January is interesting after a general election in Iowa and the country.
The majority and minority party’s leadership are determined for Washington, DC and Des Moines and await the swearing in. Committee leaders have been appointed. The president and vice president will take office and newly-elected governors will be in place. It’s a good practice to watch what they do, not what they say, as government begins its work. Is a trifecta in Washington, DC and Des Moines good for Iowans or just politicians?
The majority party determines the direction for legislative action. Inauguration speeches and state of the state addresses give clues for direction of the country and state during 2025. The majority party normally claims that it has a “mandate” which usually is more political spin than reality dependent upon to the margin of the election win.
The 2024 presidential election was less than 1.5% popular vote margin between Trump and Harris and neither candidate received over 50% of the votes. The electoral college was a different story showing a clear majority. The 2025 119th Congress has the smallest majority in modern history. The slim majority could be more tenuous when three Republican seats are expected to be vacant as Trump’s administrative choices are affirmed. Special elections will determine the final majority in Congress. The GOP Senate majority is also small with control of 53 of 100 seats. At least the Speaker of the House was elected with one ballot this term.
Iowa GOP is another story. Iowa’s trifecta which includes the governor’s office, represents a margin in the Iowa House and Senate not experienced since 1970. Iowa Senate GOP holds a 35-15 super majority with one special election to fill the position vacated by Chris Cournoyer’s appointment as Lieutenant Governor. Iowa House Republicans hold a 67-33 super majority. They have control of all decisions.
House Speaker Pat Grassley indicated governing as in the past. What does that mean? Iowa’s legislature has passed bills not supported by the electorate like vouchers, book bans, restricting women’s health care choices and parental decisions on children’s health needs, expanding parental rights on school curriculum, voter regulations and changing work hours for students. Tax cuts favored the wealthy. Minimum wages weren’t increased. Iowa’s legislation had little to do with addressing the needs of Iowans but focused on a national plan unwanted by most Iowans.
We have been fortunate that Iowa legislative representatives of senate district 9, house district 17 and house district 18 have continued to have regular legislative forums. I wonder if that will continue in 2025? There have been modest “promises” that if attendees weren’t polite the forums would end. I’m hopeful they will continue. Time will tell.
President-elect Trump’s agenda, Project 2025, created by the Heritage Foundation, outlined plans for mass deportations, tariffs, tax cuts, retribution against investigators, journalists, television networks and businesses Trump deemed unfriendly. It promised reshaping government, eliminating the Department of Education and DEI policies, more election regulations, restrictive women/family health options, and gutting LGBTQ+ rights. I’ve read portions of Project 2025 and find it less about democracy and more about autocracy.
Where’s Congressman Zach Nunn? He held no open town hall meeting during his first term in office. There may have been county meetings for invitees, but not for non-GOP citizens interaction. Previous Congressional representatives from both parties sought constituent interaction and I attended. While reapportionment of the Third Congressional District resulted in a “redder” base than pre-2020, elected leaders need to listen to all constituents, not just one side.
Senators Grassley and Ernst previously held scheduled town hall meetings and I attended. Unfortunately, they too have followed the strategy of limited access by constituents. They tout meetings in all 99 counties with constituents. However, all or most meetings have been open only to invited groups and Facebook pictures afterward are the only record of the event.
Who whispers in the ear of Iowa’s national and state elected leaders? Are they listening to the general electorate or the wealthy donors? Iowans want the opportunity to ask questions and get answers from elected officials. We’ll see what 2025 holds for communication. Actions speak louder than words. We need to pay attention.