auto parts somehow could pose a national security threat. I intend to review the President's use of power under Section 232 of the Trade Act of 1962, which grants the president broad legal authority to impose tariffs in the name of national security. Senator Portman and others have already introduced legislation to narrow the scope of how an administration can use the power that Congress authorized in 1962 under the influence of the Cold War. I believe that these efforts serve as a prudent starting point for the discussion we need to have on Section 232 authority in the next Congress. The tariffs against products from China that were imposed as a result of the U.S. Trade Representative's findings under the Section 301 investigation are not ideal. But I agree with the reasons they've been applied. The President is absolutely right to confront China regarding the Section 301 findings. I'm glad that he had a successful meeting with President Xi at the G20 summit last month. My hope is that the ensuing negotiations will result in a change in China's discriminatory policies and practices and an easing of tariffs and tensions. I recommend everyone read the findings of the Section 301 investigation that were published in March. That report outlines in detail many of the ways that China abuses American businesses and workers and steals or forces the transfer of U.S. intellectual property. American businesses that are able to access the Chinese market are often forced to participate in joint ventures with Chinese firms or turn over the details of their technologies. No one can call that a level playing field. The Chinese claim is that this simply represents the cost of market access. Hogwash. That's not how members of the WTO should act. I voted in favor of China's accession to the WTO and in many ways I regret that vote. China has not lived up to its obligations or honored its promises. Yet it enjoys many of the benefits that come with membership in the WTO. Part of the reason, in my view, that China gets away with so much is that the WTO systems that we rely on have failed and are in great need of reform. The fact that China, the world's most populous country and second largest economy, can self-certify as a developing economy is extremely frustrating to me. I know many of my colleagues here in Congress share that frustration. I have a great interest in the WTO reform process that has begun. Reform and oversight are critical to the proper functioning of institutions. That is true whether we are talking about a federal agency or the WTO. I'll also continue conducting rigorous oversight as chairman of the Finance Committee. The U.S. has free trade agreements in place with 20 countries. One problem we've had with our agreements is that other countries don't always live up to the text and spirit of the agreement they signed. I will work with the administration to hold our partners accountable in order to improve outcomes for American businesses and consumers. In short, we have our work cut out for us on the Finance Committee next year. International trade is a force for good. Farmers and businesses in Iowa and across the country have benefited tremendously from international trade and are better off because they can sell their products around the world. I'm committed to making sure they have access to open markets with the guarantees of fair treatment and enforceable protections. I yield the floor. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-us-mexico-asylum-agreement,Grassley Statement on U.S.-Mexico Asylum Agreement,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Earlier today, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced that the United States and Mexico will enter into a safe third country agreement that will help accommodate the steady stream of migrants traveling through Mexico seeking asylum in the United States. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Senator Mike Lee of Utah called for such an agreement in October. Grassley made the following statement on today's announcement. I applaud today's announcement regarding the Migration Protection Protocols (MPP) agreement between the United States and Mexico. In October, Senator Lee and I wrote a letter to Secretaries Pompeo and Nielsen, urging the Trump Administration to pursue a safe third country agreement with Mexico. The MPP is a welcome first step in that direction. Under the MPP, migrants claiming asylum will wait in Mexico during the adjudication of their claims here in the United States. There, the Mexican government will provide these individuals with humanitarian visas, work authorization, and other protections. Additionally, applicants will have access to immigration attorneys and to the U.S. for their court hearings. This creates a safe and orderly process for handling thousands of asylum applications, and ensures that migrants are treated in a humane manner. This agreement also protects American sovereignty and provides overdue relief to our own immigration system. We can focus on quickly assisting legitimate and vulnerable asylum-seekers, while deterring fraudulent claimants from making the journey to our border. Most importantly, this agreement will allow us to address our staggering asylum backlog. I applaud the efforts of Secretaries Pompeo and Nielsen, as well as Mexican President Lpez Obrador. I'm hopeful this will prompt other countries in our hemisphere to adhere to Mexico's example and begin to help shoulder the responsibility for unprecedented levels of unsanctioned mass migration. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qa-first-step-act-0,Q&A: First Step Act,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Q&A: First Step Act With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: What is the First Step Act? A: The bipartisan First Step Act restructures federal criminal sentencing laws for the first time in decades. After years of listening, negotiating and reviewing reforms enacted at the state level, a broad coalition of lawmakers joined together with the White House to secure passage of the historic First Step Act. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I took the lead with Senator Durbin, of Illinois, to fix flaws in the federal sentencing system and improve rehabilitation programs. Taxpayers spend more than $7 billion a year on the federal prison population. That's a lot of money for a system with high rates of recidivism, racial disparity in sentencing, and not enough opportunity for rehabilitation and integration into society. The First Step Act will restore fairness and justice to a system overwhelmed by mass incarceration. The First Step Act will help low-risk, nonviolent offenders put a better foot forward when they re-enter society. More than 95 percent of federal inmates will be released at some point from federal prison. Our criminal justice system needs to do more to prevent them from committing another crime. Society benefits when prisoners who have been released from prison become productive contributors to their communities and families. With the president's strong support, the Senate voted 87-12 for this bill, and the House also passed it by an overwhelming margin of 358-36, reflecting the widespread support and efforts by advocates from across the ideological spectrum. The reforms in the First Step Act will reduce the tax burden, help law enforcement fight crime, stop the revolving prison door, and give nonviolent, low-risk inmates a head start on a fresh start. Q: How does the First Step Act change sentencing laws? A: It improves fairness in sentencing and preserves law enforcement tools to protect public safety. It reduces some mandatory minimums and expands the existing federal safety valve, giving federal judges additional discretion to tailor criminal sentences to better fit low-level, non-violent offenders. In addition, the First Step Act retroactively addresses the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine and clarifies that a sentencing enhancement for using a firearm during a crime of violence or a drug crime is limited to repeat offenders. The First Step Act also incentivizes prisoners to participate in evidence-based programs designed to reduce recidivism. If they successfully participate in these programs, they can earn time credits that will allow them to obtain an early release into prerelease custody. To qualify for these programs, inmates will be filtered through a multi-layer system to weed out violent offenders and identify those likely to commit more crimes. The First Step Act also will invest resources for drug treatment, education and job training programs to help prevent released inmates from committing crimes and returning to prison. To aid in the recidivism reduction effort, the bill makes it easier for prisoners to stay in touch with their families. The law provides that the federal Bureau of Prisons must take into account proximity to family when assigning prison assignments. Again, the new law rewards only those who take personal responsibility for their transgressions. My record reflects my work as a taxpayer watchdog and law and order Republican. I also believe in the redemptive power of rehabilitation. The First Step Act is a good step in the right direction. Not only will it make our streets safer and help those who have made mistakes to turn their lives around, it also sends a signal to the American people that Congress can work together for the public good. At nearly every one of my county meetings, Iowans tell me how fed up they are with divisive politics. This bill is an example of the good work we can do when we listen to each other and put in the hard work required in seeking out bipartisan solutions to complex problems. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/reviewing-oversight-judiciary-committee,Reviewing Oversight by the Judiciary Committee,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Statement for the Senate Record by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Reviewing Oversight by the Judiciary Committee Thursday, December 20, 2018 Oversight is one of the most important responsibilities of this Legislative Branch. The Constitution requires it. Without oversight, the Members of this body cannot legislate in the best interests of their constituents. Nor can they ensure the government is accountable to the taxpayers. In whatever capacity I have served my own fellow citizens of Iowa over the years, I have always strived to faithfully carry out my duty to conduct oversight. The same is true of these last four years that I have been honored to serve as the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. The agencies under the Committee's jurisdiction are some of the most powerful, and most consequential, in the Executive Branch. Our nation's law enforcement agencies have the authority to seek to search and seize our property and review our communications. When warranted, they may bring charges that can result in disgorgement of financial resources or loss of personal liberty. That's because these agencies have the equally weighty responsibility to protect us from criminal and intelligence threats of all stripes. These agencies help protect the taxpayer from fraud, hunt down violent offenders and fugitives, protect our senior leaders and judges, and dismantle illicit networks that traffic in illegal drugs, endangered wildlife, and worst of all, human beings. They safeguard our borders, secure our transportation and cyber networks, and return kidnapped children to their families. That's just a fraction of the many responsibilities of the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security. I am grateful for the faithful public service of thousands of law enforcement agents, analysts, lawyers, engineers, scientists, officers, managers, and other employees who make up these agencies. And that includes, especially, those individuals who have not only done their jobs, but have truly gone above and beyond. A lot of times they don't like being called whistleblowers, because they never meant to be whistleblowers. But these employeeshundreds of them in the last four yearshave courageously raised their hands and disclosed waste, fraud, abuse, mismanagement, and all sorts of misconduct. I could not have fulfilled my oversight responsibilities without them. Because of whistleblowers, the Committee uncovered a pattern of wasteful spending at the U.S. Marshals Service. It turns out, the Marshals Service spent $22,000 on a conference table for the Asset Forfeiture Division's headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, and $50,000 a month on a lavishly furnished training facility in Houston, Texas that was used for only a few weeks out of the year. Thanks to the whistleblowers and the work done by this Committee, I'm happy to report that the Marshals Service closed that facility earlier this year. Whistleblowers have also highlighted examples of gross mismanagement within the agency. For example, we know that last year roughly 2,000 deputy marshals were using expired or soon to be expired body armor. We also uncovered instances of unfair hiring practices and other serious ethical violations. In total, over 100 whistleblowers from the U.S. Marshals Service courageously came forward. I thank them for their bravery and commitment to government transparency. After supervisors ignored their warnings, whistleblowers at the Department of Homeland Security came forward to raise awareness on how smugglers prey on unaccompanied minors and migrants. A courageous whistleblower told my office that Health and Human services were not conducting thorough background checks on sponsors before they took custody of the children. Now, all sponsors, and those living with sponsors, are fingerprinted before they can bring a child home. This whistleblower also reported a dangerous tactic used by smugglers to pair kids with unrelated adults to create the appearance of family units. Smugglers would use kids like pawns in an effort to help adults avoid detention when coming across our border. Now, United States government officials are working with their counterparts in Mexico to investigate and crack down on the smuggling that occurs on the lengthy journey to the United States. Whistleblowers also contacted my office during the Obama Administration about criminals who should be ineligible for DACA, but due to an oversight by the Department, were still receiving benefits, like work authorization. Scrutiny of the program led to more thorough recurrent vetting by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Thanks to more than 10 whistleblowers at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms who courageously reported that their sexual harassment claims were being buried internally, then-Attorney General Lynch updated the sexual harassment policy and a problematic official in internal affairs was replaced. The GAO is currently assessing how reports of abuse are reviewed and adjudicated at ATF. I have also had the pleasure of working with a number of whistleblowers at the Department of Veterans Affairs that have had the courage to stand up and do what's right. Most recently, my office worked with Brandon Coleman after he was put on administrative leave for more than a year and kept from running an addiction treatment program for veterans. Brandon's only mistake was to point out poor treatment of suicidal veterans. Eventually, after a concerted effort by my office, Senator Johnson, and the Office of Special Counsel, Brandon was provided a new position within the VA's Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection. That's how it should be done. Although the False Claims Act isn't new, I want to point out that is still working hard for the taxpayers. Because of the 1986 amendments to the Act, and all of our efforts to strengthen it, whistleblowers were empowered to help the government fight fraud. In the last four years, thanks largely to whistleblowers, the government has recovered $17 billion under the False Claims Act. That makes $56 billion since the 1986 amendments. These are only a few examples of what has been achieved because of whistleblowers. They've saved our money, made us safer, and held our government accountable. Oversight leading to better legislation Our oversight efforts have also helped us write better laws. Through my investigations, I learned about problems with how the Department of Veterans Affairs reports veterans to the national gun ban list, called the NICS list. Once you're on the list you can no longer own and possess a firearm. And there's an unfair double standard at work here. The VA never determines a veteran to be dangerous before taking away firearms. But to get their firearms back, the veteran is required to prove that they are not dangerous. The Obama Social Security Administration created a rule that would allow it to report beneficiaries to the NICS list without ever finding the beneficiaries to be mentally ill or dangerous. Just like what the VA does to veterans. If the federal government is going to attempt to take away a citizen's fundamental constitutional right, it better have one heck of a compelling reason to do so. If a person isn't mentally ill, dangerous, or subject to some other federal restriction, then the government is on shaky ground. This Obama Social Security regulation was a pure and simple unconstitutional gun-grab. So, I worked to pass legislation with bipartisan support to terminate the regulation, 57-43. I've also worked to pass strong legislation to support the critical work done by inspectors general. In 2016, a broad bipartisan coalition of legislators passed the Inspector General Empowerment Act that reiterated Congress's intent that IGs be able to access ALL agency records. It also gave IGs better tools that enable them to do their jobs more effectively, including the ability to conduct investigations without getting agency approval. It also strengthened public reporting requirements to ensure as much transparency as possible. I have also introduced legislation to create an IG for the federal judiciary to offer those employees the same rights offered to their co-equal executive branch counterparts. After holding a full Committee hearing on problems with rampant sexual harassment in the judiciary, and raising awareness on a lack of an effective reporting mechanism, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts took a step in the right direction by creating the Judicial Integrity Office. I hope through the establishment of this office, the AO will recognize the importance of transparency and accountability. Another example of where oversight led to a legislative solution is the Public Safety Officers Benefit program. Enacted in 1976, this program provides survivor benefits to the spouses and children of public safety officers who died in the line of duty. Despite the Department's own 1-year deadline to resolve all claims, we found that over half of all death benefit claims were pending past the 1-year mark. As a result, I introduced, and passed bi-partisan legislation aimed at creating more transparency and accountability in the administration of this program. Oversight of the Justice Department also uncovered gross mismanagement by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention or OJJDP for short. That office provides millions of dollars in grants to states to assist them in addressing juvenile delinquency. Thanks to several whistleblowers, we discovered that OJJDP was issuing millions of dollars to noncompliant states. I introduced bipartisan legislation which would require the Justice Department to hold states more accountable for fulfilling these grant requirements. A few days ago, this bill unanimously passed both chambers of Congress. Oversight leading to accountability Oversight is a critical tool Congress must use to help hold the federal government accountable to We the People. It is the job of Congress, which represents the People, to ensure the government is operating above board, transparently, and as a good steward of taxpayer resources. Of course, as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, over the last four years I have focused extensively on the Justice Department proper and FBI. Some of that focus has been on how the Department handled the Clinton investigation and Russia investigation. With respect to the Clinton investigation, some of the most problematic material discovered thus far is classified. However, as many now know, the Department had personnel on the Clinton investigation that exhibited extreme political bias against then-candidate Trump. My inquiry also found that the Department and FBI oddly limited the scope of review to the time Secretary Clinton was Secretary of State, even though evidence of obstruction would have occurred after she left the State Department. Perhaps defying all sense of legal logic, the Department and FBI decided to write in the element of intent into 18 U.S.C 793(f), which covers the mishandling of classified information. By the FBI's own admission, highly classified information transited Secretary Clinton's unclassified non-government server that she used for government business. If any one of us did that to classified information, we'd have the book thrown at us. The Department and FBI also used immunity agreements at an alarming rate and then-Director Comey began writing an exoneration statement before interviewing Secretary Clinton and 16 other witnesses. That same exoneration statement labeled Secretary Clinton's actions as grossly negligent, a criminal standard, which was later changed to extremely careless, a non-criminal standard. All told, the Clinton investigation was mismanaged to the detriment of our country's faith in the FBI. Perhaps the most breath taking hypocrisy we identified in the Clinton investigation is that Comey and other FBI officials were using private email to conduct government business while they investigated Secretary Clinton for doing the same. Congress has an obligation to shine a light on wrongdoing, and I certainly hope the Department and FBI has learned their lesson. If not, eventually, Congress will find out. And let me say this, our patience is wearing thin. Aside from the Clinton investigation, in 2015 I began looking into the Foreign Agents Registration Act before it was made popular by Robert Mueller. FARA is a very important law. It requires agents of foreign governments or enterprises to register with the Justice Department so we know who they are and who they truly work for. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. We ought to know where someone's loyalty lies. I held a hearing in July 2017 about the law and potential fixes to it. As a result, I introduced the Disclosing Foreign Influence Act. That bill does two important things: (1) it provides the Attorney General with civil investigative demand authority; and (2) it creates oversight checks and balances on the use of that authority. We must do whatever we can do identify foreign agents spreading propaganda and lobbying on behalf of foreign governments. During the course of my investigation into violations of FARA I became aware of a group of unregistered foreign agents lobbying for the repeal of the Magnitsky Act. That law, passed by Congress in 2012, authorized sanctions against a group of Russians responsible for a particularly egregious case of human rights abuse. I discovered that those involved in the anti-Magnitsky lobbying effort were the same cast of characters who organized the now infamous Trump Tower meeting in 2016. This prompted a full-scale investigation into the meeting and the reasons behind it. On May 16 of this year, I'm proud to say that the Committee released approximately 2,500 pages of transcripts, written statements, and exhibits collected during the course of this investigation, as well as records produced by meeting attendees who were not interviewed. Taken in their entirety, these materials provided the public with the most complete picture of events surrounding that meeting to date. And in the end, the evidence supported what we had suspected all alongthat the meeting was just another attempt by this group of unregistered foreign agents trying to overturn a law that they didn't like. I also conducted oversight into the FBI's handling of its investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. As a result of our and other Committees' investigative efforts, we now know that one of the documents used by the FBI to establish and broaden its early investigation of President Trump was an unsubstantiated political opposition research dossier, prepared by Christopher Steele for the opposition research firm Fusion GPS and paid for by the Hillary Clinton Campaign and Democratic National Committee. As Senator Graham and I described in our criminal referral of Christopher Steele earlier this year, this dossier was used by the FBI to help justify a FISA warrant to surveil a Trump Campaign volunteer. I am proud of the role that the Committee has played in bringing additional details about these events into public view, both through the criminal referral of Steele and through the official release of the Committee's interview of Fusion GPS founder Glenn Simpson, which took place last August. My oversight work on this Committee has also been bi-partisan. Ranking Member Feinstein and I shared equally in the questioning of witnesses involved in the Trump Tower meeting, and we worked together to release the results of the Committee's investigation in May of this year. Even though I'm Chairman of Judiciary, my oversight focus extended to health care related matters. Non-profit hospitals have been a particular concern. One non-profit chain, called Mosaic Life-Care, had been suing low-income patients for debts that should have been covered by the hospital. Tax-exempt hospitals cannot be in the business of profiting off poor people. After a 16-month inquiry, Mosaic finally changed its ways and approved debt forgiveness for over 3,000 patients. That debt forgiveness was worth approximately $16.9 million. And when Iowans began contacting me about the rising cost of EpiPen, I began to investigate. In 2007 a pack of two EpiPen cost $100. By 2016 the cost exploded to $600. In a nutshell, Mylan had classified the EpiPen as a generic under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program rather than a brand name drug. Because of this incorrect classification, Mylan only had to pay a 13 percent rebate instead of a 23.1 percent rebate. I asked the Health and Human Services Inspector General to look into these practices. The Inspector General found that the taxpayers may have overpaid for the EpiPen by as much as $1.27 billion over 10 years because of the incorrect classification. Eventually, Mylan settled a False Claims Act case with the Justice Department for $465 million. Upon learning of that settlement, I expressed my disappointment that it didn't seem the taxpayers had been made whole. On August 16, 2018, the FDA finally approved a generic EpiPen, which gives consumers more purchasing options. I also investigated, with Senator Wyden, Gilead's pricing decisions for its Hepatitis C drugs Sovaldi and Harvoni. Our joint report was a ground-level view of how a drug is priced and what steps some drug companies will take to maximize profit possibly to the detriment of patients in need. Nursing home social media abuse has also been a focus of mine. New technologies offer new ways for bad conduct to occur. Steps ought to be taken to stop that. After extensive communication with CMS about these issues, the government issued a guideline that made clear that compromising photos and recordings of residents is a form of abuse. But, we didn't stop there. After reading reports about spending and management problems at the Wounded Warrior Project, I looked into that too. Reports had shown Wounded Warrior was not spending 80.6 percent of their programs expenses on veterans in FY 2014. My investigation found that Wounded Warrior had been incorporating donated media and millions of dollars in fundraising to get to that 80.6 percent. A more accurate figure is about 68 percent. Americans want the Wounded Warrior Project to be successful. And if its current leaders are listening to this, I want to reiterate my best wishes that it help as many veterans as possible. I've also taken a keen interest in the Red Cross over the years. Most recently, after reports of mismanaged spending after the earthquake in Haiti, I decided it was time to look under the hood. What I found was troubling, to say the least. My inquiry found that the Red Cross did not track costs on a project by project basis; instead it used a complex and inaccurate process to track spending. The Red Cross was simply unable to provide the exact cost of each project and program in Haiti. Worst yet, my inquiry found that the head of the Red Cross attempted to terminate a review by the Government Accountability Office, and lied about it. I will continue to keep my eye on the Red Cross. During my time as Chairman of Judiciary, I've also conducted extensive oversight of our broken immigration system. For every major terror attack on American soil by a foreign national, I reviewed just how the perpetrators entered the country in the first place. What I found was that often these terrorists, and other criminals, would lie or conceal information on their visa applications to enter the country. They often knew which visas to exploit to commit their crimes, which ranged from espionage, to theft of trade secrets, to trafficking. The Committee has also looked into how Homeland Security and State vet refugees, monitored the mass migration caravans, reviewed hundreds of pages of visa and immigration documents, and repeatedly raised concerns with the controversial EB-5 investor visa program. When Congress created the program, the goal was to spur growth for rural and underserved areas. Now, the EB-5 program has become an often illicit funding source for big moneyed interests in some of the largest cities around the country. It is no surprise that the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate also raised national security concerns about the program. Since 2016, I have written 8 letters, held 3 hearings, and introduced legislation to remedy the glaring problems that plague this program. I wait with anticipation on the EB-5 modernization and reform regulations the Department of Homeland Security promises to publish very soon. These are but a few examples of what I've tried to do right by the people of Iowa and the taxpaying public. Being Chairman of the Judiciary Committee has been a rewarding experience, one that I will cherish as some of the most productive years of my career representing the great people and state of Iowa. I look forward to continuing my oversight work both as Chairman of Finance and as a senior member of the Judiciary Committee in the next Congress. After all, as experience has shown, oversight works, and I will continue to fight the good fight on behalf of We the People. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-passes-grassley-feinstein-bill-combat-human-trafficking-0,Senate Passes Grassley-Feinstein Bill to Combat Human Trafficking,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON The U.S. Senate this week unanimously passed a bipartisan bill to aid in the fight against human trafficking. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017, authored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa and cosponsored by Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein of California, would renew existing programs that make federal resources available to human trafficking survivors and establish new prevention, prosecution and collaboration initiatives to help bring the perpetrators to justice. The bill was unanimously passed in the House of Representatives earlier this year and now must be signed by President Trump before becoming law. We need a united approach to taking down human traffickers and bringing victims the justice they deserve. This bill takes meaningful steps to shed light on this terrible abuse of human rights by improving awareness and streamlining federal law enforcement's response. I'm grateful for the Senate's sweeping support of this bill to assist victims, and look forward to House action so we can get it to the President's desk and on the books, Grassley said. Sex trafficking is one of the most reprehensible crimes, and the Trafficking Victims Protection Act builds on our bipartisan efforts to combat trafficking and help victims. The key to reducing demand is addressing the exploitation of young girls on the Internet.The bill provides the Justice Department with civil injunction authority to get court orders forcing traffickers to remove their ads for underage girls, Feinstein said. Education and public information is a critical first line of defense against human trafficking. This bill promotes the screening of human trafficking victims by ensuring that school resource officers and other school personnel receive training on how to identify and respond to victims. It also calls for advanced training of federal investigators who pursue human traffickers. The legislation also allows prosecutors to enjoin conduct that violates human trafficking statutes, and allows the U.S. Secret Service to offer investigative and forensic assistance to other law enforcement agencies to combat human trafficking. The legislation improves coordination among federal agencies through consolidation of federal agency data reporting at the FBI and by requiring the Homeland Security Department to submit annual assessments of the human trafficking investigations. Along with Grassley and Feinstein, the bill is cosponsored by John Cornyn of Texas Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Bob Corker of Tennessee, Marco Rubio of Florida, Orrin Hatch of Utah, Mike Crapo of Idaho, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Christopher Coons of Delaware, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Todd Young of Indiana, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, John Kennedy of Louisiana, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Gary Peters of Michigan, Ted Cruz of Texas, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Susan Collins of Maine and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. A fact sheet on the legislation can be found here. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/victims-rights-and-child-protection-measures-adopted-115th-congress,Victims’ Rights and Child Protection Measures Adopted by 115th Congress,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senate Floor Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Victims' Rights and Child Protection Measures Adopted by 115th Congress Wednesday, December 19, 2018 Mr. President, during my tenure as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I've made it a top priority to champion bipartisan initiatives to enhance victims' rights and protect our nation's at-risk children. In the 115th Congress, for example, I introduced and led the Senate in approving multiple bills to prevent crime, identify missing children, enhance services to crime victims, and reform our juvenile justice system. I'm proud of what we've achieved on the Judiciary Committee in this period, as we sent half a dozen of these measures to the President's desk after both chambers passed them unanimously. For example, last October, we passed and the President signed the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act. This measure, which I sponsored with Senator Blumenthal, increases penalties for the fraudsters who target our senior citizens. It requires federal agencies to collect more data on financial exploitation of the elderlywhich is a terribly underreported crime. It also calls for specialized training of federal investigators and prosecutors who handle these cases. A second measure, which I also introduced and the President signed last January, is Kevin and Avonte's Law. This new law is named in honor of two boys with autism who tragically died after wandering away from their caregivers. It calls for the Justice Department to award grants to equip school personnel, caregivers, and first responders with training to help identify missing persons with autism or Alzheimer's disease. It also permits grant funds to be used for technologies that advance the search for missing children with developmental disabilities. This legislation is important because research suggests that at least a third of children with autism repeatedly wander away from safety. Since 2015, we've seen a doubling in the number of wandering-related deaths, according to SafeMinds, a nonprofit organization that advocates for these children. I thank Senators Schumer, Tillis, and Klobuchar for joining as cosponsors of Kevin and Avonte's Law. Third, I also introduced, and both chambers this week cleared, legislation to extend the important victim services programs that the Trafficking Victims Protection Act established. I led our Judiciary Committee in clearing this measure and a complementary bill introduced by Senator Cornyn. Our bills, which were cosponsored by Senators Feinstein and Klobuchar, soon will go to the President's desk for signature. Both measures will help us combat modern human slavery, which unfortunately is alive and well today in this country. It exists in the form of sex and labor trafficking. Through deception, threats, or violence, the perpetrators of these crimes will do whatever it takes to turn a profit at their victims' expense. Fourth, I this year championed legislation to renew and extend the Missing Children's Assistance Act. This measure, which the President signed this fall, makes funds available over the next five years for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to continue its important work. The National Center partners with law enforcement and communities across the United States in the effort to identify and rescue missing or abused children. A fifth measure that I introduced in this chamber with Senator Whitehouse would renew and update the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. That law hasn't been updated since 2002. I introduced a measure on this subject for the first time in the 114th Congress. We this year concluded our negotiations with the House on a final version of this legislation, known as the Juvenile Justice Reform Act. The measure we adopted last week, which is on its way to the President's desk for signature, reflects the oversight work I carried out several years ago. This oversight, which was the subject of a 2015 Judiciary Committee hearing, revealed a flawed grant program, but also one worth saving because of its potential benefits for our nation's at-risk youth. The reforms we've adopted also will help ensure the fairer treatment of minors in detention, through greater screening and treatment of mental illness and substance abuse. This new law also promotes an end to the shackling of girls who give birth in detention, encourages greater separation of juvenile and adult offenders, and ensures that detained youth can continue their education. It will give youths who come into contact with the juvenile justice system a better chance of turning their lives around. I should add that we included accountability provisions in virtually every grant funding measure reported by the Judiciary Committee during my tenure as chairman. The inclusion of this language, which I authored several years ago, in statutes authorizing federal grant programs will help ensure that taxpayer dollars are used more wisely. I want to again thank my colleagues from the Judiciary Committee who joined me as cosponsors of these and other new laws in this area. I also want to thank the nonprofit groups, such as the National Autism Association, Elder Justice Coalition and Coalition for Juvenile Justice, as well as individual advocates, including Bob Blancato, Stuart Spielman, Lisa Wiederlight, Marion Mattingly, and others, who contributed in a meaningful way to these laws' development and passage. Finally, I want to thank my chief counsel for justice programs, Evelyn Fortier, for her work on these measures. Thank you, Mr. President. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/time-hope-capitol-solutions,A time for hope: Capitol Solutions,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,David Young,Y000066,davidyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"The holiday season brings Iowans together with family and friends to celebrate and reconnect. As I gather with my family to celebrate Christmas, I findjoy, thankfulness,and faith. I also am filled with hope our communities will thrive with caring neighbors helping one another when times can be tough for some. It's a time for reflecting on the blessings I have had and doing my best to give back in any way I can. I'm inspired by the Iowans across the Third Districtwho give their time, talents, and treasures to serve their communities. Over the past four years, I have worked to serve Iowans in the Third District as their representative in Congress. I like toattack problems and deliver solutions to challenges Iowans are facing.I was able to combine that with mypassion for public service and give back by taking your voices to Washington. A lot of folks I have spoken with as I travel across the Third District share they have lost hope Congress can do anything productive that partisanship, name calling, and hypocrisy have overtaken the people's government. And rightfully so. After another partisan election season, politicians and pundits screaming on TV, and the lack of civility we see in some of our politics, itcan beeasy to become discouraged. But I have hope. I always have. And I always will. And the Iowans I talk and listen to have hope, too. Yes, we do have our challenges. And we have our differences. But we have more in common than that which separate us. Despite our political party affiliations or political philosophies, we pretty much all have the same goals. We all want a strong economy, great job opportunities for ourselves and loved ones, safer streets, a cleaner environment, better health care, a more peaceful world, and the list goes on. We just have different ways of approaching those issues. But these problems are solvable if we bring passion and civility to the table. We need to listen to one another and not talk at or over one another. By sitting down and talking to one another we find areas of agreement with honorable compromise - where one doesn't give up one's principles or values, but doesn't always get 100% of what one wants either. When marriages and relationships work - they do so out of compromise. Our Constitution even came out of compromise. Most folks do treateach other with respect, dignity, compassion, understanding, and we give back when we can. A lot of problems can be solved with neighbors taking care of neighbors and choosing leaders who do the same. When I listen to your stories from our Third District and how you've faced adversity with determination, victories through perseverance, and struggles with humility, I am hopeful decency, kindness, compassion, and community can be strengthened and more apparent in our daily lives - in home, at work, and with our government. While my term in Congress may be ending in just a fewweeks, I don't intend on giving up hope we can be better. But it starts by not always challenging others, but challenging oneself to do better and be better, and to live by the Biblical rule of treating others as oneself would like to be treated. The founders wanted to create a more perfect union andas our country grows and changes, we can and must continue working to bring the people of our country together. I've worked to bring people together in Congress over the past four years as I sought friendships across the aisle and sought bipartisan consensus on some of the most challenging issues. When my term ends on January 2, I won't stop serving. As a private citizen, I will continue to care for my neighbors, improve my community, and give back whenever I can. I challenge you to give some of your time volunteering, share your talents to bring joy, and help bring more hope and results to your community. No matter what is happening on TV or in Washington, DC or anywhere else,it's selfless individuals who seek to serve others and not themselves who have the most impact and do the most good. I wish you a blessed Christmas during thisholiday season. I pray for your safety and a meaningful time of reflection with family and friends, and that your faith in God and the goodness of who we are and can be together will be strengthened.God bless.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4E795D4F-D58D-43F9-B40C-7FF3B5343368,AUDIO NEWS RELEASE (ANR): Senator Ernst Reflects on 2018,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) released audio of her year-end message highlighting her hard work for the people of Iowa over this past year. 2018 was one for the books! I worked hard, day-in and day-out to deliver real solutions to Iowa. I love our state, and I love the people in it. I'm truly blessed by the opportunity to serve as your United States Senator. While it is hard to narrow down the year's work, I've highlighted a number of my accomplishments from throughout the year. May God bless you and yours this holiday season, said Senator Ernst. To download the full audio recording, click here. The full script is below: Hi, this is your United States Senator, Joni Ernst. 2018 was one for the books! I worked hard, day-in and day-out to deliver real solutions to Iowa. While it is hard to narrow down the year's work, I'd like to take a moment to highlight some of my accomplishments from throughout the year. First off, I was able to help secure $117 million in federal funds for Cedar Rapids flood mitigation, something the people of Cedar Rapids had been waiting for, for over a decade. When it comes to regulatory reform, there were a number of big wins in 2018. I held the Environmental Protection Agency to fulfilling President Trump's promise of granting the sale of E15 year-round, as well as repealing and replacing the burdensome 2015 waters of the United States rule. Turning to national security, as a member of the National Defense Authorization Act Conference Committee, I secured a number of my provisions in this year's NDAA that will bolster our nation's security and support our military, like my legislation to treat and raise awareness of traumatic brain injuries among our servicemembers. On the trade front, as you all know, it's been a roller coaster ride. I have been pushing the Administration to open new markets and finalize trade deals, like the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement, to ensure we provide a pathway to success for Iowa's agriculture economy. The Senate also took action on the growing opioid crisis, and we passed historic, bipartisan opioid legislation, that's now law. This bipartisan legislation included two of my bills: one of which increases participation in federal prescription drug take-back programs; and another that requires Medicare Advantage plans and prescription drug plans to provide information on safe disposals. You all sent me to Washington to cut wasteful spending and of course to, make em squeal, and I am continuing to deliver on that promise. Earlier this year, I successfully pushed Senate leadership to cancel our August recess and stay in session to work on our nation's budget and spending bills; one of our fundamental jobs. One of my proudest moments as a U.S. Senator was watching the VA MISSION Act--bipartisan legislation that improves veterans' access to health care services-- be signed into law. I helped to secure final passage of the bill, and was thrilled to see my VETS Act included, which will finally allow our rural or homebound veterans in Iowa, and across the U.S., to receive necessary care from the comfort of their homes. One last area I'd like to highlight is my work on bipartisan anti-sexual harassment legislation. There is no place for sexual harassment in our schools, workplaces, military or anywhere else. This legislation, which unanimously passed the House and the Senate last week, will ensure members of Congress are held to the same standards as the rest of the country when it comes to sexual harassment. Lastly, I want to say thank you. I love Iowa. I love the people of Iowa, and I am truly blessed by the opportunity to serve as your United States Senator. I will continue to work hard and fight for you every day. May God bless you and yours this holiday season. And may God bless these great United States of America. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/grassley-new-york-times-op-ed-these-toilet-seats-aren-t-gold-plated-they-cost-14000,"Grassley New York Times Op-ed: These Toilet Seats Arent Gold-Plated but They Cost $14,000",2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"These Toilet Seats Aren't Gold-Plated but They Cost $14,000 By U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa In a July 21, 2017memo, the secretary of defense, James Mattis, made promising comments about his ambitions to end wasteful spending at the Pentagon. He wrote that he expected leaders at all levels in the department to exercise the utmost degree of stewardship over every penny spent and that only by instilling budget discipline, by establishing a culture of cost awareness, and by holding ourselves accountable, can we earn the trust and confidence of the Congress and the American people that we are the best possible stewards of taxpayer dollars.I've spent more than three decades reviewing egregious spending at the Defense Department. The sentiments expressed in the memo were encouraging, so much so that I sent Secretary Mattis aletterof support. Since then, however, it seems the department has done very little to change its ways.Over the past few months alone, the Defense Department has had to explain why it's been paying $14,000 for individual 3-D printed toilet seat lids and purchasingcupsfor $1,280 each. These are just the latest examples on a long list of unacceptable purchases made by the department, including $436 forhammersin the 1980s, and $117soap dish coversand $999pliersin the 1990s. These wasteful expenditures reflect major underlying financial problems at the department, whose 2019 budget is more than$700 billion. If it had its financial house in order, overpriced parts and contracts might have been detected before ever being approved. Effective internal controls to catch and deter fraud, waste, abuse and theft serve as a firewall that would help prevent misuses of taxpayer dollars. In 1990, Congress passed theChief Financial Officers Act, which requires every federal agency toprepare a financial statementthat is subject to audit by either the inspector general or an independent accounting firm. The auditors review the statements and render an opinion: clean, incomplete or failure. The goal is to hold government accountable by identifying and fixing financial problems. Since then, nearly all federal agencies have been able to produce a clean audit annually except for the Defense Department, because of its broken accounting systems.The Pentagon is made up of many branches and agencies with multiple accounting systems. There are hundreds of different accounting systems with hundreds of different processes. This convoluted infrastructure is the perfect environment for waste, fraud and abuse. For example, with so many different systems in place it is easy whether by design or accident for supporting documentation like receipts and contract guidelines to vanish.Without the ability to account for every dollar spent, there is no way for the Defense Department to produce a clean audit. There's also no way of knowing exactly how much or on what money is being spent. Taxpayers pay billions of dollars annually to fund Pentagon programs that are supposed to increase battle readiness, support military personnel and protect national security. Every wasted dollar weakens America's military might and takes resources away from our men and women in uniform and their families. Last month, the Pentagon released the results of its recentfull financial audit, produced at a cost of more than $400 million.They were disappointing but not surprising. Without an accounting system that can provide usable data, an audit is a waste of taxpayer money. What was surprising was the reaction from Pentagon officials. A deputy defense secretarytold reporters, We never thought we were going to pass an audit. The tone of the comment speaks volumes about a lasting cavalier attitude at the Pentagon regarding reckless spending of taxpayer dollars. It would be smart of the department to fix its accounting systems before spendinghundreds of millions of dollarson any future audit that will render the same predictable results. Americans routinely balance their checkbooks, scrutinize their credit card statements and review their banking phone apps to manage their household budgets. There's no reason the Defense Department can't effectively do the same thing.Some in Congress have tried to pressure the department to get its financial house in order. In 2015, I worked with a Democratic colleague, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, to try to passtheAudit the Pentagon Act, which would have provided incentives to the Defense Department to produce a clean audit. But the measure was not brought up for a vote. I also co-sponsored an amendment to the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, the Pentagon's main spending bill, that would have required the Pentagon to report how much it spends preparing for audits and to verify data within its accounting systems. Again, the legislation went nowhere. Ultimately Pentagon leaders must hold every department under them including the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps accountable for their financial failings. They need to heed the words of Secretary Mattis and live up to his promise that they'll be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/audiovideo-grassley-christmas-and-new-year-messages,AUDIO/VIDEO: Grassley Christmas and New Year Messages,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,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/first-step-act-team-effort-years-making,First Step Act: A Team Effort Years in the Making,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Statement Floor Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Passage of the First Step Act of 2018 Wednesday, December 19, 2018 VIDEO M. President, today is a good day for representative government. A good day for the taxpayer. And a good day for safe streets and strong families. Last night, by a vote of 87-12, the Senate adopted the First Step Act. Today, the House is expected to send it to the President, who's waiting with a pen to enact once-in-a-generation criminal justice reform. The First Step Act will help keep our streets safe and it offers a fresh start to those who've put in the work to get right with the law while paying their debt to society. It also addresses unfairness in prison sentencing and revises policies that have led to overcrowded prisons and ballooning taxpayer expenses. Several decades ago, Congress passed well-intentioned laws imposing harsh mandatory sentences to stop the flow of drugs in our communities. I voted for those laws. But they've had some unintended consequences. Our prison population has exploded and the taxpayer burden to house inmates has followed suit. Today, taxpayers pay more than $7 billion a year on our federal prison population. However, despite that high cost, nearly half of the inmates released today are re-arrested. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee for the last 38 years, I consider myself a law and order Republican. I'm also a taxpayer watchdog. And I believe in the redemptive power of rehabilitation. So in 2015, I began to take a closer look at our prison and sentencing laws. We needed to make the system work better for the taxpayer, help law enforcement fight crime, and put a stopper in the revolving prison door. Roughly 95 percent of federal inmates will one day return to society. The bipartisan First Step Act creates recidivism reduction programs to help inmates spend their time in prison preparing for their eventual return to society. Several states across the country have deployed these education, treatment and training programs. The result has been a significant decline in recidivism. This means fewer crimes, fewer victims and fewer tax dollars spent housing inmates. The First Step Act is carefully crafted to provide opportunities at redemption for low-risk inmates while ensuring that dangerous and career criminals stay behind bars. It does this through a multi-layer system that filters out dangerous criminals and those likely to commit new crimes. The bill rewards only those who take personal responsibility for their mistakeswho put in the time and effort to turn their lives around. It also improves fairness in sentencing while preserving important law enforcement tools. It reduces some mandatory minimum sentences, but expands their application to include violent felons. It grants judges additional discretion to sentence low-level, non-violent offenders to less-lengthy sentences so long as they fully cooperate with law enforcement. Finally, it eliminates the disparity in sentences for crack and powder cocaine offenses, which disproportionately impacts communities of color. Passing these reforms has been a team effort years in the making. It couldn't have been done without the stalwart commitment by a somewhat unlikely cadre of colleagues and advocates. We've had to compromise to make this possible, to seek to understand the other's point of view. In doing so, I think we made the bill better. And we accomplished something of historic significance that will reduce crime, make our system more just, and improve lives for generations to come. Senators Durbin and Lee were instrumental in this effort. Their interest in criminal justice reform dating back to 2014 inspired the Senate to take a fresh look at our sentencing and prison laws. Senator Graham, the incoming chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Cornyn, and Senator Whitehouse have also been with us since the very beginning of this effort. Senators Booker and Scott both share a passion for criminal justice reform and have been vocal advocates shining a light on the shortcomings and societal impact of our current system. Credit is also due to our House colleagues Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Nadler, and Congressmen Collins and Jeffries who introduced the First Step Act on the House. And thanks to Speaker Ryan for his support and pledge to bring this to the House floor so quickly. At every step along the way, we've stuck together. We pitched this bill to our colleagues, and made changes based on their suggestions. We also relied on the input and expertise from a variety of groups from across the political spectrum. In the end, this campaign earned the support of several top law enforcement organizations and tough on crime champions like President Trump. I think it's important to acknowledge the President's leadership on this issue. When he got involved, he closed the deal and we got this done. He was helped in that effort by Jared Kushner. Early in President Trump's administration, I pulled Jared aside to discuss taking up criminal justice reform. He took the issue and ran with it, and helped find a way forward to accomplish something previous administrations have tried and failed to do. Brooke Rollins and Ja'Ron Smith at the White House were instrumental in this effort too. I'd also like to thank the Majority Leader for staying true to his word and bringing this bill to the floor when we demonstrated support for our effort. I appreciated his support for the bill as well. And thanks are also due to Senate floor staff on both sides of the aisle, who helped us successfully navigate the bill to final passage. I want to thank my Senate staff who helped make this possible. Bipartisan compromise is not for the faint of heart, and they've stayed true to the commitment that Senator Durbin and I made to each other to move forward, step-by-step, in complete agreement about that path we should take. I'd like to thank my Judiciary Committee Staff Director, Kolan Davis. Kolan's steady hand and sound judgment improves everything he's involved in. I value his counsel today just as I have for the last 33 years. By my side today is Aaron Cummings, my Chief Constitution Counsel and Crime Counsel. He led the effort to negotiate this bipartisan deal in my office, and worked hard to see it through and to organize a vast coalition of support. I'd also like to thank Brian Simonsen for his diligent work on this important bill. Our DOJ detailees to the Judiciary Committee Tom Sullivan and Erin Creegan provided sound technical advice. And my sincere thanks also goes to my talented communications team Taylor Foy, Judiciary Committee Communications Director, and George Hartmann, Judiciary Committee Press Secretary, as well as Michael Zona for their dedication to this effort and their successful campaign to educate and persuade so many to support this bill. I'm thankful for my personal office staff led by my chief of staff Jill Kozeny. Jill has been my trusted advisor for over 30 years. She is leaving my staff, and I will be sad to see her go. She has been an exceptional leader, solving problems I didn't even know I had. And she's done it all with matchless grace and what I like to call Iowa nice. I'm also grateful to Jennifer Heins, who keeps me on track and provides sound strategic advice. Their contributions, and those of every staffer who was part of this effort, have been invaluable. I'd also like to thank Senator Durbin's staff, particularly his chief counsel Joe Zogby and his counsel Rachel Rossi. Working with my staff, the White House, and others, they must have closed this deal more than a dozen times. But in the end their dedication, creativity, and effort got it done. I want to give particular thanks to the law enforcement groups whose support and input were key to bill's success, including the Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National District Attorneys Association, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, and Law Enforcement Leaders. I'd also like to thank the groups that made this effort possible. A diverse and broad coalition of other groups from the ACLU to the American Conservative Union supported the bill. I can't list all the groups who offered key support, but they included FreedomWorks, Justice Action Network, Americans for Tax Reform, Heritage Action, the Due Process Institute, Faith & Freedom Coalition, R Street, Right on Crime, Texas Public Policy Foundation, Prison Fellowship, and members of an Interfaith Criminal Justice Coalition. I will submit a complete list of support for the record. So this was a combined effort one on a scale not often seen in Washington these days. I'm grateful for everyone's work to bring about these historic reforms. Together, we've taken steps to reduce crime and recidivism. To strengthen faith and fairness in the criminal justice system. And to signal to those willing to make amends that redemption is within reach. Together we've taken an important step to live up to the commitment we make every time we pledge allegiance to the flag: to provide liberty and justice for all. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-new-york-times-op-ed-these-toilet-seats-aren-t-gold-plated-they-cost,"Grassley New York Times Op-ed: These Toilet Seats Aren’t Gold-Plated but They Cost $14,000",2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"These Toilet Seats Aren't Gold-Plated but They Cost $14,000 By U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa In a July 21, 2017memo, the secretary of defense, James Mattis, made promising comments about his ambitions to end wasteful spending at the Pentagon. He wrote that he expected leaders at all levels in the department to exercise the utmost degree of stewardship over every penny spent and that only by instilling budget discipline, by establishing a culture of cost awareness, and by holding ourselves accountable, can we earn the trust and confidence of the Congress and the American people that we are the best possible stewards of taxpayer dollars. I've spent more than three decades reviewing egregious spending at the Defense Department. The sentiments expressed in the memo were encouraging, so much so that I sent Secretary Mattis aletterof support. Since then, however, it seems the department has done very little to change its ways. Over the past few months alone, the Defense Department has had to explain why it's been paying $14,000 for individual 3-D printed toilet seat lids and purchasingcupsfor $1,280 each. These are just the latest examples on a long list of unacceptable purchases made by the department, including $436 forhammersin the 1980s, and $117soap dish coversand $999pliersin the 1990s. These wasteful expenditures reflect major underlying financial problems at the department, whose 2019 budget is more than$700 billion. If it had its financial house in order, overpriced parts and contracts might have been detected before ever being approved. Effective internal controls to catch and deter fraud, waste, abuse and theft serve as a firewall that would help prevent misuses of taxpayer dollars. In 1990, Congress passed theChief Financial Officers Act, which requires every federal agency toprepare a financial statementthat is subject to audit by either the inspector general or an independent accounting firm. The auditors review the statements and render an opinion: clean, incomplete or failure. The goal is to hold government accountable by identifying and fixing financial problems. Since then, nearly all federal agencies have been able to produce a clean audit annually except for the Defense Department, because of its broken accounting systems. The Pentagon is made up of many branches and agencies with multiple accounting systems. There are hundreds of different accounting systems with hundreds of different processes. This convoluted infrastructure is the perfect environment for waste, fraud and abuse. For example, with so many different systems in place it is easy whether by design or accident for supporting documentation like receipts and contract guidelines to vanish. Without the ability to account for every dollar spent, there is no way for the Defense Department to produce a clean audit. There's also no way of knowing exactly how much or on what money is being spent. Taxpayers pay billions of dollars annually to fund Pentagon programs that are supposed to increase battle readiness, support military personnel and protect national security. Every wasted dollar weakens America's military might and takes resources away from our men and women in uniform and their families. Last month, the Pentagon released the results of its recentfull financial audit, produced at a cost of more than $400 million.They were disappointing but not surprising. Without an accounting system that can provide usable data, an audit is a waste of taxpayer money. What was surprising was the reaction from Pentagon officials. A deputy defense secretarytold reporters, We never thought we were going to pass an audit. The tone of the comment speaks volumes about a lasting cavalier attitude at the Pentagon regarding reckless spending of taxpayer dollars. It would be smart of the department to fix its accounting systems before spendinghundreds of millions of dollarson any future audit that will render the same predictable results. Americans routinely balance their checkbooks, scrutinize their credit card statements and review their banking phone apps to manage their household budgets. There's no reason the Defense Department can't effectively do the same thing. Some in Congress have tried to pressure the department to get its financial house in order. In 2015, I worked with a Democratic colleague, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, to try to passtheAudit the Pentagon Act, which would have provided incentives to the Defense Department to produce a clean audit. But the measure was not brought up for a vote. I also co-sponsored an amendment to the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, the Pentagon's main spending bill, that would have required the Pentagon to report how much it spends preparing for audits and to verify data within its accounting systems. Again, the legislation went nowhere. Ultimately Pentagon leaders must hold every department under them including the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps accountable for their financial failings. They need to heed the words of Secretary Mattis and live up to his promise that they'll