CHUCK GRASSLEY

'Charles Ernest "Chuck" Grassley' (born September 17 1933) is the senior United States Senator from Iowa. He is a member of the Republican Party. He was chairman of the Finance Committee from January to June 2001, and from January 2003 to December 2006 and currently serves as the committee's Ranking Member.

Contents

Early life

Political career

Brief exchange with Jeff Sessions

A friend and advocate for whistleblowers

Personal life

Footnotes

External links

Early life

Born in New Hartford, Iowa to Ruth Corwin and Louis Arthur Grassley,^[1] Grassley lived in Iowa during his early life. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1955 and received a graduate degree from the same university in 1956.
In 1987 Grassley was made an honorary member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity at Iowa State University.

Political career

Grassley, a former assembly line worker and farmer, has been involved in politics for much of his adult life. An active runner, Grassley served as a citizen legislator in the Iowa House of Representatives from 1959 until 1974, when he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, of which he was a member from 1975 to 1981, being reelected in 1976 and 1978. He was elected to his Senate seat in 1980, defeating the Democratic incumbent, John Culver, who had only served one term. Grassley was reelected in 1986, 1992, 1998, and 2004
In the past Grassley has voted against expensive projects favored by many in his party. He was one of two Republicans to vote against authorizing the first Gulf War. He has a history of holding the executive branch accountable for their activities through his positions on the Finance and Judiciary Committees. In July 2007, a Grassley-commissioned report was released claiming that more than $1 billion in farm subsidies were sent to deceased individuals. Grassley said, "It's unconscionable that the Department of Agriculture would think that a dead person was actively engaged in the business of farming."^[2]
At one time, Grassley was ranked as the third most powerful senator. As of March 2007, he is ranked 25 on the list.^[3] A late August 2007 poll shows Grassely remains highly popular in Iowa, with 63% approving of his job, and 28% disapproving.[2]

Brief exchange with Jeff Sessions

On June 26, 2007, Grassley got into a brief exchange with Senator Jeff Sessions, a Republican from Alabama. Sessions stated that he did not support Grassley's amendment, but would yield time to Grassely, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wouldn't allow a real debate on the amendment, Grassley angerlier fired back saying, "I don't care if I speak, I can speak sometime else, but I would like to have time for debate on my amendment, and can I talk about why I should bring my amendment up."[3]
In May of 2006, he conversed with Nevada High School senior Aaron Russom on illegal immigration and the effects of it on the country.

A friend and advocate for whistleblowers

Grassley has fought for whistle-blower protections and has provided support for whistle-blowers. He has consistently supported FBI whistle-blowers like Coleen Rowley, Michael German and Jane Turner.
Grassley received a lifetime achievement award on May 17, 2007 from whistleblowers for his services to them.

Personal life

Grassley married Barbara Ann Speicher in September 1954; the couple have five children: Lee, Wendy, Robin, Michele, and Jay.
Grassley is a member of The Family, a Christian group that organizes the National Prayer Breakfast. Grassley is also a Freemason, and is a Baptist.

Footnotes

1. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~battle/senators/grassley.htm
2. Dead farmers got subsidies
3. [1]

External links

★ United States Senator Chuck Grassley 'official Senate site'

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★ Federal Election Commission — Charles E. Grassley campaign finance reports and data

★ New York Times — Charles E. Grassley News collected news and commentary

★ On the Issues — Chuck Grassley issue positions and quotes

★ OpenSecrets.org — Chuck Grassley campaign contributions

★ Project Vote Smart — Senator Charles E. 'Chuck' Grassley (IA) profile

★ SourceWatch Congresspedia — Charles E. Grassley profile

★ Washington Post — Congress Votes Database: Charles Grassley voting record