Chuck Grassley

Chuck Grassley
Born	Charles Ernest Grassley 17 9, 1933
Birthplace	New Hartford, Iowa, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Known for	Longest-serving Republican in congressional history; President pro tempore of the United States Senate
Education	University of Northern Iowa (BA, MA)
Children	5
Website	[https://www.grassley.senate.gov Official site]

Charles Ernest Grassley (born September 17, 1933) is an American politician and member of the Republican Party who has served as the senior United States senator from Iowa since 1981. A fixture of Iowa politics for more than six decades, Grassley holds the distinction of being the longest-serving Republican in the history of the United States Congress. He currently serves as president pro tempore of the United States Senate, a position he also held from 2019 to 2021, and as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Before entering the Senate, Grassley served eight terms in the Iowa House of Representatives from 1959 to 1975 and three terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 1981. Throughout his Senate tenure, he has chaired several major committees, including the Senate Finance Committee, the Narcotics Control Caucus, the Judiciary Committee, and the Aging Committee. At 92 years old, Grassley is the oldest sitting United States senator and the sixth-longest-serving senator in American history. He is known for his annual tradition of visiting all 99 counties in Iowa, a practice he has maintained for 46 consecutive years.

Early Life

Charles Ernest Grassley was born on September 17, 1933, in New Hartford, Iowa, a small community in Butler County. He grew up on a farm in the rural heartland of Iowa, an upbringing that shaped his lifelong connection to agriculture and rural communities. Grassley's family background was rooted in the farming traditions of the Midwest, and he maintained ties to farming throughout his political career.

Growing up during the Great Depression and World War II era, Grassley experienced firsthand the challenges facing rural American families. His early years in New Hartford instilled in him the values of hard work and community engagement that would become hallmarks of his political identity. The agricultural economy of Iowa, with its dependence on crop prices, trade policy, and federal farm programs, became a central focus of his public service career spanning more than six decades.

Education

Grassley pursued his higher education at the University of Northern Iowa (then known as Iowa State Teachers College), where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He continued his studies at the same institution, completing a Master of Arts degree. He also undertook doctoral studies at the University of Iowa, though he did not complete a doctoral degree. His educational background provided the foundation for what would become one of the longest careers in American legislative history.

Career

Iowa House of Representatives (1959–1975)

Grassley began his political career at the state level, winning election to the Iowa House of Representatives in 1958. He took office on January 12, 1959, succeeding Wayne Ballhagen as the representative for his district. Grassley served eight consecutive terms in the Iowa House, remaining in the state legislature until January 3, 1975, when he was succeeded by Raymond Lageschulte. During his 16 years in the Iowa House, Grassley established himself as a reliable legislator with a focus on agricultural issues and fiscal conservatism. His long tenure in state government gave him extensive experience in legislative processes and constituent relations that would serve him well in his subsequent career in Washington, D.C.

United States House of Representatives (1975–1981)

In 1974, Grassley won election to the United States House of Representatives, representing Iowa's 3rd congressional district. He succeeded longtime Representative H. R. Gross, who had held the seat for 26 years. Grassley served three terms in the House, from January 3, 1975, to January 3, 1981. During his time in the House, he continued to focus on agricultural policy and fiscal responsibility, building a reputation as a hardworking and accessible representative. He was succeeded in the House by Cooper Evans when he moved on to run for the Senate.

United States Senate (1981–present)

Early Senate Career

In 1980, Grassley won election to the United States Senate, defeating incumbent Democratic Senator John Culver. He took office on January 3, 1981, and has served continuously since that date, making him one of the longest-serving senators in American history. As a junior senator from Iowa, Grassley quickly established himself as a member focused on agricultural policy, government oversight, and fiscal matters. He built a reputation for bipartisan work while maintaining a conservative voting record consistent with Iowa Republican politics.

Over the decades, Grassley has won reelection multiple times, consistently demonstrating strong support among Iowa voters. His electoral record reflects his deep connections to the state and the effectiveness of his constituent outreach efforts, including his annual 99-county tour.

