New abortion restrictions recently advanced through the Iowa Legislature. A law banning nearly all abortions after 20 weeks gained final approval with a 30-20 vote by the Iowa Senate   on April 18.

The bill now heads to Governor Terry Branstad, who is expected to sign the bill into effect as one of his last acts before he leaves to become President Donald Trump’s ambassador to China.

This legislation was passed only after serious debate in the Iowa Senate. Independent Senator David Johnson voted in favor of passing Senate File 471 in unison with 29 other Republicans.

“At 20 weeks, it is a life — it is a girl; it is a boy,” Senator Randy Feenstra, R-Hull said. “The question that I have always asked myself is, ‘Why shouldn’t that life have rights?’”

In addition to the ban on abortions after 20 weeks, Iowa will join six other states in requiring women seeking abortions to wait three days before receiving one. This legislation also allows felony charges to be brought against doctors who perform abortions past the 20-week standard.

Democrats    argued    passionately against this bill, including the added waiting period for women seeking an abortion. All 20 Democrats voted against the bill.

“It is time for politicians to stop interfering in the health care decisions of women and her trusted advisors and her family,” Senator Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City said. “Enough is enough.”

This bill does allow for a woman to terminate her pregnancy if her life or health is in danger, but it does not allow exemptions for abortions due to a fetus showing genetic problems or in result of rape.

Despite the progress, anti-abortion activists will continue to further protect the lives of the unborn.

“We will celebrate any baby’s life saved,” Bob Vander Plaats, the conservative activist who runs the Family Leader Organization, said. “This 20-week ban is a good baby step toward that end, but it’s not enough.”

Ellie Fischer

News Editor