Senator Schulz leads prayer as the Iowa Senate opens; senators schedule caucuses

The Iowa Senate convened and opened with a prayer offered by Senator Schulz of Crawford, followed by routine procedural business and announcements about party caucuses.

Senator Schulz led the chamber in prayer, asking members to "contemplate our ongoing sin and the law that condemns us to death" and to seek "healing and comfort for all those who themselves or their family are suffering," invoking the observance of Holy Week. The presiding officer then invited senators to join in the pledge of allegiance.

Afterward, the presiding officer asked whether there were any corrections to the journal; hearing none, the journal "stands approved as printed." The presiding officer also asked whether any senators were to be excused and whether anyone sought the floor for announcements.

The presiding officer recognized the senator from Clinton, Senator Zimmer, who introduced his oldest daughter, saying, "Colleagues, please welcome my oldest daughter, Erin, is here on spring break from her school." Senators responded with a welcome to the chamber.

Later in the opening, senators announced party caucus plans. The presiding officer recognized the senator from Johnson, Senator Weiner, who announced that Democrats would caucus in Room 24. The presiding officer then recognized the senator from Winneshiek, Senator Clemish, who said Republican senators would caucus in Room 22 at 09:30. The presiding officer placed the Senate at ease so members could attend their respective caucuses; the transcript also records a separate announcement that a Democratic caucus would meet "immediately in Room 20," creating conflicting room information in the record.

No formal motions, votes, or policy debates were recorded in the provided transcript excerpts; the chamber moved to recess for party caucuses following the brief procedural items and introductions.