Governor answered “yes” when asked whether a bill she signed “gutted” Iowa’s taxpayer watchdog

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A history of corruption and overspending in Iowa by the Reynolds administration was entered into the Congressional record as a result of Governor Kim Reynolds’ testimony at the U.S. House today.

During several minutes of questioning, Kim Reynolds admitted among other things that a bill that she signed prevents Iowa Auditor Rob Sand from holding her administration and the state government accountable.

Rep. Shontel Brown [OH-11] asked Reynolds: “In 2023, did you sign the bill to gut the state auditor’s ability to hold you and the state government accountable? Yes or no?”

Reynolds replied: “A bill was signed to restrict the… to address this.”

Brown: “I’ll take that as a yes.” 

Reynolds: “Yes.” 

Watch a clip of the exchange by clicking here. Watch the full hearing by clicking here.

Brown questioned Reynolds on an Iowa Public Radio article that states Iowa taxpayers had to pay $4.15 million to settle a sexual harassment case against former Iowa Finance Authority director Dave Jamison, which happened during Reynolds’ administration.

Brown also asked Reynolds how she can say every government program needs to be looked at for cuts when she signed a bill that sends $100 million taxpayer dollars intended for public schools to private schools without any independent oversight.

“Kim Reynolds has a history of wasting taxpayer dollars and blocking the state auditor from seeing how money is being spent so she can sweep expenses that help her friends, donors, and special interest groups out under the rug. Today, Reynolds was finally held accountable for her wasteful use of taxpayer dollars to hide a sexual harassment suit that happened under her watch and for her $100 million school voucher plan that helps wealthy families send their children to private schools,” said IDP spokesperson Paige Godden.