Chuck Grassley
Senator for Iowa · Republican · United States
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S4173-S4174] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] Socialism Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr.”
“I am glad some Democrats share this concern, as Democrat pollster Mark Penn wrote in the Wall Street Journal. Democrats could take a playbook out of the 1947 effort by Eleanor Roosevelt and Hubert Humphrey, as recently reported in the Washington Post. Socialism is a failed ideology and experiment.”
“For 36 days, the Department of Homeland Security was shuttered due to their refusal to fund Federal law enforcement and border security. Ultimately, the majority had to take matters into their own hands.”
“For 36 days, the Department of Homeland Security was shuttered due to their refusal to fund Federal law enforcement and border security. Ultimately, the majority had to take matters into their own hands.”
“One analysis about Venezuela's experience with socialism put it this way: So, what are the results of socialism in Venezuela? Well, we have experienced hyperinflation. We have people eating garbage, schools that do not teach, hospitals that do not heal, long and humiliating lines to buy flour, bread, and basic medicines.”
“According to a White House Council of Economic Advisers report, if the United States had moved toward Nordic country-style policies in the 1970s, by 2018, America's GDP would be at least 19 percent smaller, coming out to about 11,000 fewer dollars of wealth per person here in the United States.”
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“Today's GDP numbers show that Donald Trump is running America the same way he ran his businesses--into the ground. Before our very eyes, Donald Trump's policies of tariffs and tax hikes are strangling the economy. Donald Trump's first 100 days have been defined by one big ``f'' word: ``failure.'' Donald Trump's first 100 days have been defined by the ``f'' word: ``failure''--failure on the economy, failure to lower costs, failure on foreign policy, failure on democracy, failure everywhere you look. Donald Trump must admit his failure and reverse course and immediately fire his economic team. Otherwise, we will see more of the same: failure and chaos and total incompetence. His tariff strategy?--total failure. China is not coming to the table. Manufacturing is not racing back to our shores. There is no strategy--only chaos.”
“I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Recognition of the Minority Leader The Democratic leader is recognized. Trump Administration First 100 Days Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, Americans woke up this morning to some [[Page S2680]] very troubling news. The economy shrank in the first quarter of 2025 by 0.3 percent. It shrank. It was growing until now. It shrank. It is the worst quarter in years. Businesses, families, and consumers are bracing themselves for the hammer blow of Donald Trump's tariffs, and it is sending the economy into a tailspin.”
“To build on those reforms, in March, the President signed a continuing resolution that provided authority for the Department of Health and Human Services to collect registration fees from organ transplant member institutions. This action by our President ensures the 2023 law can be implemented properly. I encourage all Americans to consider being organ donors and to understand the impact it can have on saving lives. So when you get your driver's license, you can tell them you want to be an organ donor. It says ``donor'' right there on my driver's license. And, of course, besides encouraging people to be organ donors, I am keeping a close eye on how the Federal Government is implementing this new law that we passed in a bipartisan measure to give people the chance at a lifesaving transplant. I yield the floor.”
“Sadly, my oversight, dating back as far as 2005, has uncovered decades of corruption and mismanagement in that system. It has left vulnerable patients to die. They are on the waiting list while unused organs from generous American donors go to waste. Speaking of waiting lists, I have been concerned about reports of those on the wait-list being skipped over. This furthers the distrust in the organ donation system. Through my bipartisan oversight and the 2023 Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network law that we passed, the Federal Government is making long overdue changes. The law improved the management and the oversight of our organ transplant system and encouraged participation from competent and transparent contractors.”
“42), providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to ``Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards: Certification Requirements, Labeling Requirements, and Enforcement Provisions for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial Equipment''. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa. National Donate Life Month Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, April is National Donate Life Month. This is a month to raise awareness about the lifesaving importance of organ donation. There happen to be over 103,000 Americans on the national organ transplant waiting list. We should have confidence that our organ transplant system is efficient and that the system is also fair.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S2679-S2682] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] LEGISLATIVE SESSION ______ PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RELATING TO ``ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR APPLIANCE STANDARDS: CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS, LABELING REQUIREMENTS, AND ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS FOR CERTAIN CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT'' The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate will resume consideration of H.J. Res. 42, which the clerk will report. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A joint resolution (H.J. Res.”
“As the dean of the Iowa congressional delegation, I am proud to say Jay made Iowa a better place. Barbara and I extend our sympathies to the Byers family and loved ones, including his wife Katie and daughters Sophie and Charlotte. May the ones he loved the most, and who are hurting the most with their loss, find peace in knowing this servant of the Lord is resting in Eternal peace. ____________________”
“During his first year on the job, Simpson saw its largest first-year student enrollment in more than a decade and increased first-year student retention. I have no doubt that Jay's energy was contagious on campus. He leaned into the Wesleyan values of faith, learning, and service in his professional and personal life. His character, work ethic, and loyalty were shaped from an early age. From his days as a musician and an athlete in high school to playing intramural games as a law student at the University of Iowa, to what probably seemed like herding cats in the capital city of Des Moines, Jay embodied the Lord's commandment: to see the goodness in others and to love one another. His distinguished accomplishments and professional accolades were hard-earned and well-deserved.”
“You might say he was a force of nature who lifted up others through sheer grit and determination. I could always spot him in a crowd wearing his signature bow tie. When he served as president and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the organization experienced unprecedented growth, expanding to more than 6,500 members. That growth enabled Jay to flex political muscle and put in the work to achieve game-changing investment in the metropolitan area, including recreational amenities, job growth, and big-ticket infrastructure wins, including the new Des Moines International Airport terminal. A couple of years ago, Jay took on a new challenge to become president of his alma mater Simpson College in Indianola. Once again, Jay brought the Midas touch and made an immediate impact with faculty, staff, students, and alumni.”
“He lived his life in service to his family and to others, sharing his outsized leadership gifts to make his community, his alma mater, and his State a better place. I was honored to know Jay for several decades--first, as a congressional staffer to Congressman Leonard Boswell and later as he joined and eventually took the helm of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. In this leadership capacity, our paths would cross many times over the course of a decade to collaborate on issues important to the 11 counties and affiliated chambers for whom he spearheaded priorities, including the partnership's annual visit to Washington, DC. [[Page S2657]] Through these meetings, I was impressed by Jay's professionalism, energy, and ability to motivate others around him to find common ground for the common good.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S2656-S2657] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] MORNING BUSINESS ______ REMEMBERING JAY BYERS Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, on Maundy Thursday, the Lord called home one of Iowa's best and brightest civic leaders and a beloved husband and father. A native son of northwest Iowa, Jay Byers passed away at age 54. Maundy is derived from the Latin term mandatum, which means commandment. On the night before His betrayal and arrest, Jesus gave his disciples a ``new commandment'' to love one another as he had loved them, John 13:34. By all accounts, Jay's life was deeply rooted in servant leadership.”
“Whichever political side of the fence you are on, one thing is for sure: President Trump ran on a platform, and he is serving on that platform. Promises made; promises kept. That is a refreshing change in this town. Seventy-seven million Americans voted for this President to get America roaring back to peace and prosperity. In these first 100 days, that is exactly what President Trump is doing, and we are just getting started. Mr. President, I have time for other remarks that I would like to make at this point.”
“Fake pills laced with fentanyl are killing young people in the prime of their lives. President Trump is fighting tooth and nail to stop the flow of deadly fentanyl from China that is trafficked by dangerous drug cartels into our communities. Here in the Senate, I led the passage of a bill that is entitled the HALT Fentanyl Act, but there is more work to do. Big Tech must be held accountable to protect young people from being targeted by drug traffickers on social media. President Trump also promised to cut wasteful spending, unleash America's energy, bring back manufacturing jobs, and get our trading partners to the negotiating table. And on that latter point, he is being very successful. The President is swinging for the fences, and he is running the bases.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2613] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] Trump Administration First 100 Days Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today marks the 100th day of President Trump's return to the White House. Trump 2.0 has hit Washington like a hurricane. By that, I mean President Trump is working hard to keep his promises, unleash America's golden age, and launch a revolution of common sense. Let's take a look at some of these achievements. First and foremost, President Trump secured the border. He did that by words he used at the joint session of Congress. All it took was a new President. Today also marks Fentanyl Awareness Day.”
