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(Des Moines, IA) -- Policy caucuses have concluded and legislators are gearing up for the 2025 session, which begins in just over 3 weeks. Following the November election, republicans will have a 67-33 advantage in the House of Representatives.
Rep. Pat Grassley (R-Butler County) will serve as the Speaker of the House.
"I think it's the fact that we've been able to paint the picture that we get stuff done, and that's kind of an Iowa mentality anyways. I think that's why we've been able to continue to grow the majority," Grassley says.
Democrats say they know they're going to have to work across the aisle to get what they want done. Rep. Jennifer Konfrst (D-Polk County) will serve as the House Minority Leader.
"None of us came up here to vote no," Konfrst says. "We still represent our constituents. We have the largest group of elected Democrats in the state. We can lead on a lot of these issues. And we are happy and looking forward to working together to get some priorities done."
In the senate, republicans will hold a supermajority of 35-15. Grassley hopes the trend to the right is due to policy.
"Every election that we've had since I became Speaker, whether it's a special or the general, we've picked up seats," Grassley says. "So I'm hopeful that's a reflection on the policies, vision and the message we have."
For Democrats, it's about holding firm to their positions despite the variance. Janice Weiner will serve as Senate Minority Leader.
"Unless it's something on which we can make common cause with republicans, we're not going to be able to pass our priorities," Weiner says. "But that doesn't mean we cant be very vocal about them."
The session begins January 13th.