ICYMI: Iowa Youth Summit Fosters Civic Engagement
By Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Blue skies and blustery winds greeted 75 high school students representing 19 schools from central Iowa last week as they entered the federal courthouse in downtown Des Moines. They weren’t on trial or reporting for jury duty.
As part of my longstanding effort to foster civic engagement and interest in government, I hosted my second youth summit to help acquaint students with the work of the federal judiciary. In 2018, I held one in Cedar Rapids to raise awareness about this independent branch and its role to keep check on the executive and legislative branches. The event was well received, so I wanted to provide the opportunity to more students.
Since joining the Senate, I’ve served on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts and manages the confirmation process for judges established by Article III of the Constitution. I’ve vetted nominees to the federal judiciary under seven presidencies.
Some of my 99 county meetings are held at high schools so I can hear what’s on the minds of younger Iowans and to hopefully sow seeds of civic engagement with future leaders in our local communities. In daily life, the federal judiciary arguably doesn’t have as much visibility as the presidency and Congress. And yet, the courts play a central role in shaping our way of life, upholding the rule of law and protecting freedom and liberty enshrined in the supreme law of the land.
U.S. Senior District Court Judge James E. Gritzner and District Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger joined us in the ornate courtroom on the second floor of the federal courthouse. Each gave the students a glimpse into their earlier lives and career journeys preceding their nominations to the federal bench by Presidents George W. Bush (2001) and Barack Obama (2015), respectively. Gritzner spoke about being called to public service after college. Although he didn’t imagine he would one day serve on the federal bench, he told students it has been a profound experience, likening the opportunity to a lightning strike.
Gritzner explained two essential ways the federal judiciary keeps its independence. The framers of our Constitution intentionally designed it to be insulated from the influences of politics. For example, Article III protects judges’ salaries in that they “shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office” and once confirmed, they may hold their lifetime assignments “during good Behaviour.”
Ebinger said it’s a judge’s job to uphold “equal justice under law” and ensure everyone’s rights are protected and not denied. The students got showered with legal vernacular, when she spoke about precedents, stare decisis, the Supremacy Clause, Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland. To help make her point, she asked if anyone was familiar with the musical “Hamilton” and invoked Federalist No. 78. In his essay, Alexander Hamilton affirmed the independence of the federal judiciary and that it must be empowered to determine whether laws passed by Congress are constitutional. This authority provides a check on the other branches of government to prevent overreach and unconstitutional infringements.
Ebinger told students the president serves as the commander in chief and carries the “sword” of the executive branch. The legislative branch writes the laws and carries the “public purse.” The judiciary “has no purse and no army,” but only its judgment.
The students soaked up the judges’ first-hand accounts and asked informed questions. We discussed criminal justice reform, criminal sentencing, legalization of marijuana, cynicism toward government, the vetting and confirmation process for judges, national debt, cameras in the courts and more.
One student from West Des Moines asked what I thought the greatest impending threat is facing America. In my answer, I said public cynicism towards government endangers our country’s future. The promise of America and our system of self-government “of, by and for the people” is strengthened by civic engagement to “form a more perfect union.” America needs to restore civility in political discourse and uphold respect for differing points of view without malice or violence. Throughout my years in public office, I encourage open dialogue and the free exchange of ideas. From college campuses to Capitol Hill, from school boards to social media platforms, chilling free speech would be a death knell to our participatory democracy.
One of the participants said the youth summit helped bring government to life, from the classroom to the courtroom. That’s music to my ears. As Iowa’s senior U.S. senator, I’ll continue working to foster robust participation in civic life and restore trust in government for Iowans of all ages.
