Iowa Senate holds brief floor session to welcome visitors and adjourns until Feb. 6

The Iowa Senate adjourned until Thursday, Feb. 6 at 9 a.m. after a short floor session that featured visitor recognitions and floor announcements.

The session opened with the presiding officer calling the chamber to order and a prayer by the senator from Hancock, Senator Guth. The Senate welcomed former Senator Rita Hart back to the chamber, and Senator Webster introduced his daughter in observance of Realtor Day at the Capitol.

Senator Westrich announced Southeast Iowa Days, saying more than 100 delegates from southeast Iowa were visiting the State Capitol for a two-day program of meetings and events that concludes with a reception at the Iowa Taproom. Senator Saeed recognized AmeriCorps refugee and immigrant volunteers serving under the RIVA (Refugee and Immigrant Voices in Action) AmeriCorps program, noting that since February 2015 the program has helped more than 10,000 new Iowans access education and skill-building services and that RIVA currently has 33 members at 10 service sites supporting more than 700 clients; the senator said 19 RIVA members were in the gallery.

Senator Warmie marked National Women and Girls in Sports Day and cited Title IX in noting the importance of opportunities for girls in athletics. Senator Klemish announced the observance of ABATE Day on the hill and invited colleagues to events on the first-floor rotunda. During the session Senator Weiner announced a Democratic caucus in Room 24.

At the close of the session, Senator Whitver moved “the senate adjourn until Thursday, February 6 at 9AM.” The motion was approved by voice vote. The presiding officer declared the motion prevailing and adjourned the Senate.

Items were largely ceremonial and informational; no bills or resolutions were debated or enacted during the recorded portion of this session.