After being sworn in as Senate President Pro Tempore (TEHM) on Thursday, making him third in line to the presidency, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley was nominated to serve as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. The committees will form next Wednesday, Jan. 9, after the ratification of leadership nominations. Grassley announced this past November that he was electing to serve as chair of the Senate Finance Committee after having spent four years as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “This nomination is not only an honor and a privilege, but a responsibility I take seriously,” Grassley says. “For far too long, increases in prescription drug prices and health care generally have been causing tremendous difficulties for Americans. In addition to costs, there are other barriers to access to affordable, quality health care. Those barriers are felt acutely in rural and other underserved areas. The Senate Finance Committee has broad jurisdiction to improve access to affordable health care. I intend to use those authorities,” Grassley adds.
