Iowa Democratic senators responded to the extreme, near-total abortion ban introduced by Republican politicians and debated on the Senate floor on Tuesday. 

Senate Democratic Leader Pam Jochum, SF 579 floor manager Janice Weiner, and Health and Human Services Committee Ranking Member Sarah Trone Garriott released the following statements. 

“Republican politicians are ignoring Iowans in their rush to pass an extreme ban on 98% of abortions in Iowa,” Senate Democratic Leader Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, said. “Their actions today threaten the health and futures of all Iowa women.”

“This extreme Republican power grab infringes on the personal freedom of every Iowa woman and girl. There are women alive today who will not be alive in six months because of this law,” Jochum said. “That is a tragedy and a travesty.”

“Democrats trust Iowa women. We believe in freedom and the right of every Iowan to decide their own futures – and we know the majority of Iowans agree with us,” Jochum said.

“Gov. Reynolds and legislative Republicans convened an unprecedented special session today for the sole purpose of taking away Iowans’ rights. They hoped they could do it quickly and quietly enough that we wouldn’t notice our freedoms being stripped away,” Sen. Janice Weiner, D-Iowa City, said. “But Iowans showed up. We see what these extreme Republicans are doing, we’re mad as hell, and we most definitely won’t forget.”

“The Republicans’ extreme, near-total abortion ban makes difficult circumstances so much worse for Iowa women – denying essential healthcare while offering no resources and no assistance,” Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines, said. 

“Instead of calling legislators back to Des Moines to take away fundamental freedoms, we could have made a positive difference for Iowa women,” Trone Garriott said. “We could have expanded maternal healthcare, reinstated support for family planning, and offered more help with childcare. That’s what Iowa Democrats are fighting for – a state that supports Iowa families and helps them thrive.” 

###

Following Governor Reynolds’ call for a special session, the Democratic Leaders of the Iowa House and Senate released the following statements on Republican plans to end reproductive freedom in Iowa.  

Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Pam Jochum of Dubuque:

“We knew this would happen. Republican extremists, led by Gov. Kim Reynolds, are rushing to take away Iowans’ established rights and personal freedoms. And they hope they can do it fast enough that Iowans won’t even notice.

Now is the time for Iowans to fight back against an extreme abortion ban that will cost women their lives as well as their freedom. Iowans see how abortion bans have caused heartbreak, complications, and death in other states. We won’t stand for it here.

This attack on reproductive healthcare is opposed by a large majority of Iowans. Senate Democrats will be fighting for that majority on the Senate floor next week, and we call on every Iowan to join us.”

Iowa Sens. Sarah Trone Garriott and Izaah Knox released the following statements on the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services’ decision to apply for a $29 million federal grant to provide food assistance for Iowa children this summer. 

“I’m happy and relieved to see our state moving forward to feed Iowa kids this summer. This is the right thing to do for our families and communities,” Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott said. “We should never leave resources on the table when it comes to caring for our kids.”

“I appreciate the Department of Health and Human Services for listening to Iowans and agreeing to apply for this program,” Trone Garriott said. “And I especially want to thank all the organizations, faith leaders, and community leaders who came together to advocate on behalf of Iowa kids.”

“We know from previous years that this program supports families and feeds kids all across Iowa,” Sen. Izaah Knox said. “I’m proud to see people and communities coming together to secure these resources for our neighbors in need. Some things are above politics, and feeding hungry kids is one of them.”

Sens. Trone Garriott and Knox sent a letter along with state Rep. Sean Bagniewski to the governor last week requesting that the state apply for the funds. The full letter is available here. 

Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines, is the ranking member on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Sen. Izaah Knox is a Democrat from Des Moines. 

###

Des Moines — Iowa state Sen. Claire Celsi released the following statement in response to news that the state will publish critical financial reports more than six months late, jeopardizing federal funding for state universities. 

This is the third year in a row the state has failed to file its annual comprehensive financial report on time, due to the botched and ultimately aborted implementation of a new statewide financial software. 

“The Reynolds Administration has not acted with a sense of urgency to fix this problem. Auditor Rob Sand’s office has assisted the universities on a work-around, but that still doesn’t solve the problem going forward,” Iowa Sen. Claire Celsi said.

“I urge the Reynolds Administration to put extra resources behind this so that the state can file next year’s report on time and get back on track,” Celsi said. “It’s disappointing that the Reynolds Administration has failed to prioritize this issue, putting funding at risk for our Regents universities.”

Celsi, D-West Des Moines, serves as the ranking member on the Senate Oversight Committee.

###

Des Moines – Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday imploring her to accept federal food assistance for hungry Iowa kids this summer. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pandemic EBT program ensures that children who receive free and reduced lunches during the school year can continue to have access to nutritious foods during summer break. 

Currently, Iowa is just one of 10 states that have not applied to this program for the summer of 2023. The deadline for the state to apply is July 14. 

Iowa state Sens. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines, and Izaah Knox, D-Des Moines, and state Rep. Sean Bagniewski, D-Des Moines, sent a letter to Reynolds on Thursday asking her to take advantage of the program after they visited the White House last week. 

