Iowa enacts law banning most abortions
Legislation prohibits procedure if a foetal heartbeat can be detected
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Iowa’s governor has signed an abortion law widely seen as America’s strictest, immediately drawing a legal challenge.
The measure, signed by Republican Governor Kim Reynolds, would prohibit most abortions by banning the procedure after a foetal heartbeat can be detected. Doctors would need to examine women seeking abortions to seek a heartbeat.
“I believe that all innocent life is precious and sacred, and as governor, I pledged to do everything in my power to protect it. That is what I am doing today,” Ms Reynolds said in a statement.
Soon after the governor affixed her signature, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Planned Parenthood announced they intended to sue to overturn what the ACLU called “one of the most extreme abortion restrictions in the entire country”. Planned Parenthood denounced the law as “dangerous”.
Acknowledging she anticipated a legal battle in signing the measure, Ms Reynolds said she nevertheless pressed ahead out of a conviction that “I am not going to back down from who I am or what I believe in”.
“I understand and anticipate that this will likely be challenged in court, and that courts may even put a hold on the law until it reaches the Supreme Court,” Ms Reynolds said. “However, this is bigger than just a law.”
The bill passed the Iowa House of Representatives by a single vote in a late-night vote earlier in the week, winning enough votes by making concessions for cases of rape and incest.
While federal law has held for decades that abortion is legal, Republican-controlled states have increasingly taken matters into their hands by passing more stringent rules restricting when and where abortions can happen.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments