Here’s what editors and pundits say about Senator Grassley

"While we're on the topic of government spending, one of the reasons we support Iowa's Republican in the U.S. Senate, Charles Grassley, is he asks questions that make bureacrats uncomfortable. Take, for example, the government rescue of General Motors. Earlier this year, Grassley rained on the Obama Administration's parade heralding the "payback" of the nearly $7 billion loan of public money to the automaker. Wait a minute, Grassley said. The debt was paid back with other stimulus money. That was confirmed by Neil M. Barofsky, special inspector general. The bailout also included the government acquiring billions in GM stock. Now, with share price range of $26-29, Grassley released an Aug. 30 letter from Barofsky estimating that, if the government (make that the public) is to really recover all its investment in GM, the automakers would have to sell for $133.78 a share. GM's highest stock price ever was $94.63, and that occurred a decade ago...Don't expect Grassley to drop this matter any time soon." Dubuque Telegraph Herald Editorial, 11-8-10

"Credit for the second look at the issue must at least in part go to members of Congress - including Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley - who have repeatedly introduced legislation that would open the way to video recording in federal courts." Finally, let cameras in federal courtrooms, Des Moines Register Editorial, 9-20-10

"It comes as no surprise to users of Twitter, the social media network, that Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley is among the 10 most-followed Twitter accounts on Capitol Hill." Grassley ranked among top 10 Twitter users in Congress, Cedar Rapids Gazette, James Lynch, 9-9-10

"Congress used to be dominated by farmers, and it is unfortunate that Mr. Tester and Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa are the only ones left in the Senate who still actively work the fields." The Well-Grounded Senator, The New York Times, 8-11-10

"It's good to be reminded, from time to time, just how important it truly is to have at least few people in government who know how things actually work in the real world. A potential regulatory change that could be a huge problem for rural America illustrates that point. The federal government's Environmental Protection Agency has under consideration the issuance of a rule relating to coarse particulate matter and air pollution that could have a devastating effect on farmers. The rule might change the standard for the daily amount of particle matter - in plain language, dust - that can be in the air. This issue has been under discussion for several years and has been carefully tracked by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, who as a farmer understands the difficulties uninformed regulatory action might cause. Grassley has joined with 19 other senators in writing to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson expressing concern that a recent draft policy assessment could open the door to more stringent rules regarding dust. This bipartisan group has called upon Jackson to ensure that reason prevails...The EPA is considering new regulatory action regarding dust because there are studies showing that strengthening this standard could have significant health benefits, most notably for people with heart disease and lung maladies. Unfortunately, the science behind such action is based heavily on research in urban environments. How exactly dust in farm areas fits into the picture is a somewhat different issue and must take into account the realities of farm operations. Any resident of the Hawkeye State knows that at some times of the year significant dust is impossible to avoid on a working farm. Grassley is committed to making certain any changes regarding dusty promulgated by the EPA include provisions that are appropriate for rural America. Wrongheaded policies in this regard could devastate the farm economy...The potential dustup over dust reminds us, however, that having elected representatives in Washington who understand how farms actually function is also important. In leading the fight for common sense on dust regulations, Grassley is serving well not only Iowa, but all of rural America." New dustup over dust, Fort Dodge Messenger, 8-1-10

"Here's some good news worthy of a thank-you note. The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill Wednesday that will allow the National Animal Disease Center in Ames to sell the city the parcel of land it wants for a new water plant. U.S. Rep. Tom Latham, R-Ames, sponsored the House bill, and a similar bill is working its way through the U.S. Senate, sponsored by Sens. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa...It seems a little out of proportion that Ames needed, literally, an act of Congress to buy a 49-acre parcel on 13th Street owned by an arm of the federal government. But it did, and so be it...So many thanks to latham, Harkin and Grassley for sponsoring these bills, and we urge a speedy conclusion to this legislation." Thanks for easing a thorny issue, Ames Tribune editorial, 7-30-10

"Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa will keep the heat on Democrats on the biofuel issue while also pressing them to address the deficit." Ethanol subsidy renewal in doubt, Des Moines Register, 7-24-10

"If Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley had his way, the days of automatic raises for Congress would be a thing of the past. Automatic raises? You read that correctly...Basically they have to say they don't want a raise. What a sweet deal. Grassley is part of a group of senators who want to hit the off switch on autoraises...good for Grassley...It's nice to see a little Iowa common sense on display at Capitol Hill...We hope Grassley keep(s) up the pressure. Eliminating the automatic raise and taking pay cuts would send a signal that law-makers respect the struggles of those who are fighting their way through this recession." Automatic pay hike for Congress? How about a pay cut?, Mason City Globe Gazette editorial, 7-20-10

"We think members of Congress should be fairly compensated. It's a demanding, important job. But like U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, we think they should have to vote to raise their pay...Grassley is among several lawmakers who think automatic increases are a bad idea, even though Congress has opted against taking a raise in 2009, 2010 and 2011." Keep in touch with reality, Congress, Cedar Rapids Gazette editorial, 7-18-10

"Senate Finance Committee leaders Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.) are the hardest working members of Congress, according to the people who work with them on Capitol Hill - their fellow lawmakers, aides and other officials...Lawmakers, aides and officials looked beyond regular duties and point to those who are an effective advocate for their constituents and get their way legislatively. The resulting list is composed of members with patience, street smarts and fire in the belly... 1. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)...sits on four heavyweight panels: Judiciary, Finance, Agriculture, and Budget. After a three-mile jog at 5:30 a.m., Grassley arrives at the office at 7 a.m., where he continues to be one of the biggest playmakers under the Capitol dome. His work on government oversight remains consistent regardless of which party controls 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Grassley is one of only 28 senators in history to cast 10,000 votes and he has not missed a roll call since 1993." The 25 Hardest Working Members of Congress, The Hill, 6-9-10

