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-shares-overview-of-his-2025-policy-and-oversight-achievements,Grassley Shares Overview of His 2025 Policy and Oversight Achievements,2025-12-29,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is sharing an overview of his 2025 legislative and oversight work on behalf of Iowans. “It’s an honor serving the people of Iowa every day. I’m happy to report that Senate Republicans made a great impact this year by preventing the largest tax increase in U.S. history and ending the Biden Border Crisis, providing American families with increased safety and prosperity. In 2026, I’ll continue my efforts to bring down costs for Iowans and make government more accountable and transparent. We’ve got more work to do to lower the price of prescription drugs, pass a five-year Farm Bill and root out wasteful spending. I encourage all Iowans to share their views with me while I continue working for them in Washington,” Grassley said. Click HERE to read Grassley's 2025 Year in Review. Table of Contents: 1 Welcome Numbers to Know 2 Iowa: Number One in the Senate HIStory Series 3 Every County, Every Year 4 Year One of Trump’s Second Term 5 Tax Cuts for Working Families 6 Advancing Iowa’s Clean Energy Future 7 Agriculture Pushing for Year-Round, Nationwide E15 Lowering the High Cost of Fertilizer Supporting Farm Aid 9 Health Care Protecting Rural Health Care and Supporting Telehealth Preserving and Strengthening Medicaid Cracking down on Obamacare Fraud Lowering Prescription Drug Prices through PBM Transparency Caring for Rural Iowans 11 The Senate Judiciary Committee | Chairman Chuck Grassley About the Committee Ending the Biden Border Crisis Supporting the American Workforce Putting President Trump’s Team in Place Lifetime Judicial Appointments Breaking Through the Partisan Blockade Fighting Unconstitutional Judicial Overreach Keeping an Eye on the Courts Restoring Law and Order Delivering for American Communities Combating Organized Retail Crime Halting the Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Safeguarding Children 17 Transparency Brings Accountability 18 Arctic Frost: A Scandal Worse than Watergate 19 Standing Strong at Home and Abroad -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-welcomes-historic-investment-in-iowa-rural-health-care-from-republicans-working-family-tax-cuts-law,Grassley Welcomes Historic Investment in Iowa Rural Health Care from Republicans’ Working Family Tax Cuts Law,2025-12-29,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, welcomed news from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that Iowa will receive $209,040,064 in Fiscal Year 2026 from the Rural Health Transformation Fund to boost hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers and other rural providers. “Senate Republicans fought hard to ensure our Working Family Tax Cuts Law included significant funding for rural communities. I was proud to help craft this legislation that provides the largest federal investment in rural health care in history. It’s fantastic news that Iowa will receive $209 million in the next year to support its Healthy Hometowns program and revitalize rural care across the state. I thank Governor Reynolds and her team for working with my office and our congressional delegation to make this substantial investment in Iowa health care,” Grassley said. Background: The rural health care funding comes from the Grassley-backed Working Family Tax Cuts law, titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. In addition to preventing the largest tax increase in history and providing major investments in border security and law enforcement, the law includes a historic investment in rural health care. Last month, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the state had submitted its “Healthy Hometowns” application for a portion of the law’s funding. Iowa’s plan is aimed at building a high-quality, sustainable system of care that improves the health, well-being and quality of life in rural communities across the state.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-an-iowans-advice-after-70-years-of-parenting,ICYMI: An Iowan’s Advice After 70 Years of Parenting,2025-12-27,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"An Iowan’s Advice After 70 Years of Parenting By Senator Chuck Grassley December 26, 2025 Wall Street Journal Last weekend I encouraged everyone to read Rahm Emanuel’s op-ed “Lessons From Modern Parenthood” (Dec. 20). He’s a Democrat, and I’m a Republican, but his advice is sound for moms and dads of any stripe. Kudos to him for speaking up on a consequential issue on many Americans’ minds. After years of policymaking and parenting, I agree that there’s no “secret sauce” to raising a family. Good parenting isn’t partisan. My wife of 71 years and I agree with the Emanuels on the ritual of eating together as a family. The conversations around the table in my own childhood are seared in my memory—they prompted an interest in government that turned into my vocation. When our five kids were growing up, I can’t pretend I was at every meal. I give Barbara credit for serving as commander in chief of our household, acting as mom, homework-helper, chore-taskmaster and more when I was in Washington. Yet there was no daylight between us in our approach to parenthood. We taught our kids to work hard and live by the Golden Rule. Farm chores and school work didn’t leave much time to waste on television. Raising kids today comes with new challenges, but the fundamentals haven’t changed. Our advice: Stick your nose in their business and keep strict boundaries. The internet poses risks beyond idleness and harm to mental health. Nefarious predators are targeting children with all manner of schemes. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I’m leading bipartisan efforts with Sen. Dick Durbin (D., Ill.) to combat online child exploitation and keep the next generation safe. Our reforms will help deter bad actors by revamping federal sentencing laws, targeting online criminal networks and cracking down on offenders who use child sex-abuse material to extort and coerce children. Having and raising children is our nation’s most important work. Parents deserve to feel empowered, to be assured that Washington is an ally. Barbara and I didn’t fall into helicopter- or tiger-parenting categories. Our Midwestern philosophy was handed down from our parents: Have faith in God and yourself; don’t worry about failure—it yields resilience—and remember that love guarantees you a permanent seat at the supper table. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa)",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-time-to-end-section-230,Q&A: Time to End Section 230,2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Q: What is Section 230? A: Section 230 refers to the federal statute that provides legal immunity to Big Tech. The outdated law shields social media platforms and prevents parents and victims from seeking justice from online harm. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I’m co-sponsoring the bipartisan Sunset Section 230 Act to repeal this provision of the Communication Decency Act of 1996. This nearly 30-year old measure was written to give emerging internet entities the runway to get off the ground. It allowed social media companies to host and moderate third-party content unencumbered by the fear of costly litigation. Fast forward three decades, many of these entities are among the most powerful, profitable companies in the world; they use Section 230 to evade badly needed accountability. At the helm of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I’ve convened congressional hearings to gather expert testimony on child online exploitation to inform public policy; heard from witnesses exposing online child extortion rings, like the “764” network; and introduced bipartisan legislation to implement whistleblower protections in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry. I’ll continue advocating for parents, including Deric and Kathy Kidd of Des Moines, who lost their son in 2021 when he took half of what he thought was a pain pill that was actually fentanyl. Congress must take swift action to empower victims and send a message to Big Tech. With passage of our legislation, social media companies would no longer have license to profit from heinous material and drug trafficking pushed on their platforms with immunity. The day is long overdue to open the courthouse doors for victims of online crimes and exploitation to seek justice and hold wrongdoers accountable. Q: What are the next steps in the new year? A: I wrote a bipartisan letter alongside the cosponsors of the Sunset Section 230 Act and called upon the Senate Majority and Minority leaders to prioritize this issue and our bipartisan bill for next year’s legislative calendar. Common sense says Section 230 has outlived its utility and instead fosters a breeding ground for online harms and criminal exploitation. The bottom line is clear: Big Tech is profiting at the expense of the American people, especially young people. Section 230 allows online predators to sexually groom and extort kids. Predators create and distribute AI-generated deepfake pornography; drug traffickers sell fentanyl-laced pills to teenagers; impressionable adolescents experience harm to their mental health, with online content exploiting body image issues, anxieties about isolation and stress over peer exclusion. Vulnerable victims and distraught parents are at their wit’s end with no meaningful relief for exploited consumers. Policymakers need to put the American people first and open the door to our system of justice for the redress of grievances. Too many grieving parents will observe this holiday season another year without a precious son or daughter lost to online exploitation or drug trafficking. When Congress returns to work in the new year, we’ve asked Senate leaders to dedicate a week in February to advance bipartisan legislation that protects children from online threats – including my landmark legislative package to target lax sentencing laws, violent online criminal networks and child sextortion crimes – and end the crisis that’s cropped up after three decades of legal immunity once and for all. After 30 years in the wilderness of legal immunity, it’s time to chop down Section 230 and give victims of online crimes their day in court and parents better peace of mind.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-nominates-31-iowa-students-to-us-military-academies,Grassley Nominates 31 Iowa Students to U.S. Military Academies,2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is announcing his support for 31 Iowa students seeking acceptance to U.S. military academies. “I am proud to nominate these 31 young Iowans to our nation’s prestigious military academies,” Grassley said. These young men and women have bright futures, and I’m inspired by their leadership, achievements and motivation to serve our country. It’s my honor to nominate them.” Each year, Grassley nominates Iowa high school seniors for placements at the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. All service academies select at least one of Grassley’s nominees. Learn more about service academy nominations HERE. Grassley’s nominees for entrance during the 2026-2027 academic year follow: United States Air Force Academy Jorge Camarena, Council Bluffs Gabriel Conrad, Iowa City Odin Hankins, Ainsworth Mackenzie McClelland, Grinnell Charlee DeJong, West Des Moines Calan Peters, Milford Lydia Weininger, Palo Luke Miller, Polk City Lydia Meunsaveng, Indianola Alexis Bogardus, Granger Jackson Goslin, Hiawatha Camilla McArthur, Atlantic Carter Mitchell, Des Moines Shae Magley, Cedar Falls Jack Franzen, Urbandale United States Military Academy at West Point Berit Kallemeier, Urbandale Avery Schnack, Decorah Naomi Templeman, Dallas Center Gabrielle Wilker, Saint Olaf Kamryn Wolkenhauer, Danville Alexis Bogardus, Granger Patrick Bowser, Urbandale Jackson Goslin, Hiawatha Jackson Lampe, Dubuque Camilla McArthur, Atlantic Quentin Moore, Des Moines Mackenzie McClelland, Grinnell Allie Sackett, Cedar Rapids Daniel Spooner, Mason City Jack Franzen, Urbandale United States Merchant Marine Academy Jackson Lampe, Dubuque Jack Franzen, Urbandale United States Naval Academy Dane Thomas, Cedar Rapids Joseph Winland, Cedar Falls Luke Miller, Polk City Alexis Bogardus, Granger Patrick Bowser, Urbandale Charles Crane, West Des Moines Ellie Hance, Palo Jackson Lampe, Dubuque Camilla McArthur, Atlantic Quentin Moore, Des Moines Owen Powell, Blue Grass Connor Rash, Ames Allie Sackett, Cedar Rapids Daniel Spooner, Mason City Jackson Goslin, Hiawatha",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/more-medical-residency-positions-headed-to-iowa-thanks-to-grassley-law,More Medical Residency Positions Headed to Iowa Thanks to Grassley Law,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) announced Iowa Methodist Medical Center (UnityPoint) will receive additional Medicare funds to cover added graduate medical education (GME) residency positions in emergency medicine. The positions are a result of a 2020 law Grassley championed as then-Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee to support Iowa’s growing health care workforce needs. This is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) fourth round of residency funding. Iowa has been awarded federal funding for over 14 permanent additional GME residency positions so far. “During my 99 county meetings, I hear from patients and health care professionals who tell me our medical workforce needs more support. We especially need more emergency room doctors in rural communities, so today’s announcement is welcome news. I’m gratified to see my efforts are continuing to support Iowans seeking medical care,” Grassley said. “The additional Medicare-funded residency slots help address critical physician shortages here in Iowa and helps ensure Iowans continue to have access to high quality health care in their local community. Our programs consistently produce physicians and surgeons that remain in Iowa to serve Iowans. We appreciate Senator Grassley’s continued work on this issue,” said Dr. William J. Yost, Chief Academic Officer and Vice President of Medical Education and Research at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Below is an overview of GME residency positions CMS has awarded to Iowa hospitals: Background: While chairing the Senate Finance Committee, Grassley worked in 2020 to add 1,000 additional Medicare-funded GME residency positions nationwide to strengthen America’s health care workforce – particularly in rural and underserved communities. This was the largest increase in Medicare-funded residency positions in over 25 years. Following further Grassley oversight, CMS confirmed it intends to meet the 10% rural hospital distribution threshold in the overall distribution of 1,000 residency positions. Grassley highlighted the importance of distributing medical residency positions to rural areas during a May 2024 Finance Committee hearing, in a March 2025 Finance Committee nomination hearing and on the Senate floor in May 2025.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-national-defense-matters,Q&A: National Defense Matters,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Q: Why is the national defense bill an annual priority? A: National security is the number one responsibility of the federal government. For 65 years in a row, Congress has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that shapes defense policies, from nuclear weapons to cybersecurity, drones, troop pay and military construction. As customary, the House and Senate Armed Services Committees conducted a series of hearings throughout the year to dig into the details of the massive legislative package that forms the blueprint for America’s national defense. The $900 billion, 3,086-page bipartisan bill outlines defense priorities for the coming fiscal year to ramp up military readiness and beef up support for our nation’s men and women in uniform, including a 3.8% pay raise, better housing, child care and health benefits. For example, the defense bill on its way to the president’s desk paves the way for improved access to specialty care for service members by lowering the mileage for travel reimbursement for medical appointments from 100 to 75 miles. It allows members of the National Guard and reserves called up to active duty to enroll their children in Defense Department schools and bumps up the family separation allowance for deployed service members. These improvements signal to members of the Armed Forces that Uncle Sam stands shoulder to shoulder with our troops for the service and sacrifice they make for freedom and liberty. On December 13, 2026, two Iowans made the ultimate sacrifice while serving overseas in Syria. Sergeant William N. “Nate” Howard of Marshalltown and Sergeant Edgar B. Torres-Tovar of Des Moines were members of the Iowa National Guard Second Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division. I attended the dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base to pay tribute to these fallen heroes on their solemn homecoming in flag-draped cases and introduced a Senate resolution with Sen. Joni Ernst honoring their service and sacrifice. The ambush attack also killed a civilian interpreter and injured three service members from the Iowa National Guard. The terrorist attack is a stark reminder of the courage, patriotism and sacrifice these fallen heroes gave to their country and affirms why it’s imperative to ensure the full measure of the federal government supports the needs of our troops. That’s why I work every year to strengthen the annual defense authorization bill, including my efforts to protect defense dollars from waste, fraud and abuse. Every dollar lost to fraud is one less dollar for military readiness and our troops. Q: What measures did you work to secure in the defense bill before final passage? A: I pushed successfully for authorizing funds for Iowa’s military installations, including $220 million for projects at the 185th Air Refueling Wing at the Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City and $13.8 million for the vehicle maintenance shop at the Waterloo Armory. As a longtime advocate for the Rock Island Arsenal, I also supported bipartisan measures to beef up its minimum workload and encourage a public-private partnership to help ensure the nation’s domestic arsenals stand ready long term to supply our nation’s munitions needs. In addition, I worked with Sen. Dick Durbin to enhance and strengthen U.S. security cooperation with the Baltic States. Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine calls for a united front to deter Vladimir Putin’s aggression to resurrect the Soviet empire. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I held two hearings this year to examine the threat drones pose to public safety, from smuggling weapons and drugs across our borders to spying on sensitive facilities or committing acts of terror in a crowded stadium or other public space. My bipartisan bill called the SAFER SKIES Act was included in the defense bill and expands the authority of state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement entities, as well as correctional agencies, to use counter-unmanned aircraft system technologies to stop malicious drone activity.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-republicans-confirm-14-law-and-order-nominees-to-deliver-safer-streets-for-americans,Senate Republicans Confirm 14 Law and Order Nominees to Deliver Safer Streets for Americans,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) applauded the Senate’s confirmation of 13 U.S. Attorneys and the Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Criminal Division. The nominees were confirmed last night as part of a nominations package of 97 executive nominees, by a vote of 53-43. Under Grassley’s leadership, the Senate this year confirmed 31 of President Trump’s U.S. Attorneys, which is the same number of U.S. Attorneys confirmed during the first year of the Biden administration. Four of the 31 confirmed U.S. Attorneys received blue slips from Democrat senators. “U.S. Attorneys are an essential component of law enforcement – responsible for prosecuting violent criminals, protecting the public and enforcing the rule of law. Yesterday, Senate Republicans successfully voted to confirm these critical law enforcement officers to protect communities across the country. The bulk of Senate Democrats who voted ‘no’ yet again proved their disdain for the safety and wellbeing of Americans. As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I’ll continue working in the new year to successfully and efficiently advance and confirm President Trump’s nominees,” Grassley said. The nominees confirmed last night include: Andrew Duva, to be Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division; Erin Creegan, to be U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire; Jerome Francis Gorgon, Jr., to be U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan; David Courcelle, to be U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana; Braden Boucek, to be U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee; Domonick Gerace II, to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Bryan Stirling, to be U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina; Thomas Wheeler II, to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana; Adam Mildred, to be U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana; Thomas Albus, to be U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri; Thomas Ferguson III, to be U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina; Ryan Antony Kriegshauser, to be U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas; James Kruger, to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi; and Scott Leary, to be U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi. Background: Historically, U.S. Attorneys were routinely confirmed on a bipartisan basis due to their non-political and non-controversial nature. That bipartisan tradition was destroyed this year when Senate Democrats placed indefinite, blanket holds on all of President Trump’s 93 U.S. attorneys. Senate Republicans overcame the partisan blockade in October, confirming 18 U.S. Attorneys as part of the first nominations package of 107 executive nominees.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-graham-bipartisan-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-sunset-section-230-protect-americans-online,"Grassley, Graham, Bipartisan Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Sunset Section 230, Protect Americans Online",2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in introducing the Sunset Section 230 Act. The bipartisan bill would repeal Section 230 immunity two years after the date of the bill’s enactment, allowing users who have been harmed by online platforms to hold those platforms accountable. “For nearly 30 years, Section 230 has provided Big Tech cover as they turn a blind eye to heinous crimes committed on its platforms,” Grassley said. “As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I’m glad to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to update our nation’s laws, rein in Section 230 and hold Big Tech accountable.” “I am extremely pleased that there is such wide and deep bipartisan support for repealing Section 230, which protects social media companies from being sued by the people whose lives they destroy. Giant social media platforms are unregulated, immune from lawsuits and are making billions of dollars in advertising revenue off some of the most unsavory content and criminal activity imaginable,” Graham said. “It is past time to allow those who have been harmed by these behemoths to have their day in court.” “Children are being exploited and abused because Big Tech consistently prioritizes profits over people. Enough is enough. Sunsetting Section 230 will force Big Tech to come to the table and take ownership over the harms it has wrought. And if Big Tech doesn’t, this bill will open the courtroom to victims of its platforms. Parents have been begging Congress to step in, and it’s time we do so. I’m proud to partner with Senator Graham on this effort, and we will push for it to become law,” Durbin said. Additional cosponsors include Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), all members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Bill text is available HERE. Background: Section 230, enacted as part of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, provides legal immunity to online platforms for third-party content. The provision was originally created to allow then-fledgling internet entities – like social media companies – to host and moderate user content without fear of lawsuits. Today, many of these entities are some of the most powerful companies in the world and rely on Section 230 to shield themselves from much needed accountability. In 2025, Grassley chaired two Senate Judiciary Committee hearings to examine online safety and online child exploitation, and introduced three bipartisan bills with Durbin to hold violent online criminals accountable.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-thune-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-combat-chinas-unfair-trade-practices-stand-up-for-american-farmers,"Grassley, Thune, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Combat China’s Unfair Trade Practices, Stand Up for American Farmers",2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) to reintroduce the Trade Cheating Restitution Act, legislation that would support American producers who have been harmed by unfair trade practices, primarily by China. The bill would direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to distribute interest realized on certain anti-dumping and countervailing duties since 2000 to qualifying U.S. producers harmed by decades of trade distortions that continue to undercut these domestic industries. “Iowans produce some of the best agricultural products in the world. As a result of Iowa farmers’ hard work, America is the world’s top agricultural exporter. Unfortunately, China’s unfair trade practices have hurt Americans who produce quality products in an honest manner. Our bipartisan legislation will help restore fairness to international trade and compensate producers who’ve been injured by the Chinese Communist Party,” Grassley said. In addition to Grassley, Thune and Smith, the legislation is cosponsored by Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.). Read bill text HERE. Background: The Trade Cheating Restitution Act of 2025 builds on a Thune-Grassley provision that was signed into law in 2015 as part of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, which required CBP to distribute the interest realized on duties collected since 2014.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/photos-grassley-honors-fallen-iowa-national-guardsmen,PHOTOS: Grassley Honors Fallen Iowa National Guardsmen,2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) yesterday attended a solemn transfer of remains at Dover Air Force Base for two Iowa National Guard members killed in Syria: Sgt. William Nathaniel “Nate” Howard of Marshalltown and Sgt. Edgar Torres-Tovar of Des Moines. President Donald Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chief of Staff of the Army General Randy George also attended, along with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and members of the Iowa congressional delegation. Grassley and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) also introduced a Senate resolution honoring the lives and service of Howard and Torres-Tovar. Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) is leading a companion resolution in the House of Representatives. “Sergeant Howard and Sergeant Torres-Tovar paid the ultimate sacrifice, and we owe them a debt that can never be repaid,"" Grassley said. ""Yesterday’s transfer of remains allowed us to continue paying our respects to these young men. Barbara and I are praying for their families and loved ones. I’m also joining Senator Ernst to introduce a resolution in their honor. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten, and will be written in the Senate’s history books forever.” Download photos HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-passes-peters-and-grassleys-bipartisan-bills-to-help-prevent-foreign-influence-in-us-policy,Senate Passes Peters and Grassley’s Bipartisan Bills to Help Prevent Foreign Influence in U.S. Policy,2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The Senate unanimously approved two bipartisan bills authored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-Mich) to improve America’s ability to prevent foreign governments from attempting to influence U.S. policy without making appropriate disclosures. The bills will close loopholes that foreign governments could exploit to conceal their roles in lobbying efforts. “Americans ought to know if a foreign government is trying to sway policy here in the United States,” Grassley said. “Our bills finally close a loophole that’s allowed individuals to conceal their lobbying efforts, and they make sure all foreign actors are disclosed to the American people. By passing our bipartisan bills with broad support, the Senate demonstrated our commitment to getting these vital reforms to President Trump’s desk.” “The American people should know when foreign governments try to influence our political process,” Peters said. “These bipartisan bills will let us take commonsense steps to protect our national security by ensuring foreign actors can’t exploit loopholes to hide their activities when attempting to shape policy in the United States. We must ensure that our government is working in the best interests of the American people, not those of our adversaries.” The Lobbying Disclosure Improvement Act would improve transparency around the activities of lobbyists who represent foreign persons or organizations by requiring them to indicate whether they are taking advantage of an exemption under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) when they register under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. This will help the government ensure no lobbyists representing foreign governments are using the exemption inappropriately. The Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act closes a loophole in the Lobbying Disclosure Act that foreign adversaries – including the Russian and Chinese governments – can exploit to conceal their roles in lobbying efforts. Think tanks and law enforcement agencies have identified instances in which foreign adversaries exploited this loophole by using closely connected organizations and businesses to push their interests when lobbying the U.S. government. The bill makes clear that lobbying organizations must disclose when foreign governments and political parties participate in their lobbying efforts, regardless of any financial contribution to the lobbying effort.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-applauds-final-passage-of-fiscal-year-2026-defense-authorization-bill,Grassley Applauds Final Passage of Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Authorization Bill,2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) welcomed final passage of the annual defense policy bill, authorizing critical resources for national defense and military readiness. The legislation now heads to the president’s desk. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 includes several Grassley-backed provisions and was approved by a vote of 77-20. Grassley on Monday voted to end debate on the legislation and advance to a final vote on the bill. He missed today’s final vote while attending a solemn ceremony at Dover Air Force Base to receive the remains of two fallen Iowa National Guard members: Sgt. William Nathaniel “Nate” Howard of Marshalltown and Sgt. Edgar Torres-Tovar of Des Moines. “Today, Congress sent President Trump a robust defense package that prioritizes our service members and ensures American dominance on the world stage. I’m pleased several of my provisions were included in the final bill, like authorizing funding for Iowa’s military installations, improved oversight of Defense Department spending and support for key programs to help law enforcement officers,” Grassley said. “We strongly support the inclusion of several critical public safety provisions in the compromise Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). These measures directly confront real threats, close longstanding operational gaps, support our nation’s first responders, and will make communities across the United States safer … We appreciate your efforts to respond to the needs of public safety agencies and the attention given to these urgent issues. We stand ready to support you as Congress advances the NDAA and as these new authorities and programs are implemented to protect the public and the officers who serve them,” said representatives from 16 major law enforcement groups. The bill authorizes a 3.8% pay raise for military service members, as well as: $161 billion for procurement including missiles, combat vehicles, and aircraft; $26 billion for shipbuilding; and $25 billion for munitions. Grassley secured the following priorities in the FY26 NDAA: Authorization of federal funds to support Iowa’s military installations: $220 million for projects at the 185th Air Refueling Wing/Sioux Gateway Airport, including aircraft parking apron, extended runway, runway repair and warm-up/holding pad; $13.8 million for the vehicle maintenance shop at the Waterloo Armory (Army National Guard); Provisions to bolster the Rock Island Arsenal through a pilot program on arsenal workload sustainment, encouraging public-private partnerships to increase minimum workloads at domestic arsenals like Rock Island; The Abducted Ukrainian Children Recovery and Accountability Act, cosponsored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), to support Ukraine’s efforts to investigate and track the nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children who have been abducted during Putin’s brutal invasion. The legislation will also assist with the rehabilitation and reintegration of children who are returned and provide justice and accountability for perpetrators of these abductions; and The Baltic Security Initiative Act, cosponsored by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), to enhance and strengthen U.S. security cooperation with the Baltics amid Putin’s aggressive action in the region. The legislation effectively codifies the Baltic Security Initiative effort. Grassley secured key wins in his capacity as Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, including U.S. Marshal and police protection for retired Supreme Court Justices. The NDAA includes four bipartisan law enforcement bills, which passed out of the Judiciary Committee during Police Week in May: The PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act to aid state and local law enforcement agencies in combating child sexual exploitation online. This bill was previously blocked by Senate Democrats who were seeking to funnel federal dollars to dangerous sanctuary cities. The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act to expand access to federal support for the families of firefighters and other first responders who pass away or become permanently disabled from service-related cancers. The Improving Police CARE Act to equip law enforcement officers with quality trauma kits, allowing them to respond immediately if a civilian or fellow officer experiences a traumatic injury during a call. The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act to ensure families of retired law enforcement officers who were killed as a result of their service are not unjustly denied benefits. The NDAA also includes expanded counter-drone authorities for state, local and territorial law enforcement agencies to help mitigate threats posed by drones. This provision was based off Grassley and Sen. Gary Peters’ (D-Mich.) bipartisan SAFER SKIES Act. Under Grassley’s leadership, the Judiciary Committee this year has held two hearings on drones and their potential threats to public safety.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-durbin-reintroduce-bipartisan-criminal-justice-bills,"Grassley, Durbin Reintroduce Bipartisan Criminal Justice Bills",2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced four bipartisan criminal justice bills to better protect American communities and strengthen the nation’s criminal justice system. The First Step Implementation Act, the Safer Detention Act, the Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act and the FSA Reporting Extension Act each build off the successes of the lawmakers’ First Step Act (FSA), which President Trump signed into law in 2018. “Criminals must face just penalties, and our nation’s criminal justice system should seek to prevent recidivism,” Grassley said. “I’m committed to advancing efforts that will help reduce crime, improve our nation’s justice system and safeguard American communities.” “Seven years ago, Congress came together to pass the most important criminal justice reform law in a generation. But as its name suggests, it was just the first step,” Durbin said. “In order to keep making our justice system fairer and our communities safer, we must continue reforming our antiquated and outdated sentencing laws and providing opportunities for those who are incarcerated to prepare to reenter society successfully. I appreciate Senator Grassley’s partnership in this important endeavor.” The First Step Implementation Act, the Safer Detention Act and the Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act are endorsed by Right On Crime, the Conservative Political Action Conference and Americans for Prosperity. A full list of endorsements is available HERE. “Each of these bills strengthens public safety in a different way — by ensuring fairness at sentencing, focusing resources on dangerous individuals, and fully implementing reforms that reduce recidivism. Together, they move the federal system toward a smarter, more accountable, and more effective approach to public safety,” said Brett Tolman, Executive Director for Right On Crime. “These solutions complement one another and point in the same direction: a justice system that is more focused on actual risk, more respectful of constitutional limits, and more effective at reducing crime. That’s the type of system communities can trust,” said Rachel Wright, National Policy Director for Right On Crime. The First Step Implementation Act: The First Step Implementation Act would strengthen the First Step Act by: Allowing courts to apply First Step Act sentencing reform provisions retroactively; Giving courts discretion when sentencing nonviolent controlled substance offenders, or reducing sentences of juvenile offenders who have served more than 20 years; Providing for the sealing or expungement of records of nonviolent juvenile offenses; and, Requiring the Attorney General to ensure accurate criminal records are shared for employment-related purposes. This legislation is also endorsed by the Prison Fellowship Ministries. Bill text is available HERE. The Safer Detention Act: The Safer Detention Act would reauthorize and reform the now-expired Elderly Home Detention Pilot Program and clarify applicability of compassionate release from federal prisons.? This legislation is also endorsed by the Prison Fellowship Ministries. Bill text is available HERE. Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act The Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act would prohibit courts from considering conduct defendants have been acquitted of for sentencing purposes. Bill text is available HERE. FSA Reporting Extension Act The FSA Reporting Extension Act would extend the First Step Act’s annual reporting requirement by five years. The First Step Act required the Attorney General to submit annual reports to Congress on the bill’s implementation and impact for five consecutive years, starting two years after implementation. The FSA Reporting Extension Act would extend this reporting through 2030. Bill text is available HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-unanimously-passes-grassley-backed-bill-to-combat-child-trafficking,Senate Unanimously Passes Grassley-Backed Bill to Combat Child Trafficking,2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today welcomed the Senate’s unanimous passage of his Preventing Child Trafficking Act. The bipartisan bill would require the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement much-needed anti-child trafficking recommendations. The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration. “This is an important bill with an important objective, fostering communication between the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services with the result, we hope, of preventing children from falling prey to the evils of human trafficking,” Grassley said on the Senate floor. “Preventing future instances of trafficking is very, very essential and I’m happy to support this bill’s advancement today.” Video of Grassley’s floor remarks is below. VIDEO",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/tomorrow-grassley-to-attend-dignified-transfer-of-deceased-iowa-national-guardsmen-at-dover-afb,TOMORROW: Grassley to Attend Dignified Transfer of Deceased Iowa National Guardsmen at Dover AFB,2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) will attend a solemn dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base tomorrow, December 17, to receive the remains of two Iowa National Guard members killed in Syria: Sgt. William Nathaniel “Nate” Howard of Marshalltown and Sgt. Edgar Torres-Tovar of Des Moines. President Donald Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chief of Staff of the Army General Randy George are also scheduled to attend. Grassley spoke on the Senate floor on Monday to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-12-15-25,"Capitol Hill Report, 12-15-25",2025-12-15,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Senator Grassley’s Capitol Hill Report can be found HERE. Topics include: health care subsidies, farm aid package, Grassley-Durbin child safety bills, New World Screwworm, annual defense bill and Ukraine and Russia negotiations.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/new-records-reveal-dojs-yearslong-efforts-to-shut-down-investigation-into-clinton-foundation,New Records Reveal DOJ’s Yearslong Efforts to Shut Down Investigation into Clinton Foundation,2025-12-15,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Department of Justice (DOJ) records provided to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) offer a behind-the-scenes look at how top leadership during the Obama-Biden administration repeatedly interfered to prevent DOJ prosecutors and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents from investigating the Clinton Foundation’s financial dealings. “The mainstream media smeared any investigation into Hillary Clinton as unfounded nonsense, but in reality, line agents and federal prosecutors seeking to follow up on legitimate leads were sidelined by partisan leadership looking to save Clinton’s reputation. That’s a night-and-day departure from how the Biden Justice Department handled the Arctic Frost investigation against President Trump,” Grassley said. “For too long, our Justice Department has chosen winners and losers instead of enforcing the law without regard to power, party or privilege. That must never happen again. I thank Attorney General Bondi and Director Patel for turning over these records, so the American people finally know how their Justice Department failed in the Clinton investigations.” The records, including internal emails and an investigatory timeline, were provided to Grassley in response to his oversight request and whistleblower allegations. Per the records: On July 20, 2016—111 days before the 2016 election—an agent with the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division ordered that, “based on the sensitivities surrounding the Clinton Foundation,” agents were prohibited from issuing subpoenas, conducting interviews or sharing information related to the case with other offices so as to avoid “[creating] any impression we are investigating the Clinton Foundation or the Clintons.” In November 2016, FBI Headquarters, while under the leadership of then-Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, stepped in to block the Clinton Foundation investigative team from accessing potentially incriminating evidence located on the laptop of Anthony Weiner, the husband of Hillary Clinton’s political aide, Huma Abedin. McCabe, among others, recommended the information instead be routed to the FBI’s “Midyear” investigative team. After the investigation was reopened in 2017, Main Justice holdovers from the previous administration allegedly provided prosecutors in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas (EDAR) with documents that omitted information regarding DOJ and FBI leadership’s interference. Additional requests the EDAR made to the FBI in 2018 “ruffled some feathers” and didn’t result in a response. An EDAR prosecutor concluded “there appear to be conflicts of interest for the leadership [at Main Justice, including the Public Integrity Section,] related to the 2016 [Clinton] investigations that undermine any confidence we might normally have in looking to them for assistance.” View the records and Grassley’s follow-up letter to the DOJ and FBI HERE. December 15, 2025 VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION The Honorable Pamela Bondi Attorney General Department of Justice The Honorable Kash Patel Director Federal Bureau of Investigation Dear Attorney General Bondi and Director Patel: On July 18, 2025, I wrote to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) requesting records related to whistleblower allegations that during investigations into the Clintons and their associated groups, DOJ prosecutors and FBI agents didn’t receive support from DOJ’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) and FBI executive management for additional investigative steps.[1] Notably, my letter also requested all records relating to the FBI’s Clinton Foundation investigation.[2] My letter was based on years of investigative work with courageous whistleblowers. Since then, your offices have produced records based on these whistleblower disclosures and I appreciate your cooperation with my investigative work. According to the records obtained by my office, during the Clinton Foundation investigation, FBI Headquarters (HQ) leadership, including former-Deputy Director (DD) McCabe, obstructed investigative activities.[3] Notably, in November 2015, former-DD McCabe’s wife, Dr. Jill McCabe, received over $675,000 from political entities connected to former Virginia Governor and Clinton Foundation Board Member, Terry McAuliffe.[4] According to reports and records, $467,500 came in “monetary contributions” from McAuliffe’s PAC, and $207,788 came from the Virginia Democratic Party as “in-kind contributions,” when McAuliffe was governor of the state.[5] Ultimately, McCabe had to recuse himself from the investigation on November 1, 2016.[6] According to emails obtained by my office, on July 20, 2016—111 days before the 2016 election—an agent with the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division (CID) stated that, “based on the sensitivities surrounding the Clinton Foundation,” agents were prohibited from “subpoena[ing] additional records related to the Foundation, the Clintons”; “conduct[ing] any interviews related to the Foundation or the Clintons”; and “shar[ing] any of the Foundation bank account info with any other offices.”[7] Emails also show that the FBI “[did] not want to create any impression we are investigating the Clinton Foundation or the Clintons.”[8] Internal FBI emails from January 12, 2017, show that the direction came from “higher, i.e., the DD (McCabe).”[9] Records provided to my office show that on September 26, 2016, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) obtained a search warrant for the laptop of Anthony Weiner, whose wife, Huma Abedin, was a political aide to Hillary Clinton during her time as Secretary of State, in connection with a child exploitation investigation.[10] During the course of their investigation, the SDNY discovered information on the Weiner laptop connected to the FBI’s investigation into Hillary Clinton’s mishandling of classified information.[11] According to the records provided to my office, on November 1, 2016, the FBI’s New York Field Office (NYFO) former-Assistant Director in Charge (ADIC) Sweeney, requested that the Clinton Foundation investigative team be allowed to either review the Weiner laptop or be provided a briefing by the Weiner review team, which allegedly FBI HQ initially refused.[12] For example, according to records provided to my office, on November 7, 2016, then-Executive Assistant Director (EAD) Coleman noted that “[i]t was determined by DD McCabe and EAD Steinbach that any follow on investigative activity concerning the emails located on Anthony Weiner’s laptop would be reviewed by the MIDYEAR investigative team.”[13] Accordingly, it appears that the Clinton Foundation investigators, at that time, had to depend on the MIDYEAR team, which included Peter Strzok, for information.[14] Furthermore, on July 24, 2017, under the Trump administration, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas (USAO EDAR) and FBI Little Rock reopened their investigation into the Clinton Foundation.[15] During the course of their investigation, in November 2017, the US Attorney for the EDAR, Cody Hiland, requested information from then-head of DOJ PIN Ray Hulser and then-Acting Chief Anna Lou Tirol about “who made the decision to shut the [original] case down.”[16] Documents provided to my office also note that Hulser provided Hiland with a timeline that “omitted ALL references to interference from DOJ and FBI leadership.”[17] Emails provided to my office also show that during the course of their reopened investigation, in July 2018, attorneys at the EDAR requested additional information to determine “whether sufficient probable cause exists to submit a search warrant affidavit for the Weiner laptop related to violations of 18 U.S.C. 201(b) and 201(c), 18 U.S.C. § 208, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343, 1344, 18 U.S.C. § 1956, 1957, 18 U.S.C. § 1962 and perhaps other statutes.”[18] EDAR attorneys also stated that for their team to make the assessment, “our office has determined that there is a need to be given access to some of the information described in the OIG Report that was released on June 11, 2018. This is necessary in order to determine if additional information related to these potential violations is currently possessed and already within the government’s knowledge.”[19] According to emails, the request “ruffled some feathers” and the EDAR didn’t “receive[] any response from that request.”[20] Emails from September 2018 also indicate that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Jonathan Ross at the EDAR had concerns about support from Main Justice and PIN regarding the Clinton Foundation investigation, stating that “[b]ut as we have previously discussed, there appear to be conflicts of interest for the leadership there related to the 2016 [Clinton] investigations that undermine any confidence we might normally have in looking to them for assistance.”[21] According to documents provided to my office, prosecutors at the EDAR recommended in July 2019 that a referral be made to the DOJ OIG regarding the “manner in which the investigation had been conducted,” and that they did what they could do “about the interference by DOJ and FBI leadership at the time with the FBI’s [Clinton Foundation] investigation.”[22] The above are just some examples of interference that occurred when agents and prosecutors investigated the Clinton Foundation. In order for Congress to conduct proper oversight of past DOJ and FBI conduct, please provide the following no later than December 29, 2025: Provide the report titled “Anthony Weiner Laptop Review for Communications Pertinent to Midyear Exam” dated November 15, 2016. Provide all records related to the search warrant affidavits for Anthony Weiner’s laptop. Provide all records related to the “yellow sheet of paper, at least 7 separate domains viewed on the device that were affiliated with the Clintons,” which was provided to a NYFO ASAC by a NYFO SA Forensic Examiner.[23] Provide all records related to the decision to withdraw the third 2020 search warrant for the Weiner laptop including copies of all documents attached to the FBI EC titled “Withdrawn Search Warrant – Western Digital Hard Disk Drive, MODEL WD2003FZEX, S/N WMC6N0D5ZNA9.”[24] Provide the document titled “Investigative History, Status, and Recommendations Concerning the Clinton Foundation.” Provide all emails related to the Clinton Foundation investigation and Anthony Weiner laptop to, from, or cc’ing Cody Hiland, Jonathan Ross, John Huber, Andrew McCabe, Diane Upchurch, Randy Coleman, Ray Hulser, and Anna Lou Tirol. Provide all records requested in the July 5, 2018, email titled “Request for information related to DOJ OIG report issued June 11, 2018.” Provide all emails and records in Exhibit 1, as well as records produced in conjunction with this letter, in unredacted form. Thank you for your prompt review and response. If you have any questions, please contact Tucker Akin of my Committee staff at (202) 224-5225. Sincerely, Charles E. Grassley Chairman Committee on the Judiciary",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-on-death-of-iowa-national-guardsmen,Grassley Statement on Death of Iowa National Guardsmen,2025-12-13,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) issued a statement on the death of two members of the Iowa National Guard who were killed by an ISIS terrorist in Syria. Three additional Iowans were injured in the attack. “Barbara and I are heartbroken by the loss of two brave Iowans on a counter-terrorism mission in Syria. These soldiers and the civilian interpreter who was with them paid the ultimate sacrifice, and we are forever indebted to them for their service to our country. My prayers are with their families, loved ones, fellow soldiers and Iowans as we mourn this terrible tragedy. We also pray for the full recovery of the three Iowans who suffered injuries.” Today is the 389th birthday of the United States National Guard, founded on December 13, 1636, as a colonial militia to protect early settlers.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-colleagues-urge-usda-to-prioritize-hpai-poultry-vaccine-strategy,"Grassley, Colleagues Urge USDA to Prioritize HPAI Poultry Vaccine Strategy",2025-12-12,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a lifelong family farmer and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, joined Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ranking Member of the committee, Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and 20 of their Senate colleagues in a letter urging Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins to move forward with the USDA’s avian flu vaccine strategy for poultry while encouraging a comprehensive, science-based approach. “We are writing to encourage the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue prioritizing an avian flu vaccine strategy that takes into account a comprehensive, science-based approach for the potential vaccination of poultry and livestock that have been impacted by this disease,” the senators wrote. “Avian flu infections have already begun to increase as winter approaches, and it is essential that USDA take renewed action to address and fight this virus.” “The USDA recently noted that a draft proposal of an avian flu vaccine strategy for poultry was currently under review, and we strongly urge the Department to advance this review process with speed and diligence, while allowing for proactive consultation with affected stakeholders,” the senators continued. “Any finalized vaccine strategy must take into account feedback from animal health stakeholders, industry experts, and be grounded in sound science. It must also be comprehensive in scope, addressing all impacted species, including turkeys and egg-laying hens. Once a vaccine is developed and USDA has confirmed its safety and efficacy, a vaccine strategy for dairy cattle should also be prioritized.” The National Turkey Federation, the United Egg Producers and the National Milk Producers Federation. endorsed the senators’ call for an HPAI poultry vaccine strategy. “America's egg farmers genuinely appreciate the bipartisan Senate cooperation in support of farmers' fight against HPAI. Like everyone, we value food affordability, and we believe that a successful trade strategy that leads to a viable vaccine strategy is the right long-term solution. Consumers love eggs and we all benefit from the stability of a market where outbreaks of HPAI can be contained,” United Egg Producers President and CEO Chad Gregory said. “National Turkey Foundation (NTF) supports USDA developing a vaccination strategy as one component of a broader approach to HPAI and we believe that plan should be shaped through meaningful stakeholder input and accompanied by active engagement with trading partners to modernize international standards and ensure trade continuity. We look forward to continuing our work with USDA, members of Congress and industry partners to strengthen animal health, ensure food affordability and maintain access to key export markets,” National Turkey Federation President and CEO Leslee Oden said. “Investing in vaccine development and strategic deployment will be a critical piece of controlling and eradicating this disease from dairies across the country.. Until that day, we remain diligent in our work with our partners on Capitol Hill, at USDA and in the private sector to mitigate H5N1’s negative effects on dairy producers and consumers,” National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Chief Science Officer Dr. Jamie Jonker said. Jonker leads NMPF’s efforts to coordinate the dairy industry’s response to bird flu. Along with Grassley, Klobuchar and Rounds, the letter was signed by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Fetterman (D-Penn.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio). Read the full letter HERE and below. December 11, 2025 The Honorable Brooke Rollins Secretary U.S. Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Ave., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20250 Dear Secretary Rollins, We are writing to encourage the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue prioritizing an avian flu vaccine strategy that takes into account a comprehensive, science-based approach for the potential vaccination of poultry and livestock that have been impacted by this disease. We have appreciated your commitment to addressing avian flu thus far in your tenure as Secretary, including the release of the Department’s February 26, 2025, “Five-Pronged Approach to Address Avian Flu”. Since the beginning of this outbreak in 2022, avian flu has impacted more than 184.03 million birds in 1,905 flocks, including more than 21.1 million turkeys and 141.1 million layers, and 1,083 dairy herds across the country. Avian flu infections have already begun to increase as winter approaches, and it is essential that USDA take renewed action to address and fight this virus. The USDA recently noted that a draft proposal of an avian flu vaccine strategy for poultry was currently under review, and we strongly urge the Department to advance this review process with speed and diligence, while allowing for proactive consultation with affected stakeholders. Any finalized vaccine strategy must take into account feedback from animal health stakeholders, industry experts, and be grounded in sound science. It must also be comprehensive in scope, addressing all impacted species, including turkeys and egg-laying hens. Once a vaccine is developed and USDA has confirmed its safety and efficacy, a vaccine strategy for dairy cattle should also be prioritized. We encourage the Department to work closely with trading partners and impacted producers to fully assess and manage any potential trade implications. Finally, as the USDA rolls out any avian flu vaccine strategy, it is critical that clear and transparent communication to producers, veterinarians, and state animal health officials, along with direct guidance and resources, are in place. We value USDA’s continued action to curb the spread of avian flu. Producers, veterinarians, and the American public depend on timely, science-based action to safeguard animal health and protect our nation’s food security. As we prepare and respond to the resurgence of this virus, a thoughtful and comprehensive vaccine strategy will strengthen our ability to fight and mitigate avian flu. Thank you for your continued attention to this urgent matter. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-shoppers-beware-of-online-scrooges,Q&A: Shoppers Beware of Online Scrooges,2025-12-12,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Q: How concerned should holiday shoppers be about counterfeit products? A: Unfortunately, the season of giving is prime time for rip-off artists to worm their way into the wallets of American shoppers during the holidays. As co-chair of the Congressional Trademark Caucus, I lead an annual dialogue in December to raise public awareness about counterfeit products to help educate consumers, particularly during the holiday shopping season. Families work hard for their money and when buying presents for friends and loved ones, you don’t want to end up gifting them with imposter products and getting ripped off with fake knock-offs. What’s worse, some of these fake products pose potential health hazards because they’re not in compliance with safety standards, storage requirements or quality controls. With nearly one-third of holiday spending captured by online shopping, it’s even more important for shoppers to be extra savvy. Whether you’re splurging or bargain hunting, every hard-earned dollar spent on toys, clothing, electronics, perfume, cosmetics or jewelry ought to be spent on authentic products. Avoid getting duped by illicit goods. Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, co-chair of the bipartisan trademark caucus, and I use our policy platform to put fraudsters on notice. This year, we were again joined by the International Trademark Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center to help spread the word and arm consumers with helpful tips. Make no mistake, fake goods rip off customers and harm the bottom lines of law-abiding brands and entrepreneurs. Sales of counterfeit products also have a ripple effect on Main Street, making it harder for businesses to grow and create jobs. In the previous Congress, I cosponsored bipartisan legislation called the INFORM Consumers Act that went into effect in 2023. The transparency law gives consumers better tools to identify third-party online sellers and deter criminals from re-selling stolen or counterfeit items via online marketplaces. I’ve also introduced bipartisan, bicameral anti-counterfeiting legislation to hold fraudsters accountable and strengthen protections for consumers. It would authorize U.S. Customs and Border Protection to share suspected counterfeit packing and shipping information with key intellectual property rights holders, e-commerce platforms and transportation carriers. Adding more federal law enforcement tools will help the private sector root out bad actors. Q: What tips should shoppers keep in mind before making a purchase? A: Shoppers need to be wary and use common sense when making a purchase. Trust your gut instinct. If the price sounds too good to be true for a luxury item or branded product, it likely is. Remember, purchasing counterfeit merchandise inflicts economic harm along the supply chain and illicit goods put end users at risk for unsafe products. Don’t allow the convenience of online shopping and having products delivered straight to your doorstep cloud your judgment. Counterfeits benefit transnational criminals and infringe on the intellectual property rights of law-abiding producers. Rooting out bogus goods merits your attention for every online purchase. Billions of dollars of counterfeit sales rip off consumers every year, especially during the holiday season.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-votes-to-lower-health-care-costs-for-iowans,Grassley Votes to Lower Health Care Costs for Iowans,2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, voted for the Health Care Freedom for Patients Act to lower health care costs for Iowans. Democrats blocked the measure, which required 60 votes to advance, by a vote of 51-48. “Today, Republicans put forward a health care plan that provides real relief to a broken system, and I was glad to vote for that legislation. Our bill would have built on the success of the Working Families Tax Cuts by sending money directly to patients so they can control their own health care. In Washington, I’m going to continue leading the fight to lower health care costs through prescription drug middlemen reform, transparency and competition,” Grassley said. “Rather than address the true failures of Obamacare, Democrats want to extend Biden COVID Bonuses for households making $600,000 and insurance companies. By sending billions in taxpayer dollars straight to these companies, Democrats tried to obscure the rising cost of a broken health care system they built. Even worse, they deliberately set up these COVID bonuses to expire, creating an artificial crisis of their own making. My oversight has shown this program is full of fraud and waste, and extending it without any meaningful reform is unacceptable,” Grassley continued. Full text of the legislation can be found HERE. Background: The Health Care Freedom for Patients Act expands Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility by allowing accounts to be paired with more affordable health insurance plans. These pre-funded, patient-driven accounts will help Americans pay for the out-of-pocket costs that are making health care unaffordable. The bill directly lowers premiums by 11% in 2027 and beyond by providing cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments. It also bars taxpayer funding for abortion or transgender services. Grassley is a leading voice in Washington to find policy solutions that will make health care services more accessible and affordable. In April, Grassley led the Senate Judiciary Committee in approving six bipartisan bills to boost competition in the pharmaceutical industry and improve access to more affordable prescription drugs. Lower- and middle-income earners will still be eligible for Federal Health Insurance Marketplace subsidies in 2026 because subsidies for households making under 400% of the federal poverty limit are in permanent law. In 2021, Democrats temporarily lifted the income cap for those making over 400% of the federal poverty limit, meaning families making $600,000 per year could qualify for Biden COVID bonuses. These Biden COVID bonuses are set to expire at the end of 2025, returning insurance subsidies to pre-pandemic levels. Several provisions from the Senate Finance Committee’s Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) Price Transparency and Accountability Act were lifted from Grassley’s Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act, which he led through the Finance Committee as chairman in 2019. In July, Grassley voted for the Working Family Tax Cuts law, which included a $50 billion rural health transformation fund to ensure hospitals, nursing homes, community health clinics and other rural providers can continue serving their communities and improve care. Earlier this week, Grassley spoke on the Senate floor about fraud, waste and abuse in Obamacare, and the need for real reforms.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/judiciary-committee-advances-four-us-attorneys-and-three-judicial-nominations,Judiciary Committee Advances Four U.S. Attorneys and Three Judicial Nominations,2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the following nominations: David Clay Fowlkes, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas, by a vote of 15-7; Nicholas Jon Ganjei, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, by a vote of 12-10; Aaron Christian Peterson, to be United States District Judge for the District of Alaska, by a vote of 14-8; Andrew Benson, to be United States Attorney for the District of Maine, by a vote of 19-3; William Boyle, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, by a vote of 12-10; Richard Price, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, by a vote of 12-10; and Darin Smith, to be United States Attorney for the District of Wyoming, by a vote of 12-10. Watch the executive business meeting HERE. Read Chairman Chuck Grassley’s (R-Iowa) opening statement at the executive business meeting HERE. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-durbin-introduce-landmark-legislative-package-to-protect-kids-online,"Grassley, Durbin Introduce Landmark Legislative Package to Protect Kids Online",2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) today are introducing three bipartisan bills to hold violent criminals accountable and combat the disturbing rise in online child exploitation. The Committee will also convene this morning for a hearing on child safety. The Sentencing Accountability for Exploitation Act (SAFE Act), Ending Coercion of Children and Harm Online Act (ECCHO Act) and Stop Sextortion Act would each address concerning developments in online child abuse by revamping federal sentencing laws, targeting online criminal networks and cracking down on offenders who use child sex abuse material (CSAM) to extort and coerce children. “Changes in technology have created new opportunities for criminals to harass, exploit, intimidate and harm American children. These horrific crimes – often committed by violent online groups who take advantage of our nation’s outdated laws – have gone unchecked for far too long,” Grassley said. “Congress must stand up for American families and finally address the online rot that is hurting children nationwide. I’m proud to introduce these bills to protect children from online abuse, hold dangerous criminals accountable and secure much needed justice for victims and their families.” “Because of modern technology, child predators from anywhere in the world can target American kids online. As technology has evolved, so have online child exploiters. Today, offenders are engaging in sadistic online exploitation and coercing kids to take their own lives. Big Tech continues to fail our most vulnerable because they refuse to incorporate safety-by-design measures into their platforms or make meaningful efforts to detect the increasingly violent and depraved sexual exploitation of children on their services. I’m proud to join Senator Grassley in introducing three bills aimed at curbing these horrific crimes online, in addition to continuing to work on advancing other critical reforms like my STOP CSAM Act. Congress has spent enough time investigating tech platforms’ failures; it’s now time that we deliver for the American people,” Durbin said. The Sentencing Accountability for Exploitation Act (SAFE Act): The SAFE Act would repeal outdated sentencing laws and require the U.S. Sentencing Commission to develop a new CSAM sentencing guideline that accounts for modern indicators of especially dangerous conduct. Some of these indicators – or aggravating factors – include: (1) if the offender participated in an online group dedicated to CSAM, (2) the length of time an offender was involved in CSAM, (3) the offenders’ use of software or technology to conceal their identity, (4) the offenders’ use of multiple platforms to engage in CSAM and (5) the number of victims. The current CSAM sentencing guideline doesn’t consider modern aggravating factors, allowing some of the most nefarious child abusers to skate by with lesser sentences. However, because much of the current guideline was created through decades-old legislation, the Sentencing Commission is prohibited from updating the guideline without congressional action. Read bill text HERE. The Ending Coercion of Children and Harm Online Act (ECCHO Act): The ECCHO Act would create a new crime that prohibits individuals from coercing children into physically harming themselves, others or animals. The bill creates a penalty of up to life in prison if the offense involves the actual or attempted suicide by the victim or the death of another person, as well as a 30-year maximum penalty for harmful conduct that does not involve a death. The U.S. has seen a recent and disturbing rise in online criminal networks – like Network 764 – that use synchronized group chats to coerce emotionally vulnerable children into engaging in abusive and degrading conduct. This conduct may include self-mutilation, online or in-person sexual acts, animal cruelty, acts of random violence, suicide and murder. Existing laws do not adequately address this extreme behavior, as there is no law that explicitly prohibits the coercion of children to hurt themselves or others. Read bill text HERE. The Stop Sextortion Act: The Stop Sextortion Act would target offenders that threaten to distribute CSAM to intimidate, extort or coerce children. The bill would increase the maximum penalty for these types of offenses from five to 10 years. In recent years, the U.S. has seen a significant increase in offenders who threaten to distribute CSAM to extort and coerce children – through both financially-motivated sextortion (FMS) and sadistic online exploitation (SOE). In the case of FMS, criminals trick children into sharing sexually explicit images and threaten to release those images if the victim doesn’t pay a ransom. Criminals who engage in SOE also trick children into sharing CSAM but threaten to release the images to compel victims to hurt themselves or others. According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), in 2024 the number of reports concerning FMS increased by over 33%, and the number of reports concerning SOE increased by more than 200%. As of May 2025, FMS schemes have driven 40 American children to take their own lives. Read bill text HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-outlines-alarming-obamacare-fraud-unveils-bill-requiring-improved-fraud-risk-assessments,"Grassley Outlines Alarming Obamacare Fraud, Unveils Bill Requiring Improved Fraud Risk Assessments",2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is shining a light on widespread abuse in the Obamacare program and proposing legislation to stop fraud in its tracks. Grassley’s Fraud Risk Assessment of Obamacare Subsidies Accountability Act would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS) to improve its fraud risk assessment of Obamacare and issue annual updates to Congress and the Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General. Full text of the legislation can be found HERE and a one-page summary can be found HERE. Video and a transcript of Grassley’s floor remarks follow. VIDEO When the Affordable Care Act became law, President Obama promised affordable health care. So, contrary to Obama’s promises, in reality, Obamacare has spiked health insurance premiums and led to higher costs. Instead of fixing Obamacare and lowering costs, Democrats established a new, temporary COVID subsidy for wealthy households. Temporary. That temporary ends December 31. Democrats want to extend it way beyond that. Another example of a temporary program never being very temporary. So, this temporary subsidy has driven more taxpayer dollars into broken systems where premiums keep going up and more money is shoved to insurance companies. Now remember the promises of 2010, Obamacare’s passage that year. It was promised to bring down health care costs by $2,500 and we see now, 15 years later, it’s up at least $5,000. So you can see the promise of 2010 by President Obama was off by $7,500. So, I want to explain how we got here, discuss my concerns about fraud, waste and abuse in Obamacare; and provide some commonsense solutions to bring down health care costs. When Obamacare became law, it established taxpayer-funded subsidies through the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace to reduce a household’s monthly insurance premiums. However, these subsidies go directly to insurance companies, not to the consumer. In the United States today, the median household income is $84,000 a year. Permanent law gives Obamacare premium subsidies to a family of three making up to four times the federal poverty line, which is about $106,000 a year. That means someone making $20,000 more than the median household income is eligible for a subsidy under permanent law. I assume the Obamacare authors probably figured households making much more than the median household income made enough money to buy insurance without taxpayers subsidizing it. Nothing in this debate takes away middle-income households’ subsidies. A family making up to $106,000 is at 400% of the poverty line. Let me make it very clear. Those families are eligible for a subsidy today, next year, the year after and so on until the law is changed, and I don’t expect it’ll be changed. Now, in 2021, things changed. [It was] supposed to be temporary, as I pointed out. Temporary laws in this country soon become permanent. In 2021, the Democrats passed their partisan reconciliation law that temporarily lifted the income cap on Obamacare subsidies. Now, that was supposed to temporary. The cap, which was at four times the poverty line, was removed temporarily in the name of COVID. In other words, the country was facing a very dramatic health issue, and the federal government shut down the economy. Twenty-two million people were unemployed, and we didn’t really know what it was all about. Now, we learned a lot of lessons from that, and those lessons would not be repeated, hopefully. But this temporary program was set up in this time of great distress about what the future held. Now, as a result of this temporary program because of Obamacare and COVID, wealthy households making $600,000, which is well above the median household income, are eligible for the temporary taxpayer-funded Obamacare subsidies. Or better known as COVID bonuses. The expansion of Obamacare subsidies for wealthy earners has cost billions, and the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) projections for its costs keep going up. So, in 2021, anticipating some of these problems, I wrote a letter to then-Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary and also the IRS Commissioner. In that letter, I expressed concern about the lack of fiscal responsibility in the Obamacare subsidy expansion and how that expansion would lead to more waste, fraud and abuse. At the time, the HHS Secretary responded, saying, “HHS and the IRS take program integrity seriously.” The HHS Secretary outlined all the ways that the agency was preventing fraud, waste and abuse. I can only conclude that the Biden administration’s response was just empty rhetoric. Since my letter to the HHS Secretary, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found ongoing fraud risks in these Obamacare subsidies. In the last two years, GAO successfully enrolled 96 percent of its fictitious applicants in Obamacare. I really mean fictitious people. This was a test by GAO to see how easy it was to fraud. Now when they started out, they didn’t know that that might be the result. But I’m going to tell you that that is the result. For example, the GAO succeeded in enrolling these fake people despite rules requiring documentation to confirm citizenship status and income. The GAO also found that HHS had let Social Security Numbers be misused by allowing the same number to be used more than once. The agency also failed to match enrollment data with Social Security’s death data and chose not to reconcile the tax credit overpayments with IRS tax data. Fraud, waste and abuse doesn’t stop with those examples. This summer, the Trump administration found 1.6 million people were dually enrolled in 2024 in Medicaid and Obamacare, leading to billions of waste. Now, understand, 1.6 million people having two sources of health care. And then at the same time, we keep telling the public how many people in this country, the millions that don’t have any insurance at all, and here we had 1.6 million people that were enrolled in two health care systems. My own oversight has shown how: Billions in Obamacare subsidy overpayments were not collected and, can you believe this, rules let billions go uncollected. The COVID bonuses created incentives to misestimate income to qualify for larger Obamacare subsidies, leading to billions of waste. Yes, higher income people reporting lower income than they actually had, just to get a government subsidy. And lastly, insurance agents are using targeted internet ads to fraudulently enroll consumers with false income verification extension requests. Extending the COVID bonus permanently increases the deficit by $350 billion and lets billions more go to fraud, waste and abuse. CBO has found that 3.9 million Americans would lose their employer-sponsored health insurance if we make these subsidies for wealthy earners permanent. In other words, because of a government program that was supposed to be temporary, and if it’s continued, employers are smart enough to stop their health insurance program and turn it over to the government. And the government subsidy that goes with it. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle will suggest that they’re only asking for another “temporary” extension of the COVID bonuses for wealthy households. Yet their bill will cost taxpayers nearly $300 billion, and there are no reforms to stop the fraud, waste and abuse. Now, despite warnings from GAO, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) last issued a comprehensive fraud risk assessment of Obamacare subsidies in 2018. Now, the law doesn’t require that report every year, but the GAO said it ought to be issued every year. And so, by not issuing that on a regular basis, [with] the agency failing to update its fraud risk assessment plan, [it] doesn’t surprise me that we have a lot of fraud. My oversight in 2013 found the Obama administration at the time tried to exempt Obamacare from certain federal anti-trust [fraud] provisions. Yes, the administration, at that time, wanted anti-fraud provisions to be ignored. So, any wonder why you have an environment for fraud. The full arsenal of civil and criminal anti-fraud protections must be used. I’ve introduced the Fraud Risk Assessment of Obamacare Subsidies Accountability Act. My bill simply requires the agency to update its fraud risk assessment of Obamacare and update it yearly. I’m glad the agency is already working to update its fraud risk assessment, but we must hold the agency accountable to complete this. I’m glad the Republican-led Congress and the Trump administration have begun cracking down on Obamacare fraud, waste and abuse, thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that the president signed on July 4th. The new law stops resources from going to illegal immigrants and those not here permanently, establishes improved pre-enrollment verification and requires excess subsidies to be repaid. It’s a start, but more work needs to be done. We can lower health care costs and increase quality. It starts with expanding access and competition to high-quality, affordable health insurance through health savings accounts, association health plans and other consumer-driven health plans. Lowering health care costs requires action to reduce prescription drug prices through pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) and reforming that program. I’ve been leading the charge to hold PBMs accountable and put sunshine on their opaque business practices. We also need price transparency. I’m a cosponsor of a bill that’s entitled Patients Deserve Price Tags Act and supported the Trump administration’s efforts to establish price transparency on hospitals and health insurance companies through regulations. Just like all of my colleagues on this side of the aisle, I’m committed to finding solutions to bring down health care costs for American families and not extending government handouts to insurance companies.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/judiciary-witnesses-urge-congress-to-immediately-address-online-child-extortion,Judiciary Witnesses Urge Congress to Immediately Address Online Child Extortion,2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today chaired a hearing to examine emerging online threats against children and proposed legislative solutions. Grassley and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced three bipartisan bills to update federal sentencing guidelines, target violent online criminal networks and crack down on sextortion threats. In response to Grassley’s questions, witnesses highlighted an urgent need to address online child extortion – specifically sextortion and violent online criminal groups like the “764” network. The witnesses discussed gaps in U.S. law that allow child predators to run rampant, with one witness testifying that “the imagery, the videos, the chats that we are seeing and reading are some of the most graphic that I have ever seen in my 20-year history.” Grassley questioned the following witnesses: Tamia Woods, mother of James Woods and co-founder of the Do It For James Foundation Lauren Coffren, Executive Director of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Jessica Lieber Smolar, Esq., Former Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania VIDEO On combating sextortion: Grassley: “Recently, there have been several news reports on the increase in sextortion cases, and how quickly bad actors can manipulate children… many of those children think that suicide is the answer… From a parent’s point of view, why is it important to make sextortion illegal under federal law?” Woods: “We have to make sure that, not only do our children see that we have their back on these issues, but we have to make sure that they know there are resources and laws that back them up.” “People need to be held accountable on top of that. They need to know that they shouldn’t be comfortable with doing the things that they’re doing. Right now they’re comfortable, and you see more and more people being victimized because of that.” On violent online groups like 764: Grassley: “Ms. Coffren, you’ve been with the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children for over 20 years, having served in a variety of positions involving online child safety. Can you describe the recent trends involving these violent gore groups like 764 and how they operate and target children online?” Coffren: “Sadistic online exploitation, violent online groups… most often they’re motivated purely by chaos. Their goal is to be able to weaponize our nation’s children to create terror… Children may be looking for solace, for comfort, for advice in online platforms and spaces where they can find a community. Unfortunately, these offenders are infiltrating and targeting those communities. “The imagery, the videos, the chats that we are seeing and reading are some of the most graphic that I have ever seen in my 20-year history. We are hearing from law enforcement out in the field who’ve said that this is the most disturbing content as well. So, you’re talking about seasoned professionals who are really meeting their match with the new and evolving types of exploitation that we’re seeing.” On gaps in federal law: Grassley: “Ms. Smolar… can you share why we need federal legislation specifically to address these gore groups and other individuals who engage in sextortion? Please share your experience in working investigations involving these groups.” Smolar: “Congress has provided so many important tools to those of us in the field, like mandatory minimums for crimes like receipt and distribution of child pornography or production. [Prosecutors] need those tools in order to properly hold these types of defendants accountable. Right now, when [prosecutors] charge crimes like sextortion or 764 across the country, we all charge them differently… There’s no consistency that allows [prosecutors] to properly address the specific harm that these actors are committing. “In addition, a lot of these actors are overseas. It would be extremely helpful for those of us who want to extradite people here to the United States, to hold them accountable, to have a felony statute that specifically speaks to this harm. “I’m familiar with a case where a defendant was in Germany. Germany had a coercion to harm statute, but [the United States] did not. [Germany] was able to charge that 764 offender there, but we could not charge him here. That shouldn’t happen. We should be able to charge these offenders, hold them accountable and deter them from continuing to hurt our children.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-12-08-25,"Capitol Hill Report, 12-08-25",2025-12-08,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Senator Grassley’s weekly Capitol Hill Report is available HERE. Topics include: farmer aid package, tariffs, Venezuela boat strikes, student loans and birthright citizenship.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-judiciary-committee-plans-series-of-arctic-frost-hearings-for-2026,Senate Judiciary Committee Plans Series of Arctic Frost Hearings for 2026,2025-12-08,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is placing Arctic Frost at the top of the committee’s oversight agenda in 2026. Under Grassley’s leadership, the committee plans to hold a series of hearings examining the constitutional and legal implications of the weaponized election case against President Donald Trump, which began at the Biden Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and was expanded by Jack Smith to target hundreds of Republicans, including members of Congress. Grassley is conducting oversight of Arctic Frost in partnership with Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and this year has released thousands of pages of records exposing Arctic Frost’s political origins. “Thanks to whistleblowers who sounded the alarm to me about Arctic Frost’s existence, this shocking political scandal is seeing the light of day,” Grassley said. “Arctic Frost was a runaway train that swept up information from hundreds of innocent people simply because of their political affiliation. Congress and the American people want answers, and sunshine is the best disinfectant. The Senate Judiciary Committee is leading this investigation to find out exactly what went wrong, so that bad actors can be held accountable and this sort of political witch hunt never happens again. Transparency brings accountability.” Subcommittees plan to examine a range of issues related to Arctic Frost, including: Hearings are expected in the following subcommittees:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-wicker-colleagues-introduce-medical-foods-and-formulas-access-act,"Grassley, Wicker, Colleagues Introduce Medical Foods and Formulas Access Act",2025-12-05,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) introduced the Medical Foods and Formulas Access Act to help Americans with digestive or inherited metabolic disorders access the nourishment they need. The legislation would require Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program to cover specialized formulas, vitamins, individual amino acids and other medically necessary foods prescribed for patients with specific gastrointestinal and inherited metabolic disorders.?The legislation ensures state and federal protection for existing coverage. “Patients with cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s disease or other inherited disorders can get very sick without specialized foods. They may suffer problems like stunted growth or even death if their special nutritional needs aren’t met. Our bipartisan legislation would ensure government insurance plans provide coverage for the nutrition they need to thrive. It makes clear that medical nutrition is just as critical for certain patients as prescription drugs or other medical treatment are for others,” Grassley said. “It is crucial that Americans with digestive or inherited metabolic disorders have the nourishment they need. When medical food and formula is necessary, time is of the essence. Metabolic disorders are treatable with the right resources. This legislation would ensure medically necessary nutrition is covered by government health programs,” Wicker said. Additional cosponsors include Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. John Rutherford (R-Fla.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Jim McGovern (D-Mass). Full text of the legislation can be found HERE. Background: Medically necessary nutrition must be specially formulated and processed, as opposed to naturally occurring food. The legislation provides coverage for patients receiving active and ongoing medical supervision. Nearly 40 states require coverage of medically necessary nutrition, but that coverage varies by state. Around 2,000 infants are diagnosed with an inherited metabolic disorder every year. When these conditions are left untreated, food can become toxic, or necessary nutrients aren’t properly absorbed. Pediatric risks of these diseases include inadequate growth, abnormal development, cognitive impairment and behavioral disorders. These patients require medically necessary nutrition prescribed by a health care provider to treat their conditions, including highly specialized formula. Many conditions can’t be managed solely by avoiding certain foods.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-afghan-evacuees,Q&A: Afghan Evacuees,2025-12-05,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Q: What prompted your oversight of Afghan evacuees paroled into the United States since 2021? A: Following the disastrous withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, 13 American families will mourn forever the loss of their loved one when a suicide bomber attacked the airport in Kabul on Aug. 26, 2021, killing 13 U.S. service members, including a 23-year-old Marine who grew up in Red Oak, Iowa. The tragic aftermath didn’t end on the day of the bombing. The emergency evacuation was a calamitous result of the Biden administration’s poorly planned departure after the Taliban seized control of the country. The ensuing airlift out of Kabul is reminiscent of the 1975 airlift out of Saigon during the fall of South Vietnam. Scenes from the chaotic evacuation seemed surreal as throngs of people sprinted across the tarmac trying to climb onto the departing military plane. In the span of 16 days, the U.S. evacuated American citizens and tens of thousands of Afghan nationals. The Biden administration launched a program called Operation Allies Welcome to relocate Afghans who had worked alongside U.S. forces or faced threats from the Taliban and were eligible to apply for U.S. Special Immigrant Visas (SIV). The Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 expanded the SIV program to protect Afghan citizens who were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government and included eligibility requirements for those who provided faithful and valuable service to the U.S. government. As part of my congressional oversight responsibilities, I work to ensure the executive branch faithfully executes the laws, as Congress intended. My oversight exposed a glaring problem with the Biden administration’s implementation of this program; it dropped the ball on proper precautions to rigorously screen every Afghan national cleared to resettle into the United States. The #1 job of the federal government is protecting the American people. That includes ensuring Afghan evacuees welcomed into the United States do not pose a national security risk. That’s why I’ve pressed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for answers on the botched vetting process to ensure people are properly screened and evacuees who shouldn’t have gotten into our country are removed. Q: What lessons have been learned by your oversight of Operation Allies Welcome? A: From rooting out wasteful spending or holding federal agencies accountable, I’ve learned that oversight matters. For example, I’ve sounded the alarm for more than four years about the urgent need to thoroughly vet Afghan evacuee applicants. In 2022, I asked then-FBI Director Chris Wray during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about the program’s national security concerns and whether the FBI knew where Afghans posing potential security concerns were located inside the United States. This year, I asked a similar concern to FBI Director Kash Patel. Also this year, the Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told my office an important data point: of the more than 100,000 Afghan evacuees – as of August 2022 – 1.6% had links to terrorism or other derogatory information. That means more than 1,600 people at that time posed a potential threat to our homeland. This summer, I called upon the Trump administration to aggressively investigate those evacuees and to shed light on the previous administration’s failure to vet them. Transparency brings accountability. The Biden administration was not honest with the American people about the program’s vetting vulnerabilities. Both DHS and DOJ watchdogs released reports confirming my oversight concerns and highlighted the vetting failures. Tragically, an American family is in mourning for the recent killing of a U.S. service member near the White House while another family prays for the recovery of their loved one. An Afghan national who was welcomed into America under President Biden’s watch is accused of shooting these two members of the West Virginia National Guard. In the same week the two National Guardsmen were shot, an Afghan evacuee was arrested for threatening to bomb a building in Texas. The failure to thoroughly vet Afghan evacuees puts Americans in harm’s way and poses serious consequences yet unknown. I’m glad the Trump administration is responding to my oversight requests and for its efforts to fix the failures of the Biden administration’s resettlement of Afghan evacuees. My oversight will continue.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/key-grassley-provisions-included-in-new-bipartisan-legislation-to-lower-prescription-drug-costs-and-make-health-care-more-affordable,Key Grassley Provisions Included in New Bipartisan Legislation to Lower Prescription Drug Costs and Make Health Care More Affordable,2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is cosponsoring legislation alongside Finance Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and 18 senators to improve accountability and oversight of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and bring down the price of prescription drugs for Americans. Grassley is an original cosponsor of the legislation, called the PBM Price Transparency and Accountability Act. “Iowans at my 99 county meetings are fed up with the high cost of prescription drugs, and for good reason. PBMs are driving local pharmacies in Iowa out of business and making it harder for Iowans to access the medications they need. That’s why I’m introducing legislation with my colleagues to put patients over pharmacy benefit managers by shining a light on the complex and opaque tactics these middlemen use. This landmark bill builds on the bipartisan legislation I spearheaded during my time as Finance Chairman, and includes several proposals I helped craft,” Grassley said. The Grassley–led provisions included in the bill would: Increase PBM reporting requirements to Medicare Part D plan sponsors and the Department of Health and Human Services; Require retail community pharmacies and certain other pharmacies to participate in the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey; and Ban PBM spread pricing in the Medicaid program. Several of the above were lifted from the Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act, which Grassley led through the Finance Committee as chairman in 2019, and were included in 118th Congress Finance Committee mark-up. The Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act was an initiative to save seniors and Americans with disabilities $95 billion in out-of-pocket costs in Medicare Part D and reduce premiums by $1 billion. As then-chairman of Senate Finance Committee in 2003, Grassley was instrumental in creating Medicare Part D, which was the first outpatient prescription drug benefit for seniors. You can view the full text of the bill HERE. Additional cosponsors include Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). Background: Grassley has long championed efforts to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. In recent years, three pieces of legislation authored and coauthored by Grassley have been signed into law saving taxpayers billions to combat anticompetitive practices and stop drug makers from reaping profits at the expense of taxpayers and consumers. Other actions include: May 2025: Grassley chaired a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on PBMs where witnesses endorsed Grassley’s PBM transparency push. April 2025: The Senate Judiciary Committee approved six bipartisan Grassley-backed bills to boost competition in the pharmaceutical industry and improve access to more affordable prescription drugs. February 2025: Grassley reintroduced two bills to lower prescription drug costs and drive accountability, the Prescription Pricing for the People Act and the PBM Transparency Act. January 2025: Grassley welcomed the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) second interim staff report on PBMs and urged congressional and executive branch action. July 2024: Grassley welcomed FTC’s interim staff report on PBMs. January 2024: Grassley sent a letter urging the FTC to complete its investigation into the health care industry’s most powerful prescription drug middlemen. November 2023: The Finance Committee adopted a Grassley-led provision to strengthen oversight of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and hold PBMs accountable. July 2023: The Finance Committee adopted several Grassley-led PBM accountability provisions. March 2023: The Senate Commerce Committee passed a Grassley-backed bill to hold PBMs accountable for unfair practices driving up costs for consumers. October 2022: Grassley led a bipartisan letter urging the FTC to complete its investigation into PBMs to shine light on drug pricing practices. June 2022: Following Grassley requests, FTC opens probe of prescription drug middlemen. January 2021: Grassley and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) released a two-year bipartisan investigation into insulin price gouging. December 2019: Grassley and Wyden released the updated Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act to lower out-of-pocket costs. August 2018: Grassley requested the FTC assess pharmaceutical supply chain intermediaries. Learn more about Grassley’s persistent efforts to lower prescription drug costs HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-bipartisan-colleagues-reintroduce-inspector-general-access-act,"Grassley, Bipartisan Colleagues Reintroduce Inspector General Access Act",2025-12-03,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) reintroduced the bipartisan Inspector General Access Act to allow the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) to investigate alleged DOJ attorney misconduct. “Federal prosecutors have significant authority to enforce our laws. In cases where they abuse that authority, independent watchdogs should be the ones to investigate – not fellow Justice Department attorneys. This is a cut-and-dry matter of accountability and public trust,” Grassley said. “The American people deserve top-notch attorneys representing them at the Justice Department, and Justice Department prosecutors should be subject to independent oversight regardless of the Attorney General. Allegations of professional misconduct should be investigated by the Inspector General, or else we could end up with another instance like the Jeffrey Epstein sweetheart deal struck by then-U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta. This is a simple, bipartisan fix for a clear loophole in federal law, and I thank Senator Lee for joining me in this effort,” Durbin said. “The current IG oversight exemption for attorneys is a nonsensical carve out. Our simple bill changes that, ensuring DOJ attorneys are held to the same standard as other federal agencies. I'm proud to partner again with Senator Durbin on this common-sense bipartisan effort,” Lee said. As a founding member of the bipartisan Senate Inspector General Caucus, Grassley has supported the Inspector General Access Act since it was first introduced in 2015. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) cosponsor the bill. Read bill text HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-12-01-25,"Capitol Hill Report, 12-01-25",2025-12-01,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Senator Grassley’s weekly Capitol Hill Report is available HERE. Topics include: the D.C. National Guard shooting, Arctic Frost, Pharmacy Benefit Managers, the National Defense Authorization Act and staff traveling office hours.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report11-25-25,"Capitol Hill Report,11-25-25",2025-11-25,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Senator Grassley’s Capitol Hill Report is available HERE. Topics include: Thanksgiving, federal judge’s dismissal of indictments against Letitia James and James Comey, the Senate’s focus since the government shutdown, confirming nominations, passing the remaining spending bills and rolling back Biden administration rules through the Congressional Review Act, Grassley’s longtime call for transparency in the Epstein case, Senate Democrats’ calls for military service members to disobey so-called “unlawful” orders and efforts to lower grocery prices.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-rural-health-matters,Q&A: Rural Health Matters,2025-11-25,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Q: What is the Rural Health Transformation program? A: Congress beefed up federal dollars to expand access to health care services in rural communities in the health and tax law signed in July by President Trump. The Rural Health Transformation program was designed to improve access to care, improve health outcomes, prioritize new and emergency technologies, strengthen local and regional partnerships, enhance economic opportunity, prioritize data and technology driven solutions and outline strategies to manage long-term financial solvency and operating models of rural hospitals. I led efforts in the U.S. Senate to support this initiative and add $50 billion in new federal spending to boost resources for Americans in underserved areas by keeping critical health care services available close to home. The Rural Health Transformation program will make $10 billion available annually for five years. The law specifies 50% of the $10 billion must be distributed equally among states, so every state will get a minimum of $100 million annually for the five years. The other 50% will be distributed based on state applications reviewed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This month, I joined Iowa’s federal delegation to support Iowa’s application – called “Healthy Hometowns” – that seeks $1 billion in funding from the Rural Health Transformation program over the next five years. CMS, the federal agency administering the program, is expected to announce awards by Dec. 31. Iowa’s proposal outlines six specific initiatives to enhance the health care infrastructure and improve health care outcomes, including investments in telehealth, medical equipment and care for uninsured Iowans; recruiting and retaining top-tier health care professionals; increasing access to cancer screening and treatment; coordinating multidisciplinary care teams to stretch resources and support community care professionals; providing seamless access to health records across the state to support continuity of care; and bringing emergency care to rural residents with mobile health and high-risk transport support teams. Q: What other initiatives are you leading to address disparities in rural health care? A: This month, I completed my annual 99 county meetings for the 45th year in a row. Health care ranks among the top issues that come up at my meetings, no matter if I’m touring a factory, visiting a school or holding an open town meeting. I also regularly meet with Iowans who come to Washington to discuss health care to inform my work at the policymaking table. Throughout my years serving Iowans in the Senate, I’ve cut my teeth on health care policy as the former chairman and current member of the Senate Finance Committee, which has oversight and legislative jurisdiction over federal health care programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. As you would expect, I’ve leveraged my seniority to go to the mat for Iowans, from allowing local pharmacists to get reimbursed for health care services, such as health and wellness screenings, immunizations and diabetes management, to improving maternal and child health services. I also spearheaded adoption of the voluntary Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) program to help rural communities who face workforce shortages and financial hardship keep their hometown hospital doors open. Signed into law five years ago, the program gives rural hospitals the flexibility to keep their doors open by focusing on 24/7 emergency care and outpatient services. For several years, I’ve led the charge to ensure this program is working as intended to preserve access to essential health care in rural areas. So far, 42 rural hospitals in 17 states have transitioned to this model and I’m working to get feedback from participating hospitals to better understand their challenges to help smooth the process for other rural hospitals across the country. Earlier this year, I welcomed action by CMS to fill 10 available spaces in its Rural Community Hospital Demonstration program. Last year, I pushed the Biden administration to fill these openings and will keep up the pressure to ensure Iowa continues to get physician residency slots to support our medical workforce in communities across the state.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-announces-staff-traveling-office-hours-in-28-iowa-counties,Grassley Announces Staff Traveling Office Hours in 28 Iowa Counties,2025-11-24,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley’s (R-Iowa) staff will hold traveling office hours in 28 Iowa counties next month, from December 1 to December 17. Iowans seeking assistance with a federal agency or wishing to share their views may stop by during the scheduled hours listed below. NOTE: Senator Grassley will not be in attendance. He will be represented by his Regional Directors, Rochelle Fuller, Noah Schrad, Clayton Brown, Jacob Bossman and Jonathan Bladt and his Deputy State Director, Penny Vacek. “You can’t have representative government without dialogue between elected officials and the people we represent. That’s why I’ve held meetings in all of Iowa’s 99 counties for 45 years,” Grassley said. “Because I’m not able to meet personally with each of Iowa’s over three million people, my staff holds traveling office hours to ensure Iowans’ voices are heard and their issues are addressed. I encourage any Iowan needing assistance with a federal agency to stop by and meet with my staff or contact one of my offices.” The schedule is as follows: Monday, December 1 Polk County 10 – 11 a.m. Alleman City Hall 14000 Northeast 6th Street Alleman Regional Director Noah Schrad Davis County 10 – 11 a.m. By the Hearth Bookshop & Coffeehouse 111 East Jefferson Street Bloomfield Deputy State Director Penny Vacek Dallas County 2 – 3 p.m. Perry Public Library The Boardroom 1101 Willis Avenue Perry Regional Director Noah Schrad Dubuque County 2 – 3 p.m. Dubuque County Courthouse Boardroom on 4th Floor 720 Central Avenue Dubuque Regional Director Rochelle Fuller Tuesday, December 2 Page County 10 – 11 a.m. 112 East Main Street Clarinda Regional Director Jonathan Bladt Jasper County 10 – 11 a.m. Colfax City Hall Council Chambers 20 West Howard Street Colfax Regional Director Noah Schrad Taylor County 12 – 1 p.m. Taylor County Courthouse 405 Jefferson Street Bedford Regional Director Jonathan Bladt Allamakee County 12 – 1 p.m. Postville Library 235 Tilden Street Postville Regional Director Rochelle Fuller Madison County 2 – 3 p.m. Winterset Public Library Large Meeting Room 123 North 2nd Street Winterset Regional Director Noah Schrad Clayton County 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Clayton County Office Building Room 1 600 Gunder Road Elkader Regional Director Rochelle Fuller Wednesday, December 3 Winneshiek County 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Decorah Public Library 202 Winnebago Street Decorah Regional Director Clayton Brown Audubon County 10 – 11 a.m. Audubon Memorial Building 410 North Park Place Audubon Regional Director Jonathan Bladt Mahaska County 10 – 11 a.m. Mahaska County Courthouse 3rd Floor Conference Room 106 South 1st Street Oskaloosa Regional Director Rochelle Fuller Fayette County 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Hawkeye Community Hall 102 West Main Street Hawkeye Regional Director Clayton Brown Mills County 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Glenwood Library 109 North Vine Street Glenwood Regional Director Jonathan Bladt Buchanan County 2 – 3 p.m. Independence Library 805 1st Street East Independence Regional Director Clayton Brown Wapello County 2 – 3 p.m. Ottumwa City Hall 105 East 3rd Street Ottumwa Deputy State Director Penny Vacek Poweshiek County 2 – 3 p.m. Renfrow Hall Weingart Room 1115 8th Avenue Grinnell Regional Director Rochelle Fuller Warren County 3 – 4 p.m. Indianola City Hall South Conference Room 110 North 1st Street Indianola Regional Director Noah Schrad Monday, December 8 Bremer County 9 – 10 a.m. Sumner City Hall 105 East 1st Street Sumner Regional Director Clayton Brown Chickasaw County 12 – 1 p.m. New Hampton Public Library 20 West Spring Street New Hampton Regional Director Clayton Brown Franklin County 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Hampton Public Library 4 South Federal Street Hampton Regional Director Clayton Brown Tuesday, December 9 Kossuth County 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Algona Public Library Meeting Room 210 North Phillips Street Algona Regional Director Jacob Bossman Friday, December 12 Mitchell County 9 – 10 a.m. Mitchell County Courthouse Board Room 212 South 5th Street Osage Regional Director Clayton Brown Clay County 10 – 11 a.m. Spencer City Hall Council Chambers 101 W 5th Street Spencer Regional Director Jacob Bossman Dickinson County 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Spirit Lake City Hall 1803 Hill Avenue Spirit Lake Regional Director Jacob Bossman Butler County 3 – 4 p.m. Parkersburg Civic Center 502 3rd Street Parkersburg Regional Director Clayton Brown Wednesday, December 17 Howard County 9 – 10 a.m. Howard County Courthouse 137 North Elm Street Cresco Regional Director Clayton Brown",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-iowa-association-of-business-and-industry-endorses-grassleys-combating-organized-retail-crime-act,ICYMI: Iowa Association of Business and Industry Endorses Grassley’s Combating Organized Retail Crime Act,2025-11-24,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) is applauding U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley’s (R-Iowa) Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA). The bipartisan bill, cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), would establish a multi-agency response to tackle evolving trends in retail theft, recover stolen goods and deter future attacks. “Grassley’s long record of practical problem-solving continues with this effort. His leadership ensures that Iowa’s voice is shaping national policy on an issue that affects every business and every household in our state,” wrote Brad Hartkopf, Senior Director of Public Policy at Iowa ABI. Grassley chaired a Judiciary Committee hearing on organized retail crime earlier this year, where expert witnesses urged congressional action on Grassley’s “game changing” legislation. Industry support for CORCA has continued to grow since the hearing – the bill has been endorsed by 38 state attorneys general, as well as leading advocacy groups, major law enforcement organizations and a coalition of over 260 impacted businesses. Read ABI’s op-ed in The Gazette, or below. Fighting cargo theft protects Iowa businesses and consumers By Brad Hartkopf | Senior Director of Public Policy, Iowa Association of Business and Industry November 22, 2024 The Gazette Organized cargo theft is skyrocketing, and the impact is real for businesses, workers and families here in Iowa and across the country. In fact, there was a recent 60 Minutes report about cargo theft where 24,000 bottles of Guy Fieri’s tequila vanished en route to a warehouse. It might sound like a quirky headline but the truth behind it isn’t novel or isolated. According to CBS Iowa, trucking cargo theft incidents in our state are up 1,500% since 2021, part of a national surge that’s costing billions. Everything from groceries and clothing to electronics and medical supplies is being stolen off trucks, railcars and warehouses before ever reaching store shelves. Three-quarters of Iowa trucking companies say they’ve been hit in the past 18 months. When thefts like these multiply, we all pay more. Businesses lose inventory, insurance rates rise and the higher costs ultimately reach consumers. In a time when costs are already straining Iowa families and small businesses, this is one more problem we can’t afford to ignore. That’s why I want to commend Sen. Chuck Grassley for his leadership on a common sense, bipartisan solution — the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), which he cosponsors with Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada. CORCA would take aim at the root of the problem: organized crime networks that exploit gaps between local, state and federal enforcement. The bill would create a national coordination center to help law enforcement agencies share intelligence, track stolen goods and recover lost cargo across state lines. It would also give the Department of Homeland Security new tools to pursue the sophisticated rings behind many of these thefts — rings that are increasingly tied to international criminal networks. As the Association of American Railroads noted in support of the bill, “Cargo theft is not a victimless crime — it increases costs for consumers, endangers workers, and threatens the reliability of the supply chain.” That’s especially true for freight rail, which moves roughly 40% of U.S. long-distance freight and has faced its own rise in thefts targeting high-value goods. Here in Iowa, where agriculture, manufacturing and logistics are pillars of our economy, the stakes couldn’t be higher. From the pork producers shipping products nationwide to the manufacturers relying on just-in-time deliveries, cargo theft is a drag on productivity and a hidden tax on everyone’s bottom line. The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) believes in solutions that protect both economic growth and consumer well-being. CORCA does just that — strengthening law enforcement coordination, improving data sharing and helping safeguard the goods that keep our economy running. Sen. Grassley’s long record of practical problem-solving continues with this effort. His leadership ensures that Iowa’s voice is shaping national policy on an issue that affects every business and every household in our state. Cargo theft may make for an eye-catching headline, but the solution lies in steady, bipartisan work — and Iowa is once again helping lead the way.