Iowa state senator Adrian Dickey refused to answer questions about relaxed child labour laws during a fiery exchange with Democrat opponent William Dotzler.

The Iowa state senate voted on Tuesday to allow children to work longer hours and serve alcohol, in the latest move by Republican-controlled statehouses to combat a labour shortage.

“Is this democracy, is this what’s going on?” Mr Dotzler said, becoming irate after his questions went unanswered.

The bill passed the state senate by a vote of 32-17, with two Republicans joining every Democrat in opposition.