be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/audio/capitol-hill-report-196,Capitol Hill Report,2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"721 Federal Building 210 Walnut Street Des Moines, IA 50309 Phone: 515-288-1145 Fax: 515-288-5097 111 7th Avenue SE, Box 13 Suite 6800 Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Phone: 319-363-6832 Fax: 319-363-7179 201 West 2nd Street Suite 720 Davenport, IA 52801 Phone: 563-322-4331 Fax: 563-322-8552 210 Waterloo Building 531 Commercial Street Waterloo, IA 50701 Phone: 319-232-6657 Fax: 319-232-9965 307 Federal Building 8 South 6th Street Council Bluffs, IA 51501 Phone: 712-322-7103 Fax: 712-322-7196 120 Federal Building 320 6th Street Sioux City, IA 51101 Phone: 712-233-1860 Fax: 712-233-1634",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/audio/sen-grassley-christmas-message-18-seconds,Sen. Grassley Christmas Message (18 seconds),2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"721 Federal Building 210 Walnut Street Des Moines, IA 50309 Phone: 515-288-1145 Fax: 515-288-5097 111 7th Avenue SE, Box 13 Suite 6800 Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Phone: 319-363-6832 Fax: 319-363-7179 201 West 2nd Street Suite 720 Davenport, IA 52801 Phone: 563-322-4331 Fax: 563-322-8552 210 Waterloo Building 531 Commercial Street Waterloo, IA 50701 Phone: 319-232-6657 Fax: 319-232-9965 307 Federal Building 8 South 6th Street Council Bluffs, IA 51501 Phone: 712-322-7103 Fax: 712-322-7196 120 Federal Building 320 6th Street Sioux City, IA 51101 Phone: 712-233-1860 Fax: 712-233-1634",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/audio/sen-grassley-christmas-message-27-seconds,Sen. Grassley Christmas Message (27 seconds),2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"721 Federal Building 210 Walnut Street Des Moines, IA 50309 Phone: 515-288-1145 Fax: 515-288-5097 111 7th Avenue SE, Box 13 Suite 6800 Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Phone: 319-363-6832 Fax: 319-363-7179 201 West 2nd Street Suite 720 Davenport, IA 52801 Phone: 563-322-4331 Fax: 563-322-8552 210 Waterloo Building 531 Commercial Street Waterloo, IA 50701 Phone: 319-232-6657 Fax: 319-232-9965 307 Federal Building 8 South 6th Street Council Bluffs, IA 51501 Phone: 712-322-7103 Fax: 712-322-7196 120 Federal Building 320 6th Street Sioux City, IA 51101 Phone: 712-233-1860 Fax: 712-233-1634",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/audio/sen-grassley-new-year-message-20-seconds,Sen. Grassley New Year Message (20 seconds),2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"721 Federal Building 210 Walnut Street Des Moines, IA 50309 Phone: 515-288-1145 Fax: 515-288-5097 111 7th Avenue SE, Box 13 Suite 6800 Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Phone: 319-363-6832 Fax: 319-363-7179 201 West 2nd Street Suite 720 Davenport, IA 52801 Phone: 563-322-4331 Fax: 563-322-8552 210 Waterloo Building 531 Commercial Street Waterloo, IA 50701 Phone: 319-232-6657 Fax: 319-232-9965 307 Federal Building 8 South 6th Street Council Bluffs, IA 51501 Phone: 712-322-7103 Fax: 712-322-7196 120 Federal Building 320 6th Street Sioux City, IA 51101 Phone: 712-233-1860 Fax: 712-233-1634",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/audio/sen-grassley-new-year-message-25-seconds,Sen. Grassley New Year Message (25 seconds),2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"721 Federal Building 210 Walnut Street Des Moines, IA 50309 Phone: 515-288-1145 Fax: 515-288-5097 111 7th Avenue SE, Box 13 Suite 6800 Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Phone: 319-363-6832 Fax: 319-363-7179 201 West 2nd Street Suite 720 Davenport, IA 52801 Phone: 563-322-4331 Fax: 563-322-8552 210 Waterloo Building 531 Commercial Street Waterloo, IA 50701 Phone: 319-232-6657 Fax: 319-232-9965 307 Federal Building 8 South 6th Street Council Bluffs, IA 51501 Phone: 712-322-7103 Fax: 712-322-7196 120 Federal Building 320 6th Street Sioux City, IA 51101 Phone: 712-233-1860 Fax: 712-233-1634",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-durbin-statement-senate-s-consideration-first-step-act,"Grassley, Durbin Statement on Senate’s Consideration of the First Step Act",2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois made the following statement on the Senate's 82-12 vote to hold debate and a final vote on the First Step Act this week. Tonight the Senate decided overwhelmingly to wrap up debate and hold a final vote on the bipartisan First Step Act this week. Years of negotiations and input from colleagues, stakeholders, advocates and law enforcement have finally culminated in a broadly bipartisan bill that is backed by President Trump as well as lawmakers and organizations from across the political spectrum. I look forward to a lively debate. This is a unique opportunity to pass once-in-a-generation reforms and to score a victory for the country and for American justice, Grassley said. I am glad that my colleagues have voted to advance this bipartisan legislation. It is the best chance in a generation to make meaningful changes in our federal drug sentencing laws. We cannot waste it. I look forward to debating this bill over the next day and sharing why Congress should pass this bipartisan legislation to begin relieving our overcrowded prisons, redirecting funding to our most pressing crime prevention efforts, making our communities safer, and ensuring the integrity of our justice system, Durbin said. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-tribute-becky-weichland,Grassley Tribute to Becky Weichland,2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Statement for the Record by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Tribute to Becky Weichhand Executive Director, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute Tuesday, December 11, 2018 During this season of Advent, millions of Americans join Christians around the world to celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ. A central tenet of Christianity is borne in the belief that Jesus is the Light of the World. On December 25, we celebrate the light, the hope and the joy our Lord and Savior brings into the world. Today, I pay tribute to a servant of Christ who dedicated her life to bring light, hope and joy to children and families around the world. Her name is Becky Weichhand. Becky blazed a trail of hope and love to spread joy to children, especially those awaiting adoption. To those who knew her best, Becky was an unconditional prayer warrior, who graciously shared love and loyalty to friends and strangers alike. By all accounts, Becky shared uncommon devotion in her advocacy for children, especially those in our nation's foster care system. Since 2014, Becky served as executive director of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Before that, she served as Director of Policy, where she shined light on the needs of children here in the United States and abroad, including the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Cambodia, Vietnam, South Korea, and Haiti. Since first joining the corps of dedicated professionals working to help the foster youth community, Becky had a plan. She had a plan for kids who went to bed each night praying for a forever home. She had a plan for young people who were growing up without a Mom or Dad. She had a plan to connect as many kids as possible with a forever family. Becky worked tirelessly to educate, organize and advocate here on Capitol Hill and at the grassroots. She devoted her life and career to making dreams come true for adoptive parents and their children. Among her priorities and achievements, I know that Becky was committed to growing the Foster Youth Internship program that connects foster youth and congressional offices. The program provides opportunities for foster youth to work on Capitol Hill. Through this program, foster youth collaborate and bring real life perspective to the policymaking tables. I have been fortunate to have an intern through this program who worked with my staff to help develop federal child welfare reforms. They identified more effective ways to serve foster kids, including those who age out of the system. Becky also worked to grow the Angels in Adoption program. It brings recognition to families who go above and beyond the call to action in their local communities to open their hearts and homes to children awaiting adoption. Shining light on the good deeds and unmet needs of others was her way of bringing light to the world. As a founder and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, I would like to turn the spotlight on Becky's good works. She was driven to find a forever family for every child. She was a problem solver brimming with energy. Her advocacy led to important reforms. She believed in miracles. She made every effort to work miracles for children and families. Becky mentored foster youth and paved the way for kids to dream big. She gave them reason to hope that their dreams can come true. I extend my condolences to Becky's family, friends and loved ones. At a very young age, Becky lost a brave battle to cancer. Her legacy will live on and bring joy to countless children and Moms and Dads where it matters the most -- in a forever family united through the blessing of adoption. On Saturday, December 15th, a celebration of life will take place at the First Church of God in Becky's hometown of St. Joseph, Michigan. On this day, her loved ones will celebrate the light, joy and hope she brought to this world. May the blessings of God's heavenly embrace welcome Becky into her new forever home for life everlasting. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-passes-landmark-criminal-justice-reform,Senate Passes Landmark Criminal Justice Reform,2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON The Senate tonight passed once-in-a-generation reforms to America's prison and sentencing system to reduce recidivism, save tax dollars and promote safe communities. The bipartisan First Step Act uses evidence-based recidivism reduction programs to help inmates successfully return to society after serving their sentence. It also reduces some sentences for certain low-level, nonviolent offenders while preserving important law enforcement tools to tackle criminal enterprises. The bill was approved by a vote of 87-12. It's been several decades since Congress made significant reforms to our nation's criminal justice and prison policies. The First Step Act takes lessons from history and from states our laboratories of democracy to reduce crime, save taxpayer dollars and strengthen faith and fairness in our criminal justice system. Today's vote is an important victory in our years-long effort, which has resulted in a broad bipartisan recognition of the need for reforms. This bill is the product of careful deliberation and input from a wide range of stakeholders and law enforcement organizations. I'm grateful for the engagement from those who joined us to pass the bill and for President Trump's leadership. I look forward to the swift passage of the First Step Act by the House, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said Tonight, by a vote of 87-12 the members of the Senate proved that we can work together for the good of our nation. Passage of the First Step Act is the most significant change to our system of criminal justice in decades. It was supported by an amazing coalition of unlikely partners progressive Democrats and conservative Republicans, law enforcement groups and civil rights groups, business leaders and faith-based organizations. By passing this legislation, we will now begin to relieve our overcrowded prisons, redirect funding to our most pressing crime prevention efforts, make our communities safer, and ensure the integrity of our justice system. I commend my colleagues for their spirit of cooperation on this important piece of legislation and I look forward to seeing this legislation signed by the President, Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin said. We did it. We passed real bipartisan criminal justice reform. Thanks to the hard work of my colleagues American families will be stronger and our communities will be safer. This is a huge win for America and President Trump, Sen. Mike Lee said. Our country's criminal justice system is broken and it has been broken for decades. You cannot deny justice to any American without it affecting all Americans. That's why the passage of the First Step Act tonight is so meaningful it begins to right past wrongs that continue to deny justice to millions of Americans. This bill is a step forward for our criminal justice system. By no means can it be the only step it must be the beginning of a long effort to restore justice to our justice system. But for the first time in a long time, with the passage of this bill into law, our country will make a meaningful break from the decades of failed policies that led to mass incarceration, which has cost taxpayers billions of dollars, drained our economy, compromised public safety, hurt our children, and disproportionately harmed communities of color while devaluing the very idea of justice in America, Sen. Cory Booker said Today the Senate took a great step forward in building safer communities and a brighter future for those who have served their time and are re-entering society. By cutting recidivism, encouraging job training, education and mental health and substance abuse treatments for incarcerated individuals, and making our criminal justice system both smarter and tougher, we have taken a positive step forward tonight. I want to thank all of my colleagues for their hard work on this bill, and I look forward to House passage and the President enthusiastically signing the First Step Act into law, Sen. Tim Scott said. This bill is the product of years of bipartisan hard work, patience, and strong advocacy by Rhode Islanders and people across the country, including those who have gone through the system themselves. Senator Cornyn and I drew on our home states' success in helping low-risk inmates return to society, stay out of trouble, and contribute to their community. The bill will also address serious issues with sentencing practices that land too many people in prison for too long. Thank you to the Rhode Islanders who contributed to this bill, and to my colleagues from both sides of the aisle who joined me in this effort, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said. The First Step Act combines prison reform proposals that overwhelmingly passed in the House of Representatives earlier this year with sentencing reform provisions from the broadly bipartisan Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, which was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee in February. The comprehensive package aims to reduce crime by helping low-risk inmates prepare to successfully rejoin society through participation in proven recidivism reduction programs. It also improves fairness in prison sentences by recalibrating certain mandatory minimum sentences while expanding their application to new categories of violent felons. The bill grants greater discretion to judges in sentencing of low-level, nonviolent drug offenders who cooperate with law enforcement. It also clarifies congressional intent on sentencing enhancements for certain crimes involving firearms. The First Step Act preserves the maximum potential sentences for violent and career criminals. Finally, the legislation also allows petitions for retroactive application of theFair Sentencing Actto be considered on an individual basis to reduce sentence disparities between crack and powder cocaine offenses. Under this legislation, any savings generated by the reforms are automatically reinvested into law enforcement programs to further reduce crime and improve community safety The First Step Act includes safeguards that prevent career and violent criminals from receiving earned time credits toward pre-release custody following completion of recidivism reduction programs. Under the bill, each inmate is evaluated using a data-driven risk and needs assessment tool to determine their likelihood of reoffending upon release. Only inmates found to be a low or minimum risk may benefit from earned time credits. Conviction for a number of serious offenses also disqualify inmates from earning time credits. The First Step Act is modeled after state-based reforms that have proven to reduce crime, prison populations and taxpayer expenses. It is endorsed by President Trump and cosponsored by more than a third of the Senate, evenly balanced among Democrats and Republicans. The First Step Act is backed by a number of law enforcement groups, including thenation's largest police group. It's alsosupported by 172 former federal prosecutorsincluding two former Republican U.S. attorneys general, two former deputy attorneys general and a former director of the FBI along withsheriffs from 34 statesacross the country. The National Governor's Association, which represents the governors of all 50 states,praised the bill. A broad coalition of conservative and progressive groups along with a host of business leaders and faith-based organizations also support theFirst Step Act. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-urges-colleagues-support-revised-first-step-act,Grassley Urges Colleagues to Support Revised First Step Act,2018-12-17,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Prepared Floor Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee On the Senate's consideration of the revised First Step Act Monday, December 17, 2018 VIDEO We're here today to begin debate on the First Step Act of 2018the most significant criminal justice reform bill in a generation. Our country is based on the rule of law. If someone commits a crime, they should be punished. And that punishment should be severe enough to deter others from committing crimes. But for our criminal justice system to serve our society well, it has to do more than punish and deter. Recidivism rates are far too high and drive crime rates up. In the federal system, 49 percent of prisoners are rearrested within eight years, and 32 percent are convicted of new crimes. We must better prepare prisoners to leave behind their criminal past and to become productive citizens when they leave prison. We also need to make sure that criminal sentences are tough enough to punish and deter, but not be unjustly harsh. Sentences should not destroy the opportunity of redemption for inmates willing to get right with the law. The First Step Act is tough on crime but fair. To tackle the high recidivism rates in our country, the bill establishes evidence-based programming that has reduced recidivism at the state level. The bill provides incentives for inmates willing to put in the work to complete these programs. Under this bill, a prisoner may earn 10 days of time credit for every 30 days of successful participation, which they can apply toward pre-release custody. However, access to these incentives is only available to those who pose little risk of committing new crimes. The First Step Act requires the Bureau of Prisons to implement a risk assessment system to determine an inmate's risk of returning to crime after prison. Access to the earned time credits is limited to those who pose a minimum or are low risk. The bill also makes clear that violent and high-risk criminals convicted of certain serious offenses are ineligible for the pre-release custody program. The list of disqualifying offenses includes crimes relating to terrorism, murder, sexual exploitation of children, and gun crimes among others. All fentanyl traffickers are disqualified from earning time credits as well. The bill also makes sentencing fairer by returning some discretion to judges during sentencing. Some have called for eliminating mandatory minimums or cutting them back severely. I am a supporter of mandatory minimum sentences to help law enforcement take down criminal enterprises, but I also recognize that there's some unfairness in how they are sometimes applied. The First Step Act leaves in place maximum sentences while addressing overly harsh and expensive mandatory minimums for certain nonviolent offenders. Locking up low-level offenders for needlessly long prison sentences diverts resources that are needed elsewhere to fight crime. To address this, the First Step Act makes a number of changes to sentencing guidelines. First, the legislation clarifies that enhanced penalties for using a firearm during a crime of violence or drug crime should be reserved for repeat offenders of such crimes. That's what Congress had intended when it created the enhanced penalty. Second, the bill would reduce the three-strike penalty from life imprisonment to 25 years. The 20-year minimum is reduced to 15 years. The bill also broadens the mandatory penalties, applying them to more of the worst criminals. Third, the bill provides for more judicial discretion by expanding the existing federal safety valve to include more low-level, nonviolent offenders. Consistent with existing law, a judge cannot apply the safety valve unless the defendant has fully cooperated with law enforcement. And lastly, the bill allows for the retroactive application of the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, which reduced the 100-to-1 disparity in sentencing between crack and powder cocaine. I want to acknowledge President Trump's leadership on criminal justice reform. Without his engagement, we wouldn't be here today. He deserves credit for brokering a deal that improves fairness and supports law enforcement. A tremendous amount of credit is also due to my colleagues in the Senate who helped to forge a bipartisan compromise on a complex issue. I'd especially like to thank my colleague Senator Durbin. He's been my partner through this entire process. Our bipartisan cosponsors, including Senators Lee, Booker, Graham, Whitehouse, Scott, Feinstein, Cornyn and Leahy, also deserve praise for reaching this deal. The product of years of negotiating and listening to each other is a bill that will reduce crime, strengthen faith in our justice system, support law enforcement, and give thousands of people a better shot at living a good life. I urge all of my colleagues to join with President Trump and our bipartisan coalition of supporters to support the First Step Act. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8455DA3A-96A1-4582-931B-65F2FB79E235,"Ernst: It is important that we protect people with pre-existing conditions, as we repeal and replace Obamacare.",2018-12-15,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) released the following statement today after a federal judge in Texas ruled Obamacare unconstitutional: Too many Iowa families and businesses have been hurt by the painful effects of Obamacare from rising costs, to losing access to doctors, to hampering businesses' ability to hire new employees. Health care reform should be focused on choice, not mandates. Yet, it is important that we protect people with pre-existing conditions, as we repeal and replace Obamacare. To guarantee the availability of coverage in the individual or group market, including people with pre-existing conditions, I cosponsored legislation that would prohibit discrimination against beneficiaries based on health status. I urge my colleagues to join me, and Sen. Tillis, in protecting people with pre-existing conditions by helping us ensure this bill becomes law. Background: On December 14, 2018, a federal judge in Texas v. United States issued a declaratory judgement, stating that the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) is unconstitutional. His ruling is based on the elimination of the tax penalty for the Individual Mandate in the ACA that was included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which goes into effect in January 2019. The judge entered a declaratory judgement, not an injunction, which means that individuals are still able to purchase insurance through the health care exchange. Senator Ernst works to ensure that patients with pre-existing conditions are not penalized in our health insurance system, and to ensure that Iowans, especially those in rural communities, continue to have access to the services they need. Senator Ernst cosponsored Senator Thom Tillis' (R-NC) Ensuring Coverage for Patients with Pre-Existing Conditions Act, legislation that guarantees the availability of coverage in the individual or group market, for all Americans, including those with pre-existing conditions, regardless of the outcome in Texas v. United States. The legislation prohibits discrimination against beneficiaries based on health status, including the prohibition against increased premiums for beneficiaries due to pre-existing conditions.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=62C6CBBD-FF79-4319-BD3B-5B7641D071C4,"Sioux City Journal: Ernst sees farm bill, WOTUS rule change as good news",2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Passage of an $867 billion, five-year farm bill and the EPA's proposed changes in the controversial Waters of the United States rule have made this a great week for Iowa agriculture, according to Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa. The Iowa Republican, a member of the House-Senate conference committee on the farm bill, said [Thursday], I can tell you this is good news for Iowa. Farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our economy, and it is our responsibility to provide them with the certainty and predictability they deserve, Ernst said in a conference call with reporters. With their livelihoods dependent on factors largely out of their control, getting the farm bill done was a must-do and a big win. To read the article in full, click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=910283E3-B2EB-440F-AECE-4A7221214751,Osceola Sentinel-Tribune: Letter to the Editor,2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"President Trump has made clear he is committed to finally making year-round E15 a reality. E15 is a biofuel mix made with 15 percent ethanol. Unlocking E15 will deliver a much-needed jolt to rural economies throughout Iowa. For some years in the 1980s I helped design and oversee the development of a number of early ethanol plants. I know firsthand how homegrown biofuels can greatly benefit rural economies. This industry provides jobs, and drives demand for Iowa corn. One thing to keep in mind is that the production facilities have a co-product -- distillers grain -- that is highly valuable in the feeding of livestock and reduces the cost of our beef, pork and poultry. The corn is pre-digested in the fermentation process, with 19 pounds of distillers grain replacing 56 pounds of raw corn. So one added benefit is that there is less manure to spread! And are NOT using food for fuel! Also, when one looks it up it will be seen that it is certified that ethanol added to gasoline as an octane enhancer has kept gasoline prices at least 30 cents per gallon lower over the past decade while improving our air quality. And my experience is that I get increased MPG with an ethanol blend as opposed to regular gasoline. Check your mileage out for yourself. I'm thankful we have leaders such as Senator Ernst and Senator Grassley who are fighting for Iowa grown renewable fuels and improved livestock feeds. While President Trump has signaled the summertime sales restriction will be lifted, it's urgent our leaders in Washington continue working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the administration to swiftly implement year-round E15.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=CDEFDBE0-3FAB-4524-9FED-9E73C1D8222A,"Iowa's Joni Ernst sees farm bill, WOTUS rule change as good news",2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Passage of an $867 billion, five-year farm bill and the EPA's proposed changes in the controversial Waters of the United States rule have made this a great week for Iowa agriculture, according to Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa.The Iowa Republican, a member of the House-Senate conference committee on the farm bill, said, I can tell you this is good news for Iowa.Farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our economy, and it is our responsibility to provide them with the certainty and predictability they deserve, Ernst said in a conference call with reporters. With their livelihoods dependent on factors largely out of their control, getting the farm bill done was a must-do and a big win.Ernst was pleased her Farmers First language that addresses the incredibly high rate of suicide in the agricultural community was included in the final version, which now goes to President Donald Trump. It will provide mental health support and resources to farmers, she said. Other Ernst proposals in the bill included the GROW Act, which she said will revise and strengthen conservation programs, and another program to encourage food stamp recipients to use more dairy products. She called it a win-win for nutrition and dairy producers. Subscribe to Breaking News Another huge win was the EPA-proposed replacement for the burdensome Obama-era WOTUS rule. Since implemented in 2015, Ernst said, farmers have been in a state of regulatory limbo.However, the proposed rule will provide much-needed predictability and certainty by establishing clear and reasonable definitions as what qualifies as a WOTUS, Ernst said.That rule, she said, has been one of her top priorities since arriving in Congress in 2015. She sponsored legislation to nullify WOTUS, but President Barack Obama vetoed it.With this new proposed rule, she said, we are one step closer to finally ending egregious federal overreach. Subscribe to Breaking News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=29A86CA4-4348-418A-9582-2160F460BE61,Ernst Statement on Holding Saudi Arabia Accountable and Finding a Diplomatic Solution to the War in Yemen,2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, a combat veteran, released the following statement about her vote against the Sanders-Lee Yemen Resolution that invokes the 1973 War Powers Resolution (Senate Joint Resolution 54) and her co-sponsorship of the Joint Resolution Supporting a Diplomatic Solution in Yemen and Condemning the Murder of Jamal Khashoggi (Senate Joint Resolution 69): I condemn the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and support a diplomatic solution to the war in Yemen. That is why I cosponsored a resolution that explicitly calls for a diplomatic solution to the war in Yemen, while also holding the Saudi Crown Prince responsible for Jamal Khashoggi's murder. By cosponsoring Resolution 69, I am supporting peace talks between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels in Sweden, which are showing significant promise including a ceasefire in the port city of Hodeidah, which was agreed to yesterday. Some of my colleagues pushed to make the Yemen resolution a referendum on Saudi Arabia's involvement in the killing of Mr. Khashoggi; however, invoking the War Powers Resolution when our troops are not engaged in hostilities sets a bad precedent and could hamstring U.S. strategic goals in the region. Background: S.J. Res. 54, the Sanders-Lee Yemen Resolution uses the War Powers Resolution to justify withdrawing support to the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen. In her statement about this resolution on November 30, 2018, Senator Ernst explained that she voted against this resolution because U.S. forces are not directly engaged in hostilities in Yemen, the premise of the resolution is flawed, and because members of the coalition in Yemen are strategic allies to the U.S. and greatly assist our counterterrorism and stability operations in the region. In addition to not directly citing Jamal Khashoggi, S.J. Res 54 also adopted an amendment which defined hostilities to include refueling Saudi aircraft, something that the United States is no longer doing; thanks in part, to Senator Ernst's engagement earlier this year with Secretaries Mattis and Pompeo to request that the United States cease its refueling support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. Saudi Arabia and the United States recently announced that support would no longer be provided by the United States, with Saudi Arabia now taking full responsibility for refueling missions connected to the civil war in Yemen. Through her actions, Senator Ernst has supported holding Saudi Arabia accountable and finding a diplomatic solution to the war in Yemen, but believes that invoking the War Powers Resolution in the way it is used in S.J. Res. 54 is setting bad precedent and is not the appropriate vehicle for holding Saudi Arabia accountable. By cosponsoring S.J. Res. 69, Senator Ernst is: Showing that she believes that the Saudi Crown Prince is responsible for Khashoggi's murder and should be held accountable; Cautioning the Saudi government against closer ties with Russia and China; Admonishing Iran for supplying Houthi rebels; Supporting an end to the refueling of Saudi planes that carry out strikes on civilians; Acknowledging there is no statutory authorization for U.S. involvement in hostilities in Yemen's civil war; and, Calling for a diplomatic end to the war in Yemen.