Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • Dem leader on decision by Republicans to resume session

    Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen

    “The landscape in Iowa has changed dramatically since the Legislature recessed on March 17. At that time, there were 29 positive cases and no COVID-related deaths. Today, we are faced with more than 13,000 confirmed cases and more than 300 COVID-related deaths.

    “We hope the focus of the reconvened Legislature will be to complete a balanced state budget and provide necessary oversight of the Executive Branch’s actions during this pandemic.

    “Because of the expanding health care crisis in our state, we are recommending additional steps to ensure the health and safety of Iowans when the General Assembly reconvenes, and we support additional measures to ensure transparency for all proceedings.”

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  • Hogg: Don’t deny unemployment to workers

    Statement from Senator Rob Hogg on decision by Governor Reynolds to deny unemployment benefits to workers

    “Governor Reynolds is failing to protect Iowa workers again.

    “The Governor has failed Iowa workers at meatpacking plants, workers and residents at long-term care facilities, and inmates and staff at our correctional facilities.

    “Now, after prematurely allowing Iowa businesses in 77 counties to reopen, the Governor announced that Iowans who don’t go into work — out of fear for themselves or a vulnerable person in their family contracting COVID19 — will lose their unemployment benefits.

    “Iowa workers should have a Governor and a government that has their back during this crisis.”

    • end  –

  • Senators: 3 steps to meatpacking worker safety

    For Immediate Release: April 19, 2020
    Contacts: Sen. Nate Boulton (515-669-4259); Sen. Bill Dotzler (319-240-5594): Sen. Kevin Kinney (319-631-4667)

    As the COVID-19 public health emergency worsens, three Iowa State Senators are calling for immediate action in response to multiple outbreaks at meatpacking facilities across the state.

    The Senators are calling for immediate action by state and local officials to:

    • Protect the health and safety of Iowa’s essential workers when they are on the job.
    • Stop the community transmission of COVID-19 among family members, neighbors and others who may be in contact with infected essential employees.
    • Prevent long-term interruption of  the nation’s food supply.

    “These Iowans are showing up for work, being pressed into service for our economy and for the food security of our nation, but have little confidence that their state or their employer are concerned for their safety. These outbreaks are startling—and so is the lackadaisical attitude coming from the state on what needs to be done,” said Senator Nate Boulton of Des Moines.

    “While the meatpacking plant outbreaks are drawing attention now, there are  many other  manufacturing facilities across the state that could face similar problems if protocols are not established and implemented now,” added Boulton, who grew up in Columbus Junction, where the COVID-19 outbreak is one of the worst in the nation.

    “What we are seeing play out is borderline criminal,” added Senator Bill Dotzler of Waterloo. “I represent workers who are telling me that even the voluntary precautions being taken aren’t doing anything. They’re having temperatures taken and the results ignored. These workers then go to work in close proximity throughout their shifts, go out into the community and expose community members, then go back into the plant where it all starts over again. Action must be taken immediately to stop further spread of COVID-19 and protect not only the workers at these important facilities but our communities as a whole.” 

     “I see problems in two places: the livestock agriculture community and the meat processing workforce. I’m hearing from workers that they feel completely expendable right now, particularly immigrant workers who are trying to make a better life for themselves. They feel particularly at risk,” said Senator Kevin Kinney of rural Oxford, a grain and livestock farmer. “But outside those packing plants, farmers across the state are  concerned that unaddressed problems in the packing plants will lead to widespread outbreaks in those facilities that could shut them down for long periods of time. If that continues, we are going to have a lot of farmers with no place to market hogs, chickens and cattle in this state.”

