WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is pressing Attorney General Eric Holder to direct the Department of Justice to publicly disclose its opinions, analyses and conclusions concerning the lawfulness of all executive orders proposed by the President.

"The President has made it clear that he'll circumvent Congress if it doesn't act on the President's priorities.  His actions suggest a certain amount of disrespect for the legislative branch and the checks and balances set forth in the Constitution," Grassley said.  "It would be a constructive step, and consistent with the President's commitment for unprecedented levels of transparency, for the Justice Department to release its opinions and analyses on the constitutionality of the President's executive actions."

In a letter to Holder Grassley wrote, "I am gravely concerned that the system of checks and balances enshrined in the Constitution is threatened by the President's determination to take unilateral action if he cannot persuade Congress and the American people of the merits of his ideas."

The President's use of executive orders is subject to review by the Department of Justice. The Office of Legal Counsel at the department reviews all executive orders proposed to be issued by the President to determine whether they are constitutional and otherwise lawful.

Grassley added, "This specific measure of transparency will allow both Congress and the American people to know whether these orders are being subjected to a rigorous constitutional review at the Department of Justice, as well as to better understand - and if necessary to challenge - the legal basis upon which they are purportedly issued."

A copy of the text of the letter  is below.  A signed copy can be found here.

 

January 31, 2014

Via Electronic Transmission

 

The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr.

Attorney General

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20530

 

Dear Attorney General Holder:

I write today to follow up on my question concerning the President's use of Executive Orders that I posed to you during Wednesday's Department of Justice oversight hearing.

In his State of the Union address earlier this week, the President made plain his intention to implement his agenda through aggressive use of these orders - whether or not the Congress and the American people agree.  I am gravely concerned that the system of checks and balances enshrined in the Constitution is threatened by the President's determination to take unilateral action if he cannot persuade Congress and the American people of the merits of his ideas.  In short, while the President recently remarked that he has a pen and a phone, we have a Constitution that places limits on his use of them to issue Executive Orders.

My concern about the President's proposed use of these orders is heightened by the Administration's record of failing to discharge its constitutional duty to "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed," either by declining to enforce laws with which it does not agree or delaying or waiving portions of other laws to suit its convenience.

However, the President's use of these orders is subject to review by the Department of Justice.  Since the passage of the Judiciary Act of 1789, the Attorney General has been authorized to render opinions on questions of law when requested by the President and the heads of Executive Branch departments.  Today, as you know, the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel ("OLC") provides legal advice to the Executive Branch on constitutional questions.  More specifically, OLC reviews all Executive Orders proposed to be issued by the President to determine whether they are constitutional and otherwise lawful.  OLC's role in this process provides a valuable opportunity to increase transparency concerning the President's use of these orders.

Therefore, I reiterate my request that you direct OLC to publicly disclose its opinions, analyses and conclusions concerning the lawfulness of all Executive Orders proposed to be issued by the President.  Moreover, I request that these disclosures be made contemporaneously with the issuing of any such order OLC deems to be lawful.

On numerous occasions, the President has claimed that he is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness and transparency in government, but he has failed to do so.  This specific measure of transparency will allow both Congress and the American people to know whether these orders are being subjected to a rigorous constitutional review at the Department of Justice, as well as to better understand - and if necessary to challenge - the legal basis upon which they are purportedly issued.

Given the urgency of this matter, I respectfully request a response by February 14th.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley

WEST BRANCH, IOWA– Visitors to West Branch can learn more about Herbert Hoover and other presidents this Presidents Day weekend. On Saturday, February 15 a park ranger discusses "Herbert Hoover's National Parks": special places like Arches, Isle Royale, George Washington Birthplace, Sunset Crater Volcano, and other national parks and monuments preserved by Herbert Hoover's administration. The presentation is free and begins at 2 p.m. in the visitor center.