"Small businesses are the engines that drive much of the U.S. economy. Helping them succeed is the key to a robust economic recovery. Sen. Charles Grassley understands that when small businesses thrive, the economic prospects for all Americans brighten. That's why the Iowa Republican has worked hard to make certain that government policies improve the marketplace for small enterprises rather than become bureaucratic impediments to their success. Grassley's important contributions in this regard have been recognized by the Small Business council of America. He was honored earlier this month with the group's Special Congressional Appreciation Award - a distinction conferred on only a handful of honorees during the last quarter century...The nation is fortunate that Iowans have chosen to be represented on Capitol Hill by a legislator with such a clear vision of the economic strategy needed to restore prosperity and keep the economy booming. His work is a source of pride to the Hawkeye State and makes an invalubable contribution to the entire nation. The Messenger congratulates Grassley on this impressive award and applauds the leaders of the SBCA for the wisdom they have shown in calling attention to the senator's important work as a champion of small businesses." Sen. Grassley champions small businesses, Fort Dodge Messenger editorial, 5-23-10

"Widely known as one of the hardest-working lawmakers on Capitol Hill" Sens. Pryor's and Grassley's briefcases contain surprises, Christina Wilkie, The Hill, 5-19-10

"A rose to Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley for an attempt to bring transparency to the Senate. Grassley and Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon have twice in the past two months introduced legislation to end the practice of secret "holds" on Senate bills. This practice allows one senator to hold up legislative action indefinitely, and no one knows who threw sand in the gears or why." Des Moines Register, 5-16-10

"Of all the maddening practices that clog the arteries of the national legislature, the most infuriating may be the Senate institution known as the "secret hold."...The secret hold has somehow managed to live on - despite the valiant efforts of Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) to kill it. Now, the relentless duo - they've been at this since 1996 - is trying again..." Secret holds, Washington Post, 5-10-10

Truth seekers the nation over, therefore, are indebted to Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa, who in recent days uncovered what he called a government-enabled 'TARP money shuffle'...G.M. trumpeted its escape from the program as evidence that it had turned the corner in its operations...G.M. also crowed about its loan repayment in a national television ad and the United States Treasury also marked the moment with a press release...Taxpayers are naturally eager for news about bailout repayments. But what neither G.M. nor the Treasury disclosed was that the company simply used other funds held by the Treasury to pay off its original loan...It’s certainly understandable that G.M. would want to spin its repayment as proof of improving operations. But Mr. Grassley said he was troubled that the Treasury went along with the public relations campaign and didn’t spell out how the loan was retired...Of course, there is much joy in Mudville when a recipient of government aid repays its obligations. And it is also natural that the administration is keenly interested in reassuring taxpayers that losses on their bailout billions will be smaller than expected. Still, employing spin and selective disclosure is no way to raise taxpayers’ trust in our nation’s leadership." Repaying Taxpayers With Their Own Cash, Gretchen Morgenson, The New York Times, 4-30-10

"Last week GM publicly announced--to much self-congratulation--that it had repaid the Treasury $6.7 billion in federal loans. Vice President Joe Biden called it a 'huge accomplishment,' while Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, correctly observed that this was 'nothing more than an elaborate TARP money shuffle.' It's a bit like paying off student loans with a credit card and declaring yourself debt free. Uncle Sam, however, perpetually enables GM's childlike charades at the expense of taxpayers..." Sticker Shock, Brett Joshpe, Forbes, 4-28-10

"While health-care reform is lauded....there's another, more critical, matter on the front burner that should have been addressed first. That's the impending insolvency of Medicare. According to Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, the Medicare program now has $37 trillion in unfunded obligations...While Grassley's comments point to the problme rather than offer a solution, he is definitely on target...Cannibalizing Medicare to fund health-care reform was no different than performing an organ transplant before the donor was legally dead." Medicare insolvency a critical issue, Estherville Daily News Editorial, 4-24-10

"The biodiesel industry is now operating at about 15 percent of capacity. Grassley is correct in asserting that the biodiesel tax credit is essential to the well-being of a key renewable fuels industry. Without it, U.S. biodiesel productionmay grind to a halt. Grassley reacted strongly to the layoffs, making it clear that they might have been aoided if Congress had been less dilatory...Grassley's reaction is precisely on target. Iowa voters should remember this lack of concern about one of the state's emerging industies when Democrats ask for their votes this November." Grassley on target with prediction, Iowa Farm News, 4-23-10

"Thanks to inaction last year by the Democrats who control the legislative agenda in Congress, unemployment numbers in the biodiesel industry are getting worse. Biodiesel Energy Group recently idled its facilities in Newton and Ralston, laying off 22 employees...In mid-December, Sen. Charles Grassley took to the floor of the U.S. Senate to warn that precisely what is now transpiring would occur if Democratic leaders in Congress failed to give renewal of the tax credit a high priority. He strongly urged action before the end of 2009, but was ignored. He has advocated aggressively for action in the months that have followed - to no avail...the biodiesel industry is now operating at about 15 percent of capacity. Grassley is correct in asserting that the biodiesel tax credit is essential to the well-being of a key renewable fuels industry. Without it, U.S. biodiesel production may grind to a halt...Grassley reacted strongly to the layoffs, making it clear that they might have been avoided if Congress had been less dilatory. The tax credit offsets the higher cost of producing biodiesel fuel compared to petroleum diesel. The $1 per gallon credit for biodiesel made from soybean oil or yellow grease and animal fats is vital to the evolution of this infant industry. The economic downturn has caused the growth of what may one day be a major energy source to stall...Grassley's reaction is precisely on target. Iowa voters should remember this lack of concern about one of this state's emerging industries when Democrats ask for their votes this November." Fort Dodge Messenger Editorial, 4-18-10 

