Des Moines, Iowa — Abortion opponents say it’s time for a ban on all abortions in Iowa.
Representative Luana Stoltenberg of Davenport spoke at a prayer service in the Iowa Capitol.
Stoltenberg had three abortions as a teenager and has become an outspoken critic of the procedure.
Maggie DeWitte of Pulse Life Advocates says the goal is to make abortion unthinkable in our society.
Republican Senator Kevin Alons of Salix says the six-week abortion ban Governor Reynolds approved in 2018 spurred similar action in other states and he’s urging the Iowa Supreme Court to quickly let that law take effect.
Governor Kim Reynolds addressed the crowd, but did not directly mention passage of a state law to ban all abortion. Reynolds said after a five year court fight, her focus is on getting the six-week abortion ban she approved in place, as well as more state spending on groups that support pregnant women and at-risk fathers.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird also addressed the crowd at the prayer rally.
Republican legislative leaders have said they’d hold off on considering new abortion restrictions until after the Iowa Supreme Court’s ruling on the six-week abortion ban is issued. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst has been predicting Republican lawmakers would not be able to wait ’til 2024.
