IOWA LAWMAKERS ARE HEADING INTO ANOTHER WEEKEND WITHOUT A STATE BUDGET AND WITHOUT REALLY A CLEAR PATH FORWARD. A STANDOFF IN THE SENATE SEEMS TO BE STALLING EVERYTHING AT THE STATE HOUSE. CASEY CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER AMANDA ROOKER, JOINS US NOW IN THE STUDIO WITH WHAT’S BEHIND THIS HOLDUP AND THE CONTROVERSIAL BILL THAT ACTUALLY DID MAKE IT THROUGH TODAY. AMANDA. YES, SOMETHING HAPPENED, BUT NOT A WHOLE LOT. BENTON STACY. LAWMAKERS CAN’T OFFICIALLY END THE SESSION UNTIL THEY PASS NEXT YEAR’S STATE BUDGET. AND WHILE THERE IS A DEAL IN PLACE, ANOTHER POLITICAL FIGHT IS REALLY HOLDING THINGS UP. THIS MORNING, THE IOWA SENATE GAVELED IN FOR JUST FOUR MINUTES. THEN LAWMAKERS SPENT NEARLY 5.5 HOURS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS IN PRIVATE CAUCUS MEETINGS. WHEN THEY RETURNED, FINALLY, IT WAS FOR LESS THAN 30 MINUTES. THEY PASSED ONE BILL, WHICH THEY AMENDED. SO IT HAS TO GO BACK TO THE IOWA HOUSE. THEN THEY GAVELED OUT FOR THE WEEKEND. IT’S STILL UNCLEAR WHETHER THEY’VE RESOLVED THE ISSUE. THAT’S HOLDING UP SESSION, A DEMAND FROM 12 SENATE REPUBLICANS WHO SAY THEY WILL NOT VOTE ON THE BUDGET UNTIL THE SENATE TAKES UP A BILL RESTRICTING EMINENT DOMAIN USE FOR CARBON CAPTURE PIPELINES. NOW, OPPONENTS OF THE PIPELINE PACKED THE SENATE GALLERY TODAY, BUT THEY LEFT WHEN SENATE LAWMAKERS GAVELED OUT THAT EMINENT DOMAIN BILL ALREADY PASSED THE IOWA HOUSE. BUT SENATE REPUBLICANS HAVE RESISTED EFFORTS TO LIMIT IT, EMIT LIMIT EMINENT DOMAIN. IN THESE CASES FOR YEARS NOW. THE BILL WAS ON TODAY’S DEBATE CALENDAR, BUT SENATE LEADERSHIP DID NOT TAKE IT UP. AND IF THEY CAN’T SMOOTH OVER THAT ROADBLOCK, THEY COULD FIND THEMSELVES RIGHT BACK IN THIS SAME POSITION NEXT WEEK. MEANWHILE, THE IOWA SENATE DID PASS A BILL TODAY. THAT BILL WOULD BAN DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS, CITIES, COUNTIES AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE. DEMOCRATS VOICED CONCERNS, BUT REPUBLICANS SAY IT’S NECESSARY. THE DIRECTION SOME HAVE GONE. IN THE EXTREME TO PUSH DEI INITIATIVES IN OUR STATE INSTITUTIONS. DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION FOSTERS ENVIRONMENTS WHERE ALL STUDENTS FEEL VALUED AND INCLUDED. REMOVING THESE PROGRAMS WOULD LEAD TO INCREASED DROPOUT RATES AND LESS EDUCATED WORKFORCE. ULTIMATELY HINDERING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. THAT BILL PASSED THE SENATE. IT’S NOW HEADED BACK TO THE IOWA HOUSE, SO WE WILL CONTINUE TRACKING WHAT HAPPENS NEXT, BOTH ON THE DEI FRONT AND WHETHER THE LEGISLATURE CAN FINALLY WRAP UP SESSION NEXT WEEK.
