Iowa City Lawmakers Host Session on Proposed Legislation

State Senator and Representative field questions on education, public health, and human rights bills

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Two Iowa City lawmakers, State Senator Janice Weiner and State Representative Elinor Levin, hosted a feedback session on Sunday to answer questions from community members about several bills currently being considered in the Iowa legislature. The proposed legislation covers topics such as eliminating state-mandated student vaccines, restricting no-fault divorce, and legally protecting parents who raise children according to their biological sex.

Why it matters

These bills, if passed, could have significant impacts on public health, family law, and LGBTQ+ rights in Iowa. The feedback session provided an opportunity for lawmakers to directly address community concerns and clarify their positions on the proposed legislation.

The details

At the event held at Sidekick Coffee and Books, community members raised questions about a House bill that aims to eliminate state-mandated vaccines for students. Representative Levin expressed concerns that removing vaccine requirements would undermine public health infrastructure and erode trust in medical expertise. Another proposed Senate bill would allow couples to opt out of no-fault divorce, which Senator Weiner said could put more women and children at risk of being stuck in violent households. Levin also addressed a House bill that would legally protect parents who raise children according to their biological sex, calling it a continuation of the false narrative that liberals want to 'make everybody queer'.

  • The feedback session was held on Sunday, February 16, 2026.

The players

Janice Weiner

An Iowa State Senator who hosted the feedback session.

Elinor Levin

An Iowa State Representative who hosted the feedback session.

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What they’re saying

“There is no reason to put more women and more kids at risk of being stuck in a violent household than we already face.”

— Janice Weiner, State Senator (The Daily Iowan)

“The bill passed through a committee primarily made up of Republican lawmakers and continues the false narrative that all liberals want to do is make everybody queer.”

— Elinor Levin, State Representative (The Daily Iowan)

What’s next

The proposed bills will continue to move through the Iowa legislature, with further debate and potential votes in the coming weeks and months.

The takeaway

This feedback session highlights the ongoing debates and divisions around issues like public health, family law, and LGBTQ+ rights in Iowa. As the legislative process continues, lawmakers will need to carefully consider the potential impacts of these bills on their constituents.