[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             IOWA CAUCUSES

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, this coming Monday, the first in the 
Nation Iowa caucuses kick off the Presidential nomination process. The 
Presidential preference part of the caucus is just one part, however. 
In truth, the Iowa caucuses are an example of grassroots democracy. 
Iowa voters for each political party gather in each of the 1681 
precincts across my State. At these neighborhood meetings, voters 
discuss issues of local and national importance and elect party 
officers and convention delegates. The platform planks approved and the 
officers and delegates elected often have a longer lasting impact on 
the political parties than the Presidential preference votes.
  Mr. President, in a week, all political focus will be set on my home 
State of Iowa for the first in the Nation precinct caucuses. Many 
pundits ask why Iowa should be awarded this much impact in the 
Presidential nomination process? Iowans take this job seriously. They 
study the candidates' backgrounds and positions on issues and they 
thoughtfully listen to the debates. In Iowa, Presidential candidates 
must explain and discuss their positions and answer tough questions 
directly to citizens instead of relying on advertising. Candidates who 
have done this successfully will be rewarded with momentum and 
excitement that could launch the rest of their candidacy.

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