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/11/21/2025/qanda-national-adoption-month,Q&A: National Adoption Month,2025-11-21,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Q: What is National Adoption Month? A: More than four decades ago, President Ronald Reagan used the power of the bully pulpit to bring attention to the tens of thousands of children in foster care awaiting a forever home. In 1984, he signed a Senate Joint Resolution to designate the week before Thanksgiving as National Adoption Week. Choosing this week corresponds with the season of thanksgiving and appreciation for the blessings of family. Strong families are the cornerstone of society that strengthens the social fabric of America from one generation to the next. Celebrating family reunification or newly forged families united through adoption inspires others who may be in a position to consider opening their hearts and homes to the rewarding experience that parenthood can bring. During the Clinton administration, the entire month of November was designated to raise more awareness about the chasm between kids awaiting adoption and those blessed with forever homes. National Adoption Month honors the parents and families who have answered the call to open their homes and provide a lifelong foundation of support for the tens of thousands of kids awaiting a forever family. I’m glad to report my bipartisan efforts at the policymaking table in recent years have helped reunite and keep families intact, as well as provide financial resources for foster and adoptive families to take in children who encounter the foster care system. For example, the landmark Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 is credited with helping to significantly lower the number of children in Iowa’s foster care system. According to the Iowa Data Center, the number of kids in foster care in Iowa lowered from 10,400 in 2013 to 6,586 in 2022. Giving families tools and services to safely stay intact leads to brighter futures for kids to help overcome neglect and trauma with the certainty and stability of family reunification or kinship care, as an example. Q: What victories for adoptive families and foster youth have you championed in Congress? A: Through my committee assignments in the U.S. Senate, I’ve worked at the policymaking table to strengthen families and support kids who enter the foster care system so they may reach their full potential, especially those who age out of foster care without the support of a forever family and permanent place to call home. As a member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I secured legislation to make the federal adoption tax credit a permanent part of the tax code. This summer, I supported the tax law signed by President Trump that expanded the child tax credit, boosted childcare financial assistance and made the adoption tax credit accessible to more families. Allowing families to keep more money in their pocket gives parents more breathing room to pay for groceries, put gas in the car and afford to take care of their kids. In 2009, I co-founded the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth to connect federal legislators with researchers, advocates and youth who have lived in a foster care setting to identify and facilitate support as they transition into adulthood. Hosting policy forums give current foster youth and alumni a platform to share their stories and inform policymaking that can protect taxpayer dollars and improve federal programs serving families and children in need. This summer an Iowan participated at an event on Capitol Hill I hosted to discuss barriers foster kids face as they transition into adulthood. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump announced an initiative called Fostering the Future for American Children and Families during National Adoption Month. The executive order seeks to modernize the child welfare system and develop partnerships with government agencies, academic institutions and private sector organizations to create educational and employment opportunities for youth who age out of the foster care system. I applaud their efforts. Reminiscent of President Reagan some 40 years ago, President Trump and the First Lady are leveraging the power of the bully pulpit to bring awareness to children in America who yearn for a forever home and for parents they can call mom and dad long after they reach adulthood. I’ll continue bringing their voices to the policymaking table and was pleased to cosponsor the bipartisan Senate resolution marking November as National Adoption Month and November 22 as National Adoption Day. Of course, the needs of kids awaiting adoption require attention every day of the year. I’m grateful to collaborate with grassroots advocates on child welfare issues and was pleased to present Four Oaks Family and Children’s Services with the “Angels in Adoption” Award in September for its decades of work on behalf of children and families across Iowa. Four Oaks manages five regions across Iowa to help local families navigate the process to become foster or adoptive parents. Learn more online or call (877) 364-1113.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-hassan-reintroduce-legislation-targeting-illicit-drug-knockoffs,"Grassley, Hassan Reintroduce Legislation Targeting Illicit Drug Knockoffs",2025-11-21,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) today reintroduced the Stop Importation and Manufacturing of Synthetic Analogues (SIMSA) Act. The bipartisan bill would crack down on deadly drugs that are substantially similar to controlled substances but carefully engineered to slip into the U.S. undetected. “America’s scheduling system is inefficient and outdated, and our law enforcement officers are struggling to keep pace with emerging drug threats,” Grassley said. “The SIMSA Act would provide much-needed adaptability to get ahead of bad actors and their deadly knockoffs.” “Communities across New Hampshire have been devastated by fentanyl and other deadly drugs. Fentanyl analogues pose just as severe a threat as fentanyl itself, and criminals have deliberately engineered these drugs to circumvent our laws and evade bans,” Hassan said. “Our bipartisan legislation will provide law enforcement with the necessary tools to crack down on the criminals flooding our streets with these drug analogues. I urge my colleagues to support this effort to protect our communities and save lives, and I will keep working to combat the fentanyl crisis.” The SIMSA Act would create a new schedule of drug – Schedule A. Substances could be classified as Schedule A if (1) their chemical structure is substantially similar to a controlled substance and (2) they are expected to have the same or greater effect on the human body. The bill would subject individuals who manufacture, export and import these knockoffs to criminal penalties, but includes provisions to ensure legitimate research can continue. Read the bill text HERE. Background: U.S. law prohibits the unauthorized use of certain controlled substances. However, illicit drug makers and importers circumvent those laws by altering single atoms in controlled substances, creating tweaked drugs that are not yet outlawed, but have similar effects on users. Currently, uncontrolled substances must undergo a time-consuming analysis before the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) can permanently schedule them.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/iowa-transit-to-receive-over-82-million-from-grassley-backed-infrastructure-bill,Iowa Transit to Receive Over $82 Million from Grassley-Backed Infrastructure Bill,2025-11-21,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) welcomed an announcement from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) that Iowa will receive $82,144,823 to support transit improvements across the state. The awards will be administered through DOT’s Buses & Bus Facilities Program and the Low- or No-Emission Program, which both received funding through the Grassley-backed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). “I voted for the bipartisan infrastructure bill with Iowa’s future in mind, and it’s good to see the law continue its strong return on investment. By authorizing these grants, the Trump administration is helping provide efficient and reliable travel options for Iowans,” Grassley said. Award Details: The Iowa Department of Transportation will receive $27,834,685 for the Iowa Bus Replacement Program to buy new buses and vans, replacing older vehicles for 14 of Iowa's transit systems. The Iowa Department of Transportation will receive $19,892,534 for the Iowa Low-No Project to replace older buses and to construct or expand three bus facilities. The Ames Transit Agency (CyRide) will receive $14,648,686 for the Biodiesel and Facility Expansion Project to expand its administrative, maintenance and bus storage facility. Iowa City Transit will receive $8,665,485 for its Driving Economic Opportunity with Replacement Heavy Duty Fixed-Route and Paratransit Vehicles program to purchase diesel and paratransit buses, replacing older buses. The University of Iowa will receive $6,171,174 for the CAMBUS Hybrid Bus Project to buy new diesel-electric hybrid buses to replace aging buses to continue providing safe, efficient and reliable transportation. The Regional Metropolitan Transit Authority of Omaha (Metro) will receive $4,932,259 for the Promoting Sustainability Through Low Emission Vehicles Program to buy new CNG buses to replace older diesel buses that have reached the end of their useful life.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-donates-shutdown-paychecks-to-local-churches,Grassley Donates Shutdown Paychecks to Local Churches,2025-11-20,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) issued the following statement: “After 43 long days, the government shutdown is finally over. Dysfunction in Washington does not serve Iowans. Iowans deserve common sense, not partisan nonsense. As we approach the holiday season, I hope my colleagues are inspired to bring more bipartisanship and cooperation to the policymaking table and to the people’s business. During the government shutdown, I did not take a paycheck. During this season of prayer and thanksgiving, Barbara and I will donate those missed wages to our hometown churches.” Donation recipients include: First Baptist Church of New Hartford, New Hartford Community Church and Prairie Lakes Church. Background: Grassley is a cosponsor of the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act. Under this legislation, if work on the 12 annual appropriations bills is not completed by the end of the fiscal year, all members of Congress would be required to stay in Washington, D.C. and work until the spending bills are completed. In addition, an automatic continuing resolution would kick in based on the most recent spending levels enacted in the previous fiscal year, and would remain in place until the appropriations bills have been finished. This will save taxpayer money, keep government services operating and stop government shutdowns once and for all.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-seven-leading-whistleblower-groups-praise-grassleys-proven-record-of-support-for-whistleblowers,ICYMI: Seven Leading Whistleblower Groups Praise Grassley’s ‘Proven’ Record of Support for Whistleblowers,2025-11-20,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Seven major whistleblower groups told Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) his whistleblower advocacy “has changed the course of history for freedom of speech and government accountability to taxpayers.” This year alone, Grassley has helped secure reinstatement and restitution for at least 15 whistleblowers at three separate government agencies. One of those reinstated whistleblowers wrote in a letter to Grassley: “Thank you for believing in me and believing that the choices I made were right and just... I firmly believe your actions in my case should make our fellow Americans very proud and your constituents in Iowa reassured in their choice to make you, their Senator.” Grassley is the co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Whistleblower Protection Caucus. Read the whistleblower groups’ letter to Grassley on the Government Accountability Project’s website, or below. November 7, 2025 The Honorable Charles Grassley 135 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Grassley, At this year’s National Whistleblower Day luncheon, you pledged to always have whistleblowers’ backs. That was not mere political rhetoric. Again and again, you have proven it is a reality. This letter is to express appreciation for your leadership protecting whistleblowers through legislation and casework, and in particular your congressional amicus advocacy to the Supreme Court. You have been a leader in drafting and obtaining passage of the legal burdens of proof that are the cornerstone of civil service, intelligence community, and corporate whistleblower rights. You monitor their impact in practice as Chair of the Senate Whistleblower Caucus to close the gap between paper rights and reality. All whistleblowers should be especially appreciative that you have defended their rights at the Supreme Court in bipartisan amicus briefs with Senator Wyden, the Whistleblower Caucus Vice Chair. You have taken that step twice recently, for corporate workers in Murray v. UBS, and last month for federal employees in Farrington v. Department of Transportation. For decades your leadership in creating, monitoring and defending whistleblower rights has changed the course of history for freedom of speech and government accountability to taxpayers. It is deeply appreciated by those of us on the front lines fighting for those same objectives. Sincerely, Government Accountability Project Empower Oversight National Security Counselors National Whistleblower Center (NWC) Public Employees for Environmental Accountability (PEER) Project on Government Oversight (POGO) Whistleblowers of America (WOA) The Make It Safe Coalition is a nonpartisan network advancing whistleblower protections through education and advocacy. We combat government and corporate fraud, waste, and abuse by supporting and empowering those who expose critical public safety and accountability issues. We are united in the cause of protecting those who honor their duties to serve and warn the public as whistleblowers.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/judiciary-committee-advances-nominations-for-assistant-attorney-general-mississippi-and-louisiana-district-courts-and-four-us-attorneys,"Judiciary Committee Advances Nominations for Assistant Attorney General, Mississippi and Louisiana District Courts and Four U.S. Attorneys",2025-11-20,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the following nominations: Tysen Duva, to be Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, by a vote of 12-10; Robert P. Chamberlin, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi, by a vote of 12-10; William J. Crain, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana, by a vote of 12-10; James D. Maxwell II, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi, by a vote of 12-10; Alexander C. Van Hook, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana, by a vote of 16-6; Erin Creegan, to be United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire, by a vote of 18-4; Ryan Anthony Kriegshauser, to be United States Attorney for the District of Kansas, by a vote of 12-10; James Kruger, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi, by a vote of 12-10; and Scott Leary, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, by a vote of 17-5. Watch the executive business meeting HERE. Read Chairman Chuck Grassley’s (R-Iowa) opening statement at the executive business meeting HERE. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-outlines-his-efforts-to-bring-down-health-care-costs-questions-witness-on-the-need-for-pricing-transparency,"Grassley Outlines His Efforts to Bring Down Health Care Costs, Questions Witness on the Need for Pricing Transparency",2025-11-19,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – At a hearing today, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, outlined his work to lower health care costs for Iowans, including to bring more transparency and accountability to Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) whose shady tactics raise prescription drug costs. Grassley noted that current health care discussions in Congress mirror talks in 2009, before Democrats rushed through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on a partisan basis. Since the ACA was enacted, millions of Americans have been removed from their preferred health plan, and health insurance premiums skyrocketed. In questions to American Action Forum President Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Grassley asked about ways Congress can promote greater health care price transparency and a competitive private insurance market. VIDEO On the need to lower health care costs: Thanks first of all for the leadership of this committee for holding this hearing. It’s a topic that’s top of the minds of Iowans: high health care costs. It’s kind of suffocated Americans for decades. One example occurs at the pharmacy counter. I’ve heard from countless Iowans that high prescription drug prices frequently lead folks to having to choose between paying for their prescription [or] other necessities. That’s why for years I’ve worked to bring transparency and accountability to tactics deployed by the Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMs. And, I’m not the only one in Congress doing it. In fact, the leadership of this committee is working on that as well. PBMs play a significant role in the pharmaceutical drug supply chain. They act as middlemen processing prescriptions, negotiating prices [and] setting formularies. My bipartisan legislation would increase transparency to better hold PBMs accountable. While not wholly within the committee’s jurisdiction for my legislation, I hope my colleagues will see the importance of acting on PBM reform as soon as possible. High prescription drug prices are one of the several factors driving up health care costs. The rising cost of health care is also evident from escalating health insurance premiums and required copays. There are many parallels between the conversations we’re having today and the ones that I had with my Senate colleagues back in 2009. Unfortunately, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle rushed through Obamacare on a partisan basis. At the time, my Democrat colleagues claimed the law would bend the cost curve down. It’s now evident that that was false, as was the promise that individuals could keep their health plan if they liked it. Since the enactment of Obamacare, millions of Americans have been thrown off their preferred health plan, while health insurance premiums have skyrocketed. According to the Paragon Institute, since 2014, Obamacare benchmark premiums have increased 129 percent for a 50-year-old enrollee. Obamacare premiums have increased twice as fast as premiums for employer provided coverage and three times faster than inflation. That leaves us here today – revisiting the debate on ways to bend the health care cost curve. We need to find a solution that will allow all Americans to breathe a little easier when they seek health care while also ensuring those with pre-existing conditions are protected. On the need for price transparency and options: So, Mr. Holtz-Eakin, I’ve been a proponent of shining light on health care costs, providing businesses the opportunity to help their employees get health insurance and allowing consumers the ability to shop for options. You recently expressed concerns that some new mandates around drug pricing, surprise billing and transparency can add burdens which may erode “the comparative advantage of the private market.” I’d like to have you elaborate on the factors Congress should consider as they seek to promote greater health care price transparency and a competitive private insurance market.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-11-18-25,"Capitol Hill Report, 11-18-25",2025-11-18,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Senator Grassley’s Capitol Hill Report can be found HERE. Topics include: health care subsidies, rural hospital funding, the Epstein files, cameras in federal court rooms, U.S. and China soybean trade and SNAP.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/omb-releases-nearly-43-million-for-cigie-following-push-by-grassley-collins,"OMB Releases Nearly $4.3 Million for CIGIE Following Push by Grassley, Collins",2025-11-18,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chairs of the Senate Committees on the Judiciary and Appropriations, respectively, welcomed the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) decision to apportion $4,287,000 for the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE). This decision will ensure CIGIE can operate through January 30, consistent with the current Continuing Resolution. OMB will simultaneously be conducting a programmatic review of CIGIE’s activities. OMB’s actions follow Grassley and Collins’ recent letter to OMB Director Russell Vought urging the prompt release of funding for CIGIE and the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC), and Grassley’s call last year for CIGIE to clarify its reporting of spending records. “We are pleased that following our continued outreach, OMB is releasing the funding that Congress provided for CIGIE to continue its vital work,” Grassley and Collins said. “This action, building on OMB’s earlier decision to release funding for PRAC, ensures that these important oversight entities can remain focused on delivering the accountability American taxpayers deserve. Our oversight of the administration’s actions, and CIGIE’s work, will continue.” Grassley and Collins were leading proponents of the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008, which established CIGIE to address integrity, economy and effectiveness issues that transcend government agencies and to increase the professionalism and effectiveness of Inspectors General (IG) personnel by helping to establish well-trained and highly skilled IG office workforces. Read the senators’ letter to OMB HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-announces-staff-traveling-office-hours-in-17-iowa-counties,Grassley Announces Staff Traveling Office Hours in 17 Iowa Counties,2025-11-17,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley’s (R-Iowa) staff will hold traveling office hours in 17 counties next week, from November 24 to November 26. Iowans seeking assistance with a federal agency or wishing to share their views may stop by during the scheduled hours listed below. NOTE: Senator Grassley will not be in attendance. He will be represented by his Regional Directors, Rochelle Fuller, Jonathan Bladt and Jacob Bossman, and his Deputy State Director, Penny Vacek. “You can’t have representative government without dialogue between elected officials and the people we represent. That’s why I’ve held meetings in all of Iowa’s 99 counties for 45 years,” Grassley said. “Because I’m not able to meet personally with each of Iowa’s over three million people, my staff holds traveling office hours to ensure Iowans’ voices are heard and their issues are addressed. I encourage any Iowan needing assistance with a federal agency to stop by and meet with my staff or contact one of my offices.” The schedule is as follows: Monday, November 24 Harrison County 8 – 9 a.m. Ignite Pathways 6 7th Street Woodbine Regional Director Jonathan Bladt Cedar County 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Clarence City Hall Council Chambers 411 Lombard Street Clarence Deputy State Director Penny Vacek Johnson County 9 – 10 a.m. Johnson County Health and Human Services Building 855 South Dubuque Street Suite 203 B/C Iowa City Regional Director Rochelle Fuller Crawford County 10 – 11 a.m. Norelius Library 1403 1st Avenue South Denison Regional Director Jonathan Bladt Clinton County 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. DeWitt City Hall Council Chambers 510 9th Street DeWitt Deputy State Director Penny Vacek Sac County 1 – 2 p.m. Sac City Public Library 1001 West Main Street Sac City Regional Director Jacob Bossman Carroll County 1 – 2 p.m. Carroll Public Library 118 5th Street Carroll Regional Director Jonathan Bladt Scott County 1 – 2 p.m. Walcott City Hall 128 W. Lincoln Street Walcott Deputy State Director Penny Vacek Iowa County 1 – 2 p.m. Iowa County Courthouse Annex Building, Second Floor 970 Court Avenue Marengo Regional Director Rochelle Fuller Buena Vista County 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Storm Lake City Hall Small Conference Room 620 Erie Street Storm Lake Regional Director Jacob Bossman Muscatine County 3 – 4 p.m. Wilton City Hall Council Chambers 104 East 4th Street Wilton Deputy State Director Penny Vacek Tuesday, November 25 Montgomery County 9 – 10 a.m. Iowa State Extension Office 1901 N. Broadway Street Red Oak Regional Director Jonathan Bladt Delaware County 10 – 11 a.m. Delaware County Courthouse Upper Level 301 East Main Street Manchester Regional Director Rochelle Fuller Adams County 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Adams County Economic Development Office 710 Davis Street Corning Regional Director Jonathan Bladt Cass County 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Atlantic Public Library 507 Poplar Street Atlantic Regional Director Jonathan Bladt Shelby County 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry 1901 Hawkeye Avenue Harlan Regional Director Jonathan Bladt Wednesday, November 26 Jackson County 1 – 2 p.m. Sabula City Hall 411 Broad Street SabulaDeputy State Director Penny Vacek",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-11-14-25,Capitol Hill Report 11-14-25,2025-11-14,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Senator Grassley’s Capitol Hill Report can be found HERE. Topics include: China and U.S. soybean trade, the Farm Bill, tariffs on fertilizer, health care subsidies, airline operations and congress members’ pay during the government shutdown.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-completes-45th-annual-99-county-meetings,Grassley Completes 45th Annual 99 County Meetings,2025-11-14,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"KOSSUTH COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) yesterday concluded his 45th annual 99 county meetings across Iowa with a tour of Country Maid in West Bend, followed by a question-and-answer session with employees. Earlier in the day, Grassley held meetings in Akron, Sheldon and Rock Rapids. Grassley takes questions on any subject, and Iowans set the agenda. “Representative government is a two-way street. I’m one half of the process, and the people of Iowa are the other. My 99 county meetings allow me to meet with a large cross-section of Iowans from different walks of life, including students, manufacturers, health care providers and more. These meetings guide my policy priorities in Washington, and I appreciate the chance to meet with my constituents face-to-face and hear their concerns. Since I’m not able to meet with over three million Iowans individually, I always encourage people to share their views by writing a letter, sending an email, or calling or stopping by one of my offices,” Grassley said. “My leadership to strengthen rural health care, bring transparency to fertilizer pricing and reduce prescription drug costs all stem from my meetings with Iowans,” Grassley continued. “I look forward to hearing from more Iowans at future question-and-answer sessions as I continue serving our state in the U.S. Senate.” Iowans who attended this year’s meetings raised concerns on a variety of issues including pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), the Farm Bill, health care, the 2025 tax law, trade, biofuels, energy, immigration and more. They often shared their support for more transparency and bipartisanship in Washington. For a full list of Grassley’s county meetings this year, visit his website. To view his photos and posts from the meetings, search #99CountyMeetings on X and Instagram. Grassley also posts meeting recaps on Facebook. Background: Grassley has been holding his annual county meetings since his election to the U.S. Senate. For the past 45 years, he has held at least one question-and-answer session in each of Iowa’s 99 counties every year. He makes himself available for questions from local media for 15 minutes after each meeting. Grassley’s 99 county meetings consist of public town halls, meetings with small businesses, factory workers, farmers, schools, health care professionals, community leaders, students and more. Through this process, he hears from a wide range of Iowans, including those who are unable to take time off from work to attend town meetings. Grassley’s tireless efforts to meet Iowans where they work, study and live continues to set the standard for representative government.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-cameras-in-the-courts,Q&A: Cameras in the Courts,2025-11-14,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Q: Why are you continuing to push for cameras in federal courtrooms? A: Opening up the federal courthouse to cameras would help foster civic engagement and boost public confidence in our legal system. As a watchdog for good government, I’ve led a crusade for nearly three decades to let the sun shine on federal court proceedings so people can see the wheels of justice in action and better appreciate how the rule of law shapes prosperity, peace and justice in America. My legislative efforts align with the intent of the founding fathers who believed public trials would help prevent abusive government power and uphold public confidence in the justice system. John Adams said the right to a trial by jury, along with representative government, serve as the “heart and lungs of liberty.” Although American life in the 21st century is much different than in the 18th century, the founding principles must remain ironclad as a check on government power to uphold America’s promise of freedom and liberty for generations yet to come. Allowing cameras in the courtroom would give the American people a front row seat to the federal judiciary, a co-equal branch of the federal government that has tremendous influence over civic life and the economy, tasked with delivering justice on behalf of the American people. Transparency brings accountability. Just consider, cameras have captured every minute of Senate floor proceedings since 1986. Earlier this year, I cosponsored a bipartisan resolution to commemorate the 39th anniversary of C-SPAN 2’s gavel-to-gavel Senate coverage, connecting the American people via a nonpartisan lens to the people’s business. I supported C-SPAN’s fight to be platformed by streaming giants to keep pace with how Americans obtain news and entertainment and welcomed the agreement that they will carry C-SPAN’s coverage of Congress and public affairs programming as a service to the American people. Just as the American people have a front row seat to the legislative branch, they deserve a front row seat to the judicial branch. Giving people the opportunity to observe its work will enhance public awareness and understanding. The Father of the Constitution, James Madison, extolled the need for an engaged and educated citizenry as an essential lever for the preservation of liberty and the longevity of our republic. That’s why I champion sunshine laws, from strengthening the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to expanding whistleblower protections and broadening public access to the courtroom. As Madison wrote, “…a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” His words of wisdom written 200 years ago are a clarion call today that “the advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only Guardian of true liberty.” Q: What are your two bills that would put cameras in the courts? A: As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I reintroduced two pieces of bipartisan legislation in March that would allow television cameras in federal courtrooms. The Sunshine in the Courtroom Act would grant the presiding judge in all federal courts, including the Supreme Court, the discretion to allow cameras in the courtroom, while protecting the identities of witnesses and jurors. The bill also prohibits media coverage of private conversations and includes a three-year sunset provision with the requirement Congress evaluate the impact of media access on the federal judiciary. The Cameras in the Courtroom Act would instruct the Supreme Court to permit television coverage of open sessions, unless a majority of the high court decides that doing so would violate due process.