Symposium Led By Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Will Include Federal Judges, Members of the Legal Community, Iowa High School Students and Educators
WASHINGTON – As part of his longstanding effort to engage Iowans in our system of representative government, uphold the separation of powers and foster participation in civic life, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced plans to convene a youth summit on Friday, April 6, in Cedar Rapids to focus on the federal judiciary and its impact on daily life.
Grassley’s half-day symposium will feature federal district and circuit court judges, invited members of the Iowa legal community, area high school students and educators selected by their respective schools. One hundred and five school districts in Northeast Iowa spanning 30 counties have been invited to participate in the program.
“Recent surveys reflect a declining trust in our institutions of government,” Grassley said. “It’s more important than ever to educate future generations of leaders about the roles and responsibilities of the three branches of the federal government and the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship. Whether exercising their constitutional freedoms, casting a vote at the ballot box, running for public office or serving on a jury, I want to encourage young people to engage in civic life and make a difference in their communities.”
Article III of the U.S. Constitution establishes the federal judiciary as an independent branch, bearing responsibility to uphold the rule of law and apply equal rights under the law for individual Americans.
“The federal judiciary typically does not share the visibility or receive the degree of public scrutiny as the President and executive branch agencies or Congress,” Grassley said. “Some consider the judicial branch the weakest of the three branches of government and arguably the least understood, and yet it bears tremendous influence on the daily lives of Americans long after a presidency or session of Congress ends.”
One of the original standing committees in Congress, the Senate Judiciary Committee initiates the “advice and consent” process to vet the President’s Article III judicial nominations, including those for the Supreme Court, 13 appellate courts and 94 federal judicial districts. Iowa is served by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the federal courts for the Northern and Southern districts of Iowa.
When the 115th Congress gaveled to order in January, Grassley was tapped by the Senate Republican Majority to preside over the 20-member Senate committee, which also has exclusive legislative and oversight jurisdiction of the federal judiciary. As chairman of the influential Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassley has a pivotal role in shaping the direction of the federal judiciary.
In 2017, Grassley shepherded 13 appeals court nominees through the upper chamber, including the 113th U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil M. Gorsuch.
“I look forward to an opportunity to engage in a dialogue with Iowa high school students about how the federal courts impact their families and way of life,” Grassley said. “Landmark rulings handed down by the Supreme Court affect free speech, religious liberty, privacy, affirmative action and due process relevant to the lives of students right here in Iowa. Understanding the federal judiciary at the district court and appellate court level, along with the role of the Supreme Court, is important. From randomized drug-testing to student-led prayer and search and seizure activity on school property, I have no doubt that high school students will come prepared with very good questions and an interest in gathering knowledge. It’s my goal they take away a better appreciation about the functions of the federal judiciary.”
Throughout his public service, Grassley champions good government and works tirelessly to hold the government and public officials accountable. This month, Grassley will launch his 38th consecutive year conducting meetings with Iowans in each of Iowa’s 99 counties. For many years, he’s led the effort to allow cameras in federal courtrooms to enhance transparency and increase public understanding of the federal court system.
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