Des Moines, Iowa — After a 15 hour special session at the statehouse, the Republican-led legislature has passed a ban on most abortions in Iowa.
The bill’s almost identical to one Governor Reynolds approved five years ago. There are exceptions for certain medical conditions and for victims of rape and incest, but most abortions would be banned when cardiac activity can be detected, around the sixth week of a pregnancy.
The Iowa Supreme Court recently deadlocked on the governor’s request to lift an injunction that’s kept the 2018 law from going into effect. Senate President Amy Sinclair, a Republican from Allerton, says the law has been in limbo because of judicial overreach. “Needlessly forcing the legislature to re-pass a law that is already been enacted,” Sinclair said, “in an effort to protect the lives of every single individual across our state who has a beating heart.” All Democrats present voted against the bill. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights says the era of big government is back. “Women will be less free in a few hours than they are right now,” Konfrst said. “…If the state can tell you you have to have a baby, what else can the state tell you? That you can’t?” Governor Reynolds says the bill provides a clear answer to the Iowa Supreme Court about the legislature’s intent and she plans to sign the bill into law Friday. Republican Representative Shannon Lundgren of Peosta was the bill’s floor manager in 2018 and again yesterday (Tuesday).
Senator Molly Donahue, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says the bill will force women to make difficult choices.
Representative Brad Sherman, a Republican from Williamsburg, says government’s job is to protect the rights of every person, including the unborn.
Representative Heather Matson, a Democrat from Ankeny, says every pregnancy is unique and sometimes dangerous.
Representative Luana Stoltenberg, a Republican from Davenport who backed the bill, says as a young woman she had three abortions.
Senator Zach Wahls, a Democrat from Coralville, says the bill is a radical overreach.
Wahls said After 11 p.m., some opponents of the bill who’d been in the Senate gallery watching the debate started booing when the bill passed on a 32-to-17 vote.
Senator Brad Zaun, who was presiding over senate debate. The bill passed the House a couple of hours earlier on a 56 to 34 vote. Two House Republicans who support a ban on all abortions voted against the bill and one Republican senator voted no. All other Republicans present voted for it. Planned Parenthood officials have said they intend to challenge the law in court, so there may be another drawn out legal battle before the fate of the law is known.