"Thanks to Grassley's Finance Committee passed amendment, members of Congress and their personal staffs will be required to obtain their health insurance coverage through the newly created health care exchanges." Grassley seeks amendment for health care accountability, Westside Observer, 4-1-10

"Grassley is working to make sure Congress lives up to the same standards it imposes on others" Grassley says health care reform should apply to President Obama, top administration officials, Rock Valley Bee, 3-31-10

"We do have to admit we like Grassley's stand on one factor of the issue. He is pushing to make what's good for the goose (us) also good for the gander (the politicians who passed the bill)." Grassley's coming: Here's your chance to voice opinions, Mason City Globe Gazette, 3-31-10

"Sen. Charles Grassley is an important voice in Washington on many issues of major significance to the future of the nation. While that may be the most significant aspect of his service, he also is a tireless opponent of wasteful government expenditures. The Iowa Republican has never forgotten his roots on an Iowa farm...Grassley understands taht people work hard to earn that money and have a right to expect that it will be spent with wisdom and frugality...During a time of economic downtrn, it would be especially unfortunate if federal employees were not doing their part to keep the federal deficit from growing. That Grassley is being aggressive in holding them accountable is very good news for taxpayers in Iowa and all across the nation." Grassley fights government waste, Iowa Farm News, 3-26-10

"He continues to be a powerful voice for common sense...His commitment to a debate tutored by facts is refreshing." Grassley clears the air, Fort Dodge Messenger Editorial, 3-15-10

"Grassley, a Republican, deserves his renown as a government watchdog and a trusted ally in forging bipartisan compromise, according to Des Moines Register interviews with Senate experts and four of the body's most senior members. His Iowa Poll ratings are the stuff of political folk heroes...He's become known as the Senate's patron saint of whistle-blowers, those internal watchdogs who come forward to report waste or wrongdoing, often at their own peril...Despite his Washington clout, his manner remains unassuming. His speech is frank and unadorned, colored by an occasional barnyard metaphor, in an institution where unlimited debate has spawned oratorical giants...He's once again keeping his own steady pace." As political landscape shifts, Grassley keeps pace, Thomas Beaumont, Des Moines Register, Sunday, March 14, 2010

"Sen. Charles Grassley is an important voice in Washington on many issues of major significance to the future of the nation. While that may be the most significant aspect of his service, he also is a tireless opponent of wasteful government expenditures. The Iowa Republican has never forgotten his roots on an Iowa farm. He understands that much of the money federal agencies spend is an aggregation of the tax dollars paid by average Americans of modest means. Grassley understands that people work hard to earn that money and have a right to expect that it will be spent with wisdom and frugality. A good example of Grassley's determination to root out waste is his recent demand that U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius explain troubling expenditure increases at DHHS...During a time of economic downturn, it would be especially unfortunate if federal employees were not doing their part to keep the federal deficit from growing. That Grassley is being aggressive in holding them accountable is very good news for taxpayers in Iowa and all across the nation." Grassley fights, Fort Dodge Messenger Editorial, Sunday, March 7, 2010

"Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley blasted Senate leaders last week for dropping a federal tax credit for biodiesel from a jobs creation bill. The move creates uncertainty for biodiesel makers, who say they need the incentive to keep running. Grassley worked with Max Baucus to include the $1-per-gallon tax credit, which expired at the end of 2009, in an earlier draft of the bill. However, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pared back the bill last week, dropping the biodiesel tax credit..." Senate strips biodiesel tax credit from jobs package, Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman, Wednesday, Feburary 17, 2010

"Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) behaved like a television booker's dream Monday night, sleeping in his congressional office so he could make a CNBC appearance scheduled for Tuesday morning. The Iowa senator made a Twitter post detailing his tough journey back to D.C. from the Hawkeye State in the aftermath of this weekend's snowstorm...Grassley spent several nights in his Capitol Hill office during D.C.'s first big snowstorm in December so he would not miss any votes on healthcare reform legislation. Grassley's Twitter posts are famous for their unconventional shorthand and sometimes personal nature, and this one does not disappoint." Grassley Spends night in office to make television appearance, The Hill, Tuesday, February 9, 2010

"And there's Sen. Charles Grassley. Oh, there are a lot of his political stands with which I disagree. But what a gentleman. He politely interacts with everyone he possibly can. Grassley doesn't duck tough questions, and he's never afraid to say how he would vote on an issue. He reminds me of a kinder, gentler version of a crackerjack senator from my former home state, a guy you couldn't help but admire even if he was more conservative than, oh, just about anybody - Bob Dole of Kansas. Bob Dole was then, and Charles Grassley is now. Thank goodness for Grassley," A sign of life, Mt. Pleasant News, Friday, January 15, 2010

"Even in a Congress packed with safe incumbents, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) stands out for his Olympian political standing in his home state." Democrats have High Hopes in the Heartland, Roll Call, Thursday, December 17, 2009

“It appears, however, that the Obama administration may not doing all it could – and should – be doing to watch over the taxpayer dollars it has been charged with using wisely. Fortunately, Sen. Charles Grassley is zealous in his commitment to ensuring that appropriate watchdog functions are implemented when federal dollars are to be spent. The Iowa Republican fought hard to make sure that when Congress created the Troubled Asset Relief Program – usually referred to simply as TARP – oversight measures including a special inspector general also were established. Grassley is taking the lead in ensuring that the inspector general’s recommendations are not ignored by the Obama administration. He also was tough in his insistence that the Bush administration’s secretary of treasury take accountability for TARP funds seriously. He made it clear earlier this month that he intends to insist that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner account fully for any failures to implement needed program safeguards…The Messenger applauds Grassley’s determination to watch over taxpayer dollars with a diligence one wishes more public officials would emulate. All Americans are benefited by Grassley’s aggressive policing of Treasury’s actions. He’s demonstrating once again that Hawkeye State voters have shown great wisdom in keeping their senior senator on the job guarding the taxpayer.” Sen. Grassley demands TARP accountability, Fort Dodge Messenger Editorial, Sunday, November 22, 2009

