Q&A: Upholding Public Trust in Government

Q: What motivates you to hold meetings in every county across Iowa every year? A: When the Senate’s not in session, I’m home meeting with Iowans. Having dialogue with my constituents is the essence of representative government. As your senator, I bring your ideas and concerns back to Washington, D.C., to solve problems that are making it harder to get ahead and stay ahead. This year I completed my 99 county meetings for the 46 th year in a row with more than 100 workers at Sub-Zero in Cedar Rapids . Holding Q&As at hospitals , manufacturing facilities and on the factory floor provides an additional benefit to keep on top of the challenges facing employers and the workforce , as well as learning about our high-quality products and services here in Iowa. I also make it a priority to foster civic engagement with younger generations and enjoy answering questions from students at schools across Iowa. I’m often asked why I started my annual 99 county meetings. Before I was elected to the U.S. Senate, I was at a local restaurant and overheard someone say that “it must be election time” because politicians were in town. That remark stuck with me. That’s when I decided to hold a meeting in every county, at least once, every year – not every six years. I’m glad my approach to representative government has influenced presidential candidates and other elected officials to hold themselves accountable to the people with face-to-face meetings. Obviously, it’s not possible to meet in person with more than three million Iowans, so I encourage people to share their opinions and concerns by calling my office or sending me an email at https://www.grassley.senate.gov/ . Whether I interact in person at a county meeting, by email or in my office on Capitol Hill, feedback from Iowans informs my work at the policymaking tables. For example, when Iowans told me about a steep price increase for their child’s EpiPen that’s used for emergency treatment for life-threatening allergic reactions, I investigated the situation that led to bipartisan legislation to fix the problem. More recently, I’ve led efforts to fix California’s Prop 12 that’s added a costly burden to Iowa pig farmers’ operations and adversely impacts Iowa’s economy, the number one pork producing state in the nation. I’m also leading a bipartisan push for much-needed reforms in the pharmaceutical industry that’s making it harder for rural pharmacies to keep their doors open. Based on feedback from local employers across Iowa, I supported tax relief to boost the engine of the U.S. economy in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act that enable small businesses to invest in their operations, create new jobs, raise wages and boost benefits for their employees. As your senator, I remind Iowans that my door is always open . Q: Why did you cosponsor the Stop Insider Trading Act ? A: My annual 99 county meetings keep my finger on the pulse of Iowans as I work to strengthen public confidence in government. Years ago, Iowans often would ask why Congress doesn’t have to follow the same laws it applies to American society. Prior to 1995, Congress was exempt from a dozen workplace laws. My bipartisan Congressional Accountability Act delivered a reality check to the people who write the laws of the land so that lawmakers walk in the shoes of our constituents. There’s also growing concern among Americans that elected officeholders enrich themselves while serving in office. Under no circumstances should members of Congress profit from insider information while shaping public policy. Public service is a privilege, not a stepping stone to a fat bank account. Among my efforts to restore public trust in government, I led efforts to improve the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act enacted during the Obama administration to prohibit members of Congress and federal employees from profiting from nonpublic, insider information. Since its passage, I’ve worked to close loopholes in the law. Most recently, I’ve cosponsored the Stop Insider Trading Act. This legislation would prohibit members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children from purchasing publicly traded stocks. Moreover, members would be required to file a seven-day public notice prior to the sale of any stock they presently own. Violations of the bill’s requirements would result in stiff penalties and the forfeiture of any gain realized from the transaction. With the support of Iowa Reps. Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Zach Nunn and Randy Feenstra, the House of Representatives passed the bill in July. Voters place their trust in elected representatives to do what’s right and this bill establishes guardrails to do just that. After 46 years of holding Q&As in every county, every year across the state, it’s an honor and a privilege to listen, learn and advocate on behalf of my fellow Iowans. Without a doubt, common sense runs rampant in Iowa and I’m working as hard as ever to uphold the public trust in government by displacing Washington nonsense with Iowa common sense.