Iowa House Bill HF715

Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/3/25
• Refer: 3/3/25

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the automatic resignation of members of Congress.

Impact

The implementation of HF715 could lead to increased pressure on Iowa's Congressional representatives to fulfill their legislative duties regarding budgetary matters. The automatic resignation clause serves as a strict accountability measure aimed at ensuring that legislators actively engage in the budget process. This change in state law could reshape the dynamics of fiscal responsibility within Congress, making it known that failure to act on budgets could lead to immediate political consequences for representatives from Iowa.

Summary

House File 715 proposes a significant change regarding the accountability of Iowa's elected representatives in Congress. According to the bill, a member of the U.S. Congress who is elected by Iowa constituents will be deemed to have automatically resigned from their position if Congress fails to pass a budget by October 31 each year. Additionally, if the representative votes in favor of a continuing resolution that extends government funding without a formal budget, they will also be considered to have resigned.

Contention

This bill raises noteworthy points of contention regarding the separation of state and federal powers. Critics may argue that such a statute undermines the autonomy of Congress and infringes upon federal legislative processes. Moreover, there could be concerns about the practical implications of this legislation, such as the potential for frequent special elections in Iowa, which could lead to political instability and increased electoral costs. Supporters, however, may counter that the proposal is a legitimate approach to empower voters by ensuring that their representatives are held accountable for the essential functions of government, namely passing a budget.