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=94D98F6D-F815-43B3-A6A3-1BD63CE61863,Ernst Nominates 33 Iowans for Admission to U.S. Service Academies,2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,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 member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced U.S. Service Academy nominations for 33 high school seniors from across the state of Iowa. As a combat veteran, and mother of a West Point plebe, 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 2023. U.S. Air Force Academy: James Baker Bettendorf* Nathan Brush Clive Mitchell Clements North Liberty Josiah Cole Altoona Cory Critchlow Carlisle Charles Haefner Cedar Rapids Adam Laubenthal Davenport Michael McCurry Cedar Rapids William Rankin Hull Kassidy Rashid Burlington Britain Saluri Des Moines* Hunter Sherry Boone Josiah Stearns Windsor Heights Micah Treptau Lansing Olivia Wong Ames Gabriel Yingst Woodward U.S. Naval Academy: Faith Bonilla Bettendorf Daunte Burns Dyersville Aiden DeWitt Dubuque* Abram Dierickx Lowden Alex Hooker Webster City Dara Hulstein Cedar Falls Will Jefferson Le Claire* William Jones Council Bluffs* Allison Mitchell Clinton Kyle Otte Clive U.S. Military Academy at West Point: James Baker Bettendorf* Elias Brehm Dubuque Aiden DeWitt Dubuque* Jack Gehl Asbury Anders Grau United Kingdom Grace Greer Iowa City Williams Jones Council Bluffs* Cole Mabry Iowa City Carson Parker Story City Grace Ries Asbury U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: Will Jefferson Le Claire* Britain Saluri Des Moines* *The admissions process to the service academies is highly competitive, and Senator Ernst encourages students to apply for more than one academy. This denotes students who are being nominated for both their first and second choice of service academy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=D637AC6F-7233-442F-8D14-682AA2A565A9,Ernst: It is critical that Congress have a zero-tolerance policy,2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), released the following statement following the Senate passage of a congressional anti-sexual harassment bill by unanimous consent: There is no place for sexual harassment in our schools, workplaces, military or anywhere else. It is critical that Congress have zero-tolerance for this type of behavior. The bipartisan anti-sexual harassment bill passed by the Senate today will ensure that members of Congress hold themselves to the same standards as the rest of the country, said Senator Joni Ernst. Background: This bipartisan Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) of 1995 Reform Act will ensure that members of Congress hold themselves to the same standards as businesses and individuals across the country. The legislation ensures that members of Congress, their staffs and all employees of the Legislative Branch are provided with the necessary training on prevention and reporting procedures to combat sexual harassment in the workplace. Additional details on the CAA Reform Act include: The Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act would update and strengthen the procedures available to victims of harassment and discrimination and other violations of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. The legislation holds members of the Senate and the House personally accountable by requiring them to pay for acts of harassment, intimidation or reprisal they personally commit against an employee based on any protected class including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetic information, age, disability or veteran's status. The CAA ensures Members who leave office will still be responsible for repayment, including garnishing non- government wages and retirement annuities to ensure full accountability. The bill provides employees with immediate access to a dedicated advocate who will provide confidential consultation and assistance throughout any proceedings before the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, including assistance with drafting of a claim. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-new-farm-bill,Q&A: New Farm Bill,2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Q&A:New Farm Bill With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: Why did you vote against the 2018 Farm Bill? A: For years I have worked to restore fiscal integrity to the farm safety net. Protecting the financial viability for America's farmers and ranchers strengthens U.S. food security and national security. Farm families are integral to the social fabric of Rural America. However, federal farm payments ought to provide a limited safety net that helps farmers weather the storms of natural disasters and the unpredictability of commodity markets. Federal farm payments should not be manipulated to help corporate farming operations get bigger and bigger at taxpayer expense. Iowa farmers tell me they want to earn their prosperity from the marketplace, not the federal treasury. As a taxpayer watchdog and outspoken advocate for the family farm, I worked to shut off the federal spigot to unlimited farm payments and enact reasonable, enforceable payment caps during debate on the last two farm bills. Despite my commonsense amendment approved by both houses of Congress to limit abuses of Title 1 subsidies in 2014, it was stripped during final negotiations. Five years later, I resurrected my bipartisan payment limits amendment. It was adopted by the Senate earlier this year in the new Farm Bill. Again, it would have restricted the number of non-farmers eligible for $125,000 in farm payments or $250,000 if they are married. As a lifelong family farmer, I know it takes a combination of sweat equity and financial equity to keep a farming operation productive and profitable. As far as I'm concerned, recipients cashing subsidy checks from the federal treasury ought to have farm dirt underneath their fingernails to qualify. To my disgust, the final version of the 2018 Farm Bill once again failed to include my payment limit reforms. Even worse, it expands eligibility to include nieces, nephews and first cousins. Make no mistake. Big operators will hire attorneys to structure their farming operation to maximize federal payments that effectively undermine the integrity of the safety net. Contrary to arguments made by opponents of my amendment, expanding eligibility is not a magic solution to help beginning farmers get started. It will, however, expand loopholes for big operators to harvest more cash from the federal treasury. I have never had a single young or beginning farmer tell me that the way to help them get started is by handing out more money to the largest farmers. Congress needs to get serious about overspending. This Farm Bill missed an opportunity to do just that. For years, the top 10 percent of farmers has received more than 70 percent of farm payments from the federal government. Enough is enough. Expanding eligibility will only create hurdles for beginning farmers and expand loopholes that add to the debt and taxpayer burden. For these reasons, I voted no on the 2018 Farm Bill. Q: Do you support other provisions included in the Farm Bill? A: As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I worked in good faith throughout the last year to improve the farm safety net for farmers, livestock and dairy producers. Trade tariffs, low commodity prices and market volatility are putting a pinch on the farm economy. Having a farm bill signed, sealed and delivered will alleviate some of the anxiety. Specifically, the $867 billion bill sets agriculture and food policy for the next five years. It will allow farmers to choose between the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) programs. Starting next year, farmers may enroll into these programs on a crop-by-crop and farm-by-farm basis. In 2020, farmers may update yield calculations at their local Farm Service Agency office. In addition to funding for food stamps (which accounts for 80 percent of Farm Bill spending), crop insurance, trade, research and conservation programs, the Farm Bill includes money for rural broadband and mental health programs in rural America. I give a lot of credit to my friend and colleague from Iowa, Senator Joni Ernst for her leadership to reform the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). As usual, I rely on input from Iowans to influence decisions at the policymaking tables. We've been getting an earful that federal CRP payments essentially forced local farmers to compete with the federal government for leasing agreements. Some landowners were receiving $300 per acre to enroll their entire farms in CRP. This put young and beginning farmers at a competitive disadvantage. Senator Ernst was instrumental in restoring the original intent of this program to reduce land erosion, improve water quality and boost wildlife population. Let's be clear. A multi-year decline in farm income and uncertainty for farm exports is pinching the bottom line for Iowa farmers, especially corn and soybean growers. Although I voted against the final bill because of my payment limit amendment getting scrapped at the tail end, I support much of what was in the final bill and I'm glad farmers at least will have a measure of certainty in a time of uncertainty in rural America. When I take up the reins of the Senate Finance Committee in January, I will continue working to open markets for American agriculture, grow homegrown renewable fuels and foster prosperity in Rural America.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-completes-his-2018-social-media-series-cornwatch,Grassley Completes His 2018 Social Media Series #CornWatch,2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"NEW HARTFORD, IOWA U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, a family farmer, created a social media series called #CornWatch that gave followers an insider look at farming operations and tracked the progression of the corn crop grown on the Grassley family farm in New Hartford, Iowa from planting through harvest. The series concludes for the year this week. Food doesn't grow in supermarkets. It grows in the fields of Rural America by hardworking, dedicated farmers. The purpose of my #CornWatch series was to highlight how this small percentage of Americans does the work and is dedicated to feeding and also fueling the world. In Iowa, agriculture accounts for one out of every five jobs and makes up 33 percent of the state's economy. However, only two percent of all Americans work directly on farms. The process of seeing a crop through from beginning to end is one that many never 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 the #CornWatch series and how important it is to the country's success. 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. He has consistently called for a new Farm Bill that would include commonsense reforms to ensure federal assistance only goes to farmers who truly need it instead of millionaire non-farmers gaming the system. Grassley has also been a proponent of reforms to the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The program's intended purpose is to reduce land erosion, improve water quality and help wildlife populations. However, over the years it has put young and beginning farmers at a competitive disadvantage by allowing some landowners to receive more than $300 per acre from the federal government to enroll their entire farms in the program. To see the #CornWatch series in its entirety, click here. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-names-new-chief-staff,Grassley Names New Chief of Staff,2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said today that he will have a new Chief of Staff in the new year as longtime aide Jill Kozeny departs and a member of his current Judiciary Committee staff steps into the role. Aaron Cummings will begin the position on January 2. Others on Grassley's senior staff leadership team in Washington remain in place heading into the new year, including Penne Barton, Administrative Director; Jennifer Heins, Director of Scheduling; James Rice, Legislative Director; and Michael Zona, Communications Director. Carol Olson, based in Des Moines, serves as State Director. Cummings has been serving as Chief Constitution Counsel and Crime Counsel on the Chairman's Judiciary Committee staff. In addition to his legal background and management experience in public policy, litigation, investigations, and law and regulatory compliance, Cummings is a seasoned communicator who has worked on high-level initiatives with senior officials in all three branches of the federal government, including in the speechwriting department of President George W. Bush. Kozeny first joined Sen. Grassley's staff in 1989 as Assistant Press Secretary and served for many years as Communications Director before being tapped as his Chief of Staff in 2013. Kozeny served in this role on his personal office staff during Grassley's historic chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee and his continued, effective advocacy for rural America, renewable sources of energy, tax fairness and government accountability. During Kozeny's tenure as Chief of Staff, Grassley was re-elected to a seventh term in the United States Senate. Grassley's personal office staff is comprised of 25 employees in Washington handling legislative, administrative, and communications responsibilities. It also includes 15 employees in six offices in Iowa handling primarily constituent liaison and services responsibilities. In January, Grassley will move from chairing the Judiciary Committee to again chairing the Finance Committee, having led this tax, trade and health care policy panel as both Chairman and Ranking Member from 2001 through 2010. At the start of the 116th Congress on January 3, 2019, Grassley also will become third in line to the presidency when the U.S. Senate approves his new leadership role as the Senate President pro tempore. Grassley said he will to continue to make congressional oversight of the federal bureaucracy and anywhere tax dollars flow a top priority of his in the U.S. Senate. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-yemen-war-powers-resolution-jamal-khashoggi-resolution,"Grassley Statement on Yemen War Powers Resolution, Jamal Khashoggi Resolution",2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today released the following statement regarding his vote against the Yemen War Powers Resolution, S. J. Res. 54, and his vote in favor of S. J. Res. 69, which calls for peace negotiations for Yemen and condemned the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and named the Crown Price of Saudi Arabia as responsible for his death. The Yemen Resolution adopted by the Senate purports to invoke the War Powers Act, which is designed to require the removal of U.S. troops from combat, in order to end U.S. support for Saudi-led coalition forces fighting the Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen. But U.S. forces are not in combat in Yemen and ending U.S. logistical support wouldn't end the war in Yemen. All withdrawing support would do is help Iran in its effort to take over a country and establish a foothold in the Arabian Peninsula. The ongoing civil war in Yemen is devastating. This brutal and gruesome conflict has killed thousands. The United States should support an immediate ceasefire and consider what can be done to achieve lasting peace. In the meantime, providing the coalition American technology and logistical support helps limit civilian casualties and reduce further unnecessary suffering. The resolution passed by the Senate invokes the War Powers Act to end U.S. involvement in the coalition that is opposing the attempt by the Iranian-backed Houthis to overthrow the government in Yemen. However, hostilities' has historically been interpreted to mean that U.S. soldiers are engaged in actual combat, which they are not. This could set an uncertain precedent that could have unforeseen implications well beyond this conflict. If Congress decides to limit any activity by the military in any part of the world, it could do so through the regular legislative process, such as the annual National Defense Authorization Act. Last night, the Senate passed a separate resolution, with Senator Grassley's support, backing the peace negotiations for Yemen under United Nations auspices. It also condemned the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and put the Senate on record that it believes Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is responsible. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qa-new-farm-bill,Q&A: New Farm Bill,2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Q&A:New Farm Bill With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: Why did you vote against the 2018 Farm Bill? A: For years I have worked to restore fiscal integrity to the farm safety net. Protecting the financial viability for America's farmers and ranchers strengthens U.S. food security and national security. Farm families are integral to the social fabric of Rural America. However, federal farm payments ought to provide a limited safety net that helps farmers weather the storms of natural disasters and the unpredictability of commodity markets. Federal farm payments should not be manipulated to help corporate farming operations get bigger and bigger at taxpayer expense. Iowa farmers tell me they want to earn their prosperity from the marketplace, not the federal treasury. As a taxpayer watchdog and outspoken advocate for the family farm, I worked to shut off the federal spigot to unlimited farm payments and enact reasonable, enforceable payment caps during debate on the last two farm bills. Despite my commonsense amendment approved by both houses of Congress to limit abuses of Title 1 subsidies in 2014, it was stripped during final negotiations. Five years later, I resurrected my bipartisan payment limits amendment. It was adopted by the Senate earlier this year in the new Farm Bill. Again, it would have restricted the number of non-farmers eligible for $125,000 in farm payments or $250,000 if they are married. As a lifelong family farmer, I know it takes a combination of sweat equity and financial equity to keep a farming operation productive and profitable. As far as I'm concerned, recipients cashing subsidy checks from the federal treasury ought to have farm dirt underneath their fingernails to qualify. To my disgust, the final version of the 2018 Farm Bill once again failed to include my payment limit reforms. Even worse, it expands eligibility to include nieces, nephews and first cousins. Make no mistake. Big operators will hire attorneys to structure their farming operation to maximize federal payments that effectively undermine the integrity of the safety net. Contrary to arguments made by opponents of my amendment, expanding eligibility is not a magic solution to help beginning farmers get started. It will, however, expand loopholes for big operators to harvest more cash from the federal treasury. I have never had a single young or beginning farmer tell me that the way to help them get started is by handing out more money to the largest farmers. Congress needs to get serious about overspending. This Farm Bill missed an opportunity to do just that. For years, the top 10 percent of farmers has received more than 70 percent of farm payments from the federal government. Enough is enough. Expanding eligibility will only create hurdles for beginning farmers and expand loopholes that add to the debt and taxpayer burden. For these reasons, I voted no on the 2018 Farm Bill. Q: Do you support other provisions included in the Farm Bill? A: As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I worked in good faith throughout the last year to improve the farm safety net for farmers, livestock and dairy producers. Trade tariffs, low commodity prices and market volatility are putting a pinch on the farm economy. Having a farm bill signed, sealed and delivered will alleviate some of the anxiety. Specifically, the $867 billion bill sets agriculture and food policy for the next five years. It will allow farmers to choose between the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) programs. Starting next year, farmers may enroll into these programs on a crop-by-crop and farm-by-farm basis. In 2020, farmers may update yield calculations at their local Farm Service Agency office. In addition to funding for food stamps (which accounts for 80 percent of Farm Bill spending), crop insurance, trade, research and conservation programs, the Farm Bill includes money for rural broadband and mental health programs in rural America. I give a lot of credit to my friend and colleague from Iowa, Senator Joni Ernst for her leadership to reform the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). As usual, I rely on input from Iowans to influence decisions at the policymaking tables. We've been getting an earful that federal CRP payments essentially forced local farmers to compete with the federal government for leasing agreements. Some landowners were receiving $300 per acre to enroll their entire farms in CRP. This put young and beginning farmers at a competitive disadvantage. Senator Ernst was instrumental in restoring the original intent of this program to reduce land erosion, improve water quality and boost wildlife population. Let's be clear. A multi-year decline in farm income and uncertainty for farm exports is pinching the bottom line for Iowa farmers, especially corn and soybean growers. Although I voted against the final bill because of my payment limit amendment getting scrapped at the tail end, I support much of what was in the final bill and I'm glad farmers at least will have a measure of certainty in a time of uncertainty in rural America. When I take up the reins of the Senate Finance Committee in January, I will continue working to open markets for American agriculture, grow homegrown renewable fuels and foster prosperity in Rural America. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=03FF60D0-5561-4B56-A249-E9D843DA69D7,Iowa Public Radio: Iowa Senator Applauds New Water Rule,2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Iowa's junior senator is celebrating the release of a new rule defining what is considered a water of the U.S. (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The WOTUS rule dates to the Obama administration and has been held up in court because some people felt it would put too much land under federal oversight. Iowa's farmers, ranchers, manufacturers and small businesses can now breathe a sigh of relief knowing that going forward a tire track that collects rain water won't be regulated by the federal government, Republican Joni Ernst told reporters on a conference call. She says the EPA has revised the rule to reduce federal oversight. We certainly want clean water, we want clean soil and clean air, Ernst said, but this is something we feel that our states can handle on their own. But Neil Hamilton, director of the Drake Agricultural Law Center, says that was also true under the original rule. That's the type of just hyperbolic overstatements that the Farm Bureau and others made against the rule for years and years, Hamilton said, adding that the new rule still will require a decision about whether certain waterways fall under federal purview.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-thanks-law-enforcement-groups-continued-work-revised-first-step-act,Grassley Thanks Law Enforcement Groups for Continued Work on Revised First Step Act Released,2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa issued the following statement with respect to the substantive input from certain law enforcement organizations in the revised First Step Act released. When we set out to update and reform our criminal justice system, we sought the expertise from a broad range of stakeholders and advocates. Our focus has always been to reduce crime and recidivism and improve fairness in a way that promotes safety and respect for the law. We could not have done this without the essential input from a number of key law enforcement organizations that partnered with us in this endeavor. The Fraternal Order of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives played a formative role in the updated text we released. Their continued leadership and good faith engagement have cut a path forward on a once-in-a-generation chance to improve American justice. I'd also like to thank the National District Attorneys Association, the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime and Incarceration, who gave valuable input on this bill. Their engagement offered important law enforcement perspective in the initial stages of our work. While some groups have chosen to stay on the sidelines or even undermine our work, these organizations have provided us with critical feedback needed to refine and strengthen the First Step Act. They have helped to advance law enforcement priorities and the goals of reform. With President Trump's continued leadership, the wealth of input from voices across the political spectrum, and Senator McConnell's work in bringing this up for a vote, I look forward to getting this bill signed into law. The Fraternal Order of Police and International Association of Chiefs of Police also spoke to their work to further strengthen the First Step Act in a statement Friday. More information on the revised First Step Act: Law enforcement support for the First Step Act: -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-passage-farm-bill,Statement on passage of the Farm Bill,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,David Young,Y000066,davidyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Iowa Congressman David Young said the following after voting to pass H.R. 2, the Agriculture Improvement Act: ""After months of delays which have left our farmers and producers with uncertainty, we have finally voted to give them certainty to plan for the future. This legislation enhances conservation projects and continues a stable crop insurance program for those who need it. ""I'm thankful my provisions, the WATER Act and the STRESS Act in the final bill. The WATER Act will help streamline conservation grant funding and create a publicly accessible conservation database so farmers and conservationists can see what practices work best on different types of soil. The STRESS Act will provide much needed mental health resources to agriculture workers who take their lives at a rate higher than workers in any other industry. ""As a co-founder of the Food Waste Caucus, I was proud to support the creation of a Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to assist in meeting the government's goal of reducing food waste by 50 percent by 2030. Currently, 40 percent of our food is lost somewhere along the food supply chain while millions of Americans go hungry and we must do better to get food to those in need. This liaison is one step in a long road to reducing waste and feeding those who go hungry."" Read more about Congressman Young's WATER Act HERE. Read more about Congressman Young's STRESS Act HERE. Read more about Congressman Young's work as a co-founder of the Food Waste Caucus HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/king-farm-bill-passage-is-a-victory-for-iowa-agriculture-and-biofuels,King: Farm Bill Passage is a Victory for Iowa Agriculture and Biofuels,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Steve King,K000362,steveking.house.gov,,,legacy,"Legislation contains important King initiatives Washington, D.C.- Congressman Steve King, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, releases this statement following House passage of the conference report accompanying H.R. 2, the Farm Bill. King voted in favor of the legislation, and it contains several important agriculture and biofuel initiatives successfully championed by King. The Farm Bill passed the House on a vote of 369-47, with King voting in favor of passage. The legislation will now be sent to President Trump for his signature. Iowa's farmers want a Farm Bill that provides predictability, while also enhancing our ability to trade in foreign markets, and this bill accomplishes both of these goals, said King. I am pleased that the final bill contains important provisions that I requested, including the Genome to Phenome' language that was a priority for Iowa State, vaccine bank language promoting the development and storage of GMO vaccines in the United States to deal with sudden outbreaks, and full funding for the Market Access Program which promotes foreign trade of our agricultural goods. This Farm Bill is a victory for our producers, it meets Rural America's immediate need for greater trade, and it's shameful that partisan politics prevented it from passing sooner. Congressman King was successful in getting the final version of the Farm Bill to include many of his proposals. Among the major King initiatives in the Farm Bill conference report are: Title 1 ARC payments for farmers will now be based on the physical location of the farm, a major win for 4th District farmers; CRP payments have been brought under control (now 90% for continuous contracts and 85% for general contracts). Reforming CRP payments is the number one change sought by Congressman King's Ag Leadership Committees; King-backed Genome to Phenome language will allow Iowa State to further its research into the impact on crops of weather, environmental, and production systems; Vaccine bank legislative language now allows for the production and storage of GMO vaccines in the United States which will result in a quicker and more effective national response to curtail emergency outbreaks of diseases like FMD. King raised this issue with Secretary Perdue during an Agriculture Committee hearing on February 2; The Energy Title was preserved as a separate title in the Farm Bill, a designation King insisted upon in order to protect mandatory funding for important biofuel programs; Full Funding for the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program requested by King to enhance the ability of Iowa's producers to engage in international trade; Increased funding for Beginning Farmer loans by $6 billion, while also increasing loan amounts available under the program. The new loan limits are: Guaranteed Loan Limits $1,750,000 (up from $1,400,000), Direct Operating Loan Limits are now $400,000 (up from $300,000) and Direct farm Ownership Loan Limits are now $600,000 (up from $300,000); Increased the rural minimum standard for broadband internet service which means that rural areas, like Iowa's 4th Congressional District, will now be provided with greater connectivity speeds.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-king-farm-bill-contains-good-things-for-iowa-agriculture,Video- King: Farm Bill Contains Good Things for Iowa Agriculture,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Steve King,K000362,steveking.house.gov,,,legacy,"Cites Iowa State's Genome to Phenome language; Full Funding for Trade Programs; FMD Vaccine Bank as key provisions in bill. Washington, D.C.- Congressman Steve King, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, releases this video of remarks he delivered on the House floor this afternoon in support of the Farm Bill conference report. During his remarks, King specifically mentioned several of the important provisions he worked to insert into the legislation that will be of great benefit to producers in the 4th District. This Farm Bill provides predictability. We owe that to our producers. (Full remarks: here). Among the items King's mentioned in his remarks as ""good things"" are the following items he worked to get included in the Farm Bill: 1) ARC Payments are now identified with the physical location of the farm; 2) $255,000,000 has been included for the Market Access Program and for Foreign Market Development, important programs which promote international trade; 3) The Farm Bill establishes a vaccine bank for Foot and Mouth Disease, and allows for the development and storage of GMO vaccines in the United States; 4) The Farm Bill increases the loan guarantee limits for young producers (Beginning Farmers) by substantial amounts; 5) The Farm Bill includes important ""Genome to Phenome"" research language which was a priority for Iowa State University. The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the Farm Bill Conference Report today. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-chinese-espionage-it-s-called-cheating-and-it-s-only-getting-worse,Grassley on Chinese Espionage: It’s called cheating. And it’s only getting worse.,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on China's Non-Traditional Espionage Against the United States: The Threat and Potential Policy Responses Wednesday, December 12, 2018 VIDEO We've heard a constant drumbeat over the past two years about the national security threats posed by Russia. Attempts to sow discord and inflame partisan differences through social media, and attempts to interfere with our elections through cyber intrusions are real threats. They should not be underestimated. I've held seven hearings on election meddling. But the media hysteria over all things Russia has distracted attention from arguably a greater, more existential threat: China's efforts to overtake the United States as the world's preeminent superpower in all phases of society. China has made no bones about doing this through any and all means. Whether it be President Xi's stated goal of becoming the world's biggest superpower by 2050, or the Made in China 2025 initiative that called for a ten year overhaul of China's manufacturing and high-tech industries, the PRC's plans for superiority includes economic dominance. The United States remains the most creative, innovative society on earth. Although China has made significant strides in various sectors including technology, telecom, advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and scientific research one tool of economic advancement continues to be pervasive. That's economic and other forms of espionage. In simple terms, it's called cheating. And it's only getting worse. In the past nine months alone, DOJ has investigated, charged, or convicted at least 16 individuals and four corporate entities in eight separate cases involving theft of trade secrets. Over the past five years, six more individuals have been either investigated, charged or convicted by DOJ for stealing research from American universities. One case involves a Chinese intelligence officer who is a deputy division director from China's main spy agency. He's the first Chinese intelligence official to be brought to the United States and tried in open court. A slew of other Chinese intelligence officers and hackers were charged in a multi-year plan to steal sensitive commercial aviation data. Then there is the massive plot by a Chinese government-owned company to steal U.S. semi-conductor technology. These cases, in particular, highlight the threat of Chinese state-controlled economic espionage. Just last week, we saw the arrest of the Chief Financial Officer of Huawei, the largest telecommunications company in China. And a financial firm owned by China's Ministry of Finance reportedly used various shell companies to conceal efforts to get sensitive satellite technology from Boeing. That technology has potential military applications. Although those two cases did not strictly involve espionage, they point to a broader issue: cold disinterest to American sanctions enforcement and a callous indifference for broader adherence to the rule of law. When it comes to espionage, FBI Director Wray has said there's no country that's even close to the People's Republic of China. General Keith Alexander called China's estimated gains from economic espionage of up to $600 billion, the greatest transfer of wealth in history. China is believed to be responsible for 50 to 80 percent of cross-border intellectual property theft worldwide, and over 90 percent of cyber-enabled economic espionage in the United States. Reports issued this year by the White House Office on Trade and Manufacturing, the U.S. Trade Representative, and ODNI all report detailed findings on China's role as a prime cyber-attacker and thief of American intellectual property and technology. The National Institutes of Health announced in August of this year that it has discovered NIH grants are going to researchers who are not disclosing their contributions from foreign governments. Chinese Talent programs seek to recruit American researchers, in order to bring technological advancements back to China. Confucius Institutes, found at many of our nation's top universities, and directly funded by the Chinese government, stifle intellectual freedom and quiet all those who would criticize China with revisionist histories. In response to the growing number of cases, DOJ recently announced a new initiative to combat Chinese economic espionage. I look forward to hearing more about the initiative and any legislative proposals needed to address these problems. We often get distracted by the shiny objects in front of us. I fear that China is all too happy to have our attention deflected away from the threat they pose to our economy, our innovation, our businesses, and our very standing in the world. Nobody is in favor of billions in American IP being stolen. Nobody supports researchers violating the terms of their government grants in favor of a foreign government. We all should condemn cyberattacks on government and private sector information and systems. The question is: how can we counter these activities? I hope we can come to an answer together. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-senate-finance-committee-priorities-116th-congress,Grassley on Senate Finance Committee Priorities for the 116th Congress,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Floor Remarks by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa On Senate Finance Committee Tax Priorities for the 116th Congress Wednesday, December 12, 2018 VIDEO Mr. President, As the 115th Congress winds down, I'd like to reflect on the enactment of historic tax legislation and what's ahead in the New Year. In December of 2017, Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the most comprehensive reforms to the nation's tax laws in more than three decades. For years, both sides of the aisle talked about the need for tax reform that would provide tax simplification, tax fairness and increase America's economic competiveness. With the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, we finally made that a reality. Significant simplification was achieved for individuals by nearly doubling the standard deduction. This means people will be able to pay less and avoid the tedious task of itemizing their taxes. Overall, about 90 percent of taxpayers will file their taxes by simply taking the standard deduction. Moreover, thanks to a significantly higher alternative minimum tax (AMT) exemption, millions of middle-class taxpayers will no longer be faced with figuring out their tax liability twice once to calculate their regular tax liability and again to calculate it under the AMT. It also provided tax fairness by reducing taxes across every income group. In fact, middle-income families experience the largest tax cuts by percentage. Additionally, the reforms made the tax code more progressive, with taxpayers earning more than $1 million shouldering a larger share of the tax burden than they did under previous law. In addition to nearly doubling the standard deduction, tax relief was targeted at middle-class families by doubling the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000 per child. It also reduces the previous 15 percent tax bracket to 12 percent and the 25 percent tax bracket to 22 percent. As a result, a typical family of four earning $59,000 a year will see a tax cut of more than $1,600 in 2018. A key motivation for tax reform was to boost economic growth and increase America's global competiveness. America's tax code should favor American jobs, workers and businesses. That means leveling the playing field so we're not put at a disadvantage with other countries. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act brought the corporate and international tax systems into the 21st century. And you can tell it's already working. Now other countries are looking at lowering their tax rates to compete with us. This included lowering the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. In one fell swoop, we went from a tax rate that was the highest in the developed world to below the world average of 23 percent. That means global corporations will be more inclined to create jobs here, not other countries. We also modernized America's international tax system. We were one of the last major countries to tax businesses on a worldwide basis. By moving toward a more territorial system, we freed-up more than $2 trillion for investment here at home that American companies were holding overseas. These changes to the international tax rules don't just help U.S. companies that operate globally to compete in the worldwide marketplace, but also help them grow their businesses here at home with more jobs, better wages, and increased investment. Just as important, we worked to ensure small businesses and pass-through entities received equitable treatment. The new 20 percent qualified business deduction benefits pass-through businesses of all sizes, down to the smallest family farmer or corner bakery. Enhanced expensing rules were included to help all businesses, spurring investment in new equipment and machinery. Our efforts have contributed to a strong and growing economy. The unemployment rate is at a half a century low. Wages are rising at the fastest rate in nearly a decade. And workers, employers and small business owners are all more optimistic than ever. America's working again. As we look forward to a new year in 2019, with a new Congress and a new majority in the House, it's my hope that we can work in a bipartisan way to build upon this economic success. I'll be doing my part as the incoming chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. And I see plenty of opportunity. Unfortunately, I hear increasing calls from the incoming House majority pledging to erase the progress made with the tax cuts and reforms I have just outlined. The proof of tax reform's success is in today's economy. It's in the best shape it's been in a long time. Why would we want to go backward toward stagnation, pessimism and joblessness? Of course, no major piece of legislation is perfect. To the extent there are legitimate efforts to perfect the tax law, I'm all ears. But to the extent these efforts would undermine the strength of the American economy for the sake of ideology by hiking taxes and undoing important reforms to modernize the tax system and increase America's global competitiveness they'll be met with stiff resistance from this senator. Instead of playing politics, we should be focused on examining how the law is affecting individuals, families, and businesses in our respective states or districts. And where necessary, we should work together to take action and ensure the law is fulfilling its full potential. We should also work toward providing tax certainty for individuals and small businesses. This would include making permanent: Marginal tax rate cuts for individuals and families,The doubling of the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000,The innovative 20-percent deduction for small businesses to provide certainty needed to make investment and hiring decisions, andThe ability of businesses to recover the cost of investment in property and equipment faster. I hope my colleagues in the House of Representatives join me in these efforts. I've yet to hear a good reason why we shouldn't make these and other tax relief measures permanent. It's the right thing to do for the economy, the right thing for job creation, and the right thing for wage growth. I would also like to see us continue working on other important areas that we started in this Congress. This includes improving retirement savings, bringing the IRS into the 21st century, protecting taxpayer rights, enhancing the competitiveness of U.S. businesses and encouraging research, development and innovation. I also hope that there would be plenty of opportunity to work on a bipartisan basis on tax issues involving everything from education to renewable and alternative energy to consumer-directed health care options. I've heard a lot about the desire of the new House majority to engage in oversight of the current Administration. I will put my record of oversight up against anyone's record. However, I want my colleagues to know that I do not intend to engage in political fishing expeditions. I think a person like me that's had an equal opportunity approach to oversight, treating Republican administrations the same as Democratic administrations, speaks for itself. So, I will not go along with efforts to weaponize the authority of tax-writing committees to access tax returns for political purposes. Such an action would be unprecedented. But, if Democrats are interested in doing non-partisan, good government oversight, count me in. I hope they will join me in my efforts to:Hold the IRS accountable to taxpayers;Ensure the nonprofit sector is living up to the purpose of its tax-exempt status,Stand up for tax whistleblowers who expose tax cheats, andTrack down, expose, and address tax shelters. My hope is that in the new Congress we will be able to work to address important tax matters in a bipartisan fashion. I am proud of my strong record of bipartisanship on the Finance and Judiciary Committees. I intend to continue my good working relationships with my colleagues across the aisle and hopefully forge a few new ones, not only in the Senate, but also with the new majority in the House. I yield the floor. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-passes-bipartisan-juvenile-justice-reauthorization-0,Senate Passes Bipartisan Juvenile Justice Reauthorization,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON The United States Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation, led by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa, to secure new protections for minors and improve accountability measures in the federal juvenile justice grant program. Kids in our juvenile justice system need safety, fairness and treatment that encourages respect for the law. That's why this bill deserved to be passed. There was one final hold on the Democratic side that finally relented, allowing this bill to pass the Senate unanimously. Thanks to Congressman Bobby Scott for his swift help to make that happen, Grassley said. This will be the first update to the law in over a decade. Our bill includes important new accountability measures that protect taxpayer dollars and prevent states from being rewarded when failing to provide the minimum standard of protections for minors. The legislation, called the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2018, takes steps to reduce the unnecessary incarceration of youth, improves safeguards for minors who encounter the justice system and strengthens services that encourage a smooth transition back into society. This bill is a bicameral compromise that blends the previous Senate and House versions. The original Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act was enacted in 1974 to ensure the safety of at-risk youth who enter the juvenile justice system, and assist states with delinquency prevention programs and activities. The program has not been updated since 2002 and is long overdue to be reauthorized. The bill improves the existing law by: Improving treatment for juvenile offenders with mental illness and substance abuse issues;Encouraging states to make efforts to identify, report and reduce racial and ethnic disparities for youth who enter the juvenile justice system;Supporting alternatives to incarceration, such as problem-solving courts; andStrengthening oversight of the federal grant program and holding states accountable for failing to meet core grant requirements to protect the safety of minors in the justice system. This bill is expected to be taken up in the House of Representatives on suspension and quickly sent to the President for signature to become law. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://loebsack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395209,"Loebsack Precision Ag Legislation, Rural EMS & Broadband Funding Included in Farm Bill",2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,IA,Dave Loebsack,L000565,loebsack.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the final Farm Bill Conference report was made public. This legislation represents the final compromise between the House and Senate and is scheduled to be voted on later this week. I am pleased that the House and Senate were finally able to put aside the partisan games and produce a Farm Bill that will provide Iowa's farmers and rural communities with the certainty that they need to be able to plan for the upcoming planting season, said Loebsack. I am especially pleased that this bill provides funding to build new broadband infrastructure to help expand access in rural areas. It also protects crop insurance that provides a safety net for beginning farmers against crop failures and natural disasters such as the droughts we've seen in Iowa the last few years. The 2018 Farm Bill contains two pieces of legislation that Loebsack has been championing, including the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act and the SIREN Act. The Precision Agriculture Act establishes a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) task force, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), to evaluate the best ways to meet the broadband connectivity and technological needs of precision agriculture. Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act creates a $10 million grant program for EMS agencies in rural areas to help address issues they face, including personnel recruitment and retention, providing continuing education and preparedness training, purchasing updated equipment, maintaining adequate coverage during prolonged transport times, and obtaining qualified medical oversight Additional highlights of the 2018 Farm Bill include: Rural Development: Authorizes $350 million per year for new broadband infrastructure. Reauthorizes rural water and sewer infrastructure programs.Commodities: Allows farmers to update program yields for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage as a way to boost their eligibility for support. Miscellaneous: The bill continues to support a strong Energy title. The bill supports a strong Conservation Title, including maintaining Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and increasing Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage to 27 million acres over the course of the farm bill. $300 million in mandatory funding for new animal pest and disease prevention and response programs, including $30 million annually for a national animal vaccine bank. Maintains current SNAP benefits.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/there-s-still-work-do-capitol-solutions,Theres still work to do: Capitol Solutions,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,David Young,Y000066,davidyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"With just about two weeks left in the 115thCongress, I remain determined to deliver solutions and results on the issues Iowans are facing. Still on the to-do list is finishing the Farm Bill and funding the people's government for Fiscal Year 2019. I've been working with my colleagues for months to help finalize the Farm Bill and ensure provisions I authored are included in the final version. My bill, the WATER Act, was included in therecently released Farm Bill - which is a compromise between the House and Senateversions.Itwill help improve soil health and further water quality practices by improving research and creating an easy to use andpubliclyaccessible database so farmers and conservationists can see what practices work best on various types of soil and topographies. Another one of my bills, the STRESS Act, was also included in theFarm Bill. Agriculture workers take their lives at a rate higher than any other occupation and the STRESS Act provides resources for those who are struggling. The Farm Bill also includes policies strengthening our rural communities which have been a priority of mine in Congress. It authorizes substantial funding for conservation practices, rural development, broadband and infrastructure. This is desperately needed so our rural areas have the communication tools and resources they need to help them thrive. Included in the Farm Bill was thecreation of a Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.The liaison is responsible for coordinatingfederal projects and goalsaimedat reducing food waste andeducating the publicabout effortstoreduce food waste. Currently, 40 percent of our food is wasted somewhere along the food supply chain and the liaisonwill work with those in the private and non-profit sectors already on the ground to help find solutions to this problem. Our farmers need certainty so they can plan for the future and make the right investments. I remain committed to working with anyone to finish the Farm Bill before the end of the year. Our Constitution requires the Congress to set priorities in funding our federal government.As Iowa's only voice on the Appropriations Committee in either the House or Senate, I've worked to bring Iowans' tax dollars back to Iowa. Through grant programs, federal partnerships, and investments in rural priorities and communities, I've been able to deliver for Iowans in the Third District. Earlier this year, I worked to pass the STOP School Violence Act. This new law provides funding for schools to purchase additional security measures to keep our students and teachers safe, such as hiring a school resource officer or purchasing security equipment, such as locks, monitoring cameras, and metal detectors. The bill also provides funding for mental health and behavioral counseling for students. And Iowa schools are benefitting. CrestonCommunity Schools was just awarded a $500,000 grant by the Department of Justice to enhance security at their facilities because of this new law.The school will install systems, controls, and upgrades to help keep students and teachers safer. This is just one example of how programs I have supported and worked to create are benefitting Iowans. As I work to finalize government funding for this Fiscal Year 2019, I'll continue to look for the best ways to help Iowans and ensure their government is working for them.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://steveking.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-king-tells-google-politically-biased-search-results-may-lead-to,"VIDEO- King tells Google: Politically Biased Search Results may lead to ""Teddy Roosevelt"" style break-up.",2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Steve King,K000362,steveking.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Steve King, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, releases this video of his questioning of Google CEO, Sundar Pichai, during today's hearing entitled ""Transparency and Accountability: Examining Google and its Data Collection, Use, and Filtering Practices."" In his questioning, King was particularly interested in discussing Google's lack of transparency concerning both the composition of its 1,000 member strong search team and also the search algorithms they work on. King made it clear to Google today: if the company continues to cloak its actions and its algorithms in a veil of secrecy to protect manipulating search results to reflect their political biases, they may very well find themselves moving on a path that leads to a Teddy Roosevelt style break-up. To watch Congressman King's questioning of Mr. Pichai click the image or here. An excerpt from Congressman King's statement: ""If we don't know who the 1,000 are, and we can't look at their social media, and we can't see the algorithms to understand the results of the work they are doing behind closed doors, and yet the public believes it's an open forum with a balanced exchange and open access to information when, of course, it's not... We either need to know who they are and look at their social media, and if that doesn't stop this problem than the next step is to publish the algorithms, and if that doesn't happen, then the next step on the line is Section 230, the amendments to Section 230. And the step on the line beyond that is the Teddy Roosevelt step. . . I don't want to regulate anything, but neither do I want to see a society so polarized and so divided that the will of the American people can't be expressed at the ballot box."" Background: The ""Teddy Roosevelt"" step is a shorthand reference to anti-monopoly Trust Busting, a hallmark of that President's administration. Congressman King has previously suggested that Social Media Companies engaged in the censorship of conservative views could find themselves subject to regulation as if they were public utilities.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/featured-posts?ContentRecord_id=A287E83E-7840-4CE9-B969-A68A93856371,Click here to learn more,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON After months of hard-work and negotiation, the U.S. Senate passed the 2018 Farm Bill today, with strong bipartisan support. The 2018 Farm Bill is farmer-focused and welcome news for Iowa. From strengthening conservation programs to providing critical mental health support through my FARMERS FIRST Act, the 2018 Farm Bill provides certainty for our farmers and strong support for our rural communities. I am proud to support the 2018 Farm Bill and would like to thank all the Iowans across the state who provided valuable information and feedback throughout this long process, said Senator Joni Ernst. Senator Joni Ernst is a member of the Conference Committee and is the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy. The 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee released the final text of the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Report on December 10, 2018 and the final bill passed the Senate today (December 11, 2018). The 2018 Farm Bill provides much-needed certainty and predictability for Iowa producers, and all of rural America, and is the result of years of bipartisan work across the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The 2018 Farm Bill includes many of Senator Ernst's priorities: Supporting Our Nation's Dairy Farmers: The 2018 Farm Bill includes a proposal for a pilot program that would encourage Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to purchase more milk to improve participants' diets, especially lower-income families with children. Protecting Farmers Against Adverse Changes in Market Conditions: Provisions from bipartisan legislation that strengthen and improve the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC)-County Level program are included in the 2018 Farm Bill, specifically provisions that: require payments to be based on the physical location of a farm; prioritize the use of actual county yield data; encourage the Secretary to pro rate base acres and payments where appropriate; and, prioritize the yields compiled by the Risk Management Agency (RMA) as the data for ARC.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/featured-posts?ContentRecord_id=AC88B021-B962-40E3-BA8D-56E3C0956BCD,Click here to learn more,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' proposed rule, released today, to define waters of the United States (WOTUS). This rule replaces the Obama Administration's 2015 WOTUS rule, which gave the federal government authority to regulate water on 97 percent of the land in Iowa. For years, people impacted by Obama's WOTUS rule have been in a state of regulatory limbo. The proposed WOTUS rule, released by the Trump EPA, provides much needed predictability and certainty by establishing clear and reasonable definitions of what qualifies as a WOTUS.' Iowa's farmers, ranchers, manufacturers and small businesses can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that, going forward, a tire track that collects rain water won't be regulated by the federal government. I want to thank the EPA, under Acting Administrator Wheeler's leadership, for ensuring this WOTUS replacement rule was released quickly, and properly, to provide much-needed regulatory certainty to the people of Iowa. Background: In 2015, the Obama Administration finalized a rule that expanded the definition of WOTUS, creating confusion and burdensome red tape for the agriculture industry and many others. This harmful rule was developed while former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack served as President Obama's Secretary of Agriculture. Understanding the problems the expanded definition of WOTUS posed for Iowa's farmers and ranchers, Senator Ernst led the fight against this federal overreach in Congress. In September 2015, she introduced S.J.Res.22, a joint resolution of disapproval that would have nullified the Obama Administration's rule. After passing both the House and Senate, S.J.Res.22 was vetoed by President Obama. Soon after taking office in 2017, President Trump issued an executive order directing EPA and Army Corps to develop a replacement for the Obama Administration's WOTUS rule. New EPA WOTUS rule highlights: Outlines six clearly defined categories of waters that will be considered waters of the United States Clarifies that most ditches should not be subject to federal control Clarifies that groundwater, prior converted cropland and storm water control systems in upland areas are not subject to federal jurisdiction Excludes ephemeral features that only contain water during rainfall from federal regulation Restores the balance under the Clean Water Act between waters subject to federal jurisdiction and those subject to state/tribal jurisdiction",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=3046637A-2725-4E71-8143-004CB4CEE431,"The Gazette: As government shutdown looms, Sen. Joni Ernst not backing down on 'Make 'em Squeal' campaign",2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Despite a setback in her efforts to reform the congressional budgeting process, Sen. Joni Ernst remains committed to her efforts to give the budget the force of law and save the process from CHIMPs. With the federal government facing its 21st shutdown since 1974, Ernst is calling for bold changes to hold members of Congress accountable for finishing the budget job on time and to end what she refers to as Washington's addiction to continuing resolutions. As many of you know, I was elected largely on my promise that I would make Washington squeal, the first-term Iowa Republican said, referring to her 2014 Make 'em Squeal campaign slogan. We need bold changes, and I will continue to call for those changes and continue to hold my colleagues accountable until that happens. To read the full article, click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=9A0F07F3-8211-41BC-8CB1-64511E06F340,Ernst Applauds Rollback of Obama Administrations Overreaching WOTUS Rule,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' proposed rule, released today, to define waters of the United States (WOTUS). This rule replaces the Obama Administration's 2015 WOTUS rule, which gave the federal government authority to regulate water on 97 percent of the land in Iowa. For years, people impacted by Obama's WOTUS rule have been in a state of regulatory limbo. The proposed WOTUS rule, released by the Trump EPA, provides much needed predictability and certainty by establishing clear and reasonable definitions of what qualifies as a WOTUS.' Iowa's farmers, ranchers, manufacturers and small businesses can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that, going forward, a tire track that collects rain water won't be regulated by the federal government. I want to thank the EPA, under Acting Administrator Wheeler's leadership, for ensuring this WOTUS replacement rule was released quickly, and properly, to provide much-needed regulatory certainty to the people of Iowa. Background: In 2015, the Obama Administration finalized a rule that expanded the definition of WOTUS, creating confusion and burdensome red tape for the agriculture industry and many others. This harmful rule was developed while former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack served as President Obama's Secretary of Agriculture. Understanding the problems the expanded definition of WOTUS posed for Iowa's farmers and ranchers, Senator Ernst led the fight against this federal overreach in Congress. In September 2015, she introduced S.J.Res.22, a joint resolution of disapproval that would have nullified the Obama Administration's rule. After passing both the House and Senate, S.J.Res.22 was vetoed by President Obama. Soon after taking office in 2017, President Trump issued an executive order directing EPA and Army Corps to develop a replacement for the Obama Administration's WOTUS rule. New EPA WOTUS rule highlights: Outlines six clearly defined categories of waters that will be considered waters of the United States Clarifies that most ditches should not be subject to federal control Clarifies that groundwater, prior converted cropland and storm water control systems in upland areas are not subject to federal jurisdiction Excludes ephemeral features that only contain water during rainfall from federal regulation Restores the balance under the Clean Water Act between waters subject to federal jurisdiction and those subject to state/tribal jurisdiction",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=FCECA42B-803E-4E49-B099-9A989FE38A99,Ernst: This Farm Bill is farmer-focused and welcome news for Iowans,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON After months of hard-work and negotiation, the U.S. Senate passed the 2018 Farm Bill today, with strong bipartisan support. The 2018 Farm Bill is farmer-focused and welcome news for Iowa. From strengthening conservation programs to providing critical mental health support through my FARMERS FIRST Act, the 2018 Farm Bill provides certainty for our farmers and strong support for our rural communities. I am proud to support the 2018 Farm Bill and would like to thank all the Iowans across the state who provided valuable information and feedback throughout this long process, said Senator Joni Ernst. Senator Joni Ernst is a member of the Conference Committee and is the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy. The 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee released the final text of the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Report on December 10, 2018 and the final bill passed the Senate today (December 11, 2018). The 2018 Farm Bill provides much-needed certainty and predictability for Iowa producers, and all of rural America, and is the result of years of bipartisan work across the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The 2018 Farm Bill includes many of Senator Ernst's priorities: Supporting Our Nation's Dairy Farmers: The 2018 Farm Bill includes a proposal for a pilot program that would encourage Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to purchase more milk to improve participants' diets, especially lower-income families with children. Protecting Farmers Against Adverse Changes in Market Conditions: Provisions from bipartisan legislation that strengthen and improve the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC)-County Level program are included in the 2018 Farm Bill, specifically provisions that: require payments to be based on the physical location of a farm; prioritize the use of actual county yield data; encourage the Secretary to pro rate base acres and payments where appropriate; and, prioritize the yields compiled by the Risk Management Agency (RMA) as the data for ARC.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/audio/capitol-hill-report-195,Capitol Hill Report,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"721 Federal Building 210 Walnut Street Des Moines, IA 50309 Phone: 515-288-1145 Fax: 515-288-5097 111 7th Avenue SE, Box 13 Suite 6800 Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Phone: 319-363-6832 Fax: 319-363-7179 201 West 2nd Street Suite 720 Davenport, IA 52801 Phone: 563-322-4331 Fax: 563-322-8552 210 Waterloo Building 531 Commercial Street Waterloo, IA 50701 Phone: 319-232-6657 Fax: 319-232-9965 307 Federal Building 8 South 6th Street Council Bluffs, IA 51501 Phone: 712-322-7103 Fax: 712-322-7196 120 Federal Building 320 6th Street Sioux City, IA 51101 Phone: 712-233-1860 Fax: 712-233-1634",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-remarks-hearing-oversight-us-customs-and-border-protection,Grassley Remarks at Hearing on Oversight of U.S. Customs and Border Protection,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Oversight of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Tuesday, December 11, 2018 VIDEO Commissioner McAleenan, welcome. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be here for this oversight hearing. We have a lot to discuss today. At the outset, I'd like to respectfully remind my colleagues that this hearing is about the Customs and Border Protection agency. This is not a general Homeland Security oversight hearing and CBP is not the legislative body of the federal governmentthat's Congress. However, CBP is one of our premier federal law enforcement agencies. Its officers and agents are responsible for counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, border security, facilitating legitimate travel and trade, and processing both asylum seekers and unaccompanied alien children. All too often, the important work done by Customs and Border Protection officers gets lost in the current debate on immigration policy. Commissioner, when we met last week, I was pleased to hear how committed you are to securing our border, and ensuring the safety of our Customs and Border Protection agents, migrants and other travelers, and the American people. Today's hearing is an opportunity for this Committee to better understand the policies and actions of your agency. It's also an opportunity for you to explain to the American people the important role your agency plays in the day-to-day operations affecting our national security. Perhaps the timeliest issue before your agency is the ongoing conflict at the U.S.