The Iowa Supreme Court released its ruling today (Friday) that will allow a statewide ban on most abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected to go into effect. In a 4-3 ruling, the court ended a temporary injunction enacted by a lower court after the law was passed during a special legislative session last July. The law functionally bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, as that is typically when a baby’s heartbeat is first detectable by modern ultrasound equipment. The law does permit abortions in specific circumstances if the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest or a medical emergency occurs that endangers the life of the mother. Gov. Kim Reynolds, who helped shepherd the pro-life bill into law, says, “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.” Reynolds adds the state must continue to strengthen its support for expecting mothers and promoting fatherhood, and develop policies that encourage strong families. Iowa Democratic Party officials also released a statement this (Friday) morning, saying, “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.” Justice Matthew McDermott delivered the majority opinion, with Justices Dan Oxley, Christopher McDonald, and David May joining. Chief Justice Susan Christensen and Justices Thomas Waterman and Edward Mansfield dissented. The case now returns to the lower court for additional review. A link to the full 81-page ruling is included below.
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