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The Iowa Supreme Court is upholding a state law that bans abortions in the state as soon as fetal heartbeat activity is detected. That can occur within 6-8 weeks of a pregnancy.
This ruling removes a temporary injunction on the so-called "fetal heartbeat" law that passed in 2023.
The law makes an exception for rape or incest.
The Decision was 4-3.
Governor Kim Reynolds released a statement on the ruling, saying:
There is no right more sacred than life, and nothing more worthy of our strongest defense than the innocent unborn. Iowa voters have spoken clearly through their elected representatives, both in 2018 when the original heartbeat bill was passed and signed into law, and again in 2023 when it passed by an even larger margin. I’m glad that the Iowa Supreme Court has upheld the will of the people of Iowa.
Attorney General Brenna Bird also applauding the decision:
Today’s supreme court decision to uphold Iowa’s heartbeat law sends a loud and clear message: Iowa stands for life. As Attorney General, I have been so grateful to defend Iowa’s heartbeat law and protect the unborn. While today’s decision is a landmark victory, we know that there is work left to be done. We will keep working to support Iowa families, parents, and the unborn as the fight for life continues.
The Iowa Democratic Party responded to the Friday morning ruling:
Today Iowa women have been stripped of reproductive rights that they have maintained for more than 50 years. We’ve already seen the effects that these new and extreme abortion bans have on states like Alabama – where IVF is in jeopardy – and in Texas, where women have been forced to miscarry in lobby restrooms because hospitals refused to help them while they’re experiencing medical emergencies. It's obvious Kim Reynolds and Iowa Republicans do not trust women to make their own decisions regarding their own medical care or for doctors to use their best judgment while treating their patients. Republicans went too far with this abortion ban, and Iowa voters will hold them accountable this November