When he was running for office last year, Wheeler said, he had to explain to voters the difference between the U.S. House and the Iowa House.

“Some people thought I was running against (U.S. Rep. Steve) King,” he said.

Rep. Art Staed, D-Cedar Rapids, a social studies teacher, called the bill a joke. Requiring the test won’t improve proficiency in social studies, he said. If students lack proficiency in social studies, Staed suggested it might be because too few teachers have a background in the subject matter.

FOREIGN LAWS: A House Judiciary subcommittee moved forward a bill, HF 223, which would make it state policy to protect Iowans from the application of foreign laws that would result in violating rights guaranteed by the state and federal constitutions, including but not limited to those applying to due process, freedom of religion, speech or press, and any right of privacy or marriage.

Civil liberties advocates advised that U.S. courts have long held international law is a part of U.S. law. That it could put Americans at risk and cast uncertainty on multinational agreements.