Grassley faces heated questions from Iowa town hall crowd

Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley held a town hall meeting in Hampton on Friday, where he faced tough questions from constituents. The gathered crowd, over 100 strong, was eager to discuss issues like veterans’ benefits and cuts made by the Trump administration. Many attendees expressed their frustration, questioning Grassley's actions in Congress. One audience member shouted, "Where is Congress?" drawing cheers from the crowd. This town hall was significant as it was one of the few recent public meetings held by a Republican senator, amidst national concerns over lawmakers avoiding such events. Grassley acknowledged that he couldn't answer every question but remained calm as audience members shouted their concerns. They voiced their hopes that Congress would step up and oversee government actions more effectively. Grassley described himself as a "watchdog" in Congress, mentioning ongoing investigations into government spending. The senator faced criticism over the new Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, led by Elon Musk. Some voters, like Mark McCormick, voiced their discontent, stating they felt the Republican Party is straying from its principles. After the town hall, Grassley responded to reporters, emphasizing the importance of hearing constituents' concerns. He recognized that many people were worried about the government's direction. Grassley also noted that Congress should be more cautious about delegating authority to the president in budget matters. Overall, the meeting highlighted growing discontent among voters regarding federal policies and the actions of their representatives.