Following "Herbert Hoover's National Parks" on February 15 will be the grand opening of the historic site's new permanent exhibits from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The new exhibits tell the stories of President Hoover's childhood in West Branch and how he later helped develop the park which commemorates his life. The grand opening is free. Refreshments will be offered by the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library Association.

The new exhibits feature artifacts, archival photographs and documents, text panels, and audio-visual programs. Along with the park's map and guide, audio tour, and introductory film, they complement visitors' exploration of the restored buildings and commemorative landscape of the historic site and the extensive galleries of Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum.

On Monday, February 17  at Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, archivist Craig Wright will present "Presidential Parade",  a fun look at our presidents and the presidential library system. The presentation begins at 2 p.m. and is free with paid admission to the museum. It includes stories and images of presidents connections to both Herbert Hoover and fellow Iowan, Pulitzer Prize winning political cartoonist Jay "Ding" Darling. The Hidden Works of Jay N. "Ding" Darling, a temporary exhibit, is on display at the Presidential Library and Museum from until March, 23, 2014.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

110 Parkside Drive

PO Box 607

West Branch, Iowa 52358

 

319 643-2541 phone

319 643-7864 fax

www.nps.gov/heho


Twitter: @HooverNPS

Facebook: HerbertHooverNHS

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa tonight made the following comment on President Obama's State of the Union address.

"The Constitution created three branches of the federal government and checks and balances among the branches that are fundamental to our strength as a nation.  Based on that, the President should use his pen and phone to build coalitions on Capitol Hill and sign legislation into law, not issue executive orders that Congress and the American people don't support.

"The President spoke about inequality.  Congress and the President should find common ground and create economic growth that builds people up.  We ought to reform the tax code to close loopholes and give job creators the certainty and confidence to expand, hire and raise wages.  We can't tax and spend our way to prosperity through government.

"The President should work with Congress to renew Trade Promotion Authority so we have more places around the world to export what we make and grow in Iowa and other states.

"The President should promote energy independence and new jobs by approving the Keystone Pipeline and faithfully executing the 2007 federal law that created the Renewable Fuel Standard.

"Together, we should strengthen the patent system to clear the way for entrepreneurs and inventors to create, innovate and grow minus the patent trolls who abuse the system with frivolous lawsuits.

"Washington should first try to get the most bang for the buck out of existing programs before rushing to create more.  For example, too many housing dollars go to executives and bureaucrats instead of people in need.  The IRS whistleblower office is limping along, when it could be helping to collect billions of tax dollars that are already due.  The Justice Department could criminally prosecute Wall Street executives who defraud consumers instead of settling for pennies on the dollar.  The IRS could make public disclosures from colleges and other major tax-exempt groups more readily available or maybe even require more disclosure in exchange for their tax exemption so executive perks and other spending that contributes to college costs receives scrutiny.

"If the President is willing to work with Congress, there are a number of areas where we can work together to create economic growth and get more from the taxpayer dollars already in the U.S. treasury."

 

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after President Obama delivered the State of the Union address.

"My number one priority and the heart of what I have always fought for is to create jobs and grow the economy.  The middle class, and those looking to join the middle class, must have the tools and opportunity to pull themselves up and fulfill the American dream. As someone who grew up in poverty, I know the hard work and determination it takes to succeed.  I also know that without ladders of opportunity, hardworking families will continue to fall behind and young kids growing up like I did will watch the American Dream slip farther out of their reach. One way we can immediately help working families is by raising the minimum wage and I applaud the President for making it a priority, as I have been calling for.

"I also strongly back the President's focus on expanding education, skills training and high-tech manufacturing. I have long pushed to ensure workers can receive the training they need to secure good jobs and employers have access to a workforce with the skills that are needed for them to expand, boost our economy, and out-compete the global competition. To get our country moving again, we have to work to reinvigorate our manufacturing base. We must put Iowans to work while maintaining and investing in the infrastructure that is critical to our communities' well-being and economic development.

