Grassley wants ‘spirit’ of whistleblower laws followed

CEDAR RAPIDS — Sen. Chuck Grassley gave a vigorous defense of whistleblower protections he has championed, including legislation that would have shielded Edward Snowden from criminal charges.

However, his Senate-approved expansion of whistleblower protection to national security personnel was not approved by the House, so Snowden, who leaked classified National Security Agency information to the media, violated the law.

'You suffer the consequences when you violate the law,' Grassley told the National Press Club in Washington Monday morning.

Grassley, who became chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in January, said he plans to use his position 'as an opportunity to help secure America's blessings of freedom and liberty because the words 'We the people' applies to all Americans.'

Grassley, a member of the committee for 34 years, acknowledged that some people had reservations about a farmer and nonlawyer chairing Judiciary. However, he said it's 'a way to interject a little bit of Iowa common-sense into the chairmanship.'

'I can't think of a better platform to embrace and expand opportunities for victims of injustice than from a seat on the Senate Judiciary Committee,' he said. 'I plan to make the most use of the next two years to make a difference in the lives of Americans.'

As chairman, one of his priorities will be oversight of the executive branch. Grassley said he has a reputation 'as someone who does equal oversight of both Republicans and Democrats.'

'So, I want to make clear, this isn't about the current resident at 1600 Pennsylvania,' he said. 'Believe me, the previous administration wasn't fond of my letters and oversight, either.'

Grassley didn't rule out new legislation, but said he'd like to see the federal government 'carrying out the spirit of the laws we already have.'

He cited two recent examples of whistleblowers testifying to the Judiciary Committee. Although they still have their jobs, one is in a position with nothing to do and the other's office was moved to a closet. That pressure to go along, to not make agencies look bad is contrary to the principles of whistleblower law, Grassley said.

He's asked presidents to host a Rose Garden ceremony honoring whistleblowers.

'A Republican president said that if we did that, we would have 3,000 whistleblowers come out of the woodwork,' Grassley said. 'Well, that's what you want.'

Turning to immigration, Grassley said that 'as a matter of efficiency,' he doesn't plan to take up immigration until the House shows that it's going to address the issue.

'We worked for three months on that two years ago and the House didn't do anything,' Grassley said, 'so I figure I want to use my time and the committee's time where we can accomplish something … to produce to the president.'

Grassley's remarks can be found at http://www.c-span.org/video/?325608-1/senator-chuck-grassley-ria-remarks-senate-judiciary-committee-agenda.