“Records provided to the Associated Press by the office of U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, show that for three years, the federal agency in charge of preventing Medicare fraud repeatedly ignored internal watchdog warnings about swindlers stealing millions of dollars by scamming several programs…Grassley introduced legislation that would give the Secretary of Health and Human Services authority to extend the time period in which payments must be made under the prompt payment rule if the secretary determines there is a likelihood of fraud. It’s commons-sense legislation that poses no significant harm to legitimate providers and should be approved by Congress.” Common Sense Approach, Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Editorial, Thursday, November 19, 2009

“A Government Accountability Office report that was to have been released Monday found the Food and Drug Administration has allowed drugs for cancer and other diseases to stay on the market even when mandated follow-up studies – if the studies were completed at all -  showed they didn’t perform as predicted in saving patients’ lives. That same report by congressional investigators – a study undertaken at the request of Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa – also shows that the FDA has never pulled a drug off the market due to a lack of required follow-up about its actual benefits, even when that information is more than a decade overdue...‘FDA has fallen far short of where it should be for patient safety,’ said Grassley. Who would argue?” Money Talks, Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Editorial, Wednesday, November 28, 2009

“The White House and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) have profoundly different takes on the news that a federal investigation cleared fired inspector general Gerald Walpin of allegations of misconduct in connection with an investigation into misuse of federal funds…Grassley, who is something of a patron saint for inspectors general, said the belated clearance of Walpin indicated that the White House allowed the cart to get before the horse when Obama suspended and then fired Walpin earlier this year.” W.H. v. Grassley on Walpin clearing, Under the Radar, Politico, Tuesday, November 10, 2009

“Twenty-three college presidents at private, nonprofit institutions earned more than $1 million last year…This is an example of what happens when Congress fails to set clear rules for all of the 1.5 million tax-exempt organizations in this country…Congress neds to ensure the public is getting its money’s worth…Sen. Charles Grassley has built a reputation as a watchdog of the non-profit sector…Grassley responded with cconcern to the news about compensation at private colleges…he noted organizations must use their resources in keeping with their missions, as reported to the IRS when they’re granted tax-exempt status. Yes, it’s time to make sure that happens.” Make nonprofits earn their status, Des Moines Register Editorial, Thursday, November 5, 2009

“A majority of the donations made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one of the nation’s most influential disease advocacy groups, have come from drug makers in recent years, according to Congressional investigators…Even the group’s executive director, Michael Fitzpatrick, said in an interview that the drug companies’ donations were excessive and that things would change…Mr. Fitzpatrick said Mr. Grassley’s scrutiny, which he described as understandable given the attention paid to potential conflicts of interest in medicine, had led its organization to begin posting on its Web stie the names of companies that donate $5,000 or more. And he predicted that other patient and disease advocacy groups would be prodded by Mr. Grassley’s investigation to do the same.” Drug Makers Are Advocacy Group’s Biggest Donors, New York Times, Thursday, October 22, 2009

"Grassley's legislation would require federal agencies to establish safeguards and controls for government charge card programs. The bill also requires agencies to establish penalties for violations...This is not a new effort for Iowa's senior senator. Grassley has done extensive oversight with the Government Accountability Office to determine how federal government employees are using government charge cards to make purchases for personal use...Grassley said the lack of controls has led to millions of dollars in taxpayers' money wasted. The reports outlined purchases that were fraudulent, of questionable need or were unnecessarily expensive, including kitchen appliances, sapphire rings, gambling, cruises, gentlemen's clubs and legalized brothels...Grassley said he hopes the House of Representatives will act quickly on this common-sense legislation. All taxpayers should join in that hope." Renewed effort none too soon, Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil editorial, 10-14-09

“The Iowa Republican won passage for an amendment that will force Congress and congressional staffers to access health insurance through whatever plan Congress decides on. When Iowans suggested to Grassley that people ought to have the same option as their representatives, Grassley took that to heart. With Grassley's amendment, health insurance options for Congress would be available through the exchange created by the health care reform legislation under consideration by the Finance Committee...That's the kind of approach we've come to expect from Grassley.” Grassley's efforts healthy for America, Dubuque Telegraph Herald Editorial, Monday, October 5, 2009

"The Associated Press, citing a draft document obtained by the news service, last week reported that agents of the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are feuding over bomb investigations, racing each other to crime scenes, failing to share information and refusing to train together...The department owes it to taxpayers, Grassley argued, to settle their disputes and work together. Grassley is right." Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil editorial, Sunday, September 20, 2009

"Grassley has long been one of the most outspoken advocates in Congress for developing domestically produced alternative, renewable energy such as ethanol and biodiesel." Grassley introduces bill to aid biodiesel incentive, Sioux Center News, Wednesday, September 2, 2009

“Building good international relationships for world trade is one of Senator Chuck Grassley’s goals and has been since the farm crisis in 1986, when he decided to start an Ambassadors Tour to promote Iowa as an export source.” Washington Ambassadors Tour – Get a Peyton Welcome, Calhoun County Advocate, Wednesday, August 26, 2009

“Iowa agriculture received a boost on the world stage last week, as Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley brought a contingent of ambassadors from all over the world to Iowa, during a week-long tour of the state.

