REP. HOLT: Cannot support portions of Reynolds’ safety measures, many profound issues before us cannot be ignored

As I have stated since the beginning of the Coronavirus response, we cannot allow the consequences of combatting the virus to become worse than the virus itself. I have also stated my belief that government has an obligation to provide the most reliable information possible to the free men and women of our country, make recommendations based upon that information, and then allow citizens to make decisions that are best for themselves and their families.

If government believes that masks will help slow the spread of the Coronavirus, then government should make that case to the people and encourage their use; however, I cannot support the mandating of masks by government. Mask mandates will likely have the opposite effect of what was intended, as opposed to citizens voluntarily agreeing that wearing masks is in the best interests of themselves and their families.

The suspension of certain sporting events and the mandates on certain businesses are inconsistent and result in the unintended consequence of government picking winners and losers. These mandates will harm many small businesses only just now recovering from the last round of mandates, and behind each of these small businesses is a fellow citizen struggling to save their American dream and provide for themselves and their families. I cannot support continued emergency authority being used to shut down businesses, leaving Iowans to rely on government and the goodwill of others for survival. Isn’t every business essential to the ones who depend on it to feed their families? The cure must not be worse than the disease.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I cannot support the use of government authority to tell my fellow citizens how many people can come into their homes. The implications of the precedent this sets, and how such authority could be used for nefarious purposes in the future, cannot be ignored. Indeed, the expectation of privacy void of government interference is at its highest in our homes. Our Founders recognized this and created the 3rd Amendment to the United States Constitution, to ensure the high threshold of approval by the Legislature before the quartering of troops would be allowed in the homes of American citizens. I believe this same reasoning and high standard should apply to any government use of force that intrudes into the homes of American citizens.

Government’s response to the Coronavirus has shown us for the first time the implications and use of executive authority that were likely not contemplated by legislators at the time emergency powers were granted to the Executive Branch. I will be working with other like-minded legislators in the weeks to come to review emergency powers and what changes might be needed, including requiring legislative approval for declared emergencies lasting over a certain period of time. I will also work to ensure that emergency powers are restricted as they pertain to the fundamental right of freedom of religion and the fundamental right to provide for ourselves and our families.

None of us can fully appreciate what our Governor is facing as she navigates the many challenges of the Coronavirus and weighs the mountain of recommendations and information placed before her. The buck stops at her desk and she must make the decisions to lead our state at this difficult time. I appreciate our Governor’s leadership, and I know that the thoughts and prayers of many of us are with our Governor and her staff. Yet, there are many profound issues before us that cannot be ignored, that have far-reaching implications. We must take care that the precedents we set do not imperil the future of liberty when someone might occupy the Governor’s mansion that does not share our current Governor’s noble intent.