The verbal tug-of-war in the Iowa House escalated last (Tuesday) night with Democrats insisting that state troopers be called in to ensure every one of the 100 members of the House be present to listen to debate over education spending. House Republican Leader Chuck Gipp of Decorah then took the unusual move of setting a time limit on debate and scheduled a vote at 9:15 last night. “We don’t squelch debate. There’s plenty of debate and this is allowing plenty of time for this debate to occur,” Gipp says. House Democratic Leader Pat Murphy of Dubuque says Republicans aren’t willing to bend.They aren’t even willing to discuss what they want to do in the education bill other than to go back to their level of funding,” Murphy says. “I think the art of compromise is being willing to give or take.”
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