Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley delivered his opening remarks Monday morning as the 2024 legislative session kicked off. Grassley reminded the chamber that Republicans in the Iowa House represent all 99 counties in the state, so they have a “good pulse” on the concerns and priorities of Iowans.
Grassley noted the Republican House priorities released in December, which included public safety.
“Unfortunately, the tragic shooting at Perry High School just four days ago has reinforced that this is more urgent than ever,” Grassley said. “For all of us, the loss of life in Perry is top of mind as we begin session. People choose Iowa because our state is viewed as safe. So when we see these senseless acts of violence in our own home state, in our own schools, it shakes us to our core. In Iowa, every parent should be able to send their kids to school and trust that they will return home safe.”
House Republicans are discussing several options in terms of keeping kids safe. Investing in school security, prioritizing school resource officers, protecting children’s mental health, teaching resilience over victimhood and removing inappropriate content from school libraries and classrooms are all targets for House Republicans.
“I can’t wrap my head around how this issue of sexually explicit material in schools got so convoluted,” Grassley said. “I am still shocked that we actually have people willing to fight this hard to keep pornographic material in our schools. What is the educational value of oral sex scenes in a school library book? Have we lost our minds?”
Grassley called last year’s bill to keep those materials out of schools “a simple solution” and “an easy policy for schools to implement.”
“But instead, some chose to politicize this issue,” he said. “And if we need to pass additional legislation this year to protect our kids from this over-sexualization, we will.”
Grassley committed to ensure there would be no “soft-on-crime” policies in Iowa. He said repeat offenders will be off the street and law enforcement will be supported in its recruitment efforts and protections for the men and women serving.
With Bidenomics hitting Iowans hard, Grassley said the caucus wants to deliver relief Iowans can “feel as soon as possible.” He said any proposal from the House will be sustainable.
He also noted education standards will be examined this session by lawmakers to make sure students and teachers are set up for success. The legislature is also expected to continue addressing concerns with behavior in Iowa schools.
“It’ll be a busy year,” Grassley said. “Much of what I just walked through may not be easy. But our caucus prides itself on our track record of delivering on the promises we make to Iowans. And we must continue to fulfill our commitments to the voters. I know this group is ready to get the job done.”