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-fbi-records-show-partisan-officials-killed-clinton-campaign-investigation,Grassley: FBI Records Show Partisan Officials Killed Clinton Campaign Investigation,2025-11-13,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is making public internal emails and a Federal Bureau of Investigation Electronic Communication (FBI EC) exposing Department of Justice (DOJ) officials’ refusal to open a criminal investigation into potential campaign finance violations committed by Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee (DNC), despite FBI agents’ demonstration of a fact-pattern showing Clinton and the DNC intentionally concealed payments to inappropriately target then-candidate Donald Trump. The Federal Election Commission in 2022 fined Clinton and the DNC for disguising campaign expenditures to pay Fusion GPS, a political opposition research firm, to craft the debunked Steele Dossier, which falsely alleged that Trump was colluding with Russia. The decision to decline the investigation was made by Richard Pilger, of the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section (DOJ-PIN), and J.P. Cooney, who at the time worked in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia (USADC). Pilger was later pivotal in reviewing and approving the opening of Jack Smith’s Arctic Frost investigation. Cooney served as Smith’s Deputy Special Counsel for that investigation. The FBI EC was provided to Grassley by the DOJ and FBI, pursuant to his oversight request. “Courageous whistleblowers came to my office years ago to sound the alarm that the Justice Department inappropriately interfered in efforts to investigate potential criminal activity committed by Hillary Clinton and her campaign,” Grassley said. “These records show the same partisans who rushed to cover for Clinton rabidly pursued Arctic Frost, which was a runaway train aimed directly at President Trump and the Republican political apparatus. I appreciate Attorney General Bondi and FBI Director Patel’s efforts to turn over the information I requested, and I’ll continue investigating this matter.” The FBI EC and accompanying email communications can be found HERE. Grassley sent a follow up letter to DOJ and FBI, HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-johnson-press-for-full-disclosure-of-jack-smith-subpoenas,"Grassley, Johnson Press for Full Disclosure of Jack Smith Subpoenas",2025-11-12,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) are pressing Verizon, AT&T and Lumen to elaborate on the full extent of the Biden Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) efforts to obtain information relating to Members of Congress during the partisan Arctic Frost probe. The chairmen’s inquiry comes in light of records they received from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) that show employees of NARA, the FBI, Department of Justice (DOJ) and United States Postal Inspection Service discussing subpoenas to the three companies as they collaborated on Arctic Frost and related investigative activities. The subpoenas referenced in the NARA OIG records appear to have been served prior to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s takeover of Arctic Frost. Verizon, AT&T and Lumen have yet to produce subpoenas that align with the time frame referenced in the NARA OIG records. Through whistleblower disclosures, Grassley and Johnson have revealed that over 400 Republican organizations and individuals were targeted as part of Arctic Frost and phone records for at least 13 Members of Congress were subpoenaed, including former U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) as the newest addition. The chairmen additionally penned letters to Southern First Bank, Microsoft and TDS Telecommunications, as well as six web platforms and social media companies, to determine whether they were also recipients of subpoenas issued by either Smith or the Biden DOJ before Smith became Special Counsel. A list of the senators’ latest Arctic Frost letters is below. AT&T Lumen Verizon Microsoft Southern First Bank TDS Telecommunications Alphabet Apple Meta Snapchat X Yahoo Learn more about Grassley’s Arctic Frost oversight: October 29, 2025: NEW: Jack Smith Subpoenaed Records for Over 400 Republican Targets As Part of Arctic Frost October 23, 2025: Grassley Responds to Jack Smith Request for a Hearing October 23, 2025: Grassley Reveals Garland, Monaco, Wray Gave Personal Sign-Off to Open Arctic Frost October 14, 2025: Grassley Demands Telecommunications Companies, Federal Entities Turn Over All Records Provided to Jack Smith October 10, 2025: Grassley and Johnson Lead Colleagues in Seeking Release of All DOJ, FBI Records Detailing Biden Administration’s Targeting of Sitting Members of Congress October 10, 2025: ICYMI: Grassley Oversight of Arctic Frost Yields Ongoing Results and Draws National Attention October 6, 2025: Biden FBI Spied on Eight Republican Senators as Part of Arctic Frost Investigation, Grassley Oversight Reveals September 16, 2025: Grassley Opens Senate Judiciary FBI Oversight Hearing, Releases Additional Records Demonstrating Political Weaponization and Misconduct at Biden FBI April 8, 2025: Grassley, Johnson Release Additional Arctic Frost Records Detailing Sweeping Anti-Trump Investigation March 14, 2025: Grassley, Johnson Release Records Showing FBI Obtained Trump, Pence Cell Phones, Conducted Sweeping Interviews to Advance Anti-Trump Arctic Frost Investigation February 3, 2025: Grassley Underscores FBI Supervisor Misconduct in Trump-Targeted Arctic Frost Investigation January 30, 2025: Grassley Opening Statement on Kash Patel’s Nomination to be FBI Director January 30, 2025: Grassley, Johnson Make Public Whistleblower Records Revealing DOJ and FBI Plot to Pin Trump in Jack Smith Elector Case",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/11/07/2025/qanda-veterans-day,Q&A: Veterans Day,2025-11-07,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: What’s the history behind Veterans Day? A: President Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 that renamed Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all veterans of all wars. Armistice Day was made a national holiday in 1938 to honor the sacrifice of those who served in World War I and commemorate the end of fighting on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. In addition to local observances in communities across the country, America observes Veterans Day with a reverent ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Against the backdrop of taps, the military bugle call, a ceremonial wreath is placed before the Tomb at 11 a.m. and continues with a parade of colors by veterans’ organizations inside the Memorial Amphitheater. The federal holiday calls upon Americans to reflect upon the patriotism and service of military men and women, as well as the sacrifices made by their families. Throughout our nation’s history, military families put their lives on hold while veterans put their lives on the line to preserve freedom and liberty at home and abroad. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their courage and commitment to answer the call to serve in uniform, from the American Revolutionary War to the 21st century. As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and signing of the Declaration of Independence, I encourage Iowans to share stories with younger generations about members of their family who have served our nation in uniform. Their experiences are part of their family history and our nation’s history, and ought to be handed down from one generation to the next. I’m proud of my family ties to military service, including my dad, brothers and grandson. Across our state, Iowa’s hometown veterans share in this heritage of service – including members of the National Guard and Reserves – united by the bond of military service to support and defend the Constitution. As Iowa’s senior U.S. Senator and history enthusiast, I’m proud to help preserve the stories of Iowa’s brave heroes. For nearly a decade, my office has participated in the Veterans History Project to collect video and audio recordings of Iowa veterans. Since Congress created the program 25 years ago, the Library of Congress serves as the permanent repository of the collection that today includes the stories from more than 100,000 veterans. These personal testimonies help ensure current and future generations understand military service and the realities of war. To date, my office has submitted 95 interviews that chronicle first-hand accounts from Iowa veterans’ military service, including wartime experiences. Q: How would the ACCESS Act help veterans? A: As a government watchdog working to ensure the promises made to veterans are upheld, I’ve pursued efforts to improve access to health care close to home; root out sexual assault in the military and improve accountability in the military justice system; help veterans make a smooth transition from the military to civilian life; push for stronger suicide prevention and mental health services; and help veterans cut bureaucratic red tape at the Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2018, President Trump signed the VA MISSION Act to provide veterans better pathways to access community health care. Since its passage, I’ve conducted oversight to ensure the law is working as Congress intended so veterans can obtain care they need in a timely manner, including mental and behavioral health. That’s why I’m cosponsoring the ACCESS Act to help address frustrations I’ve been hearing from Iowa veterans. For example, the legislation would codify eligibility requirements for access to community care, including primary care visits with an average 30-minute driving time and a 20-day wait time for an appointment. Specialty care would require access to community care within an average 60-minute driving time and a 28-day wait time for an appointment. It also would accelerate the screening and admission process for mental health treatment programs. I’m also cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to improve the transition to civilian life to help reduce veteran suicide. The bill is named in honor of two veterans who died by suicide, including Cpl. Adam Lambert of Adel who died a decade ago, within one year after returning home from military service as a U.S. Marine. As long as I’m serving Iowans in the U.S. Senate, I’ll do whatever I can to ensure our veterans are neither forsaken, nor forgotten. Veterans Day is Nov. 11.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-cortez-masto-reintroduce-legislation-to-make-secret-service-director-a-senate-confirmed-position,"Grassley, Cortez Masto Reintroduce Legislation to Make Secret Service Director a Senate Confirmed Position",2025-11-07,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) are reintroducing the bipartisan Providing Real Oversight and Transparency to Effectively Counter Threats (PROTECT) Act to ensure all future United States Secret Service (USSS) Directors are Senate confirmed and subject to a single, 10-year term. “The Secret Service Director is responsible for a critical agency where life and death are at stake. This agency and its leadership require serious congressional oversight to ensure they’re held to a very high standard, so that the failure we saw in Butler last year is never repeated,” Grassley said. “Our bipartisan PROTECT Act is a crucial step towards providing the American people the transparency and accountability they deserve from the Secret Service.” “The men and women of the Secret Service have an incredible responsibility, and we must support them and their work. Our bipartisan PROTECT Act will make the Secret Service Director a Senate-confirmed position with a ten-year term, ensuring the same level of oversight as other federal law enforcement agencies while protecting against politicization,” Cortez Masto said. Read bill text HERE. Background: On July 13, 2025, an assailant opened fire on President Donald Trump at a campaign rally. Despite the presence of USSS, Trump was injured, one rally attendee lost his life and two others suffered serious injuries. The Senate confirms the heads of many federal law enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs & Border Protection (CBP).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-durbin-call-on-doj-to-amend-restrictions-on-congressional-oversight-of-foreign-intelligence-surveillance-courts,"Grassley, Durbin Call on DOJ to Amend Restrictions on Congressional Oversight of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Courts",2025-11-06,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) are urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to amend its procedures for congressional attendance at Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) and Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review (FISCR) proceedings ahead of the expiration of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) next April. The current procedures, first established by the Biden administration in November 2024, and continued under the current administration, hinder congressional oversight and conflict with Section 5(d) of the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act (RISAA). “The FISC Procedures, as drafted, comport with neither the plain language nor the spirit of RISAA, and raise numerous separation of powers concerns. As the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate’s primary committee of jurisdiction over the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, we are troubled by the Department’s lack of transparency and failure to engage meaningfully with our committee as these procedures were developed. We request that the Department amend the FISC Procedures to comply with the Constitution and RISAA,” the lawmakers wrote. RISAA – signed into law in April 2024 – requires DOJ to allow select members of Congress and designated staff to attend and conduct oversight of FISC proceedings. In November 2024, the Biden DOJ implemented a policy that requires members of Congress and their staff to agree to a series of arbitrary and inappropriate procedures before being allowed to attend FISC proceedings, which the Trump administration has maintained. Some of DOJ's policies and procedures include: Prohibiting members of Congress from sharing information with other members of Congress and members of their staff; Restricting members of Congress from requesting information or documentation from participants of FISC proceedings; Allowing DOJ staff to remove congressional observers, including members of Congress, from FISC proceedings at any time and at the sole discretion of DOJ; Allowing only a limited number of congressional observers to attend FISC proceedings at any one time; Prohibiting designated staff from attending the same FISC proceeding as their specified member of Congress; and Prohibiting note taking during proceedings, despite congressional staff’s ability to maintain classified notebooks. Read Grassley and Durbin’s letter to DOJ HERE. Background: Section 5(d) of RISAA requires DOJ to allow specified members of Congress and designated staff to “attend any proceeding of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court or any proceeding of the Foreign Intelligence Court of Review.” Section 5(d) was included in the 2024 reauthorization of Section 702 of FISA to protect Congress’ ability to perform effective oversight over FISC proceedings.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/judiciary-committee-advances-bipartisan-holocaust-survivor-legislation-north-carolina-us-attorney-nominee,"Judiciary Committee Advances Bipartisan Holocaust Survivor Legislation, North Carolina U.S. Attorney Nominee",2025-11-06,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee today voted unanimously to advance the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025, led by Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is a cosponsor. The bipartisan bill would help reunite Holocaust survivors with their stolen artwork by ensuring that their cases are adjudicated on the merits and procedural loopholes don’t stand in the way of justice. The Committee also advanced the nomination of Thomas Ferguson III to be U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, by a vote of 13-9. Watch the executive business meeting HERE. Read Grassley’s opening statement at the executive business meeting HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-jordan-call-on-chief-justice-roberts-to-address-federal-judges-possible-ethics-violations,"Grassley, Jordan Call on Chief Justice Roberts to Address Federal Judges’ Possible Ethics Violations",2025-11-05,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) today wrote to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts regarding federal judges’ anonymous, partisan and public statements smearing the Supreme Court. Grassley and Jordan’s oversight follows anonymous statements made by federal judges to the press, which describe the relationship between the Supreme Court and lower courts as a “war zone” and accuse the Supreme Court of “undermining the lower courts,” among other criticisms. The chairmen argue these inflammatory comments cast doubt on the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary and may violate the judges’ ethical obligations. “As the Chairmen of the Committees on the Judiciary in the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives, we preside over the congressional committees with legislative and oversight jurisdiction over the federal courts. We are deeply concerned that these public attacks on the Court from sitting federal judges damage the public’s faith and confidence in our judicial system. When judges call into question the legitimacy of their own branch of government, they erode faith in the institution itself,” the lawmakers wrote. Grassley and Jordan are asking Roberts to clarify whether these statements violate the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, and if the judicial branch plans to investigate or address the conduct. “We urge you to consider the appropriateness of these public yet anonymous comments and whether they breach the ethical obligations of all federal judges. While we do not yet know the full extent of the comments or who the judges are, we remain convinced that judges should not be going to the press to undermine and denigrate the Supreme Court,” the lawmakers continued. Read Grassley and Jordan’s letter HERE. Background: Federal judges are bound by ethical canons included in the Code of Conduct for United States Judges. Canon 1 of the Code of Conduct states that “[a] judge should uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary.” Canon 2(A) specifies “[a] judge . . . should act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.” Canon 3(A)(6) states: “[a] judge should not make public comment on the merits of a matter pending or impending in any court.” In 2024, Chief Judge Albert Diaz of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit resolved a judicial complaint against District Judge Michael Ponsor for publishing an essay titled, “A Federal Judge Wonders: How Could Alito Have Been So Foolish?” Diaz concluded that Ponsor’s statements violated Canons 1 and 2(A) by expressing “personal opinions on controversial public issues” and criticizing “the ethics of a sitting Supreme Court justice.” Diaz also concluded that Ponsor’s statements violated Canon 3(A)(6), noting “it would be reasonable for a member of the public to perceive the essay as a commentary on partisan issues and as a call for Justice Alito’s recusal.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-welcomes-iowan-nominated-for-senior-usda-rural-development-role,Grassley Welcomes Iowan Nominated for Senior USDA Rural Development Role,2025-11-05,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a lifelong family farmer and a Senate Agriculture Committee member, questioned Glen Smith of Atlantic, Iowa about the need to support ethanol and biofuels and to improve loan functions at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support family farmers. Grassley also discussed the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program, which drives economic growth in rural communities where access to financing for improvements and new projects is difficult. Smith is nominated to serve as Under Secretary for Rural Development at USDA. VIDEO On the importance of Iowa values: I’m glad your roots are deep in rural America because you’ve been in this town long enough to know that this city is an island surrounded by reality. And, I’m glad to have some of your common sense, been here for a few years. On the need to improve loan functions at USDA: You have spoken a little bit about your work on the farm credit system. I know you know the importance of federal loan programs, and I think of rural hospitals as an example in this area. But I’m not asking you just about rural hospitals. How will you use your experience at the Farm Credit Administration to improve loan functions at the USDA? On support for ethanol: So, you have an ethanol plant in your backyard. I do as well. Iowa is home to [more than] 40 of these plants. We’re a national leader in biofuels. Ethanol demand increases corn demand, supporting farmers. Do you agree that supporting ethanol — now, I know you can’t make decisions in this area. It’s mostly in the [jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency]. But you can sure be an advocate. Do you agree that supporting ethanol and other biofuels in turn supports rural communities and that we should expand domestic production, use and export markets for ethanol? On proactive support for biofuels: ...[S]peaking up for rural development is very important ... don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Seek them out. This town is kind of ignorant about biofuels and ethanol. Maybe people in this room aren’t, because this is an Agricultural Committee room. But, just remember that, when you hear people pronounce ethanol “ee-thanol,” you’re talking to somebody that doesn’t know much about the program. On critical programs for Iowa’s Rural Electric Cooperatives: The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDLG) ... is a critical tool for Iowa’s Rural Electric Cooperatives. These loans and grants drive economic growth in rural communities that would otherwise not have access to financing for improvements and new projects. Will you work with my office and appropriators to ensure the [Renewable Energy Credits] are supported through the REDLG program, [Rural Energy For America Program] and similar programs?",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-calls-out-democrats-double-standard-on-congressional-oversight,Grassley Calls out Democrats’ Double Standard on Congressional Oversight,2025-11-04,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today issued a response to Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and fellow Judiciary Committee Democrats’ inquiries regarding oversight of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Special Counsel Jack Smith’s Arctic Frost investigation. “Many of my Democratic colleagues failed to speak up when for four years the Biden administration obstructed my oversight and retaliated against my whistleblowers,” Grassley wrote. “Indeed, when I was last Ranking Member of this Committee, for two years I raised concerns about the Biden DOJ and FBI thumbing their nose at my oversight requests. Other than a single short phone call scheduled by you with Attorney General Garland, which proved useless, nothing was done. Here, just this year, I, and my staff, have personally intervened in several Democratic oversight requests, doing more than what was ever done for my office.” Grassley provided a detailed history of Democrats’ repeated unwillingness to join in Republican oversight efforts when Democrats were in the majority, including oversight of then-Special Counsel Jack Smith, which Grassley began investigating in 2022. Regarding the Committee’s ongoing oversight of Arctic Frost, Grassley wrote: “As my Republican colleagues and I made clear before the American people on October 29, 2025, bipartisan hearings will come in time. But we also made clear that we will not hold a hearing until we are in possession of all relevant documents from the FBI and DOJ. I have also written to Jack Smith stating my willingness to host a hearing when we receive and review all relevant records. In that letter, I asked Jack Smith questions which he has thus far failed to answer.” Grassley additionally noted Democrats’ failure to assist his longtime efforts to declassify and release the Clinton Annex and the Durham Annex, Democrats’ efforts to smear Grassley and Sen. Ron Johnson’s (R-Wis.) Biden family investigation as “Russian disinformation” and Democrats’ failure to support whistleblowers during the Biden administration. “The Biden DOJ literally ignored hundreds of my oversight requests. Instead, I relied on whistleblowers to advance my investigative work. Whistleblowers who were retaliated against by the Biden administration, and my Democratic colleagues didn’t lift a finger to help… [W]histleblowers have said that the Biden DOJ and FBI retaliated against employees for making legally protected whistleblower disclosures or because their political beliefs didn’t align with the Biden administration. Some of [the personnel terminated by the Trump administration] retaliated against my whistleblowers and ruined their lives."" “Your side had your chance to run your investigations and do your oversight for the past two Congresses. After my multi-year oversight requests, that never received any assistance from your side, are fulfilled, I will attempt to assist in nonpolitical, legitimate oversight requests from my Democratic colleagues. I remain fully committed to bipartisan, good faith efforts to root out waste, fraud, and abuse within government and doing bipartisan oversight as evidenced by our joint work this year. I hope you and your colleagues will join me in my ongoing efforts,” Grassley concluded. Read Grassley’s full letter HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-grassley-joins-newsmax-to-discuss-his-arctic-frost-oversight-and-the-democrats-government-shutdown,ICYMI: Grassley Joins Newsmax to Discuss His Arctic Frost Oversight and the Democrats’ Government Shutdown,2025-11-04,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined “The Briefing” with Ed Henry on Newsmax to discuss his release of 197 subpoenas former Special Counsel Jack Smith and his team issued as part of the indiscriminate “Arctic Frost” election case against President Donald Trump. Henry and Newsmax were among Smith’s targets. In emails released by Grassley earlier this year, one of Jack Smith’s weaponized prosecutors, J.P. Cooney, said, “Can we do some work to nail down Trump’s role in this, perhaps with some process on Ed Henry’s LLC?” Whistleblower records recently provided to Grassley then showed Smith sought records from Apple relating to Trump, Henry and the January 6 prison choir. Smith later obtained a court order to hide the subpoena's existence. Video and excerpts of Grassley’s remarks follow: VIDEO On the latest in Grassley’s Arctic Frost investigation: “Well, of course, until now, we thought they were just after – to ruin President Trump and put Trump in prison and ruin him financially. Now, we know it was a fishing expedition to go after Republican organizations, people connected to Republicans [and] people that are conservative. Even Charlie Kirk's organization, TPUSA, was involved with this. “So, it was very much a fishing expedition. And I think that they were spreading a wide net because they were looking for anything they could to hook on Trump, [to] put Trump in prison, keep him from running for president, and things of that nature. “But Jack [Smith] subpoenaed all this stuff, and thank God the whistleblowers told us about it, gave us the documents, and that's why your name came out.” On what comes next for Congress' Arctic Frost oversight: “...[T]he information that Pam Bondi put out about President Trump's telephone and his records, I released that back in March based upon information I got from whistleblowers. “...[W]e have to get more documents from the bowels of the Department of Justice. And in those bowels of the Department of Justice are a lot of people that don't want this information out because they're probably very, very close to the liberal organizations in this town. “But, when we get these documents, we're going to have hearings and get the information out. If there's prosecution, that's obviously got to come from the executive branch of government, not from [Congress]. But I hope to expose enough information so that that would happen.” On FBI documents and the Comey case: “Well, a lot of the documents we've gotten from the FBI have come from that same burn room that you had in your question, and I think the documents that have been available today give more evidence to the fact that Comey lied to the Congress of the United States. And I think that that's very important.” On ending Democrats’ government shutdown: “Well, for the first time this week, there's some talk about reaching an end to it. It isn't reached yet, but we were told to plan to be in session this weekend, if we can actually get it done this week. “If it doesn't, it's going to carry over, and I don't know how long could go on. But this is the first best news we had that it could end. And besides the air traffic controllers and shut down airspace, there's 42 million Americans that are on food stamps that can't get food stamps. And people are going to the checkout counter, finding out that there isn't any money in their debit card from the food stamps, and they leave crying, in sobs.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report11-03-2025,Capitol Hill Report 11-03-2025,2025-11-03,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Senator Grassley’s Capitol Hill Report can be found HERE. Topics include: China and U.S. soybean trade, SNAP benefits, government shutdown, Argentina beef imports, and the Fertilizer Research Act.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-spotlight-on-soaring-farm-input-costs,Q&A: Spotlight on Soaring Farm Input Costs,2025-10-31,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Q: Why did you hold a Judiciary Committee hearing to examine consolidation in the farm sector? A: As the only grain farmer in the United States Senate, I’m honored to advocate on behalf of family farmers who are wrapping up the harvest season and looking ahead to next year’s crop. Today U.S. farmers are feeling crushed with uncertainty as they make plans to purchase inputs and take out lines of credit to pay the bills and stay afloat. At my annual county meetings, local co-ops and in communications with my office, Iowa farmers tell me they’re feeling pinched by matters out of their control, including high input costs, high borrowing costs and global trade uncertainty. I held the committee hearing to look under the hood of market concentration in the ag sector and examine how it drives up the cost of production for family farmers and impacts food security for American families. From fertilizer to seed and equipment manufacturing, agribusiness consolidation among global conglomerates calls for a robust effort to promote competition and strengthen transparency to protect the livelihoods of farmers and foster a resilient food production system. America’s farm families take on the risk, put in the work and feed our nation and much of the world. As Iowa’s senior U.S. Senator, I’ll continue working to address the root causes contributing to soaring prices for farm inputs to strengthen the viability of the family farm for generations to come. Empowering America’s farmers to continue to do what they love and do what they do best will help strengthen rural communities and our nation’s food security. I’ve led the charge in Congress to beef up enforcement of anticompetitive practices and led bipartisan scrutiny of agricultural mergers. Nearly a decade ago, I referred to the consolidation wave in agribusiness as a tsunami. Left unchecked, concentration can lead to exclusionary, anticompetitive practices that impact farmers and the food supply chain. For example, I’m pushing to inject more price transparency in the fertilizer industry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates fertilizer purchases will account for 36% of a corn grower’s operating costs in 2025. My Fertilizer Research Act would require the USDA to conduct a study on competition and trends in the fertilizer market that impact price. Q: What did you learn from testimony from the witnesses, including two Iowans? A: Noah Coppess farms full-time in the Stanwood area of Cedar County. He also operates an ag retail business selling pesticides and fertilizer to area farmers. In his testimony, he said consolidation has significantly limited marketing opportunities for farmers, with four big meatpackers dominating beef, pork and poultry processing. He said mega-mergers in the chemical and seed markets have resulted in opaque pricing and choice restrictions when farmers make seed and fertilizer purchasing decisions. According to USDA reports, net farm income in Iowa fell 53% in 2024, from nearly $14.9 billion to $7 billion. Farmers don’t have the luxury of raising the price for their crops when they sell them to pass on the higher cost of production. Declining farm income combined with soaring farm input costs explain why farmers are unable to make a profit on $4 corn and $10 soybeans. John Latham runs a family-owned independent seed business in Franklin County started by his grandfather in 1947. Their customers across the Upper Midwest buy the company’s corn, soybean and alfalfa seed. He testified independent businesses like theirs are going out of business because of the powerful and “predatory” anticompetitive practices of multi-national companies. He compared their business model to abusive practices by pharmaceutical companies that distort intellectual property laws to keep cheaper generic options off the market. As a result, he said independent companies, farmers and consumers suffer. He described a one-sided situation for independent companies who face financial penalties and restrictive rebates from the large operators with whom they must sign data-sharing agreements about their customers. He explained how technology royalties have surged by 40% to 80% in the last four years.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-duckworth-durbin-sorensen-press-army-leadership-over-impacts-of-army-transformation-initiative-on-rock-island-arsenal,"Grassley, Duckworth, Durbin, Sorensen Press Army Leadership Over Impacts of Army Transformation Initiative on Rock Island Arsenal",2025-10-30,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), along with Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), had a briefing with Acting Army Materiel Commander Lieutenant General (LTC) Christopher Mohan to learn more about the impacts the Army Transformation Initiative (ATI) could have on Rock Island Arsenal and the Quad Cities region. The initiative calls for calls for a sweeping set of changes for Army operations that include downsizing, consolidating or closing redundant headquarters. The members pushed for answers on how the ATI would impact the Arsenal’s workforce and mission, as well as on the ATI’s implementation timeline. They secured a commitment from the LTG to share documentation of the Army’s analysis of impacts. “There are clear economic and national security reasons for ensuring the work at Rock Island Arsenal continues. It plays a vital role in our national defense, and it’s a key driver for the Quad Cities’ economy. I appreciated hearing more details from the Army about its plans and how the Arsenal will retain its significance in supporting our warfighters. As those plans move forward, I will continue to work with my colleagues and the Army to support the Arsenal, its important work and the jobs it sustains in the region,” Grassley said. “The Rock Island Arsenal is an economic engine for the entire Quad Cities region and plays an important role in our national security. I am deeply committed to the Army and its future—I support Army modernization, but we must balance modernization with readiness. I’ll keep working with my colleagues on the federal level to protect operations and ensure that the Arsenal has the support it needs to succeed for years to come,” Duckworth said. “Rock Island Arsenal is critical to both our national security and the economy of the Quad Cities region. The men and women at the Arsenal manufacture top-of-the-line equipment that contribute to our nation’s military readiness. I will continue to work, on a bipartisan basis, with both my colleagues in Congress and military leaders to ensure security for the workforce at Rock Island Arsenal,” Durbin said. “The men and women of the Rock Island Arsenal do essential work that strengthens our military, protects our national security, and keeps Americans safe. I’m glad to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in getting to the bottom of the Army’s plans for the Rock Island Arsenal, and I’m proud to advocate for my neighbors on the House Armed Services Committee to ensure the Arsenal’s essential work is sustainable for the future,” Sorensen said. Background: Grassley has long been a champion for Rock Island Arsenal, including through his legislation to expand manufacturing opportunities for Army arsenals. He also helped secure provisions in appropriations legislation and the annual defense authorization bill to help ensure the long-term viability of the Rock Island Arsenal. Along with his colleagues, he introduced the Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act in March to boost workload at Army arsenals, including Rock Island Arsenal. In June, Grassley, Duckworth, Durbin and Sorensen, along with Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), sent a letter to U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll reemphasizing their request for a briefing to discuss any potential command and personnel changes at the Arsenal. Members had first requested a dedicated briefing in April.