Iowa Senate opens 2026 session with prayer, memorials and calls for civility

The Iowa Senate convened Jan. 12, 2026, opening the 2026 session with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, introductions of guests and a moment of silence for recently deceased legislators.

The presiding officer, who opened the session under Iowa Code §2.1, asked for guidance for the new year and urged senators to work thoughtfully and respectfully. "May your presence give us the energy, intelligence, discipline, and imagination needed to work for the good of the people of the state of Iowa and to give praise and honor to our lord," the presiding officer said during the invocation.

The presiding officer welcomed guests in the galleries, including former Senators Jeff Danielson and Patrick Dallory and Mark Daly, speaker of the Irish Senate, and recognized the deaths of Senators Rocky DeWitt and Claire Celsey. Later in the session a senator presented flags that flew over the Capitol for a member of Celsey’s family.

Procedural business included acceptance of committee credentials and the appointment of multiple committees. The Senate approved committee reports and appointed committees to notify the House and the governor that the Senate is organized and ready for business. The body also approved the committee recommendation to appoint officers and employees of the Senate and administered oaths to full- and part-time employees, clerks and pages who had not previously taken them.

The Senate formally swore in Renee Hardman as senator for the 16th District after the secretary of state certification was read into the record; senators rose to congratulate her following the oath.

The body took unanimous action on several routine items and recessed briefly for a rules meeting before resuming floor business.