Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, met with representatives from the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., as the members discussed their legislative goals.

Grassley told The Daily Iowan one of the main items addressed during the meeting were updates on local flood-mitigation projects after the 2008 flood.

According to the University of Iowa’s flood-recovery status, which will be presented at this week’s state Board of Regents meeting in Cedar Falls, the UI has received $127,998,343 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Currently, a number of major flood-recovery projects are underway — including replacements for the Voxman Music Building,  Art Building, and Hancher Auditorium.

Local officials also spoke to the six-term senator about funds for the Interstate 80 and 380 interchange along with other transportation projects.

Grassley said the move away from earmark funding has changed how members of Congress secure support for projects and noted that any possible funds will come from a future transportation bill. The bill is expected sometime before Sept. 30, when current funding expires.

— by Brent Griffiths