POLITICO's Pulse Check

Sen. Chuck Grassley

Episode Summary

The Senate Finance Committee chairman explains his priorities, from drug pricing to government oversight.

Episode Notes

Sen. Chuck Grassley says it's time for the secrecy in the pharma industry to end.

"The lack of transparency... is something that allows the shenanigans that we read about every day," the Senate Finance Committee chairman said, on the eve of his committee's first drug pricing hearing.

Grassley sat down with POLITICO's Dan Diamond to review his drug pricing plans, explain his approach to government oversight and talk through his priorities — including his famous use of Twitter.

MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

Grassley in 1983 disregarded the Reagan administration to probe Pentagon cost overruns. The resulting hearing led to a TIME Magazine cover story.

Grassley in 2017 pushed back against the Trump administration's effort to limit oversight requests.

Grassley in 2018 co-sponsored the CREATES Act, which was intended to lower prescription drug prices.

Grassley has used social media to promote a variety of priorities — including his ongoing "corn watch."