U.S. Rep. David Young Iowa’s Third Congressional District   The dysfunction in Washington, D.C., frustrates me. I know it frustrates you too. Iowans, Americans – we have grown tired of it. But sometimes the gridlock becomes the story and the commonsense legislation is overshadowed. I wanted to make sure you […]

By The .Gif Shop Staff   Conservatives in Iowa who had been lamenting the loss of the Iowa Straw Poll as a means to sort out the enormous field of GOP presidential candidates had much of their work done of them today after the U.S. Supreme Court released its decision […]

By Steve Sherman Contributing Writer   Privacy is central to the debates going on this year in Washington and Iowa’s congressional egation can have a big impact on the future of privacy. Iowa’s own, Senator Chuck Grassley is Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and he wields great power in the […]

By The .Gif Shop Staff   Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 opinion that determined the Affordable Care Act subsidies handed out in states that did not establish health insurance exchanges were constitutional. In doing so, the justices admittedly ignored the text of the law, effectively writing its […]

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Iowa Statesman.   By Krusty Konservative Dictator of the Iowa Blogosphere   Welcome to the latest round of “How do we distract them now?” hosted by the Divider-in-Chief and his boot lickers in the […]

By Chuck Grassley United States Senator   Q: What are scam on hotel boings? A: As the busy summer travel season gets underway, I’m calling attention to dishonest third-party vendors whose business practices may dupe consumers boing hotel reservations on. Consumer rip-offs are as old as time. In this case, […]

By The .Gif Shop Staff   Tuesday morning, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst did an interview with Iowa talk radio host Simon Conway in which she exposed her immovable support for the Export-Import Bank “because it will help small businesses.” Conway seemed baffled by the statement, and continued to grill her […]

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Iowa Statesman.   By Krusty Konservative Dictator of the Iowa Blogosphere   As I said several weeks ago, the issues that had plagued the now-deceased Iowa Straw Poll, really, are the problems that are […]

By The .Gif Shop Staff   A few weeks ago, the Office of Personnel Management — the people who keep track of the employee records for all federal government employees — said it had been hacked by Chinese hackers. Initially, it said only a few hundred thousand current employees were […]

U.S. Rep. David Young Iowa’s Third Congressional District   Even when there is gridlock in Washington, D.C., the federal government, by law, must be funded to remain operating. The House Appropriations Committee, the committee I am assigned to, plays a pivotal role in how hardworking taxpayer dollars are allocated at […]

By Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and John Thune (R-SD) United States Senators   The IRS stumbled its way through tax season, still struggling to try to restore its reputation after its political targeting scandal gravely undermined confidence in the federal tax-collecting agency’s ability to fairly administer tax laws. With the 2015 […]

By The .Gif Shop Staff   During a recent interview, Republican presidential candidate and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry was asked for his thoughts on the tragic shooting at a church in Charleston, SC. In an attempt to suggest some — particularly President Obama — were attempting to politicize the […]

By The .Gif Shop Staff   Friday morning, the Iowa Supreme Court released its ruling in the case of Planned Parenthood against the Iowa Board of Medicine over its ban on telemedicine abortions. Six of the seven justices concurred with an opinion written by Justice David Wiggins — who voters […]

By The Iowa Statesman   U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has released his weekly video address in which he discusses the issue of illegal entrants who have committed serious crimes, but were not deported from the U.S. by the Obama Administration. A year-long investigation has uncovered 36,000 such cases in […]

By The .Gif Shop Staff   Thursday afternoon, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump released information suggesting the Club for Growth tried to shake him down for $1 million in exchange for support for his campaign. The revelation came less than two days after a blistering statement from Club for Growth […]

By The .Gif Shop Staff   Tuesday, billionaire businessman Donald Trump announced he is seeking the Republican Party nomination for President. During the announcement, he made reference to his success is many different discips, as well as his substantial wealth. The staff was quickly reminded of another famous tycoon who […]