     The Senators are calling for three immediate points of action to address this crisis:

    1. The State Labor Commissioner — with input from representatives of the major livestock processing companies, representatives of the major labor unions representing livestock processing workers, and the department of public health – must issue stricter requirements for worker safety operational standards and protocols that include consideration of systemic disinfecting, reorganizing, and reopening closed facilities after new safety measures are put in place.
    2. As part of the process of seeking input on safety protocols, Iowa’s Labor Commissioner and Iowa Department of Public Health must also develop new public health crisis emergency rules for limiting the spread of COVID-19 in manufacturing and livestock processing facilities.  
    3. Iowa OSHA inspectors must immediately inspect each livestock processing facility to ensure current and any newly-enacted emergency rules and standards are being followed. According to the Labor Commissioner, not one meatpacking facility in Iowa has had an OSHA inspection since the public health emergency was declared.

    “Protecting both Iowa workers and the nation’s food supply is just too important for us to wait and see what happens as individual meatpacking companies are left to lead on this. Hoping for the best is a high-stakes gamble that threatens the health and safety of thousands of Iowans,” Boulton said.

    -end-

  • Democratic leaders call for statewide stay-at-home order

    Download pdf of letter, April 2, 2020

  • Iowa Sister States seeks help for China with life-saving aid

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 20, 2020
    CONTACT: Iowa Sister States, Monty Freeman: 515.348.6265 | Monty.Freeman@IowaSisterStates.org

    Des Moines – The Iowa Legislature’s International Relations Committee met to address the deadly spread of coronavirus in Iowa’s sister cities in China. The Legislature is partnering with sister-cities’ local leaders in Dubuque, Davenport, Muscatine, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, along with industry and business across Iowa, to ship relief supplies to communities in China under siege from coronavirus – and they are asking for the help of every Iowan.

    “Friendship is more than a trade partnership; Iowa has a strong tradition of helping our sister-cities and fellow citizens of the world in need. Our friends are asking to help save lives and we are asking Iowans to assist in any way they are able,” said Senator Zach Nunn (R-Bondurant), Chair of the Joint Senate-House International Relations Committee. Legislative efforts are being support by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad.

    “This is a multi-partner approach, across parties and across Iowa to help our long-term friends in China and aim to reduce tensions on a people to people level,” stated Sen. William Dotzler (D-Waterloo) ranking member of the committee.

    High school legislative pages have taken to social media to raise awareness and help Iowa Sister States facilitate donations, to include reaching back to their hometowns to ask for medical masks from local doctors, and safety goggles from construction sites. “Hearing first-hand how a doctor in Iowa’s sister-city attempted to help fight the virus, became infected, and she and her entire family died inspired several of us to get involved and help in every way possible,” said Erica Nasstrom, of Osage High School, Osage. “We’ve set up alerts on social media and are passing along Iowan’s notes of compassion to folks in China to let them know we support them,” commented Kanyon Huntington, of East Union High School, Afton.

    The Health Impact to Iowa’s Sister-Cities

    As of Wednesday, over 75,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus outbreak had taken hold, with the death toll quickly surpassing 2,000 individuals, making it one of the worst outbreaks globally. “The number of confirmed cases in Iowa’s sister-state Hebei province has exploded,” said Dr William Zhang, who briefed legislators. Infections rose quickly this week to 265, with Tangshan, the sister-city of Cedar Rapids having 35 infected; Handan, sister-city of Dubuque having 31; Langfang, the sister-city of Davenport having 29; and Shijiazhuang, sister-city of Des Moines & Muscatine, having 27 cases. The outbreak is expected to continue into the long-term.

    Plea for Assistance

    Iowa Sister States (ISS) is coordinating a relief effort for quarantined citizens in sister-cities with essential donations. “What is critical at this time is medical supplies and sanitary items,” said ISS Executive  Director Monty Freeman.

    Iowa is asking for help and donations for these critical need items:

    1. One-time use protection gowns
    2. Medical masks (n95)
    3. One-time use surgical masks
    4. One-time use medical masks
    5. One-time use medical gloves
    6. Protective eye glasses
    7. Thermometers
    8. Hand-sanitizer
    9. Tissues
    10. Donations for shipping

    The Iowa Sister States’ Hebei Committee is leading a donation campaign. If Iowa businesses, medical facilities or communities have an ability to donate any of the supplies listed, it can be sent c/o Luca Berrone at SACMI USA, 3434 106th Cir., Urbandale, IA 50322. Donations may also be dropped with Iowa Sister States at c/o Monty Freeman at ISS, 1963 Bell Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309.