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-questions-trade-representative-nominees-on-need-to-end-the-biden-phosphate-duties-push-china-to-drop-non-tariff-barriers,"Grassley Questions Trade Representative Nominees on Need to End the Biden Phosphate Duties, Push China to Drop Non-Tariff Barriers",2025-10-29,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee as well as a lifelong family farmer, questioned two nominees for the U.S. Trade Representative’s office about the need to support Iowa farmers, including by restoring rules-based trade with China and ending the Biden Phosphate Duties that removed Moroccan phosphate as an option for farmers. In his questions to Chief Agricultural Negotiator nominee Julie Callahan and Deputy U.S. Trade Representative nominee Jeffrey Goettman, Grassley shared that Iowans have expressed concern about finding more ways to get American dairy into Canada and asked what can be done to address the issue. VIDEO On the need to end the Biden Phosphate Duties: I’ve been speaking a lot recently about the income crisis in farming, particularly in crops. Farmers are facing low commodity prices and high input costs. The second highest input cost for farmers is fertilizer. So, directing this not in the form of question but a statement to Dr. Callahan and Mr. Goettman, I know that the responsibility for this rests with the Commerce Department, not at the Trade Representative’s Office. However, I would hope that you take back to your team the message to get rid of the Biden Phosphate Duties that removed Moroccan phosphate as an option for American farmers. That represents roughly 70 percent of the global reserves of phosphate, almost making it non-accessible to American farmers. On pushing China to comply with rules-based trade, lower non-tariff barriers So, to you, Dr. Callahan, this question based on the fact that President Trump is meeting with President Xi [of] China: … we’re all hoping for good news from their meeting, especially on soybean exports, and I guess there’s some news on that today. There are many non-tariff barriers for U.S. farmers hoping to get their products sold to China, including beef producers. So, what are some of these non-tariff barriers? And how will you continue to push China to comply with rules-based trade, and even their own regulations, to allow more [American] products into China? On getting more U.S. dairy into Canada And for you and Mr. Goettman: as we look to reviewing the USMCA now that Mexico’s GMO corn issue is resolved, the number one issue that I hear from Iowa farmers on USMCA is getting U.S. dairy into Canada. So, for you two, is the USMCA dairy issue an enforcement issue, or are there some changes that we should push for in the review to get more dairy into Canada?",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/new-jack-smith-subpoenaed-records-for-over-400-republican-targets-as-part-of-arctic-frost,NEW: Jack Smith Subpoenaed Records for Over 400 Republican Targets As Part of Arctic Frost,2025-10-29,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today made public 197 subpoenas former Special Counsel Jack Smith and his team issued as part of the indiscriminate election case against President Trump. Smith’s case began at the Biden Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under the codename “Arctic Frost.” The subpoenas, which were provided to Grassley through legally protected whistleblower disclosures, were sent to 34 individuals and 163 businesses. These 197 subpoenas requested testimony, communications and records related to at least 430 named Republican individuals and entities. Some of the records Smith subpoenaed from banks, individuals and businesses included: Communications with media companies such as CBS, Fox News, Fox Business, Newsmax, Sinclair and others. Communications with “any member, employee or agent of the Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government.” Communications with White House advisors, such as Stephen Miller, Dan Scavino, Jared Kushner, Lara Trump and others. Statistical data and analysis relating to donors and fundraising efforts. Broad financial data relating to conservative individuals and entities. Grassley unveiled the subpoenas during a press conference alongside Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Grassley at today’s press conference said, in part: “Arctic Frost was the vehicle by which partisan FBI agents and DOJ prosecutors could improperly investigate the entire Republican political apparatus. Contrary to what [Jack] Smith has said publicly, this was clearly a fishing expedition. “If this happened to the Democrats, they’d be as rightly outraged as we are. “We’re making these records public in the interest of transparency and so that the American people can draw their own conclusions.” A master list of the organizations and individuals Smith subpoenaed is available HERE, compiled by Senate Judiciary Committee staff. Copies of Smith’s subpoenas can be found HERE. Learn more about Grassley’s Arctic Frost oversight: October 23, 2025: Grassley Responds to Jack Smith Request for a Hearing October 23, 2025: Grassley Reveals Garland, Monaco, Wray Gave Personal Sign-Off to Open Arctic Frost October 14, 2025: Grassley Demands Telecommunications Companies, Federal Entities Turn Over All Records Provided to Jack Smith October 10, 2025: Grassley and Johnson Lead Colleagues in Seeking Release of All DOJ, FBI Records Detailing Biden Administration’s Targeting of Sitting Members of Congress October 10, 2025: ICYMI: Grassley Oversight of Arctic Frost Yields Ongoing Results and Draws National Attention October 6, 2025: Biden FBI Spied on Eight Republican Senators as Part of Arctic Frost Investigation, Grassley Oversight Reveals September 16, 2025: Grassley Opens Senate Judiciary FBI Oversight Hearing, Releases Additional Records Demonstrating Political Weaponization and Misconduct at Biden FBI April 8, 2025: Grassley, Johnson Release Additional Arctic Frost Records Detailing Sweeping Anti-Trump Investigation March 14, 2025: Grassley, Johnson Release Records Showing FBI Obtained Trump, Pence Cell Phones, Conducted Sweeping Interviews to Advance Anti-Trump Arctic Frost Investigation February 3, 2025: Grassley Underscores FBI Supervisor Misconduct in Trump-Targeted Arctic Frost Investigation January 30, 2025: Grassley Opening Statement on Kash Patel’s Nomination to be FBI Director January 30, 2025: Grassley, Johnson Make Public Whistleblower Records Revealing DOJ and FBI Plot to Pin Trump in Jack Smith Elector Case",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-opens-hearing-to-uncover-forces-driving-the-soaring-cost-of-inputs-identify-practical-steps-to-restore-competition,"Grassley Opens Hearing to Uncover Forces Driving the Soaring Cost of Inputs, Identify Practical Steps to Restore Competition",2025-10-28,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Prepared Opening Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee “Pressure Cooker: Competition Issues in the Seed & Fertilizer Industries” Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Today, the Judiciary Committee turns its attention to a problem Iowa farmers talk to me about at the kitchen table and at the co-op. This time of year, farmers are going in to buy the basics they need to plant and harvest a crop – but they don’t always feel like they have a real choice, let alone a fair price. America’s farmers are the most productive in the world. They take the risk, put in the work and feed the United States and much of the world. But they also operate on thin profit margins. If input costs go up or switching suppliers is too hard, that pinch is felt by every farmer, family and consumer in the world. Farmers across the country are shouldering significantly higher input costs, particularly for seed and fertilizer. According to USDA’s Agricultural Prices reports, the price indexes farmers pay for these categories were notably higher in January 2025 than at the start of 2021. This was obviously due, in part, to the record high inflation rates under the Biden administration. Rising input prices squeeze already thin margins, especially when combined with volatile commodity markets, higher borrowing costs and weather risks. Today’s hearing will examine the drivers behind these trends — energy markets that influence nitrogen production, global supply disruptions, logistics bottlenecks and market concentration — and evaluate practical steps that increase transparency and competition so producers can remain viable and resilient. One such step would be to pass my legislation, the Fertilizer Research Act. This bill would require the Department of Agriculture to do a comprehensive study on the fertilizer industry to shed light on the reasons farmers are paying so much for fertilizer. The department would be required to give recommendations on further regular public reporting. This hearing is focused on competition issues. However, there is something that the Trump administration can do right now to help ease the burden for farmers: lowering the countervailing duties on phosphate from Morocco. In 2024, the Biden administration increased duties on Moroccan phosphate to 18 percent. The Biden phosphate duties have only hurt farmers by boxing out access to this important market on an essential input with no substitute. I’m calling on the Trump administration to help American farmers and get rid of the Biden phosphate duties. Over the last 20 years, a few big companies have bought up many of the smaller seed and chemical businesses. Those same companies now sell not just the seeds, but also the pesticides and digital farming tools that tell farmers what to plant and when. Because all those products and data systems are tied together, it’s hard for farmers to switch to a different brand — their data and recommendations are “locked in” to one company’s system. On the fertilizer side, global energy and trade shocks hit prices fast. In regional markets, those prices can be slow to fall. On top of that are the contracts and dealer practices — loyalty rebates, “most-favored” clauses and early-order calendars — that can lock in a farm or a local retailer even when there’s a better option on paper. Now, nobody here wants to punish innovation. We want better yields, healthier soils and quality products. But we also want competition that’s fair, transparent and local competition that a farmer can actually expect when he or she sits down to make a purchase. Competition law is about making sure the rules don’t give a few players the power to decide what everyone else pays and which choices are even available. This hearing focuses on problems and workable solutions. First, transparency: farmers deserve to know the effective price they’re paying, including how rebates and claw backs really work, and whether wholesale fertilizer declines are being passed through in a timely way. Second, portability: farmers ought to control their own data and move it — quickly, completely and affordably — so they can seek independent agronomic advice without fear of losing their history. Third, fair dealing: contracts and dealer programs shouldn’t operate as de facto exclusive arrangements in rural counties where there might only be one or two full-service outlets. And fourth, accountability: when mergers don’t deliver what was promised on paper, agencies should look back and fix it. I represent Iowa, so I’m thinking about anhydrous ammonia logistics, early-season timing and the reality that a lost multi-line dealer can mean a long drive and fewer options. But these issues cross state lines, and the principles are the same whether you farm in Iowa, Illinois or anywhere else: more sunlight, more choice, less fine print and a level playing field. I appreciate Senator Durbin’s partnership in setting a constructive, bipartisan tone today. We’ll hear from farmers, producers and industry experts. My goal is simple: identify practical steps — legislative and regulatory — that respect innovation and property rights but restore real, on-the-ground competition. When farmers win fair choices at fair prices, rural communities win, consumers win and America’s food security wins. I look forward to the discussion, and I’ll turn to Senator Durbin now for any opening remarks.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-probes-gates-foundation-and-others-for-501c3-compliance,Grassley Probes Gates Foundation and Others for 501(c)(3) Compliance,2025-10-28,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is scrutinizing the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Ford Foundation to determine how the organizations are complying with applicable tax laws given their reported funding of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its allies. “According to recent reports, [your organizations], through grants and direct payments, have funded the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its allies,” Grassley wrote. “To maintain tax exempt status, an organization’s activities must be charitable in nature and may not directly support or promote the interests of a foreign government.” “I am writing today to ask you whether these reports are true or not and, if true, how your organization’s conduct comports with 501(c)(3) requirements,” Grassley continued. Read Grassley’s letter to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation HERE. Read Grassley’s letter to the Rockefeller Brothers Fund HERE. Read Grassley’s letter to the Ford Foundation HERE. Background: Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code provides tax-exempt status for entities that are charitable in nature and do not directly support or promote the interests of a foreign government. While private foundations are allowed to provide funds to foreign organizations, they must follow specific rules to ensure funds are used for a qualifying charitable purpose and avoid excise taxes. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2023 reportedly directed approximately $11.7 million to various arms of the CCP, as well as $2 million to a corporation working with the Chinese military and $6.7 million to state-run Chinese universities. In fiscal year 2022, the nonprofit organization reportedly provided roughly $23 million to over 20 different Chinese entities, some of which were labeled “foreign governments.” The Rockefeller Brothers Fund, from April 2020 to August 2024, reportedly donated $7.4 million to organizations that were part of the CCP, led by members of the CCP or engaged in partnerships with China. Specifically, the nonprofit partnered with the “Society of Entrepreneurs of Ecology Foundation,” which partnered with the CCP to assist the Belt and Road Initiative. The Ford Foundation, from January 2020 to December 2024, reportedly provided nearly $10 million to the Chinese government to further the Belt and Road Initiative. Most of the Ford Foundation’s Chinese grant funding was reportedly given to state-run, or CCP-run, universities with strong ties to the People’s Liberation Army.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/iowa-farmers-and-hearing-witnesses-endorse-grassley-fertilizer-bill-discuss-need-for-transparency-in-seed-and-fertilizer-industries,"Iowa Farmers and Hearing Witnesses Endorse Grassley Fertilizer Bill, Discuss Need for Transparency in Seed and Fertilizer Industries",2025-10-28,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate’s only grain farmer, led a committee hearing this morning to examine how market consolidation drives up production costs for family farmers. The hearing also touched on the high cost of fertilizer and efforts to fill in reporting gaps after the Obama administration discontinued annual reports on the fertilizer industry in 2014. Grassley’s bipartisan Fertilizer Research Act would shed light on market factors driving the cost of fertilizer, a major expense for farmers. Witnesses at the hearing included two Iowans, Noah Coppess of Coppess Family Farms in Stanwood and John Latham of Latham Quality in Alexander. Grassley asked Coppess and Latham to discuss how market consolidation has impacted their businesses, including the number of corn and soybean varieties available to farmers. Latham stated the percentage of a seed bag’s cost going to royalties has risen from 42% five years ago to 70% today. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service, Bayer and Corteva together account for more than half of U.S. sales of corn, soybean and cotton seed. During the hearing, Grassley entered letters and statements from several groups into the record, including the Iowa Corn Growers Association. Grassley also questioned the Progressive Policy Institute Vice President and Director of Competition Policy Dr. Diana Moss, the American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland, the Fertilizer Institute CEO Corey Rosenbusch and the American Seed Trade Association President and CEO Andrew LaVigne. OPENING STATEMENT VIDEO FIRST ROUND OF QUESTIONS VIDEO SECOND ROUND OF QUESTIONS VIDEO On the need for more information in the fertilizer industry: Mr. Rosenbusch, in 2014, the Obama administration discontinued annual reports on the fertilizer industry. Since then, prices have become more and more opaque, making it harder for farmers to know if they’re getting a fair deal. My Fertilizer Research Act seeks to fill in these reporting gaps. So, could you tell us what measures are being taken to ensure transparency in pricing mechanisms, so farmers aren’t unfairly penalized by last-minute price increases? On price transparency: Dr. Moss, in your opinion, what types of public reporting could provide the necessary transparency in fertilizer markets for farmers looking to get a fair price? On the impact of market consolidation: Mr. Latham and Mr. Coppess, major mergers and business transactions over the last decade reduced the ‘Big 6’ ag companies to only four. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service reports that Bayer and Corteva together account for more than half of the U.S. sales of corn, soybean and cotton seed. What impact does this have on your business? Has there been an impact on the number of corn and soybean varieties available to farmers? Control over inputs rivals need: Dr. Moss, in your opinion, if a trait owner conditions access in ways that predictably raises rivals’ costs or limits stacking with competing traits, is that a problem? And, should it trigger enforcement? On trait stacking and access: So, I'm going to ask Mr. Latham. Across corn and soybeans today, are there still contractual or technical barriers that keep you from offering a seed with a competitor’s trait stacked alongside another? Could you describe the specific clauses and data obligations that get in the way? On intimidation and retaliation: Mr. Coppess, farmers report rebate claw backs, delayed allocations and audit threats after trying rival products and services. Could you give us some details of recent incidents where a supplier or retailer used rebate leverage or allocation delays to punish switching? On the times licensing promotes competition or forecloses it: Mr. LaVigne, your organization says on its website that your membership includes 85 percent of all private U.S. seed companies operating in the United States, both big and small. Is there disagreement among your members regarding antitrust and intellectual property issues, laws and enforcement? On the national security risks of foreign-owned companies: This question would be to Dr. Moss, Mr. Rosenbusch and Mr. LaVigne. Only one of the four largest companies controlling the ag market is U.S. owned. In your opinion, does this represent any national security risk to our country? On preventing domestic de facto monopolies: For you Mr. Rosenbusch, when a single foreign supplier dominates an essential input and [the Department of] Commerce and [the U.S. International Trade Commission] impose duties that may choke off that source, what specific safeguards would the Fertilizer Institute support to prevent a de facto domestic monopoly and keep farmers supplied? On speeding innovation versus walling off rivals: Dr. Moss, in plain English, where’s the line between licensing that speeds innovation and licensing that walls off rivals—especially for stacked traits? Do you support narrowly tailored measures similar to Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory (FRAND) agreements? If so, why? On availability of generic insect resistant traits: My last question will be for Mr. LaVigne and Dr. Moss. I want to understand why generic insect resistant traits haven’t materialized despite patent expirations. I understand that there does not appear to be a single generic insect resistant (IR) trait available to growers, notwithstanding frameworks touted as solutions. Why is this the case?",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-10-27-2025,"Capitol Hill Report, 10-27-2025",2025-10-27,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Senator Grassley’s Capitol Hill Report can be found HERE. Topics include: China and U.S. soybean trade, government shutdown, Argentina beef imports, Arctic Frost oversight and “The Knot” oversight.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-presses-for-answers-on-states-use-of-taxpayer-dollars-to-fund-health-care-for-illegal-immigrants-asks-hhs-to-launch-nationwide-investigation,"Grassley Presses for Answers on States’ Use of Taxpayer Dollars to Fund Health Care for Illegal Immigrants, Asks HHS to Launch Nationwide Investigation",2025-10-24,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is urging federal health officials to investigate schemes by states to provide taxpayer-funded Medicaid coverage to illegal immigrants. In two letters to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Acting Inspector General, Grassley outlines how California and other states use provider taxes as an indirect mechanism to fund Medicaid coverage for illegal immigrants, which is an abuse of the federal Medicaid matching funds process. “[A]ccording to reports, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont provide Medicaid coverage to income-eligible illegal immigrant children, while California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Illinois, New York, Oregon, and Washington provide coverage to all income-eligible illegal immigrants. All of those states have some kind of provider tax in place,” Grassley wrote to CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz and HHS Acting Inspector General Juliet Hodgkins. Federal law prohibits states from using federal Medicaid funds to cover illegal immigrants, but provider taxes offer states a strategy to use federal dollars to cross-subsidize their immigrant Medicaid programs. Provider taxes, like the one in California can bring in billions of federal dollars for the federally matched portion of the state’s Medicaid program and frees up other state funds to pay for the illegal immigrant Medicaid program. Last year, Grassley wrote to CMS and California Governor Gavin Newsom demanding answers after an HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) report found California used an outdated calculation method to determine federal reimbursement amounts and ultimately received $52.7 million in inappropriate federal payments, which CMS confirmed the state paid back. In his letters this week, Grassley called on the officials to take action to determine the scope of the problem. “[T]he HHS OIG has identified impermissible state provider tax programs in the past. Thus, I am requesting that the HHS OIG investigate whether any states are indirectly using federal funds through provider taxes, including but not limited to California’s Managed Care Organization (MCO) tax, to pay for Medicaid coverage for illegal immigrants,” Grassley continued in his letter to the HHS OIG. Grassley is also requesting a full response to his August 2024 letter to the Biden CMS Administrator, as well information regarding what states have instituted a new provider tax in Fiscal Year 2025. He is asking CMS to detail the steps it has taken to ensure states do not use federal dollars to subsidize Medicaid coverage for illegal immigrants. In remarks on the Senate floor, Grassley highlighted the commonsense Medicaid reforms included in the 2025 tax bill. The full text of the letter to CMS can be found HERE, and Grassley’s letter to HHS can be found HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-medicare-enrollment-and-rooting-out-fraud,Q&A: Medicare Enrollment and Rooting Out Fraud,2025-10-24,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Q: What do Iowans need to know about Medicare Open Enrollment? A: The annual open enrollment season runs now through December 7, 2025. During the government shutdown, enrollment will continue online at medicare.gov. Iowans can create or log into their online Medicare account to compare plans, find providers and talk to a representative. In 2026, out-of-pocket costs for covered drugs under Medicare Part D are capped at $2,100. When I served as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I steered through Congress historic reforms that added the first-ever, voluntary prescription drug coverage benefit to Medicare. Since then, I’ve worked to ensure Part D is implemented as Congress intended. New Medicare enrollees should consider getting a drug plan with a low monthly premium even if you don’t take prescription medication today to avoid the late enrollment penalty in the years ahead. Be mindful if you wait to enroll for drug coverage when you “need it,” an extra 1 percent of the national base beneficiary premium calculated for each month you could have signed up for Part D will be added to your monthly premium. In addition, examine the “annual notice of change” to determine if your current plan will meet your needs in the coming year. Take care to cross check that your current prescription medicines are on the formulary and pricing tier (a list of pharmaceutical drugs covered by a specific health plan) and confirm which providers and pharmacies are in network or listed as preferred providers. Iowans may contact the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) for personalized counseling that is free, confidential and objective to learn more about their Medicare options. Set up an appointment at shiip.iowa.gov, or call (800) 351-4664. Q: How are you working to root out wasteful spending in federal health programs? A: As a taxpayer watchdog, I conduct robust oversight of federal programs to ensure hard-earned taxpayer dollars aren’t lost to waste, fraud and abuse. When there’s a whiff of wrongdoing, I use my oversight tools to get answers. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I recently wrote a letter to UnitedHealth Group demanding information on the company’s Medicare billing practices. Reports of apparent misconduct, including schemes to misdiagnose enrollees to generate revenue, allegedly contributed to $8.7 billion in extra payments in the year 2021. Stories like these undermine confidence in our health care system and fraudulent activity drives up costs to beneficiaries and the taxpayer. That’s why I’ve continuously pushed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to claw back improper payments and improve its stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Most recently, improper Medicare payments exceeded a staggering $87 billion in fiscal year 2024. My oversight work also includes efforts to root out fraud in Obamacare. Information provided to my office revealed insurance agents have used targeted internet advertisements to fraudulently enroll consumers. Reports say five million consumers may have inappropriately received health insurance through subsidized plans in the federal marketplace, costing the taxpayer an estimated $20 billion. Last year, I also pressed CMS after a federal watchdog found the state of California improperly claimed nearly $53 million in federal Medicaid reimbursement for illegal immigrants. More recently, I followed up with Dr. Mehmet Oz, the CMS administrator, to dig into details about provider taxes that may be exploited as a kickback scheme to increase the share of federal dollars to provide coverage for illegal immigrants and other populations ineligible for federal Medicaid funds. Proper stewardship of federal health care programs is essential to keep affordable access to health care for tens of millions of Americans for whom these taxpayer-funded programs are intended to serve.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-releases-judges-responses-owning-up-to-ai-use-calls-for-continued-oversight-and-regulation,"Grassley Releases Judges’ Responses Owning Up to AI Use, Calls for Continued Oversight and Regulation",2025-10-23,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today made public responses from U.S. Southern District of Mississippi Judge Henry T. Wingate, U.S. District of New Jersey Judge Julien Xavier Neals and the Administrative Office of the Courts (AO) Director Robert Conrad regarding Wingate and Neals’ use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to draft factually inaccurate court orders. Both judges admitted to Grassley that their staff used generative AI to draft error-ridden orders. These orders misquoted state law, referenced individuals who didn’t appear in the case and attributed fake quotes to defendants, among other significant inaccuracies. “Honesty is always the best policy. I commend Judges Wingate and Neals for acknowledging their mistakes and I’m glad to hear they’re working to make sure this doesn’t happen again, Grassley said “Each federal judge, and the judiciary as an institution, has an obligation to ensure the use of generative AI does not violate litigants’ rights or prevent fair treatment under the law. The judicial branch needs to develop more decisive, meaningful and permanent AI policies and guidelines. We can’t allow laziness, apathy or overreliance on artificial assistance to upend the Judiciary’s commitment to integrity and factual accuracy. As always, my oversight will continue.” In response to Grassley’s oversight, Wingate and Neals have implemented corrective measures to verify the accuracy of their court orders. Wingate now requires all draft opinions, orders and memos to undergo a second independent review and requires all cited cases to be printed and attached to the final draft. Neals implemented a written policy that prohibits all law clerks and interns from using AI when drafting opinions or orders, as well as a multi-level opinion review policy. The AO also wrote to Grassley to describe their recently established advisory AI Task Force, which issued interim AI guidance on July 31, 2025. According to the AO, the July guidance includes “general, non-technical suggestions” that allow for “the use of and experimentation with AI tools.” Among these suggestions is the recommendation that AI users consider “whether the use of AI should be disclosed.” The AO stated these suggestions are non-exhaustive and are intended to provide temporary guideposts while more permanent policies are developed. Read Wingate’s full response to Grassley HERE. Read Neals’ full response to Grassley HERE. Read AO’s full response to Grassley HERE. Background: The Senate Judiciary Committee has broad oversight and legislative jurisdiction over civil and criminal judicial proceedings, the federal courts, federal judges and other related matters. Errors caused by the use of artificial intelligence, like those found in the decisions issued by Wingate and Neals, cast doubt on the Judiciary’s deliberative process and raise legitimate concerns about the accuracy of courts’ decisions.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-rosen-reintroduce-bipartisan-gang-data-reporting-legislation,"Grassley, Rosen Reintroduce Bipartisan Gang Data Reporting Legislation",2025-10-23,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) today reintroduced the Gang Activity Reporting Act to confront violent crime. The bipartisan bill would require the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to resume annual reports to Congress on local, national and transnational criminal gang activity trends, which were discontinued in 2009 and 2012. “Criminal gangs have been responsible for nearly half of all violent crime. To address this longstanding issue, Congress must have access to accurate, consistent and reliable data on gang activity and membership trends,” Grassley said. “This commonsense, bipartisan bill would revive information-sharing between the executive branch and Congress, allowing lawmakers to make more informed and timely decisions to end the scourge of gang violence in America.” “We know that gangs are responsible for a disproportionate amount of violent crime in the United States. As communities across the country grapple with devastating gang violence, we must ensure they have access to the resources and support to combat it,” Rosen said. “With this bipartisan bill’s required comprehensive federal report on gang membership data and trends, we can better understand how gangs are contributing to violent crime and take the right steps to support law enforcement and strengthen public safety.” Full text of the legislation is available HERE. Background: Despite the DOJ and FBI establishing specified units to address criminal gang activity, reporting to Congress has largely dried up over the last decade. The FBI’s National Gang Threat Assessment stopped reporting trends in gang membership to Congress after 2009. The DOJ’s National Gang Center stopped reporting trends in the quantity and growth of gangs to Congress in 2012. The last Attorney General’s report to Congress on the growth of violent street gangs in suburban areas was submitted in 2008.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-presses-ftc-to-investigate-alleged-fraud-deceptive-business-practices-at-wedding-website-the-knot,"Grassley Presses FTC to Investigate Alleged Fraud, Deceptive Business Practices at Wedding Website “The Knot”",2025-10-22,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate allegations of fraudulent and deceptive business practices at The Knot, a wedding planning website, after receiving hundreds of reports from whistleblowers, including Iowans. In a follow up letter to FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, Grassley outlines the new whistleblower allegations, which include repeated failures to honor contracts, and deliberate attempts at fraud. Since Grassley first raised the issue to the FTC, as well as the Securities and Exchange Commission, in March, Grassley’s office has received nearly 200 messages from whistleblowers nationwide reporting misconduct at The Knot. “These small businesses allege that The Knot didn’t advertise their businesses on the website as they were contractually required to and the leads they received were largely fake or otherwise lacked legitimacy. Further, they allege that The Knot promised discount pricing but failed to add them to their customers’ bills. In addition, I was also alerted by several small businesses in Iowa who alleged they were also defrauded by The Knot through these fraudulent and deceptive business practices,” Grassley wrote. According to news reports, more than 200 formal complaints have been made to the FTC about alleged fraudulent activity on the Knot and WeddingWire. “One small business owner … contacted a supervisor on The Knot’s customer support team to discuss why her business continued to be advertised in the wrong section of the website and hadn’t received substantive leads … The small business owner alleges that the supervisor then turned off the call recorder and told her that she should create fake accounts and leave her own business fake reviews to boost the credibility of her profile, which would in turn help her receive a higher number of legitimate leads,” Grassley continued. According to the small business owner, after she contacted customer service about promised discounts, The Knot removed her small business’ profile from its website with no explanation and continued to charge her credit card for advertisement services. “They are preying on small businesses who need help growing their audience and promising things that will never happen. They don’t seem to have an issue taking my money but not providing the advertising services they promised in the contract I signed,” said the small business owner, summarizing her experience with The Knot. The full text of the letter can be found HERE or below. October 21, 2025 VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION The Honorable Andrew N. Ferguson Chairman Federal Trade Commission Dear Chairman Ferguson: On March 28, 2025, I wrote to you concerning allegations that The Knot, a wedding planning website, defrauded customers and engaged in deceptive business practices.[1] According to whistleblowers and media reports, The Knot promised to advertise their customers’ businesses on The Knot’s website which would lead to them receiving high-quality leads; however, these small businesses allege that The Knot didn’t advertise their businesses on the website as they were contractually required to and the leads they received were largely fake or otherwise lacked legitimacy.[2] Further, they allege that The Knot promised discount pricing, but failed to add them to their customers’ bills.[3] In addition, I was also alerted by several small businesses in Iowa who alleged they were also defrauded by The Knot through these fraudulent and deceptive business practices. In my letter, I asked what steps have been taken to investigate these allegations to determine whether they were accurate, and if the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had yet to do so, that it ought to look into them and hold violators accountable.[4] On April 15, 2025, I received your response stating the FTC couldn’t disclose whether or not the agency started an investigation.[5] According to a March 31, 2025, article by The New Yorker, “since 2018, more than two hundred formal complaints have been made about allegedly fraudulent activity on The Knot and WeddingWire” to the FTC.[6] Further, since I sent you my March 28, 2025, letter, my office has received 184 complaints from small businesses across the country alleging The Knot engaged in the misconduct raised in that letter. One small business owner informed my investigative staff that she contacted a supervisor on The Knot’s customer support team to discuss why her business continued to be advertised in the wrong section of the website and hadn’t received substantive leads. The small business owner told my office that the supervisor said she hadn’t received legitimate leads because her small business didn’t have any reviews on the website. The small business owner alleges that the supervisor then turned off the call recorder and told her that she should create fake accounts and leave her own business fake reviews to boost the credibility of her profile which would in turn help her receive a higher number of legitimate leads. The small business owner told my office that she was shocked The Knot’s solution to their failures was to recommend that she commit fraud by scamming potential customers into selecting her business. The small business owner informed my investigative staff that after she continuously called The Knot’s customer service line demanding they provide her with the discounts they promised, in September 2025 The Knot removed her small business’ page from The Knot’s website, with no explanation, but still charged her credit card for the advertisement services. The small business owner summarized her experience with The Knot as: “They are preying on small businesses who need help growing their audience and promising things that will never happen. They don’t seem to have an issue taking my money but not providing the advertising services they promised in the contract I signed.” The almost 200 messages I’ve received since I sent you my March 28 letter, along with these new allegations, show they aren’t merely isolated incidents but are instead a nationwide problem that requires investigation. If the FTC is not investigating, I strongly urge it to do so considering the breadth of alleged wrongdoing and its widespread impact. Moreover, to the extent an investigation is done, I would like to know whether or not the allegations have been found to be true and accurate, and the small businesses, including those in Iowa, want to know too. Thank you for your prompt review and responses. If you have any questions, please contact Brian Randolph on my Committee staff at (202) 224-5225. Sincerely, Charles E. Grassley Chairman Committee on the Judiciary CC: The Honorable Paul S. Atkins Chairman Securities and Exchange Commission [1] Letter from Senator Charles E. Grassley, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary to Mark T. Uyeda, Acting Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission and Andrew N. Ferguson, Chairman, Federal Trade Commission (Mar. 28, 2025) https://www.grassley.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/grassley_to_sec_ftc_-_the_knot.pdf. [2] Id.; see Adam Iscoe, Does the Knot Have a “Fake Brides” Problem?, The New Yorker (Mar. 31, 2025) https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/04/07/does-the-knot-have-a-fake-brides-problem; Thomas Barrabi, The Knot’s angry vendors dismiss CEO memo as ‘damage control’ after swindling advertisers allegations, New York Post (Aug. 11, 2023) https://nypost.com/2023/08/11/the-knots-vendors-dismiss-memo-after-alleged-advertiser-swindling/; Alexandra S. Levine and Richard Nieva, How Wedding Giant The Knot Pulled The Veil Over Advertisers’ Eyes, Forbes (Aug. 3, 2023) https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandralevine/2023/08/03/the-knot-wedding-whistleblowers-advertisers-fraud/. [3] Id. [4] Id. [5] Letter from Andrew N. Ferguson, Chairman, Federal Trade Commission to Senator Charles E. Grassley, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary (Apr. 15, 2025) (on file with Committee staff). [6] Adam Iscoe, Does the Knot Have a “Fake Brides” Problem?, The New Yorker (Mar. 31, 2025) https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/04/07/does-the-knot-have-a-fake-brides-problem.