"What was not discussed enough tonight was the need to advance our rural communities and our renewable energy sector. Far too often these are left behind by Washington. Our rural economy and renewable energy sector have created good jobs and brought economic development to rural Iowa. Washington must also work to serve our veterans with the dignity and honor they deserve, including securing a good job when they return home after serving our country.

"Of course, none of these priorities will be possible if Congress doesn't put aside the partisan gridlock and ideological divisions that have threatened our economy time and again. Iowans know how to work together to get things done. It's far past time for Washington to learn from our great state and get to work on the real priorities of Iowa families and job creators. I look forward to working with the President and people on both sides of the aisle to move our country forward."

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Comments submitted on final day of the EPA's public comment period regarding a proposed rule weakening the Renewable Fuel Standard  

   

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today sent a letter to President Barack Obama and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy submitting comments and studies that support a robust Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The submission, which includes comments from Democrats and Republicans across the Midwest, comes on the final day the EPA will accept comments on their proposed rule to roll-back the RFS.  

   

Branstad and Reynolds write, "We write to strongly encourage you to revise and increase the proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume obligation levels to thresholds that will demonstrate your continued commitment to growing the production and use of renewable fuels.  A robust RFS is needed to provide the Federal policy predictability that rural America needs to continue investments in the renewable fuels that diversify our nation's energy portfolio, clean the air, provide value-added opportunities to various bio-stocks, give consumers lower-cost choices at the fuel pump, and create good paying jobs that empower rewarding careers."  

   

The letter continues, "As state leaders, we are keenly focused on helping create a business and public policy environment that drives job growth throughout the State - in communities both large and small, urban and rural.  We share the concerns of many Iowans and citizens throughout the Midwest that the EPA's current proposal will erode the healthy and stable agricultural economy in rural America and abandon the various public policy benefits that flow from the RFS."  

   

The letter includes comments from Iowa's entire Congressional Delegation, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham, Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Chuck Gipp, Iowa Department of Transportation Director Paul Trombino, Indiana Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Dave Fredrickson, South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Lucas Lentsch, Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach, Iowa Farm Bureau President Craig Hill, in addition to local farmers and business leaders.  

   

The letter concludes, "We appreciate your past support on renewable fuels and the commitments you have pledged.  We hope you will protect the RFS, renew your commitment, and stand strong along with us, consumers, and agricultural producers in supporting American-made renewable fuels."  

   

   

The full letter can be viewed here or below:  

 

January 28, 2014

The Honorable Barack Obama                       The Honorable Gina McCarthy

President of the United States                        Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.                   1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, DC  20500                          Washington, DC 20460

Re: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0479

Dear President Obama and Administrator McCarthy:

We write to strongly encourage you to revise and increase the proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume obligation levels to thresholds that will demonstrate your continued commitment to growing the production and use of renewable fuels.  A robust RFS is needed to provide the Federal policy predictability that rural America needs to continue investments in the renewable fuels that diversify our nation's energy portfolio, clean the air, provide value-added opportunities to various bio-stocks, give consumers lower-cost choices at the fuel pump, and create good paying jobs that empower rewarding careers.  Specifically, we ask your Administration to increase the biodiesel volume to 1.7 billion gallons, modify the cellulosic level to match production expectations, and to reinstate the conventional renewable fuel target to 14.4 billion gallons since there is no domestic supply shortage.  The gradually increasing RFS levels have been an important part of diversifying our nation's transportation fuels and reducing fuel costs at the pump.

On January 23, 2014, we hosted the "Hearing in the Heartland" in cooperation with the entire Iowa congressional delegation, state leaders, interested citizens and community leaders from across the Midwest.  At this open forum where all interested citizens were invited to present, we heard from 83 panelists from across the Midwest Region that spoke from the heart about the importance of the RFS to their livelihoods and a healthy rural economy; only two individuals presented in opposition to a robust RFS.  As you can see by the numbers, there is overwhelming consensus in the Heartland for the EPA to reverse course on its draft proposal and reject Big Oil's attempt to get rewarded for bad behavior.  The bipartisan support at the forum mirrored the strong bipartisan support that led to the initial passage of the RFS provisions, which aim to promote the development of a domestic renewable fuels industry.  The RFS, which enables gradually increasing amounts of renewable fuels to be included in nation's fuel supply, is one of the best recent examples of a policy success that has come out of Washington, DC.


