DES MOINES – Iowa Senate Democrats claimed victory in blocking what they call “the most extreme agenda in Iowa history” put forward by Republicans, saying the most extreme Republican measures are “dead.”
“Iowa Republicans are trying to pass the most extreme agenda in Iowa history,” Democrats said last week. “Fortunately, many pieces of their extreme agenda are dead.”
Democrats said Republicans have introduced legislation this session that tried to abolish the Iowa Department of Education, tried to re-instate the death penalty, would have required victims of rape or incest to list their abuser on birth certificate, would have made divorce more difficult for children and victims of abuse, would have allowed anyone with a licensed gun to carry it on school grounds, and more.
At the same time, Democrats took credit for growing Iowa’s middle class.
Democrats say initiatives are in the legislature to improve Iowa schools by boosting teacher quality, invest in skilled worker training, expand affordable health care, and to cut taxes for working families and for small and Main Street businesses.
The legislature has now entered the “funnel” and the current session is about half over.