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-10-20-2025,"Capitol Hill Report, 10-20-2025",2025-10-20,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Senator Grassley’s Capitol Hill Report can be found HERE. Topics include: government shutdown, health care subsidies, Arctic Frost oversight, China and U.S. soybean trade, the Rural Emergency Hospital Program and the “No Kings” protests.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-arctic-frost,Q&A: Arctic Frost,2025-10-17,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Q: What is Arctic Frost? A: Under the Biden administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) opened an investigation in April 2022 codenamed Arctic Frost. I started my congressional oversight of Arctic Frost in July 2022 after whistleblowers approached my office. Ostensibly, the FBI investigation was opened to examine an alleged false electors scheme following the 2020 election. Since then, my oversight has exposed the partisan spear that launched the investigation to go after President Trump, his circle and poison his campaign to return to the White House. Arctic Frost created the framework that Jack Smith, a special counsel appointed by the Biden Department of Justice (DOJ), used to form his election case against President Trump. Even before the special counsel appointment, I flagged the partisan bias of the senior FBI official who ran Arctic Frost. This official’s political tilt undermines the credibility of the entire investigation. FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Timothy Thibault was assigned to oversee public corruption matters. Ironically, he allowed his partisan views to corrupt his decision-making process and tarnish the rule of law. Whistleblower disclosures to my office revealed how Thibault bent FBI rules and, in so doing, weaponized the federal government to take down a political opponent. The Office of Special Counsel confirmed Thibault also broke the law; the Hatch Act prohibits political activity among federal employees while on duty. As part of its Arctic Frost investigation, the Biden DOJ, FBI and supporting agencies issued hundreds of subpoenas and conducted dozens of interviews across the country at taxpayer expense. The facts show the investigation was a sweeping partisan fishing expedition to take down political foes. Earlier this year Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, chair of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and I released tranches of whistleblower records detailing the plot to pin Trump in the Jack Smith electoral case. What’s more, my congressional oversight also found the probe targeted 92 conservative organizations, including Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA. Thanks to the courageous disclosures by whistleblowers, the truth is seeing the light of day. I’ll continue working to root out abuses of power to restore public trust in government. Q: How is this targeting of political opponents during the Biden administration worse than Watergate?",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/judiciary-committee-advances-two-us-attorney-nominees,Judiciary Committee Advances Two U.S. Attorney Nominees,2025-10-16,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the following nominations: Thomas Albus, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, by a vote of 12-10; and Adam Mildred, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana by a vote of 12-10. Watch the executive business meeting HERE. Read Chairman Chuck Grassley’s (R-Iowa) opening statement at the executive business meeting HERE. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-10-15-2025,"Capitol Hill Report, 10-15-2025",2025-10-15,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Senator Grassley's weekly Capitol Hill Report can be found HERE. Topics include: Israel-Hamas ceasefire, aid for farmers, governnment shutdown, and U.S. Supreme Court case on the Voting Rights Act.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-demands-telecommunications-companies-federal-entities-turn-over-all-records-provided-to-jack-smith,"Grassley Demands Telecommunications Companies, Federal Entities Turn Over All Records Provided to Jack Smith",2025-10-14,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – As part of his ongoing Arctic Frost oversight, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) sent letters to four telecommunications companies and five federal entities requesting they provide to Congress all records that were handed over to former Special Counsel Jack Smith as part of his elector case against President Trump. Smith’s case began at the Biden Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under the codename “Arctic Frost.” Grassley’s oversight recently revealed Smith and the Biden FBI secretly subpoenaed phone records from nine Republican Members of Congress, as well as records from 92 other Republican targets, as part of the partisan Arctic Frost probe. Grassley last week led his colleagues in requesting the Department of Justice and FBI provide all records related to the targeting of congressional members during Arctic Frost. Grassley sent letters to the following telecommunications companies: Verizon AT&T T-Mobile Lumen Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), as well as Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), co-signed the letters. Additionally, Grassley and Johnson sent letters to the following federal entities: Department of Homeland Security Department of Defense Office of the Director of National Intelligence National Archives and Records Administration U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia Learn more about Grassley’s Arctic Frost oversight: October 10, 2025: Grassley and Johnson Lead Colleagues in Seeking Release of All DOJ, FBI Records Detailing Biden Administration’s Targeting of Sitting Members of Congress October 10, 2025: ICYMI: Grassley Oversight of Arctic Frost Yields Ongoing Results and Draws National Attention October 6, 2025: Biden FBI Spied on Eight Republican Senators as Part of Arctic Frost Investigation, Grassley Oversight Reveals September 16, 2025: Grassley Opens Senate Judiciary FBI Oversight Hearing, Releases Additional Records Demonstrating Political Weaponization and Misconduct at Biden FBI April 8, 2025: Grassley, Johnson Release Additional Arctic Frost Records Detailing Sweeping Anti-Trump Investigation March 14, 2025: Grassley, Johnson Release Records Showing FBI Obtained Trump, Pence Cell Phones, Conducted Sweeping Interviews to Advance Anti-Trump Arctic Frost Investigation February 3, 2025: Grassley Underscores FBI Supervisor Misconduct in Trump-Targeted Arctic Frost Investigation January 30, 2025: Grassley Opening Statement on Kash Patel’s Nomination to be FBI Director January 30, 2025: Grassley, Johnson Make Public Whistleblower Records Revealing DOJ and FBI Plot to Pin Trump in Jack Smith Elector Case",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-and-johnson-lead-colleagues-in-seeking-release-of-all-doj-fbi-records-detailing-biden-administrations-targeting-of-sitting-members-of-congress,"Grassley and Johnson Lead Colleagues in Seeking Release of All DOJ, FBI Records Detailing Biden Administration’s Targeting of Sitting Members of Congress",2025-10-10,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), along with 16 bicameral colleagues, are demanding the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) produce all records relating to the Biden FBI’s successful efforts to secretly obtain phone data from Members of Congress as part of its Arctic Frost investigation. The lawmakers are also requesting DOJ seek judicial authorization to gain access to relevant records which are subject to federal grand jury secrecy requirements. “Given that these materials relate to an unprecedented collection of records and information on sitting [Members of Congress] and raise serious constitutional concerns, Congress’ need for these records clearly outweighs any interest in secrecy,” the lawmakers wrote. “Further, the unprecedented nature of the DOJ’s and FBI’s actions in collecting [Members of Congress’] communication records falls squarely within Congress’ constitutional duty to thoroughly investigate potential abuses of power and creates a uniquely exceptional circumstance that demands the release of otherwise protected records.” Grassley and Johnson unveiled the existence of the Arctic Frost investigation – which ultimately morphed into Jack Smith’s elector case – in January, after whistleblowers first approached Grassley to disclose potential misconduct at the Biden FBI. On Monday, Grassley released an explosive FBI document showing Jack Smith and the FBI secretly subpoenaed tolling data for the personal cell phones of eight Republican senators and one Republican member of the House of Representatives. Grassley and Johnson were joined on the letter by all Members of Congress known to have been targeted as part of Arctic Frost and all Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, including: Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), as well as Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Ashley Moody (R-Fla.). Read the full letter HERE and below. October 9, 2025 The Honorable Pamela Bondi Attorney General Department of Justice The Honorable Kash Patel Director Federal Bureau of Investigation Dear Attorney General Bondi and Director Patel: On October 6, 2025, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Deputy Director Dan Bongino conducted a briefing on the FBI’s Arctic Frost investigation, which later became Jack Smith’s elector case against President Trump. The FBI informed us at that briefing that by September 27, 2023, officials in the FBI’s Washington Field Office possessed call logs from at least nine Members of Congress (MOC). According to Deputy Director Bongino, the FBI obtained call logs for the period of January 4, 2021 – January 7, 2021. Below is a snapshot of the FBI’s document listing the MOC that Jack Smith targeted:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-grassley-oversight-of-arctic-frost-yields-ongoing-results-and-draws-national-attention,ICYMI: Grassley Oversight of Arctic Frost Yields Ongoing Results and Draws National Attention,2025-10-10,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) this week released a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) document revealing Jack Smith and the Biden FBI sought and obtained the cell phone tolling data of eight Republican senators and one Congressman as part of its sweeping Arctic Frost investigation into President Donald Trump. The Biden FBI targeted the following lawmakers: Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), as well as Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.). Earlier this year, Grassley made public whistleblower records revealing the existence of the Arctic Frost investigation, which was opened and advanced by anti-Trump FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Timothy Thibault and other partisan officials. Grassley’s oversight also exposed the Biden FBI for acquiring President Donald Trump’s government cell phone before he was added as a subject of the investigation, and targeting nearly 100 Republican organizations and individuals as part of its sweeping Arctic Frost investigation. This morning, Grassley and Johnson led 16 bicameral colleagues in demanding the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI produce all records related to the Biden FBI’s targeting of lawmakers. Following Grassley’s calls for accountability, the FBI – led by Director Kash Patel – reviewed the allegations and dismantled CR-15, the Public Corruption Unit responsible for the investigation. Patel also fired agents, including those involved in the unacceptable privacy breach against Members of Congress. Grassley noted at a Judiciary Committee meeting yesterday morning: “Rest assured, this investigation is yielding results thanks to whistleblowers. I’ve done four public document productions about Arctic Frost. Starting with the information that has been made public, it’s exposed historic political misconduct to the American public. As a result, the FBI is investigating and has fired agents for misconduct. And the CR-15 unit at the Washington Field Office, which originated Arctic Frost, has been shut down. So, there’s already been some accountability because of Director Patel, and I would expect more will come. My investigation is very active, and I’ll have more to share this month.” Read national coverage of Grassley’s Arctic Frost oversight below: The Wall Street Journal | The FBI, Senate Phone Records, and Jan. 6 The Associated Press | FBI analyzed phone records of senators as part of Trump Jan. 6 probe, lawmakers say New York Post | Biden FBI spied on eight GOP senators, damning new doc claims: ‘Arguably worse than Watergate’ Fox News | FBI fires agents, dismantles corruption squad after probe unveils monitoring of GOP senators, Patel says CBS News | FBI analyzed some Republican lawmakers' phone records as part of Trump Jan. 6 probe, GOP senators say Washington Times | New document shows Biden’s FBI spied on nine Republican members of Congress The Hill | FBI analyzed lawmakers’ phone records during Trump Jan. 6 probe, Republicans say National Review | Kash Patel Says FBI Fired Agents, Dismantled Unit Behind Spying on GOP Senators Radio Iowa | Iowa | Grassley: FBI review of GOP senators’ phone records is ‘an outrage’ WSMV | Tennessee | TN senators among group of lawmakers who had phone records analyzed by FBI in Jan. 6 probe Deseret News | Utah | Sen. Grassley: Biden’s FBI spied on 8 Republican senators in an ‘unconstitutional breach’ 1819 News | Alabama | New documents show Biden’s FBI spied on Tommy Tuberville: ‘Worse than Watergate’ The Keystone | Pennsylvania | FBI analyzed phone records of Republican Pa. Congressman Mike Kelly as part of Trump Jan. 6 probe, lawmakers say Antlers Arch | Wyoming | Declassified Records Reveal FBI Monitoring of GOP Senators; Lummis Demands Accountability St. Louis Dispatch | Missouri | FBI analyzed phone records of senators, including Hawley, as part of Trump Jan. 6 probe, lawmakers say",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-foreign-worker-visas-should-not-displace-us-workers,Q&A: Foreign Worker Visas Should Not Displace U.S. Workers,2025-10-10,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Q: Why did you write U.S. tech companies about their employment practices? A: I chair the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over federal immigration laws, including temporary visa programs that govern nonimmigrant visitors. A citizen of a foreign country who comes to the United States to study or obtain employment must obtain permission through one of the more than 20 nonimmigrant visas available, such as a business visitor, nanny, student, temporary agriculture worker and more. For years, I’ve led bipartisan oversight of foreign visa programs with former Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois to close loopholes and root out fraud and abuse. The H-1B and L-1 programs provide a pathway for businesses to temporarily employ foreign professionals with specialized knowledge when there’s a shortage of qualified workers at home. It requires an employer to sponsor the visa holder; file required petitions with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of Labor; and pay fees for the application process. Recently, the Trump administration proposed raising the fee to $100,000 per visa holder. Congress created the H1-B program in 1990; it lasts for three years with a one-time renewal option. Over the years, some employers have exploited the system to cut out American workers for cheap foreign labor. Sen. Durbin and I in September wrote letters to 10 of the biggest companies in the country, including Amazon, Apple and Google, to get an explanation why they continue to hire thousands of H1-B visa holders while recent data show U.S. college graduates with majors in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields now face higher unemployment than the general population. For example, Amazon has laid off tens of thousands of employees in recent years and yet applied and received approval to hire more than 10 thousand foreign H1-B employees. This doesn’t pass the smell test. Homegrown talent must come first. Specifically, we want a full accounting about their recruitment practices; such as the number of H1-B workers they’ve hired, including salary and benefit disparities between visa holders and American workers; and whether U.S. workers were displaced when filing for thousands of visa petitions for foreign workers. Approximately 700,000 people are working in the United States on a H1-B visa, most are from India and China. Q: How would your legislation close loopholes used to displace U.S. workers?",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-welcomes-senate-passage-of-fiscal-year-2026-defense-authorization-bill,Grassley Welcomes Senate Passage of Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Authorization Bill,2025-10-09,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) welcomed Senate passage of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to support critical national security priorities. The legislation, which passed 77-20, includes multiple Grassley-backed provisions and a 3.8 percent pay raise for military service members. The House and Senate will now work together to craft a final, reconciled version that the president will sign into law. “The federal government’s number one responsibility is to look after the safety and security of this country. I’m glad this legislation passed the Senate with broad, bipartisan support, and I was proud to secure multiple provisions to support Iowa and invest in our state’s military installations,” Grassley said. “While this legislation sets the Defense Department up for success next year, our military service members are sadly working without pay today because Democrats have shut down the government and are holding government funding hostage for unrelated policy demands. I’m once again calling on more of my Democrat colleagues to join the three conscientious members of their party and end their partisan obstruction and join with Republicans to support a continuation of government. Our brave men and women in uniform shouldn’t have to suffer as a result of Democrats’ senseless political tactics.” Grassley secured the following priorities in the Fiscal Year (FY) 26 NDAA: Authorization of federal funds to support Iowa’s military installations: $148 million for projects at the 185th Air Refueling Wing/Sioux Gateway Airport, including aircraft parking apron, extended runway, runway repair and warm-up/holding pad; $13.8 million for the vehicle maintenance shop at the Waterloo Armory (Army National Guard); $8.5 million for Corrosion Control Research which helps support the work at the University of Northern Iowa under the STAR4D program; Provisions to bolster the Rock Island Arsenal through a pilot program on arsenal workload sustainment, which encourages public-private partnerships to increase minimum workloads at U.S. owned arsenals like Rock Island; Measures to crack down on costly price gouging by defense contractors by ensuring the Department of Defense (DoD) gets transparent pricing information. This builds on Grassley’s previous oversight work on price gouging with C-17 spare parts; A Grassley-led provision to allow the three Baltic countries to share High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers and ammunition purchased from the United States between each other without bureaucratic red tape, to complicate Russian strategic planning; The Abducted Ukrainian Children Recovery and Accountability Act with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) to support Ukraine’s efforts to investigate and track the nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children who have been abducted during Putin’s brutal invasion. The bill would also assist with the rehabilitation and reintegration of children who are returned and provide justice and accountability for perpetrators of these abductions; The Baltic Security Initiative Act with Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) to enhance and strengthen U.S. security cooperation with the Baltics amid Putin’s aggressive action in the region. The bipartisan legislation effectively codifies the Baltic Security Initiative effort; and Provisions to increase transparency on foreign influence in U.S. policy by defining “informational materials” under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The measure would clarify what types of materials that aim to influence public opinion and policy must be both labeled with a conspicuous message and filed with the DOJ. Grassley also secured key wins in the NDAA in his capacity as Senate Judiciary Chairman, including six bipartisan law enforcement bills that had previously been blocked by Senate Democrats since passing out of the Judiciary Committee during Police Week in May. The six law enforcement bills passed as part of the NDAA include: The Grassley-Klobuchar Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act to protect officers and first responders against accidental exposure to dangerous substances; The Grassley-Klobuchar Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act to address law enforcement staffing shortages; The Reauthorizing Support and Treatment for Officers in Crisis Act to expand mental health resources for law enforcement officers; The Strong Communities Act to boost law enforcement recruitment and retention; The PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act to aid state and local law enforcement agencies in combating child sexual exploitation online; and The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act to expand access to federal support for the families of firefighters and other first responders who pass away or become permanently disabled from service-related cancers.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/judiciary-committee-advances-judicial-nominations-for-seventh-circuit-and-four-district-courts-along-with-nominations-for-the-director-of-national-drug-control-policy-and-five-us-attorneys,"Judiciary Committee Advances Judicial Nominations for Seventh Circuit and Four District Courts, Along with Nominations for the Director of National Drug Control Policy and Five U.S. Attorneys",2025-10-09,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the following nominations: Rebecca L. Taibleson, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit, by a vote of 12-10; David A. Bragdon, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina, by a vote of 12-10; Lindsey Ann Freeman, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina, by a vote of 15-7; Matthew E. Orso, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina, by a vote of 14-8; The Honorable Susan Courtwright Rodriguez, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina, by a vote of 17-5; Sara Carter Bailey, to be Director of National Drug Control Policy, by a vote of 12-10; Braden Boucek, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, by a vote of 12-10; Dominick Gerace II, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, by a vote of 16-6; Jerome Francis Gorgon, Jr., to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, by a vote of 20-2; Bryan Stirling, to be United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina, by a vote of 17-5; and Thomas Wheeler II, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, by a vote of 12-10. Watch the executive business meeting HERE. A recording of the judicial nominations hearing can be found HERE. Read Chairman Chuck Grassley’s (R-Iowa) opening statement at the executive business meeting HERE, and his statement at the judicial nominations hearing HERE. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-and-gillibrand-reintroduce-bipartisan-bicameral-legislation-to-combat-sexual-assault-on-college-campuses-improve-accountability-and-transparency-for-higher-education-institutions,"Grassley and Gillibrand Reintroduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Combat Sexual Assault on College Campuses, Improve Accountability and Transparency for Higher Education Institutions",2025-10-08,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) reintroduced the Campus Accountability and Safety Act (CASA) to help combat sexual assault on college and university campuses. The bipartisan legislation would improve the way institutions of higher education address and report incidents of sexual assault that take place on their campuses, and it would protect both survivors and accused students by ensuring that schools have a uniform and fair process for investigating and conducting campus disciplinary proceedings. The legislation would also create new resources and support services for survivors and set new notification requirements for both survivors and accused students involved in the campus disciplinary process. “Across America, inconsistent enforcement mechanisms are failing to treat sexual assault crimes with the seriousness they deserve. We’re taking action to change that. Our legislation creates a coordinated approach to address incidents of sexual assault on college campuses. It would inform university protocols for handling reports, and it would strengthen recovery resources for survivors and empower them to know their rights,” Grassley said. “Sexual assault on college campuses remains a serious and persistent problem, and it is up to us in Congress to protect survivors and make sure these crimes are handled with fairness,” Gillibrand said. “The bipartisan Campus Accountability and Safety Act would strengthen the support network for survivors and increase accountability for schools by creating a standardized process for investigating instances of sexual assault. This will help survivors get the justice they deserve and ensure a fair process for everyone involved. I’m proud to lead this legislation and committed to working across the aisle to get it passed.” Specifically, CASA would: Increase transparency and reporting requirements under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act by mandating that the institution’s website include campus safety policies, an annual security report, instructions for filing a complaint and statistics of sexual misconduct allegations on campus; Direct academic institutions to hire sexual and interpersonal violence specialists to serve as confidential aides for victims, and require those specialists to undergo training by the Department of Education; Ensure that individuals who report sexual misconduct in good faith are not punished for any physical violence or assault as a defense, or alcohol or drug use, that is revealed by that report; Expand the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Campus Grant Program to address sexual harassment on campuses; and Require the Comptroller General to study VAWA grant efficacy and submit a report to Congress within two years of CASA enactment. Background: Grassley and Gillibrand first introduced CASA in 2014 and have consistently pushed for its passage. Grassley and Gillibrand also teamed up on the Speak Out Act – which was passed in 2022 – to clarify nondisclosure agreements cannot prohibit survivors from speaking out about sexual assault or harassment. During the 117th Congress, Grassley and Gillibrand led the effort to fundamentally change the military justice system. They successfully included language in the FY2022 and 2023 defense bills to remove judicial functions and prosecutorial decisions from the chain of command for certain serious crimes, including sexual assault and domestic violence, and put them in the hands of professional military prosecutors. Grassley and Gillibrand also led the bipartisan Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act to passage in 2022. This crucial legislation prevents perpetrators from being able to push survivors of sexual harassment and sexual assault into the secretive, biased process of forced arbitration. Grassley is a leading advocate for survivors. After news of USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse charges broke, Grassley chaired the first ever congressional hearing to protect young athletes. Soon after, he authored bipartisan legislation to bolster federal sex tourism statutes that had been too weak to convict Nassar. The bill was signed into law as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/iowa-sheriff-robert-rotter-nominated-to-be-us-marshal-for-iowas-northern-district,Iowa Sheriff Robert Rotter Nominated to be U.S. Marshal for Iowa’s Northern District,2025-10-08,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) today endorsed Iowan Robert Rotter’s nomination to serve as the U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Iowa. “I’m proud to endorse Robert Rotter to be U.S. Marshal for Iowa’s Northern District,” Grassley said. “I was glad to join Senator Ernst in recommending Sheriff Rotter for the position, and I thank President Trump for taking our recommendation. With over three decades of experience in state and local law enforcement, Sheriff Rotter is an excellent candidate to protect and serve the people of Iowa. He has my enthusiastic support, and as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I'll work to move his nomination forward swiftly.” “I’m proud to see Iowan Robert Rotter nominated to serve as U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Iowa,” Ernst said. “As a longtime sheriff, he’s shown unwavering commitment to protecting Iowans and keeping our communities safe. I’m confident he’ll bring the same dedication and integrity to this new role once he is confirmed.” Rotter’s nomination now heads to the Judiciary Committee for vetting and consideration. The full Senate will vote on his nomination after receiving the Committee’s recommendation. Background: Rotter is currently serving his fifth term as the Sheriff of Iowa County and has worked in Iowa’s state and local law enforcement for over 30 years. Rotter served as Iowa County’s first K9 officer and has maintained certifications in technical traffic accident investigations, active shooter training, underwater diving and jail administration. He has also completed extensive training by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. As Iowa County Sheriff, Rotter spearheaded a program to properly dispose of expired and unused prescription and over-the-counter medication, preventing hundreds of pounds of drugs from falling into the wrong hands. Rotter also initiated a county wide active shooter program that helped train over 1,500 students, teachers, industrial and retail employees.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-ernst-senate-republicans-continue-to-stand-with-israel-two-years-after-brutal-attack-by-iran-backed-hamas,"Grassley, Ernst, Senate Republicans Continue to Stand with Israel Two Years After Brutal Attack by Iran-Backed Hamas",2025-10-07,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Two years after Hamas terrorists carried out a brutal attack against Israel, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and all Senate Republicans in a bipartisan resolution condemning Iran-backed Hamas terrorists and supporting an outcome to the war that ensures the forever survival of Israel. The senators called for the release of all remaining hostages, including the remains of two United States citizens, and voiced support for the complete denial of Hamas’s ability to reconstitute in the region. “The October 7th terrorist attack against Israel was the single deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. It was shocking and disgusting. Senate Republicans are sending a clear message that the United States will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel, especially as antisemitism continues to rise across the globe,” Grassley said. “Two years ago today, I awoke in the Middle East to horrific news – Israel was under attack by Iran-backed Hamas and Americans had been killed and taken hostage,” Ernst said. “I immediately traveled into Israel to stand with our ally against Iran-backed terror. Since then, I traveled to the region seven times and met with our Middle East partners to bring our hostages home and end the war. Now that President Trump has restored American leadership on the world stage, I have renewed optimism and will continue to support his peace through strength vision, so another October 7 never happens.” Additional cosponsors include Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Curtis (R-Utah), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) Read the resolution HERE. Grassley Stands with Israel: Grassley has long worked to maintain and fortify America’s partnership with Israel. Since October 7, 2023, Grassley has led legislative efforts to reaffirm Israel’s right to self-defense, counter Iran’s terrorist regime and seek justice for victims of antisemitism. Learn more HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-questions-bondi-at-doj-oversight-hearing,Grassley Questions Bondi at DOJ Oversight Hearing,2025-10-07,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) questioned Department of Justice (DOJ) Attorney General Pam Bondi at today’s DOJ oversight hearing. Grassley urged Bondi to secure accountability for the Biden administration’s weaponization of government, including addressing the targeting of eight Republican senators as part of its Arctic Frost investigation. Grassley also questioned Bondi about DOJ grants and improving the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program. Bondi committed to following up with Grassley in writing on what actions the DOJ is taking to hold DOJ and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) personnel accountable for their misconduct as part of Arctic Frost. Grassley also pressed Bondi on whether the DOJ and FBI have fully investigated, or plan to investigate, the allegations in a FD-1023 document regarding a Biden family bribery scheme, and revisions to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Video and a transcript of Grassley and Bondi’s exchange follow. VIDEO Ending the Weaponization of DOJ, Addressing Arctic Frost: GRASSLEY: We had this recent [Arctic Frost] revelation yesterday, of my Republican senators being targeted by the government … when taken in context with [the] widespread government weaponization against Trump and conservatives in the last decade, the [Arctic Frost investigation], arguably, is worse than Watergate. Attorney General Bondi, how many DOJ and FBI personnel have been held accountable for their partisan and constitutionally questionable conduct? And what was their punishment? … Was Attorney General [Merrick] Garland, [former FBI] Director Wray or President Biden's White House aware of the FBI targeting Republican senators? Did they approve it? Let's be clear – either they knew and allowed it to happen, or they didn't know. If they didn't know, it points to lack of oversight of Jack Smith's runaway case. BONDI: ...Operation Arctic Frost was an unconstitutional, undemocratic abuse of power. During Arctic Frost, the FBI also placed 92 linked Republican individuals and Republican groups, such as Charlie Kirk's Turning Point, on their list. This is the kind of conduct that shattered the American people's faith in our government, as I said in my opening statement. We are ending this weaponization. Our FBI is targeting violent criminals, child predators and other law breakers, not sitting senators who happen to be from the wrong political party. DOJ Grant Cuts: GRASSLEY: You inherited a bloated bureaucracy that requires reorientation to better serve the Department’s mission. That includes reassessing grants disguised to help Americans, but many were partisan pet projects. It also requires reallocation of resources to better serve the American people. What updates can you share with the committee about your review, and grants that DOJ has reassessed? BONDI: During my appearance at the Department's budget hearings, I acknowledged that some grants were mistakenly terminated, and we have made a process to correct that. All grant termination appeals will be individually considered for alignment with our current policies, which are strengthening law enforcement and protecting victims. … Of the 5,800 discretionary grants that were reviewed, only 376 – approximately seven percent – were terminated. So far, [the Office of Justice Programs] has turned back on 18 awards, 17 appeals have been denied, and the rest are actively being reviewed, with decisions expected soon. DOJ Reallocation of Resources: GRASSLEY: My colleagues on the other side claim that your department has reallocated resources to immigration enforcement, [which] has had a negative impact on law enforcement. We know that drugs and crime are very much a part of immigration enforcement, so these attacks are clearly off the mark. Explain your view of these misguided assertions. BONDI: Every day our FBI, [Drug Enforcement Agency], [Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives] agents, and now, U.S. Marshals working on a task force with Homeland Security, are out there keeping Americans safe and getting illegal aliens out of our country, many of whom have committed violent crimes in this country. … One example is right here in Washington, D.C. We have the D.C. task force that has been incredibly successful … We have been working hand in hand with the local officials here in D.C., and we are very proud of that work. We're taking that to Tennessee, and around this country to keep Americans safe. Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program: GRASSLEY: The Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program (PSOB) provides benefits to law enforcement and first responders if they're disabled or killed in line of duty … My oversight and a Government Accountability Office report shows that some claims have taken thousands of days to conclude. PSOB applicants have also informed my office that they've been left in tears with the disrespectful ways they've been treated by the government. … What actions have been taken to hold DOJ officials accountable for their failures to manage the program and treat applicants with respect? BONDI: ... This Department of Justice will treat everyone with respect, and we will do everything in our power to help citizens of this country. Please reach out to us with any individual cases, and I will personally look at them for you.