As state leaders, we are keenly focused on helping create a business and public policy environment that drives job growth throughout the State - in communities both large and small, urban and rural.  We share the concerns of many Iowans and citizens throughout the Midwest that the EPA's current proposal will erode the healthy and stable agricultural economy in rural America and abandon the various public policy benefits that flow from the RFS.  For decades, the agricultural economy lurched from crisis to crisis and farmers often depended on government subsidies to stay afloat.  The RFS helped brighten the future of the agricultural sector by providing a stable policy framework that gives value-add opportunities for various agricultural commodities, while helping clean air objectives - a true win-win.  In recent years, there has been renewed interest in agriculture among young people given the hope that follows stable policy, innovation, and technological advancement.

In many ways, the agriculture economy has been a bright spot in the national economy over the last five years and the draft RFS proposal would jeopardize the health of the economy in rural America.  Put simply, continuing with the current EPA proposal would create a negative counterbalance to your Administration's work in the White House Rural Council.

During the "Hearing in the Heartland", there were many references to recent data analyses, not utilized in the EPA's draft regulations, that we believe provide you the opportunity and obligation to refine the draft EPA proposal.  We have enclosed a document entitled "State of Iowa RFS Proposal Comments:  Legal Concerns, Current Data and Perspective from the Heartland" which shares legal concerns on the EPA proposal, sources for relevant recent analyses, and perspectives of citizens from across the Midwest.

If the EPA's currently proposed rule becomes final, the negative impact would be disproportionately felt by rural America.  According to an Iowa State University estimate, corn prices alone could drop twenty-five cents per bushel based on the proposed rule, which could bring corn prices below the cost of production for many farmers.  The proposed EPA rule could also cause a ripple effect on agri-business, our communities, and the entire economy.  Despite Big Oil's attempt to pollute the public discourse, corn prices are now close to $4 per bushel, down significantly from the 2012 drought levels of $8 per bushel. 

We want to address the fuel versus food argument and environmental questions that often enter the discussion on renewable fuels.  At the height of the drought, the ethanol industry was assailed for causing increases in food costs.  If this argument was true, then why have food prices not plummeted now that corn is nearly half the price it was during the drought?  Renewable fuel critics often ignore the fact that a modern dry-mill ethanol refinery produces 17.5 pounds of highly valuable DDGs from one bushel of corn which is utilized by cattle producers throughout the Midwest.  Critics also claim that the RFS has driven more acres into production and increased fertilizer demand.  However, the truth is quite the contrary.  Total U.S. cropland planted to corn in the 1930's was 103 million acres versus the 97 million acres in 2013, and thanks to improved agricultural practices and the precision of modern technologies and applications, the use of fertilizer has decreased substantially in recent decades.[1] In short, thanks to the productivity of America's farmers and the innovation in the agricultural and renewable fuel sectors, we can both feed and fuel the world.

If the EPA's proposed rule stands, consumers across America would be limited in their choices at the pump.  When consumers have choices, like they do in Iowa, they choose ethanol and other biofuels.  The oil companies are preventing fuel choice in other parts of the country and consumers lose, paying much more for fuel.  Iowans purchased more than 3.61 million gallons of E85 in the third quarter of 2013, nearly double the 1.83 million gallons of E85 purchased in the first quarter of 2013 and up from the 2.62 million gallons of E85 sold in the second quarter, according to Iowa Department of Revenue data.  Big Oil does not like renewable fuels because they don't control them - but consumers deserve choice.

