Des Moines RegisterView CommentsThe Iowa Legislature adjourned its coronavirus-disrupted 2020 session Sunday after a marathon overnight debate that saw the passage of a mostly status quo budget and a controversial expansion of the state's voter ID program.The Senate passed the proposed at about 6 a.m. Sunday after debating the bill overnight. The House resumed session at 10 a.m. to finalize it. The Legislature officially adjourned at 1:38 p.m.In addition to the budget, the Legislature's Saturday night marathon included the passage of a bill that would after an initial...…Des Moines RegisterView CommentsThe Iowa Legislature adjourned its coronavirus-disrupted 2020 session Sunday after a marathon overnight debate that saw the passage of a mostly status quo budget and a controversial expansion of the state's voter ID program.The Senate passed the proposed at about 6 a.m. Sunday after debating the bill overnight. The House resumed session at 10 a.m. to finalize it. The Legislature officially adjourned at 1:38 p.m.In addition to the budget, the Legislature's Saturday night marathon included the passage of a bill that would after an initial...WW…

Des Moines RegisterView CommentsFor the second year in a row, Iowa Senate Republicans killed a proposed constitutional amendment to restore voting rights to felons, a key priority of Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds. without the Senate passing the measure. Lawmakers' failure to act on the proposal comes as Black Lives Matter activists have immediately restoring voting rights to people with felony convictions once they have completed their sentences.Senate Republicans said they declined to act because they believe Reynolds plans to sign such an order."Over the last couple days, it appeared...…Des Moines RegisterView CommentsFor the second year in a row, Iowa Senate Republicans killed a proposed constitutional amendment to restore voting rights to felons, a key priority of Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds. without the Senate passing the measure. Lawmakers' failure to act on the proposal comes as Black Lives Matter activists have immediately restoring voting rights to people with felony convictions once they have completed their sentences.Senate Republicans said they declined to act because they believe Reynolds plans to sign such an order."Over the last couple days, it appeared...WW…

Des Moines RegisterView CommentsNote to readers: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Katie Miller had to disembark from Air Force Two. Vice President Mike Pence’s routine trip Friday — quick meetings with religious and agriculture leaders in and near Iowa’s capital city — was made surreal in the face of a global pandemic that has upended cultural and political norms.Before he even departed Washington, D.C., Pence’s press secretary, Katie Miller, and several people had to disembark from Air Force Two, delaying its takeoff by more than an hour. She was the...…Des Moines RegisterView CommentsNote to readers: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Katie Miller had to disembark from Air Force Two. Vice President Mike Pence’s routine trip Friday — quick meetings with religious and agriculture leaders in and near Iowa’s capital city — was made surreal in the face of a global pandemic that has upended cultural and political norms.Before he even departed Washington, D.C., Pence’s press secretary, Katie Miller, and several people had to disembark from Air Force Two, delaying its takeoff by more than an hour. She was the...WW…

Des Moines RegisterView CommentsIowa's top elected Republicans are urging President Donald Trump to take responsibility for the this week, prompting criticism from Democrats who say those same Republicans enabled and amplified the president's divisive rhetoric throughout his time in office.“Everyone must take responsibility for their destructive actions yesterday, including the president," U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said in a statement Thursday. "As the leader of the nation, the president bears some responsibility for the actions that he inspires — good or bad. Sadly,...…Des Moines RegisterView CommentsIowa's top elected Republicans are urging President Donald Trump to take responsibility for the this week, prompting criticism from Democrats who say those same Republicans enabled and amplified the president's divisive rhetoric throughout his time in office.“Everyone must take responsibility for their destructive actions yesterday, including the president," U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said in a statement Thursday. "As the leader of the nation, the president bears some responsibility for the actions that he inspires — good or bad. Sadly,...WW…