    Many Iowans are ready to take action and assist the people, families, and friends in China impacted by the large-scale coronavirus outbreak during this difficult time. Donations to  Iowa Sister States will be shipped immediately to Hebei Province.

    Updates can be monitored at Iowa Sister States: https://www.facebook.com/IowaSisterStates/

    Monetary donations are tax-deductible and can be offered at the link on the Iowa Sister States website: https://www.iowasisterstates.org

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  • Healthy Moms and Babies Act will address growing maternal health concerns

    Iowa Senate News Release

    For Immediate Release: Feb. 19, 2020

    DES MOINES – Senate Democrats have proposed legislation to address the growing maternal health crisis in Iowa.

    “Iowa is facing a maternal health crisis that we simply cannot ignore,” says Senator Janet Petersen, the Senate Democratic Leader. “Iowa’s maternal mortality rate has more than doubled in the past three years, hospital labor and delivery departments are shuttering at record speed, and 66 Iowa counties no longer have a single OB/GYN practicing in their county.”

    The scope of the problem includes:

    • Iowa has lost 37 labor and delivery departments.
      MAP OF OB UNITS | LIST OF CLOSURES
    • Iowa has the lowest number of obstetricians per capita in the country. Two-thirds of rural Level 1 hospitals have no obstetrician on staff.
    • Compared to other states, Iowa has a high rate of cesarean births, an indicator of potential health problems for mother and child.

    “Iowa taxpayers pay for more than 40% all births in our state through Medicaid,” Petersen said. “Governor Reynolds has put a system in place that allows out-of-state companies to make a profit off of labor and delivery services while our rural hospitals are financially penalized for providing care. Iowa’s privatized Medicaid doesn’t cover the full cost of delivering babies, which hurts rural and urban hospitals.” 

    The Healthy Moms and Babies Act (SF 2062), co-sponsored by 18 members of the Iowa Senate, will address the maternal health care crisis by:

    • Adjusting Medicaid rates so that hospitals are adequately reimbursed for the care they provide.
    • Ensuring labor and delivery units use proven practices—known as “safety bundles”—that save lives during delivery.
    • Expanding home visiting services for pregnant women, new moms and babies.

    – end –

    Summary of SF 2062: “Healthy Moms and Babies Act”

    Background

    Maternal health in Iowa is experiencing a crisis.

    Maternal death rates are higher in the U.S. than in any other developed nation, and they are rising.  In Iowa, maternal mortality has more than doubled in three years.

    In addition, moms-to-be are now sicker than in the past, with increasing maternal age, higher levels of obesity and related health complications, and societal problems such as substance abuse and mental health, all playing a role.

    To compound these problems, access to care is diminishing and the provider workforce is shrinking. Iowa has seen 37 labor and delivery units in critical access hospitals close since the year 2000, and Iowa has the lowest number of obstetricians per capita in the country, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

    • 64% of rural Level 1 hospitals have no obstetrician on staff
    • Iowa ranks 50th out of 50 in the number of OB/GYNs per capita
    • Iowa has a high rate of cesarean births which can lead to future health problems

    As of October 2019, 37 of Iowa’s 118 community hospitals have closed their birthing units since 2000, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. There were two closures in 2019, down from eight closures in 2018 — the most in a single year. Since then, Mount Pleasant, New Hampton and Muscatine have announced closures.  Most of those closures have happened at smaller facilities. Hospitals are not reimbursed for the cost of the standard of care for labor and delivery so they lose money on every birth.

    About 40% of births in Iowa are Medicaid so making improvements to maternal care in the Medicaid program is key to improving maternal health and birth outcomes in Iowa. Privatized Medicaid doesn’t cover the costs for delivering babies in Iowa when health care providers follow the standard of care.

