Iowa Politics & News
The Daily Signal covers Iowa politics, caucus developments, rural policy priorities, and the Hawkeye State’s outsized influence on national elections and conservative movement leadership.
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‘Canceling Student Loan Debt Is Not Legal,’ Iowa Attorney General Says After Supreme Court Arguments
Iowa is one of six states suing the Biden administration over the president’s plan to forgive billions in student loan debt. “Canceling student loan debt is not legal,” Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird says. “In order for that to happen, something would have to pass the House, the Senate, [and] be signed by the president….Virginia Allen -
Iowa Marks National School Choice Week by Enacting Students First Act
Jan. 22 to Jan. 28 is National School Choice Week, and what better way to highlight the fact that parents today have more choices for their children’s education than ever before than by celebrating Iowa’s Students First Act being signed into law on Tuesday? The year 2011 was deemed “the year of school choice” after…Madison Marino Doan -
Iowa and Utah Lead States on School Choice Progress in the New Year
As America celebrates National School Choice Week, two states—Iowa and Utah—have made the first moves this year to empower families with a greater say in how their children are educated. Additionally, the evidence from states with robust school choice policies is debunking opponents’ charges that choice harms rural students and homeschoolers. Last week, the education…Jason Bedrick -
Iowa Governor Leads on Ambitious School Choice Initiative
Iowa came very close to enacting an expansive education choice policy last year. This year, after supporting school choice advocates who successfully primaried incumbents from her own party opposed to reform, Gov. Kimberly Reynolds is determined to see her ambitious education agenda over the finish line. Her proposal is a package of reforms that includes…Jason Bedrick -
Iowa School District Allows Students to Spend Overnight Trips With Whichever Gender They Identify With
An Iowa school district policy allows students to spend overnight trips with the students who share their “gender identity.” The discrimination policy at Linn-Mar Community School District in Linn County, Iowa, gives students a Gender Support Plan, which makes “appropriate arrangements” for students in seventh grade or older wishing to change their gender identity at…Reagan Reese -
8 Things to Know About Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Who Will Give GOP Response to Biden’s State of Union Address
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will deliver the Republican response Tuesday night to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address. Reynolds has promised to deliver an alternative to what she regards as Biden’s “absent leadership” and far-left agenda. But who is Reynolds, and why was she chosen for the rebuttal speech? Here are eight things…Maggie Hroncich -
‘Easy to Vote, but Hard to Cheat’: Iowa Passes Major Election Legislation
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed significant election reform legislation on Monday. The new law decreases Iowa’s early voting period and closes polls an hour earlier on Election Day. State Sen. Roby Smith, a Republican, says the new law “enhances Iowans’ confidence in the elections in this state by implementing common sense reforms like providing a…Rachel del Guidice -
Why Iowa’s Joni Ernst Is Supporting Kavanaugh
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, visited The Heritage Foundation to talk about Thursday’s release of the 2019 Index of U.S. Military Strength. Prior to her speech, Ernst spoke to Daily Signal Editor-in-Chief Rob Bluey about the military, Syria, trade, and Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Bluey: The U.S. Index of Military Strength is an assessment of how our…Rob Bluey -
What These 6 University of Iowa Students Say About Mollie Tibbetts’ Death
IOWA CITY, IOWA—For students who attend the University of Iowa, the beginning of the school year brought the tragic news of their classmate Mollie Tibbetts’ death. Tibbetts’ body was found Tuesday in a corn field in Poweshiek County, Iowa. Tibbetts, a 20-year-old psychology major who would have begun her junior year this fall, was last…Rachel del Guidice -
Korean War Veteran Fights, Wins Battle to Restore Iowa Town’s US Flag