“Our state government is responsible for promoting and protecting the health and well-being of our citizens, and our children in particular,” the lawmakers wrote to Gov. Reynolds. “Food is a basic need. If we want our children to grow up healthy, excel in their education, and be active in our community, they need to be fed. Practical, beneficial programs like Pandemic EBT are an important way to help Iowa kids.

“Governor Reynolds, we call on you to prioritize the health and wellbeing of Iowa children and act today. Direct your Departments to submit a plan now for the summer USDA Pandemic EBT program for the sake of our Iowa kids. Please do not leave federal money on the table while so many Iowa children are at risk of going hungry.”

The full letter is available here. 

A list of states that have been approved for the USDA summer program can be found on the program’s website. In addition to those already accessing the program, several states have applied but are not yet been fully approved.

###

Des Moines – Iowa state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott released the following statement regarding Friday’s Iowa Supreme Court decision on the Republican-passed state law banning abortion after 6 weeks. 

Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines, is the ranking member on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and the Democratic Whip: 

“Following today’s 3-3 Iowa Supreme Court decision, abortion remains safe and legal in Iowa – despite repeated attempts from Gov. Reynolds to enforce a near total abortion ban in the state.

“But the fight is not over. While Iowa’s courts have stood up for our rights based on the state constitution, a small group of extreme, anti-choice Republican politicians are still seeking to change both the courts and the constitution. 

“With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, our rights are at risk. We fully expect a new attack on reproductive rights — perhaps from Gov. Reynolds calling an unprecedented special session in the next few months.

“Senate Democrats stand with the majority of Iowans who support safe and legal access to abortion. Now is the time to defend our rights. Tell your legislators that you refuse further attacks on abortion rights. Raise your voice, and rally your friends and neighbors to do the same. We must hold elected leaders accountable to the will of the people.”

# # # 

Iowa Sen. Herman Quirmbach released the following statement on the increases in tuition, fees, and room and board at Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa. The increases were enacted for next school year by the Iowa Board of Regents on Wednesday. 

The Board raised in-state tuition this fall by 3.5 percent for students at all three institutions. Base tuition increases for in-state students are $304 at ISU, $305 at U of I, and $285 at UNI. For Iowa students living on campus, the average overall increase including room and board and fees is $838.67.

“The tuition hikes enacted by the Board of Regents today are the direct result of Des Moines Statehouse Republicans’ failure to support Iowans and build a stronger future for our state,” Iowa State Sen. Herman Quirmbach said. “These increases make it harder for Iowans to go to college, stay in college, and remain in Iowa after college.

“Senate and House Republicans denied the Regents universities any increase at all in their general funding. Had the Republicans granted the full increase the Board requested, it would have been enough to avoid any increase in costs for in-state students. Had the Republicans even gone along with Governor Reynold’s meager $12 million request, tuition increases for in-state undergraduates would have been unnecessary.

“Instead, Statehouse Republicans thumbed their noses at their own governor and passed the costs along to Iowa students and their families,“ Quirmbach said. “Republican politicians in Des Moines have once again chosen tax breaks for the wealthy and big corporations over a brighter future for the next generation of Iowans.”

Quirmbach, D-Ames, is the ranking member on the Senate Education Committee. 

###

Democratic members of the Iowa Senate on Wednesday chose Sen. Pam Jochum of Dubuque to serve as the Democratic Leader of the Iowa Senate.

“I am honored to receive the unanimous support of my fellow Democratic Senators during this critical moment for our caucus and the state of Iowa,” Senate Democratic Leader Pam Jochum said. 

“As a united team, Senate Democrats will continue to fight for the principles we believe in on behalf of the people of Iowa. We’re fighting for strong working families and the rights and freedoms of all people. We’re fighting for high-quality public education and affordable, accessible healthcare in every community.” 

“Senate Democrats look forward to offering a better way forward for the people of Iowa – in 2024 and beyond. We’re going to defend our incumbent senators, grow our caucus, and win a majority that delivers for middle class Iowans.” 

“I want to thank Sen. Wahls for his vision and leadership in guiding our caucus over the last three legislative sessions.”  

Pam Jochum is serving her fourth term in the Iowa Senate and represents  District 36, which encompasses the city of Dubuque and part of Dubuque County. She previously served as Senate President and most recently as an Assistant Democratic Leader.

Throughout her tenure in the statehouse, Jochum has played a leading role in expanding affordable health insurance coverage to thousands of working Iowans and has stood up for citizens with disabilities to protect their health services when the governor privatized Iowa’s Medicaid system. 

Her influence is evident throughout Iowa law—from historic property tax cuts to revitalizing manufacturing to nationally acclaimed legislation on ethanol production, wind energy, solar energy and flood mitigation programs. 

Born and raised in Dubuque, Jochum earned the value of a hard-day’s work from her parents, and the meaning of empathy and dignity from her daughter, Sarah. In addition to her legislative service, she worked as an administrator at Loras College, and at an insurance agency, Legal Aid, in financial services. 