“With a letter last week, a senator who helps oversee public funding for medical research signaled that he was running out of patience with the practice of ghostwriting. Senator Charles E. Grassley, an Iowa Republican who has led a long-running investigation of conflicts of interest in medicine, is starting to put pressure on the National Institutes of Health to crack down on the practice. That is significant because the N.I.H., a federal agency in Bethesda, Md., underwrites much of the country's medical research. Many of the nation's top doctors depend on federal grants to support their work, and attaching fresh conditions to those grants could be a powerful lever for enforcing new ethical guidelines on universities.” Ghosts in the Journals, The New York Times, Wednesday, August 19, 2009

“Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley this week continues a tradition we long have admired as diplomats representing 55 nations join him in a five-day tour of the state...Through an impressive itinerary, diplomats will enjoy a diverse sampling of life in our state. They will visit farms, factories and other businesses, colleges, and private homes. And, of course, no visit to Iowa this week would be complete without a stroll through the State Fair grounds...Any way you examine it, this tour is a winner - and a strong cross-section of Iowa's public and private sectors, led by Grassley, deserves credit for planning and hosting it. One can't overstate the potential value to this state of introducing its people and products to a captive audience representing every corner of the globe. Through the improved understanding, appreciation and sheer goodwill engendered by a visit of this nature can be forged valuable, long-term relationships of economic benefit. We join our fellow Iowans in welcoming the world to our home.” Grassley Tour For Ambassadors: It's a Winner, Sioux City Journal Editorial, Tuesday, August 18, 2009

“Grassley, who is the senior Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, has found himself in the middle of the debate by simply talking to Democrats about what any reform bill coming out of Congress might look like...Grassley is doing what more involved in this debate should do. He's listening, he's gathering information and he's suggesting ideas that he believes might actually improve the quality of health care while lowering the cost....Grassley has been adamant that he doesn't believe in any form of a public option, saying he opposes any move toward a socialized system. In fact, Grassley has pointed to potential compromises that support a more free-market approach to reform. So let's be clear: No one need worry that Grassley will not advocate for the positions of his right-leaning base. Implications that he has or will are simply unfounded and disingenuous. If anything, Grassley should be applauded for his willingness to take this issue seriously and for his effort to become a part of a solution that makes sense for all Americans. He understands a stark political reality here, too. If Republicans don't engage, odds are they will get just the health care system they fear.” Health care reform foes wrong to attack Grassley, The Sioux City Journal Editorial, Thursday, August 13, 2009

“Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley has reached impressive levels of public recognition and political power. He's quoted and discussed regularly in the media, and, more important, he has a solid place in the inner circle that decides the course of legislation...Although he occasionally draws fire for his off-the-cuff comments, he also enjoys a reputation for honesty and integrity.” Best Politician on Business Issues, Des Moines Business Record, Monday, August 10, 2009

"We commend Grassley on his attention to detail and defense of Iowan's interests..." Grassley looking out for Iowa, Waterloo Courier editorial, 8-9-09

"I'm glad Grassley's on the job." Grassley deserves applause, not threats, Todd Dorman, Cedar Rapids Gazette, 8-9-09

"Chuck Grassley, the ranking republican on the committee and a member of this powerful Gang of Six, reports that his group is "making progress by inches". He defends this painstaking process as a "more careful and less partisan" approach than the one taken by the House or the Senate's health committee. That is a big boast, but he is right." What now for Obamacare, The Economist, Saturday, August 1, 2009

"If there's one guy who may hold the whole health-care world in his hands, it's Sen. Chuck Grassley...He has an unusually tight relationship with his Democratic counterpart, Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus. And he vowed early on that if there was a deal to be found, he'd find it...Mr. Baucus knows that most major sustainable legislative achievements - from the Reagan tax cuts to welfare reform - have had bipartisan support. Getting Mr. Grassley's imprimatur meant getting moderate Republicans, maybe even a sizeable chunk of the GOP. It meant shoring up nervous Dems. It meant a health reform that might last. It also meant listening to Mr. Grassley. Committed as he's been to getting legislation, the Iowan has been clear on what he considers nonnegotiable. The White House and liberal Democrats have cavalierly ignored these parameters, vexing him greatly in the process. There are growing signs the Republican may exit the table. He won't have walked away; he'll have been shoved. Mr. Grassley took President Obama at his word that the goal of this exercise was to lower costs and insure more Americans...The White House has unwisely needled the key Republican. Mr. Grassley takes his bipartisanship seriously and likes to note that he and Mr. Baucus craft proposals jointly, starting with a blank sheet of paper...The sight of the Republican most committed to getting a deal being dissed by the White House and a maniacal Senate leadership will dissuade further GOP compromise. Combined with the Congressional Budget Office's terrifying analyses of how much this will cost, and its pronouncement yesterday that none of the existing Democratic bills will cut federal health costs, a Grassley defection could even cost Mr. Obama Democrats. Mr. Grassley goes his own way, and he may yet irk Republicans. But so far he's serving as a good litmus test of how committed the Democratic majority is to working with the other side." The Grassley Test, Kimberley A. Strassel, The Wall Street Journal, Friday, July 17, 2009

"Iowans can expect to see a layman's curiosity and a watchdog's tenacity from Sen. Charles Grassley when the Iowa Republican takes his turn today questioning Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor...Grassley's outsider perspective also helps clarify the proceedings - often laden with debates over legal theory - in a way that reflects the concerns of everyday Americans." Court nominee vows impartiality, Tom Beaumont, Des Moines Register, Tuesday, July 14, 2009

"During his campaign for the presidency, Barack Obama pledged to run a government that would adhere to high ethical standards. He pledged to diminish the influence in Washington of special interests by banning from his administration individuals who had worked recently as corporate lobbyists...Sen. Charles Grassley has called upon the administration to do a better job of making public the reasons why waivers have been granted in some cases and recusals deemed appropriate in others...Many Iowans were early supporters of Obama's campaign because they trusted his pledge to make accountability and transparency themes of his administration. The Farm News strongly supports Grassley's request." Grassley demands more transparency, Iowa Farm News Editorial, Friday, June 19, 2009

