Republican legislators swaggered back to Des Moines with deeper ranks. Despite eight years of one-party rule, Iowa legislative Republicans say there’s more cuts to be made.
The Iowa Capitol buzzed Monday morning, crowded with freshmen legislators jockeying for seat selections and bored family members waiting around for the swearing-in ceremony. With the sound of the gavel, the 91st Iowa General Assembly officially kicked off.
While chaotic, the opening week is not known for consequential policymaking. Legislators are figuring out where they sit, how to keep up with the committee schedule, and whether the cafeteria coffee has reduced price for refills—it does.
But it is a week for visions: not just priorities, but the narrative the party in power tries to set for its work. This year, House Republicans have a 67-33 advantage over Democrats. In the Senate, they have a 34-15 lead.
This coupled with President Donald Trump’s 13-point win in Iowa had Republicans literally doing the YMCA dance at a Monday morning Republican Party of Iowa fundraiser. Radio Iowa reported an ebullient Gov. Kim Reynolds said, “I do feel unburdened by what has been.”
Those celebrations didn’t carry forward into chamber remarks where Republican leaders in both chambers didn’t spare the venom.
“Our bills were characterized as an attack: hateful and divisive,” said House Speaker Pat Grassley. “But the reality is we learned this election that these issues—while emotional—have turned out to be more unifying based on the election results.”
“Four years of inflation, open borders, and radical leftist policies were rejected in every corner of the country. The verdict issued by Iowans and Americans leaves no doubt about what direction they want government to take,” said Senate Minority Leader Jack Whitver. “My message to Iowans is this: We heard you and we’re going to keep doing what we’ve been doing.”
Grassley during his remarks repeated his intention of going after local governments’ ability to raise money through property taxes. But while groups like Iowans for Tax Relief have proposed capping local tax growth, leadership has not endorsed a course of action.
House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst said she hopes Republicans will reach across the aisle.
“Will we work together to make life better or will division rule the day?
Frankly, I don’t have a lot of confidence already this morning, but I hope we can do better,” Konfrst said. “Will we see each other as caricatures or colleagues? Will we find solutions or search for headlines? Will we listen to Washington or Iowans?”
The real agenda setter won’t come until Gov. Kim Reynolds takes the stage. On Tuesday, she will deliver the State of the State speech at 6 p.m. on the floor of the Iowa House.
