Iowa’s new ban on most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy was temporarily blocked by an Iowa judge on Monday. The ruling means that abortion is once again legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks of pregnancy while the courts assess the new law’s constitutionality. The law prohibits almost all abortions once cardiac activity can be detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest, or severe medical issues incompatible with life. The Republican-controlled legislature approved the measure in a rare, all-day special session last week, prompting a legal challenge from organizations such as the ACLU of Iowa and Planned Parenthood. Governor Kim Reynolds expressed her intention to fight the injunction. She says, “In their own words, the abortion industry stressed the need for a temporary injunction so they could continue with 200 scheduled abortions in the next two weeks. While life was protected for a few days, now even more innocent babies will be lost. The abortion industry’s attempt to thwart the will of Iowans and the voices of their elected representatives continues today, but I will fight this all the way to the Iowa Supreme Court, where we expect a decision that will finally provide justice for the unborn.” The ruling specifies that the state’s Board of Medicine should proceed with creating enforcement rules for if and when the law goes into effect in the future.
Gov. Reynolds Responds To Court’s Injunction On Iowa’s New Abortion Limitations
