Krause, who is currently chair of the Iowa Democratic Veterans Caucus, will discuss why he is running for the Senate seat presently held by Sen. Charles Grassley and the issues that he believes will be important to the campaign.  His remarks will be followed by a question and answer session.

A University of Iowa graduate, Krause said he was looking forward to being back in Iowa City for the event.  Later in the evening, Krause will also attend a meeting of the Johnson County Democratic Central Committee at the Iowa City School Board office at 509 Dubuque St.

In the months ahead, Iowa voters will learn that I am in disagreement with  Senator Grassley on practically every issue that relates to justice and fair treatment by our government toward its citizens.  I believe that he is out of step with the way most Iowans view critical issues and it is why I believe that we can retire him in 2010 after his more than a half-century of elected office.

On no issue are we in greater disagreement than the enforcement of the principle of “equal pay for equal work.”  Earlier this year, Senator Grassley voted against the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 which sough access to justice for overt acts of pay discrimination.

Had Senator Grassley's position prevailed, many women, persons with disabilities, black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, older workers and others would have been denied fair treatment in the workplace.

Had I been in the Senate, I would have enthusiastically joined Senator Harkin and others who passed the bill which is now the law of the land enforcing equal work for equal pay,

You may be familiar the sad story that precipitated this legislation.  Ms. Ledbetter was an employee who had clearly been discriminated against on salary.  As the only female supervisor at her company, she had received significantly less pay for her work than did her male counterparts – even ones with much less seniority.

In spite of clear documentation of discrimination, the courts found against her, based upon wording of the existing law.  That court decision was subsequently cited more than 300 times by companies seeking to avoid equal pay for equal work.

Senator Grassley's vote against correcting the law to help those who have been historically vulnerable was in lock-step with those who have increasingly driven the Republican Party to the far right.  It was not an act of moderation and it was not reflective of the views of fair-minded Iowans.

As our campaign moves forward, I am committed to pointing out to Iowans at every opportunity why we need new leadership for the future in the United States Senate.  I hope to earn your active support as we seek to increase fairness and justice for our fellow citizens.

Sincerely,

Bob Krause
Democratic Candidate for US Senate