Grassley Shares Iowans’ Priorities Following 46th Year of Annual 99 County Meetings

Floor Remarks by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Senate President Pro Tempore “Completing My Annual 99 County Meetings” Wednesday, September 16, 2026 VIDEO During our August break from Washington, D.C., and the work of the United States Senate, I did my Iowa work as a senator, completing my annual 99 county meetings for the 46th year in a row. I started this tradition in 1981 when I was first elected to the Senate. 1981 when I was first elected to the Senate. I wanted Iowans to be assured that I care about listening to them in every corner of our state, and not just during election years. Now, you might ask me, “Why would you meet in every county every year?” Well, during my campaign in 1980, I overheard people in a restaurant say something like this: “It must be an election year, because politicians are around.” I thought to myself, “That’s not right.” People should think of their role in government and expect politicians to be seen in times other than just election years. So, I hope my 99 county meetings show that I took that admonition seriously. The voters send senators to serve them for six-year terms. And you better show up regularly throughout your state, not just during election season. So, that’s what’s behind my starting the annual 99 counties tour in 1981. My county meetings inform my work for Iowans. Dialogue between those of us elected and our constituents, to me, is the essence of representative government. If you’re going to represent your constituents faithfully and responsibly, you’ve got to know what’s on their minds. This year, I heard gratitude from families and businesses about tax certainty that they received through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act that we passed in 2025. I heard from law enforcement and factory workers about how the No Tax on Overtime provision means more take home pay in their pockets. When I was at a Village Inn, waiters told me that they appreciated not having their tip income taxed. I heard from hospitals about how the Rural Health Transformation Fund is helping healthcare professionals fight cancer in their communities. And farmers kept up their conversation with me about the need for E15 year-round , a fix to Proposition 12 , increased agriculture exports and to bolster and increase the number of cattle in the United States because the farmers know that – this is a fact – that we’re at a 75-year low of the number of cattle in the United States. So, I look forward to more Q&As yet this year, in the coming weeks. One listening session in a county is not the end of my work for the people of Iowa. There’s always more work to do, and it’s time for us here in Washington to roll up our sleeves and deliver for the American people. -30-