An elderly Korean War veteran and a few hundred dollars were all it took to get the City Council of Independence, Iowa, to reverse its decisions to stop flying the city’s most prominent American flag and not to keep its welcome sign illuminated. Before Memorial Day, after waiting for others to step up and fund…Katherine Rohloff -
Student Sues Over Iowa State’s ‘Speech Code’
A 34-year-old student at Iowa State University is suing the school over what he calls an “unconstitutional speech code.” The student, Robert Dunn, says the university is forcing him to compromise his First Amendment rights by complying with “overly broad and vague” anti-discrimination and harassment policies. Failing to agree to abide by the policies, he…Kelsey Bolar -
Iowa Civil Rights Agency Says It Won’t Tell Pastors What to Preach on Sexuality
Iowa’s human rights agency, in a “clarification,” says it will not muzzle churches that teach on matters of biblical sexuality, nor force them to open single-sex restrooms to members of the opposite sex. The Iowa Civil Rights Commission said it has revised its brochure on “Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity” to state that churches generally are…Leah Jessen -
After Iowa Governor Calls for Bible-Reading Marathon, Groups Threaten to Sue
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad is encouraging citizens of his state to spend more time reading the Bible, by calling for a Bible-reading marathon. However, a couple of organizations are threatening to sue over what they believe is a violation of the separation between church and state. Branstad, a Republican, signed a proclamation encouraging Iowans to…Leah Jessen -
The Biggest Loser in Iowa
One of the biggest losers in Iowa this week wasn’t officially on the presidential ballot. I’m talking about ethanol subsidies. Political wisdom has always said candidates must support government handouts to Iowa’s corn farmers in order to win elections in the state. The results of the Iowa caucus proved such “wisdom” wrong. Here’s the deal…Genevieve Wood -
Franklin Graham at Iowa Prayer Rally: ‘America Needs the Christian Vote’
DES MOINES, Iowa—Evangelist Franklin Graham prayed for what he called America's needs during a rally he led from the steps of the Iowa State Capitol. “Right now we need to get godly men and women to vote and to run for office,” Graham said. “Your vote counts. America needs the Christian vote.” Graham, the eldest…Leah Jessen -
What 4 Democrat Presidential Candidates Said At Iowa Wing Ding Dinner
CLEAR LAKE, Iowa— Democratic presidential candidates spoke at a historic rock and roll landmark here Friday night, with each using the Iowa Wing Ding dinner to lay out their policies. #WingDing dinner 2015 pic.twitter.com/6XvHPLQvWO — Leah Jessen (@_LeahKay_) August 15, 2015 Guest speakers were former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Maryland…Leah Jessen -
What Democratic Presidential Candidates Said at Iowa Presidential Forum
ALTOONA, Iowa—While many 2016 presidential candidates are in Ohio tonight for the first Republican national debate, Democratic presidential candidates gathered in Iowa this afternoon at a presidential forum to show their support for workers and labor unions. Candidates were given three minutes to make opening remarks, answered a series of questions posed by a panel…Leah Jessen -
Domestic Sex Trafficking Survivors Find Hope in Small-Town Iowa Halfway Home
DES MOINES, Iowa–At the intersection of two of the nation’s largest highways, I-35 and I-80, sits the Des Moines, Iowa metro area, known for its small-town feel, farmer’s markets and frequent visits from presidential campaign hopefuls. Less well-known is the fact that the area has become a crossroads for domestic sex trafficking—an industry that claims…Leah Jessen -
On the Trail in Iowa, Mike Huckabee Prioritizes Economy, National Security
ROCKWELL CITY, Iowa—Shaping his message around the economy and national security, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee spoke in small-town Iowa at the library and community center Thursday evening. “Jobs are the single most important thing we have to get underway for people to see an economic recovery,” he said. “There’s nothing that we need more…Leah Jessen -
Martin O’Malley at Iowa Caucus Forum Series: Wants an ‘Inclusive’ Economy
DES MOINES, Iowa—Former governor of Maryland Martin O’Malley spoke at the Iowa Caucus Consortium 2016 Candidate Series in Des Moines Friday afternoon. O’Malley said he votes for the “sensible rebalancing” of the economy. “Together we have to choose to make a more inclusive economy that works for all of our people,” O’Malley said. The Caucus…Leah Jessen