Senators pay tribute to fallen service member, invite public to ISHA event; Senate recesses until workforce committee ends

During opening announcements March 3, 2026, Senator Dawson (Pottawatomie) told the chamber that "yesterday, we received news that 4 service members perished overseas" and asked colleagues to observe a moment of silence for the fallen. He named one service member, "sergeant Declan Cody from West Des Moines," and asked the body to take a moment of silence for him and his family.

Senator Dre (Woodbury) followed with an invitation: she asked colleagues to attend an Iowa Speech-Language-Hearing Association event in the rotunda from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and described ISHA as a statewide network of speech therapists and audiologists that promotes community and awareness around communication disorders and services.

Later in the morning the presiding officer recognized the senator identified in the record as Senator Klemish, who moved that the Senate recess "until the conclusion of [the] workforce committee," noting some Republicans would caucus in Room 22. The presiding officer called for those "in favor" and received an affirmative voice response; when asked "Opposed? Nay?" none was recorded in the transcript and the presiding officer declared the motion prevailed and recessed the Senate until the workforce committee concluded.

What happened next: the record shows no further floor business in this session; committee activity will determine when the Senate resumes floor proceedings.

Notes on claims and verification: Senator Dawson's statement that four service members perished is reported as his announcement on the floor and has not been independently verified in this article.