ANOTHER 90-year-old in the Senate: Chuck Grassley joins Dianne Feinstein in club for the oldest members – and celebrates with Dairy Queen
ANOTHER 90 years in the Senate: Chuck Grassley joins Dianne Feinstein in the oldest members’ club – and parties with Dairy Queen
- Grassley attended an ice cream party at the Senate
- He served there 43 years; was born in 1933
- Feinstein (D-Calif.) turned 90 earlier this year
Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa became the second sitting US senator to turn 90, joining a powerful two-person caucus – with a total age of 180.
Grassley, born September 17, 1933 during the Roosevelt administration in the midst of the Great Depression, celebrated within the institution he served for 43 years with candy, tweeting a photo of a Dairy Queen fan Blizzards.
He also went to the office of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, 81, to collect some Hershey’s Kisses, and was treated to a very big kiss.
Grassley joins California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the 90-plus club. His age has been the subject of much comment due to his difficulty answering questions in the halls of the Senate.
It comes as President Joe Biden, 80, faces lingering doubts from voters about his age in opinion polls.
Senator Charles Grassley celebrated 90 years in the Senate, where he has served for 43 years
Grassley, who for years focused on oversight powers and previously led the powerful Senate Finance Committee, became an influential supporter of Donald Trump and pushed investigations into Hunter Biden.
He continues to visit the farm in Iowa, in an area his family has farmed for generations and is known for its early morning runs. He also enjoys the oatmeal served in the Senate dining room.
He was elected for his eighth term in November 2022.
Grassley is accustomed to answering questions about his age, in an institution that critics call the center of a gerontocracy, where some members linger beyond their most active years to enjoy the camaraderie, d ‘a goal and health care – as well as regular meals.
He received a giant Hershey’s kiss during his visit to 81-year-old Senator Mitch McConnell’s office.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 90, faces questions about her ability to fulfill her duties
Asked about his age by Fox News visiting his farm, he said: “It seems to me that it is something that Americans decide whether a Biden should be re-elected or a Republican should be elected instead.” He highlighted his own re-election by saying, “The voters of Iowa made a good decision and that’s the right thing to do when you have a democracy.”
“I don’t feel any different than any other birthday,” he said before heading out to buy some local ice cream.