"U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, is coming at us live, raw and unfiltered. I, for one, like it...I don't know how many hours of my life I've lost listening to politicians recite tired talking points and prepackaged, poll-tested  platitudes. I've read thousands of useless, jargon-laden news releases. And by read, I mean skimmed and deleted. Now, we have Grassley, sending out his authentic thoughts in real time from his BlackBerry-clicking thumbs, with unvarnished emotion. I have no problem with that. I applaud it. Agree or disagree, it's hardly business as usual." Tweet on, Grassley, Todd Dorman, Cedar Rapids Gazette, Sunday, June 14, 2009

"Senate Finance Committee ranking member Grassley has forged a reputation as a formidable and relentless watchdog in the Senate." Daily Dose: Player Profile: Sen. Charles Grassley, The Washington Post, Tuesday, June 2, 2009

"A long overdue proposal by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, aimed at ending what he terms "reckless spending on government charge cards," has cleared its first hurdle by passing the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee with no opposition. What Grassley has proposed is a common-sense approach to monitoring the use of government credit and travel cards." Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Editorial, Sunday, May 31, 2009

"Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, is asking the Food and Drug Administration to explain how it justifies its decision not to hold the manufacturer accountable for marketing a heart valve device without FDA clearance. Grassley raises an important point...Grassley's concerns about the approval of medical devices and improvements to existing devices are valid ones - an issue that needs to be addressed." Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Editorial, Wednesday, May 6, 2009

"The president has not yet been able to move a controversial bill through Congress with overwhelmingly bipartisan support. If healthcare reform is going to be bipartisan, Obama must convince Grassley to be on board... But the Iowan is no pushover. If the other side is not compromising, Grassley will walk away from the table... Still, Grassley, an avid runner, is very comfortable in his own skin. And he doesn't run from a fight...If Obama wants to strike a bipartisan deal on healthcare, Grassley is the key." Grassley's gusto, The Hill, Wednesday, May 6, 2009

"What's surprising is that Grassley, at age 75, is a devoted Twitterer himself. Why bother? The guy has a Senate seat for as long as he wants it. But Grassley is sincere about this public service stuff, and if someone invented a way to beam his thoughts directly into citizens' minds, he would sign up." In a perfect democracy, all are tweeted equally, Jim Pollock, Des Moines Business Record, Monday, April 27, 2009

"Some 75-year-old  politicians need help checking e-mail. Chuck? He Twitters...Watch out, Ashton Kutcher. With stuff like this, Grassley might be building a following." Dubuque Telegraph Herald Editorial, Monday, April 27, 2009

"An AARP-sponsored health plan caught the attention of Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley last year...Grassley began an investigation that led to a report this wek that found AARP had mis-led members about coverage and failed to monitor complaints...Iowa should be proud of Grassley for persisting in this investigation." AARP criticized over health plans, Des Moines Register Editorial, Friday, April 24, 2009

"Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, recently took a wise and proactive step by questioning the then acting head of the Food and Drug Administration about his motives concerning whistleblowers. Grassley has long championed the cause of federal employees who disclose wrongdoing, mistakes and other problems within their agencies...Grassley is right to speak out against silencing these public-spirited men and women before they can tell the American people what they should know." Patriot protection, Omaha World-Herald, Wednesday, April 22, 2009

"His meetings are a testament to his commitment to representative government and his willingness to hear the needs of hard working Iowans." Lime Springs Herald, Thursday, April 16, 2009

"Chuck Grassley reached a milestone a week ago, casting his 10,000th vote in the U.S. Senate...Which is pretty remarkable considering constituents demand the impossible. They want their representatives to play an active role in Washington, D.C., while at the same time attending their bake sales, graduation ceremonies, county fairs and city council meetings. By all accounts, Grassley has managed those dual expectations exceptionally well. He spends weekdays in Washington and weekends, ostensibly, in New Hartford, where he was born. In reality, though, Grassley, 75, is on the road a good portion of every Saturday and Sunday to town hall meetings, veterans' events and chicken dinners. Since his election, Grassley has made a point of making an official visit to each of Iowa's 99 counties every year. Those who have seen him in action around the state appreciate that when he attends an event, Grassley is really there. His attention is focused and he participates...Folks on either side of the political aisle will have a difficult time arguing Iowa hasn't been well represented." Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier Editorial, Thursday, April 9, 2009

"Grassley: He's on the job and in touch." Sioux City Journal Editorial, Tuesday, April 7, 2009

"Even if you don't agree with Grassley, he has a way of making you like and trust him...Grassley has an instinct for the time, the mood and the nature of his constituents' worries." Civility is essential value of democracy, Marc Hansen, Des Moines Register, Monday, April 6, 2009

"The Iowa congressional delegation still welcomes handwritten letters from constituents, but the leader, by far, in high-tech Internet communication is a 75-year-old grandfather - Sen. Chuck Grassley." Chuck goes high-tech, E. Michael Myers, Cedar Rapids Gazette, Thursday, April 2, 2009

"Senator Charles Grassley would be Farmer Man. He's the only member of Congress who can pull off a seed-corn-cap look at a rural event and not look like a fool. Grassley's PR tends to be more verbal - frequent appearances on TV news shows, phone conferences with the press, and his absolutely indefatiguable jaunts to every county in the state every year during his weekends and  breaks. You try that - it's a piece of work." Our Congressional "Superheroes", Storm Lake Pilot-Tribune Editorial, Tuesday, March 31, 2009

"U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, who's been here, there, back here again and seems to have clones of himself in order to be so many places at once and say so many things. And when it comes to competing with other areas, we can put Grassley up against both of any other state's senators and still come out on top, don't you think?" Bill Gray, The way the ball bounces, Mt. Pleasant News Editorial, Friday, March 20, 2009

