Our COVID Recovery Plan

January 27, 2021 Senate Staff 0

Iowans have been through a lot over the last year, particularly with the pandemic. It’s not over yet, but it is time for the Legislature to do all it can to help Iowa build back better, bigger and stronger than ever. Our focus this session is on a COVID Recovery Plan to help Iowa rebound from the ravages of the last year.

Gov. Reynolds’ Misuse of Federal Pandemic Relief Funds

December 8, 2020 Senate Staff 0

Senator Claire Celsi is formally requesting that Republican leaders in the Iowa Senate convene a Senate Government Oversight meeting. The Legislature must ensure that all CARES dollars are used properly. If the State fails to do so, Iowa could be required to return misspent money.

Statement on Governor’s misuse of federal COVID funds

October 19, 2020 Senate Staff 0

Instead of directing more money to testing and contact tracing, paid sick leave for essential workers, food assistance, childcare subsidies, additional money for rent assistance, unemployment insurance, utility assistance, providing PPE to healthcare workers and educators, and to help schools prepare for the winter season — and myriad of other uses —  Governor Reynolds is using the CARES Act money as a means to fund pet projects and make Iowa’s budget appear flush with excess funds.

Iowa is COVID hot spot

August 31, 2020 Senate Staff 0

Six months into the pandemic, when many of us thought we might be in the clear, Iowa is in the thick of it with record-high infection rates and mounting deaths. Yet, the Governor continues her half-hearted approach that is preventing Iowa from getting the coronavirus under control.

Senate GOP failed to support bipartisan effort to restore voting rights

August 5, 2020 Senate Staff 0

A permanent solution was blocked by Senate Republicans, who failed to amend the Iowa Constitution to allow more Iowans to vote. Sen. Brad Zaun, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, waited until the 11th hour of the 2020 session to finally get it through the Judiciary Committee but there was no effort to bring it to a vote by the full Senate.