    Division I:  Medicaid Maternal and Child Health Improvements

    DHS is directed to adopt rules under both fee-for-service and managed care Medicaid, amend any managed care contracts, and apply for any Medicaid plan amendments or waivers necessary to improve care for moms and babies in all the following ways:

    1. Provide reimbursement in an amount that appropriately covers the entire standard of care costs for labor and delivery;
    2. Provide the same reimbursement for maternal-fetal medicine services and comprehensive maternity care when provided in person or via telehealth (covering both facility and professional fees);
    3. Allow continuous Medicaid eligibility for a woman for a 12-month postpartum period (compared to 60 days currently);
    4. Provide comprehensive maternity care which includes the basic number of prenatal and postpartum visits recommended by ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), any additional prenatal or postpartum visits that are medically necessary, necessary laboratory, nutritional assessment and counseling, health education, personal counseling, managed care, outreach and follow-up services, and treatment of conditions which may complicate pregnancy;
    5. Provide reimbursement for doula care;
    6. Reimbursement for breastfeeding supports, counseling, and supplies including the standard cost of breast pumps and electronic breast pumps;
    7. Reimbursement for transportation to all prenatal and postpartum care appointments; and
    8. Reimbursement for all postpartum care products such as breast pads, period pads, comfort products, pain relievers, and other similar products.

    Division II:  Maternal Best Practices/Safety Bundles and Hospital Requirements

    Licensed hospitals that provide labor and delivery services shall be required to do the following:

    1. Adopt and implement the current best practices or safety bundles recommended by ACOG and the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health; details here https://www.medpagetoday.com/obgyn/pregnancy/74631

    These maternal safety bundles include action measures for:

    • Obstetrical Hemorrhage
    • Severe Hypertension/Preeclampsia
    • Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism
    • Reduction of Low Risk Primary Cesarean Births/Support for Intended Vaginal Birth
    • Reduction of Peripartum Racial Disparities
    • Postpartum care access and standards
    1. Provide information to the public, including but not limited to maternity and neonatal level of care status and the meaning of that status;
    2. Provide cesarean birth statistics;
    3. Provide statistics on the number of vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC) and vaginal births after two cesareans (VBA2C);
    4. Provide rate of exclusive breastfeeding upon discharge;
    5. Provide all moms and babies receiving labor and delivery services with information and assistance in applying for services and health care coverage including but not limited to Medicaid; AEA agencies; WIC; and home visiting programs; prior to discharge from the hospital; and
    6. Have a comprehensive labor and delivery unit closure plan in place that includes a plan for future births and pregnancies and the capacity of other providers to absorb the services in case of unit closure.

    Division III:  Expanded Home Visiting Services

    DHS is directed to seek federal approval for any state plan amendment or waiver necessary in order to collaborate with the Department of Public Health and the Department of Education to expand maternal and infant home visiting services under Medicaid that:

    • promote healthy pregnancies;
    • positive birth outcomes; and
    • healthy infant growth and development.

    The departments shall design a home visiting approach that maximizes coordination and blending of programs and funding, reduces duplication of efforts and ensures that the services provided meet federal evidence-based criteria. Home visiting should start prenatally and include mental health services.

  • Iowans bring fight for their homes to Capitol

    Iowa Senate News Release

    WHAT: News Conference with the Iowa Manufactured Home Resident’s Network
    WHERE: Room 315, Iowa State Capitol
    WHEN: 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 19, 2020
    WHO: Manufactured home residents from around the state

    (DES MOINES) – Residents from manufactured home parks from across the state will meet at the Capitol in Des Moines on Wednesday to continue the fight for their homes by sharing their stories with Iowa lawmakers.

    The Iowa Manufactured Home Resident’s Network is a coalition of residents and allies who are committed to providing a voice to residents of manufactured home communities across the state.

    This week some of those residents will be raising those voices in Des Moines, as important legislation works its way through the Iowa House and Senate.  The bill (SF 2238/HF 2351) is an important first step toward providing checks and balances in a currently one-sided system, a system that is attracting unscrupulous private equity firms to the state as it drives Iowans out of their homes.