-Mexico border. We're long overdue for aggressive increases in resources, technology, infrastructure and personnel. For close to a decade now, we've seen record numbers of surges at the border. In FY18, over 396,000 individuals were apprehended at our southwestern border. And two months into FY19, there have already been over 102,000 apprehended. This year alone we've seen three separate instances of mass caravans make their way up to the United States from the Northern Triangle. The most recent caravanstotaling around 10,000 peoplehave caught our attention for their propensity towards violence and aggression. Reports of hundreds of adult males throwing Molotov cocktails, rocks and glass bottles at unarmed Mexican officials sends a message that the group marching towards America may not only be interested in peacefully seeking refuge and security. Every day traffickers smuggle men, women and children across our border, often subjecting them to physical and sexual assault on the journey. Smugglers extort large sums of money from migrants and force them to pay debts even after they arrive in the United States. Even now, in my home state of Iowa, I've received allegations that unaccompanied alien children are subjected to labor trafficking and forced to work on farms. Smugglers have developed a lucrative business preying on vulnerable migrants. They use legal loopholeslike the restrictions on detaining familiesto entice parents to entrust them with their young children, who are subjected to a harsh and long journey to the border. The smugglers in turn pair the children with strangers, so they can be released as a family unit when apprehended at the U.S. border. In August, I sent a letter to Secretary Nielsen about a 13-year old Guatemalan girl, entrusted to a smuggler by her mother. Understanding that they would be released into the U.S. if they presented themselves at the border as a family unit, the smuggler paired the girl with an unrelated male who lied to CBP agents and said he was her father. Only after both were admitted to a hospital in California, did authorities learn the smuggler had repeatedly raped and abused the girl. I've raised similar concerns dating back to 2015. It's not just smugglers. Cartels and transnational criminal organizations or TCOs also exploit vulnerabilities at the border. Since fiscal year 12, CBP's Office of Field Operations and the U.S. Border Patrol intercepted roughly 14.7 million pounds of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, meth and fentanyl. This includes a 384 percent increase in fentanyl seizures over the past 2 years. And in the past four fiscal years, Border Patrol arrested over 3,800 gang membersnearly half of which were MS-13. The culmination of perceived vulnerabilities at our border and in our immigration laws can be seen in the most recent caravans of over 10,000 people that traveled from Honduras and Guatemala up to the U.S. Let's be clear. Those who organized this effort have taken advantage of the economic insecurity of these people, the majority of whom are seeking a better life. We sympathize with these people, and we welcome those who wish to enter our country legally. However, this is a nation of laws, and for the safety of all, there must be order. The American people are a generous people, but they have also made clear they don't want open borders. Our job in Congress is not just to complain, but to propose sound policy solutions. That's why Senator Lee and I have urged the Administration to execute a safe third country agreement with Mexico that would allow asylum seekers to make their claims in the first country of arrival. Such an agreement would address concerns I've raised about the potential for Special Interest Aliens or SIAs to mask themselves within mass caravans. I'd add that this concern is one we share with President Obama's own Homeland Security Secretary, Jeh Johnson. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-remarks-passage-2018-farm-bill,Grassley Remarks on the Passage of the 2018 Farm Bill,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Prepared Floor Remarks by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa On the Passage of the 2018 Farm Bill Tuesday, December 11, 2018 VIDEO I'd like to begin by thanking Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Roberts and Ranking Member Stabenow for their hard work in putting together the 2018 Farm Bill. It was a long and difficult process and they negotiated in good faith. I also want to thank my friend and colleague from Iowa, Senator Joni Ernst, for her dedication to reforming the Conservation Reserve Program, known as CRP. The program's intent is to reduce land erosion, improve water quality and help wildlife populations. Over the years it has strayed from its intended focus. Some landowners have been receiving more than $300 per acre to enroll their entire farms in CRP. That puts young and beginning farmers at a competitive disadvantage. In fact, even well-established farmers have had rented land taken away from them because it was enrolled in the program at lucrative rates. Farmers can't and shouldn't have to compete with the government, especially with the current debt our country has. Senator Ernst has been an advocate for these reforms and I applaud her efforts. Unfortunately, the 2018 Farm Bill did not include another critical reform that would help young and beginning farmers my payment limitations amendment. To say I'm disappointed the bill makes more subsidies available to the wealthiest farmers and many non-farmers is a severe understatement. Especially when the impact of large farmers being allowed to manipulate the system is that young and beginning farmers face even larger hurdles. So far, the bill has not won much praise outside of the Washington lobby groups whose members will receive more taxpayer subsidies from a few select changes. At its core, farm policy should be a limited safety net that helps farmers weather the storm of natural disasters, unpredictable commodity markets and other unforeseen challenges. This bill goes well beyond that. Today, we have a Farm Bill that is intentionally written to help the largest farmers receive unlimited subsidies from the federal government. There is no other way to characterize what the conference committee has done. In the last Farm Bill, both bodies of Congress approved a commonsense amendment I offered that would have limited the abuses related to Title 1 subsidies. This time, the House did not even allow debate to occur on my reforms. The 2014 Conference Committee put in a loophole that exempted family farms,' which account for approximately 95 percent of farms, from the new rules. This bill makes their original loophole even larger. The new Farm Bill will allow nieces and nephews to qualify as part of a family farm without any new requirements that they actually have to work. Despite what some of my colleagues may say, this is not about helping nieces or nephews get into farming. Every person who really farms already qualifies for Title 1 payments by themselves without this new gimmick. Allowing nieces and nephews to qualify as part of large farm entities merely allows large farmers to get more subsidies. They just need to hire the right lawyer to structure things in a certain way and they can receive unlimited taxpayer subsidies. For years, the top 10 percent of farmers have received over 70 percent of the subsidies from the government. That's only one of the many reasons it's so hard for young and beginning farmers to get started. I know it's hard to believe, but I've never heard a single young or beginning farmer tell me that the way to help them is to give more money to the largest farmers. Many farmers are hurting from the downturn in commodity prices. Corn and soybeans have had significant price declines over the past several years. If only all crops were as lucky as cotton with its high prices ensured by the federal government over the last year. However, market corrections do not justify Congress expanding subsidy loopholes for the wealthy. Especially at a time when our long-term fiscal situation is as bad as it's ever been. The last time we passed a Farm Bill, our national debt was $17 trillion. Today it stands at $21.8 trillion and growing. At some point, Congress needs to get serious about spending. This bill represents an open-ended spigot of taxpayer subsidies in Title 1. Because of this, I could not vote for this Farm Bill. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-rollback-wotus-rule,Grassley Statement on the Rollback of WOTUS Rule,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa released the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' proposal to replace a 2015 rule put in place by the Obama Administration that gave authority to the federal government to regulate on nearly all of the land in Iowa. I commend President Trump and his administration for stepping up to fix the mistakes of the out-of-touch Obama administration. The Waters of the U.S. rule was an ill-conceived overreach. The rule and its drafting process were flawed from the beginning. It would have defined 97 percent of Iowa as a waterway, meaning that if implemented, family farmers and other small business owners would have had to get permission from Washington bureaucrats to move soil on dry land. The move announced today by the Trump administration would set commonsense limits on state versus federal jurisdiction over waterways and make it simpler to comply with regulations aimed at improving water quality. I want to thank President Trump for his leadership, for keeping the promise he made to Rural America to repeal this rule and for providing commonsense regulatory relief to the people of Iowa and Americans across the country. Grassley haslong spoken outagainst the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule andvotedto defund the flawed rule. Grassley, along with Sen. Joni Ernst and members of the Iowa congressional delegationurgedthen-President-elect Trump to scrap the rule andpraisedEPA in June of 2017 for taking action to withdraw the rule. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeks-ahead/week-ahead-scheduled-votes-committee-action-and-other-important-notes-37,"The Week Ahead - scheduled votes, committee action and other important notes for the week of December 10, 2018",2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,David Young,Y000066,davidyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"EDITOR'S NOTE: The week ahead overview will be sent each week Congress is in session. All times are in Central Time. TOP LINE: CRESTON SCHOOLS RECEIVE $500,000 GRANT THROUGH PASSAGE OF STOP SCHOOL VIOLENCE ACT:Congressman Young supported the STOP School Violence Act which has helped Creston Schools secure $500,000 to make security enhancements. Learn moreHERE. 'FASTLANE' WINS CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE:Four Waukee students won the 2018 Congressional App Challenge with their app to help families track school busses. Learn about their appHERE. PRESS THIS WEEK:On Wednesday,Congressman Young is scheduled to join KCSI live at 7:18 a.m., and KMA's The Morning Line live at 7:35 a.m. Additional outlets may be added. MONDAY, DECEMBER 10TH On Monday, the House will meet at 11:00 a.m. for morning hour and 1:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 5:30 p.m. Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules: 1)H.R. 5513 Big Bear Land Exchange Act, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Paul Cook / Natural Resources Committee) 2)H.R. 6108 Preserving America's Battlefields Act, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Jody Hice / Natural Resources Committee) 3)H.R. 3008 George W. Bush Childhood Home Study Act(Sponsored by Rep. Michael Conaway / Natural Resources Committee) 4)H.R. 6118 To direct the Secretary of the Interior to annually designate at least one city in the United States as an American World War II Heritage City, and for other purposes, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. David Rouzer / Natural Resources Committee) 5)H.R. 6665 Offshore Wind for Territories Act, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Madeleine Bordallo / Natural Resources Committee) 6)H.Res. 792 Urging the Secretary of the Interior to recognize the historical significance of Roberto Clemente's place of death near Piones in Loza, Puerto Rico, by adding it to the National Register of Historic Places, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Jos Serrano / Natural Resources Committee) 7)S. 245 Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act Amendments of 2017(Sponsored by Sen. John Hoeven / Natural Resources Committee) 8)S. 825 Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium Land Transfer Act of 2017(Sponsored by Sen. Lisa Murkowski / Natural Resources Committee) 9)S. 2511 CENOTE Act of 2018, as amended(Sponsored by Sen. Roger Wicker / Natural Resources Committee) 10)H.R. 6893 Secret Service Overtime Pay Extension Act, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Steve Russell / Oversight and Government Reform Committee) 11) House Amendment toS. 2248 Veterans Benefit and Transition Act of 2018(Sponsored by Rep. Phil Roe / Veterans Affairs Committee) TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11TH AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK On Tuesday and Wednesday,the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for morning hour and 11:00 a.m. for legislative business. On Thursday, the House will meet at 9:30 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 2:00 p.m. On Friday, no votes are expected in the House. Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules: 1)S. 943 Johnson-O'Malley Supplemental Indian Education Program Modernization Act(Sponsored by Sen. Heidi Heitkamp / Education and the Workforce Committee) 2)H.R. 6140 Advanced Nuclear Fuel Availability Act, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Bill Flores / Energy and Commerce Committee) 3)H.R. 7217 IMPROVE Act(Sponsored by Rep. Joe Barton / Energy and Commerce Committee) 4)S. 2465 Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2018(Sponsored by Sen. Tim Scott / Energy and Commerce Committee) 5)S. 3029 PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2018(Sponsored by Sen. Lamar Alexander / Energy and Commerce Committee) 6)H.R. 1318 Preventing Maternal Deaths Act of 2018, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler / Energy and Commerce Committee) 7)H.Res. 1165 Condemning the Assad regime and its backers for their continued support of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria(Sponsored by Rep. Brian Mast / Foreign Affairs Committee) 8)H.Res. 1091 Calling on the Government of Burma to release Burmese journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo sentenced to seven years imprisonment after investigating attacks against civilians by Burma's military and security forces, and for other purposes, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Steve Chabot / Foreign Affairs Committee) 9)H.Res. 1162 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to Ukraine, and for other purposes(Sponsored by Rep. Eliot Engel / Foreign Affairs Committee) 10)H.Res. 1157 Reaffirming the strong commitment of the United States to the countries and territories of the Pacific Islands region(Sponsored by Rep. Madeleine Bordallo / Foreign Affairs Committee) 11)H.Res. 1149 Recognizing that the United States-Republic of Korea alliance serves as a linchpin of regional stability and bilateral security, and exemplifies the broad and deep military, diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties shared between the United States and the Republic of Korea(Sponsored by Rep. Ed Royce / Foreign Affairs Committee) 12)H.Res. 1035 Expressing opposition to the completion of Nord Stream II, and for other purposes, as amended(Sponsored by Rep. Michael Conaway / Foreign Affairs Committee) Possible Consideration of the Conference Report to AccompanyH.R. 2, Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 Additional Legislative Items are Possible Committee activity for the week of December 10 can be foundhere.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=BAA4D32C-45DE-43D2-ABDC-B85509318BB9,"Week in Review: December 10-15, 2018",2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WEEK IN REVIEW December 10 December 15, 2018 What a week for our farmers, ranchers and rural communities! The Senate and House passed the 2018 Farm Bill, and it's now on President Trump's desk for signature. And, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a replacement rule for the burdensome 2015 Obama-era waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. PROVIDING CERTAINTY FOR FARMERS Senator Ernst was a proud member of the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee, and through her position on the committee, was able to secure key provisions that greatly impact the people of Iowa. For example: Strengthening the Conservation Reserve and Regional Conservation Partnership Programs Providing critical mental health for our farmers through the senator's FARMERS FIRST Act Supporting our nation's dairy farmers through a Diary Incentive Pilot Program Protecting farmers against adverse changes in market conditions by strengthening the Agriculture Risk Coverage-County Level Program WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ON THE FARM BILL David Trowbridge, president, Iowa Cattlemen's Association: The Farm Bill offers crucial certainty for Iowa's cattle producers and farmers. We are encouraged to see ICA's priorities addressed, including authorization and funding of a Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine bank, investment in trade promotion and market access, and reauthorization of key conservation programs. Iowa's cattlemen appreciate the hard work of Congress, especially our own Senator Joni Ernst, to get the Farm Bill over the finish line before the holidays."" Lindsay Greiner, president, Iowa Soybean Association: Iowa soybean farmers congratulate members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees and the Farm Bill Conference Committee for passing a new farm bill. We also recognize Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst for her leadership on the conference committee in helping craft this important legislation. Mike Naig, secretary, Iowa Department of Agriculture: A new five-year Farm Bill will provide needed certainty and predictability for farmers in what has been a very volatile and challenging time. I commend the efforts by leaders in both the House and Senate, including Sen. Ernst who was a conferee, to finalize the agreement and get it passed. I encourage President Trump to sign the bill into law quickly so farmers can know what federal policy will be as they continue to plan for the 2019 growing season. Mitch Schulte, executive director, Iowa State Dairy Association: The Iowa State Dairy Association (ISDA) thanks the House and the Senate for passing a farm bill that includes much needed reforms to dairy programs that will boost producer incomes in a tough economic environmentIt is critical for our dairy industry and our representatives to work together during these difficult times. The ISDA thanks Senator Joni Ernst along with the House and Senate for passing a Farm Bill that will have a positive impact on the dairy industry. Curt Mether, president, Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA): Iowa Corn welcomes the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill before the start of the new year. ICGA is pleased to see there were no cuts to the current crop insurance program and a continuation of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) All of these programs are crucial to the success of Iowa's corn growers and we thank our grower members for your efforts in urging lawmakers to reach a deal before the New Year. Tim Palmer (Truro, IA), president-elect, National Association of Conservation Districts: As a fellow Iowan, I particularly appreciate the commitment Senator Ernst made to our home state throughout these farm bill negotiation. Ernst recognizes, as NACD does, that successful implementation of on-the-ground conservation is possible through conservation districts and the locally-led conservation model. Investing in conservation is an investment in the nation's future, and this agreement continues to make that a priority. ROLLING BACK THE 2015 WOTUS RULE Taking the Obama Administration's flawed WOTUS rule off the books has been one of Senator Ernst's top priorities. In 2015, she introduced legislation to nullify the rule. With help from many of her congressional colleagues, the lawmakers got this legislation to President Obama's desk only for him to veto it. That setback didn't stop them from pushing forward. The new proposed WOTUS rule will establish clear and reasonable definitions of what qualifies as WOTUS. Iowa's farmers, ranchers, manufacturers and small businesses can now breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that, going forward, a tire track that collects rain water won't be regulated by the federal government. MAKING EM SQUEAL The U.S. Forest Service has an extensive history of mishandling the repeated claims of sexual assault and harassment within their agency. For example, earlier this year, Tony Tooke, the former chief, was accused of multiple sexual misconduct allegations, resulting in his resignation. Furthermore, multiple women have filed class-action lawsuits against the Forest Service, shedding light on the inadequacy of the agency's culture.During a recent Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, Senator Ernst worked to get to the bottom of not just why sexual misbehavior was happening but continuing to happen at the U.S. Forest Service.For this reason, this month's Squeal Award goes to the U.S. Forest Service for allowing taxpayer dollars to subsidize sexual misconduct within its ranks. BRINGING IOWA TO WASHINGTON Every Thursday, Republican Senators take turns hosting lunch for their colleagues highlighting products and traditions from their home states. This week, Senator Ernst hosted and provided fare from the Iowa State Fair. The Des Moines Register characterized it by saying, Joni Ernst hosted a State-Fair themed lunch and it's the most Iowa thing ever. Included in the menu, was were: Hot Beef Sundaes Iowa Pork Chops Ice Cream from LeMars, IA Loaded Tater Tot On-a-Stick Mexican Street Corn Butter Cows with Rolls COMMUNICATING PRIORITIES",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/grassley-op-ed-iowans-inspired-legislation-hold-drug-manufacturers-accountable,Grassley Op-ed: Iowans inspired legislation to hold drug manufacturers accountable,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Grassley Op-ed: Iowans inspired legislation to hold drug manufacturers accountable U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa A couple years ago, I received a letter from an Iowan whose son had a severe peanut allergy. She wrote about how the price of an EpiPen, a popular anti-allergy prescription drug device, had skyrocketed. Though she and her family couldn't afford the dramatic increase, she wrote that she would pay whatever it takes to keep her son healthy. Her letter was one of many I received about price hikes of the EpiPen. More than one hundred Iowans contacted me through letters, phone calls and in-person at my 99 county meetings about their concerns. Though the exorbitant price was more than they could afford, the majority of Iowans had the same feelings as the woman who wrote to me about her son. They would sacrifice other necessities to pay because the lives of their loved ones were more important. After Iowans raised their concerns about EpiPen, I looked into the issue and was stunned to learn that the price of the drug had increased more than 400 percent between 2006 and 2016. That was the catalyst for my years-long oversight effort to get to the bottom of EpiPen's extreme price hike. In cooperation with a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues, I sought answers from Mylan, EpiPen's distributor, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Inspector General for Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through letters and hearings. During my investigation, it came to light that Mylan had classified the EpiPen as a generic drug rather than a brand-name product in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. That incorrect classification allowed Mylan to pay significantly smaller rebates to states like Iowa and the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. It was also revealed that HHS and the HHS Inspector General didn't have adequate authorities to properly oversee the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program and ensure that drugs were correctly classified. At my request, the HHS Inspector General investigated the misclassification's cost to taxpayers and found that taxpayers were overcharged billions of dollars. It also uncovered that the EpiPen may not be the only drug that had been misclassified. The EpiPen price hike was not only an unnecessary hardship for consumers of the drug, but also taxpayers. The taxpaying public pays for the majority of pharmaceuticals prescribed and provided to millions of patients through Medicaid and Medicare programs, as well as millions more of our nation's veterans and military members. The misclassification of EpiPen, and other prescription drugs, cheats taxpayers and exorbitantly high prices put lives at risk. As a result of my oversight and in light of the defects discovered in current law, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon and I introduced the Right Rebate Act of 2018. The legislation is the result of bipartisan cooperation with the common goal of enacting reforms to plug the loopholes that have allowed pharmaceutical companies like Mylan to game the system and keep drug prices artificially high at the expense of consumers and taxpayers. Specifically, this legislation would give the secretary of HHS more tools to monitor drug manufacturers who participate in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program and would allow the secretary to require those manufacturers to reclassify their drugs. The legislation would also grant the authority to impose civil monetary penalties on manufacturers when they knowingly misclassify prescription drugs. Accountability is paramount to a well-functioning government and transparency is critical to maintaining trust between citizens and their elected representatives. The fiasco surrounding the EpiPen price hike has been a stark reminder of the importance of both. It's also a powerful example of why it's important for citizens to engage with their members of Congress. Iowans are at the heart of this legislation. I look forward to working on a bipartisan basis with my colleagues to see it through the legislative process and deliver results for the people of Iowa and all Americans. Chuck Grassley of New Hartford has represented Iowa in the United States Senate since 1980. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-op-ed-iowans-inspired-legislation-hold-drug-manufacturers-accountable,Grassley Op-ed: Iowans inspired legislation to hold drug manufacturers accountable,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Grassley Op-ed: Iowans inspired legislation to hold drug manufacturers accountable U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa A couple years ago, I received a letter from an Iowan whose son had a severe peanut allergy. She wrote about how the price of an EpiPen, a popular anti-allergy prescription drug device, had skyrocketed. Though she and her family couldn't afford the dramatic increase, she wrote that she would pay whatever it takes to keep her son healthy. Her letter was one of many I received about price hikes of the EpiPen. More than one hundred Iowans contacted me through letters, phone calls and in-person at my 99 county meetings about their concerns. Though the exorbitant price was more than they could afford, the majority of Iowans had the same feelings as the woman who wrote to me about her son. They would sacrifice other necessities to pay because the lives of their loved ones were more important. After Iowans raised their concerns about EpiPen, I looked into the issue and was stunned to learn that the price of the drug had increased more than 400 percent between 2006 and 2016. That was the catalyst for my years-long oversight effort to get to the bottom of EpiPen's extreme price hike. In cooperation with a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues, I sought answers from Mylan, EpiPen's distributor, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Inspector General for Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through letters and hearings. During my investigation, it came to light that Mylan had classified the EpiPen as a generic drug rather than a brand-name product in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. That incorrect classification allowed Mylan to pay significantly smaller rebates to states like Iowa and the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. It was also revealed that HHS and the HHS Inspector General didn't have adequate authorities to properly oversee the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program and ensure that drugs were correctly classified. At my request, the HHS Inspector General investigated the misclassification's cost to taxpayers and found that taxpayers were overcharged billions of dollars. It also uncovered that the EpiPen may not be the only drug that had been misclassified. The EpiPen price hike was not only an unnecessary hardship for consumers of the drug, but also taxpayers. The taxpaying public pays for the majority of pharmaceuticals prescribed and provided to millions of patients through Medicaid and Medicare programs, as well as millions more of our nation's veterans and military members. The misclassification of EpiPen, and other prescription drugs, cheats taxpayers and exorbitantly high prices put lives at risk. As a result of my oversight and in light of the defects discovered in current law, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon and I introduced the Right Rebate Act of 2018. The legislation is the result of bipartisan cooperation with the common goal of enacting reforms to plug the loopholes that have allowed pharmaceutical companies like Mylan to game the system and keep drug prices artificially high at the expense of consumers and taxpayers. Specifically, this legislation would give the secretary of HHS more tools to monitor drug manufacturers who participate in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program and would allow the secretary to require those manufacturers to reclassify their drugs. The legislation would also grant the authority to impose civil monetary penalties on manufacturers when they knowingly misclassify prescription drugs. Accountability is paramount to a well-functioning government and transparency is critical to maintaining trust between citizens and their elected representatives. The fiasco surrounding the EpiPen price hike has been a stark reminder of the importance of both. It's also a powerful example of why it's important for citizens to engage with their members of Congress. Iowans are at the heart of this legislation. I look forward to working on a bipartisan basis with my colleagues to see it through the legislative process and deliver results for the people of Iowa and all Americans. Chuck Grassley of New Hartford has represented Iowa in the United States Senate since 1980. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=66DB46D3-DBEB-4F92-BAA0-54076DA687DE,Fort Dodge Messenger: Sen. Joni Ernst shows leadership,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Passing a budget and the appropriations bills to fund the U.S. government are among the most important functions of the U.S. Congress. Anyone who has been paying even casual attention realizes, however, that getting that vital work done on time and in an orderly fashion almost never happens. ... The most essential role Congress has is to raise revenue and fund the federal government, Ernst said in a statement announcing that she was partnering with Perdue and Lankford to advance these recommendations. Yet, since 1974, Congress has passed all of its appropriations bills just four times. And, in the past 20 years, we have only passed a budget resolution 11 times! Congress can do better; we owe it to the American people to complete our work on time. If we fail to meet our deadlines, we should stay at work until we get the job done. The Messenger strongly agrees. In the real world, businesses and other organizations are expected to develop budgets and make spending decisions in an orderly fashion. Failing to get the work done on time just isn't tolerated. The same should be true for Congress. In her new role as part of the Republican leadership in the Senate for the 116th Congress (as vice chairwoman of the Senate Republican Conference) Ernst is well-positioned to champion these important reforms. We commend her for joining in this effort. Ernst is making her presence felt in the Senate. That is good for Iowa and for the nation. To read the article in full, click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=FCC8EE46-C1B0-4447-A896-C20438805FDF,The Daily Nonpareil: Editorial: Federal budgeting changes needed,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Iowa's junior senator, Joni Ernst, pushed for what some termed bold changes to the federal government budgeting process last week with a series of amendments that would essentially prohibit senators from leaving Washington if they fail to pass a budget and spending bills on time. The notion of penalties for not meeting deadlines is commonplace for most in the working world, but in a gridlocked Congress the expectations are obviously different. During the Joint Select Committee for Budget and Appropriations Reform business meeting last Tuesday, Ernst offered four amendments similar to her No Budget, No Vacation Act. The committee is composed of 16 members of Congress: four Senate Republicans, four Senate Democrats, four House Republicans and four House Democrats. . . . Ernst's comments in the wake of that defeat are telling to a point: We had a real opportunity to make bold and much-needed changes to the way we do business in Congress. The amendments I put forward would hold Washington accountable and prevent the Senate from taking a break before our job of funding government is done. All Four of Ernst's amendments received nine votes in support and six votes in opposition. While that would seem, at first blush, to be a win for Ernst's common-sense amendments, they failed to receive support from a majority of each party, and therefore did not pass. But once again, here we are with no real fix to this broken process. I am very disappointed in my Democratic colleagues who chose to preserve their vacations and the dysfunctional status quo instead of working together to fund the government responsibly, Ernst added. She noted that since 1974, Congress has passed all of its appropriations bills just four times. In the past 20 years, Ernst added, Congress has only passed a budget resolution 11 times. Perdue, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, noted that in the real world you are held accountable to make tough decisions and complete the job. Unfortunately, Washington is locked in a cycle of continuing resolutions and last-minute spending deals. This is totally irresponsible. We won't fix this broken funding process or the national debt crisis if Congress refuses to hold itself accountable for failure, Perdue added. We agree. Taxpayers should not only expect more but demand more of our elected representatives. To read the full article, click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/qa-judiciary-finance,Q&A: From Judiciary to Finance,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Q&A: From Judiciary to Finance With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: Did you achieve what you set out to do in four years as chairman of the Judiciary Committee? A: Serving as chairman of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee was a hard-earned privilege I was honored to fulfill after climbing the rungs of the seniority ladder. I first landed an assignment on this influential committee, one of the original standing committees in the U.S. Senate, when Iowans elected me to the Senate. I have served continuously here since being sworn in on January 3, 1981 for the 97th Congress. When I took over the judiciary gavel in 2015, I deployed 34 years of policymaking experience to advance bipartisan legislation that would make our streets safer and families stronger. On my watch, the committee passed 61 bipartisan bills, including key measures to address human trafficking and the opioid crisis that is dialing back life expectancy in America. With President Trump's endorsement, I'm also very hopeful to see criminal justice reform enacted by the end of the year. So far, 29 bills I steered through the committee have been signed into law. Many Iowans will recall the 2016 presidential election turned into a referendum on the direction of the federal judiciary. The electorate sent a message with the election of President Trump and Republican Senate majority. As chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I worked to confirm judges who appreciate the constitutional limits of the federal judiciary. It isn't authorized to legislate from the bench. That's the job of lawmakers who are held to account at the ballot box. So far, the Republican-led Senate has confirmed two Supreme Court justices, 29 federal circuit court judges and 53 federal district judges during this Congress. Those 84 lifetime appointments will have tremendous influence on the rule of law and our way of life for generations to come. I will continue to serve as a senior member of the Judiciary Committee in the next Congress. Iowans can count on my continued efforts to fix flaws in our broken immigration system. The American people deserve a comprehensive solution that ensures border security, curbs illegal immigration and supports legal immigration to keep our economy growing and our communities safe. What's more, my oversight work to ensure healthy competition in our system of free enterprise across all sectors of the economy will be as strong as ever. From agribusiness to health care, mounting consolidation in the marketplace can raise concerns about potentially anticompetitive behavior that impacts producers and consumers. Most recently, I called upon the Federal Trade Commission in October to examine whether certain contracting practices between insurers and large hospital systems may create anticompetitive barriers to lower cost care for patients and consumers. That followed my request for the Department of Justice to carefully weigh antitrust concerns in the health care market, including the $69 billion integration between CVS and Aetna. Oversight is a responsibility I take very seriously, and I will continue to serve as a taxpayer watchdog for good government. Q: Looking ahead, what priorities will you pursue as incoming chairman of the Committee on Finance? A: I will take the reins once again of the Senate Finance Committee in January. I look forward to guiding forward the pro-growth economic agenda so that it reaches even more American families and that U.S. trade policies do not put American businesses and agriculture's prosperity in jeopardy. We need to stay on the right track that has led to record-low unemployment, increased wages, improved labor participation, created jobs and raised consumer confidence. The Senate Finance Committee has extensive jurisdiction over public policy that impacts every single American, from taxes to health care, tariffs, trade, retirement savings, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. When I previously served as chairman of the committee, I steered passage of the 2001 and 2003 tax relief laws, trade agreements expanding markets for exports from Iowa and across the country, and the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. I also led robust oversight of health and human services programs, the non-profit sector and elsewhere to ensure tax dollars are spent as intended. Iowans can expect that I will lead the tax-writing panel with a tight-fisted grip on the purse strings to stretch every tax dollar and deliver permanent tax relief to small businesses and hard-working families. My agenda also includes advancing bipartisan legislation that will improve our infrastructure, grow renewable energy, strengthen rural health care, develop market opportunities for American agriculture, manufacturing and services, and deliver savings to consumers on their prescription drugs without compromising patient safety or innovations in medicine that Americans depend on for the best health care in the world. I'll leave no stone unturned to make sure taxpayers aren't being taken for a ride and that Americans receive the services they pay the government to provide.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-announcement-william-barr-nomination-be-attorney-general,Grassley Statement on Announcement of William Barr Nomination to be Attorney General,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa issued the following statement on the President's intent to nominate William Barr to be the next United States Attorney General. I am pleased that the President has made the choice to nominate the next Attorney General of the United States. Bill Barr is a talented, well-respected lawyer who has been committed to public service over the course of his long career. His compelling credentials and experience, serving at the highest levels in both governmentincluding as a former attorney general under President George H.W. Bushand in the private sector, make him more than well-qualified to lead the Department of Justice again. I look forward to working with the President and Chairman Graham to move forward with former Attorney General Barr's nomination in the next Congress. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-reported-arrest-huawei-executive,Grassley Statement on Reported Arrest of Huawei Executive,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa issued the following statement on the recently reported arrest of Huawei's Global Chief Financial Officer, Meng Wanzhou. The arrest of Meng Wanzhou underscores a troubling trend of Chinese companies and state actors flouting the rule of law and stealing from U.S. companies. Ms. Wanzhou's arrest comes on the heels of the October arrest of Yanjun Xu, an operative for the Chinese Ministry of State who allegedly targeted GE Aviation and other companies to recruit their employees in order to steal trade secrets. Two Chinese intelligence officers and a team of hackers were also charged in October in a separate case involving theft of commercial aviation technology. In November, the Justice Department announced charges against a Chinese state-owned enterprise for stealing trade secrets of an American semiconductor company. American intellectual property and trade secrets are basic ingredients for a strong and growing economy, and we must make every effort to protect them. I'm holding a hearing next week on non-traditional forms of espionage by Chinese government and private actors. I hope that this hearing sheds further light on how other countries are harming our national security and American ingenuity Reports indicate Ms. Wanzhou and Huawei are being charged with violating U.S. sanctions against Iran. In 2012, the House Intelligence Committee issued a report that concluded Huawei represented a national security threat. The report also concluded Huawei was possibly violating U.S. laws and, at minimum, not following international standards of business behavior. In 2013, reports linked Ms. Wanzhou to violations of sanctions against Iran. Huawei admitted having contracts with Iranian telecoms at the time but denied any violations of law. Huawei is China's largest telecoms company and among the biggest in the world. Without international respect for sanctions regimes and the rule of law, those measures are rendered ineffective. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qa-judiciary-finance,Q&A: From Judiciary to Finance,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Q&A: From Judiciary to Finance With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: Did you achieve what you set out to do in four years as chairman of the Judiciary Committee? A: Serving as chairman of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee was a hard-earned privilege I was honored to fulfill after climbing the rungs of the seniority ladder. I first landed an assignment on this influential committee, one of the original standing committees in the U.S. Senate, when Iowans elected me to the Senate. I have served continuously here since being sworn in on January 3, 1981 for the 97th Congress. When I took over the judiciary gavel in 2015, I deployed 34 years of policymaking experience to advance bipartisan legislation that would make our streets safer and families stronger. On my watch, the committee passed 61 bipartisan bills, including key measures to address human trafficking and the opioid crisis that is dialing back life expectancy in America. With President Trump's endorsement, I'm also very hopeful to see criminal justice reform enacted by the end of the year. So far, 29 bills I steered through the committee have been signed into law. Many Iowans will recall the 2016 presidential election turned into a referendum on the direction of the federal judiciary. The electorate sent a message with the election of President Trump and Republican Senate majority. As chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I worked to confirm judges who appreciate the constitutional limits of the federal judiciary. It isn't authorized to legislate from the bench. That's the job of lawmakers who are held to account at the ballot box. So far, the Republican-led Senate has confirmed two Supreme Court justices, 29 federal circuit court judges and 53 federal district judges during this Congress. Those 84 lifetime appointments will have tremendous influence on the rule of law and our way of life for generations to come. I will continue to serve as a senior member of the Judiciary Committee in the next Congress. Iowans can count on my continued efforts to fix flaws in our broken immigration system. The American people deserve a comprehensive solution that ensures border security, curbs illegal immigration and supports legal immigration to keep our economy growing and our communities safe. What's more, my oversight work to ensure healthy competition in our system of free enterprise across all sectors of the economy will be as strong as ever. From agribusiness to health care, mounting consolidation in the marketplace can raise concerns about potentially anticompetitive behavior that impacts producers and consumers. Most recently, I called upon the Federal Trade Commission in October to examine whether certain contracting practices between insurers and large hospital systems may create anticompetitive barriers to lower cost care for patients and consumers. That followed my request for the Department of Justice to carefully weigh antitrust concerns in the health care market, including the $69 billion integration between CVS and Aetna. Oversight is a responsibility I take very seriously, and I will continue to serve as a taxpayer watchdog for good government. Q: Looking ahead, what priorities will you pursue as incoming chairman of the Committee on Finance? A: I will take the reins once again of the Senate Finance Committee in January. I look forward to guiding forward the pro-growth economic agenda so that it reaches even more American families and that U.S. trade policies do not put American businesses and agriculture's prosperity in jeopardy. We need to stay on the right track that has led to record-low unemployment, increased wages, improved labor participation, created jobs and raised consumer confidence. The Senate Finance Committee has extensive jurisdiction over public policy that impacts every single American, from taxes to health care, tariffs, trade, retirement savings, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. When I previously served as chairman of the committee, I steered passage of the 2001 and 2003 tax relief laws, trade agreements expanding markets for exports from Iowa and across the country, and the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. I also led robust oversight of health and human services programs, the non-profit sector and elsewhere to ensure tax dollars are spent as intended. Iowans can expect that I will lead the tax-writing panel with a tight-fisted grip on the purse strings to stretch every tax dollar and deliver permanent tax relief to small businesses and hard-working families. My agenda also includes advancing bipartisan legislation that will improve our infrastructure, grow renewable energy, strengthen rural health care, develop market opportunities for American agriculture, manufacturing and services, and deliver savings to consumers on their prescription drugs without compromising patient safety or innovations in medicine that Americans depend on for the best health care in the world. I'll leave no stone unturned to make sure taxpayers aren't being taken for a ride and that Americans receive the services they pay the government to provide. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/thirty-two-senators-now-cosponsoring-first-step-act,Thirty-Two Senators Now Cosponsoring First Step Act,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. Steve Daines of Montana, Tina Smith of Minnesota, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Michael Bennet of Colorado have joined the growing list of cosponsors of the new First Step Act (S.3649). A balanced bipartisan crowd of 30 senators have now sponsored the legislationendorsed by the Presidentto reform America's criminal justice system. Meth use has skyrocketed in Montana. We need to make sure we have every tool available to fight against an epidemic that is tearing families apart and increasing violent crimes in our state. I'm glad to have worked to keep high level meth dealers and other hardened criminals off our streets. The First Step Act also uses proven tools to reduce recidivism to help protect Montana families and communities and save taxpayer dollars. I'm happy to cosponsor the bill, Daines said. I am proud to join my colleagues in cosponsoring the First Step Act, which will make meaningful changes to our federal criminal justice system to reduce disparities in sentencing, improve the fairness and effectiveness of our criminal justice system, and keep our communities safe. This bill represents a historic opportunity to implement evidence-based policy reforms and strengthen the public's faith in the integrity of our criminal justice system, Smith said. One of my proudest moments as Speaker of the House in North Carolina was passing the Justice Reinvestment Act, a landmark state law that implemented a number of commonsense, bipartisan reforms that resulted in reduced crime, fewer prisons, and lower recidivism rates in North Carolina. With the First Step Act, we now have the opportunity to implement similar, once in a generation criminal justice reforms at the federal level. These commonsense reforms will make our communities safer, modernize outdated and unfair sentencing laws and provide federal prisoners with the tools they need to return to society and become productive members of our communities. Chairman Grassley's leadership has been unparalleled, and his relentless efforts to forge a bipartisan compromise on such a difficult issue should be applauded. I look forward to working with Chairman Grassley to build support for the First Step Act, Tillis said. This bill is the result of principled bipartisan compromiseregrettably a rare sight in today's Senatethat has earned broad support from both the law enforcement community and criminal justice reform advocates. These reforms are a first step in a longer effort to reduce mass incarceration and restore faith in our justice system. Leader McConnell should schedule a vote on the Senate floor before the end of the year, Bennet said. Cosponsors of the First Step Act include: Chuck Grassley of IowaDick Durbin of IllinoisMike Lee of UtahSheldon Whitehouse of Rhode IslandLindsey Graham of South CarolinaCory Booker of New JerseyTim Scott of South CarolinaPatrick Leahy of VermontJoni Ernst of IowaJerry Moran of KansasAmy Klobuchar of MinnesotaChris Coons of DelawareJeff Flake of ArizonaRichard Blumenthal of ConnecticutPat Roberts of KansasDoug Jones of AlabamaSusan Collins of MaineTammy Duckworth of IllinoisLamar Alexander of TennesseeKirsten Gillibrand of New YorkRand Paul of KentuckyMazie Hirono of HawaiiRob Portman of OhioAngus King of MaineTodd Young of IndianaBrian Schatz of HawaiiBill Cassidy of LouisianaBen Cardin of MarylandSteve Daines of MontanaTina Smith of MinnesotaThom Tillis of North CarolinaMichael Bennet of Colorado Here is a full list of cosponsors and endorsements from other organizations. The First Step Act is backed by President Trump and endorsed by a number of law enforcement groups, including the nation's largest police group. It's also now supported by 172 former federal prosecutors including two former Republican U.S. attorneys general, two former deputy attorneys general and a former director of the FBI along with sheriffs from 34 states across the country. The National Governor's Association, which represents the governors of all 50 states, also praised the bill. And a broad coalition of conservative, progressive, and faith groups also support the First Step Act. The bill has also been endorsed by the oft-divergent editorial boards of the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, as well as by the editorial boards of USA Today, Bloomberg and the Houston Chronicle. More information on the legislation 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-remarks-epipen-misclassification-legislative-fix,Grassley Remarks on EpiPen Misclassification Legislative Fix,2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Floor Remarks by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa On EpiPen Misclassification Legislative Fix Thursday, December 6, 2018 VIDEO Mr. President: Today, I'd like to raise an important issue that has impacted many families in Iowa and throughout the country: the high cost of prescription drugs. One contributing factor that has played a part in how much money the government and taxpayer pays for some drugs is a government program called the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. On Tuesday, I introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Wyden of Oregon. The bill, called the Right Rebate Act of 2018, would close a loophole in that program. As a condition for participation in Medicaid, drug companies must pay a rebate, or discount, to the federal government and states for the drugs they offer. Generally speaking, the rebate dollar amount is less for a generic drug than for a brand-name drug. The rebate program simply hasn't worked as designed. It turns out that some drug companies have been able to game the system to boost their bottom line at taxpayer expense. Some drug companies have paid smaller rebates to the government. And that means taxpayers are footing a bigger burden. There is one example in particular that highlights the main issues that we aim to solve with this legislation. During the Obama administration, Iowans regularly contacted me by phone, email and at my annual 99 county meetings about the difficulties they faced paying for the EpiPen. EpiPen is an emergency medicine used to treat severe, life-threatening allergic reactions. EpiPen is distributed by a company called Mylan. In 2007, a pack of two EpiPens cost $100. By 2016, the cost exploded to more than $600. That is a substantial price increase. Many would argue that it's an unjustified price increase. Especially considering the gut punch to taxpayers who foot the lion's share of the Medicaid bill for families in need. I listened to the concerns of my constituents and began to investigate how the drug rebate program was working. In a nutshell, Mylan had classified the EpiPen as a generic drug in the Medicaid program when it should've been classified as a brand drug. That means, Mylan misclassified EpiPen and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) let it happen. Because of this incorrect classification, Mylan paid a much smaller rebate than they should have paid. I asked the Health and Human Services Inspector General to look into these classification practices. The Inspector General found that the taxpayers may have overpaid for the EpiPen by as much as $1.27 billion over 10 years because of the incorrect classification. Eventually, Mylan settled a False Claims Act case with the Justice Department for $465 million. Upon learning of that settlement, I expressed my disappointment that it didn't seem the taxpayers had been made whole. We shouldn't have to depend on lawyers and lawsuits to get taxpayer money back. This deception should never have happened in the first place. Government agencies should, as an initial matter, be responsibly overseeing the programs that they are in charge of. Because of insufficient attention to the problem by HHS, Mylan escaped accountability for a long time costing taxpayers billions of dollars. But it's not just Mylan and the EpiPen. In a December 2017 report, the Inspector General found that 885 drugs may have been potentially misclassified. Specifically, the Inspector General found that from 2012 to 2016, Medicaid may have lost $1.3 billion in rebates for 10 potentially-misclassified drugs with the highest total reimbursement. So where do we go from here? It's clear the law must change to provide clarity. Let's establish clear lines of authority to hold the government and the private sector accountable. Taxpayers demand and deserve accountability. Simply said, accountability will bring cost savings. S. 3702, the Right Rebate Act, will shut down this loophole used by drug companies. This legislation will prevent the misclassification of drugs in the first place and protect taxpayer dollars. It does this by requiring HHS to enforce penalties on drug companies that knowingly misclassify drugs in the Medicaid program. The legislation also provides remedies for States that are shortchanged by drug companies. The legislation requires an annual report to Congress by HHS to make sure the agency is doing all that it can do to protect taxpayer dollars and keep drug expenditures down. Mr. President, this is common sense legislation. It would close a loophole used by drug companies to keep prices artificially higher than they should be and it grants the Secretary of HHS the authorities to properly enforce the law. The Right Rebate Act is only one step in the fight against high prescription drug costs. But, it's the right step. I look forward to working with Senator Wyden in the 116th Congress on many issues important to Americans, including the high cost of prescription drugs. I yield the floor. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/securing-our-border-capitol-solutions,Securing our Border: Capitol Solutions,2018-12-04,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,David Young,Y000066,davidyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"We are a nation of immigrants. We are a compassionate nation. And like every other country, we have borders and we have laws. One of our laws is for those who want to enter America, they must do so in a legal way. We welcome the legal immigrant. But illegality is just that - it is against the law. There are thousands of people fleeingoppression and persecution around the world to seek solace here in America. The United States continues to be the shiningbeaconon the hill which inspires people from around the world. However, we have a right way, and a wrong way,to come to America. We are a refuge for those seeking asylum from horrible circumstances. With thousands of asylum requests, our courts are backlogged. Many admitted and released to await an immigration hearing never come back for the hearing. Weneed to pass legislation to increase the number of immigration judges who process immigration cases so we can quickly - with due process - move through these legal proceedings. Beyond that, our immigration problems can be addressedthrough enforcing our laws and strengthening our immigration system. Earlier this year, Congress considered immigration legislation whichI voted for. The legislation authorized robust funding to secure our borders, ended the visa lottery program, limited chain migration, mandated e-verify on employers, kept families together, and created a permanent legal status for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals population - those illegally brought here or came here as children. Unfortunately, this good compromise bill did not pass. It would have helped solve some of our immigration problems. Doing nothing keeps us dealing with the same problems we are experiencing. Compromise doesn't mean you have to give up your principles, morals, or values. It means you just don't always get all you want, yet you gain ground in helping to solve the problem. Whentalkingabout border security, there are steps we can take to make sure we know who and what is coming across our southern and northern borders.I have visited the border on Texas, Arizona, and California and have spoken with border patrol agents. A wall is needed in certain parts of the border.Some areas need ground penetrating radar to detect tunnels, other areas need drones, and otherareas need moreborder patrol agents on horseback. Some areas need just fencing or new technologies with sensors. Whatever is effective to secure our border in any given area is what we need. I have no doubt many trying to cross our borders - even illegally - are in search of a better life. However, there are those who are not such good actors who are smuggling drugs which are poisoning our communities.Our border patrol agents have caught illegal weapons smuggled across our borders. Our officials have caught bad actors illegally trafficking humans for labor or the sex trade. There are solutions. And I have voted for those solutions I outlined above. Unfortunately, the legislation I voted for didn't pass. The legislation didn't go far enough for some. For others, it went too far. Unfortunately, those demanding perfection in legislation are stopping good legislation from passing. This leaves us with the status quo and the ongoing problem. We need to come together and act. As we close out this Congress before the end of the year, I will continue to work to secure our border and advance common sense immigration policies.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=64A90E11-8FE3-4F7C-A58D-EFEB69C7AD42,Senator Ernst Statement on China Trade Negotiations,2018-12-04,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), today, released the following statement with regard to the ongoing trade negotiations between the United States and China, following President Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the G20 Summit in Argentina: Maintaining and creating new market access is vital to Iowa farmers. I hear from many Iowans about the importance of standing up to China's unfair trade practices, and making progress on rebalancing the trade imbalance between our two countries. While we are still waiting for more specifics, new purchases of agricultural products will help Iowa farmers and manufacturers. Background: During the G20 Summit in Argentina November 30-December 1, President Trump and President Xi Jinping discussed the ongoing trade negotiations with China. The U.S. agreed to delay tariff increases on $200 billion of Chinese goods, which were scheduled to rise from 10 percent to 25 percent on January 1. China now has 90 days to work with the U.S. to strike a deal on an array of issues, including: the large trade imbalance between the two countries, intellectual property concerns and forced technology transfers. According to President Trump, China has agreed to purchase more U.S. products, including a very substantial amount of agriculture, energy, industrial and other products from the U.S. to reduce the trade imbalance.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-seeks-information-about-fbi-raid-whistleblower-s-home,Grassley Seeks Information about FBI Raid of Whistleblower’s Home,2018-12-04,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa wrote separately to the Justice Department's Inspector General and the FBI Director seeking answers about the bureau's raid on the residence of a whistleblower who reportedly disclosed information about the Clinton Foundation and the Uranium One transaction. Grassley requested the documents provided to the Inspector General by the whistleblower. Grassley also asked about the FBI's awareness of the protected disclosures made by the whistleblower, the basis for the raid and whether any of the material seized during the raid was classified. Last month, Grassley also wrote in an unclassified cover letter to the FBI Director on a related matter and followed up with a similar letter to both the FBI and Justice Department about key portions of the classified annex to the Inspector General's report of earlier this year. Full text of Grassley's letter to Inspector General Horowitz can be found below and full text of Grassley's letter to FBI Director Wray follows. November 30, 2018 The Honorable Michael E. Horowitz Inspector General U.S. Department of Justice Dear Inspector General Horowitz, A recent news report has indicated that the FBI raided the home of a whistleblower, Mr. Dennis Nathan Cain, who provided documents regarding the Clinton Foundation and Uranium One transaction to your office.[1] The report also notes that after receiving the documents, you provided them to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees. It appears, based on the reporting, that these documents were provided to your office under the Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act. Further, it appears that the documents pertain to matters that fall within this Committee's jurisdiction and matters upon which this Committee has inquired. Accordingly, I request that you produce all documents to the Committee and provide an update with respect to the steps you have taken, or plan to take, regarding the FBI's treatment of Mr. Cain's disclosures no later than December 12, 2018. Should you have questions, please contact Josh Flynn-Brown of my Judiciary Committee staff at (202) 224-5225. Sincerely, Charles E. Grassley Chairman Committee on the Judiciary November 30, 2018 The Honorable Christopher Wray Director Federal Bureau of Investigation Dear Director Wray: On November 19, 2018, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reportedly raided the home of a former FBI contractor, Mr. Dennis Nathan Cain, who reportedly made disclosures to the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General in accordance with the Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act (ICWPA).