Hawkeye Reporter

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) was the first guest on YouTube’s new series, “YouTube in Session,” which aims to connect members of Congress with YouTube content creators for public conversations. Grassley joined Emily Jashinsky, host of UnHerd’s “Undercurrents” podcast, for a discussion that covered topics including U.S. foreign policy, government oversight, legislative priorities, and changes in political communication.

During the conversation, Grassley addressed President Trump’s approach to peace efforts between Israel and Iran. He stated: “I don't think Iowans are different than Americans [on this issue]. They prefer peace to war, they prefer diplomacy to war… I think it's not a war against Iran, it's [a] war against Iran's nuclear capability. I haven't had the briefing on it that we're going to get Thursday, but we assume that what's been reported so far that...it’s decimated the Iranian nuclear program.

“I think it proves that the President says he's a peacemaker. Look it – he had 60 days. He wanted to negotiate. At the end of 60 days, he put on another two weeks that really turned out to be two days. I think he worked very closely with the Israelis, and I think he had plans for the Israelis to accomplish a heck of a lot before we put our efforts in jeopardy. And I think now that this...ceasefire, if it holds – you don’t know what the Ayatollah’s thinking right now – but maybe it'll bring about peace for another decade or two, or maybe longer than that.”

Grassley also spoke about his motivation for public service: "...I think [it’s] the responsibilities that we have to leave a better nation than we receive... I think since the pilgrims came here, this is about nine generations. Each generation's left the country better than the previous generation. That's a little bit in question now, but it's my responsibility to continue that as best we can.

“And...being number one in the United States Senate, as far as seniority is concerned, puts me in a position for my number one interest – the state of Iowa, to represent that. But it goes way beyond the state of Iowa... I think it's just the problems the country confronts, and your ability to help solve those problems.”

He commented on how media has changed political discourse: “[Podcasts are] something we've found out in the 2024 election made a big impact, particularly on people under 50 years of age, or maybe under 40 years of age.

“I was maybe one of the first ones [in the Senate] to get a fax machine, and I did satellite back to Iowa once a month, on a TV interview that I did. But whether it's that or radio programs I do – there's three that I do every week, but there's others I do once a month, maybe 10 or 12... [J]ournalism is a policeman, policing the political system we have. It's to keep government constitutional, to keep those of us in government abiding by the law [and] being ethical... You expect the freedom of the press, the First Amendment and the people that practice journalism to take that seriously and keep government functioning, and reduce the cynicism that people have towards government or towards politicians. All of that is to build respect – because we may have the best Constitution in the world and the longest living Constitution in the world, but that very good piece of paper is useless if people don't have respect for it. [Respect] for the institutions of government and for those of us that serve in government.”

On representative government and constituent dialogue Grassley said: “Whether it’s Twitter, or whether it’s the fax machine, or whether it’s radio programs, or whether it’s on podcasts...representative government is a dialogue with our constituents…

“I try to explain at my town meetings that I'm one-half of the process of representative government. You, my constituents,[are]the other one-half,and this face-to-face meeting we're having is best way do it.But only see few thousand people face-to-face as visit each one ninety-nine counties every year Q&A.So,I have depend upon email postal mail telephones any way people want communicate me.Because only see few thousand people,but I've got three and one-tenths million constituents…You're other half representative government,and you've got have dialogue.I've got know what's your mind."

Grassley discussed FBI oversight and whistleblowers: “There is great respect,maybe both political parties,FBI.But then...what journalists exposed well Chuck Grassley other people...You find out [FBI] can't be trusted,and word ‘political weaponization’ entirely legitimate.I think proved with what exposed about Special Agent Thibault lot other people aren't famous him.But mean,the actually [said] within their job FBI ‘we’re going see how can get Trump.’

“This all goes back pretty basic principle government.What learn eighth grade civics:checks balances government.We not only appropriate money,we not only pass laws,and that's not end it–you've got responsibility make sure executive branch faithfully executes those laws.That what it's all about.