    The residents will hold a press conference at 11 am in Room 315 at the Iowa Capitol. Speakers will include manufactured home residents from around the state.

    Senator Wahls speaks in the Chamber about need for reforms

    News conference speakers and video of remarks

    Candi Evans, Golfview Residents Association, North Liberty

    • Park purchased by Havenpark in 2019 – I found out from notice taped to my door of rent increase …
    • Who’s in our community / we are real people
    • Our journey in the past year: from outrageous rent increases, to finding out Havenpark is private investor group from Utah, to first meeting of residents to months of work to get our voices heard, to a bill now under discussion to finally create some of the protections all Iowa manufactured homeowners should have had a long time ago
    • Why we need this bill … we have residents here from at least 7 different parks across Iowa who will share part of their stories with us today

    Angela Smith, Park Plaza Manufactured Home Park, Muscatine

    • Park purchased by Impact in 2019
    • Major rent increases and water overcharges (example) – then because we started to speak up and got help from our city and our municipal utility, the owners are starting to refund the overcharges
    • I’m worried it will happen again unless we get legal protection
    • We need this bill to protect all Iowa residents against fraud and unfair utility charges

    Jenny Heishman, Grinnell Manufactured Home Park, Grinnell

    • Story of trailer purchase and grandparents’ living situation
    • Park purchased by Impact in 2013
    • Since then, our lot rent has increased over 200%
    • We need this bill to protect proud, hardworking Iowans like my grandparents

    Carrie Presley, Table Mound Residents Association, Dubuque

    • Park purchased by Impact in 2017

    Margarita Rodriguez, Forest View Residents’ Association, Iowa City

    • Park sold to developer in 2016
    • With developer as our park owner, there is now no maintenance of park anymore; conditions deteriorating and unsafe
    • Sewers aren’t repaired. Potholes aren’t fixed. And there is no one for us to turn to.
    • We need this bill to create a way for residents to hold owners accountable for safe conditions in our parks, no matter who owns our parks in the future.

    Matt Chapman, Midwest Country Estates, Waukee

    • Waukee residents facing rent increases / who lives in my park
    • Park purchased by Havenpark in 2019
    • Part of national trend, private equity groups taking advantage of residents
    • Who are these owners who are trying to keep us from getting this bill passed?
    • The Iowa Manufactured Homes Association is one of the only opponents to this bill. They have “Iowa” in their name, but they are choosing to represent Havenpark and other out-of-state park owners against the interest of Iowans. In fact, we now know that Impact CEO Frank Rolfe sits on their board. Impact is headquartered in Colorado and now owns at least 23 parks in Iowa. Their CEO Frank Rolfe is the same man who famously told investors that a mobile home park “is like a Waffle House where the customers are chained to their booths.”
    • We need this bill to prevent the Frank Rolfe’s of the world targeting Iowa residents as easy marks for their quick profits.

    State Senator Zach Wahls, D-Coralville

    Senator Wahls offered an update on the current status of manufactured housing legislation traveling through both chambers. The House and Senate have introduce bipartisan bills intended to protect manufactured home owners. He clarified that this is not an issue of parks being sold for redevelopment. Out-of-state owners are eyeing mobile home parks as an opportunity to profit from the vulnerability of disabled or low-income people.

  • Child abuse expert to speak with legislators

    Monday, January 27
    11:30 AM – Room 116, Iowa Statehouse

    Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen has arranged a briefing for Iowa Legislators and Legislative staff by Marci Hamilton, the CEO of CHILD USA, the country’s leading think tank working to end child abuse and neglect.  Iowa can do more to protect Iowa children from abuse and exploitation.  Professor Hamilton will outline how Iowa can dramatically improve protections for children.

    CHILD USA engages in high-level legal, social science, and medical research and analysis to derive the best public policies to end child abuse and neglect. CHILD USA produces evidence-based solutions and information needed by policymakers, organizations, media, and society as a whole to increase child protection and the common good. 

