The news
Governor Kim Reynolds of Iowa, a Republican, signed a strict abortion ban into law on Friday, although a judge heard arguments to suspend it.
Ms. Reynolds pledged to sign the measure passed this week by the Legislature. It was then challenged in Polk County court by the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood, and on Friday the groups were in court seeking to temporarily block the law while their legal case continues.
The new law bans most abortions after heart activity is detected, which anti-abortion groups say is around six weeks into pregnancy, before most women know they are pregnant. It took effect immediately, and dramatically changed abortion in the state.
“As we gather here today – and at this moment – the abortion industry is in court trying to prevent this law from taking effect and stopping the will of the people once again,” said Ms. Reynolds to sign.
Pam Jochum, the Democratic leader of the Iowa Senate, called the law a “dangerous attack on Iowa women” on Friday and said she expects “Iowa courts to block this law.”
Why It Matters
The amendment now adds Iowa to a list of Republican-led states that have moved to ban or severely restrict the procedure since the Supreme Court struck down national abortion rights last year, returning the matter to those state to set policy.
The ban also restricts another area of access for women in the region, as neighboring states including Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota also have abortion bans.
More than a dozen states now have restrictions banning most abortions after conception or very early in pregnancy.
Background
After blocking the last six-week state ban when a deadlocked Iowa Supreme Court left it unenforceable, Governor Reynolds called a special session on abortion.
Lawmakers returned to the State Capitol and passed a nearly identical set of procedural restrictions. Iowa providers and abortion rights advocates filed the lawsuit Wednesday within hours of the Legislature’s passage, saying it was unconstitutional under the “undue burden” standard.
The session further cemented Iowa’s sharp political shift to the right, and ended its unique status as a Republican-led state where abortions are allowed up to 20 weeks after fertilization, or roughly 22 weeks of pregnancy.
The bill passed by Republicans allows for abortion up to the point of having a so-called “detectable fetal heartbeat,” a term disputed by medical groups.
The legislation assumes that it is approximately six weeks of pregnancy. The legislation includes exceptions after that point in cases of rape or incest, if the woman’s life is in serious danger or she faces a risk of some permanent damages, or if the abnormalities in the fetus “not compatible with life” is present.
What’s next
If abortion rights activists prevail in court, the law could be suspended at least temporarily while the legal case continues.
Joseph Seidlin, a Polk County district court judge, said he would not make a decision Friday, although abortion rights groups said the law would lead to an immediate damage
Mr. Seidlin said the decision required “strong and long attention,” and making a quick decision from the bench would be considered a poor decision.
“I can’t think of anything more insulting to either side,” he said.
Peter Im, staff attorney for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, asked that the decision be made from the bench because of the “detrimental effects on Iowans” of the ban and argued that the ban was a violation of state constitutional rights. .
“If there is any wisdom to be gained from the experience of our country last year, I think that if there is a ban on abortion, people will suffer,” said Mr. Im.
Daniel Johnston, Iowa’s assistant attorney general, said that under the “rational basis” test — used to determine whether the state has a legitimate interest in a law — the abortion law is constitutional.
Mr. Johnston represents Governor Reynolds, the State of Iowa and the Iowa Board of Medicine.
He said the plaintiffs failed to consider the loss of “unborn life” as a result of abortion, and that the new law “aims to prevent the destruction of human life.”
Kate Zernike and Mitch Smith contributed to the report.