We urge your Administration to use its regulatory authority in a manner that both supports a growing renewable fuels industry and meets the statutory requirements of the law. 

We appreciate your past support on renewable fuels and the commitments you have pledged.  We hope you will protect the RFS, renew your commitment, and stand strong along with us, consumers, and agricultural producers in supporting American-made renewable fuels.

Sincerely,

Terry E. Branstad                       Kim Reynolds

Governor of Iowa                           Lt. Governor of Iowa

cc:        The Honorable Tom Vilsack, Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture

The Honorable Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture

The Iowa Congressional Delegation

 

                WASHINGTON ? A comment from Sen. Chuck Grassley regarding President Obama's State of the Union Address will be available tonight for television and radio.  A written comment will also be sent later this evening.  

                An audio comment is expected to be available after 9 p.m. (CST) on Grassley's website, Grassley.senate.gov

                Video comments will be available by satellite between 9:15 and 9:45 p.m. (CST) at the following coordinates:     

SD Coordinates

AMC 1

Transponder C22 Slot A (9MHz)

Downlink 4126.50 Vertical

FEC ¾

Symbol Rate 6.1113

Data Rate 8.448

MPEG-2

DVB-S QPSK

4:2:0

SD 4:3 NTSC

 

HD Coordinates

AMC 1

Transponder C24 Slot A (18MHz)

Downlink 4171.00 Vertical

FEC ¾

Symbol Rate 13.235

MPEG-2

DVB-S QPSK

4:2:0

HD 16x9 1080i

Please call the control room at 202-224-9203 if there are problems during the feed. 

 

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(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging the administration to take action to help ease the burden the propane shortage is putting on Iowans and other Midwesterners.

Branstad and Reynolds write, "We write to share our concern regarding the shortage of propane fuel across the Midwest, including Iowa.  With the lack of supply and increased demand during recent cold weather, propane prices have drastically increased. This has negatively impacted Iowa families, businesses, and agricultural producers across the State of Iowa."

The letter continues, "We urge the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand the exemption to the hours-of-service regulations to ease the movement of propane fuel to customers in states facing shortages.  We would also welcome actions by the U.S. Department of Energy to reduce regulatory barriers to expedite the shipments of propane via all modes of transportation, including rail and pipeline. In addition, we urge you and your Administration to examine current propane market forces and consider exercising your authority outlined in 42 U.S.C. § 6212 to ensure there is a sufficient domestic supply."

The letter sent to President Obama comes after Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds worked with Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst to ease restrictions in Texas, allowing for greater propane supply to be shipped to states in need.

Iowans who may need aid from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) should contact their local LIHEAP community action agency or the Iowa Department of Human Rights at 515-281-0859Eligibility requirements for LIHEAP can be found here.

The full text of the letter to President Obama is below.

January 27, 2014

The Honorable Barack Obama                      

President of the United States                       

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. 

Washington, DC  20500           

   

Dear President Obama:  

We write to express our concern regarding the shortage of propane fuel across Iowa, the entire Midwest, and expanding to other parts of the United States.  With the lack of supply and increased demand due to recent cold weather, propane prices have drastically increased. This has negatively impacted Iowa families, businesses, and agricultural producers across the State of Iowa.  Prices in some Midwest locations have now exceeded $5 per gallon.  Such prices are unsustainable for families, farmers, and businesses. Iowa, like many states across the nation, have taken actions to address the situation and now your Administration's leadership is needed to ensure that the necessary propane fuel is available for our fellow citizens to heat their homes, livestock producers to warm their animals, and businesses to fuel their operations.   