“As the dean of the Iowa congressional delegation, I am proud to say Jay made Iowa a better place. Barbara and I extend our sympathies to the Byers family and loved ones, including his wife Katie and daughters Sophie and Charlotte. May the ones he loved the most, and who are hurting the most with their loss, find peace in knowing this servant of the Lord is resting in Eternal peace. ____________________”
“During his first year on the job, Simpson saw its largest first-year student enrollment in more than a decade and increased first-year student retention. I have no doubt that Jay's energy was contagious on campus. He leaned into the Wesleyan values of faith, learning, and service in his professional and personal life. His character, work ethic, and loyalty were shaped from an early age. From his days as a musician and an athlete in high school to playing intramural games as a law student at the University of Iowa, to what probably seemed like herding cats in the capital city of Des Moines, Jay embodied the Lord's commandment: to see the goodness in others and to love one another. His distinguished accomplishments and professional accolades were hard-earned and well-deserved.”
“You might say he was a force of nature who lifted up others through sheer grit and determination. I could always spot him in a crowd wearing his signature bow tie. When he served as president and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the organization experienced unprecedented growth, expanding to more than 6,500 members. That growth enabled Jay to flex political muscle and put in the work to achieve game-changing investment in the metropolitan area, including recreational amenities, job growth, and big-ticket infrastructure wins, including the new Des Moines International Airport terminal. A couple of years ago, Jay took on a new challenge to become president of his alma mater Simpson College in Indianola. Once again, Jay brought the Midas touch and made an immediate impact with faculty, staff, students, and alumni.”
“He lived his life in service to his family and to others, sharing his outsized leadership gifts to make his community, his alma mater, and his State a better place. I was honored to know Jay for several decades--first, as a congressional staffer to Congressman Leonard Boswell and later as he joined and eventually took the helm of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. In this leadership capacity, our paths would cross many times over the course of a decade to collaborate on issues important to the 11 counties and affiliated chambers for whom he spearheaded priorities, including the partnership's annual visit to Washington, DC. [[Page S2657]] Through these meetings, I was impressed by Jay's professionalism, energy, and ability to motivate others around him to find common ground for the common good.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S2656-S2657] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] MORNING BUSINESS ______ REMEMBERING JAY BYERS Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, on Maundy Thursday, the Lord called home one of Iowa's best and brightest civic leaders and a beloved husband and father. A native son of northwest Iowa, Jay Byers passed away at age 54. Maundy is derived from the Latin term mandatum, which means commandment. On the night before His betrayal and arrest, Jesus gave his disciples a ``new commandment'' to love one another as he had loved them, John 13:34. By all accounts, Jay's life was deeply rooted in servant leadership.”
“Whichever political side of the fence you are on, one thing is for sure: President Trump ran on a platform, and he is serving on that platform. Promises made; promises kept. That is a refreshing change in this town. Seventy-seven million Americans voted for this President to get America roaring back to peace and prosperity. In these first 100 days, that is exactly what President Trump is doing, and we are just getting started. Mr. President, I have time for other remarks that I would like to make at this point.”
“Fake pills laced with fentanyl are killing young people in the prime of their lives. President Trump is fighting tooth and nail to stop the flow of deadly fentanyl from China that is trafficked by dangerous drug cartels into our communities. Here in the Senate, I led the passage of a bill that is entitled the HALT Fentanyl Act, but there is more work to do. Big Tech must be held accountable to protect young people from being targeted by drug traffickers on social media. President Trump also promised to cut wasteful spending, unleash America's energy, bring back manufacturing jobs, and get our trading partners to the negotiating table. And on that latter point, he is being very successful. The President is swinging for the fences, and he is running the bases.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2613] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] Trump Administration First 100 Days Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today marks the 100th day of President Trump's return to the White House. Trump 2.0 has hit Washington like a hurricane. By that, I mean President Trump is working hard to keep his promises, unleash America's golden age, and launch a revolution of common sense. Let's take a look at some of these achievements. First and foremost, President Trump secured the border. He did that by words he used at the joint session of Congress. All it took was a new President. Today also marks Fentanyl Awareness Day.”
