Senator Chuck Grassley Wins Again

Senator Chuck Grassley has been serving as the Iowa State Senator since his election win in 1980.

Senator Grassley was elected as the Iowa Senator in 1980, defeating Dem. John Culver, who was running for reelection. Since his time in office, he has sponsored and/or cosponsored 8,825 bills, amendments and resolutions. With the bills introduced over his time as Senator, over 100 bills later became law. The exact number is harder to calculate but it is well-known as over 100. Before his time as state Senator, he served in the Iowa House from 1958-1974. The Iowans then sent him to the Iowa House of Representatives. After serving his terms for the Iowa government in 1980, he ran in the election for State Senate and was later elected and since has served 7 terms and was just re-elected for his eighth term. Senator Grassley was born in New Hartford, IA on September 17, 1933. He grew up on the farm and continues to farm just like he did as a child. He grew up growing corn and soybeans and is one of two current farmers serving in the US Senate. 

“My bipartisan Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act, which passed the Agriculture Committee this summer, would ensure independent cattle producers can get a fair price for their livestock,” Grassley stated. 

He also worked on many factory floors from 1950-1967, and from 1967-1968 he was a professor at Charles City College teaching government courses. He studied political science at the University of Northern Iowa.  

“The Net Price Calculator Improvement Act, The Understanding the True Cost of College Act and The Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act. These proposals would help ensure students can fully understand the cost of their degree, what scholarships they will receive and what their expected income will look like upon graduation,” Grassley stated.

He has many many bills sponsored or co-sponsored that became law. The Protecting America’s First Responders Act of 2021 provides disability and education benefits to first responders that are permanently disabled during the line of duty. 

“I’ve supported and helped lead proposals that uphold the Constitution while protecting due process, including the Protecting Communities and The Second Amendment Act. This bill seeks to prevent gun violence by making fixes to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), and it would ensure criminals who purchase firearms illegally are prosecuted. I’ve also introduced other measures, including the Safe Schools Act and the EAGLES Act, to bolster school security resources,” Grassley stated. 

The Strengthening Abuse and Neglect Court Act of 2000 allows the state and local courts to automate the data and collections of abuse and neglect cases. The Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act 2022 provides an award for the members of the “Ghost army” for their unique and highly distinguished service in conducting deception operations in Europe during World War ll. The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 states no physician or other individual can knowingly conduct a partial-birth abortion, except when it is necessary to save the mother’s life. 

“For me, being pro-life includes working on policies [for] mothers and infants. I recently introduced the Healthy Moms and Babies Act to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates,” Grassley said.

The Female Veterans Suicide Prevention Act directs the Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide mental health and suicide programs that are effective for female veterans as part of their evaluation. These bills are very important but Senator Grassley still has bills he would like to become law. 

“I have several bipartisan bills that I’d like to get signed into law, including my Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act and the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act… It would help drive down the cost of medicine by capping annual out-of-pocket expenses and preventing prices from rising faster than inflation,” Grassley explained.

In politics, there will always be things not agreed upon or things that people have different views on.

“Unfortunately, I believe funding the government will once again be somewhat controversial as we approach the end of the year. We need to keep the government open so it can conduct the people’s business. It only becomes controversial when other frivolous, unrelated spending items are attached,” Grassley said.