By Bob Eschliman Editor The Iowa House of Representatives on Wednesday quickly approved four of five bills it previously adopted, but were later amended by the Iowa Senate, but the fifth was a bridge too far for the Republican majority. House File 347, as adopted by the House on […]
By The Iowa Statesman U.S. Rep. David Young (R-IA 3) grilled the Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Sarah Saldaña, to get a clarification over “continued mixed signals” regarding the agency’s placement of administration policy above the law. He focused on individual ICE officials and Border Patrol agents who […]
From Press Release A bipartisan group of senators commended the Department of Labor, Administrative Review Board’s (ARB) interpretation of federal whistleblower protections provisions, clarifying the statutory burdens of proof in whistleblower cases. In two recent decisions, ARB found that employees should be allowed to have a fair chance to […]
By Bob Eschliman Editor When the average Iowan hears terms like “enrollment-based funding,” and “making sure the dollars follow the student,” it’s easy to assume every student in Iowa is counted equally when it comes to state funding. While it makes sense, it’s far from the truth. In fact, […]
From Press Release U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) released the following statement marking Tax Day: “Tax day is upon us again. But this year it’s different. This year, on top of the frustrating reminder that Americans are giving too much of their income to fund too many wasteful government […]
From Press Release The Iowa National Guard’s 671st Troop Command, in conjunction with the Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications Systems Board, invites Iowa media to participate in the April 17 communications interoperability exercise to be held at Camp Dodge, 7105 NW 70th Ave., Johnston, Iowa. Interested media should arrive at […]
From Press Release Following a review process that welcomed all interested Iowa lawyers for consideration, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is recommending to President Barack Obama two outstanding Iowans for open judgeships on the federal bench. Grassley is recommending Leonard Strand of Sioux […]
By The Iowa Statesman U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-IA 4) has released a three-minute video in which he proposed making Tax Day “just another day.” In his statement, he advocated for the repeal of the entire U.S. Tax Code, the dissolution of the Internal Revenue Service, and the adoption […]
From Press Release The following is the prepared statement of U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, at the beginning of today’s hearing on the need to reform asset forfeiture: Today the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on the need for asset […]
From Press Release U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) released the following statement after voting for the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (H.R. 2) containing a permanent “doc fix” to replace Medicare’s Sustainable Growth Rate formula for physician reimbursement: “Congress cannot continue its pattern of band-aid fixes […]
From Press Release U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Kelly Ayotte of (R-NH) are asking for information on three former Guantanamo Bay detainees who were released pursuant to court orders and may have returned to the battlefield. One former […]
By The Iowa Statesman If nothing else, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad is brave. With school districts preparing to layoff teachers and other support staff, unsure how much state funding they will receive in the coming fiscal year — their budgets are to be certified today — he announced a […]
By The Iowa Statesman Tuesday afternoon, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad signed the following three bills into law: • House File 488: An act to establish the Iowa Reading Corps, to be administered by the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service. • Senate File 267: An act to establish the confidentiality […]
By Bob Eschliman Editor Iowa used to be first-in-the-nation is than just its quadrennial presidential caucuses. It used to be the best in the nation, and the envy of the world, in education. Regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum, and whether you’re siding with Republicans […]
By Bob Eschliman Editor The omnibus gun bill proposed earlier this session was supposed to be a miraculous achievement in improving Second Amendment rights in Iowa. It had broad bipartisan support in both the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, and the Democrat-controlled Senate. It had support from Second Amendment advocates […]
From Press Release U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-IA 4) released the following statement after re-introducing H.R. 1746, the Truth in Employment Act of 2015. The legislation would protect employees and employers from harassment and disruptive actions by union “salts” who threaten jobs and business success. “Every day, non-union businesses […]
From Press Release U.S. Rep. Rod Blum (R-IA 1) introduced his first bill, the No Golden Parachutes for Public Service Act. This legislation would prohibit Members of Congress from ever engaging in lobbying activities after they leave office. “I firmly believe that the privilege of serving your constituents should […]
