D.C. Dispatch: Iowa House members finally sworn in; Grassley becomes dean of the Senate – Iowa Capital Dispatch

It was a protracted week in D.C. for members of the U.S. Home as Rep. Kevin McCarthy took 4 days and 15 ballots earlier than securing the votes early Saturday to be elected speaker.

Iowa’s 4 Republican representatives voted for McCarthy all through the drawn-out course of, however couldn’t be sworn in or begin taking motion on payments till a speaker was elected.

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks expressed a little bit of frustration on the delay. She tweeted that McCarthy “has laid out a plan to deal with inflation, the disaster at our southern border, and to rebuild our nation however we are able to’t deal with any of those points till we elect a Speaker of the Home.”

Rep. Ashley Hinson tweeted congratulations after the California Republican was elected:

“We might not have a Home Republican majority with out the tireless efforts of Kevin McCarthy – he’ll make an unimaginable Speaker and guarantee our Convention delivers on our historic agenda.”

Hinson additionally congratulated College of Iowa graduate and U.S. Home Clerk Cheryl Johnson for doing “phenomenal job in a troublesome scenario” presiding over the Home because the race for speaker dragged on. “Everyone seems to be grateful for Cheryl’s dedication, information, and poise,” Hinson tweeted.

Rep. Randy Feenstra posted a tweet early Saturday after he was lastly sworn in.

“I used to be simply sworn in for my second time period serving #IA04 within the Home of Representatives. It’s an honor and a privilege that I cherish. In our new @HouseGOP majority, I promise that I’ll proceed to ship for our households, farmers, small companies, and rural communities.”

Iowa’s latest Home member, Rep. Zach Nunn, didn’t weigh in on social media in regards to the speaker’s race however he penned an editorial within the Des Moines Register on Thursday discussing his imaginative and prescient for his work on this session of Congress. In it, he emphasizes the necessity for bipartisanship and unity and bringing Iowa values to D.C.

Grassley turns into longest-serving senator

Senator Chuck Grassley was sworn into his eighth time period within the Senate by Vice President Kamala Harris on Jan. 3 along with his spouse, Barbara, at his facet. Grassley has served within the Senate since 1981, making him the longest-serving Republican in Senate historical past, a document beforehand held by Utah’s Orrin Hatch.

Grassley additionally turned the dean of the Senate, a place held by the longest-serving member of the present Senate. The place was beforehand held by Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, who retired this 12 months.

In a tweet the identical day, Grassley outlined his priorities for this session of Congress: “This time period representing the ppl of Iowa I plan 2continue my legislative priorities: decrease Rx drug costs + carry equity to the cattle market + rein in Huge Tech/cease censorship + strengthen public security+ safe our southern border + stability our finances &extra.”

Ernst elected to guide GOP coverage panel

Sen. Joni Ernst began the week off with an announcement that she has been elected chair of the Republican Coverage Committee, the first coverage and evaluation wing of the Republican Celebration. The place grants Ernst larger affect within the policymaking of the Republican Celebration.

She tweeted: “I look ahead to working with all of my Republican colleagues to craft commonsense, conservative coverage on behalf of the American individuals!”