Iowa House Democrats Newsroom
Second Legislative Deadline: List of Eligible Bills
On Friday, April 2, the Legislature hit the second self-imposed deadline to narrow the number of bills still eligible for debate, called the “funnel”. While there are a few exceptions for tax and budget bills, any bill that has not cleared a House or Senate Committee is dead for the year.
First Legislative Deadline: List of Eligible Bills
On Friday, March 5, the Legislature hit the first self-imposed deadline to narrow the number of bills still eligible for debate, called the “funnel”. While there are a few exceptions for tax and budget bills, any bill that has not cleared a House or Senate Committee is dead for the year.
Beyond the Proclamation Message from Iowa Legislative Black Caucus
Beyond the Proclamation Message from Iowa Legislative Black Caucus Representatives Ras Smith, Ruth Ann Gaines, Ako Abdul-Samad, Ross Wilburn, and Phyllis Thede Des Moines, IA – The Iowa Legislative Black Caucus hosted a virtual press conference this morning. Caucus Chair, Rep. Ras Smith shared a statement in response to Governor Reynolds’ Black History Month proclamation and [...]
STATEMENT FROM HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER TODD PRICHARD ON REYNOLDS’ FAILED COVID RESPONSE
“Just as Iowa hit the grim milestone of 5,000 COVID deaths this week, Governor Reynolds is doubling down on her failed COVID response. It’s both reckless and tragic. This is failed leadership. We all want to get life back to normal and the fastest way to do that is to follow the guidelines from the CDC [...]
Sign Up for Iowa House Blue Alert
Be Informed! Take Action! Vouchers. Massive corporate tax giveaways. Higher tuition. Less accessible and more expensive health care. State budget mess. Iowa Republicans worked overtime and made life more difficult for Iowans. Health care is more expensive and less accessible. Homeowners are paying higher property taxes. Public schools are struggling to keep up. Tuition is going [...]
House Minority Leader Calls on Speaker to Remove Rep. Fisher from Committee Chair Post
In a letter sent to House Republican Leaders, Iowa House Minority Leader Todd Prichard has called on Speaker Pat Grassley to remove State Rep. Dean Fisher of Tama County from his role as Chair of the House Environmental Protection Committee and be stripped of his committee assignments. Prichard’s insistence follows a series of false and threatening [...]
Build Back Iowa
The 2021 Legislative Session must stay focused on long-term pandemic recovery efforts to get Iowa’s economy rolling again. Our Build Back Iowa plan will provide relief and help families, small businesses, students, and our dedicated health care workers recover. House Democrats are ready to work together to get the pandemic under control and provide the balanced, [...]
House Democrats Propose Rule Changes for Enhanced Transparency, Safety During Session
Democratic lawmakers today proposed changes to House rules to make the Iowa legislature safer and more transparent to the general public. “There’s no need to put the public, lawmakers, or employees at higher risk because House Republican leadership chooses to ignore public health guidelines. Everyone in the Capitol should be wearing a mask, just as every [...]
Des Moines State Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines Honored with Hoover Presidential Foundation Uncommon Public Service Award
Today, in the Iowa House Representatives, State Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines (D-Polk) was awarded the Uncommon Public Service Award by the Herbert Hoover Presidential Foundation for her service to the people of Iowa that has gone above and beyond legislative responsibilities. “I am proud to receive this award from the Hoover Presidential Foundation. I hope the [...]
Opening Day Remarks by House Democratic Leader Todd Prichard
Good morning, Mr. Speaker and ladies and gentlemen of the Iowa House. I want to give a special welcome to the new legislators and their families. I hope you find your time here rewarding as you serve the people of Iowa. Congratulations on your election. We are living in tumultuous times and the pandemic has added [...]
Daily Coronavirus Update- December 17, 2020
This week the Governor also announced she is loosening COVID-19 mitigation efforts including; raising indoor gathering restrictions from 10 to 15 people, allowing bars and restaurants to stay open past 10pm, and lifting the cap on the number of spectators per participant at high school sporting events so long as everyone is in the same household. [...]
Iowa House Democrats Announce Committee Assignments for 2021
Today, House Democratic Leader Todd Prichard announced committee assignments for 2021 Legislative Session. Below are the assignments by committee: https://iowahouse.org/pdf/2021CommitteeAssignments-byCommittee.pdf Below are the assignments by member: Ako Abdul-Samad International Relations-RM, Environmental Protection, Ethics, Local Government, Public Safety, Administration and Regulation Budget Marti Anderson Justice Systems Budget-RM, Environmental Protection, Human Resources, Public Safety Liz Bennett Economic Growth-RM, [...]
Statement from Rep. Chris Hall, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, on REC Meeting
Statement from Rep. Chris Hall, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, on REC Meeting “Factors below the surface tell us more about Iowa’s economy than the REC’s status quo revenue projections. Iowa has regained just half of the jobs lost due to COVID, and some individuals have dropped out of the workforce for reasons like [...]
Lawmaker: Horrific Allegations in Tyson Wrongful Death Lawsuit Require Reynolds To Stop Hiding Her Role During the Crisis
Waterloo, Iowa -- In light of the wrongful death lawsuit filed against Tyson Foods this week, State Rep. Ras Smith of Waterloo called on Governor Kim Reynolds to stop hiding the role her administration played during the COVID crisis at Tyson last spring. “I’m outraged by allegations in the Tyson lawsuit filed this week, but not [...]
Prichard, Konfrst Elected to Lead Iowa House Democrats
Des Moines, Iowa – Today, State Representative Todd Prichard of Charles City was elected to serve another term as leader of the Iowa House Democrats. Rep. Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights was elected as the Democratic Whip and four other lawmakers were elected as Assistant Democratic Leaders. “House Democrats are resolved in bringing people together and [...]
New Iowa COVID Mitigation Public Health Proclamation
This new proclamation is effective at 12:01 a.m. on November 11, 2020, and continues until 11:59 p.m. on November 30, 2020. Gathering Restrictions: Social, community, recreational, or leisure If more than 10 people: ○ 6 feet distancing between groups ○ Groups limited to 8 people, with the exception of households larger than 8 ○ Take other [...]