Grassley Ranks Fifth in Senate in New Bipartisan Index for 2015
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley ranks fifth in the Senate in a new bipartisan index of how much senators work across party lines on bill sponsorship and co-sponsorship. The rankings for 2015 are from the Lugar Center, led by former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University.
“Controversy gets headlines, and partisan controversy gets even more headlines,” Grassley said. “What people often don’t see is that a lot gets done, and a lot of it goes unnoticed, on a bipartisan basis. There are health care bills, tax bills, Judiciary Committee measures, and oversight and investigative projects that are all done with bipartisan support. Common ground can be found that makes a difference for Americans working hard to raise a family, build a business and live in safe and secure communities.”
Lugar said, “Lawmakers with strong ideological views can still find common ground with members across the aisle if they make an effort to do so. Some members of Congress have embraced this challenge, despite the intensely partisan political culture exemplified in the national presidential campaigns.”
The Judiciary Committee, which Grassley leads, has reported 21 bills out of the committee this Congress. All have been bipartisan. In addition, five bills under the jurisdiction of the committee have already been signed into law. One of the bills that cleared the committee on a strong, bipartisan 15-5 vote was the biggest criminal justice reform package in a generation. Grassley continues to work with Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin to fine-tune the bill in anticipation of consideration by the full Senate.
Grassley shepherded the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act through the committee, where it passed unanimously, and led the debate on the Senate floor. The bill was signed into law on May 29, 2015. The law establishes strong measures that target predators who traffic innocent young people, helps survivors of trafficking heal, and protects others from becoming victims of such a terrible crime.
As chairman of the Finance Committee, Grassley led through Congress $2 trillion in bipartisan tax relief, leaving more money in workers’ pockets, making the tax code more progressive, and spurring economic growth and activity. Grassley led the enactment of bipartisan bills bringing a prescription drug benefit to Medicare and allowing families who have children with multiple medical needs to buy into Medicaid while continuing to work.
On a bipartisan, bicameral measure, Grassley is the Senate author with then-Rep. Howard Berman of the 1986 amendments to the False Claims Act. The amendments encourage whistleblowers to come forward with information involving fraud against the government. Since the reforms were enacted, the government has recouped more than $48.2 billion that otherwise would have been lost to fraud. Many of the recoveries were initiated by whistleblowers who took advantage of the provisions allowing them to bring cases.
Grassley is the author of the bipartisan Congressional Accountability Act, signed into law in 1995. This law guaranteed the same rights for congressional employees as private sector employees and ensured that members of Congress feel the impact of laws applied to private sector employers and small business owners across the country. The law brought Congress under major laws that address wage and hour questions, occupational safety and health issues.
The 2015 bipartisan index ranking is available here. Grassley ranks no. 12 in lifetime scores for senators from 1993 to 2014, available here.
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Grassley, Warren Seek Update on Unique Device Identifier for Medical Devices in Medicare
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts have asked top Department of Health and Human Services officials for a progress report on their work to add the unique device identifier (UDI) for medical devices to medical claims forms. The senators noted that Congress has supported establishing the UDI system and integrating device information into the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) post-market surveillance system Sentinel. Such a system would improve the post-market surveillance of devices to strengthen patient safety and curb wasteful spending. The senators note that although the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the FDA have supported the inclusion of UDI in claims forms, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), has expressed contradictory views on the policy.
“Given the importance of this issue, we hope you will ensure that CMS works collaboratively with FDA and other stakeholders to ensure that the next update of the claims form will incorporate UDIs,” the senators wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell, Acting CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt and FDA Commissioner Robert Califf.
They also cite a letter from the HHS Office of Inspector General which revealed that recalls of defective products have likely resulted in numerous claims for monitoring, replacement and follow-up care at significant taxpayer expense. Including the UDI in claims would allow for faster identification and recall of poorly performing devices and ensure proper reimbursements for hospitals, device manufacturers and CMS, the senators wrote.
The senators’ letter is available here. The senators’ correspondence with the inspector general is available here and here.
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Capitol Tours, Other Services Available to Iowans Visiting Nation’s Capital; Spring Break Reception Planned for Visiting Families
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley reminds Iowans that his office is available to help with U.S. Capitol building tours and other arrangements for those planning a trip to Washington, D.C. Grassley and Sen. Joni Ernst also scheduled a reception to meet Iowans visiting the nation’s capital during many Iowa schools’ spring break the week of March 14 through March 18.
“My staff is very good at giving tours of the U.S. Capitol,” Grassley said. “They know a lot of history and facts of interest. They also can help with the logistics of visiting other popular sites. I encourage Iowans to get in touch with requests and questions.”