“It also provides State and local grants to support communication tools that assist families to quickly locating missing loved ones. The purpose of this month is to increase the understanding of people living with autism. I am proud that Kevin and Avonte's Law is helping to do just that by enhancing the protection and safety of individuals living with autism. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.”
“Mr. President, April is World Autism Month. This month is a time to recognize the millions of Americans living with autism. Over the years, we have made progress in increasing awareness and enhancing resources for individuals living with autism. I have worked to pass the Kevin and Avonte's Law, which helps families locate missing loved ones living with autism, Alzheimer's, dementia, and other conditions that may cause them to wander. The law is named in honor of two young boys with autism, Kevin Curtis Wills from my State of Iowa and Avonte Oquendo from New York, who tragically lost their lives after wandering from safety. This law provides resources to train first responders and law enforcement, helping each to respond more effectively to these situations.”
“The Department of Justice must ensure that the Crime Victims Fund has adequate resources, and if the Department of Justice doesn't, organizations across the Nation helping survivors and helping victims of crime are at serious risk of potentially closing their doors and not being able to continue this help. The Department of Justice shouldn't allow the mistakes of the Biden administration to happen again. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.”
“Instead, the Biden administration allowed the fines to be paid to foreign governments and elsewhere. Since my oversight shined the light on the Biden Justice Department's failures and misguided approach, the Department of Justice inspector general opened its own independent audit. And at my request, the Government Accountability Office also agreed to review the Department of Justice's administration of this Crime Victims Fund. History has shown that sunshine is the best disinfectant. Since my Crime Victims Fund oversight began, the balance increased from $1 billion in 2023--the lowest in over a decade--to its current balance of $4-3/10 billion. Now, those figures that I just gave you came from the Department of Justice statistics.”
“Mr. President, today, I come to the floor to support National Crime Victims' Rights Week. For many years, I have pressed the Department of Justice to do its part to shore up what is called the Crime Victims Fund. That fund supports victims and survivors of crime across the Nation. On Monday, I, along with Senators Ernst, Crapo, and Risch, sent a letter to the Department of Justice. That letter urges the Department of Justice to ensure that criminal fines and penalties are collected and deposited into the Crime Victims Fund. I made this request because last Congress, my oversight revealed Biden administration failures. Specifically, since the enactment of the Victims of Crime Act Fix in 2021, the Biden Justice Department failed to collect and deposit more than $1 billion in criminal fines and penalties, which belongs to this fund.”
“Senate is enough time to do all this important stuff. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.”
“Mr. President, I have another point to make, which I think I have made once or twice before. Remember last December, we got to December and didn't pass 12 appropriations bills. We didn't pass a farm bill. We didn't debate the DOD authorization bill. We didn't solve the high prescription drug prices, and about 65 Senators backed bills doing that. So I want to remind my colleagues that there are 14 Fridays between now and the end of this fiscal year on September 30, and we ought to think about, do we want another December 2025 without doing 12 appropriations bills, without doing a farm bill, without doing the DOD authorization bill, without a debate in the Senate, and not doing anything about high prescription drug prices? Now is the time to start thinking about whether a 2- or 3-day working week in the U.S.”
“As loyal UNI Panther fans and proud boosters for Dike-New Hartford athletics, Barbara and I would say that sports are like glue that sticks, a refreshing antidote in these polarizing times. ____________________”
“Division I wrestlers from the Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones, and my alma mater, the University of Northern Iowa, competed earlier this month in Philadelphia. I want to congratulate two teams from my home State who won their respective collegiate championships this month. In the NCAA Division III wrestling national championship, the Knights from Wartburg College returned from Rhode Island as cochampions and with their 16th national title--the most in Division III history. The women's basketball team at Dordt University in Sioux Center returned to the NAIA national championship held last week in Sioux City, IA. The Dordt Defenders defended their title and are back-to-back champions. Sports brings communities together from one generation to the next.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2461] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] IOWA Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, we are in the middle of what is known as March Madness. I am not talking about budget reconciliation or tax season; I am here to congratulate and say thank you to our outstanding student athletes who have competed their hearts out on the court and on the mat these last few weeks. First, I want to pay tribute to our Iowa teams who made it into the NCAA Division I basketball tournament. That includes Iowa State University women's and men's teams, the University of Iowa women's team, and the men's team at Drake University in Des Moines.”
