From the Desk of Senator Blake

It’s been a long week at the Capitol, with much of my time and energy dedicated to fighting against SF 418, the bill that strips the rights of our transgender friends and family by removing gender identity from the civil rights code, opening the door to discrimination.

During the debate on SF 418, I proposed three amendments. S-3011 would have removed the strike on employment protections, S-3012 would have reinstated protections for credit and financial transactions, and S-3013 would have restored housing protections. Unfortunately, all three amendments were voted down along party lines by Republicans.

I want to thank everyone who showed up and spoke out against this harmful legislation. Your voices matter, and I am truly sorry that this bill passed despite your efforts. I’m sorry they refused to listen. I’m sorry that there are people in this state who would seek to strip away the rights of Iowans out of hate.

Despite this setback, we will continue the fight. This bill is unacceptable, and we will hold Republicans accountable for taking away the rights of Iowans. Their actions will not be forgotten.

Working for Iowans

Most Iowans aren’t satisfied with their state government.

That’s what I’ve been hearing at the Capitol, at town halls and legislative forums, on social media, and in my daily conversations. Your goals and aspirations aren’t being reflected by the choices made on your behalf. Your concerns aren’t being addressed.

What it comes down to is a difference in priorities. Senate Democrats want to provide economic security for Iowa families. We want to give Iowans a fair shot to get ahead, not just get by. The same just can’t be said by our colleagues in the majority party.

This week was a perfect example. Despite Iowa’s long and storied history of advancing and protecting civil and human rights, Republicans in the Senate fast-tracked an awful piece of legislation designed to strip our trans family members, friends, neighbors, and coworkers of their anti-discrimination protections under the Iowa Civil Rights code.

This sort of experience has become a pattern this legislative session. While my colleagues and I work to introduce legislation designed to make life more affordable and expand freedom and opportunity for all Iowans, our counterparts move forward with proposals to make life more complicated and more restrictive. Let me give you some examples.

For months, Iowans have been telling us how complicated the unemployment process is and how cuts to their benefits have added fear and uncertainty to an already stressful time in their lives. So, my colleagues and I introduced SF 157 to return Iowa to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits – bringing us back in line with the 38 other states providing at least 26 weeks of benefits. Senate Republicans countered by advancing SSB 1111, which would further restrict Iowans from accessing unemployment benefits.

We know that Iowa has to attract and maintain a growing workforce to address ongoing employment shortages, so my colleagues and I introduced proposals to expand the state childcare assistance program to more families (SF 353), provide paid family leave to public and private sector workers (SF 109), and crack down on predatory practices that raise housing prices for Iowans (SF 414).

None of those Democratic proposals has been given the opportunity for consideration in a subcommittee hearing, where Iowans could weigh in and support them.

Instead, my Republican colleagues have ignored the wants and needs of Iowans and advanced bills to censor public libraries, introduce unscientific propaganda in our schools, and continue to underfund our public schools while siphoning money to an unaccountable private school voucher program.

My Democratic colleagues and I know that all Iowans will benefit from a more affordable and comfortable life, with lower costs, strengthened public schools, affordable housing, and access to paid family leave and expanded childcare services.

We’re prioritizing Iowa’s children, families, and workers. Why aren’t Republican lawmakers?

…And Our Rights We Will [Not] Maintain

This week was a particularly dark and disappointing time at the Capitol as Republican lawmakers in both the House and Senate passed legislation that legalizes discrimination and takes rights away from Iowans.

The bill removes gender identity as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights code. It marks the first time in U.S. history that a state has removed a protected class from its civil rights laws. The bill is a stain on Iowa’s history and its future.

By eliminating gender identity from Iowa code, trans Iowans – our friends and family – will now be subject to legally-protected discrimination in housing, employment, service by a business or government office, and more. The consequences are far-reaching and extend even beyond the transgender community. Men and women who do not present as masculine or feminine enough by someone’s specific standards can now be subject to discrimination.

This is a dangerous precedent. Whose rights will be next for the majority party to dismantle?

Iowa’s state motto is, “Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.” Republican lawmakers failed to live up to that standard this week.

What Can You Do?

A common question I’ve received in these first few weeks of session is, “What can we do?” I know it can feel overwhelming and like you’re screaming into the void sometimes, but there ARE things you can do to help advocate for the causes in which you believe.

