GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley says 'it's no big deal' that Putin has banned him from Russia: 'I wear it as a badge of honor'

• Chuck Grassley on Tuesday brushed aside the fact that Russia has sanctioned him.
• The Iowa Republican said it was "no big deal."

Sen. Chuck Grassley on Tuesday brushed off the fallout from Russia's latest round of sanctions against US lawmakers and officials, which included the Iowa Republican.

Grassley, via his Twitter account, said he was fine with President Vladimir Putin banning him from Russia, a nation he has visited four times.

"Ive been to Russia 4 times while in the Senate I dont hv plans to go again so Putin sanctioning me is no big deal I wear it as a badge of honor," Grassley wrote on Twitter.

The real tragedy is the humanitarian crisis brought on by Russia's unprovoked war, Grassley added.

"Obviously it's a humantarian shame all the Ukrainians & Russians needlessly dying bc of Putin's unjustified war," he wrote.

On Tuesday, the Kremlin continued to slap sanctions on lawmakers and other Americans in retaliation for the US's support of Ukraine after Moscow's invasion. First lady Jill Biden and Ashley Biden, the first couple's daughter, were also on the latest list. The Russian Foreign Ministry said the move was in response to the US's own sanctions.

At 88 years old, Grassley is the most senior Senate Republican and has served in Congress for nearly half a century. He is known for his tweets, which showcase his love of Dairy Queen, his odd abbreviations, and, most infamously, the apparent death of a deer.

President Joe Biden is in Madrid to meet with other NATO leaders as the alliance seeks to renew its support for Ukraine.