“Obviously, it is not the only way you get opinions, but it is the best way to get that opinion. Then they say: Do you have any advice for us? I say: In America, you have a chance to either govern or be governed. You have a chance to rule or be ruled. And I hope, as young people, you choose the course of helping govern. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant executive clerk proceeded to call the roll.”
“Besides this example of the Boys & Girls Clubs, I make a practice of going to about 10 or 12 high schools a year, and there are always a couple lessons that I am asked about: how to be a good citizen and ``What advice you would give to us?'' So I try to explain to these young people that the reason I go around to meet young people at high schools is because they never come to my open town meetings. You never get anybody under 18 years of age to do that. So I like to tell them that I consider representative government a two-way street: Those of us elected are one half of it, and our constituents are the other half of it. If you are going to have representative government, you have to know what is on the constituents' minds, and the best way to do that is to have dialogue face to face with your constituents.”
“Mr. President, on my annual tour of Iowa's 99 counties, I visited recently the Boys & Girls Club of Cedar Valley in Waterloo, IA. This was during our last congressional State work period. I held a Q and A with the young Iowans who participate in that afterschool program. We talked about the importance of those programs, advice on how to be a good citizen, and celebrating African-American History Month. I was impressed by the students and appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from them. So I encourage Iowans to volunteer with this organization or any civic organization in need of such volunteers. Giving your time to others helps keep our communities strong. If there is anything you can do to benefit the next generation, you should do it.”
“So Senator Shaheen and I urge our colleagues to recommit to this cause, not just for this 1 month out of 12 but every day of the year. To survivors of sexual assault, we see you, we stand with you, and we will not stop fighting for you. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington. (The remarks of Ms. Cantwell pertaining to the introduction of S. 1272 are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')”
“Mr. President, today, Senator Shaheen of New Hampshire and I are introducing a resolution. That resolution recognizes April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Far too many Americans have suffered as a result of this terrible crime. Sexual violence doesn't discriminate. Statistics show that two in five women and one in four men will experience sexual assault sometime throughout their life, and yet those numbers can't capture the pain, the fear, and the lifelong impact that survivors endure. We must ensure that these brave survivors know that they are not alone. That means expanding resources for survivors, holding criminals accountable, and fostering a culture where no one suffers in silence or shame.”
“This was the Biden administration's priority over the lives and health of children. To emphasize whether or not sponsors were here illegally was more important than protecting the lives of these children. So simply put, the last administration's conduct, to include its obstruction of my oversight, is a textbook example of what not to do. So I urge my colleagues, please, read the inspector general's report. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.”
“And so what we are finding out is that children are being placed in sponsorship that has not been properly vetted. Hundreds of thousands of children were unaccounted for during the Biden administration. This inspector general report confirmed that the Biden administration's Health and Human Services failed to take necessary steps to protect and find migrant children. Last Congress, my oversight attacked these failures on behalf of these children. The Biden administration obstructed my oversight. More than that, the Biden administration also ripped up an agreement made during President Trump's first term allowing much more sharing of sponsor information with law enforcement. The Biden administration worried that the information would show sponsors were here illegally.”
“Mr. President, probably all my colleagues are very concerned that we have learned, over the last few months or couple years, that our Department of HHS is not tracking the 300,000 children--unaccompanied children--under our immigration laws. We don't know where they are. And if you are one of these Senators that is concerned about that, I would like to say, this morning, I want to discuss a Department of Homeland Security inspector general report that everyone in the Senate or their staffs ought to be on top of. Last week's report confirmed alarm bells that my investigative work had been ringing for a decade. The Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement is responsible for placing unaccompanied children with fully vetted U.S. sponsors.”