February 4, 2026
For most, a wedding is the most dreamt-about day of their lives. Thousands of dollars and years of expectations are poured into this single milestone. We invite our closest friends and family to celebrate, stand before them and God to make vows to never separate, and then visit the courthouse for a marriage certificate to make the union official in the eyes of the law. But why do we invite God, our community, and our government into our private lives to begin with?
When we invite the community to a wedding, we are asking them to celebrate, support, and—most importantly—hold us accountable. We are asking our loved ones to invest in us. These are natural safeguards because we all know that marriage can be difficult. However, the modern concept of “no-fault divorce” is often antithetical to the weight of these wedding day promises. What happens to the institution of marriage when the community and the government remove the guardrails that support it?
The Founders, like many cultures before them, viewed marriage as the premier institution for individual happiness. Most governments (outside of communist or uncivilized societies) view the family as the essential unit for nurturing and educating the next generation. Government is involved because when a marriage breaks down, society is often left picking up the pieces through various social welfare programs.
In the past, some governments created guardrails that were perhaps too restrictive. In 1819, for example, Alabama required a two-thirds majority vote in both legislative chambers to finalize a divorce. Furthermore, if both parties were found at fault, the divorce was denied. One can only imagine how gridlocked our modern legislative sessions would become under such a system!
Today, Iowa is one of 17 states that offers only a no-fault divorce option, meaning a marriage can be dissolved solely based on “irreconcilable differences.” Conversely, 33 states provide a middle ground: allowing couples to waive the no-fault option upon dissolution or enter a “traditional marriage” (or covenant marriage) upon signing their certificate.
Under a traditional marriage option, dissolving the union requires proof of specific grounds, such as adultery, a felony conviction, abandonment for over a year, physical or sexual abuse, or a two-year separation. This is decided at the start of the marriage. Choosing this path can provide a clearer framework for the equitable division of assets and custody should the union fail.
While prenuptial agreements have become a popular response to the chaos of no-fault divorce, many Christians find that these agreements violate their consciences at a time when divorce shouldn’t even be a consideration. Senate File 2172 would align Iowa with some other states by offering engaged couples an option that aligns with their beliefs to start their marriage with stronger legal commitments. In essence, this traditional marriage option acts as a “pre-built” agreement within the marriage certificate.
While statistics show that only about 2% of couples choose this specific path, I am certain those families are grateful the state respects their desire for a firmer foundation. I am honored to introduce this bill, and I hope you will support my effort to strengthen the foundation of Iowa families.
