Republican Party of Iowa State Platform

 

Preamble

 

As Republicans we continue to uphold the principles of individual responsibility, adherence to traditional moral standards, a strong national defense, a free enterprise system and respect for the sanctity of human life. We believe in retaining the moral absolutes that our Founding Fathers drew from the Holy Scripture as the principal foundation for our Constitution.

 

We acknowledge God’s blessing on our Country and our continued dependence upon God for the preservation of our Nation. We believe high moral character is a necessity of public servants. The highest standard of character should be embodied in both private and public life. We encourage the proliferation of these principles and their passage to future generations.

 

Agriculture

 

We believe a healthy agriculture is the basis of a secure and stable nation by providing a consistent food supply. We encourage continued support and use of renewable resources and support the continuation of environmentally friendly initiatives that help sustain family farming operations.

 

1.1 We urge the legislature to formulate and develop long-range agricultural policies to foster new and expanded domestic and international markets through the use of the private market system and not the World Trade Organization.

 

1.2 We believe agriculture is the basis of a secure and stable nation by providing a consistent food supply.

 

1.3 We encourage continued support and use of bio-fuels and support the continuation of environmentally friendly initiatives that help sustain family farming operations.

 

1.4 We support farm programs that allow individual farmers to raise a crop and sell it at a sufficient profit to eliminate the need for government subsidies.

 

1.5 We support using agriculture to reduce the trade deficit.

 

1.6 We support agriculture and value added agriculture products in Iowa; therefore, we support the livestock industry in this state and support those who engage in it while recognizing the need to protect the environment, but not at the expense of a vibrant livestock industry.

 

1.7 We support current laws that prohibit foreign international ownership of Iowa farmland.

 

1.8 We oppose a national animal identification system.

 

1.9 We support the "Country of Origin" labeling on food products.

 

1.10 We oppose efforts to impose a “sin” tax on all forms of red meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products.

 

1.11 We support the use and enforcement of the same standards for both domestic and imported foods.

 

1.12 We believe that regulations affecting production agriculture, including water and air quality standards should be transferred from the DNR to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

 

1.13 We support the definition of manure as a natural fertilizer.

 

Business and Economic Development

 

We believe that a welcoming business climate is critical to our state’s economic prosperity and the development of our natural and human resources. The key to that prosperity is an adequate return on an individual’s labor, talent, capital and risks. We believe that excessive regulation, business fees and taxes diminish that return.

 

2.1 We believe that the focus of OSHA should be working with, not against, business.

 

2.2 We believe the market place, not the government, should set the minimum wage.

 

2.3 We support Iowa’s Right to Work Law and the passage of a national Right to Work Law.

 

2.4 We support developing a better business climate in Iowa through lowering taxes, reducing regulations and revising Workman’s Compensation laws.

 

2.5 We believe that landlords should have the same rights as other business owners. Non-payment of rents should be considered a “theft of service.”

 

2.6 We support a landlord’s right to refuse leasing property and business owner refusing service based on moral grounds of individuals not covered by the Iowa Civil Rights Act.

 

2.7 We support the elimination of the Iowa Values Fund.

 

2.8 We support the repeal of the Davis-Bacon Act, which increases costs and reduces competition for federally financed construction.

 

2.9 As it duplicates the services provided by private industry, and competes with that industry at taxpayer expense, eliminate Iowa Workforce Development.

 

Education

 

We believe parents, not the government, are responsible for and fully in charge of the education of their children. We believe that in order for our educational system to be successful, it must be accountable to the parents of the community. Therefore, parents should be afforded as many options as possible including private, home or alternative based education. Parents should also be allowed to educate their children from a strong moral perspective. We do not believe that more money insures better education. We believe that some sort of reimbursement is due families who choose non-government education since they pay taxes as well as tuition.

 

3.1 We believe money should follow the child in education, whether children attend public or private institutions. Therefore we support school vouchers and/or tax credits that are provided without religious discrimination, which assist parents financially in educating their children using the option best suited to their family’s educational needs.

 

3.2 We believe the displaying of the Ten Commandments, the American Flag and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance should be allowed.

 

3.3 We support voluntary teacher or student led prayer in government schools. The use of the Bible as a textbook should be allowed as a local option.

 

3.4 We support the teaching of alternative theories on the origins of life including Darwinian Evolution, Creation Science or Intelligent Design, and that each should be given equal weight in presentation.