We urge the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand the exemption to the hours-of-service regulations to ease the movement of propane fuel to customers in states facing shortages.  We would also welcome actions by the U.S. Department of Energy to reduce regulatory barriers to expedite the shipments of propane via all modes of transportation, including rail and pipeline. In addition, we urge you and your Administration to examine current propane market forces and consider exercising your authority outlined in 42 U.S.C. § 6212 to ensure there is a sufficient domestic supply.  We are closely monitoring needs of communities throughout the state.  If emergency deliveries of propane are deemed necessary, we would ask for your Administration's help in addressing such an emergency situation through close coordination and adequate Federal resources.  Further, if propane prices do not return to sustainable levels in the very near future, it will be necessary to explore the adequacy of current resource allocations in Federal programs such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Rural Energy for America (REAP) programs. Finally, we would echo requests for the Federal Trade Commission to remain vigilant in its oversight responsibility to prevent anti-competitive behavior or illegal manipulation.  

Iowa leaders are actively working to mitigate the current shortage in various ways.  State of Iowa actions include : 

  • ·         Easing of State Transport Regulations and Active Monitoring: The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Governor's office are actively monitoring propane supplies and prices.  Working in conjunction with the Iowa Homeland Security Emergency Management Department (HSEMD) and the Iowa Department of Transportation, the Governor issued an emergency declaration to ease propane transport within the State of Iowa on Oct. 25, 2013 - the declaration has been and will be extended further as needed. State officials have been coordinating with our counterparts in other states, including seeking regulatory relief for licensing, permitting and certification requirements regarding liquefied petroleum gas trucks and operators in states that can help expedite the supply of propane - for example, Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds reached out to Texas officials and asked for regulatory transport relief which was granted on January 22, 2014.  Last week, the Governor's Office asked the Midwest Governor's Association to drive collaboration across state lines.  The HSEMD is actively monitoring propane issues in other states across the country to assist relevant planning scenarios.  In addition, HSEMD is in contact with local emergency managers to actively monitor the situation in counties and communities across the State, especially rural Iowa.

  • ·         Providing Flexibilities in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): The Iowa Department of Human Rights (DHR) has allocated an additional $600,000, now totaling $1.8 million, in Emergency Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) funds within LIHEAP to local agencies and raised the maximum ECIP payment from $500 to $650 for emergency propane delivery.  The DHR is working with local LIHEAP agencies and propane vendors to lower minimum delivery requirements to no more than 200 gallons and emphasizing to agencies that an allowable cost under ECIP includes the purchase of an electric portable heater. DHR has changed policy to allow a portion of a household's ECIP benefit to be applied to a secondary vendor to help cover the costs of electricity for the use of portable electric heaters and is actively coordinating with the Iowa Propane Gas Association.  DHR has actively encouraged families in need to contact their local community action agency to apply for LIHEAP.

We would welcome your Administration's active engagement on the propane shortage issue here in Iowa and throughout the Midwest.  Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Terry E. Branstad                       Kim Reynolds

Governor of Iowa                           Lt. Governor of Iowa

cc:        Bill Northey, Secretary, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Paul Trombino III, Director, Iowa Department of Transportation

San Wong, Iowa Department of Human Rights

Mark Schouten, Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

###

CANTON, MO (01/22/2014)(readMedia)-- Ian Sodawasser, senior musical theatre major from Davenport, Iowa, was named to Culver-Stockton's President's List for work done during the fall 2013 semester.

To be named to the President's List, Culver-Stockton College requires students to meet high academic standards. President's List students have earned a 4.0 GPA and were enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours.

Culver-Stockton College, located in Canton, Mo., is a four-year residential institution in affiliation with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). C-SC specializes in experiential education and is one of only two colleges in the nation to offer the 12/3 semester calendar, where the typical 15 week semester is divided into two terms, a 12-week term and a 3-week term.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Senator Chuck Grassley, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, made the following comment after President Barack Obama spoke about the ongoing intelligence activities of the National Security Agency.

"I'm glad the President has finally weighed in on these important issues.  He reaffirmed his Review Group's conclusion that these intelligence programs are valuable tools that help protect our national security, and should not be dismantled.  However, his speech was in many ways short on the specifics critical to striking the right balance between maintaining civil liberties and protecting national security.   I look forward to hearing more specifics from the administration about its proposals as work continues in this area."

