Grassley on Senate Floor: Carry History Forward and “Never Forget” 9/11

Floor Remarks by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Senate President Pro Tempore “25th Anniversary of September 11th” Monday, September 14, 2026 VIDEO This past Friday, our nation marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. I’ll never forget that day, that morning before the first attack happened. After my weekly interview with Iowa radio networks, the United States Capitol was evacuated. And I remember officers pounding on my door, here in the Capitol office, “You gotta get out of here!” No one knew right then that nearly 3,000 lives would be lost in that morning’s attack, or that more than 8,000 people would die from post-9/11 illnesses. Now, a quarter of a century later, more than one-third of the U.S. population is too young to remember the terrorist attacks. So, we need to carry history forward so that we “Never Forget” and keep our country safe. We all know that under the Constitution, national security is the number one responsibility of the federal government. As a federal policymaker, I’ve worked to ensure that we don’t repeat the mistakes that led to the intelligence failures preceding 9/11, and that the missions of the intelligence community, the U.S. military and Homeland Security are effectively and efficiently serving the American people. On this solemn 25th anniversary, let’s recommit ourselves to the spirit of America and “Never Forget” the lives that were lost on 9/11 and in the years to follow. We honor the memory of those who have passed and carry forward the legacy and uncommon courage of the heroic first responders, survivors, service members and their loved ones. -30-