Grassley: I'm three heartbeats from presidency

[riversedge]

Grassley: I’m three heartbeats from presidency
Iowa's senior senator delves into the history of his new role as Senate president pro tempore

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/opinion/





Grassley: New Congress brings historic leadership roles for Iowa's senators

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/2019/01/03/chuck-grassley-three-heartbeats-presidency-new-role-senate-leadership-joni-ernst-republican-iowa/2471315002/




Sen. Chuck Grassley, Iowa View contributor Published 11:01 a.m. CT Jan. 3, 2019 | Updated 11:53 a.m. CT Jan. 3, 2019

Sen. Chuck Grassley hopes voters "remember Kavanaugh." Brian Powers, [e-mail]
He's the second Iowan to serve as Senate president pro tempore, third in line to the presidency


The beginning of a new Congress is an exciting time. There are new faces and fresh opportunities to solve problems on behalf of constituents. The opening of the 116th Congress is particularly exciting for Iowans because it’s the first time in our state’s history that both Iowa senators will hold leadership positions.

Sen. Joni Ernst has been elected by our Senate colleagues to serve as vice chair of the Senate Republican Caucus. She is the first woman to hold the position in nearly a decade. My colleagues also voted to name me as the new Senate president pro tempore. It’s an honor for me and the state of Iowa.

As a lover of history, I was eager to learn more about the origins of the office of president pro tempore. Unlike the vice president and speaker of the House, the president pro tempore isn’t as recognizable and the duties are not as well-known.


The president pro tempore is one of a handful of offices specifically named by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution. It’s been a position in the U.S. government for as long as the presidency, and since 1890, the position of president pro tempore has customarily been the majority party senator with the longest continuous service. With the retirement of my friend and colleague, Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, the honor is now mine after 38 years of service in the United States Senate.

One of the more well-known facts about the office of the president pro tem is that it’s third in line to succeed the presidency after the vice president and Speaker of the House. An interesting historical note is that wasn’t always the case. From 1789 to 1886, the president pro tempore was second in line behind the vice president. Then, in 1886, both the president pro tempore and the Speaker of the House were removed from the line of succession completely, replaced by presidential cabinet members. It wasn’t until 1947 that both positions were restored..................................

[pecosbob]

1. Sen. Chuck Grassley hopes voters "remember Kavanaugh."

Yeah, Chuck...we remember, but not in the way you want. You're a disgrace to Iowa and to this nation. If you took any Russian money you better start praying to God we don't find out about it.

[guruoo]

2. I remember Merrick Garland, too. nt

[empedocles]

3. Three heartbeats - an incompetent, depressing possibility

[DFW]

4. So is the person after Grassley

Seeing as he has no heart

[smirkymonkey]

5. Don't get too excited Chuck.

At 85 years old, you've also got one foot in the grave.