Bio
Senator Charles Ernest Grassley is an American politician. He is serving as a senior U.S. Senator representing Iowa under the Republicans since 1980. He is also the president pro tempore emeritus of the U.S. Senate.
He was a member of the Iowa House of Representatives from 1959 to 1975. He also served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975 to 1981.
Senator Chuck Grassley was born in New Hartford, north-central Iowa, on September 17, 1933. He graduated with a B.A. in Political science at the University of Northern Iowa in 1955. He earned his M.A. at the same college the following year.
Senator Chuck Grassley Career
While studying at Iowa, Grassley worked in factories and farms. Then, he worked as a metal shearer and an assembly line worker. He proceeded to get a Ph.D. in Political science at the University of Iowa. But, he failed to complete the degree. In 1958, Grassley won his seat in the Iowa House of Representatives.
During his time at the Iowa House of Reps, Grassley taught at the Charles City College from 1967 to 1968. He served eight terms till 1974 when he won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He won again twice and served till 1980.
In 1981, Senator Chuck Grassley won a seat in the U.S. Senate. Serving his 7th term, he has become one of the most powerful Republicans in the Senate. He is also the most senior Republican in the Senate after Orrin Hatch’s retirement in 2019.
Senator Chuck Grassley Accomplishments
Grassley played a significant role in creating the Medicare prescription-drug benefit. This bill lowers the cost of prescription drugs. He also made efforts to amend some parts of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
He also made several reforms in the agricultural sector. He was one of the senators that requested the implementation of conservative measures in the 2018 Farm Bill.
He also expressed concerns about the impact of the Environmental Protection Agency on farming. He also wrote the EPACT Act, which created the wind energy tax credit in 1992.
Grassley received the Friend of Iowa Wind Energy in 2015. This was due to his commitment to supporting wind energy development in Iowa,
Grassley has an A rating from the National Rifle Association. According to him, gun laws cannot stop violence without improved mental care. He also opposed the Manchin-Toomey gun control laws.
Grassley introduced an Act that would expand research into medical marijuana. He also supported the bill that will legally prescribe medical cannabis and marijuana and research its medical efficacy.
Grassley also won praise for repealing the estate tax and identifying frauds in federal programs.
Grassley authored the Whistle-blower Protection Act in 1989. The Act enables adequate support and protection for whistle-blowers. He also began an investigation on unreported payment to doctors by some pharmaceutical companies. The investigation uncovered psychiatrists who are paid to encourage the use of psychoactive drugs.
Senator Chuck Grassley Criticisms
Grassley was part of republican senators who signed a controversial warning letter to Iran. The letter warned the Iranian government against signing a nuclear deal without congressional approval. But, it received backlashes from both the President and members of congress.
