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Iowa Republican lawmakers passed a bill on Thursday that would eliminate most collective bargaining rights for public workers in the state, a move that echoed Wisconsin's signature 2011 legislation but drew considerably less public opposition at the Capitol.

The GOP-controlled Iowa House voted 53-47 for the bill, and the Republican-led state Senate followed with a 29-21 vote about an hour later. The measure now heads to GOP Gov. Terry Branstad, who backs it.

Labor organizers say the legislation, introduced publicly just over a week ago, effectively guts public sector unions in the state. The bill would make drastic changes to how public employees can negotiate over workings conditions. Multiple items of discussion including health insurance, evaluation procedures and extra pay would be prohibited.

The proposal is similar to Wisconsin's 2011 collective bargaining law that drew large demonstrations at the state Capitol. In Iowa, hundreds of people turned out at weekend forums to oppose the bill, which culminated with a large presence Monday night at the Capitol. But the building has been relatively empty since then, a stark contrast to the turnout in Wisconsin that made national headlines.

Following days of lengthy floor debates in Iowa, tension at the Capitol culminated with GOP lawmakers agreeing to force a final discussion on mirror legislation in the chambers. They utilized rare procedural motions to end near-simultaneous debate of the bill.

"Shameful!" yelled Democrats in the Senate in reaction to the fast-track moves. Lawmakers had been in the midst of a marathon floor debate that started Wednesday morning.

In the end, Democrats could do little to stop the GOP-backed measure. Democrats, in the minority following the November election, were kept in the dark about its details. The legislation moved through committees in the span of a few days.

"The biggest losers today are the people of Iowa, who have been silenced by this process in what is really an unprecedented maneuver," said Democratic Sen. Joe Bolkcom.

Republicans have repeatedly said the bill will give local governments more flexibility with their budgets to promote talented employees. Many based their assertion on anecdotal conversations with constituents.

Just before the House vote, GOP Rep. Steven Holt said Republicans called the bill "a win" that would provide greater accountability for all collective bargaining parties.

"We inadvertently created a system that discourages innovation and instead simply protects the status quo," Holt said of the 1974 law. "The changes to the scope of bargaining will help unleash innovation."

Union organizers have argued the current law already ensures employers have a fair seat at the table alongside workers. The Iowa State Education Association, which represents 34,000 Iowa school employees, said the system worked so well that more than 160 school districts had settled bargaining contracts in the past week as the bill was still being debated.

There are roughly 180,000 public sector employees in Iowa, including teachers, nurses and correctional officers. Public safety workers, such as enforcement officers and firefighters, would be exempt from some provisions of the bill.

However, those public safety workers would still be subject to a requirement that unions manually collect dues and that they hold more frequent elections on whether to dismantle. Legal experts who study labor issues say the move is aimed at financially crippling unions. Academics say the ripple effect is weakened unions with reduced membership, less financial stability and a smaller voice in state politics.

Since the collective bargaining law went into effect in Wisconsin, membership for both public and private unions in the state has dropped 40 percent.

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Iowa Republicans pass bill opponents say will gut public unions - Chicago Tribune

Paul Ryan showed up to Senate Republicans weekly lunch on Tuesday hoping to salvage a controversial pillar of his tax reform plan that would change how imports and exports are taxed. Keep your powder dry, the House speaker pleaded.

The next day, Sen. Tom Cotton took to the Senate floor to slam Ryans so-called border adjustment tax, saying some ideas are so stupid only an intellectual could believe them.

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Many other senators share these concerns and we most certainly will not keep our powder dry, Cotton went on, without naming the speaker in his speech.

The sequence was an ominous sign for a linchpin of Ryans tax plan and perhaps for the prospects of tax reform happening at all. The border adjustment tax would generate more than a trillion dollars over a decade; theres no obvious way to replace that money, which is needed to help pay for a steep cut in corporate and income taxes.

In meetings with administration officials and Senate leaders, Ryan has framed his proposal as a compromise between a tariff, which the president wants, and conservative orthodoxy against border taxes. He has suggested it's in keeping with President Donald Trumps America first mantra, since it would reward American manufacturers that make products here and sell it abroad.

But the idea is sharply dividing Republicans even within the White House.

Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon likes it, but the presidents chief economic adviser, Gary Cohn, is opposed, according to people who have talked with them. Trump himself has acknowledged he doesnt think much of the proposal, though he has said he will keep an open mind.

Many Republican senators say privately they detest the concept, fretting that it will hurt their in-state retailers like Walmart, which is headquartered in Cotton's state of Arkansas. Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), sources said, has warned Trump and Ryan that border adjustment won't likely have the support needed to clear the Senate.

Hatch, in an interview after Ryan's presentation, said the speaker didnt cover [the border adjustment proposal] as specifically as I would have liked. And Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri, the fifth-ranking GOP senator, said the Finance Committee will likely go a different way.