In addition to the Capitol building, one of the most requested sites is visiting the White House. Tour tickets are limited, and requests in advance give the best chance for accommodation. More information on help with tours is available here on Grassley’s website.
Given the large number of Iowans expected to visit Washington, D.C., over spring break, Grassley and Ernst will hold an open door reception for interested Iowans.
What: Spring Break Reception for Iowans
When: Tuesday, March 15, 2016, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern
Where: 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, the Judiciary Committee hearing room
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Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee
Hearing on “Oversight of the Department of Justice”
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Attorney General Lynch, welcome. Thank you for being here. Our Founding Fathers gave us a Constitution that set up a revolutionary system of government. They divided the government between three co-equal branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. This separation of powers also came with checks and balances. Each branch has certain powers and responsibilities to make sure the others don’t grow too powerful.
Most importantly, this system of checks and balances helps to protect the rights and liberties of the American people. From the beginning of our country, Congress, the President, and the courts have engaged in a great debate over their proper roles. That debate continues to this very day. And I’m proud to be helping to lead it as the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
Oversight is just one of the critical functions and constitutional responsibilities for the legislative branch in this ongoing debate. It’s an opportunity for Congress to investigate and question the policies and actions of the executive branch. It’s an opportunity for the executive branch to take responsibility for them. And it’s an opportunity for Congress to defend its constitutional powers and to check any abuses by an over-reaching executive branch.
When you appeared before this Committee last year, I said that there were serious challenges facing the Department of Justice. I meant it. These challenges go to the heart of our system of government. The Justice Department had become deeply politicized under your predecessor. And it had failed to take care that the laws were faithfully executed.
Instead, laws were being rewritten, unilaterally changed, or altogether ignored. Executive agencies were allowing firearms to walk off into the hands of drug cartels. Conservative political groups that had spoken out against the government were being targeted. And in many ways, the President himself was at the root of the problem because he was carelessly ignoring the rule of law. He was also substituting his own political preferences for the will of the American people and their elected representatives in Congress.
He ignored Congress and the law when he traded five terrorists from Guantanamo Bay for an American soldier who had walked away from his base. And he did so again when he granted amnesty and gave work permits to millions of undocumented immigrants. And he hasn’t stopped. Last month he outlined a plan to transfer terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to prisons in the United States so that he can fulfill a campaign promise, even though the law says he can’t.
Today I look forward to ensuring that this President isn’t abusing his power, and ensuring that the rights of the American people are being protected. I want to discuss whether the President can use his executive authority to empty Guantanamo Bay by sending Al Qaeda terrorists to U.S. prisons. I want to hear about the Administration’s strategy to work with technology providers to solve the “Going Dark” problem, especially now that Apple is refusing to provide assistance the Justice Department has requested, even in cases involving dead terrorists.
I want to have a conversation about recent policy changes by the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute individuals for corporate wrongdoing, an approach I have long called for since the 2008 financial and mortgage crisis. I want to explore a host of whistleblower issues relevant to the Department, including my recent FBI Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act legislation.
I also want to discuss with you yet another example of the Administration stonewalling Congress and using the Department of Justice as a tool for its resistance efforts. The American people are now aware that Secretary Clinton used a private email address and non-government server for all of her official business during her time at the Department of State. Over two thousand emails contain classified information, with some containing Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information, and others relating to Special Access Programs. But the Department and the FBI have refused to officially confirm basic information about the scope and nature of the investigation to this Committee.
Apparently, the FBI is conducting an investigation related to the mishandling of that classified information. But, given the politics involved, the potential for improper influence over the work of the investigators and career prosecutors is high. The President and his spokesman have commented on the merits of the investigation. And some news reports say the investigation includes the Clinton Foundation.
But President Clinton, who is involved in the Foundation, appointed you to be U.S. Attorney in New York. Given these appearances, more needs to be done to ensure the public that decisions are being made without any influence from political appointees. If the FBI refers the matter to the Justice Department, and it refuses to prosecute, then the public may be kept in the dark about the FBI’s findings. But the public has a right to know the facts, even if those facts don’t result in a prosecution.
This controversy isn’t just a matter of protecting the sensitive national security information in some of the emails. It’s also about a systematic effort to avoid freedom of information laws and federal record requirements. The public’s work ought to be public. The records of the government's business belong to the people.
Simply said, the American people ought to know what their government is doing, and must be sure that it’s free from the interference of political appointees in the executive branch.
I look forward to conducting oversight over all of these issues. Again, thank you for being here Attorney General Lynch, and for engaging in this important part of our system of checks and balances.
