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HF 715

A bill for an act relating to the automatic resignation of members of Congress.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Wills

HF 715 auto-resigns Iowa-elected U.S. lawmakers if Congress misses a budget by Oct 31 or if they back a funding continuation, with vacancies filled per Iowa law.

Introduced, referred to State Government.
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Bill Summary · HF 715

HF 715 — Summary

HF 715 is a proposed Iowa bill introduced on March 3, 2025, that would create an automatic resignation mechanism for U.S. Senators or Representatives elected by the people of Iowa under specific federal budget scenarios. The bill is currently introduced and referred to the State Government committee. Primary sponsor: Wills.

Purpose and scope

  • The bill aims to establish that an Iowa-elected U.S. Senator or Representative is deemed to have resigned from Congress under two budget-related triggers, effectively linking a state-level status change to federal fiscal actions.
  • It applies only to members of Congress who were elected by voters in Iowa.

Key provisions

  • Section 69.21 NEW SECTION:

    • A United States Senator or Representative elected by Iowan voters shall be deemed to have resigned from office pursuant to section 69.4 if: 1) Congress fails to pass a federal budget by October 31 of each year; or 2) the member votes for a continuing resolution that provides for automatic extension of funding.
    • The office of the member deemed to have resigned shall be considered vacant and filled as provided in this chapter (i.e., in Iowa law).

  • Filling of vacancies:

    • Any seat deemed vacant under this provision would be filled as provided by Iowa law, consistent with the bill’s language that vacancies are to be handled per the applicable filling procedures.

Affected individuals and entities

  • Affected: United States Senators or Representatives elected by the people of Iowa.
  • Not affected: Members of Congress representing other states (the bill’s provisions are Iowa-specific).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Trigger date: October 31 of each year is the cutoff for the budget failure trigger.
  • Trigger 2: A vote by the member in favor of a continuing resolution to extend funding would also trigger resignation.
  • Once triggered, the member’s seat is considered vacant, and the vacancy is filled under Iowa's vacancy-filling procedures.

Potential implications and considerations

  • Constitutional questions: The proposal creates a state-law mechanism to determine the status of federal officeholders, which could raise questions about compatibility with the U.S. Constitution and federal law, including appointment and vacancy procedures.
  • Intergovernmental balance: The bill asserts Iowa-level authority over federal offices, which may raise legal and practical considerations about federal-state interactions.
  • Practical impact: If triggered, vacancies would prompt Iowa’s vacancy processes, potentially leading to special elections or other state-defined methods per Iowa law.

Legislative actions and sponsorship

  • Status: Introduced; referred to State Government.
  • Introduced date: March 3, 2025.
  • Sponsor: Wills (primary).

This summary captures the bill’s core intent, exact triggers, and how vacancies would be handled, along with notable considerations about its alignment with federal authority.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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