    Prof. Marci Hamilton, CEO of CHILD USA

    MARCI A. HAMILTON is the Robert A. Fox Leadership Program Professor of Practice, and Fox Family Pavilion Resident Senior Fellow in the Program for Research on Religion at the University of Pennsylvania. She is also the founder, CEO, and Academic Director of CHILD USA, www.childusa.org, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit academic think tank at the University of Pennsylvania dedicated to interdisciplinary, evidence-based research to prevent child abuse and neglect. Before moving to the University of Pennsylvania, Professor Hamilton was the Paul R. Verkuil Chair in Public Law at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University.

    Hamilton is the leading expert on child sex abuse statutes of limitations and has submitted testimony and advised legislators in every state where significant reform has occurred. She is the author of Justice Denied: What America Must Do to Protect Its Children(Cambridge University Press), which advocates for the elimination of child sex abuse statutes of limitations. She has filed countless pro bono amicus briefs for the protection of children at the United States Supreme Court and the state supreme courts. Her textbook, Children and the Law, co-authored with Martin Gardner, will be published Fall 2017 by Carolina Academic Press, formerly Lexis/Nexis.

    Hamilton has been a vocal and influential critic of extreme religious liberty, advocating for the vulnerable about overreaching.  Hamilton successfully challenged the constitutionality of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (“RFRA”) at the Supreme Court in Boerne v. Flores(1997), and defeated the RFRA claim brought by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee against hundreds of child sex abuse survivors in Committee of Unsecured Creditors v. Listecki(7thCir. 2015).  She has represented numerous cities dealing with church-state issues as well as claims brought under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (“RLUIPA). The author of God vs. the Gavel: The Perils of Extreme Religious Liberty(Cambridge University Press), which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, she is also a columnist for Verdict on Justia.com.  

    Hamilton has been honored with the 2018 Pennsylvania State University Department of Philosophy Distinguished Alumni Award, the 2017 University of Pennsylvania Law School Louis H. Pollak Public Service Award, the 2016 Voice Today, Voice of Gratitude Award; the 2015 Religious Liberty Award, American Humanist Association; the 2014 Freethought Heroine Award; the National Crime Victim Bar Association’s Frank Carrington Champion of Civil Justice Award, 2012; the E. Nathaniel Gates Award for outstanding public advocacy and scholarship, 2008; and selected as a Pennsylvania Woman of the Year Award, 2012, among others. She is also frequently quoted in the national media on child abuse and neglect, statute of limitations, constitutional, RFRA, RLUIPA, and First Amendment issues.

    Hamilton clerked for United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and Judge Edward R. Becker of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Professor Hamilton is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, B.A., summa cum laude; Pennsylvania State University, M.A. (English, fiction writing, High Honors); M.A. (Philosophy); and the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the University of PennsylvaniaLaw Review. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Order of the Coif. 

    end

  • Committee remarks on SJR 21

    Prepared opening remarks to the Senate State Government Committee on SJR 21 by State Sen. Claire Celsi, D-West Des Moines

    SJR 21, Constitutional Amendment: legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=88&ba=SJR21

    Good morning and welcome to all Iowans who’ve traveled here today to witness this meeting and those who are listening online.

    For many Iowans, this proposed Constitutional Amendment by the Republicans may seem like its coming out of left field.

    Let me assure you. This Iowa bill is just a small part of a coordinated effort to overturn Roe vs. Wade at the national level – and if the Supreme Court kicks the decision back to the states – it’s an effort to weaken the protections of the Iowa Constitution.

    Republicans know that once the Iowa is weakened, if their plan succeeds – then they can go back to the bad bills they’ve tried to pass and get them all out of the trash heap of history and pass them without fear of the Iowa Supreme Court overturning their laws.

    Let’s review. They’ve passed telemedicine abortion bans, a 72-hour waiting period and a 6 week heartbeat bill. Each attempt to limit Iowans’ rights to a safe, legal abortion was more extreme, medically inaccurate and insulting than the one before.

    All of these extreme laws have been nixed by the courts. In the 72-hour waiting period case, the Iowa Supreme Court had enough and the majority opinion went into great detail as to all the ways that Iowans’ constitutional rights had been usurped.

