Senator Chuck Grassley: The Ultimate Matchmaker?

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, aged 90, has gained a new moniker amongst social media users: the ultimate matchmaker. This nickname has emerged following a recent social media post in which Mr Grassley revealed he had attended a wedding of two employees, marking the 20th couple to marry after meeting in his office.

Office Romances Flourish Under Grassley

The employees in question, chief of staff Jennifer Heins and former aide Nick Davis, were wed in a ceremony in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The senator shared a photo of himself with his wife, Barbara, who he has been married to for 69 years, alongside the newlyweds. This claim by the senator, known for his frequent social media posts and pictures of his corn farm, has sparked interest amongst singles in Washington, DC. Some have even humorously proposed trading dating apps for a job in the senator’s office.

Mixed Reactions to Grassley’s Matchmaking

While many have congratulated the couple and expressed admiration for Grassley’s apparent matchmaking success, others have taken this as a sign of his long tenure in Congress. Grassley, now the oldest member of Congress following the death of California Senator Dianne Feinstein, has served in office for 48 years and was elected to his eighth term representing Iowa last year. Some social media users have suggested that his long service may be a contributing factor to the high number of office romances.

Competition Across the Aisle

Despite his newfound reputation, Grassley reportedly faces competition from Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. A spokesperson for Schumer noted in 2016 that there had been 13 “Schumer marriages” and 14 “Schumer babies”. Staff members have said that Schumer often encourages his staff towards marital bliss.