[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 9, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S2771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IOWA'S PRIMARY ELECTION

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, the House of Representatives has 
passed a bill that is kind of like a one-size-fits-all for elections, 
meaning that everything ought to be run out of Washington, DC, which is 
contrary to what we have done in this country for 240 years, wherein we 
have had 50 States running the elections. I want to refer to what 
happens in the State of Iowa.
  Last week, Iowans voted in record numbers in our June primary. In 
most elections, about 40 percent of Iowans choose to vote by absentee 
ballot. This year, in our primary and, understandably, because of the 
pandemic, the vast majority cast its votes by absentee ballot--a State 
decision, a personal decision, not something dictated by Washington.
  As I have already referred to, there are those here in Washington, 
DC--in Congress and maybe outside of Congress--who say that, unless the 
Federal Government mandates that States adopt a whole new, centralized, 
nonoptional vote-by-mail system before November, Americans will not be 
able to vote from home.
  Iowa's successful primary election shows that the absentee ballot 
system that is already in place in our State--and in most States--that 
is run by our county auditors is up to the task. We have proven that. 
Every Iowan who wants to vote absentee in November can do so, and those 
who want to vote in person can also do so safely.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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