in this town, political arguments often change places very quickly. Actually, observers could get whiplash when that happens. Now, just think about just a few months back. Before this election, we had elected Democrats scaring voters with…

there has been a lot of finger wagging across the aisle by both Senate and House Democrats about accepting election results. Most of that has been related to whether or not Trump would concede the results of the election to Biden. But…

in late June, I came to the floor to speak about the need to fix the multiemployer pension system and how that system is failing its employees and retirees. I spoke about the need to secure retirement benefits for the millions of Americans…

we are getting, perhaps, close to a new Presidency. So there is a lot of talk about how the Senate might handle new Cabinet people. Democrats are always lecturing Republican Senators about approving future Biden Cabinet nominees, even if…

I thank both for these clarifications of their intent. I look forward to working with them toward these ends. ____________________

much ink has been spilled the past few years over the threat of foreign influence in our politics. It is a topic I have spoken about many times on this floor. This issue has become highly politicized, but it requires bipartisan agreement…

I ask unanimous consent for 1 minute in morning business, please. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

we all know that, without a doubt, 2020 has been a difficult year. But for me it was an important year to continue fighting for Iowans and listening to Iowans. This year I completed my 40th year of my 99 county meetings that included a Q&A…

I have two sentences before I ask unanimous consent. I think by passing the bill, this will give the Senate an opportunity to send a clear signal that it is serious about shining a light on foreign influence. Opposing it, in fact, would…

Of course I am disappointed, but I know that Senator Menendez is a serious legislator, and if what we have to do to do something in this area is work into the next Congress on this issue, I look forward to continuing to work for it. The…

we are probably all guilty of not remembering the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, but particularly during this time of year, it is especially difficult for them to be away from friends and family. Right now, there are almost…

as we approach the holiday season, many of us will be celebrating differently. COVID-19 may be limiting travel, family members we see in person, or other holiday traditions. Yet there is much to be grateful for. For me, I am thankful for…

I ask unanimous consent for 1 minute in morning business, please. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

for over a year, Senator Johnson and I investigated the Biden family's financial dealings. For over a year, the liberal media and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle falsely said that we were peddling Russian disinformation. They…

I come to the floor to thank the Library of Congress and to talk about something that honors our veterans. Iowa has a rich history of veterans serving on behalf of our country. Their service ensures that all Americans will live in peace…

I ask for 1 minute in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I speak about Iowans who are well noted for things wherever they live in Iowa, but I am particularly proud to speak about a person from Cedar Falls, IA, a town I know well because I have lived my entire 87 years on a farm 8 miles from…

I want to remind people of how Senator Johnson and I have been attacked over the months of 2020 for some investigation we have been doing, and I want to speak to that now. For over a year, Senator Johnson and I investigated the Biden…

on November 27, it was announced that the Iowa Air National Guard's 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, IA, has been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. This award was earned for the wing's exceptional service to the Air…

long before he was sworn into the U.S. Senate, my former colleague, Tom Harkin from Iowa, served in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam. He and I represented Iowans for 30 years together here in the U.S. Senate. Six years ago, I came to the floor to…

I want to visit with my colleagues about something that hasn't happened in Iowa for over 100 years. Over the weekend, the Iowa State football team completed their regular season play. The Cyclones are having a noteworthy season. They…

the Tuesday after Thanksgiving has been known as Giving Tuesday. I suppose this Giving Tuesday is receiving more attention than usual because of the virus pandemic that we have been in for the last 12 months. Like many sectors, the…

I have an amendment to offset the costs to the Social Security's disability insurance trust fund associated with S. 578. Eventhough my amendment did not gain the 60 vote threshold, I want my colleagues to know that you just can't tap into…

I want to tell my colleagues about a disappointment I have in some U.S. Department of Agriculture recent revisions of a proposed rule. Here is the background: I have long fought to strengthen the safety net so that Iowa family farmers and…

each 52 weeks of the year, I do four telephone news conferences with different groups of journalists. Most of the journalists are Iowans. Each week, without failure, a familiar voice opens one of my press calls with a very thoughtful…