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Q&A: National Ag Day With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
Q: What should non-farmers know about farmers?
A: First, I like to point out what should be obvious. Food does not grow on the grocery store shelf or even at farmers’ markets. It’s planted, nurtured, fed and raised before being harvested, marketed and sold to consumers. For generations, Iowa farm families have carved out a living and a way of life on the land. Their lives and livelihoods depend on responsible stewardship of Earth’s natural resources. Farmers know there will be nine billion people to feed on this planet within the next three decades. That’s why farmers in the 21st century embrace technology and responsible conservation practices to improve productivity and implement sustainable practices. This will be essential for farmers to continue Iowa’s agricultural heritage of producing an abundant, affordable and wholesome food supply. For example, reducing soil erosion and runoff is as important to farmers who grow food as it is to the people who buy food. Biotechnology and precision farming tools allow farmers to apply less fertilizer and produce better yields. Without question, agriculture is an economic anchor in the United States that supports and creates jobs in research and technology, renewable energy, consumer products, manufacturing, and financial services. Its impact is felt across the board, including its contribution to the local revenue base that supports public services. The scope of American agriculture reaches beyond the food on our tables. Its diversified menu creates good-paying jobs and clean energy and factors heavily into U.S. national security.
Q: How can Iowans celebrate National Ag Week, March 13-19, 2016?
A: Let’s recognize the hard work and commitment that generations of farm families and food workers have made to maintain Iowa’s productivity and prosperity. Iowa leads America in so many categories of food, feed, fuel and fiber production. According to the USDA, Iowa is first in the following: pork (inventory, value, export value and sows farrowed); eggs; corn; and, grain storage capacity. Iowa ranks second in the United States for cash rent for cropland; soybeans; net farm income; red meat; and, ag exports. We have the third highest number of farms; milk goats; and, average value of cropland. Iowa ranks in the Top 10 for oats; certified organic farms; cattle; cheese; sheep; alfalfa hay; and, wool. Iowa also supplies a reliable, growing stream of renewable, homegrown energy to run our homes and businesses and fuel our transportation fleet. Iowa became the first state in the nation to harvest more than 30 percent of its electricity from wind energy. As the founding lawmaker of the federal wind energy incentives and outspoken champion for biofuels, it’s good to see this industry prosper and grow. Iowa leads the nation with 43 ethanol facilities, including several commercial-scale cellulosic biorefineries and a dozen biodiesel refineries that help Iowa lead the nation in biodiesel production. It reflects a real tribute to Iowa’s farmers, workforce and risk takers who are collaborating to build the next generation of clean, renewable energy.
National Ag Day is March 15. Let’s celebrate the people in our communities who make American agriculture so exceptional. It supports a tremendous variety of careers and jobs all along the food chain. These jobs support families and their paychecks support Main Street businesses in our hometowns. Agriculture has been part of our American heritage for more than two centuries. As we look to the future, let’s remember that America’s promise of peace and prosperity wouldn’t exist without American agriculture. I’d like to encourage Iowans to salute a student studying for a career in agriculture or a farmer, family member, friend or neighbor whose job helps feed, clothe and fuel America. Post a photo of someone you’d like to recognize and use the hashtag #NationalAgDay to thank them for the good work they do.
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Grassley to Celebrate State Center Student’s Acceptance to U.S. Military Academy
WASHINGTON—Senator Chuck Grassley on Friday will present a certificate to Garrett Dunn of State Center who received and accepted a nomination to the United States Military Academy at West Point for the 2016-2017 school year.
Dunn is the son of Annette Bachman-Dunn and Mark Dunn of State Center. He will graduate in May from West Marshall High School.
“Students work very hard for this opportunity and I congratulate Garrett on this achievement,” Grassley said. “The academies offer some of the best options for higher education, and they offer an outstanding way to serve our country. I’m honored to be able to celebrate a remarkable young Iowan.”
The ceremony will take place on Friday, March 11, 2016, at 9 a.m. at the West Marshall High School auditorium. Grassley will present Dunn with a certificate, speak briefly and take questions from students. The event is open to the media.
Dunn was among the 41 Iowans Grassley nominated for appointments to the U.S. service academies for the 2016-2017 school year. Grassley nominates Iowans every year for vacancies at the Military, Air Force and Naval academies as well as the Merchant Marine Academy. Traditionally, the high quality of Iowa nominees results in several Iowa students being offered admission to attend each of the service academies. The students then choose whether or not to attend the academy. More information about service academy nominations can be found here.
Details about Friday’s ceremony can be found are as follows:
Friday, March 11, 2016
9-10 a.m. CT
West Marshall High School
Auditorium
State Center
*Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters.
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