It has been 54 years since Iowa did away with the death penalty.

Now, a bill that would re-establish the death penalty in Iowa has emerged in the Iowa SENATE, but it’s unlikely to become law.  House Speaker Linda Upmeyer of Clear Lake doesn’t sense a death penalty bill is a priority for her fellow Republicans in the House.

Another wrinkle in this year’s debate is an announcement last August from the head of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis said the death penalty is “inadmissable” and it’s the goal of the church to abolish capital punishment worldwide.