Hawkeye Reporter

In a recent Q&A, Senator Chuck Grassley addressed the direction of U.S. climate policy and the Trump administration’s approach to environmental issues. Grassley, who previously served as ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, criticized the previous Congress for prioritizing climate-related hearings over fiscal matters.

Grassley said, “In the previous Congress, I served as ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee. The budget committee’s top job is drafting and enforcing the annual budget resolution that provides a public framework to manage the public purse. The budget resolution is the blueprint for congressional action on spending, revenue and the federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The committee also tracks the appropriations process to ensure spending levels abide by the budget resolution. However, despite there being another Senate committee with responsibility for the environment, the Democrat Senate Majority in the previous Congress derailed the Senate Budget Committee’s top mission to push a radical climate agenda. Instead of rolling up our sleeves to address the national debt and rein in deficit spending, the Budget Committee held 21 ‘climate change’ hearings, with themes on outdoor recreation, ‘fossil fuel overlords’ and a so-called climate-driven insurance crisis.”

He continued by questioning how media coverage and activists have framed climate change debates: “Climate change is a serious issue; an issue that merits a serious, science-based discussion. For years, a partisan-driven effort to create public hysteria about a climate-induced apocalypse has been manufactured by the media and climate activists. They’ve fought to shape public perception that man-made climate change poses an existential crisis to humanity. This whole hog approach to a climate-induced apocalypse was ginned up to allow for a whole-of-government solution. And the Obama and Biden administrations whipped up the climate frenzy to empower the federal bureaucracy and put the government in charge of economy and people’s everyday lives.”

Grassley pointed specifically at legislation like “the partisan-driven (and misnamed) Inflation Reduction Act that broke into Uncle Sam’s piggy bank to spend hundreds of billions to ‘tackle the climate crisis’ and ‘advance environmental justice.’”

He referenced new findings from within federal agencies: “The good news is the Trump administration’s Department of Energy is injecting desperately needed sanity and science into conversation. In July, it released a peer-reviewed analysis about impacts of greenhouse gas emissions developed by five independent scientists comprising Department of Energy’s 2025 Climate Working Group, including former chief scientific officer in Obama Energy Department.”

According to Grassley, this group found little evidence that most extreme weather events show long-term trends or increased frequency in U.S. historical data: “The Climate Working Group found most extreme weather events in U.S., such as hurricanes, tornados, floods and droughts do not show long-term trends and frequency and intensity of such extreme weather aren’t supported by U.S. historical data.” The report also questions established theories about greenhouse gases being primarily responsible for rising temperatures.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright was cited as saying media coverage distorts scientific understanding around natural disasters like flash flooding in Texas Hill Country. Grassley also noted Dr. Roger Pielke Jr.’s testimony before Congress emphasizing high standards for scientific integrity when forming policy: “Separately, another independent climate scientist Dr. Roger Pielke Jr., said historical data does not show flash flooding has become more common or severe. He’s also testified before Senate Budget Committee to impress upon lawmakers ‘absolute highest standards of scientific integrity’ are needed to shape climate policy.”

On his own efforts toward science-based policies addressing environmental concerns, Grassley highlighted his background as a farmer: “As lifelong family farmer I bring common sense environmental stewardship to policymaking table in Washington.” He added he supports debate grounded in data rather than ideology: “I welcome vigorous data-driven debate on climate change to ensure issue isn’t hijacked to restrict economic and personal freedoms.”

Grassley described past opposition during regulatory efforts under President Obama regarding agricultural practices: “During Obama administration I pushed back on pig-headed federal regulations on cow gas and Meatless Mondays.” He said Iowa farmers rely on sustainable methods based on science rather than fear.

He invited input from Iowans with expertise in agriculture or related fields: “That’s why I’m proud to invite my fellow Iowans share their expertise dispel Washington nonsense and a climate consensus driven by political agenda versus scientific integrity.” Last May he welcomed Dr. Michael Castellano from Iowa State University’s Department of Agronomy for testimony about water scarcity.

Grassley stated he would continue advocating for policies based on research through legislative work focused on renewable energy sources including biofuels—such as sustainable aviation fuel—and agricultural technologies like biochar.

“If American people fall hook line sinker for narrative that modern human activity is existential threat planet then Big Government will keep trying dictate American families what cars drive what foods eat where live whether energy resources will keep pace demand,” he said.

He concluded by promoting an inclusive approach toward energy production spanning fossil fuels alongside alternatives like wind or solar power: “World needs all above energy strategy lift people out poverty ensure adequate food supply government shouldn’t put up artificial barriers energy production from traditional fossil fuels alternative energy including wind solar.”

Grassley encouraged readers interested in further perspective from current officials—including Energy Secretary Chris Wright—to read an essay published July 31 in The Wall Street Journal titled "The Rise of Climate Right," which seeks clarification around scientific findings.