 

3.5 We believe that educators should stress abstinence outside of marriage as the surest way to prevent pregnancy, the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and associated psychological problems. We also oppose the distribution of condoms in tax-funded schools.

 

3.6 We oppose the teaching of sex education in any form, at any grade level without written parental consent.

 

3.7 We oppose compulsory preschool, and any proposal to change the age at which children are required to attend school.

 

3.8 We oppose the teaching of homosexual behavior as a normal, acceptable or alternative lifestyle, and believe that sex education must emphasize traditional heterosexual lifestyles.

 

3.9 We believe that teacher salaries should be based on performance rather than solely on tenure. We support programs that reward superior teachers and outline clear procedures to remove ineffective educators.

 

3.10 We support the abolition of the Federal Department of Education, and the removal of this position from the Cabinet. In addition, we call for the downsizing of the Iowa Department of Education. We believe that the control of education should be left to the parents, teachers, and local school boards.

 

3.11 We support the enactment of state and federal legislation and/or constitutional provisions that require college students to vote in the state or precinct where they file tax returns or are claimed as a legal dependent for income tax purposes.

 

3.12 We believe that all public employees should receive equal treatment for all employee benefits and policies regardless of organizational affiliation.

 

3.13 We believe Educators at all levels shall have comprehensive communication skills in English, and that English should be the official language used in all areas of the Iowa educational system.

 

3.14 We encourage the continuation of local County Extension Services to deliver informal educational programming and resources to communities, businesses, families and citizens.

 

3.15 We believe increased funding should not be the measure of support for the education in Iowa. Rather, support for policies and curriculum that returns the focus of Iowa K-12 education to basic academic achievement and appreciation for Western Civilization should be the measure of excellence in education.

 

3.16 We appreciate the contribution all ethnic groups have made to our American culture. However, we do not support “ethnic history” months observed in may Iowa school districts.

 

3.17 We call for the repeal of the ban on reasonable corporal punishment in Iowa schools, and for legal protection for teachers and principals who reasonably punish students for misbehavior. We believe that students’ civil liberties are not being infringed upon by punishing wrong behavior.

 

3.18 We demand that the Board of Regents and the state government end the practice of allowing any of our state universities offering in-state tuition to illegal aliens.

 

3.19 We oppose scholarship programs that exclusively benefit homosexual students.

 

3.20 We support fast-track teacher certification to allow competent professionals to teach in our schools.

Energy and Transportation

 

We believe the availability of an adequate supply of energy is essential to the economic strength of the U.S. We believe access to an adequate transportation infrastructure is necessary for a market economy to succeed and for national security to be served.

 

4.1 We support exploration and drilling for oil and natural gas in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge and the outer continental shelf.

 

4.2 We support the continuation of the Ethanol and Bio-Diesel tax credits to provide a support price for corn and soybeans.

 

4.3 We urge all taxes related to transportation to be used for the sole purpose of maintaining and building the transportation infrastructure. We call for equitable distribution of transportation funding between rural and urban areas

 

4.4 We call for an overhaul of the current Federal system regulating the sighting and building of new power plants.

 

4.5 We support reducing our dependency on foreign oil by increasing use of domestic resources.

 

4.6 We encourage the government to provide incentives for alternative energy usage and research.

 

4.7 We support the marketing and consumption of renewable fuels.

 

4.8 We oppose an ethanol mandate.

 

4.9 We oppose the Kyoto Treaty On The Environment and the language of the UN Kyoto Protocol, as it would put the U.S., its’ jobs, citizens, and businesses at an economic disadvantage. We support responsible environmental policy that recognizes the importance of existing as well as alternative sources of fuel for both developed and developing countries.

 

4.10 We believe that the locks on the Mississippi river should be modernized and lengthened to be more efficient, with the use of taxes derived from fuel tax used by river vehicles.

 

Family Values

 

We believe that the basis of our laws and our founding documents are rooted in Judeo-Christian values. We believe every human being should have the inalienable right to life regardless of age or degree of dependency including human beings from conception. We believe the family is the cornerstone of society; a traditional two-parent family of one man and one woman is the best environment to raise children.

 

 

5.1 We support an amendment to both the state and federal Constitutions defining marriage as the exclusive union between one man and one woman.

 

5.2 We support the elimination of no-fault divorce.

 

5.3 We support adoption by heterosexual married couples only.

 

5.4 We oppose the creation of a protected class based on sexual orientation.

 

5.5 We believe that parents are responsible for their children, and we support the rights of parents to discipline, protect and educate their children.

