Iowa Judge Temporarily Suspends Recent Abortion Legislation
In a surprising turn of events, a district judge in Iowa has put a hold on the state’s strict new abortion ban just days after it was signed into law by the Republican governor. The ban, which prohibits abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, was set to make most abortions in Iowa illegal past that point. However, Judge Joseph Seidlin of Polk County has temporarily suspended the law while the larger legal case against it moves forward.
Judge Seidlin stated in his ruling that the plaintiffs who filed a lawsuit against the ban, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood, and other abortion providers, were likely to succeed on the merits of their case. As a result, abortion in Iowa is once again legal up to around 22 weeks of pregnancy, at least for now.
Dr. Abbey Hardy-Fairbanks, medical director of the Emma Goldman Clinic and one of the plaintiffs, expressed relief at the court’s decision. However, she also acknowledged that the relief is only temporary and that the future of abortion in Iowa remains uncertain.
This legal battle is the latest development in Iowa’s ongoing struggle to restrict abortion. Following a deadlock in the State Supreme Court over a six-week ban passed in 2018, Governor Kim Reynolds called a special session to pass another ban, which was approved by the Legislature this month.
Governor Reynolds, who strongly supports the ban, vowed to continue fighting for its implementation. She stated, “The abortion industry’s attempt to thwart the will of Iowans and the voices of their elected representatives continues today, but I will fight this all the way to the Iowa Supreme Court where we expect a decision that will finally provide justice for the unborn.”
In his ruling, Judge Seidlin emphasized that he was preserving the status quo set by the Iowa Supreme Court when it deadlocked on the previous ban. He described the new bill as “virtually identical” to the one passed in 2018 and acknowledged the complex and divisive nature of the issue.
While the decision is not the final word on the case, Iowa Democrats see it as a victory. Representative Jennifer Konfrst, the Democratic minority leader of the House, stated, ”Iowans support and deserve their fundamental right to make health care decisions about their own bodies.”
The controversial legislation allows for abortions until there is a “detectable fetal heartbeat,” which typically occurs at around six weeks into pregnancy. However, medical groups dispute the term “fetal heartbeat” since the embryo does not have a fully formed heart at that stage. Instead, there is cardiac cellular activity. Many women may not even realize they are pregnant at this early stage.
Abortion providers and advocates wasted no time in filing a lawsuit against the ban, arguing that it is unconstitutional under the standard of “undue burden.” The legislation does include exceptions for cases of rape or incest, when the woman’s life is in serious danger, when she faces a risk of certain permanent injuries, or when fetal abnormalities “incompatible with life” are present.
While the temporary suspension of the ban is a relief for abortion rights advocates, the future of abortion legislation in Iowa remains uncertain. The case will likely continue to be closely watched as it moves forward, with potential implications for abortion rights not only in Iowa but also in other states grappling with similar issues.
What is the likelihood of the Iowa abortion ban being permanently implemented, considering the judge’s ruling and Governor Reynolds’ determination to fight for it
A district judge in Iowa has temporarily halted the implementation of a new abortion ban just days after it was signed into law by the state’s Republican governor. The ban, which prohibits abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, was set to make most abortions in Iowa illegal past that point. However, Judge Joseph Seidlin has suspended the law while the larger legal case against it progresses.
In his ruling, Judge Seidlin stated that the plaintiffs, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood, and other abortion providers, are likely to succeed in their case against the ban. As a result, abortion in Iowa is once again legal up to around 22 weeks of pregnancy, at least for now.
Dr. Abbey Hardy-Fairbanks, medical director of the Emma Goldman Clinic and one of the plaintiffs, expressed relief at the court’s decision. However, she also acknowledged that the relief is only temporary and that the future of abortion in Iowa remains uncertain.
This legal battle is the latest development in Iowa’s ongoing struggle to restrict abortion. After a deadlock in the State Supreme Court over a six-week ban passed in 2018, Governor Kim Reynolds called for a special session to pass another ban, which was approved by the Legislature this month.
Governor Reynolds, who strongly supports the ban, has vowed to continue fighting for its implementation. She stated, “The abortion industry’s attempt to thwart the will of Iowans and the voices of their elected representatives continues today, but I will fight this all the way to the Iowa Supreme Court where we expect a decision that will finally provide justice for the unborn.”