By Iowans for Tax Relief   At the end of each Legislative session there are always a few winners and often many losers.  One would think the taxpayers who elected each Senator and Representative would always end up in the winners’ bracket, but this year the taxpayers are losers.  We […]

By The .Gif Shop Staff   Democrat presidential candidate and former U.S. Secretary of State/Senator/First Lady Hillary Clinton is coming back to Iowa today to “kick-off” her Iowa campaign (ignore the fact she’s already been here a few times since announcing she would be running — didn’t you know there […]

U.S. Rep. David Young Iowa’s Third Congressional District   People come to Congress from all across the country. I believe that they come here for the right reasons. We debate the issues and while we may have disagreements, at the end of the day, most are committed to representing their […]

By The .Gif Shop Staff   The U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of one of President Obama’s trade authority measures, but against the other — largely with Democrat votes against both — serving a damaging blow to his trade agenda. In honor of “Saved by the Bell” cast […]

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Iowa Statesman.   By Krusty Konservative Dictator of the Iowa Blogosphere   Some people say, “I hate to say it, but I told you so.” I don’t. I did tell you so. So, I’m […]

By The .Gif Shop Staff   U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) had his own “Pelosi moment” Wednesday during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on Trade Promotion Authority, which will allow the Obama Administration to fast-track negotiations on several trade agreements, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Trade in Services […]

From Press Release   Today U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, wrote an op-ed in the Washington Examiner on the need for the United States to redefine its mission against the Islamic State. Text of the op-ed appears below: Redefining the mission against ISIS Washington Examiner By: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz […]

By The .Gif Shop Staff   Wednesday, the Des Moines Register suggested Friday’s conference call meeting of the Republican Party of Iowa’s State Central Committee meeting will likely result in the demise of the Iowa Straw Poll. Sources close to the situation say the reports of the Iowa GOP’s biggest […]

By Iowans for Tax Relief   The Iowa Legislature finally adjourned on Friday, June 5.  After many weeks of negotiations, leadership was finally able to come to a compromise budget agreement.  The final general fund budget approved by the Legislature spends $7.175 billion, but the Legislature also allocated an additional […]

By The Iowa Statesman   State Rep. Sandy Salmon (R-Janesville) has released the final Capitol Corner commentary of the legislative session, in which she discusses the final budget agreement adopted by the House of Representatives and Senate last Friday. You may read Capitol Corner in its entirety by clicking here.

U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack Iowa’s Second Congressional District   This month, I kicked off my Coffee with Your Congressman tour across Iowa’s Second District!  I’ve met with constituents from DeWitt to Sigourney to Wapello and , and am excited to continue hearing directly from people like you about what’s most […]

U.S. Rep. David Young Iowa’s Third Congressional District   Nearly half of Americans who bought individual insurance plans from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or other marketplaces say they struggle to pay their monthly premiums.  On top of that, the White House admits premium hikes are only expected to increase […]

By The Iowa Statesman   State Rep. Sandy Salmon (R-Janesville) has released her weekly Capitol Corner legislative update. She discussed continued work on the state budget, as well as HPAI H5N2, EPA rules on clean water and Renewable Fuel Standard, Iowa unemployment, and an Iowa Economic Development Authority grant award […]

By The Iowa Statesman   U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley has released his weekly video address in which he discusses the FBI’s secret surveillance program. He said on Monday, he asked for details on the scope and legal authority of the program. “The FBI should be transparent about what policies […]

By Chuck Grassley United States Senator   Q: Why is oversight such a key piece of good government? A: Throughout the last century, the federal government has grown dramatically in size and scope.  In addition to providing for the military and veterans on behalf of the American people, the federal […]

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Iowa Statesman.   By Krusty Konservative Dictator of the Iowa Blogosphere   Remember how candidate Joni Ernst said she wanted to go to Washington to “make ‘em squeal?” Yeah, it was the most epic […]

By U.S. Rep. David Young Iowa’s Third Congressional District   It’s no secret. There are real problems with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – commonly referred to as Obamacare. Even President Obama has admitted this. There is still a lot of discussion about what should replace the ACA if the […]

By The Iowa Statesman   State Rep. Sandy Salmon (R-Janesville) has released her weekly Capitol Corner legislative update. She discussed continued work on the state budget, as well as passage of the standing appropriations bill in the House, and a Fiscal Year 2016 education funding bill in the House Appropriations […]

By Rick Santorum Former U.S. Senator Republican Presidential Candidate   Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) penned the following op-ed for an Iowa newspaper, which was published Thursday. At the 2012 Iowa Caucus winner’s campaign’s request, the full text follows. •  •  • At the 2012 […]

By Chuck Grassley U.S. Senator   Congratulations to the Class of 2015.  Leaving high school or college certainly brings mixed feelings. Remember, closing one door opens an opportunity to knock on another one. Graduates have put in the time and work required to earn a diploma. Now it’s time to […]

By Iowans for Tax Relief   While many Iowans viewed this past weekend as a kickoff to summer, Legislators will not be getting a break anytime soon.  The Legislative session remained stalled last week with not even the slightest hint that adjournment could be close.  So while students across the […]

U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack Iowa’s Second Congressional District   Today we reflect on the sacrifices of America’s men and women in uniform and keep alive the memory of those who fell during their service to our nation.  As a military parent, I am inspired every day to fight for those […]

U.S. Rep. David Young Iowa’s Third Congressional District   When I leave my home in the morning and when I return home to Van Meter in the evening, I drive down Veterans Memorial Drive – right by the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Seeing the American flag waving on top of the […]

By The Iowa Statesman   State Rep. Sandy Salmon (R-Janesville) has released her weekly Capitol Corner legislative update. She discussed continued work on the state budget, as well as passage of the tax incentives for first-time home buyers in the House. Capitol Corner may be read in its entirety by […]

By Iowans for Tax Relief   There was substantial hope that the Legislative session would adjourn last week.  As we reported in the previous Watchdog, there were rumors of an education funding compromise and it appeared Legislators might be able to finish what was left of the budget work and […]

By Chuck Grassley United States Senator   Legislation to expand international trade is moving forward in the Senate.  I voted in favor of debating a bill to restore Trade Promotion Authority for the executive branch.  This authority is seen as critical to wrapping up the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement under […]

By The Iowa Statesman   U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley released this brief question-and-answer summary to update Iowans about the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N2 outbreak that has resulted in the loss of millions of poultry in the state. •  •  • Q:  How is the avian influenza affecting Iowa’s poultry […]

By U.S. Rep. David Young Iowa’s Third Congressional District   A few weeks ago, a man from Ankeny wrote to my office about the controversial rule proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers redefining the Waters of the United States. Like many of us, […]

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Iowa Statesman.   By Krusty Konservative Dictator of the Iowa Blogosphere     To the “” who’s pretending to be me, outraged that I’m pretending to be him – as if we’re supposed to […]

By The Iowa Statesman   U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has released his weekly video address, in which he discusses how Trade Promotion Authority is the key to expanding U.S. trade. “Trade Promotion Authority can give U.S. negotiators the backing they need to finalize the Trans-Pacific Partnership,” he said. “And […]

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Iowa Statesman.   By Krusty Konservative Dictator of the Iowa Blogosphere   In 2008, it was Fred Thompson. In 2012, it was Rick Perry. They were all wildly popular presidential candidates who just didn’t […]

By The Iowa Statesman   State Rep. Sandy Salmon (R-Janesville) has released her weekly Capitol Corner legislative update. She discussed Medicaid modernization. Capitol Corner may be read in its entirety by clicking here.

By U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack Iowa’s Second Congressional District   Last month, I wrapped up my Broadband Access Roundtable Tour, where I met with constituents in every one of the Second Congressional District’s 24 counties about expanding high speed internet access.  As a member of the House Energy and Commerce […]

By Iowans for Tax Relief   On Wednesday last week it was reported that a compromise on education funding had possibly been reached.  However, while the rud deal was being spen about around the Capitol, neither House nor Senate leadership was willing to confirm that a compromise deal had been […]