 

5.6 We believe the father of a child, born or unborn, has the same rights and responsibilities as the mother in all matters regarding the child.

 

Government

 

We believe our government was designed to perform only certain limited functions. Beyond these functions it begins a reversal of the proper role of government as the servant, not the master of the people. We affirm that over-taxing families forces mothers and fathers to work more hours and spend less time parenting. Oversized government diminishes the entrepreneurial spirit of individuals and businesses, thereby restricting market-driven economic growth and development. This creates disincentives for handling social problems in the more appropriate domains of family, neighborhoods, churches, faith-based organizations, volunteer efforts and private associations.

 

 

6.1 We support returning government functions from the federal level to the state and local governments wherever possible, consistent with the intent of the Constitution.

 

6.2 We support equal access for non-union and union contractors to government and school district projects, without mandating that contractors sign project labor agreements.

 

6.3 We support maintaining the principle of voluntary donors, not tax dollars, to fund the business of sports, entertainments and the arts.

 

6.4 We continue to support “English as the official language” in Iowa.

 

6.5 We support reforming campaign finance laws so as to uphold all Americans’ right to free speech by allowing American citizens to donate their time or money to political campaigns without limitation, requiring immediate and full disclosure of all sources of campaign funding.

 

6.6 We support building new prisons, as necessary to protect the public from violent criminals.

 

6.7 We support proof of citizenship and residency as requirements for voter registration. We believe voters should be required to present a valid picture ID before voting. We also believe that all official ballots should be printed only in the English language.

 

6.8 We support to limit attorneys’ fees in class action lawsuits and other cases where plaintiffs receive insignificant damages, so that fees are not disproportionate to any recovery obtained in the litigation.

 

6.9 We support requiring a full senate vote on all judicial nominations within 90 days of being nominated by the President.

 

6.10 We support the right of employees to organize, and to not have dues used to support political candidates, and requiring unions to receive written permission from each member before collecting funds for political purposes.

 

6.11 We support a strong commitment to science and technology development regarding space exploration.

 

6.12 We support sunset laws requiring all federal and Iowa agencies to expire automatically after a stated number of years unless renewed by law. This should not apply to any tax relief law.

 

6.13 We assert that the phrase, “the separation of church and state” as is commonly used, contradicts the original intent and practice of the Framers of the Constitution.

 

6.14 We urge our congressional delegation and our senators to support HR 235 which protects the religious free exercise and the free speech rights of churches and other houses of worship.

 

6.15 We believe government officials should not exempt themselves from laws they apply to others.

 

6.16 We support the creation of an Office of Inspector General for the State of Iowa.

 

6.17 We support a revision of the present bottle bill.

 

6.18 We believe we need to restructure our policies with the Native American Nations, including removing their sovereignty as Nations and making them ordinary American citizens.

 

6.19 We support faith-based initiatives for prisons and other providers of rehabilitation services.

 

6.20 We call for an end to all forms of Affirmative Action.

 

6.21 We support voting laws that emphasize Election Day balloting and oppose Oregon style mail in voting.

 

6.22 We believe that no further expansion of gambling should be allowed in Iowa.

 

Health and Human Services

 

Quality, affordable healthcare is of concern to all Americans. In an age of advanced medical technology, individuals need to prepare for health care expenses. Services such as healthcare do not come without a cost. Providers of goods and services are entitled to compensation for their products. For those citizens that cannot afford private health insurance, emergency life saving care should be available. Government healthcare programs must have sufficient oversight to prevent misuse of public funds.

 

 

7.1 Require reporting of AIDS carriers and felony prosecution of any AIDS carrier who willfully, knowingly exposes another person.

 

7.2 We support a mandate for reporting of AIDS by health-care professionals.

 

7.3 We believe that private companies or individuals should not be forced by law to sell or dispense the ‘morning after pill’ or contraceptives against their own guiding principles.

 

7.4 We believe the vaccination of children, and medical decisions are best left to the parents without government coercion.

 

7.5 We support all health care practitioners and morticians to have knowledge of patients AIDS/HIV status prior to providing services via a HIPPA complaint database.

 

7.6 We believe AIDS should be classified as a communicable disease and epidemiologically as any other STD.

 

7.7 We support tax-free Health Savings Accounts that allow for personal control of medical care and saving for retirement at the same time.

 

7.8 We believe that in order to receive social security benefits, one must have paid in for a minimum of 40 quarters and must be a citizen of the United States.