“And then these big departments–or even small department–the people,the head,it can't know what's going underneath.They ought listening their whistleblowers…I think reputation taking most whistleblowing very seriously some stuff has been exposed,and then you find out they're retaliated against.Now,we’ve got friendly administration in,and we're getting some these whistleblowers back into their job or we’re getting them back their reputation…but you shouldn't treat whistleblowers way.And if people like Christopher Wray,before him,Comey–if they had listened whistleblowers,this stuff would’ve never happened.Unless they wanted happen.And can’t say wanted happen,but you can’t know what's going below.And just patriotic people call whistleblowers–they just want government do what government's supposed do spend money way Congress[and people country]want spent.

“So important Congress do its oversight work,and important executive branch listens whistleblowers.There no reason whistleblower come me if people management department–from low high–start listening them.

“Everything has been covered up first Trump administration without Trump knowing it,and Biden administration–we're getting cooperation need bring transparency government,to show what was wrong get protection whistleblowers,get them back job.We're getting full cooperation on[from this administration],and never got out Wray.”

On congressional authority over trade policy Grassley noted:“Just think,recent trade policies this administration[are]just little bit more severe than previous administrations under both Republicans Democrats.But that's all because Congress 1962 1974 delegated one its eighteen powers regulate interstate foreign commerce president.Now,you can take back,but imagine–if don't have two-thirds vote take back,president isn’t going give up.

“You‘ve got write legislation[that’s]more specific.And really easy say,'Well,we don't really know whether should use word sentence.Let's just say,give broad authority then let regulators figure out.'That's what Supreme Court now turning corner…In other words anything over $100 million economic impact–you better show us law exactly where Congress gave authority do.Now,this going put big burden Congress write legislation more specifically.That what should doing all time anyway.”

Addressing bipartisanship Grassley said:“Let start saying something I'm very sincere about saying:I don't think single senator dislikes me,and there's no senator dislike.And if anybody dislikes me,I don't want know who they are.

“And then another thing I think pretty important fact try work bipartisan way.So don't take word go Georgetown University website.Click Senator Lugar Center,and they index every year.And always top twelve,sometimes top five–nobody can beat Senator Collins; it'd be useless try.But then also remember Senate,institution drives bipartisanship because[of]sixty-vote requirement shut off debate get finality bill."

Grassley reflected on changes in Washington over his tenure:“The biggest way[the Senate's]changed forty-five years I've been Senate first twenty-five thirty years,we used start ten Monday go four Friday.And now…we start first vote five-thirty Monday,we work full day Tuesday,a full day Wednesday,and usually by two afternoon Thursday,it shut down.

“Now want make very clear–for individual senator,enough work between Iowa here.You can work seven days week if want…There's plenty work do more than just when Senate's session.But if you're going solve country's problems,you’ve got spend more than two half days week doing it.…

“…[W]e’ve got things more efficiently than we're doing basically nothing but confirmation body confirming nominations all time.

“This Senate under[Majority Leader]Thune has passed more legislation than[former Majority Leader]Schumer did last two years,but there's still lot more we've got do.I keep bringing up[that]haven't passed new five-year Farm Bill.It supposed done[in twenty-three hasn't been done.I think it'll done year.And then there's sixty-five seventy us[senators]who want prescription drug prices down by bringing Pharmaceutical Benefit Managers under control—PBMs,nobody knows what they do,and if knew what they do,we'd finding out some way reducing prescription drug prices.How going get those things[done]if you're just working two half days week?”

On tax legislation known as One Big Beautiful Bill Grassley said:“The[Senate Majority]Leader–and proud him saying this–[said]going stay session till get[this bill]done…It's got be done.

“If don't get bill passed,you'll largest tax increase history country—four seven-tenths trillion dollars over ten-year period time.It going really hurt middle class if don't do it.

“The Democrats are saying bill nothing but[to]cut taxes billionaires.But there isn't rate change from[two thousand seventeen tax cuts],so that's intellectually dishonest say.And[bill]does lot working men women like through not taxing tips helps senior citizens special credit them helps overtime pay economic benefits comes from

“We've got get bill passed,because economy disrupted much if big tax increase.And pass,it going really help economy grow.”