Chuck Grassley

Charles Ernest "Chuck" Grassley (born September 17, 1933) is the senior U.S. Senator from Iowa. He is currently the president pro tempore of the Senate and also had this position from 2019 until 2021. He has been Senator since 1981. He was also in the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 1981.^[1] Before that he was in the Iowa state legislature from 1959 to 1974.^[2]

Chuck Grassley
Official portrait, 2017
United States Senator from Iowa
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 1981 Serving with Joni Ernst
Preceded by	John Culver
President pro tempore of the United States Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Patty Murray
In office January 3, 2019 – January 20, 2021
Preceded by	Orrin Hatch
Succeeded by	Patrick Leahy
President pro tempore emeritus of the United States Senate
In office January 20, 2021 – January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Patrick Leahy
Succeeded by	Patty Murray
Committee positions Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee Incumbent Assumed office January 3, 2025 Preceded by Dick Durbin In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2019 Preceded by Patrick Leahy Succeeded by Lindsey Graham Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee In office January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025 Preceded by Lindsey Graham Succeeded by Jeff Merkley Ranking Member of the Senate Narcotics Caucus In office January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025 Preceded by John Cornyn Succeeded by Sheldon Whitehouse Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023 Preceded by Dianne Feinstein Succeeded by Lindsey Graham In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2015 Preceded by Jeff Sessions Succeeded by Patrick Leahy Chair of the Senate Finance Committee In office January 3, 2019 – February 3, 2021 Preceded by Orrin Hatch Succeeded by Ron Wyden In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2007 Preceded by Max Baucus Succeeded by Max Baucus In office January 20, 2001 – June 6, 2001 Preceded by Max Baucus Succeeded by Max Baucus Chair of the Senate Narcotics Caucus In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2019 Preceded by Dianne Feinstein Succeeded by John Cornyn Chair of the Senate Aging Committee In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2001 Preceded by William Cohen Succeeded by John Breaux
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 3rd district
In office January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1981
Preceded by	H. R. Gross
Succeeded by	Cooper Evans
Member of the Iowa House of Representatives
In office January 12, 1959 – January 3, 1975
Preceded by	Wayne Ballhagen
Succeeded by	Raymond Lageschulte
Constituency	73rd district (1959–1971) 10th district (1971–1973) 37th district (1973–1975)
Personal details
Born	Charles Ernest Grassley (1933-09-17) September 17, 1933 (age 91) New Hartford, Iowa, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Barbara Speicher ​ (m. 2022)​
Children	5
Relatives	Pat Grassley (grandson)
Education	University of Northern Iowa (BA, MA) University of Iowa
Signature
Website	Senate website

Later Senate career

In January 2019, Grassley became the most senior Republican serving in the United States Senate due to the retirement of Orrin Hatch^[3] and the resignation of Thad Cochran.^[4] After the Republicans kept control of the Senate in the 2018 elections, Grassley became the 91st Senate President pro tempore.

In January 2021, when Republicans lost control of the U.S. Senate, Patrick Leahy became President pro tempore while Grassley became President pro tempore emeritus. With over 40 years in the U.S. Senate, Grassley is the longest-serving Republican senator in American history.^[5] He became President pro tempore again in 2025.

In January 2023, with Patrick Leahy's retirement, Grassley became the Dean of the United States Senate.

Personal life

Grassley is also known for his widely reported "feud" with the History channel. He has accused the network multiples times of having little actual history programming.^[6]

Grassley's net worth was $7,550,075 as of 2018.^[7]

On November 17, 2020, Grassley announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19.^[8]