Iowa Senator takes student questions on gay marriage

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley visited a Paideia classroom last Monday, April 6 to answer students’ and observers’ questions about topics ranging from education to Cuba to healthcare.

Grassley, who has served in the Senate since 1980, visited the classroom of Joseph Needham, assistant professor of history, as part of his annual tour of all 99 counties in Iowa.

On gay marriage

The first topic Grassley addressed was the recent Iowa Supreme Court decision on gay marriage. He described the matter as a “completely ‘Iowa’ issue” but commented on the issue at a national level.

“It seems like younger people are a little more in favor of that than people who are older,” Grassley said. “So it could become a bigger issue, but I don’t think tomorrow … I’m talking about a few years down the road.”

One reason gay marriage may not sweep the national stage and U.S. House and Senate is the nature of marriage law.

“The issue of marriage law has always been state law, never federal law,” Grassley said.

On Luther’s government money for Valders

Recently, Iowa Congressman Tom Latham secured almost $1 million for Luther and Valders renovations as an earmark on a bill passed in Congress. Some controversy surrounds the money, as Latham originally voted against the bill. Grassley addressed the issue of Latham taking ‘credit’ for getting this funding for the project.

“[The earmark] probably wouldn’t even be in there if [Latham] hadn’t put it in…so he can take credit for it,” Grassley said.

On the recession

“Our country is 233 years old, we’ve gone over humps … worse than this before,” Grassley said. “So I guess … looking at the history of our country, the basic strength of our infrastructure and the strengths of our people, we will get through it. It’s just a matter of when.”

On alternative energy

Grassley also spoke on alternative energy sources and Iowa’s role in its production. He described himself as the “father of the wind-energy tax credit.” According to Grassley, Iowa is second in the nation in wind-energy generation. He also emphasized Iowa’s role in bio-fuel production. “The future of all those things [alternative energies] are great,” Grassley said.

On healthcare

Grassley serves on the Senate Committee on Finance with Senator Max Baucus of Montana. He spoke about his committee’s involvement with healthcare reform.

“It’s going to take up [to] … 50 percent of [Senator Baucus’ and my] time over the next six months,” Grassley said. “It’s very comprehensive … and probably the most massive job [Baucus] and I have taken on in the eight years we’ve been working together.”

On government control of business

“It’s bad … because there are a lot of things about the federal government that it doesn’t know how to run what it’s already doing, without trying to run General Motors.”

Grassley will continue his tour through 33 counties of Iowa’s 99 through April 18 with his stop in Black Hawk County.