Following the Iowa Supreme Court's deadlock on reinstating a six-week abortion ban, Governor Kim Reynolds has announced a special legislative session to address the issue. The session, scheduled for July 11th, aims to create new abortion restrictions in the state. Currently, abortion remains legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks.
Governor Reynolds expressed her belief that the legislature should promptly address abortion and protect unborn lives, echoing the sentiment of the stalled 'fetal heartbeat' law. This law, which prohibited abortions after cardiac activity is detected (around six weeks), was blocked by a district court in 2019. It included exceptions for medical emergencies, rape, incest, and fetal abnormalities.
The Governor's call for a special session has drawn immediate criticism from Democrats, who argue that such restrictions oppose the views of most Iowans. Public opinion polls indicate that a majority of Americans, including Iowans, support some level of abortion access. This move comes amidst a nationwide wave of abortion restrictions in Republican-led states following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade.
A protestor holds a sign during a march in Davenport, Iowa, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 26, 2022. (Nikos Frazier/Quad City Times via AP, File)
While Governor Reynolds' order mentions the 2018 law, it does not specify the exact restrictions she wants the legislature to implement. Some conservative groups are advocating for the reinstatement of the 'heartbeat' law as a minimum, while others hope for even stricter measures. Any new legislation will likely face legal challenges. The Iowa Supreme Court has yet to determine whether the 'undue burden test' for abortion laws still applies, a standard requiring laws not to significantly obstruct abortion access. The state has argued for the less stringent 'rational basis review' standard.
This is the second time Governor Reynolds has called a special session, the previous instance being in 2021 to address congressional and legislative district boundaries.