"Washington ruled that the E.P.A. had already provided the evidence necessary to determine farm dust "likely is not safe." In other words, if you created dust in your agricultural  operation you are going to have to keep it inside the line fence of your farm or ranch...So here we go again - rules made by people who really don't understand what life is like in farming and ranching communities today...We in agriculture must step up hte pressure on Washington rule-makers to listen to producers in the country before they create more, as Sen. Grassley put it, "non-common sense" ideas to hinder farmers and rachers. Enough of this 'course particulate matter' stuf; it's dust and when the wind blows, the dust will be "blowing in the wind", totally ignoring the government rules." Is this stupidity contagious?, Samuelson Sez, Dyersville Commercial, Wednesday, March 18, 2009

"The Senate rejected Sen. Chuck Grassley's latest attempt to stop the automatic cost-of-living pay raise that Congress gets every year. Grassley said he and his colleagues "should have the guts" to vote on any pay raise they propose. We agree. Congress must account for itself and, especially during this economic recession, should demonstrate more self-restraint." The Gazette's Editorial, Cedar Rapids Gazette, Monday, March 16, 2009

"Grassley frequently posts online updates through the Web site Twitter, the high-tech communication tool that has become all the rage on Capitol Hill...But Grassley said he always has been on the cutting edge of new communications technology, from the fax machines of the 1980s to the early days of e-mail...Grassley uses his BlackBerry to tap out "tweets" about everything from the hot issues of the day to the successes of the men's basketball team at his alma mater, the University of Northern Iowa." Lawmakers a-Twitter at new technology, Joseph Morton, Omaha World Herald, Sunday, March 15, 2009

"It was a good idea in 1975. It's a good idea now. U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley said Wednesday that the Senate rejected an amendment he co-sponsored that would have required the Senate to have a roll call vote on any future pay raise...It may not be a popular view among Grassley's colleagues. But he often has been on the short end of many votes for his often-outspoken stances on wasteful spending in government. In some circles he is viewed as a real-life version of Sen. Jefferson Smith, the character Jimmy Stewart played in Frank Capra's "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." That film talks a lot about fighting for lost causes. Getting members of Congress to hold a separate roll-call vote on pay raises may be one of those lost causes. However, as the film says, very often lost causes are the ones worth fighting for. This is one of them. In this and many other cases, Sen. Grassley has proved his mettle and moral compass." Grasley isn't afraid of 'lost causes', The Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier Editorial, Sunday, March 15, 2009

"U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley bravely set the standard when he specifically questioned six U.S. mega-churches that hold tax exemptions. Grassley asked churches to explain lavish furnishings, six-figure salaries and plush travel expenses. Some churches balked, but others welcomed the scrutiny and posted financial details on the Web to become even more transparent. That's our hope locally as well. Such scrutiny encourages our many reputable tax-exempt non-profits to share their stories with the community whose tax dollars also help support them." Tax records do well in sunshine, Quad-City Times Editorial, Sunday, March 8, 2009

"One of the finest examples of across-the-aisle leadership comes from the Senate Finance Committee. There, the traditionally statesmanlike collaboration practiced by Grassley, a Republican, and Sen. Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat, is a model to follow...their commitment to getting important things done has always taken precedence over politics." Baucus-Grassley bipartisanship offers model for health reform, Des Moines Register, Thursday, March 5, 2009

"During the campaign season of 2008, now President Barack Obama promised to bring a new tone to Washington, D.C. - a more civil and less partisan dialogue, with a focus on ensuring the greater good of the country...It was familiar. It wasn't until recently that I was reminded from where, and from whom, I've heard this rhetoric. The answer: Chuck Grassley...As any Iowan who has attended one of Grassley's frequent town hall meetings across the state can tell you, the senator typically shies away from the political - even sometimes personal - sniping that has become commonplace in Washington...He maintains a statesmanlike approach when visiting with his constituents...Take for instance his recent visit to Hopkinton. Iowa's senior senator expressed his opposition to the recently approved economic stimulus deal. Grassley outlined the reasons he opposed the legislation, while also noting the components he supports. He was clear, concise and diplomatic...After years in Washington, Grassley maintains the diplomatic, non-partisan tone that Obama promises to bring. In both cases the nation is better served because of it." Obama takes page from Grassley, Dyersville Commercial Editorial, Wednesday, March 4, 2009

"Our Position: EPA's standards for controlling farm dust are unrealistic. Under rules imposed by federal regulators in the form of the Environmental Protection Agency in 2006, rural areas would be kept to the same standards as urban areas for what the Environmental Protection Agency calls 'coarse particulate matter' in the air. In essence, farmers can't let dust from their farms out into the open...At least one person is Washington is taking a stand in this matter...We agree with Grassley. If there is a way to control the way the wind blows dust, we'd love to hear it." Dust in the Wind, Council Bluffs Daily Nonpariel Editorial, Tuesday, March 3, 2009

