Two local legislators played notable roles in Tuesday’s special legislative session that led to the passage of a bill banning abortions in Iowa once cardiac activity is detected in a developing child. District 11 Representative Brian Best of Glidden and District 6 Senator Jason Schultz of Schleswig both serve on the respective chamber committees that helped guide the legislation into law. Best, a Republican, sits on the House Health and Human Services Committee, where the bill started on Tuesday morning.
Best says the public hearings were filled with bill supporters and opponents, and overall decorum was maintained throughout the process. However, there were a few moments when emotions ran high.
The bill then made its way to the Iowa Senate through the State Government Committee, chaired by Sen. Schultz. Schultz has advocated for pro-life legislation for the 15 years he has served in the legislature and says passing this bill is a career highlight.
Schultz says Republicans have been promising pro-life legislation to Iowa voters for years, and that promise has been fulfilled.
Gov. Kim Reynolds is expected to sign the bill into law Friday afternoon, and it will go into effect immediately. The bill bans abortions once cardiac activity is detected, typically around the sixth week of pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest, and severe medical conditions. A legal challenge has already been filed by the ACLU and two abortion providers in the state. A hearing is scheduled for Friday, about an hour before Reynolds is expected to sign the bill into law.
