New Iowa lawmaker wants Senate to say pledge every day

A newly elected Republican member of the Iowa Senate today challenged the status quo by calling for the 50-member assemblage to say the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each day's proceedings, not just on Mondays as has been the chamber's tradition.

Sen. Bill Dix, R-Shell Rock, a former House member, said he was surprised this week that the Senate did not recite the pledge as part of its opening routine. The Iowa House begins each day with a prayer and the pledge, but Senate rules call for a daily prayer and opening the week with a recital of the Pledge of Alliance.

“I believe firmly that we're not Americans one day of the week, we're Americans every day of the week and we should be saying the pledge,” said Dix. “Hopefully, we can make that a part of our daily routine.”

Senate President Jack Kibbie, D-Emmetsburg, the chamber's presiding officer when the Senate is in session, referred Dix's request to the Senate Rules & Administration Committee.

Dix said “it just kind of feels empty” starting a day of conducting government business without first reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.