Des Moines Sun

Senator Chuck Grassley, representing Iowa in the U.S. Senate and a longtime advocate for agricultural and judicial issues, posted several updates on August 25, 2025, addressing both federal judicial appointments and the state of agriculture.

In a post from August 25, Grassley discussed the “blue slip” tradition in the Senate: "The 100 yr old 'blue slip' allows home state senators 2 hv input on US attys & district court judges In Biden admin Republicans kept 30 LIBERALS OFF BENCH THAT PRES TRUMP CAN NOW FILL W CONSERVATIVES". The blue slip process is an informal Senate practice dating back to at least 1917 that gives senators significant influence over federal judicial nominations in their states.

Later that day, Grassley turned his attention to agriculture with an update on corn maturation: "Update on corn maturing. Last week no kernels dented. This week most but not all kernels dented About 4 weeks to harvest. Read paper headline bumper crop largest ever NATURALLY price down NOW 1.10$ BELOW PRODUCTION COST #cornwatch" (August 25). He highlighted concerns about low prices due to what he described as a record-setting bumper crop.

Grassley continued his commentary on farm economics with another post later that evening: "Fertilizer input prices are at ALL TIME HIGH relative to the low low prices of grain Fastest relief for farmers wld b lowering duties on fertilizer imports Input price /grain price is ratio historically used to predict profit or loss in farming #cornwatch #soybeanwatch" (August 25). He suggested reducing import duties on fertilizers as a way to provide rapid relief for farmers facing high production costs.

As background, Senator Grassley has long focused on both judicial procedures and agricultural policy during his tenure in Congress. The blue slip tradition has often been debated regarding its role in either facilitating bipartisan cooperation or enabling partisan gridlock over federal judicial appointments. In recent years, fluctuations in commodity prices and rising input costs have placed economic pressure on American farmers, particularly those growing corn and soybeans—two major crops in Iowa and across the Midwest.