Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa Supreme Court has declined to remove the injunction against the 2018 law that would limit abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected. Abortion will remain legal up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Chief Justice Susan Christenson, and justices Thomas Waterman and Edward Mansfield voted against removing the injunction. Justices Christopher McDonald, Mathew McDermott and David May voted to remove the injunction, while Justice Dana Oxley did not vote. The 3-3 tie leaves the injunction in place.
Governor Kim Reynolds issued a statement calling the lack of action by the court disappointing. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart released a statement saying she thrilled that the Iowa Supreme Court will not stand in the way of Iowans who need abortion care, especially when our friends and neighbors already have to navigate so many barriers to health care.
Maggie DeWitte of Pulse Life Advocates, formerly Iowa Right to Life, had this reaction to the decision.
DeWitte says the recent election that kept Republicans in control of all branches of state government showed Iowans support the bill.
There is the possibility that the governor could call a special session to pass the bill again.
DeWitte says the overturning of the US Supreme Court decision making abortion legal one year ago has opened the door to move forward, and they will continue to work on ending abortion.
