Grassley, Charles Ernest (1933-…), has been a United States senator since 1981. Grassley, a Republican, represents Iowa. From 2019 to 2021, Grassley served as president pro tempore (temporary president) of the Senate. The office is customarily held by the longest-serving member of the Senate’s majority party.
Grassley was born in New Hartford, Iowa, on Sept. 17, 1933. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1955 and a master’s degree in 1956, both from the University of Northern Iowa. He did graduate work at the University of Iowa in 1957 and 1958. He has worked as a farmer and as a part-time university instructor.
From 1959 to 1974, Grassley served in the Iowa state House of Representatives. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1974 and reelected in 1976 and 1978. In 1980, he ran for the U.S. Senate instead and won. He took office in 1981. Grassley has been reelected every six years since 1980.
As a senator, Grassley has been concerned with controlling government spending. Grassley also led efforts to tighten consumer bankruptcy laws and showed a strong interest in agricultural issues. He has served as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. In 2019, Grassley became president pro tempore of the Senate following the retirement of long-time Utah Senator Orrin Hatch. He held the position until 2021, when Democrats gained a majority in the chamber.