From Press Release U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) issued the following statement on Tax Day: “Today is another painful reminder for Iowans of the frustrations they face due to our outdated and complicated tax code. Tax filing must be made easier for all Americans. Now is the time for […]
From Press Release U.S. Rep. David Young (R-IA 3) announced today that Dane Livengood of Treynor has received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, Class of 2019. Young called Livengood Tuesday morning and congratulated him on the accomplishment. Dane grew up in Treynor, Iowa, graduating from Treynor […]
By Rev. Cary Gordon Executive Pastor Cornerstone World Outreach It is often necessary to provide strong contrasts in order to clearly define things in our minds. For example, it is much easier to understand the definition of the word “something” if you first have a grasp of the reality […]
By Bob Eschliman Editor A state legislator’s on religious freedom sparked an outcry from the other side of the aisle mere minutes after Monday’s Iowa Religious Freedom Day came to an end. State Rep. Steven Holt (R-Denison) to up the matter of religious freedom during points of personal […]
By Iowans for Tax Relief Proponents for RAISING the Gas Tax told Iowans, “We can’t afford to wait!”, “Iowa’s bridges are unsafe for school buses and ambulances!”, “The fuel tax increase will take the place of counties bonding”, and “Your auto repair bill will be reduced”. The constant theme […]
From Press Release U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) released the following statement regarding the announcement that U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) will also seek the Republican nomination for President of the United States: “Marco is a friend and colleague whom I greatly respect. We’re both the sons of immigrants […]
From Press Release State Sen. Jake Chapman (R-A) said he was pleased with Monday’s turnout in support of religious freedom at the Iowa Statehouse. Senator Chapman, who was the event’s primary organizer, was joined by a bipartisan group of lawmakers and citizens from across Iowa who are interested in […]
From Press Release Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today will present the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Governor’s Cup ROTC Award for outstanding achievement to ten students from The University of Iowa, Iowa State University, Drake University, University of Dubuque, Buena Vista University, University of […]
By The Iowa Statesman State Rep. Sandy Salmon (R-Janesville) has released her weekly Capitol Corner legislative update. She discussed religious freedom and the background of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Capitol Corner may be read in its entirety by clicking here.
From Press Release Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad has announced that he will sign House File 488 at 3:50 p.m. this afternoon in the Governor’s Formal Office of the Iowa State Capitol. House File 488 is an Act relating to the programs of the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service […]
From Press Release U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued the following statement in reaction to the announcement that Hillary Clinton is running for President: “Hillary Clinton just announced what we’ve known for a long time — she’s running for president, again. But the good news is that we’re ready for Hillary […]
From Press Release Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) issued the following statement in response to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s entrance into the 2016 presidential race. Rick Santorum said: “I know Hillary Clinton. I served with Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton does not have the right vision to […]
From Press Release U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), released the following statement regarding President Obama’s meeting with Raul Castro, the communist dictator of Cuba: “Keeping up with a disturbing trend of this administration, President Obama is in the process of striking another very bad deal, now with the communist […]
From Press Release Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced the launch of Give Back Iowa, a six week challenge running from April 14-May 31 to engage Iowans in employer supported volunteering. “Give Back Iowa complements my ‘Call to Service’ initiative to increase the number […]
From Press Release U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) released the following statement on the EPA’s announced time for issuing Renewable Fuel Standards for 2014 through 2016: “Farmers and the entire renewable fuel sector in Iowa need a strong and long-term RFS to conduct and grow their businesses. While I […]
From Press Release U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today issued the following statement regarding a Justice Department memo warning all employees and contractors to refrain from engaging in commercial sex. The memo, however, did not establish a zero-tolerance policy that Grassley requested requiring […]
