Senator Grassley Criticizes Democrats for Government Shutdown and Food Assistance Lapse

Government Funding and Food Assistance Crisis

• ⚠️ Senator Grassley sounded the alarm on a looming lapse in government funding that endangered food assistance for 42 million Americans.
• 🎯 He called on Senator Schumer to end partisanship and vote for a clean extension of government funding, noting that 45 Democrats opposed it 13 times while Republicans supported it 13 times.
• 😥 The Trump administration is using emergency funds as a temporary fix, covering only half a month of food stamps, leaving Iowans calling offices asking where to get food.
• 💡 Grassley invoked the saying "you're only nine meals away from a revolution" to highlight the potential consequences of food insecurity for families with children.
• 🤝 He urged Democrats to wake up and provide a permanent solution, referencing the bipartisan origins of the food stamp program established by Senators Dole and McGovern.

Judicial Nominations Amidst Shutdown

• ⚖️ Despite the ongoing government shutdown, the Senate Judiciary Committee is continuing its work, advancing judicial nominees.
• 📌 Grassley highlighted two highly qualified circuit court nominations: Joshua Dunlap for the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and Eric Tongue for the US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
• 🌟 Joshua Dunlap graduated first in his class from Notre Dame Law School, clerked on the US Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, and has a stellar reputation as an appellate litigator.
• 👨‍⚖️ Eric Tongue graduated with high honors from the University of Chicago School of Law, clerked for Justice Scalia and Justice Gorsches on the US Supreme Court, and has extensive experience as a federal prosecutor and appellate lawyer.
• ✅ Grassley expressed confidence that both nominees will make fantastic and honorable judges, urging colleagues to vote for them.