Committee Chairmanships

Throughout his Senate career, Grassley has held chairmanships of several major committees, reflecting his seniority and influence within the Republican caucus.

Senate Aging Committee (1997–2001): Grassley served as chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging from January 3, 1997, to January 3, 2001, succeeding William Cohen and being succeeded by John Breaux.

Senate Finance Committee: Grassley served three separate stints as chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over taxation, trade, Social Security, Medicare, and other major fiscal programs. His first tenure as chairman was brief, from January 20, 2001, to June 6, 2001, when the shift in Senate control following the party switch of Senator Jim Jeffords transferred the chairmanship back to Democrat Max Baucus. Grassley resumed the chairmanship when Republicans regained the Senate majority, serving from January 3, 2003, to January 3, 2007. He returned to the Finance Committee chairmanship a third time from January 3, 2019, to February 3, 2021.

As Finance Committee chairman, Grassley played a significant role in shaping tax policy and trade legislation. He was involved in oversight of tax-exempt organizations, including an investigation into whether certain religious ministries were complying with tax laws governing nonprofit organizations. He also pursued oversight of Americans living abroad and their tax obligations, an issue that garnered international attention.

Senate Narcotics Control Caucus (2015–2019): Grassley chaired the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control from January 3, 2015, to January 3, 2019, succeeding Dianne Feinstein and being succeeded by John Cornyn.

Senate Judiciary Committee: Grassley has served two stints as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He first held the chairmanship from January 3, 2015, to January 3, 2019, succeeding Patrick Leahy and being succeeded by Lindsey Graham. He resumed the chairmanship on January 3, 2025, succeeding Dick Durbin. As Judiciary Committee chairman, Grassley has overseen the confirmation process for federal judges, including Supreme Court nominees. He has also used the committee to conduct oversight of federal agencies, including investigations into potential security concerns involving foreign governments. In February 2026, Grassley, in his capacity as Judiciary Committee chairman, jointly sent letters with Representative John Moolenaar of the Select Committee on China to NASA and the FBI alerting them to CCP-linked research collaboration concerns.

President Pro Tempore

Upon the retirement of Senator Orrin Hatch on January 3, 2019, Grassley became the most senior Republican in the Senate and assumed the position of president pro tempore of the United States Senate, placing him third in the presidential line of succession. He served in this role until January 20, 2021, when the Democratic Party gained control of the Senate, at which point Patrick Leahy assumed the position. From January 20, 2021, to January 3, 2025, Grassley held the title of president pro tempore emeritus. He resumed the president pro tempore role on January 3, 2025, succeeding Patty Murray.

Upon the retirement of Senator Patrick Leahy in January 2023, Grassley became the dean of the Senate, the title given to the longest-serving current member of the body.

Oversight and Accountability Work

Grassley has built a reputation as a congressional watchdog, conducting oversight investigations across multiple administrations of both parties. His investigative work has covered topics including government waste, fraud in federal programs, and conflicts of interest in federally funded research. One notable area of oversight involved investigations into conflicts of interest among researchers receiving funding from the National Institutes of Health. A Stanford researcher who was the subject of scrutiny regarding conflicts of interest stepped down as an NIH principal investigator following attention to the matter.

Grassley has also been involved in efforts to increase transparency regarding the operations of nonprofit organizations and tax-exempt entities, using his positions on the Finance and Judiciary Committees to pursue investigations into potential misuse of tax-exempt status.

In the technology sector, Grassley's oversight work extended to issues involving corporate practices and their intersection with public policy.

Agricultural Policy

As a senator from Iowa, one of the nation's leading agricultural states, Grassley has consistently prioritized farm policy throughout his career. He has been a strong advocate for Iowa farmers and has focused on trade policy as it affects agricultural exports. In February 2026, Grassley met with Farm Bureau members in Audubon, Iowa, to discuss key issues affecting the agricultural sector.

Grassley has been vocal on trade and tariff policy, particularly as it relates to agriculture. Following a Supreme Court ruling on presidential tariff authority in February 2026, Grassley weighed in on the implications for presidential powers and potential tariff refunds, suggesting that the full implications of the ruling had not been fully resolved. Iowa politicians, including Grassley, indicated readiness for Congress to take an increased role in shaping U.S. trade policy following the ruling.

Ahead of the 2026 State of the Union Address, Grassley expressed hope that the address would spotlight agriculture and bridge safety among its topics, alongside anticipated discussion of tariffs, the economy, and immigration.

Healthcare Policy

During the healthcare reform debates of 2009 and 2010, Grassley was a prominent voice in the Republican opposition to certain provisions of what would become the Affordable Care Act. He expressed opposition to insurance mandates, a position that came under scrutiny from some observers. Grassley also made statements regarding end-of-life provisions in proposed healthcare legislation, claiming that the government should not "decide when to pull the plug on grandma," a characterization of the legislation that became part of the broader national debate over healthcare reform.

Other Legislative Positions

Grassley co-sponsored a constitutional amendment to prohibit flag desecration, aligning with other Republican senators on the issue.

99-County Tour

One of Grassley's most recognized traditions is his annual tour of all 99 counties in Iowa, which he has conducted for 46 consecutive years. The practice, which involves town hall meetings and visits with constituents in every county regardless of population or political leaning, has become a defining feature of Grassley's approach to representation. In 2026, Grassley continued the tradition, with stops including meetings with Farm Bureau members and visits to communities across the state. During his 2026 county tour, Grassley wrote about Grant Wood and Iowa's cultural heritage, reflecting on what he learns during his travels across the state.

Personal Life

Grassley has five children. His grandson, Pat Grassley, has followed him into Iowa politics and has served in the Iowa House of Representatives, continuing the family's tradition of public service in the state.

Grassley has maintained his connection to farming throughout his political career, and his identity as an Iowa farmer has been a consistent element of his public image. He has been noted for his accessibility to constituents and his regular presence in Iowa despite the demands of his Senate duties in Washington, D.C.

Recognition

Grassley's longevity in public office has earned him several distinctions. He is the longest-serving Republican in the history of the United States Congress, surpassing all other Republican members who have served in either chamber. He is also the sixth-longest-serving senator in the history of the United States Senate and, at 92 years old, the oldest sitting senator.

His role as president pro tempore places him third in the presidential line of succession, after the Vice President and the Speaker of the House. He has held this position during two separate periods of Republican Senate majority, first from 2019 to 2021 and again beginning in January 2025.

Grassley's annual 99-county tour has been described as one of the most extensive ongoing constituent outreach programs in the Senate. The practice has been cited as a model of representative accessibility and has drawn attention from political observers and media outlets throughout his career.

Legacy

Chuck Grassley's career in public office spans more than six decades, beginning with his election to the Iowa House of Representatives in 1958 and continuing through his current service as president pro tempore of the United States Senate. His tenure makes him one of the most enduring figures in American legislative history and the most senior Republican to have served in Congress.

Grassley's legislative legacy is defined by several key themes: oversight of government spending and institutional accountability, agricultural policy reflecting Iowa's interests, and a constituent-focused approach to representation exemplified by his 99-county tour. His chairmanships of the Finance Committee and Judiciary Committee placed him at the center of major policy debates over taxation, trade, judicial confirmations, and healthcare policy.

His oversight work has spanned multiple presidential administrations and has targeted waste, fraud, and conflicts of interest across federal agencies and federally funded institutions. This work has contributed to his reputation as one of the Senate's most persistent investigators, regardless of which party controls the executive branch.

Grassley's family connection to Iowa politics continues through his grandson Pat Grassley, who has served in the Iowa House of Representatives, suggesting that the Grassley name may remain a presence in Iowa political life for years to come.

As of February 2026, Grassley continues to serve actively in the Senate, chairing the Judiciary Committee, fulfilling his duties as president pro tempore, and maintaining his tradition of meeting constituents in every Iowa county each year.