    Republicans complain of activist, unelected judges making these decisions on behalf of Iowans. But what’s ironic is that Republicans in Iowa and nationally are working to stack the courts with judges that will rule in their favor on the issue of abortion.

    A Constitutional amendment is the most extreme action that can be taken a democratic political body. The Republicans are sick of the courts standing up for Iowans’ rights. They want to make sure they have the final say.

    Since this bill has been introduced, I’ve heard from women from all over Iowa. Women who have had life threatening conditions such as preeclampsia that have killed their baby and nearly killed them, too. I’ve heard from Iowans who had an aunt, mother or grandmother who had an illegal abortion and died. I’ve heard from retired nurses from Western Iowa who worked in rural hospitals that provided safe yet illegal abortions to women who had the means and access to the procedure.

    I’ve talked to women whose sisters went to college, tried to self abort their pregnancy in a bathroom, and never came home.

    I’ve talked to women who lost babies much wanted babies at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks for various reasons.

    Thanks to Iowa’s law that limits abortion after 20 weeks – “except for the life and health of the mother” some women have had to wait until they were septic before having a life-saving D&C.

    Some Republicans in the Iowa Senate are determined to weaponize our Constitution to eliminate rights that we currently have. Today, my Democratic colleagues and I are standing up against that overreaching concept.

    Instead of focusing on Iowa’s maternal health crisis, Republicans choose instead to ignore those problems and go the most extreme route possible.

    On behalf of my constituents and the millions of Iowans who support safe, accessible and legal reproductive healthcare – I take great offense to this completely unnecessary bill.

    Thank you Mr. Chair.

  • Statement on constitutional amendment on women’s health

    Read and track Senate Joint Resolution 21

    State Sen. Claire Celsi’s prepared remarks for subcommittee meeting on SJR 21

    January 16, 2019

    Good morning, and welcome to all Iowans who came to express their opinions here today. This is the one and only time that a public expression of opposition or support of an amendment to our constitution will be allowed.

    It speaks volumes to me that the notice for this meeting was requested from my clerk barely in time to meet the 24-hour notice Senate handshake agreement. But the notice was not received through the normal channels by Senate staff, the lobby or the public due to a technical malfunction. When asked to move the meeting to a more amenable time so that more members of the public – those who would be affected most by this law – the suggestion was rejected by the majority.

    It’s a sad day for us when we have four large public meetings for sports betting here at the Capitol, and one poorly noticed public meeting in a small room for such a consequential one here today.

    The Iowa Constitution has been updated a number of times in our state’s history. In every circumstance – it was to update and modernize, right a wrong, or expand the rights of our citizens. This amendment would take rights away. And that is the wrong direction for Iowans. Public poll after public poll affirms that our constituents trust pregnant Iowans to make decisions about their own bodies with the advice of their physicians, their partner and their God.

    In contrast, if approved, this Constitutional amendment seeks to take away a right to bodily autonomy and privacy. The Supreme Court recently elevated its recent decision to include the phrase “strict scrutiny to applies to the right to an abortion.” That means that this right is so important that any attempt to diminish this right should be considered a very serious encroachment on individual rights.

    Some Republicans in the Senate are determined to continue this war on pregnant Iowans – to stand directly between an individual who is making a serious and consequential decision for themselves and their family. These senators want to metaphorically gown up and come right in to the surgical suite and tell that trained physician and the person giving birth and their family that THEY KNOW BETTER. They get to make those decisions.

    My Senate democratic colleagues and I are standing up to say – No way. Not on our watch.

    We have a serious maternal health crisis on our hands. More than 30 labor and delivery departments have closed around our state. There are serious shortages of obstetricians around the state. Options for prenatal care are shrinking. Instead of focusing on these solvable problems, Republicans are choosing instead to focus on a long odyssey of restricting rights through a constitutional amendment and a public vote.

    Iowans deserve public servants who listen to their needs and respond. Iowans from all over the state are asking me to maintain their rights.

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