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Iowa House convenes, elects Pat Grassley as speaker and completes opening organizational business
Summary
The Iowa House of Representatives convened for its organizational session, elected Pat Grassley as speaker and Megan Nelson as chief clerk, adopted three concurrent resolutions to schedule joint conventions, approved temporary rules and recessed until 2:00 p.m.
The Iowa House of Representatives convened in regular session and, during an organizational meeting marked by ceremonial oaths and unanimous voice votes, elected Pat Grassley as speaker and Megan Nelson as chief clerk.
The House formally opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance before moving into organizational motions. Representative Winschel of Harrison moved that Megan Nelson be elected acting chief clerk; members approved the motion by voice vote and Nelson subsequently was elected permanent chief clerk after a later motion. Representative Kaufman of Cedar nominated Pat Grassley of Butler County for speaker; Representative Conferst seconded the nomination and the House authorized the chief clerk to cast votes for all members. Pat Grassley was declared elected and took the oath administered by Senator Chuck Grassley.
Speaker Grassley used his opening remarks to outline the chamber's priorities, saying the majority will pursue tax relief, education reforms including a new higher education committee, and policies aimed at lowering costs for families. "When Iowans told us they needed more money in their pocket, we lowered their taxes," he said, adding the chamber will examine property-tax options, work to expand school choice, and form a Federal and Other Funds Committee to review use of federal funds.
The House also adopted House Concurrent Resolutions 1, 2 and 3 by voice vote to provide for joint conventions for the condition of the state, the state of the judiciary and the National Guard, and the clerk was instructed to message the resolutions to the Senate. The chamber approved House resolutions addressing the selection of secretaries and pages and arrangements for opening-session prayer, and adopted the existing rules and temporary compensation provisions as the chamber's temporary rules for the session.
Several standing committees and short committees were appointed during the session including a five-member credentials committee charged with signing certifications provided by the secretary of state. Members took the oath of office and were directed to sign their oaths before proceeding with other organization tasks.
The House set assignment of seats as a special order for 2:00 p.m. and recessed until that time.
Votes and formal motions were decided primarily by voice vote in the organizational proceedings; specific recorded tallies were not provided in the transcript.
