Iowa Legislator Denies Claims He Was Sleeping During Bill Debate

I know I probably would take a nap then.

With this new year came a lot of new bills in the Iowa legislation, so many that even I lost count, though some of the more interesting ones involved buying the bottom 9 counties of Minnesota.

Read More: Iowa Senator Proposes Bill To Buy 9 Minnesota Counties

Now, according to WQAD, a member of the Iowa House is denying claims that he was taking a nap during the debate over the hotly contested gender identity bill. Rep. Tom Determann (R, District 69, which includes a lot of Clinton County).

A video posted by a Mason City woman who was among those protesting the bill showed the representative leaning back in his chair, hands on his stomach, with his eyes closed. He refutes the argument that he's napping, saying:

I didn't realize it was against the law to close my eyes during a session. I absolutely deny that I was sleeping. I actually concentrate better with my eyes closed.

To be fair, I do know my dad is absolutely paying attention when he's "resting his eyes". Was he napping? Decide for yourself. You can see the video obtained by WQAD on their YouTube page.

As for the gender identity bill, it was signed into law by Governor Kim Reynolds last week.

The Iowa legislative session lasts 100 days (110 days in odd years, like this one), beginning on the 2nd Monday of January. In the meantime, Committees, the House, and Senate have multiple bills to review as it continues.