As we previously reported, Democrats in the Iowa Senate are looking to add the term transgender to the list of people who hate crimes can be committed against this session and last week they were successful in passing a bill that would do just that.

But not until after District 10 State Senator Jake Chapman of Adel proposed an amendment to also include unborn babies in the legislation as well. Chapman says the Senate floor was heated as he shared graphic details about abortion and how he feels it too should be classified as a hate crime.

Chapman says as a member of the minority party in the Senate and knowing that this is a hot button topic, the odds were stacked against him as far as getting the amendment passed but Democrats tried to prevent him from even presenting on the issue.

“What was remarkable about that discussion was, I believe three or four times, Senate Democrats called a point of order and tried to silence my ability to speak on this issue.  These were my opening comments on my amendment.  And as I sat there and thought about what they were doing it hit me that 56 million babies, roughly, have been aborted since Roe v. Wade and their voices have been silenced, they have not been able to have their voices heard.  The very day I’m speaking on their behalf, the opposing party tried silencing their voice once again and I was not going to allow that to happen.”

Ultimately, Senator Chapman’s amendment was considered not germane and it was not voted on.

He will tell us more about the debate and his feelings on the issue on today’s Let’s Talk Dallas County during the 9am, noon and 5pm hours.