Found Time
Originally, the U.S. Senate was to be in session this week, with activity geared toward judiciary committee hearings on a Supreme Court nominee next week. Those hearings will still be held, but in the wake of the White House coronavirus hot spot, which snared three members of the GOP Senate caucus itself, the majority leader opted to postpone resumption of full Senate activities for two weeks, until October 19.
Those Supreme Court hearings will still be held, starting Monday…so many senators, including our two from Iowa, will be back in D.C. in time for what is sure to be another cringeworthy spectacle.
The newly found free time has led to a flurry of activity back home, though. For those up for re-election, like Sen. Joni Ernst, it’s another week to criss-cross the state in order to connect with as many citizens as possible, a blend of official senate-related visits with straight up campaigning.
Others, like Sen. Charles Grassley, find themselves on the road as well, often in support of other Republicans who are on next month’s ballot. Grassley made stops yesterday, for example, with both Ernst and 1st district GOP congressional candidate Ashley Hinson, the latter in Waverly.
In one respect, it’s ironic that calling off Senate action due to the virus will lead to elected officials having even more contact with different people…but given how covidy the swamp is right now, it is probably safer.News/Talk 1540 KXEL · Iowa Politics–Thu. Oct. 08, 2020
