Edited release
07/06/23
Governor Kim Reynolds announced Wednesday that she will convene the General Assembly of Iowa next week for a special session, with the sole purpose of enacting legislation that addresses abortion and protects unborn lives.
In a statement from the governor’s office, Reynolds said, “Iowans have elected representatives willing to stand up for the rights of the unborn and, in doing so, they have voted strongly in support of pro-life principles and against the arbitrary destruction of innocent, defenseless lives.”
The 2018 Iowa Legislature passed a “heartbeat law,” banning abortions once a heartbeat was detectable. The law was ruled unconstitutional, and after years of litigation the State Supreme Court last month split on its opinion as to whether a lower court’s injunction on the Fetal Heartbeat Law should be dissolved.
Reynolds said the court’s lack of action disregards what she says is “the will of Iowa voters.”
Mazie Stillwell is Director of Public Affairs of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa. She issued a statement Wednesday which said, “Calling a special session in the middle of summer for the sole purpose of stripping Iowans of the liberties they prize is not only unprecedented but shows the drastic lengths power-hungry politicians will take to pass deeply unpopular policies. A growing majority of Iowans support abortion access.” The statement went on to say that the group will be mobilizing supporters to demand state legislators reject any proposed abortion ban or other restrictions.
The session will begin at 8:30am Tuesday.