Republicans on the Iowa House Human Resources Committee are being accused of doing a "bait and switch"-taking a bill the Iowa Senate passed last year dealing with fetal tissue and adding language banning abortions if a fetal heartbeat can be heard.
The Committee's GOP members had two separate closed-door meetings on the legislation Thursday. The first occurred before the committee's meeting, forcing the 100-plus spectators to wait nearly 55 minutes out in the hallway of the Iowa State Capitol. The second came after they voted to add an amendment which tacked the fetal heartbeat language onto the bill.
In committee debate, Democratic Rep. Marti Anderson of Des Moines accused the GOP members of "weaponizing abortions". She said the legislation before them was merely a way to bring about a way to "legally challenge Roe vs. Wade." Democrat Mary Mascher of Iowa accused the GOP of the "bait and switch" on the bills and also said the language may "lead to and increase in self-induced abortions".
Republican Rep. Sandy Salmon of Janesville says the legislation protects the unborn "which are deserving of protection."
One Republican voted "no" on the bill in committee-the vice chairman of the committee, Rep. Michael Bergan of Dorchester. Rep. Dave Heaton of Mt. Pleasant, originally abstained from voting but then changed his vote to "yes", "for now." He was concerned about the bill lacking protections for victims of rape and incest.
The bill heads to the full Iowa House for debate. It must pass there, then return back to the Iowa Senate for approval of the changes.
UPDATE: Fetal tissue ban to include fetal heartbeat ban in Iowa House?