DES MOINES – A bill to reinstate the death penalty in Iowa received committee approval Thursday, keeping the measure alive despite threats from critics to block debate on the issue.

The House Judiciary Committee approved a measure reinstating a limited death sentence on a 12-8 vote, making the measure eligible for debate in the full House.

“I think a majority of Iowans want to see us debate this issue,” said Rep. James Van Fossen, R-Davenport, a retired police captain. “They would like to have this debate.”

“It is morally wrong to take a life,” countered Rep. Ro Foege, D-Mount Vernon. “This is state-sanctioned murder.”

Van Fossen said the measure he’s pushing is very limited, only calling for the death sentence in cases in which a child is kidnapped, raped and murdered.

House Speaker Chris Rants, R-Sioux City, said he hasn’t decided whether to schedule debate in the full House.

“I don’t know,” Rants said. “It would probably take three days. If you do it, it’s a long debate.”

House Democratic Leader Pat Murphy, of Dubuque, said the bill has little chance of being approved.

“The Senate isn’t going to take it up, the governor isn’t going to sign it,” he said. “I don’t know why we’re wasting our time on it.”

Democrats in the Senate flatly ruled out any debate on the death penalty.

“It will not be debated in the Iowa Senate as long as I am the Democratic leader,” said Senate Democratic Leader Michael Gronstal, of Council Bluffs.

With the Senate deadlocked at 25-25 both parties must agree before any issue can move forward.

Gov. Tom Vilsack has said he would veto a death penalty bill.v

The issue arose last year after the abduction and murder of 10-year-old Jetseta Gage.

Lawmakers voted to toughen the state’s sex abuse laws, with some seeking to reinstate the death penalty, but Gronstal blocked the measure.

Under self-imposed deadlines in the Legislature, bills must be approved in either the House or Senate by the end of next week to remain eligible for consideration this year.