I mentioned above that our proposals to lower costs for Iowans have yet to receive preliminary consideration in a Senate subcommittee. These meetings are scheduled by a member of the majority party who serves as a subcommittee’s chair. So, one thing you can do to help is to contact the Republican lawmaker in charge of a certain subcommittee and urge them to schedule a meeting to consider a bill. Here are some opportunities where we could really use your help:

SF 109 – Paid Family Leave

The chair of the subcommittee for this bill is Sen. Dawn Driscoll. You can reach her at:
(515) 281-3371
[email protected]

SF 157 – Reinstating 26 weeks of unemployment benefits

The chair of the subcommittee for this bill is Sen. Dawn Driscoll. You can reach her at:
(515) 281-3371
[email protected]

SF 353 – Expanding the state childcare assistance program

The chair of the subcommittee for this bill is Sen. Mike Klimesh. You can reach him at:
(515) 281-3371
[email protected]

SF 434 – Raising childcare worker wages

This bill has not been assigned a Senate subcommittee, but you can find the Republican members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and their contact information here.

SF 112 – Children who have children automatically qualify for childcare assistance

The chair of the subcommittee for this bill is Sen. Ken Rozenboom. You can reach him at:
(515) 281-3371
[email protected]

SF 414 – Cracking down on predatory housing practices

This bill has not been assigned a Senate subcommittee, but you can find the Republican members of the Senate State Government Committee and their contact information here.

SF 357 – Forgivable loan program to improve housing options in all Iowa communities

The chair of the subcommittee for this bill is Sen. Dawn Driscoll. You can reach her at:
(515) 281-3371
[email protected]

SF 436 – Lifting the cap on real estate transfer into the Housing Trust Fund

This bill has not been assigned a Senate subcommittee, but you can find the Republican members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and their contact information here.

SF 144 – Creating Land Redevelopment Trusts to aid in neighborhood revitalization

The chair of the subcommittee for this bill is Sen. Dawn Driscoll. You can reach her at:
(515) 281-3371
[email protected]

Quick Updates

Protecting Reproductive Health: This week, we welcomed advocates from Planned Parenthood to the Capitol for their Day on the Hill. Democrats have introduced several pieces of legislation that would help support planned family growth across the state, including a constitutional amendment protecting reproductive health care decisions, over-the-counter birth control, and expanded family planning and postpartum Medicaid coverage.
Distracted Driving and Iowa: According to new research from the University of Iowa, between 2019 and 2023, 88,715 vehicles in Iowa were involved in crashes caused by distracted driving, affecting 118,499 people. Hands-free driving legislation is widely supported by Iowans and has been something law enforcement has been advocating on for years. SF 22, banning the use of an electronic device while driving, has advanced through committee and is awaiting debate on the Senate floor.
Iowa’s Cancer Crisis Continues: The Iowa Cancer Registry’s 2025 Cancer in Iowa report was released this week. It shows that Iowa continues to have the second highest rate of new cancers and is one of only two states with a rising rate of new cancers. The report estimates that in 2025, over 21,000 new, invasive cancers will be diagnosed in Iowans. An estimated 6,300 Iowans will die from cancer in 2025. Earlier this session, Senate Democrats introduced SF 63, a bill which would create a statewide cancer research program in the hopes of slowing cancer’s rapid spread across Iowa. The bill has yet to be brought up for a subcommittee.
Recognizing Outstanding Iowa Teachers: The Iowa Department of Education is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Iowa Teacher of the Year through March 7. Anyone—including fellow educators, administrators, students, parents, and community partners—can nominate an inspiring K-12 teacher who is making a difference in an Iowa school. Submit your nomination today!
Learn More About Soil Health and Conservation: Iowa landowners may apply to participate in the 2025 Landowner Education Program offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The application window is open until April 4. All events will take place in June and July. The program is intended for landowners whose land is dedicated primarily to row crops. The program consists of two online workshops and five in-person events in the Ames-Ankeny area. There is no cost to participate. Apply here.
Monarchs, More Than a Pretty Face: Iowa Learning Farms will host a monarch and pollinator habitat workshop on Tuesday, March 18, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at the Coralville Public Library. Monarchs are an ecologically significant element of biodiversity and conservation efforts. Learn more about the species, and other crucial pollinators, at this workshop. The event will be held at the Coralville Public Library E. Jean Schwab Auditorium, 1401 5th Street, Coralville, and is free and open to farmers, landowners and urban residents, though reservations are required to ensure adequate space and food.

This Week in the Capitol

I spoke with transgender Iowans who spoke up about this harmful bill during the subcommittee on Tuesday.

Tuesday, I talked with Iowans who attended the subcommittee for SF 418.

Protesters on Tuesday during the subcommittee on SF 418.

Contact Senator Matt Blake at [email protected] or follow him on social media.
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