IMG_2919U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley made an impromptu visit to Guthrie Center Friday afternoon. He conducted a town hall style meeting with about 20 community members and business professionals at Guthrie County State Bank.

The meeting covered a variety of topics, including: healthcare, immigration, trade, the Supreme Court nomination process, prospective farm bills, and foreign policy. Grassley also shared his thoughts on President Donald Trump’s remarks during the recent Helsinki meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding election meddling and U.S. intelligence agencies

“Well I hope it’s the case that the President misspoke and he wakes up to the fact that intelligence communities are a very important arm. If you want to have a sound national defense, you’ve got to know how your enemy’s doing. We depend upon the intelligence community to do that.”

Grassley also reflected on how the current administration, despite much skepticism from the American public on the quality of leadership exhibited, fits into American history.

“This country, in 240 years, has gone through a lot of things that are much greater than anything we’re facing right now. We’ve made it and as long as we have a Constitution that has limited government and gives people the personal freedom they need and an economic system for the ingenuity of the American people to advance themselves, the future is very bright.”

As far as agriculture is concerned, Grassley hopes a farm bill will be passed soon. He says that could alleviate some of the tension brought about by the current situation with tariffs on corn and soybeans in China.