On Friday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law what is the most restrictive abortion regulation in the United States, a stunning pro-life victory. The law, called “the fetal heartbeat bill”, represents a dramatic step in the abortion debate and will no doubt bring many legal challenges.
It wasn’t easy, of course, as she faced the resistance all pro-lifers face, which is the undying devotion to abortion of the left at large and the money-grubbing, power-hungry opposition of the baby-dissecting, body-part selling ghouls of Planned Parenthood.
The Republican governor signed the legislation in her formal office at the state Capitol as protesters gathered outside chanting, “My body, my choice!” Reynolds acknowledged that the new law would likely face litigation, but said: “This is bigger than just a law, this is about life, and I’m not going to back down.” Reynolds has previously said she was “proud to be pro-life.”
Nevertheless, she persisted.
The law bans most abortions when a fetal heartbeat can be detected. That’s generally at about week six of the pregnancy.
The ban, set to take effect on July 1, has propelled Iowa to the front of a push among conservative statehouses jockeying to enact restrictive regulations on the medical procedure. Mississippi passed a law earlier this year banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, but it’s on hold after a court challenge.
The Iowa law provides for some exemptions that allow abortions during a later pregnancy stage to save a pregnant woman’s life or in some cases of rape and incest.
Here is Gov. Reynolds statement on this major move, via RedState.
“I believe that all innocent life is precious and sacred, and as governor, I pledged to do everything in my power to protect it. That is what I am doing today. I understand that not everyone will agree with this decision. But if death is determined when a heart stops beating, then doesn’t a beating heart indicate life? For me, it is immoral to stop an innocent beating heart. For me, it is sickening to sell fetal body parts. For me, my faith leads me to protect every Iowan, no matter how small.
“I understand and anticipate that this will likely be challenged in court, and that courts may even put a hold on the law until it reaches the Supreme Court. However, this is bigger than just a law. This is about life. I am not going to back down from who I am or what I believe in.”
A powerful moment for the pro-life movement. The next will be the fight. And it’s coming. Planned Parenthood flipped out on Twitter and in reality. And they plan to flip out more:
As we announced today, we will fight this dangerous law in court on behalf of you, your rights, and your health. We will fight like hell with everything we have. https://t.co/N5sDYsQKzi
— Planned Parenthood (@PPHeartland) May 4, 2018