Chuck Grassley has served in Congress for more than 40 years. | AP Photo Chuck Grassley introduces Donald Trump at Iowa rally

PELLA, IOWA — Sen. Chuck Grassley gave a rousing introduction speech at a Donald Trump rally, but he didn't go so far as to endorse the 2016 Republican candidate.

"We have an opportunity once again to make America great again," Grassley said, echoing Trump's campaign slogan.


"I'm excited to be invited to be here. I'm excited as I see so many large crowd at various events around Iowa," Grassley said. "I'm excited to see the big crowds because of the big energy that comes with it and we've got to keep up this energy that's shown here today and many other places around Iowa because that is what is going to take for us to win back the White House in November."

Grassley had harsh words for President Barack Obama and the past eight years of his presidency. He also called out Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders for wanting to curb gun rights, raising taxes, spending and more regulation.

"We need a new commander and chief and that obviously is not Hillary," Grassley said. "There's so much at stake for us in America. We've had eight years of unconstitutional actions to fix... When you deal with a president that says 'I have a phone and a pen and it doesn't really matter that there is a Congress,' it really doesn't matter there is a Constitution. ... We've got a president who is out of control and government can soon be out of control."

This isn't the first time that Grassley has snubbed his colleague Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). Just days ago, he rapped Cruz over his positions on wind power and ethanol. Last week, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad called explicitly for Cruz's defeat due to his opposition to ethanol subsidies, in the clearest sign yet that the state's political establishment is coalescing against Cruz.

Prior to this event, Grassley had maintained a neutral stance on the 2016 race. He is also slated to appear at Marco Rubio's event in Iowa next Saturday.