Tuesday night, July 11, legislators in Iowa passed a bill banning abortions after six weeks. Which is normally a time most people don’t know they’re pregnant.
Republican lawmakers, holding a majority in both the Iowa House and Senate, passed the bill after Iowa’s Gov. Kim Reynolds, called for a special session to gather a vote on the ban. The ban is to go into immediate effect after Gov. Reynolds signs the bill on Friday.
What you need to know about this abortion bill
This ban prohibits Iowa doctors from performing most procedures once they detect cardiac activity in a fetus/embryo, starting at six weeks. The bill includes some exceptions for miscarriages that threaten the life of the mother or defects that would result in the infant’s death. Also, excluding pregnancies resulting from rape and incest.
Planned Parenthood North Central States will be referring their patients out of state for any previous appointments.
Additionally, the bill is also stating that the patients won’t be receiving any type of criminal or civil charges, but rather the doctors. The punishments are going to be chosen by the Iowa Board of Medicine.
“There may or may not ever be rules [publicized]” said Iowa Senate President Amy Sinclair, leaving Democrat members with more questions than answers. Democrat state Sen. Molly Donahue said in response, “As far as clarity, this is about as clear as mud.”
Voice of the People
Expectedly, this news has people with high emotions. Protesters gathered at the Capitol Rotunda, chanting “Vote them out,” showing support for protecting reproductive rights. Amy Bingaman, an OBGYN, stated, “You would be forcing a woman to a lifelong obligation which affects her education, career, family, and community” at a public speaking held in the chamber. Many medical professionals and reproductive rights activists are urging lawmakers to reconsider passing the bill.
Undoubtedly, warning about the possible effects coming from passing this bill. Dismissing the idea that everyone has a right to decide what they want to do with their own body. “The ACLU of Iowa, Planned Parenthood, and the Emma Goldman Clinic remain committed to protecting the reproductive rights of Iowans to control their bodies and their lives, their health, and their safety-including filing a lawsuit to block this reckless, cruel law,” said Executive Director of ACLU [Iowa], Mark Stringer.
Altogether, this information is truly upsetting to hear.
Written by: Saniya Fields
Sources:
The Guardian: Iowa Republicans pass six-week abortion ban by Betsy Reed
CNN Politics: Iowa House passes 6-week abortion ban in special session called by GOP governor by Jack Forrest
KCCI News: ‘Fetal heartbeat bill’: How each Iowa lawmaker voted in special session by KCCI Des Moines
Top and featured image Courtesy of Victoria Pickering‘s Flickr page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Karen Axelrad’s Flickr page – Creative Commons License