 

7.9 We support measures to ensure that parents’ permission is necessary for any medical testing or treatment performed on their minor children, except in situations that are both serious and urgent, where the parents cannot be contacted in time.

 

7.10 We are opposed in principle to Universal and/or Nationalized Health Care, believing that common sense and the market place can do what government can not: bring customers, health care providers and health care professionals together in a mutually beneficial union.

 

7.11 We support mandatory testing of AIDS/HIV of all healthcare professionals, and the right of patients and their families to access the results of those tests.

 

7.12 We support requiring facilities performing abortions or distributing the abortifacient drug RU486 be required to meet state medical clinic requirements and that they be required to secure malpractice insurance.

 

7.13 We support the confidential collection and reporting of statistics regarding induced abortion and RU486 use just as is done with any surgical procedure.

 

7.14 We call for requiring DHS to have a proper search warrant and a judge's order before entering homes or seizing children.

 

7.15 We insist that one accused by the Department of Human Services should be considered innocent until proven guilty.

 

Homeland Security and Immigration

 

We believe that Congress should establish an immigration policy that furthers the cultural, social and economic interests of the United States. A sound immigration policy and vigorous enforcement of immigration law is essential to securing our homeland.

 

8.1 We believe that current immigration laws should be enforced and strengthened.

 

8.2 We believe that one of the government’s primary roles is to maintain an adequate force to secure the borders of the United States

 

8.3 We believe in a strong national defense.

 

8.4 We oppose welfare, medical, and educational support and issuance of drivers licenses for illegal aliens and their dependents.

 

8.5 We support and encourage the imposition of severe penalties on individuals and industries that are found employing illegal aliens.

 

8.6 We support a physical barrier along the entire Mexican/American border.

 

8.7 We oppose all forms of amnesty for illegal aliens in this country. We call for the government to devote increased resources to seal the borders against illegal goods and people entering the U.S.

 

8.8 We call for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would prevent the automatic granting of (“anchor baby”) citizenship to children born in the United States whose parents are illegally in this country.

 

8.9 We support modernizing the Department of Immigration’s database systems.

 

8.10 We believe the government should not reimburse families for the loss of a loved one due to an act of God, natural disaster, or terrorist attacks unless the individual was a member of the armed services or in the employ of the United States Government.

 

8.11 We support the use of domestic surveillance to monitor contacts between foreign terrorists and their accomplices in the U.S. U.S. Immigration should end the “catch and release” system of deportation.

 

8.12 We oppose any immigration reform that includes a ‘path to citizenship’ for illegal aliens.

 

Law and Justice

 

We believe justice is grounded in personal rights in balance with public safety. We believe the job of government is to uphold the law and maintain order, to protect the innocent, resolve disputes and punish crime. We support fundamental tort reform to reduce lawsuit abuse.

 

9.1 We support reinstating the death penalty in Iowa for capital offenses.

 

9.2 Eminent domain should be used solely for public use; therefore we support legislation preventing the seizure of private property for economic development purposes.

 

9.3 We strongly believe in the Second Amendment, which guarantees us the right to keep and bear arms without government intervention.

 

9.4 We recognize a responsible, competent citizen’s right to self-defense through gun ownership including the right to carry a concealed weapon.

 

9.5 We believe that pornography is not included under the protections of the First Amendment. We strongly support the enforcement of existing Federal obscenity and pornography laws, including requiring libraries to place Internet filters on computers that are accessible to the public.

 

9.6 We support repealing Governor Vilsack’s executive order allowing felons to vote without due process.

 

9.7 Taxpayer funds should not be used to compensate the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

 

9.8 We support stricter laws, like Megan’s Law, for all types of child molestation and abuse with mandatory minimum sentences for convicted sex offenders, and repeat offenders should not be given parole.

 

9.9 We support tort reform and a cap on punitive damages.

 

9.10 We oppose judicial favoritism toward women in child custody cases, and encourage equal protection of paternal rights.

 

9.11 We support prison reform including the limitation of prisoner rights and amenities. Convicts should be required to work. We recommend education and training in vocational, technical and social skills.

 

9.12 Our judicial system should not use precedents or rulings from any source outside of the United States.

 

9.13 We support immediate incarceration of convicted drunk drivers thereby eliminating work permits and weekend only jail sentences.

 

9.14 We support the repeal of state and federal “hate crimes” legislation.

 

9.15 We support a parental rights amendment to the United States Constitution stating that parents have the right to direct the upbringing and education of their children.