Iowa Legislature heads into another week without a budget as carbon pipeline fight stalls progress
Senate approves DEI restrictions while stalling on eminent domain bill, prolonging budget standoff
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Updated: 7:42 PM CDT May 9, 2025
The Iowa Legislature is entering double overtime, and there’s still no clear end in sight.Monday will mark the second week since the scheduled end of the 2025 legislative session. Lawmakers have yet to pass a new state budget, which is required before they can officially adjourn. While House Republicans, Senate Republicans, and the governor’s office announced Thursday that they had reached a budget compromise, another roadblock is stalling progress.Twelve Republican senators are refusing to vote on any budget bills unless the Iowa Senate first takes up a bill to restrict the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines.That bill has already passed the Iowa House with bipartisan support. But for years, Senate Republican leaders have resisted efforts to limit eminent domain use in pipeline projects, and as of Friday, they have yet to bring the bill up for debate.The Senate gaveled in Friday morning for just four minutes, then spent more than five hours in private caucus meetings. When lawmakers returned to the floor, they passed just one bill before quickly confirming some appointees for boards and commissions. Then, they adjourned for the weekend.They’re expected to return on Monday, but it’s unclear whether Republican leadership has smoothed things over with the group holding out for the pipeline bill. If they haven’t, lawmakers could find themselves stalled again next week.Iowa Senate passes DEI banIn a 34-16 vote, the Iowa Senate passed a bill that would ban public universities, K-12 schools, cities, counties and community colleges from funding or staffing offices or positions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).House File 856 outlines strict definitions for what constitutes DEI-related activities, including any effort to influence the makeup of faculty, staff, or students based on race, sex, or ethnicity; any promotion of policies or trainings referencing concepts like systemic oppression, unconscious bias, or gender theory; and any activities tied to race, gender identity, or sexual orientation.If enacted, the legislation would prohibit state entities from spending public or private funds on DEI offices or officers. This includes revenue from tuition, donations, grants, or fees. Institutions found in violation could face lawsuits or enforcement action by the Iowa attorney general. The proposal carves out some exceptions. It allows DEI-related activities required by federal law or contracts, such as Title IX compliance, academic research, student organizations, mental health services, and guest speakers. It also excludes general recruitment and legal compliance offices from the restrictions. Supporters say the measure promotes equal treatment for everyone."The opposite of DEI — diversity, equity and inclusion — is MEI — merit, excellence, and intelligence," said Sen. Ken Rozenboom, R-Pella. "House file 856 is required because of the direction some have gone in the extreme to push DEI initiatives in our state institutions."Opponents argue it silences important conversations about race, identity, and inclusion, and will have a chilling effect on educators and students."This legislation threatens our colleges and universities, municipalities, counties, state agencies if they work to promote new and diverse people in leadership and in employment opportunities," said Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines. "This legislation actually criminalizes those efforts to build our workforce. It's going to hurt our state." It is unclear whether cities, counties and schools would be allowed to hold events that celebrate race, gender or sexual orientation if the bill becomes law. Because it was amended by the Senate Friday, it is now headed to the Iowa House.» Subscribe to vlog's YouTube page» Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Legislature is entering double overtime, and there’s still no clear end in sight.
Monday will mark the second week since the scheduled end of the 2025 legislative session. Lawmakers have yet to pass a new state budget, which is required before they can officially adjourn. While House Republicans, Senate Republicans, and the governor’s office announced Thursday that they had reached a budget compromise, another roadblock is stalling progress.
Twelve Republican senators are refusing to vote on any budget bills unless the Iowa Senate first takes up a bill to restrict the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines.
That bill has already passed the Iowa House with bipartisan support. But for years, Senate Republican leaders have resisted efforts to limit eminent domain use in pipeline projects, and as of Friday, they have yet to bring the bill up for debate.
The Senate gaveled in Friday morning for just four minutes, then spent more than five hours in private caucus meetings. When lawmakers returned to the floor, they passed just one bill before quickly confirming some appointees for boards and commissions. Then, they adjourned for the weekend.
They’re expected to return on Monday, but it’s unclear whether Republican leadership has smoothed things over with the group holding out for the pipeline bill. If they haven’t, lawmakers could find themselves stalled again next week.
Iowa Senate passes DEI ban
In a 34-16 vote, the Iowa Senate passed a bill that would ban public universities, K-12 schools, cities, counties and community colleges from funding or staffing offices or positions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
outlines strict definitions for what constitutes DEI-related activities, including any effort to influence the makeup of faculty, staff, or students based on race, sex, or ethnicity; any promotion of policies or trainings referencing concepts like systemic oppression, unconscious bias, or gender theory; and any activities tied to race, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
If enacted, the legislation would prohibit state entities from spending public or private funds on DEI offices or officers. This includes revenue from tuition, donations, grants, or fees. Institutions found in violation could face lawsuits or enforcement action by the Iowa attorney general.
The proposal carves out some exceptions. It allows DEI-related activities required by federal law or contracts, such as Title IX compliance, academic research, student organizations, mental health services, and guest speakers. It also excludes general recruitment and legal compliance offices from the restrictions.
Supporters say the measure promotes equal treatment for everyone.
"The opposite of DEI — diversity, equity and inclusion — is MEI — merit, excellence, and intelligence," said Sen. Ken Rozenboom, R-Pella. "House file 856 is required because of the direction some have gone in the extreme to push DEI initiatives in our state institutions."
Opponents argue it silences important conversations about race, identity, and inclusion, and will have a chilling effect on educators and students.
"This legislation threatens our colleges and universities, municipalities, counties, state agencies if they work to promote new and diverse people in leadership and in employment opportunities," said Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines. "This legislation actually criminalizes those efforts to build our workforce. It's going to hurt our state."
It is unclear whether cities, counties and schools would be allowed to hold events that celebrate race, gender or sexual orientation if the bill becomes law. Because it was amended by the Senate Friday, it is now headed to the Iowa House.
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