Iowa GOP leaders are anticipating quick passage of additional abortion restrictions in the state once the special legislative session called by Gov. Kim Reynolds convenes tomorrow (Tuesday). Legislators will consider a ban on abortions once fetal cardiac activity is detected in a developing child, typically around six weeks of pregnancy. The bill mirrors a 2018 law that the Iowa Supreme Court declined to reinstitute after the court overturned a right to abortion in the Iowa Constitution and the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last summer. The Iowa House is scheduled to open at 8:30 a.m., and the Health and Human Services Committee, which includes District 11 Representative Brian Best of Glidden, will meet briefly at 9:15 a.m. The committee will recess for a public hearing on the bill at 9:30 a.m. House Speaker Pat Grassley says, “While Democrats across the country continue to devalue the life of an unborn child, Iowa House Republicans are unapologetically pro-life. Iowans know we will defend life and have grown our majority. We believe strongly that the 2018 Heartbeat Law was a good piece of legislation that will save many innocent lives. It is past time for the will of Iowans to be heard and for the Heartbeat bill, with exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother, to be the law of the land in Iowa.” A link to the copy of the draft bill is included below.
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