 

National Defense/Foreign Policy

 

We believe in our party’s long-standing commitment to a strong national defense, and support the President’s use of military force in seeking out and ridding the world of terrorists, wherever they hide, until the job is finished. We believe our foreign and domestic policy must, by design, be based upon our own strategic national interests and must always jealously guard our nation’s sovereignty.

 

 

10.1 We support withholding of dues to the United Nations as a means of insuring fiscal integrity.

 

10.2 We oppose any further financial obligations being placed upon the United States by the United Nations.

 

10.3 American participation in the United Nations, or any other international body, must never sacrifice the constitutional sovereignty of the United States.

 

10.4 We support the mission of the troops in the war on terror and full prosecution of the war until our goals are achieved.

 

10.5 We support the President of the United States in his international effort to stop terrorists and terrorism by all necessary and legal means.

 

10.6 We urge continued economic and military support for Israel, our strong ally.

 

10.7 We support the Second Amendment; recognizing a responsible, competent citizen’s right to self-defense through gun ownership.

 

10.8 We call for continued research and deployment of a strategic missile defense system.

 

10.9 We support better pay and benefits for our military.

 

10.10 We support complete reimbursement of travel expenses for National Guard and Reservists while they are on active duty.

 

10.11 We oppose reinstating the draft.

 

10.12 We believe that a strict policy on the sale of technology to foreign states be implemented and enforced so that American secrets, that give us a strategic advantage, remain United States secrets and not be sold to foreign states.

 

10.13 We support development of controls so that foreign governments are never in a position to influence the outcome of an American election.

 

Natural Resources/Environment

 

We believe that the environmental policies should reflect sensitivity to sound ecological practices, unbiased scientific standards, risk analysis, national sovereignty, private property rights, common sense, and a realistic view of economic impact. We encourage recycling and other methods of reducing waste volume.

 

 

11.1 We oppose attempts to eliminate hunting and trapping of wild game.

 

11.2 Resolved, the government shall encourage strong soil, water, and wildlife conservation practices. We further recommend revising the Iowa REAO program to use more of the money for actual soil conservation and ground water protection.

 

11.3 We support realistic federal and Iowa laws to ensure clean air, clean water, and safe management of wastes. We ask that these laws be fairly and uniformly enforced, simplified when possible, and strengthened when necessary. Law and rules should be based on unbiased scientific research, risk analysis, economic impact and common sense.

 

11.4 Due to overpopulation of deer and turkey and the damage they do, their number should be reduced by the application of longer seasons and increasing the number of permits, including those to out-of-state hunters, and doe-only hunting.

 

11.5 We support lengthening the deer season and allowing landowners to harvest deer on the own land between October 1st and March 1st.

 

11.6 We believe that the Department of Natural Resources should stop the protection of cougars, bobcats, wolves, bears, porcupines and other dangerous animals in state parks and timbered private property.

 

11.7 We should maintain an environmental policy that protects the rights of humans before other species. We deplore extremist scare tactics not based on sound scientific evidence.

 

11.8 We urge aggressive research focused on the development of new technologies aimed at relieving our dependency on foreign oil.

 

11.9 We oppose confiscation of private property for environmental protection purposes, and oppose granting the Department of Natural Resources the power of eminent domain.

 

Right to Life

 

We believe human life is a sacred gift from our Creator and is a fundamental right as outlined in the Declaration of Independence. This right is innately valuable in every stage and development, including the unborn and the elderly, the terminally or chronically ill, and the mentally or physically handicapped. No human life should ever be diminished, and innocent human life must never be arbitrarily taken.

 

 

12.1 The unborn child has a fundamental right to life, which cannot be infringed.

 

12.2 We reaffirm our support for a human rights amendment to the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Iowa, and we endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to unborn children.

 

12.3 We oppose using public revenues for abortion or funding organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, which advocate it.

 

12.4 We commend those who provide alternatives to abortion by meeting the needs of mothers and offering adoption services.

 

12.5 We reaffirm our support for appointment of judges who respect traditional family values and the sanctity of life.

 

12.6 We support legislation requiring consent by a parent and/or legal guardian before a minor child receives an abortion or any other reproductive services and products.

 

12.7 We support a Woman’s Right to Know law whereby performers of abortions must provide complete factual information to the pregnant woman about the complications of abortion, the biological development of the unborn, fetal pain, and the availability of alternatives to abortion.