From Press Release In response to the EPAs time for issuing Renewable Fuel Standards, U.S. Rep. David Young (R-IA 3) released the following statement: “The ay from the EPA in issuing a time for Renewable Fuel Standards has been frustrating because I know that Iowa farmers, businesses, and all […]
From Press Release Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa has asked the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals to update the committee on its investigation into the alleged misconduct by federal judge Mark Fuller. Fuller is a judge on the United States District Court for the Middle District […]
U.S. Rep. David Young Iowa’s Third Congressional District I think we all identify the word recess with school – probably elementary school when we would have a little bit of time during the middle of the day to head outside and have fun. Congress does go into “recess” but […]
By The Iowa Statesman Friday, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad signed Senate File 227 into law. The bill states, in part, “…the school calendar shall begin no sooner than August 23.” It also imparts financial penalties on districts that start school before that date. The bill passed the Iowa House […]
Heather Stancil Earlham The Iowa House of Representatives is considering SF 345, a bill that is touted as an anti-bullying bill, when in actuality it is an anti-parent bill. In the name of bully prevention, it removes parental rights and hands them over to the state and public school […]
By Bob Eschliman Editor As Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal (D-Council Bluffs) noted during Thursday morning’s floor speech, next week begins the most restrictive portion of the session calendar as it relates to bills that are eligible for debate. As a result, the Democrat-controlled Senate and Republican-controlled House each […]
From Press Release U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) today welcomed confirmation from the State Department Office of Inspector General that the inspector general will review the department’s use of the Special Government Employee program. “This program is meant to be used in a limited way to give the government […]
By The Iowa Statesman Muscatine County Republican Party chairman Fred Grunder has announced the party’s annual picnic will be held 4-7 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at the Wilton Community Center. Presidential candidate Chris Hill from Kentucky, Auditor of State Mary Mosiman, and local legislators will be on hand. The […]
By The Iowa Statesman Religious freedom is very likely to be one of the most important issues of the 2016 election cycle. And, it’s an issue that doesn’t necessarily correspond to one party or the other; it’s an issue that impacts everyone. Iowa Religious Freedom Day will be the […]
From Press Release U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) today announced an extended dead, now April 15, for a new fellowship program in his state offices for Iowans with recent military service. Grassley encourages these veterans to consider and apply for the program. “This program will help these veterans gain […]
By Bob Eschliman Editor The Iowa Senate confirmed the appointment of 16 of Gov. Terry Branstad’s appointees on Wednesday. The Iowa Constitution requires all gubernatorial appointees must be confirmed by a two-thirds vote – at least 34 members – of the Senate. Many appointees may be confirmed “en bloc,” […]
By Bob Eschliman Editor A few weeks ago, the Iowa House of Representatives overwhelmingly adopted the omnibus gun bill, House File 527, in a bipartisan 75-24 vote. That bill was ignored by the Senate, which instead adopted its own bill that only legalized the production, purchase, and possession of […]
From Press Release Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa announced today that the committee will hold a hearing on the nation’s asset forfeiture laws. The hearing will take place on Wednesday, April 15, at 10 a.m. (ET) in room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The […]
From Press Release Q: What can be done to reduce sexual violence in society? A: The President signed a proclamation making April National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Obviously, the stre of a presidential pen isn’t going to solve this issue in the 30 days of April. […]
From Press Release Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad today signed the following six bills into law: House File 455: an Act requiring the submission of a corporate governance annual disclosure to the commissioner of insurance by certain insurers of insurance groups, and including penalties and applicability date provisions. House File […]
U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack Iowa’s Second Congressional District Last month, I had the privilege of hearing directly from veterans from across our district on several occasions. As the father of two children in the Marine Corps, I know the tremendous sacrifice service members and their families have made for […]
From Press Release U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, is seeking answers from the Obama Administration on why it reportedly won’t disclose documents regarding the relationship between the Treasury Department and mortgage financing firms Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that resulted in billions of dollars […]
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