Iowa lawmakers have scheduled a special legislative session for Tuesday. The purpose of this session is to discuss a proposed six-week abortion ban. If approved, this ban would go into effect when cardiac impulses can be detected in an embryo. Typically, this occurs before many women are even aware of their pregnancy.
In 2018, the Iowa Legislature initially passed the abortion ban. However, the ban was later blocked by the Iowa Supreme Court in June 2023. The court’s decision resulted in a deadlock, with a 3-3 vote. As a result, abortions continue to be legal in Iowa for pregnancies of up to 20 weeks.
Governor Kim Reynolds, a Republican, has called for a special legislative session in response to the court’s ruling. She strongly supports the six-week ban, considering it a “commonsense” measure that protects the lives of the unborn.
Opponents of abortion rights are expected to vigorously oppose the ban. They argue that it is unconstitutional and will create significant obstacles for women seeking safe and legal abortions.
The special legislative session is scheduled to commence on Tuesday morning and is projected to last for several days. The outcome of the session and whether or not the six-week ban will be successfully passed remains uncertain. However, this development highlights the increasing political polarization surrounding the issue of abortion in the United States.