 

12.8 We support the full dignity of a burial for all aborted human fetuses in their entirety.

 

12.9 We support the reversal of Roe vs. Wade and return of decision making on abortion to the states.

 

12.10 We are opposed to human cloning and embryonic stem cell research, human fetal-tissue research from induced abortions and the commercial use or sale of fetal parts and promote the use of more stable adult stem cells to advance modern medical research.

 

12.11 We believe all life is sacred and that euthanasia, assisted suicide, and infanticide be banned.

 

12.12 We support the ban of partial birth abortion.

 

Taxes and Spending

 

We believe that less government is better government. We support every reasonable effort on the part of all governments and taxpayers to limit taxation and government spending. We believe that the only purpose of taxation is to fund the constitutionally mandated functions of government, not to “redistribute the wealth”, or to fund ever increasing social programs. We believe that social problems are better handled by private groups or benevolent organizations, and not by the government. We should strive to have less government restrictions, fewer government employees and lower taxes.

 

13.1 We support a balanced budget achieved by responsible spending rather than tax increases that place an undue burden on families.

 

13.2 We believe local governments should reduce their reliance upon property taxes as a revenue source.

 

13.3 We oppose any tax increase on alcohol and cigarettes.

 

13.4 We support allowing younger workers to save for the future and build their net worth by investing a portion of their Social Security payments, while fulfilling our obligations to older Americans, and prohibiting Congress from using Social Security funds for any other use.

 

13.5 We resolve that the income tax be repealed on Social Security and pension income.

 

13.6 We support the repeal of the 16th amendment, the elimination of the IRS and replacing all federal income taxes with a national consumption tax.

 

13.7 We believe the federal Tax Reform Act (the Bush Tax Cuts) of 2003 should be made permanent.

 

13.8 We support a reduction in the commercial real-estate tax rate so as to create a business environment in Iowa that is competitive with surrounding states.

 

13.9 We support increasing the maximum contribution to $5000 per year for IRAs and Roth IRAs.

 

13.10 We support the prompt adoption of the Taxpayer Rights Amendment.

 

13.11 We encourage anyone who objects to any tax cut that has been enacted to give as much money as they desire back to the U. S. Government's general tax fund.

 

13.12 We support current Iowa law that requires a 60% supermajority approval for bonding proposals.

 

13.13 We strongly oppose government money be given to AARP.

 

Commendations

 

14.1 We commend President Bush for his outstanding leadership in the war on terrorism, for his efforts to strengthen national defense and homeland security, and for his part in renewing a spirit of unity and love for our country.

 

14.2 We affirm the position of the President as a moral and ethical force in the direction of our nation. This individual must be a positive role model in his public and private life, and be above reproach in his conduct. Our nation's children deserve no less.

 

14.3 We commend the men and women of our military for their willingness to put their lives in harms way defending the liberties and freedoms we so much enjoy.

 

14.4 We commend the civilian aid workers and contractors who are working overseas for their brave roles in the war on terror.

 

14.5 We commend Senator Charles Grassley for his long, faithful and outstanding service.

 

14.6 We commend, Jim Leach, Tom Latham, and Steve King for continuing their outstanding representation of our districts, state, and party in the U.S. House of Representatives and we urge their reelection.

 

 

14.7 We commend Jim Nussle for continuing his outstanding representation of our districts, state and party in the U.S. House of Representatives.

 

14.8 We commend our Republican State Senators and State Representatives for their excellent service.

 

14.9 We commend our elected Republican county and local officials for their superb service.

 

14.10 We demand an end to gender-specific offices in the Republican Party.

 

14.11 We reaffirm that the Republican Party of Iowa and its officers should remain neutral in all contested primaries.

 

14.12 We support Iowa's First-in-the-Nation presidential caucuses.

 

14.13 We commend all good Republicans for defending Republican principles of government.

 

14.14 We resolve to work to elect Republican candidates who support the party platform.

 

14.15 We expect political campaigns to be conducted in a positive and truthful manner.

 

14.16 Whereas, contributions to the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and the National Republican Congressional Committee should not be spent for the purpose of defeating Republicans in Primary elections. We demand that all Republican National Organizations stay out of Primary elections in all states.

 

14.17 We commend Steve King and Charles Grassley on their stand on immigration reform.

 

14.18 We wish to commend the Department of Health and the University of Iowa neonatal intensive care unit for the outstanding care provided to premature infants. We further acknowledge that the UIHC’s survival rates of 38%, 69%, and almost 80% for 22, 23, and 24 week premature infants respectively, are among the best in the nation.

 

14.19 We commend Dave Vaudt for his accomplishments as a watchdog of our tax dollars.