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - Truman State University has released the Fall 2013 President's List. To qualify for this list, an undergraduate student must attain a semester 4.0 grade point average and must complete 12 semester hours of credit.

Area students include :  Allison Jean Fullenkamp from Davenport, Iowa, Exercise Science

Founded in 1867, Truman is Missouri's highly selective public liberal arts and sciences university. Truman has the highest graduation rate among the state's public colleges and universities and approximately 50 percent of Truman students pursue an advanced degree immediately upon graduating. U.S. News & World Report has rated Truman as the No. 1 public university in the Midwest region for 17 consecutive years, and Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine places Truman at No. 12 in the nation on its list of "100 Best Values in Public Colleges." The University, located in Kirksville, enrolls more than 6,100 students.

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Prepared Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa

Ranking Member, Senate Committee on the Judiciary

"The Report of the President's Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies"

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this hearing.  I join you in welcoming the members of the President's Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies.

This is the latest in a series of hearings on the government's surveillance authorities that the Committee has held.  The NSA continues to be of great concern to my constituents and many across our country.

The most important responsibility of government is to protect our national security, while at the same time preserving our civil liberties.  This is a responsibility that's getting harder to meet.  Rapid changes in technology are making our enemies more lethal, our world more interconnected, and our privacy more subject to possible intrusion.

Under these circumstances, it's useful to hear a variety of perspectives, including from those outside government.  I thank the members of the Review Group for their service.

Some of the conclusions in the Review Group's report may help clarify the issues before us as we consider possible reforms.

First, according to the report, "although recent disclosures and commentary have created the impression in some quarters that NSA surveillance is indiscriminate and pervasive across the globe, that is not the case."  Moreover, the report concludes, "we have not uncovered any official efforts to suppress dissent or any intent to intrude into people's private lives without legal justification."

None of this means that the potential for abuse of these authorities shouldn't concern us.  It should.  Or that the NSA hasn't made serious mistakes.  Or that the law in this area couldn't be improved.  Indeed, there's a place for additional transparency, safeguards and oversight in this area. But these conclusions are helpful in clarifying the issues before us.

Second, the report recommends that "the national security of the United States depends on the continued capacity of NSA and other agencies to collect essential information.  In considering proposals for reform, now and for the future, policymakers should avoid the risk of overreaction and take care in making changes that could undermine the   capabilities of the Intelligence Community."  This seems like good advice.

One recommendation that may reflect this advice is the Review Group's proposal to preserve the government's controversial ability to query telephone metadata, but with some changes.

One of those recommended changes is that private entities hold the metadata.  This is an interesting idea perhaps worth investigating.  But I'm concerned that it may create as many privacy problems as it solves.  Indeed, private companies seem to be allowing their customers' information to be hacked on what seems like a daily basis.

Just as importantly, I'm concerned that in other instances the Review Group may not have followed its own advice.  Some of its other recommendations may seriously threaten our national security, especially if adopted collectively.

For example, some of the recommendations in the report appear to make it more difficult to investigate a terrorist than a common criminal.

Some appear to extend the rights of Americans to foreigners without a good reason.

And some appear to rebuild the wall between our law enforcement and national security communities that existed before September 11, 2001.  Of course, that wall helped contribute to our inability to detect and thwart the attack on that day.  Thousands died as a result.

I don't mean to criticize the effort or intentions of the Review Group.  But I'm concerned that the group was given such a relatively short time to do their work.  As a result, for example, I understand the group spent only one day at the NSA.

I'm also concerned that the group lacked some important perspectives.  For example, none of its members has any experience supervising terrorism investigations at the Department of Justice or the FBI.

And I'm concerned that the group produced a large number of recommendations, but didn't develop many of them fully.

As the Review Group wrote, its recommendations "will require careful assessment by a wide range of relevant officials, with close reference to the likely consequences."  I look forward to beginning that process today, and again welcome our witnesses.

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