Others were more unequivocal.

Its beyond a complication. Its a bad economic proposition, said Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.).

Thats not to mention Ryans issue in his own chamber. A handful of Ways and Means Republicans including some with close ties to Trump are fretting that retailers slapped with an import tax will ultimately pass the cost onto consumers. One member of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Jim Renacci (R-Ohio), asked his chairman Wednesday to hold hearings on the proposal.

The clock is ticking for Ryan. Senior House Republican sources told POLITICO that if the border adjustment proposal is not included in Trumps tax blueprint, set to be unveiled in the coming weeks, it could be even tougher to rally Republicans to the idea. Supporters of Ryans proposal are crossing their fingers that Trump doesnt introduce a detailed tax plan at all, worried it could complicate their work.

A source familiar with the White Houses thinking said its unlikely Trump would try to push through the border-adjustment tax if key administration officials and senators are still divided over it.

Its fair to say theres a lot of questions about how it would work and the assumptions on which its based, said Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas).

During a news conference Thursday, Ryan downplayed questions about opposition to the border adjustment tax and argued some people simply dont understand how it works. Holding up reporters tape recorders as props, he explained how an American-made recorder is taxed much more than a Japanese product. His idea, he added, would make American businesses more competitive worldwide.

Senior House Republican sources who back him say the House has been working on tax reform for years and has already considered numerous financing mechanisms. But all of them have set off firestorms within various industries. A border adjustment tax, they say, is the best option on a limited menu.

Without it, they contend, tax reform will die.

Ryan has made the same pitch to his colleagues privately, according to one source close with the speaker who heard it.

Ryan is impressing on his fellow Republicans that any tax reform proposal is bound to contain controversial measures which is precisely why it hasnt gotten done, the source said. If the new Republican majority is going to clear the hurdle, he has told colleagues, it is going to have to be with this plan.

Ryan spent at least a half-hour explaining why the border adjustment is essential. But multiple GOP senators told POLITICO they felt his talk was too wonkish and hard to follow. Some bristled at being told to keep their powder dry while Ryan is aggressively campaigning for the tax.

I heard 'keep your powder dry' as, Dont articulate your cogent arguments against our bad idea, one senator said. I have not yet talked to a single senator whos enthusiastic about it. Ryan and [Ways and Means Chairman Kevin] Brady seem to have a near-theological commitment to it.

At the Senate GOP lunch a week earlier, former Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas blasted the border adjustment tax idea. His arguments were easier to follow and resonated with many of his ex-colleagues, attendees said.

To me he made more sense, said Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), contrasting Gramms presentation with Ryans.

Not all Senate Republicans are panning Ryan's idea. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 3 GOP leader, said they've got a bold proposal out there" and said "at least conceptually, there are a lot of things in it to like."

However, "I think the border adjustability is the hard thing to sell," he added.

Ironically, the speaker seems to have a strong ally in Bannon, the ex-boss of Breitbart News, which attacked the speaker mercilessly during the campaign. A senior House Republican source, however, said it would depend on who most has the ear of the president when he decides whether or not to support the proposal. In other words: Bannon's support doesn't necessarily mean Trump will follow suit.

Ryan is hoping he can also win the support of Trumps influential son-in-law, Jared Kushner, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Treasury Secretary pick Steven Mnuchin and senior adviser Stephen Miller.

While a host of conservative groups led by the Koch brothers and the Club for Growth have lined up in opposition, other outside groups with close Senate contacts are set to begin a campaign to pressure the chamber to take a closer look. It's led by former National Republican Senatorial Committee Executive Director Ward Baker at a firm run by Josh Holmes, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnells former chief of staff well-connected former ex-Senate staffers who could help Ryan tremendously.

But the prospects in the Senate, at this point, appear grim.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) called Ryan a brilliant man and parroting Ryan's talking point said hes keeping his proverbial powder dry. Yet Scott said Ryan needs to be aware that he might not have the votes to get his way in the chamber.

Its not what we think about border adjustability. Its what we do think about having 51 of 52 senators saying yes to border adjustability, Scott said. Im not yet sold.

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Ryan struggles to sell tax reform plan to fellow Republicans - Politico

New York Times

Republican Health Proposal Would Redirect Money From Poor to Rich New York Times Republicans in Congress have been saying for months that they are working on a plan to repeal and replace Obamacare in the Trump era. Now we have the outline of that plan, and it looks as if it would redirect federal support away from poorer Americans ... Republicans have long talk about replacing Obamacare, but no bill yetfox6now.com Trump, Republicans set timeframe for introducing Obamacare replacementReuters Republicans Outline Plan to Eliminate Health Care for MillionsMother Jones CNN -NBCNews.com -Politico -Politico all 325 news articles »

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Republican Health Proposal Would Redirect Money From Poor to Rich - New York Times

So it's not difficult to envision what life must be like for those who identify as college Republicans during this new era of a Trump administration. While many have been hesitant to express their views, others have stood loud and proud alongside their candidate. Regardless of the means by which they choose to articulate their perspectives, the best party on campus is here to stay. According to the College Republican National Committee, there are over 1,800 chapters across state lines, with 250,000 members and thriving.