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/icymi-grassley-joins-america-reports-to-recap-arctic-frost-oversight-and-biden-fbis-targeting-of-republican-senators,ICYMI: Grassley Joins America Reports to Recap Arctic Frost Oversight and Biden FBI’s Targeting of Republican Senators,2025-10-07,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined “America Reports” on Fox News to discuss news he brought to light this week that the Biden administration’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) spied on eight Republican senators as part of its Arctic Frost investigation. Watch the full interview HERE and below. Excerpts follow. VIDEO On the Arctic Frost Investigation and the FBI’s Surveillance of Republican Senators: “I first found out about [the targeting of Republican senators] last Thursday, and arranged a meeting for my colleagues, eight of them, to be briefed by the FBI [yesterday]. They were totally shocked that Jack Smith, at the time that he was prosecuting Trump … solicited the phone numbers and who they talked to from these eight senators. “It’s a violation of privacy. We’re getting the FBI to get us further information. They said they’d give us more information by the end of the week. Then I'll have to decide what I'm going to do. I think I have a reputation for following the facts where they lead us and getting to a conclusion. “Information [on the Arctic Frost investigation] was given to us by a whistleblower. So, it just shows you how important it is [for] people [in] lower levels in the FBI to squeal on people that were violating the law and breaking all FBI rules to get this information. … “You can be certain that, with Chuck Grassley’s reputation of following the facts where they lead us, we’re not going to leave a stone unturned.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/waterman-and-olson-confirmed-as-iowas-us-attorneys,Waterman and Olson Confirmed as Iowa’s U.S. Attorneys,2025-10-07,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) today welcomed the confirmation of David Waterman to be the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa and Leif Olson to be the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. As Judiciary Chairman, Grassley successfully shepherded Waterman and Olson’s nominations through the committee and the full Senate, despite Democrat efforts to block the confirmation of executive nominees, including many – like Waterman – who received bipartisan support in committee. The Judiciary Committee advanced Waterman’s nomination by a vote of 20-2. Olson’s nomination was advanced in the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 12-10. Waterman and Olson were confirmed by the full Senate as part of a larger nominations package, by a vote of 51-47. “After months of unprecedented Democrat obstruction, Republicans successfully confirmed Iowa’s highly qualified U.S. Attorney nominees. Mr. Waterman and Mr. Olson will help keep Iowans safe and faithfully serve our great state with honor and distinction,” Grassley said. “Iowa needed its top federal law enforcement officials in place, and Senate Republicans delivered.” “I am proud to see Iowans David Waterman and Leif Olson confirmed as the U.S. Attorney for Iowa’s Southern and Northern Districts,” Ernst said. “They have both served our state and nation selflessly, and I am thankful for Senator Grassley’s work to move these nominations forward, so they can continue to work diligently for Iowans.” Background: Waterman is a fifth-generation attorney at Lane & Waterman LLP in Davenport. Previously, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) in the Appellate and Criminal Divisions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Prior to serving as an AUSA, Waterman gained federal court experience clerking on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Northern Districts of Iowa. Olson is Iowa’s Chief Deputy Attorney General under Attorney General Brenna Bird. Previously, he oversaw the Attorney General of Texas’ Special Litigation Division, served as a senior policy advisor for the U.S. Department of Labor and gained courtroom experience as a trial and appellate lawyer.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/biden-fbi-spied-on-eight-republican-senators-as-part-of-arctic-frost-investigation-grassley-oversight-reveals,"Biden FBI Spied on Eight Republican Senators as Part of Arctic Frost Investigation, Grassley Oversight Reveals",2025-10-06,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – An explosive FBI document obtained by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) reveals the FBI targeted eight Republican senators’ personal cell phones for “tolling data” as part of its Arctic Frost investigation. One Republican member of the House of Representatives was also impacted. The Arctic Frost investigation formed the basis of Jack Smith’s elector case against President Donald Trump. “Based on the evidence to-date, Arctic Frost and related weaponization by federal law enforcement under Biden was arguably worse than Watergate. “What I’ve uncovered today is disturbing and outrageous political conduct by the Biden FBI. The FBI’s actions were an unconstitutional breach, and Attorney General Bondi and Director Patel need to hold accountable those involved in this serious wrongdoing.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/capitol-hill-report-10-06-2025,"Capitol Hill Report, 10-06-2025",2025-10-06,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Senator Grassley's weekly Capitol Hill Report can be found HERE. Topics include: government shutdown, China and U.S. soybean trade, federal judges AI oversight, Epstein files, prevention of shutdowns.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-scrutinizes-federal-judges-apparent-ai-use-in-drafting-error-ridden-rulings,Grassley Scrutinizes Federal Judges’ Apparent AI Use in Drafting Error-Ridden Rulings,2025-10-06,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) wrote to two federal judges regarding their alleged use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to draft court orders with little to no human verification. Grassley’s oversight inquiry follows public reporting that U.S. District of Mississippi Judge Henry T. Wingate and U.S. District of New Jersey Judge Julien Xavier Neals issued court orders containing serious factual inaccuracies, prompting allegations of AI use. “As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I am committed to safeguarding litigants’ rights and ensuring that every party in federal court receives fair treatment and careful review by the Article III judges confirmed by the Senate,” Grassley wrote. “No less than the attorneys who appear before them, judges must be held to the highest standards of integrity, candor, and factual accuracy. Indeed, Article III judges should be held to a higher standard, given the binding force of their rulings on the rights and obligations of litigants before them,” Grassley continued. Grassley is asking Wingate and Neals explain whether they, their law clerks or any court staff used generative AI – or entered non-public case information into generative AI tools – in preparing their decisions. Further, Grassley called on the district judges to re-docket their original orders to preserve a transparent history of the Courts’ actions. Read Grassley’s letter to Wingate HERE and letter to Neals HERE. Background: On July 20, 2025, Wingate issued a temporary restraining order pausing a state law that prohibits diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public schools. The defendants, represented by the Attorney General of Mississippi, then filed a motion raising concerns about serious inaccuracies in the order, including: (1) naming plaintiffs and defendants that weren’t parties in the case; (2) misquoting state law; (3) making factually inaccurate statements that weren’t supported by the record; and (4) referencing four individuals who don’t appear in the case. In response to this motion, Wingate replaced his order with a backdated “corrected” version, removed the original order from the public docket and declined to explain the errors, dismissing the mistakes as “clerical.” On July 23, 2025, Neals withdrew his decision in a biopharma securities case after defendants’ counsel identified instances where the Court: (1) attributed inaccurate quotes to defendants; (2) relied on quotes attributed to decisions that didn’t actually contain such quotes; and (3) misstated the outcomes of cited cases – indicating that motions to dismiss were denied when, in reality, they were granted. Additional reporting notes that “a person familiar with the matter” explained “that a temporary assistant” in Neals’ court had “used an artificial intelligence platform” in drafting the original decision, and “that the opinion was inadvertently issued before a review process was able to catch errors introduced by AI.” The Senate Judiciary Committee has broad oversight and legislative jurisdiction over civil and criminal judicial proceedings, the federal courts, federal judges and other related matters. Substantive errors, like those found in the decisions of Wingate and Neals, cast doubt on the Judiciary’s deliberative process and raise legitimate concerns about the accuracy of courts’ decisions.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/qanda-targeting-crime-in-americas-cities,Q&A: Targeting Crime in America’s Cities,2025-10-03,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Q: Why did you convene a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about soft-on-crime policies? A: I’ve worked on Capitol Hill since 1975 when I was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives and enjoy welcoming Iowans to the nation’s capital. Millions of Americans visit Washington, D.C. every year, including veterans who take pride in seeing war memorials honoring their military service; high school students who join class trips to learn more about the federal government and families who enjoy making memories soaking in the monuments, museums and nation’s history. Two decades ago, our nation’s capital was widely known as the murder capital of the country. People who live, work and visit America’s capital city ought to feel safe walking the streets, taking public transportation and sightseeing. In recent years, violent crime in Washington, D.C. was once again on the rise, putting residents, workers and visitors in harm’s way. According to FBI crime data, the homicide rate in 2024 was nearly twice the rate in 2012, around 25 murders per 100,000 residents. In August, the Trump administration declared a crime emergency in Washington, D.C, deploying the National Guard to patrol city streets to help reduce violent crime, including homicide, robbery, car jackings and more. Public safety is the #1 job of law enforcement. And yet, partisan rhetoric and political decisions to “defund the police” give license to criminals to break the law and put people in harm’s way. Coordinated attacks on law enforcement, including Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) agents, must be condemned before more lives are lost from political violence occurring across our country. The brave men and women in law enforcement who put their lives on the line to keep Americans safe also deserve to return home to their families safe and sound. Q: What did you learn from witness testimony at the crime hearing you held? A: One of the witnesses gave emotional testimony about the murder of her grandson on April 23, 2017. Forlesia Cook, a native of Washington, D.C. bravely shared how her family “begged for justice” and said “murder in D.C. is treated as a joke” for the victims of violent crime. The Trump administration’s effort to reduce violent crime is not a joke to the people living in cities where violent crime is on the rise. In one month since this administration took action to reduce crime in Washington, D.C., the facts speak volumes: a 53% reduction in murders; a 57% reduction in robberies; and a 75% reduction in carjackings. American families, like Forlesia Cook’s, are pleading for justice and safe neighborhoods. When I questioned the chairman of the D.C. Police Union, his testimony exposed an alarming practice by which crime statistics were being manipulated in the database to falsely reflect violent crime was decreasing in the nation’s capital. Such misconduct pours salt in the wounds of victims begging for justice and underscores the need for oversight to improve public safety. At the hearing, I called out the reckless rhetoric targeting law enforcement officials and how the open border policies of the previous administration undermined a cornerstone of American society. We are a nation of laws. Crime-ridden cities who put violent repeat offenders back on the streets need a reality check. Another witness from the U.S. Marshals Service testified about recent consequences of soft-on-crime policies in the nation’s capital, including the murder in May of two embassy staffers; a congressional intern killed in June blocks away from the White House; and the brutal beating of an individual in August who was trying to defend a woman from a violent mob of young men. He told the committee policies such as cashless bail and lenient juvenile prosecution are creating a cycle of “catch-and-release” that has allowed for a revolving door of criminals on city streets, saying “criminals no longer fear arrest, convictions or incarcerations.” The Trump administration is taking historic steps to keep America safe in cities across the country. Reducing violent crime is an issue the American people expect and deserve. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I’m leading legislation to combat organized retail crime and strengthen violent crime laws to clarify penalties for violent offenses, including carjacking, robbery and kidnapping.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/dhs-report-confirms-grassley-oversight-biden-admin-failed-to-track-and-enforce-parole-expirations,DHS Report Confirms Grassley Oversight: Biden Admin Failed to Track and Enforce Parole Expirations,2025-10-02,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is requesting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem immediately address the Biden administration’s failure to track and enforce parole expirations. Grassley’s inquiry follows a July 2025 DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) report, which confirmed that “under [Biden] DHS policies and practices, aliens could remain unlawfully in the United States after parole expiration without enforcement consequences.” Over 61,400 parolee visas expired from November 2024 to February 2025. “The OIG found that multiple Biden-DHS components – including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – failed to uphold their respective responsibilities under federal law and executive policy for tracking and enforcing parole expirations,” Grassley wrote. According to the DHS OIG report, under the Biden administration: CBP failed to track parole expirations, despite having a congressional mandate to report data on overstays to Congress and the public; USCIS did not establish or maintain a centralized, reliable data system to monitor parole expiration, despite being required to do so; and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations was not notified by CBP or USCIS when parolees entered the United States, and ICE did not automatically consider parolees as removable after their parole term expired. Grassley is calling on the Trump administration to implement OIG’s three recommendations, including (1) designating a DHS component or office to oversee parole expiration and report on the prevalence of the issue; (2) developing a process to identify parolees who are no longer authorized to remain in the United States; and (3) ensuring ICE receives timely, accurate data regarding parolees who are no longer authorized to remain in the United States. Read Grassley’s letter to DHS HERE. Background: In October 2023, Grassley wrote to then-DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the Biden administration’s failure to track and vet individuals paroled into the United States through the CBP One mobile app. In June 2024, Grassley followed up with the Biden DHS, reiterating its responsibility to identify, vet and monitor Afghan evacuees paroled into the United States following the botched Afghanistan withdrawal. In August of 2024, Grassley raised concerns that CBP failed to notify its field offices of the administration’s interview and fingerprint waivers, which prevented agents from flagging parolees who needed further screening. In October 2024, Grassley wrote to DHS after CBP and ICE permitted noncitizens to enter the country without confirming their identity – days later, an Afghan evacuee was arrested for plotting an Election Day terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS. This Congress, Grassley is continuing to press the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for answers regarding the Biden administration’s failure to fully vet Afghan evacuees. Grassley also introduced the Immigration Parole Reform Act to restore integrity to the immigration parole program and ensure parole expirations are enforced.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-leads-over-45-colleagues-in-calling-on-epa-to-stand-with-american-farmers-and-biofuel-producers-by-finalizing-import-rin-reduction-rule,Grassley Leads Over 45 Colleagues in Calling on EPA to Stand with American Farmers and Biofuel Producers by Finalizing Import RIN Reduction Rule,2025-10-02,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a lifelong family farmer and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, led over 45 Senate and House colleagues in urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize a rule on imported Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) and hold firm on the proposed biomass-based diesel volumes. In their bipartisan, bicameral letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, the members state such measures would ensure the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) continues to strengthen American energy security and support both American farmers and domestic renewable fuel producers. “At a time when many farmers are struggling to break even, all federal biofuels policies should prioritize domestic agriculture and biofuel production, not foreign fuels made from foreign feedstocks. Additionally, while farmers face the uncertainty of foreign market demand, the Import RIN reduction would provide essential support for the farm economy so farmers could sell more products domestically,” the members said. In June, the EPA proposed record biomass-based diesel (BBD) volumes in its Set 2 proposal and included a 50% reduction in RINs for imported renewable fuels and fuels made from foreign feedstocks (Import RIN reduction). “The Import RIN reduction also aligns with congressional intent under the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, which prioritizes domestic feedstocks. Aligning EPA's policy with this standard helps level the playing field for domestic feedstock and biofuel producers with imported feedstocks, such as Brazilian tallow and so called ‘used cooking oil’ from China, which would otherwise directly undercut U.S. energy, agriculture and manufacturing,” the members continued. The EPA's own analysis highlights the positive impact of the Import RIN proposal, saying it will create jobs and generate economic growth in farming, transportation and manufacturing – particularly in rural communities. Additional cosigners include Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Michael Rounds (R-S.D.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.). In the House, the letter was signed by Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Derek Schmidt (R-Kan.), Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Tracey Mann (R-Kan.), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), Max Miller (R-Ohio), James Baird (R-Ind.), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.), James Comer (R-Ky.), Mike Bost (R-Ill.), David Kustoff (R-Tenn.), John Rose (R-Tenn.), Erin Houchin (R-Ind.), Mark Messmer (R-Ind.), Ron Estes (R-Kan.), Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), Mark Alford (R-Mo.), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Mich.), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Mike Flood (R-Neb.), Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.), Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), Carol Miller (R-W.Va.) and Adrian Smith (R-Neb.). Organizations endorsing the letter include the American Soybean Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Oilseed Processors Association and the National Sorghum Producers. Grassley helped establish the RFS in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and has worked to ensure the executive branch implements the law as intended. In April, Grassley and Klobuchar urged the EPA to restore integrity, stability and growth to the RFS and the U.S. biofuel sector by raising RVO levels for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels. The Biden-era EPA set RVOs at levels that fail to align with market conditions and production outlook, which has contributed to biodiesel plant closures in the Midwest. Text of the letter can be found HERE or below. September 30, 2025 The Honorable Lee M. Zeldin Administrator Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20460 Dear Administrator Zeldin, We thank the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for proposing record biomass-based diesel (BBD) volumes in the Set 2 proposal and for including a 50 percent reduction in Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) for imported renewable fuels and fuels made from foreign feedstocks (Import RIN reduction). The combination of the strong BBD volumes coupled with prioritizing U.S. feedstocks represents a commonsense approach that puts American farmers first, strengthens domestic biofuel markets, and delivers tangible economic benefits to rural communities. Soybean oil may only represent 20 percent of the bean, but it accounts for more than half of its value in the U.S. market, and about half of that oil is used to make advanced biofuels such as biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. That means roughly a quarter of every bushel's value processed here in the U.S. is directly tied to biofuel demand. At a time when many farmers are struggling to break even, all federal biofuels policies should prioritize domestic agriculture and biofuel production, not foreign fuels made from foreign feedstocks. Additionally, while farmers face the uncertainty of foreign market demand, the Import RIN reduction would provide essential support for the farm economy so farmers could sell more products domestically. The EPA's own analysis highlights the positive impact of the Import RIN proposal: it will create jobs and generate economic growth in farming, transportation, and manufacturing, particularly in rural communities where oilseed processing facilities are located. This is exactly the outcome Congress intended when it created and expanded the Renewable Fuel Standard. The Import RIN reduction also aligns with Congressional intent under the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, which prioritizes domestic feedstocks. Aligning EPA's policy with this standard helps level the playing field for domestic feedstock and biofuel producers with imported feedstocks, such as Brazilian tallow and so called “used cooking oil” from China, which would otherwise directly undercut U.S. energy, agriculture, and manufacturing. For these reasons, we urge EPA to finalize the Import RIN reduction as proposed and to hold firm on the biomass-based diesel volumes in the rule. Finalizing the proposal would ensure the Renewable Fuel Standard delivers on its promises of strengthening U.S. energy security, supporting American farmers and domestic renewable fuel producers, and keeping investment and jobs here at home. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/joined-by-iowa-delegation-and-governor-reynolds-grassley-makes-pitch-for-usda-to-bring-ars-projects-to-iowa-amid-departments-ongoing-reorganization-program,"Joined by Iowa Delegation and Governor Reynolds, Grassley Makes Pitch for USDA to Bring ARS Projects to Iowa Amid Department’s Ongoing Reorganization Program",2025-10-01,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"Listen to Grassley discussing the letter HERE WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), along with Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) and Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, are calling on Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to relocate Agricultural Research Service (ARS) projects to Ames as part of the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) ongoing reorganization plan. Ames currently has one of the largest concentrations of USDA facilities and employees outside of Washington. The lawmakers and governor wrote the move would benefit farmers, producers and families nationwide. “Iowa serves as a prime location with its unmatched production of food and fuel. Our state has 35.7 million acres of land, more than 85% of which is used for agriculture. Iowa leads the nation in production of corn, soy, swine, beef, biofuels and more. Located in Ames, Iowa State University (ISU) works closely with the USDA, providing the agency with high-performance computing services to federal researchers,” they wrote. “Many of the studies conducted at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center [located in Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C.] align with Iowa State University and the Agricultural Research Service’s efforts, including soybean genomics, hydrology and remote sensing, animal genomics, animal biosciences and biotechnology, adaptive cropping systems and bee research,” they continued. Their letter notes grocery prices in Iowa are the second lowest in the nation and Iowa’s average cost of living falls 10.3% below the national average, providing more affordable opportunities for USDA employees. “As the heart of our nation and a leading agriculture producing state, Iowa brings firsthand knowledge and real-world experience to the USDA. To put it simply, Iowa knows agriculture and would contribute unparalleled opportunities for the agency. We...urge you to bring USDA ARS projects to Iowa’s fields to benefit farmers, producers and families nationwide,” they concluded. Iowa also leads the nation in egg production, with around 45 million laying hens producing about 15 billion eggs a year. Read the full letter HERE and below. September 30, 2025 The Honorable Brooke Rollins Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250 Dear Secretary Rollins, As the United States Department of Agriculture continues its reorganization efforts, we ask that you continue consideration in bringing USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) projects to Ames, Iowa. In conjunction with the mission of bringing federal agencies closer to constituents, Iowa serves as a prime location with its unmatched production of food and fuel. Our state has 35.7 million acres of land, more than 85% of which is used for agriculture. Iowa is a national leader in the production of corn, soy, swine, beef, biofuels, and more. Located in Ames, Iowa State University (ISU) works closely with the USDA, providing the agency with high-performance computing services to federal researchers. Several students and professors at Iowa State prioritize their work and research with the USDA, many joining the agency after their time at ISU. Ames currently has one of the largest concentrations of USDA facilities and employees outside of Washington, D.C. The ARS National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment (NLAE), ARS National Animal Disease Center (NADC), ARS North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station (NCRPIS), and ARS Corn Insect and Crop Genetics Research Unit (CICGRU) are all currently based in Ames. It’s also home to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NSVL) and the APHIS Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB). This advances the city’s preparedness, minimizing transition complications for other ARS projects like those studying plant sciences, animal health, and the environment. Further, many of the studies conducted at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center align with Iowa State University and the Agricultural Research Service’s efforts including, soybean genomics, hydrology and remote sensing, animal genomics, animal biosciences and biotechnology, adaptive cropping systems, and bee research. Not only would Iowa benefit on the research front, but employees would be able to own homes and enjoy the lower cost of living. Iowa falls 10.3% below the average cost of living and ranks the 2nd lowest for grocery prices in 2025. As the heart of our nation and a leading agriculture producing state, Iowa brings firsthand knowledge and real-world experience to the USDA. To put it simply, Iowa knows agriculture and would contribute unparalleled opportunities for the agency. We, the Congressional Delegation of Iowa, urge you to bring USDA ARS projects to Iowa’s fields to benefit farmers, producers, and families nationwide. Thank you for your consideration to strengthen the USDA and its service to Americans through the relocation of essential research projects to the heartland of agriculture. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/judiciary-committee-advances-judicial-nominations-for-third-circuit-and-alabama-district-courts-along-with-eastern-louisiana-us-attorney-nominee,"Judiciary Committee Advances Judicial Nominations for Third Circuit and Alabama District Courts, Along with Eastern Louisiana U.S. Attorney Nominee",2025-10-01,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the following nominations: Jennifer Lee Mascott, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, by a vote of 12-10; Edmund G. LaCour, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama, by a vote of 12-10; Bill Lewis, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama, by a vote of 14-8; Harold D. Mooty III, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama, by a vote of 18-4; and David Courcelle, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, by a vote of 14-8. Watch the executive business meeting HERE. A recording of the judicial nominations hearing can be found HERE. Read Chairman Chuck Grassley’s (R-Iowa) opening statement at the executive business meeting HERE, and his statement at the judicial nominations hearing HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/omb-releases-5-million-for-prac-following-push-by-grassley-collins,"OMB Releases $5 Million for PRAC Following Push by Grassley, Collins",2025-10-01,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chairs of the Senate Judiciary and Appropriations Committees, respectively, welcomed the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) decision to apportion $5 million for the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC), ensuring it can continue operations through the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2026. This action follows a letter sent by the senators on Monday to OMB Director Russell Vought, requesting that the funding for PRAC and the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) be released. “We are pleased that following our outreach, OMB has decided to release funds that will allow PRAC to remain operational and continue its vital oversight work,” Grassley and Collins said. “This funding ensures that PRAC can keep its staff in place to continue providing the transparency and accountability that taxpayers deserve. While this is a positive step, OMB should promptly apportion funds for CIGIE as well, consistent with congressional intent.” Background: In the 2020 CARES Act, Congress established PRAC as part of CIGIE to conduct and support government-wide oversight efforts associated with the emergency response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Congress this year extended PRAC’s authorization and expanded its jurisdiction as part of the 2025 tax law. Read the senators’ letter to OMB HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-collins-urge-omb-to-release-appropriated-inspector-general-funds,"Grassley, Collins Urge OMB to Release Appropriated Inspector General Funds",2025-09-30,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,IA,Chuck Grassley,G000386,www.grassley.senate.gov,grassley,https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chairs of the Senate Judiciary and Appropriations Committees, respectively, sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought calling on OMB to reverse its decision to withhold apportionments for the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) and the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC). “Absent immediate action, CIGIE and PRAC will need to furlough staff and terminate important functions that help prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse throughout the government,” the senators wrote. “Congress has already appropriated FY 2026 funds for CIGIE and PRAC, and both entities enjoy strong bipartisan support. Thus, any adverse consequences will be solely due to OMB’s decision not to apportion available funds, rather than any lapse in appropriations.” “Of course, we recognize the need to ensure that all government entities are good stewards of taxpayer dollars and operate efficiently and effectively,” the senators continued. “We understand from your staff that OMB’s apportionment decision may be part of a review of CIGIE and PRAC activities. However, we see no reason why such a review could not occur while those entities remain operational so that they can continue the numerous functions that are mandated by law.” Grassley and Collins were leading proponents of the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008, which established CIGIE to address integrity, economy and effectiveness issues that transcend government agencies. CIGIE increases the professionalism and effectiveness of federal Inspectors General (IGs) by helping to establish well-trained and highly skilled IG office workforces. Grassley is a founding member of the bipartisan Senate IG Caucus. Last year, he wrote CIGIE to conduct oversight of its spending data and secure a better understanding of CIGIE’s use of taxpayer funds. In the 2020 CARES Act, Congress established PRAC as part of CIGIE to conduct and support government-wide oversight efforts associated with the emergency response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Congress this year extended PRAC’s authorization and expanded its jurisdiction as part of the 2025 tax law. Read the full letter HERE and below. September 29, 2025 The Honorable Russell T. Vought Director The Office of Management and Budget 725 17th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20503 Dear Director Vought: As leading proponents of the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008, which established the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), we write regarding the recent “policy decision” of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to withhold an apportionment for CIGIE’s FY 2026 operations. We were also notified by the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC), which operates within CIGIE, that OMB has not apportioned funds for its FY 2026 operations. We urgently request an explanation for these actions and ask that you to promptly reverse course so that CIGIE and PRAC can continue their important oversight work uninterrupted. Absent immediate action, CIGIE and PRAC will need to furlough staff and terminate important functions that help prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse throughout the government. Congress has already appropriated FY 2026 funds for CIGIE and PRAC, and both entities enjoy strong bipartisan support. Thus, any adverse consequences will be solely due to OMB’s decision not to apportion available funds, rather than any lapse in appropriations. As you know, CIGIE was created to “address integrity, economy, and effectiveness issues that transcend individual Government agencies” and “increase the professionalism and effectiveness of personnel by developing policies, standards, and approaches to aid in the establishment of a well-trained and highly skilled workforce in the offices of the Inspectors General.” 5 U.S.C. § 424(a). Effectively defunding CIGIE—contrary to congressional intent—will disrupt numerous important oversight functions, including the Oversight.gov website, whistleblower reporting portals, and activities designed to ensure the inspectors general community is held accountable. Congress established PRAC as part of the CARES Act to conduct and support government-wide oversight efforts associated with the emergency response to the Coronavirus pandemic, including through the use of a sophisticated analytics platform. Just this year, as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Congress extended PRAC’s authorization, expanded its jurisdiction, and appropriated $88 million in additional funding to support its efforts. Shuttering PRAC would be disruptive to ongoing oversight and inhibit future efforts. Of course, we recognize the need to ensure that all government entities are good stewards of taxpayer dollars and operate efficiently and effectively. We understand from your staff that OMB’s apportionment decision may be part of a review of CIGIE and PRAC activities. However, we see no reason why such a review could not occur while those entities remain operational so that they can continue the numerous functions that are mandated by law. Moreover, to the extent OMB believes that CIGIE or PRAC should be reformed to better achieve their missions, we stand ready to work collaboratively with you to consider potential reforms. Our ongoing oversight of CIGIE can provide useful ways to ensure that it operates optimally for the American people—fixes that can be implemented while the entity is funded. As Congress conducts oversight and considers a potential legislative response, please respond to the following questions by no later than Friday, October 3, 2025: Why has OMB failed to apportion funds for CIGIE and PRAC FY 2026 operations, and who made this decision? What legal authority is OMB relying upon to withhold apportionments for CIGIE and PRAC? When does OMB intend to apportion funds to CIGIE and PRAC? To the extent OMB is reviewing CIGIE and PRAC activities prior to apportioning funds, why can’t that review occur without disrupting operations and furloughing employees? Describe in detail any ongoing OMB review of CIGIE or PRAC. Please include detailed timelines, a description of any review’s scope and intended effect, and any potential cost savings to the taxpayer. We look forward to your timely response to these questions, and we again urge you to promptly apportion funds to CIGIE and PRAC, consistent with congressional intent.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z