Sen. Chuck Grassley: Why I’m running

I run most mornings at 4 a.m. so I thought that was a fitting time to announce I’m running for re-election to the U.S. Senate. Just like every other day, I got to work. I hit the road to meet with Iowans in Marion, Davenport, Dyersville and Waterloo. I held Q & with local law enforcement about keeping our communities safe, talked with seniors and medical professionals about the cost of prescription drugs and discussed ways to boost economic vitality and grow Iowa’s workforce with residents at a local Dairy Queen. I wrapped up the day meeting with farmers and families at the fairgrounds here in Waterloo for the 111th anniversary celebration of the National Cattle Congress.

Putting in 12-hour days is a way of life for Iowa farmers. That’s how I’ve always approached my job representing the people of Iowa. It stems from the Iowa work ethic that helped me hold down three jobs to provide for our young family. Barbara and I share this life lesson with our kids and grandkids. You get out what you put in. A strong work ethic keeps me effective for Iowans.

It’s a privilege to serve Iowans in the U.S. Senate. I don’t take this tremendous responsibility for granted. That’s why I’ve worked hard to keep in touch with Iowans and make the government work for you, not the other way around. This year, I completed my 41st consecutive year holding my 99 county meetings. It’s a formidable task to visit every county, every year, especially because I prioritize my work on Iowans’ behalf in the U.S. Senate. There, I hold the best attendance record and longest consecutive voting streaking in Senate history. The feedback I get from Iowans energizes my determination to solve problems and be a champion for Rural America.

Government dependency is antithetical to our way of life.

My commitment to bring Iowa common sense to the policymaking tables in Washington, D.C. has intensified over the years. Especially in these uncertain times, the stakes are higher than ever to expand opportunity and prosperity for generations to come.

The Democrat triumvirate in Washington thinks government knows best. Biden-Schumer-Pelosi want to tax more, spend more and borrow more to expand the scope of government. They want Uncle Sam to reach deeper into personal savings, paychecks and investments to create a cradle-to-grave entitlement state that dictates Americans’ lives and livelihoods.

Government dependency is antithetical to our way of life. America is a nation founded upon principles of tax fairness, freedom from tyranny, religious liberty and opportunity to provide for their families, build a business and grow strong communities.

I work tirelessly to earn the public trust and use my seniority and key committee assignments to benefit our state. As a champion for Rural America, I’ve worked to ensure Middle America doesn’t get left behind during international trade negotiations, such as better dairy provisions for our producers to access Canadian markets, and that bipartisan infrastructure spending invests in our roads, bridges, locks and dams and rural broadband. I fight for pro-growth tax policies to boost economic vitality in communities across Iowa, enable family farms and family-owned small businesses to pass their livelihoods from one generation to the next and empower moms and dads to save, invest and spend their hard-earned money as they see fit.

As a taxpayer watchdog, I’ll continue strengthening my fraud-fighting amendments that have helped recover $64 billion to the Federal Treasury. Congressional oversight is as important as writing legislation to hold government accountable. With my re-election announcement, I’m glad to put the Pentagon, FBI, EPA, Department of Justice and Homeland Security on notice. As long as I’m serving Iowans in the U.S. Senate, I’ll keep hunting down waste, mismanagement and wrongdoing that rips off the taxpayer, puts young Olympic athletes in harm’s way, undermines biofuels policy and invites lawlessness at our southern border. I’ll keep working as hard as ever to uphold the Second Amendment, Back the Blue and strengthen our military to keep our families, neighborhoods and country safe.

My legislative priorities include reducing the costs of prescription drugs, ensuring the livestock markets deliver fair prices for our cattle producers and consumers and stopping the reckless tax and spending spree that would transform America as we know it and crush the next generation with massive debt. I’m running for re-election because there’s more work to do for you.

Chuck Grassley of New Hartford has served Iowans in the U.S. Senate since 1981.