"Something is going on with U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley. You cannot escape the man. Grassley does weekly rounds of conference calls with Iowa reporters from news organizations large and small, as well as a call just for farm reporters, and he's known for his attention to Iowa media. On a recent call with reporters, he pointed out he'd just spent time in the Centerville studio of one participant. But his national profile is robust as well, overcoming the natural drawback of being in the Senate minority. He turns up regularly as a source in national news stories, in print, television, National Public Radio. He's on Twitter (we brought you the breaking news recently that Politico rated him the 7th-best Twitterer in DC) and YouTube...Last month he even co-hosted a show called "Squawk Box" on business channel CNBC, where the cable audience was treated to a full hour of the Iowa farmer/Finance Committee ranking member...The easy conclusion is that Grassley is up for re-election in 2010 and he's scrambling to keep his visibility high. But there's more at work than that. A quote in the Boston Globe likely isn't going to reverberate much in Ottumwa or Sioux Center. Early in his career Grassley gained respect far beyond Iowa as the crusader against wasteful Pentagon spending. His attention has shifted to other issues but the approach is the same, and the impression is left of a miner for shenanigans who leaves no rock unturned...In marketing, it's known as branding. The Grassley brand is being carefully etched in early 2009 just as it was a decade ago, but with the proliferation of media outlets today all of the country is getting a chance to be acquainted with Iowa's senior senator." View from DC: The Grassley Brand, Jane Norman, IowaPolitics.com, Monday, March 2, 2009

"Here are the new maestros of the tweet - Washington's 10 Most Influential Twitterers... 7. Chuck Grassley...Grassley's are personal in an Iowan way: friendly but dry. This 75-year old some-time farmhand Republican has developed quite a following (2,000-plus) with his plain-spoken, Midwest Twittering style." 10 Most Influential Twitterers in Washington, Politico, Monday, February 23, 2009

"During the frenzied, hurried efforts to pass a stimulus bill, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, was among the most vocal challengers. He was chastised for not being "bipartisan enough." Since when does true bipartisanship exclude a senator's right to seek fiscal responsibility and ask tough questions? Maybe he was thinking about all this debt on his grandkids' shoulders." Cedar Rapids Gazette Editorial, Friday, February 13, 2009

"From exposing $600 toilet seats at the Pentagon to crafting tax policy, Sen. Charles Grassley has a reputation for being in the thick of things. He should have been in the thick of things all this week. Grassley was one of a handful of Washington lawmakers designated to sit on the House-Senate conference committee charged with crafting the final version of the economic-stimulus legislation. But Grassley was there only in name...he wasn't formally or informally consulted at any point in negotiations the legislation or invited to conference meetings...That is unfortunate. Iowa's senior senator knows a lot about everything from taxes to health care to energy, and work have had a lot to add to conversations." Des Moines Register Editorial, Thursday, February 12, 2009

"It all started with an $1,800 toilet-seat cover. In that 1980s defense-spending scandal, U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley found a congressional calling: creating uproars that often transform public opinion and policy… But anyone expecting a firebrand will find that the stereotype of the stubborn, “aw shucks” Iowa farmer fits 75-year old Grassley better. His crusading seems populist, but his opposition to abortion and gun control has won him high marks from conservative groups. He is a teetotal Baptist with a sly sense of humor… He developed a reputation for protecting whistle-blowers after he gave critics of Reagan-era defense spending a platform. They have come to him ever since.” The Philadelphia Inquirer, Sunday, February 8, 2009

"Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, also has been looking into the financial relationships between drug companies and doctors, and he advocates legislations that would require drug companies to publicly report the money they give to doctors for activities such as consulting, travel, speeches and meals. Grassley feels the public has a right to know about the financial relationships between doctors, researchers and the people who stand to profit by their expert advice. He's right. Medical providers and medical suppliers should be held to the same high ethical standards - by statute if necessary." The Cedar Rapids Gazette editorial, Tuesday, February 3, 2009

"In a time when wasteful spending is at the forefront of the political scene, it's refreshing to know some politicians are doing their jobs...Grassley is renowned in Washington for using his position on the Finance Committee to practice a particularly aggressive brand of oversight...Grassley said he is pushing for more information about the National Science Foundation because he's concerned the issues in the report speak to a wider, cultural problem at the agency...That is fortunate for us. When Congress is talking about spending billions of our hard-earned dollars, they need to be sure that it is money being well-spent." Keeping Watch, Daily Nonpareil Editorial, Monday, February 2, 2009

"We're proud of Iowa's two senators." Iowa's honest senators, Storm Lake Times Editorials, Saturday, January 31, 2009

"Grassley is renowned in Washington for using his position on the Finance Committee to practice a particularly aggressive brand of oversight." Henry C. Jackson, The Associated Press, Friday, January 30, 2009

"Now, there's a congressional probe of the NSF, led by Sen. Chuck Grassley, the Iowa Republican who has been on a crusade against waste, fraud, bed decision-making and general silliness at government health agencies for several years." Alicia Mundy, The Wall Street Journal, Thursday, January 29, 2009

"Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, the Senate's very own divining rod for governement waste..." Iowa Ear, Des Moines Register, Thursday, January 29, 2009

"A thistle to Frank Ahrens of the Washington Post for a blog belittling wisdom outside the Beltway. Sen. Chuck Grassley quoted a constituent from Dubuque concerned about Treasury nominee Timothy Geithner: "If the man cannot handle his own finances, how is he going to handle the country's" To which Ahrens added: "What would senators do without those plain-speaking constituents in the Dubuques all ove the United States?" What next? Derision for petite, elderly women from Dubuque who prefer comfortable footgear?" Roses & Thistles, Des Moines Register Editorial Staff, Sunday, January 25, 2009

"Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, was right to vote for change and against Tim Geithner for Treasury Secretary this week...Geithner helped to lead us into this mess. He is not the man to help lead us out, unless he proved he learned something. By failing to address Grassley directly, it is obvious he is a flawed candidate." Skeptical senator, Storm Lake Times, Saturday, January 24, 2009

"I really hadn't planned on getting involved in one of these social networks... But now I'm so into all these new fangled ways of staying in touch, and I am blaming it all on U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, the senior senator from Iowa... Why? Because of my new rule, when it comes to all this communications technology: If Senator Grassley knows how to do it, then I'm going to learn it, too." Chuck Offenburger, I'm just trying to keep up with Senator Grassley,  KMA Advantage Club Newsletter, Friday, January 23, 2009