The next session of the Iowa General Assembly will convene on Monday, January 8, 2024.

###

Feds confirm: Child Labor Investigations Underway in Iowa

Several aspects of the child-labor expansion bill passed by Iowa Republican lawmakers this year explicitly violate federal labor law.

That’s the conclusion found in a letter sent this month from the U.S. Department of Labor to Iowa Democratic legislators, who had asked the department to review the legislation. The letter also confirms there are active child labor investigations underway in Iowa. 

The child-labor expansion bill, Senate File 542, was passed by Republican politicians on May 3, but has not yet been signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds. 

“This letter confirms what we’ve argued since this debate began: in the rush to expand child labor in Iowa, Republican legislators will be inviting businesses to break federal law,” Sen. Nate Boulton, D-Des Moines, said. “Protections against unsafe and exploitative child labor are there for a reason, and failed measures to address Iowa’s workforce crisis is no excuse to undermine those safeguards.”

“Now it’s been confirmed: SF 542 violates federal law. Gov. Reynolds needs to veto this dangerous, unlawful bill to protect Iowa kids and ensure legal clarity for Iowa employers,” Boulton said.

“With active child investigations underway in Iowa, now is not the time to put more kids at risk in dangerous working environments,” said Rep. Jeff Cooling, D- Cedar Rapids, Ranking Member of the House Labor & Workforce Committee. “Since this bill was pushed by out-of-state special interests, the Governor should do what’s best for Iowans and veto the bill. It’s bad for Iowa kids, parents, and local Iowa businesses who may get fined.”

The letter, signed by two top officials at the U.S. Department of Labor, finds that SF 542 “appears to be inconsistent with federal child labor law in several respects.”

It finds that: 

• SF 542 allows 14- and 15-year-olds to perform non-incidental work in meat freezers – which is explicitly prohibited under federal law. 
• SF 542 allows 14- and 15-year-olds to work in industrial laundries and “perform light assembly work” – both of which are likely prohibited under federal law.
• SF 542 expands the hours 14- and 15-year-olds may work to between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. during the school year and between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. over the summer. Federal law says they may only work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the school year and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. over the summer. 
• SF 542 expands the hours 14- and 15-year-olds can work to 6 hours on a school day and up to 28 hours a week during the school year. This also violates federal law, which limits work hours to 3 hours on a school day and no more than 18 hours per week during the school year. 

The letter also confirms that the Department is actively investigating incidents of illegal child labor in Iowa.

“…the Department currently has over 600 child labor investigations underway nationwide, including in Iowa, and continues to field complaints and initiate investigations to protect children under the federal child labor laws,” the letter states.

The letter clarifies that “states cannot nullify federal requirements by enacting less protective standards” and pledges to keep a closer watch on child labor in Iowa: “The Department will continue to closely monitor the status of child labor laws in Iowa and their potential ramifications for federal child labor law enforcement.”

Dated May 10, 2023, the response came after an initial letter sent by seven Democratic lawmakers on March 14 seeking the Department of Labor’s opinion on the legality of the proposed legislation. While SF 542 was amended after the lawmakers’ initial request was sent, the conflicts to federal law identified by the Department of Labor remain in the final version of the legislation that passed on May 3.

###

Iowa state Sen. Janet Petersen on Tuesday called on Gov Kim Reynolds to use her line-item veto power to resist a nearly $30 million cut to Iowa’s Area Education Agencies in the recently passed state budget.

“The state budget approved by Republican lawmakers slashes $22 million from special education services while handing over $107 million in Iowa taxpayer dollars to pay for Republicans’ new private school voucher program,” Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, said.

“Iowans should be outraged. Taking away millions of dollars from our children’s special education services in every region of the state to pay for her new private school voucher program is wrong,” Petersen said. “Governor Reynolds should veto the cut.”

Republican majorities in the Iowa House and Senate passed a budget earlier this month that reduces funding to the agencies by a total of $29.5 million – despite a $2 billion state budget surplus and Iowa’s growing need for AEA services.

AEAs provide special education services to both public and private schools on a regional basis. Demand for those services will grow in coming years – and funding will decrease – as more students use vouchers to attend private schools that do not provide in-school special education services.

The bill containing the budget cuts has passed the legislature, but it has not yet been signed into law. Gov. Reynolds has the authority to strike specific line items from budget bills, meaning that she could remove $22 million in AEA budget cuts while approving the remainder of the bill.

Petersen on Tuesday also encouraged Iowans to contact the governor and add their voices to the call to preserve funding for children’s AEAs and special education in Iowa.

“Please call the governor’s office at 515-281-5211 and let her know that our AEAs provide vital services to Iowa’s kids who need it most,” Petersen said. “If the state can afford $107 million to subsidize exclusive private schools, it can also afford $22 million to ensure quality special education services continue in every Iowa community.”

Petersen, D-Des Moines, is the ranking member on the Senate Appropriations Committee, which leads the budget-writing process in the Senate.

###