A wise man once said, "Be the change you wish to see in this world." Certainly there have been an abundance of negative attitudes in response to our 45th president, Donald J. Trump, starting with the moment he announced his candidacy in June 2015. Many Americans have taken to social media to express their opinions throughout the past election cycle, and it only continues as we move forward with the new administration.

While some may choose to go about change by means of abject Facebook posts and destructive protests, college Republicans across the country are just one week away from partaking in the largest annual conference for conservative activists.

The Conservative Political Action Conference, widely known as CPAC, is undoubtedly the most joyous and influential time of year for conservatives. CPAC takes place annually near the nation's Capitol with more than 11,000 attendees. Last year's turnout set a new record.

The conference attracts some of the most patriotic Americans in the United States, bringing together Republicans, conservatives, and Libertarians of all ages and backgrounds to embrace the values and future of the GOP. The three-day event consists of activist training, top party leaders and the biggest names in politics, future presidential prospects, networking and career opportunities, and an environment for like-minded individuals to discuss and debate over how best to move the country forward.

This is a unique experience for young millennials because they indeed are the future. It gives them a chance to overcome their differences, expand their horizons, further their education, and bring about the change they desire to see in the world.

Although many will continue to draw ridicule from both sides of the political spectrum throughout Trump's presidency and beyond, it's important to recognize that freedom of opinion and diversity of thought are part of what make America so exceptional. Be poised, be eager for knowledge, and always be persistent in pursuing the change you aspire to be.

Kesley Arhart is a third-year communication sciences and disorders student at the University of Minnesota Duluth and a member of the UMD College Republicans. In 2016, she was active with the Conservative Political Action Conference, the GOP state convention in Duluth and the congressional campaign of Republican Stewart Mills.

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Local View: Embattled young Republicans poised for gathering in DC - Duluth News Tribune

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Republicans blasted Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officialsThursdayfor allowing hundreds of employees to spend 100 percent of their work hours on union activities instead of caring for veterans, with some in the GOP questioning whether to eliminate taxpayer-funded union time entirely.

Their comments came after a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) reportrevealed that VA doesnt track official time accurately; some VA managers even worry such activities distract from patient care.

Somethings gotta change, an exasperated Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan said. I appreciate yall having the hearing, but look, this is unbelievable, unbelievable what we have here. So lets hope we can change it and get rid of all these folks on official time.

I love the way government works a fancy name, official time. It sounds like theyre actually working for the taxpayers, working for the veterans, when in fact its just the opposite, Jordan continued.

VA records show about 290,000 employees spent nearly 1.1 million hours in fiscal year 2015 on union activities, and 346 of those employees devoted 100 percent of their efforts to official time. But GAO has no confidence in those figures.

VA facilities use diverse methods for tracking official time, making their numbers unreliable.(RELATED: Government Union Work Jumps Ahead In Line For Care At Veterans Affairs)

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) estimated that the VA spent nearly $47 millionon official time in fiscal year 2012, the most recently available data. Thats far more than any other department or agency spends.

Union officials claim official time improves service quality, butNorth Carolina Republican Rep. Mark Meadows, the subcommittees chairman, questioned the impact of some VA workers devoting all their time to union work while veterans suffer for lack of care on long wait-lists.

Meadows gavewitnesses Kim McLeod, VA acting executive director for labor management relations, and David Cox, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), 60 days to provide documents proving a direct correlation between the number of hours spent on official time for unions and the quality of service givento veterans.

I need a direct correlation between the amount of official time and a direct result in terms of training and quality, said Meadows, who does not believe such a correlation exists.

Democrats also demanded more accurate figures from the VA, but defended the use of official time as a good and necessary tool. (RELATED: VA Employees Include Child Molesters, Rapists And Kidnappers)

Texas Democratic Rep. Beto ORourke, the subcommittees ranking minority member, feared Republicans were painting official time as shameful.

If we agree official time has value, then we can move on to the other questions,ORourke said.If we dont believe in the value of official time, if we think its a scam and a fraud, well thats a decision we can make as well.

William Lawrence Kovacs, a labor policy analyst for the Competitive Enterprise Institute and witness, argued that Congress should eliminate official time.

Union official time is an unwise use of limited tax dollars and serves the private interests of unions, Kovacs testified. The public does not directly benefit from the use of official time. Congress should eliminate the use of official time.

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Republicans Blast VA For Putting Unions Ahead Of Veterans Care - Daily Caller