Iowa Republicans passed a bill Tuesday evening to protect the unborn baby once the heartbeat has been detected at about six weeks gestation. It passed mostly along party lines after Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special legislative session. It includes exceptions in the case of rape, incest, the mother’s life and physician diagnosed fetal abnormalities that might prove fatal to the baby.
A heartbeat means life
Reynolds was jubilant and said she’d sign it straight away.
“Today, the Iowa legislature once again voted to protect life and end abortion at a heartbeat, with exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother. The Iowa Supreme Court questioned whether this legislature would pass the same law they did in 2018, and today they have a clear answer. The voices of Iowans and their democratically elected representatives cannot be ignored any longer, and justice for the unborn should not be delayed. As a pro-life Governor, I am also committed to continuing policies to support women in planning for motherhood, promote the importance of fatherhood, and encourage strong families. Our state and country will be stronger because of it.”
Fellow pro-lifers were excited. Adam Schwend is the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s western regional director. He put out a statement,
“Iowans recognize the humanity of unborn children with beating hearts and won’t rest until they are protected. We thank the legislature for acting swiftly on the will of the people. We’re especially grateful to Gov. Reynolds for calling this special session and her tireless leadership in the fight for life over the years. These protections will save lives. We thank all our allies, including Sens. Amy Sinclair and Jack Whitver, Speaker Pat Grassley, and Reps. Shannon Lundgren and Matt Windschitl, who persisted to get this vital bill across the finish line and we eagerly await Gov. Reynolds signing it into law.”
Let’s keep that heartbeat going
NBC news reported there was passion on both sides of the isle. The session “featured hours of impassioned pleas from legislators and members of the public — in both support of and opposition to the measure. Democratic legislators and reproductive rights groups held large protests in the state Capitol throughout the day, with chants audible during several committee sessions where the bill was discussed.”
The effort to block came within hours. Iowa abortionists and the ACLU filed a lawsuit challenging the bill. Ruth Richardson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States put out a statement,
“Today, we continue the fight to protect Iowans’ fundamental right to reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy as we seek a temporary injunction to block the egregious abortion ban Iowa lawmakers rammed through during an unprecedented one-day special session. These out-of-touch politicians have inserted themselves into the exam rooms of Iowans, who no longer have control over their bodies and futures because of an unpopular, narrow political agenda.”
Silence the heartbeat
NBC News noted this bill was very similar to another one that was permanently blocked earlier. “The split decision effectively allowed a lower court’s ruling blocking the law to remain in effect. If the new law is enacted after Reynolds signs it, it is likely to face some of the same legal roadblocks — but the outcome could be different with a full state Supreme Court issuing a decision.”
Iowa’s current law allows abortion up to 20 weeks. Rep. Shannon Lundgren noted, “This bill protects unborn children in Iowa. This bill sets a clear standard where the state has an interest in the life of the child: when the baby’s heart starts beating. Where there is a heartbeat, there is life. “