[2] As you are aware, the ICWPA applies to FBI contractors and provides them a mechanism by which to report waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement to Congress and the Inspector General.During the raid, agents reportedly seized documents that Mr. Cain had provided to the Inspector General and that the Inspector General later provided to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees.These documents relate to the Clinton Foundation and Uranium One transaction.To better understand the FBI's basis for performing the raid, please answer the following no later than December 12, 2018: Was the FBI aware at the time of the raid that Mr. Cain had made what appeared to be lawful disclosures to the Inspector General?If so, was the FBI aware that these disclosures were passed to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, per the ICWPA process?Does the FBI consider Mr. Cain's disclosures to be protected? Please explain.On what basis did the FBI decide to carry out the aforementioned raid on November 19, 2018?Please explain and provide a copy of the warrant and all supporting affidavits.Did the materials seized by the FBI during the raid contain any classified information?If so, was that information classified at the time Mr. Cain brought them to his residence? I anticipate that your written reply and most responsive documents will be unclassified. Please send all unclassified material directly to the Committee. In keeping with the requirements of Executive Order 13526, if any of the responsive documents do contain classified information, please segregate all unclassified material within the classified documents, provide all unclassified information directly to the Committee, and provide a classified addendum to the Office of Senate Security.Although the Committee complies with all laws and regulations governing the handling of classified information, it is not bound, absent its prior agreement, by any handling restrictions. Thank you in advance for your cooperation with this request. If you have any questions, please contact Josh Flynn-Brown of my Committee Staff at (202) 224-5225. Sincerely, Charles E. Grassley Chairman Committee on the Judiciary [1] Richard Pollock, FBI Raids Home of Whistleblower on Clinton Foundation, Lawyer Says, Daily Caller (Nov. 29, 2018). https://dailycaller.com/2018/11/29/fbi-whistleblower-clinton-uranium/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=atdailycaller&utm_medium=Social&__twitter_impression=true&__twitter_impression=true-30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/wyden-grassley-introduce-legislation-fix-prescription-drug-misclassification,"Wyden, Grassley Introduce Legislation to Fix Prescription Drug Misclassification",2018-12-04,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Chuck Grassley of Iowa introduced the Right Rebate Act of 2018, which would close a loophole in Medicaid that has allowed pharmaceutical manufacturers to misclassify their drugs and overcharge taxpayers by billions of dollars and provide HHS with additional authorities to ensure drugs are properly classified. Misclassification of prescription drugs hurts millions of Americans whose lives depend on those medications, such as EpiPen, but can't afford them due to unnecessarily exorbitant pricing, Grassley said. This legislation is a significant step forward to fixing the problems in our health care system that have allowed pharmaceutical manufacturers to price gouge taxpayers and consumers for too long. The Right Rebate Act of 2018 would give the Secretary of Health and Human Services more authorities and tools to monitor drug manufacturers who participate in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (MDRP) and would allow the Secretary to require drug manufacturers to reclassify their drugs and impose civil monetary penalties when drugs are knowingly misclassified. With the introduction of this bill, Grassley has introduced legislation with every Democratic Member of the Senate Finance Committee during the 115th Congress. Grassley recently announced he would opt to serve as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee in the 116th Congress. Grassley is a longtime advocate for lower prescription drug prices and has been a vocal critic of EpiPen's exorbitantly high cost. During the Obama administration, Iowans regularly contacted Grassley by phone, email and at his annual 99 county meetings about the difficulties they faced paying for the anti-allergy EpiPen device. After conducting oversight of the issue, Grassley learned that Mylan, EpiPen's distributor, classified its popular anti-allergy medicine as a generic instead of as a brand name product in the MDRP. That incorrect classification allowed Mylan to pay smaller rebates to States and government programs, such as the MDRP. Grassley's investigation also found that HHS and the HHS Inspector General did not have adequate authorities to properly oversee the MDRP and ensure drugs were properly classified. The costly practices were confirmed by the HHS Inspector General when it found, at Grassley's request that taxpayers may have overpaid for the EpiPen by as much as$1.27 billionover 10 years. The Inspector General also found that additional drugs could be misclassified. Grassley continuallypressedfor the accurate classification of prescription drugs under the MDRP. Hesought answersfrom CMS on whether it sought to recoup tax dollars overpaid for EpiPens from Mylan. He sent a follow-upletterafter receiving no response from CMS, reiterating his initial request for information. Grassley continued pressing for answers when news broke that EpiPen maker Mylan was in discussions with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to settle a False Claims Act case and repay the taxpayers for over-charging for EpiPen. Grassley sent a letter to then-President-elect Trump urging appropriate classification under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. That letter is availablehere.Grassley also sent a letter to the outgoing administration on the issue, which is availablehere. His Oct. 3 letter to the prior administration on the EpiPen misclassification is availablehere. When the DOJ and EpiPen maker Mylan settled its case over the drug's misclassification, Grassley issued astatement of disappointment, saying it shortchanged taxpayers. On behalf of Iowans, Grassley alsowroteto Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller seeking clarification regarding his office's ability to determine the value of reimbursement to the state necessary to make Iowa whole from EpiPen's apparent misclassification. A few months later, Grassley followed up with anotherletterseeking additional details and accompanying documentation regarding the state's receiving $1.5 million as part of a DOJ settlement with Mylan. In August of 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first generic version of the EpiPen. Grassley praised the move, saying that it was great news for millions of Americans who depend on life-saving, anti-allergy devices. Grassley believes getting more generics approved is one of the most important market-based strategies for lowering drug prices overall. A one page summary of the bill can be found here. The full legislative text of the bill can be found here. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/creston-schools-receive-500000-grant-through-stop-school-violence-act,"Creston Schools receive $500,000 grant through STOP School Violence Act",2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,David Young,Y000066,davidyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Creston Community School District has been awarded a $500,000 grant by the Department of Justice created by the STOP School Violence Act which became law earlier this year with Congressman David Young's support. The school will install a shooter detection system, key FOB access control, a wired and wireless panic button system, a paging system, a metal detector, 2-way radios, and lighting upgrades. The grant will fund 75% of all project costs. ""Our communities know what is needed to secure our schools and the STOP School Violence Act was signed into law to fund projects like these. I'm proud to have worked to deliver the funding to make this grant program possible,"" said Congressman David Young. ""It's my hope more schools in the Third District will take advantage of federal funding available to reduce violence in our communities."" ""This grant will allow us to build upon our thoroughly researched and collaboratively developed School Emergency and All Hazard Plan,"" said Creston Schools Superintendent Steve McDermont. ""These funds will allow us to significantly upgrade our safety and security systems and to provide safe and secure learning environments for students and all other stakeholders in our schools."" The STOP School Violence Actprovides funding for schools to purchase additional security measures to keep students and teachers safe, such as hiring a school resource officer or purchasing security equipment, such as locks, monitoring cameras, and metal detectors. The bill also provides funding for mental health and behavioral counseling for students.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/audio/capitol-hill-report-194,Capitol Hill Report,2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"721 Federal Building 210 Walnut Street Des Moines, IA 50309 Phone: 515-288-1145 Fax: 515-288-5097 111 7th Avenue SE, Box 13 Suite 6800 Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Phone: 319-363-6832 Fax: 319-363-7179 201 West 2nd Street Suite 720 Davenport, IA 52801 Phone: 563-322-4331 Fax: 563-322-8552 210 Waterloo Building 531 Commercial Street Waterloo, IA 50701 Phone: 319-232-6657 Fax: 319-232-9965 307 Federal Building 8 South 6th Street Council Bluffs, IA 51501 Phone: 712-322-7103 Fax: 712-322-7196 120 Federal Building 320 6th Street Sioux City, IA 51101 Phone: 712-233-1860 Fax: 712-233-1634",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-receives-response-hhs-foster-youth-recommendations,Grassley Receives Response from HHS on Foster Youth Recommendations,2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley received a letter from Assistant Secretary for Family Support Lynn Johnson in response to an October 15 inquiry urging Johnson to implement recommendations from a Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) report that would help foster children who are prescribed psychotropic medications. Ensuring children in the foster care program are safe and receiving the proper treatments and support is critical. Iowa has a particularly high rate of foster children being treated with psychotropic medication and it's imperative the state and federal government monitor treatments to make sure they are receiving the proper care. I appreciate Assistant Secretary Johnson's timely response and will continue to closely monitor further actions taken. Iowa was one of five states studied by the OIG. More than 35 percent of Iowa's foster youth are being treated with psychotropic medication, one of the highest rates in the country. The OIG found that 30 percent of these children did not receive a treatment plan, which is required by law in Iowa. Additionally, 48 percent of children in foster care did not receive medication monitoring by a prescribing professional. Grassley is the co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth and has been working to improve the lives of foster children and families for more than two decades. In 2008, Grassley introduced theFostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act, which provided additional federal incentives for states to move children from foster care to adoptive homes. That legislation also made it easier for foster children to be permanently cared for by their own relatives, and to stay in their home communities. TheTax Cuts and Jobs Act, which passed late last year, preserved the Adoption Tax Credit, making it easier for families who want to adopt children in foster care to do so. Also last year, Grassley introduced theStrong Families Act of 2017, legislation to prevent child abuse and improve maternal and child health. In 2011, Grassley worked to reauthorize grants that support families who struggle with substance abuse, and that improve the well-being of children who are not in their homes or are likely to be removed because of parental substance abuse. His bill, the Building Capacity for Family Focused Residential Treatment Act, was recently signed into law as part of a bipartisan, bicameral effort to reduce opioid addiction. The full text of the letter is available here and below. The Honorable Charles E. Grassley United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Grassley: Thank you for your letter concerning the Office of Inspector General (OIG) report entitled: Treatment Planning and Medication Monitoring were Lacking for Children in Foster Care Receiving Psychotropic Medication. The Children's Bureau within the Administration on Children and Families provides oversight of states' compliance with the requirements related to the use of psychotropic medications with children in foster care through the ongoing administration of the program and monitoring. It also provides technical assistance to states to promote best practices. The Children's Bureau is taking a number of factions to support states in their oversight of prescription of psychotropic medications to children in foster care. In my responses to your questions below, I describe those actions as well as detail how the Children's Bureau plans to address the OIG's recommendations. Does the ACF intend to implement all of the recommendations of the OIG report? If ACF does not intend to implement all recommendations, please provide a detailed explanation as to what recommendations ACF will implement and why. Please also provide a detailed explanation of what recommendations will not be implemented and why ACF has reached this decision. Response: The Children's Bureau has developed and will implement a three-pronged approach to respond to the OIG's recommendations: On June 30, 2019, states and tribes will be required to submit a new five-year Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP) for fiscal years (FYs) 2020-2024 and a final report on their progress implementing the previous five-year CFSP. In a program instruction to states regarding this upcoming submission, the Children's Bureau will ask states to report on success and challenges in addressing this requirement over the previous five years, and will emphasize the importance of strengthening the development and implementation of protocols for the appropriate use and monitoring of psychotropic medications for children and youth in foster care.This fiscal year, the Children's Bureau concluded the on-site portion of the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) in the remaining states for Round 3. We will assess the findings for this round related to the use of psychotropic medications and make determinations about whether the approach should be amended for Round 4.The Capacity Building Center for States hosts constituency groups for professionals who perform the same functions across the state programs. The foster care managers oversee the casework staff. Oversight of psychotropic medications will be a topic to be addressed in the foster care managers' constituency group.ACF noted that there is already a well-established approach to program implementation. However, the OIG report indicates that this approach is not sufficient to ensure state compliance with requirements related to treatment planning and medication monitoring. What steps does ACF intend to take to improve compliance with these requirements? Response: The Health Care Coordination and Oversight Plan is one requirement of the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services Program (title IV-B, subpart 1). To encourage integrated planning across the continuum of child welfare services and child welfare funding sources, ACF requires states to submit a five-year Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP) and then Annual Progress and Services Report (APSRs) for the intervening years to address the requirements of title IV-B, subparts 1 and 2; the Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood and the Chafee Educational and Training Vouchers Program. (Requirements for the Child Abuse and Neglect State grant authorized by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) are also addressed in conjunction with the annual submissions.) Each year, the Children's Bureau issues a Program Instruction outlining the information that states must report to receive annual funding under these programs. Information pertaining to the Health Care Oversight and Coordination Plan is included as part of these submissions. Staff in the regional offices of the Children's Bureau engages in joint planning with state staff around the development of their CFSPs and APSRs prior to submission. States are then required to submit the CFSP or APSR to the regional office by June 30 each year. Once regional offices receive the plans, staff review them to ensure that all requirements for all programs have been adequately addressed, responding to the requirements as outlined in law and in the annual Program Instruction. In the even that a requirement (including a requirement pertinent to the Health Care Coordination and Oversight Plan) is not fully addressed, the regional office will ask the state to revise the plan prior to recommending approval of the annual APSR or CFSP submission. We monitor state compliance with titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act through the CFSR. CFSRs allow us and the states to look at a sample of cases to determine whether the agency is providing appropriate oversight of a child's psychotropic medications, such as whether the agency is: Ensuring that a child is seen regularly by a physician to monitor the effectiveness of the medication, assess any side effects and/or health implications, consider any changes need to dosage or medication type and determine if medication is still necessary and/or if other treatment options would be more appropriate;Regularly following up with foster parents/ caregivers and administering medications appropriately and about the child's experience with the medication(s), including any side effects;Following any additional state protocols that may be in place related to the appropriate use and monitoring of medications We ask states, prior to the review, to confirm our understanding of its state protocols articulated in its CFSP/IVB plan for medication oversight to support rating these items. We do not stratify our sample to generate a large number of children in foster care on such medications, so the number of cases reviewed varies per state. States are responsible for conducting further analysis on their results to determine the specific strengths of breakdowns in monitoring of psychotropic medications. ACF noted that the OIG's recommendation would require statutory and regulatory changes to implement. What changes to law or regulation would be required to implement the OIG's recommendations to improve states' compliance with treatment planning and medication monitoring requirements? Response: The OIG recommended that ACF strengthen its annual review of states' protocols to confirm that state requirements incorporate professional practice guidelines related to treatment planning and medication monitoring. However, title IV-B does not require states' health care coordination and oversight plans to incorporate professional practice guidelines. Also, ACF does not have authority to require state compliance with professional practice guidelines. What additional statutory authorities or monetary resources does ACF need to implement all of the OIG's recommendations? Response: The OIG recommended that ACF require states to report data on treatment planning and medication monitoring to the extent they can provide reliable and consistent data, and then compile national data to use as a benchmark for their progress in meeting requirements. However, the data is not appropriate for collection through the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System because it cannot be reported reliably and consistently. Are there other changes to law that would allow ACF to be more effective in improving states' compliance with treatment planning and medication monitoring requirements? Response: Each year, the Children's Bureau issues a Program Instruction outlining the information that states must report to receive annual funding under these programs. Information pertaining to the Health Care Oversight and Coordination Plan is included as part of these submissions. Staff in the regional offices of the Children's Bureau engages in joint planning with state staff around the development of their CFSPs and APSRs prior to submission. Once regional offices receive the plans, staff review them to ensure that all requirements for all programs have been adequately addressed, responding to the requirements as outlined in law and in the Program Instruction. In addition, we monitor state compliance with titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act through the CFSR. CFSRs allow us and the states to look at a sample of cases to determine whether the agency is providing appropriate oversight of a child's psychotropic medications. Regulations allow the title IV-E agency to develop and complete a program improvement plan prior to withholding funds. Outside of the CFSR process, if it comes to our attention that a state is not complying with the Health Care Oversight and Coordination Plan, regulations allow ACF to initiate a partial review and subsequent program improvement plan. The recommendation to assist states in developing monitoring requirements that incorporate professional practice guidelines recommends publishing a memorandum with specific mechanisms for child-level treatment planning and monitoring. Does ACF intend to publish this memorandum, and if not what does ACF intend to do to assist states in implementing child-level monitoring consistent with professional practice guidelines? Response: In 2019, ACF will publish a program instruction for submitting a new five-year Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP) for fiscal years (FYs) 2020-2024 and a final report on their progress implementing the previous five-year CFSP. In our program instruction to states regarding this upcoming submission, ACF will ask states to report on success and challenges in addressing this requirement over the previous five years, and will emphasize the importance of strengthening the development and implementation of protocols for the appropriate use and monitoring of psychotropic medications for children and youth in foster care. Does ACF intend to provide additional training or technical assistance for states related to incorporating professional practice guidelines beyond what is already available? Response: The Children's Bureau funds an array of technical assistance. The Child Welfare Information Gateway (Information Gateway) develops, disseminates and maintains publications, website pages, general information and guidance on a variety of child welfare topics, including those focused on effectively addressing ongoing challenges related to ensuring the appropriate use of psychotropic medications for children in foster care. The Capacity Building Center (the Center) for States seeks to support state and territorial child welfare agencies in building capacity to better serve youth by undertaking efforts and promoting best practices, including those related specifically to psychotropic medication use for children in foster care and accompanying topics such as health and mental health, well-being, continuity of care, and successful transitions to adulthood. The Center is funded to provide tailored services to address the specific requests of states. The Center hosts constituency groups for professionals who perform the same functions across the state programs. The state foster care managers are one such constituency group. The foster care managers oversee the casework staff. Oversight of psychotropic medications will be a topic to be addressed in the foster care managers' constituency group. In addition, both the Information Gateway and the Center have an extensive library of products available for state use. I appreciate your concerns about the health and well-being of children in the public foster care system. I share your concerns and am dedicating to address the OIG recommendations. I hope this information is helpful to you. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of further assistance. I will provide a copy of this response to your co-signers. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-china-s-announcement-crack-down-deadly-fentanyl,Grassley Statement on China’s Announcement to Crack Down on Deadly Fentanyl,2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, chairman of the Judiciary Committee and Caucus on International Narcotics Control, made the following statement regarding China's announced plans to tighten controls on the production and export of Fentanyl, which has been linked to thousands of overdose deaths in the ongoing opioid epidemic. Fentanyl-laced heroin has fueled the deadly opioid epidemic and has been linked to the majority of opioid overdose deaths in recent years. China is the world's leading producer and exporter of this highly-potent drug and its chemical analogues. As chairman of the Judiciary Committee and Caucus on International Narcotics Control, I've worked to advance legislation to fight the opioid epidemic, including efforts to stem the flow of deadly drugs into the United States. I recently held a hearing to address this very issue. In October, we heard from government officials and experts from around the country who emphasized the need for China to legislate in this area. When China does so, the data shows that supply in the marketplace dramatically decreases. President Trump has also been a leader in combatting the epidemic. He and Chinese President Xi made real progress over the weekend to crack down on the illicit fentanyl and analogue market. This announcement is a welcomed development that could save an untold number of lives in the United States. I am pleased that we were able to draw attention to this issue through our hearing and other work. In 2017, 60 percent of U.S. opioid deaths involved fentanyl, which is an increase from 14 percent in 2010. Fentanyl is currently involved in more deaths than prescription opioids or heroin. Grassley recently chaired a hearing on the flow of illegal fentanyl from China. He also introduced legislation to aide law enforcement in targeting manufacturers and traffickers of synthetic drugs by closing legal loopholes that allow the sale of substances substantially similar to restricted drugs. This legislation would help stop the flow of synthetic analogues, including fentanyl analogues, into our country. Earlier this year, the Senate passed sweeping legislation to help combat the opioid epidemic. The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act included seven bills that Grassley led through the Judiciary Committee. Grassley also coauthored the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, which became law in 2016, to assist in the response to, treatment and rehabilitation of opioid addiction. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/support-first-step-act-keeps-building-senate,Support for First Step Act Keeps Building in Senate,2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Ben Cardin of Maryland have joined the growing list of cosponsors of the new First Step Act (S.3649). A crowd of 28 senators, fourteen Republicans and fourteen Democrats, have now sponsored the legislationendorsed by the Presidentto reform America's criminal justice system. I agree with President Trump. This reform makes society safer. Equipping non-violent and low risk parolees to re-enter society, get a job and stay out of trouble can break the cycle of recidivism and crime. This also saves taxpayers money. Keeping geriatric inmates with Alzheimer's under guard is a waste of prison beds, Dr. Cassidy said. I strongly support the bipartisan First Step Act, which makes long overdue changes to our broken criminal justice system. It makes key sentencing and prison reform improvements and would create a more reasonable legal system as we strive to provide equal justice under the law to all Americans. Senator McConnell should bring this legislation to the floor without further delay. It is clear that our bill would garner overwhelming bipartisan approval in both the Senate and House, Sen. Cardin said. Cosponsors of the First Step Act include: Chuck Grassley of IowaDick Durbin of IllinoisMike Lee of UtahSheldon Whitehouse of Rhode IslandLindsey Graham of South CarolinaCory Booker of New JerseyTim Scott of South CarolinaPatrick Leahy of VermontJoni Ernst of IowaJerry Moran of KansasAmy Klobuchar of MinnesotaChris Coons of DelawareJeff Flake of ArizonaRichard Blumenthal of ConnecticutPat Roberts of KansasDoug Jones of AlabamaSusan Collins of MaineTammy Duckworth of IllinoisLamar Alexander of Tennessee Kirsten Gillibrand of New YorkRand Paul of KentuckyMazie Hirono of HawaiiRob Portman of OhioAngus King of MaineTodd Young of IndianaBrian Schatz of HawaiiBill Cassidy of LouisianaBen Cardin of Maryland Here is a full list of cosponsors and endorsements from other organizations. The First Step Act is backed by President Trump and endorsed by a number of law enforcement groups, including the nation's largest police group.It's also now supported by 172 former federal prosecutors including two former Republican U.S. attorneys general, two former deputy attorneys general and a former director of the FBI along with sheriffs from 34 states across the country. The National Governor's Association, which represents the governors of all 50 states, praised the bill earlier this week. And a broad coalition of conservative, progressive, and faith groups also support the bill. The bill has also been endorsed by the oft-divergent editorial boards of the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, as well as by the editorial board of the Houston Chronicle. More information on the legislation can be found here: -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-death-president-george-hw-bush,Statement on the death of President George H.W. Bush,2018-12-01,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,David Young,Y000066,davidyoung.house.gov,,,legacy,"Iowa Congressman David Young issued the following statement on the death of President George H.W. Bush. ""President George H.W. Bush defined public service. He selflessly dedicated his entire life to serving our country, and I am thankful for all he has done for the United States. We lost a brave, honest, steadfast, and compassionate statesman.I join so many others in the mourning of his passing, while remembering his earnest words about the importance of America being a kinder and gentler nation.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=AA536EDD-CB3C-44B6-8F50-5AEEE7446DCA,Senator Ernst Statement on the Passing of George H.W. Bush,2018-12-01,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) issued the following statement on the passing of George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States: I join the nation today in honoring our nation's 41st president, George H.W. Bush. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather, a veteran and a true American leader. Like our forefathers who came before him, George H.W. Bush was committed to furthering the ideals that this country was built upon, in a way that will transcend his life. He showed us that relationships matter, people matter, freedom matters. When I was deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom, all Kuwaitis, especially the police force, were so appreciative of Americans and viewed George H.W. Bush as their savior. His commitment to sharing the American value of freedom and democracy with the Kuwaiti people helped secure America's partnerships with the region ever since. We owe so much of our nation's enduring peace, security and prosperity to George H.W. Bush, and, I personally am ever grateful for his leadership and service to our country. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bush family during this time.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-passing-president-george-h-w-bush,Grassley Statement on the Passing of President George H. W. Bush,2018-12-01,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,IA,Charles Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"NEW HARTFORD, IOWA U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today released the following statement regarding the passing of the 41st President of the United States of America, George Herbert Walker Bush. President George H. W. Bush led an incredible life. He served with distinction as a naval aviator in World War II, flying 58 combat missions. He represented his community and neighbors as a congressman. He built bridges as an American diplomat in China. He helped keep our nation safe as the head of the Central Intelligence Agency. He honorably served as vice president to President Ronald Reagan and then himself led our nation as America's 41st president. He will be remembered not only for his professional achievements, but for the warmth and kindness he showed to his friends and political opponents alike. President Bush will be missed, but his life and service to our nation will be celebrated. My wife Barbara and I offer our condolences and respect to his family and everyone who mourns his loss. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.ernst.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=C5D12A59-CDDE-4E6C-8CFA-B6F728AB1328,Radio Iowa: Ernst optimistic Farm Bill reaches president in December,2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Republican,House,IA,Joni Ernst,E000295,www.ernst.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senator Joni Ernst says there appears to be a breakthrough in negotiations on the Farm Bill. I am hopeful that the deal gets done by the end of the year,Ernst told Radio Iowa. I think we have reached an agreement in the conference committee, so that is really good news for our farmers and ranchers of Iowa. Ernst is the only Iowan on a conference committee that's been struggling for weeks to reconcile House and Senate versions of the Farm Bill. A provision championed by Iowa's other Senator, Chuck Grassley, is not in the final deal. It would have imposed limits on farm subsidy payments to non-farmers. Republicans in the House had been pressing for new work requirements for food stamp recipients. That's not in the final version either. That has been worked out between the House and the Senate and so I do believe that we will be able to move forward and get that bill on the floor of the Senate as soon as possible,Ernst said. Ernst indicated the Republican leader in the senate who decides which bills get debated has assured her a vote on the Farm Bill will happen in the Senate in December. So as we're laying out the road map for the rest of 2018 the lame duck' session the Farm Bill has been included in that mix,Ernst said. I believe that we will getthis done. We will get it to the president and he will get it signed and reauthorized. ... To read the article in full, clickhere.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z