- Clearly shares V’PAC frustration, suspicions
- Reiterates displeasure and suspicions expressed in tweets in a phone interview on local morning radio talk show
- Intends to be back at helm on judiciary for two years (presuming Republicans keep the Senate)
Listening to the morning WOC radio radio talk show of November 13th we heard Senator Grassley reiterate his frustrated tweets of earlier that morning and the previous day regarding the still unseen Inspector General Horowitz report regarding FISA abuse and the “Russian collusion” matter. See them below.
On Friday it was reported that Horowitz’ office is now saying they have asked witnesses to review his report “a final step before its release”. We doubt Grassley shook them loose as that could still mean weeks to who knows how long. We wonder it is standard practice to let “witnesses” perhaps revise their remarks as in possibly sanitize or alter or nuance or better coordinate them? Do you get to revise or negotiate a transcript of what you said in a law enforcement interview? If that is the case, you would think many a copped-plea or other negotiated matter would be up for revision “upon further reflection.”
Regarding Grassley’s desire to return to chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee (his comments on tape here) he attributes his departure after the 2018 election to Republican caucus rules about successive chairmanships (a quasi nod to term-limits and pork-barrelling, and power aggrandizement critiques as we remember, but which of course Democrats do not operate by in the Senate). He changed committee chairmanships in order to preserve his options regarding being ranking member (of the minority) or chair after the 2020 election. There are more intricacies to the rule but that is much of it.
We suspect Senator Grassley or one or two others would be more aggressive if they were at Judiciary Committee helm compared to Graham. Would we see hearings to counter the Schiff Show in the House? On the serious potential down side would we see Grassley not fill a SCOTUS vacancy in a presidential election year (If his return to the Judiciary Chair was prior to the 2020 election)? We presume he means this would take place after the 2020 election.
These are official Grassley “tweets”, from his office and his campaign accounts
