Today (Friday), the Iowa Supreme Court split 3-3 on a 2018 law that would have banned abortions in the state after fetal cardiac activity had been detected. The law, commonly referred to as the Heartbeat Bill, was signed early in Reynolds’ time as governor, but it was quickly put on hold due to an Iowa Supreme Court ruling that found the state’s constitution contained the right to abortion. That ruling and the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision were overturned in 2022. The Iowa court’s inability to reach a majority means the lower court’s injunction will remain in effect. State GOP leaders have voiced their displeasure with the result. Reynolds says, “The fight is not over. There is no right more sacred than life, and nothing more worthy of our strongest defense than the innocent unborn. We are reviewing our options in preparation for continuing the fight.” Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver says, “Their decision a year ago, correctly overturning the 2018 decision, should reasonably be considered a substantial change in the law, and the injunction should have been lifted. Senate Republicans have a consistent record of defending life, including the passage of the Heartbeat Bill. We will work with Governor Reynolds and the House to advance pro-life policies to protect the unborn.” House Speaker Pat Grassley says, “We feel strongly that the Heartbeat Bill is a good piece of legislation that would save the innocent lives of unborn children. Going forward, we will work together to pass legislation that will protect life, support new mothers, and promote strong families in Iowa.” Currently, abortions in Iowa are allowed up until 20 weeks of pregnancy. The legislature will likely take up a similar measure in the 2024 session.
