Grassley Holds D.C. Special Interest Fundraiser

While Conlin Meets With Grassroots Activists

DES MOINES, IA – This morning the perennially out of touch Senator Chuck Grassley held a $2,500 per plate fundraiser for special interests in Washington D.C., less than a day after attacking Roxanne Conlin for meeting with grassroots activists.

Yesterday a press release from the Grassley campaign falsely accused Roxanne Conlin of taking money from special interests, something she has refused to do, while neglecting to look at Senator Grassley’s schedule for this morning. An invitation sent Washington insiders showed Senator Grassley holding a D.C. breakfast fundraiser with lobbyists and PACs to support his re-election campaign.

This latest fundraiser, coupled with the fact that Senator Grassley has taken more money from special interests than he has from everyday Iowans, once again highlights how out of touch he has become.

“Senator Grassley has lost touch with Iowans,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Sue Dvorsky. “Whether it’s voting against unemployment benefits, financial reform, or pandering to special interests, Iowa’s best interest is nowhere to be seen.”

Conlin is scheduled to meet with progressive, grassroots activists at this weekend’s Netroots Nation, hardly a special interest fundraiser of any kind.

Out of Touch Chuck Timeline:

10/10/95 – Grassley votes against job retraining program for workers laid off as a direct result of international trade programs like NAFTA.

3/11/04 – Grassley votes against a bill which would prohibit American tax dollars from shipping jobs out of the country.

3/17/05 – Grassley votes against repealing a tax incentive for American companies moving their manufacturing plants offshore.

3/21/10 – Grassley votes against health insurance reform that would later expand access and coverage for millions of Americans.

7/16/10 – Grassley votes against meaningful financial reform that would protect Iowans from future economic crises.

7/20/10 – Grassley votes against extending unemployment benefits for jobless Iowans.