Unborn babies up to 20 weeks gestation are once again able to be aborted in Iowa after a judge temporarily blocked the state’s new Heartbeat Protection Act which Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed into law on Friday.
As the measure was signed into law, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Planned Parenthood North Central States, and the Emma Goldman Clinic filed a legal challenge against its enforcement.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s Western Regional Director Adam Schwend lamented the news of the loss of life.
“Protections for babies with beating hearts are so important to Iowans, lawmakers passed them again in a special session called by Governor Reynolds,” he said in a statement sent to The Star News Network. “The Fetal Heartbeat Act was poised to save thousands of lives from cruel, painful abortions. Activist judges must stop interfering on behalf of the radical abortion lobby and respect the will of the people.”
Judge Joseph Seidlin of Polk County District Court said Monday his ruling focuses on the “undue burden” test, Associated Press (AP) reported, indicating an “undue burden” exists with the law “with an invitation to litigate the issue further.”
Seidlin said abortion proponents are likely correct in their view that the Heartbeat Protection Act is unconstitutional.
The legislation states abortions are not to be performed once a fetal heartbeat is detected, generally at about six weeks gestation, except in the case of a medical emergency and specifically with exceptions for rape, incest, and the mother’s life.
The news report noted that Seidlin’s ruling also specified that while the law is temporarily blocked, the state’s Board of Medicine should proceed with creating rules for enforcement, per the law itself.
AP reported:
Abortion providers said they scrambled last week to fit in as many appointments as possible before the governor put pen to paper, preemptively making hundreds of calls to prepare patients for the uncertainty and keeping clinics open late.
“We are deeply relieved that the court granted this relief so essential health care in Iowa can continue,” said Abbey Hardy-Fairbanks, medical director of the Emma Goldman Clinic in Iowa City. “We are also acutely aware that the relief is only pending further litigation and the future of abortion in Iowa remains tenuous and threatened.”
Reynolds released her statement in response to the court’s decision to grant the temporary injunction at the request of the abortion lobby.
“In their own words, the abortion industry stressed the need for a temporary injunction so they could continue with 200 scheduled abortions in the next two weeks,” the governor said. “While Life was protected for a few days, now even more innocent babies will be lost.”
“The abortion industry’s attempt to thwart the will of Iowans and the voices of their elected representatives continues today, but I will fight this all the way to the Iowa Supreme Court where we expect a decision that will finally provide justice for the unborn,” Reynolds added.
The governor called a special legislative session for July 11 “with the sole purpose of enacting legislation that addresses abortion and protects unborn lives.”
“I believe the prolife movement is the most important human rights cause of our time,” Reynolds said at the time. “Not only will I continue to fight against the inhumanity of abortion, but I will also remain committed to supporting women in planning for motherhood, promoting fatherhood and parenting, and continuing policies that encourage strong families.”
– – –
Susan Berry, PhD is national education editor at The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Emma Goldman Clinic” by Emma Goldman Clinic.
