Tuesday’s debate over an abortion ban in Iowa brought me back to an exchange last October during the lone gubernatorial debate between Democrat Deidre DeJear and Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds.
DeJear told a story about a third-grader who was three months pregnant.
“With trying to dictate and regulate pregnancy in black and white the way that our governor chooses to do, that little girl has minimal options, if any at all,” DeJear said.
“So it’s late term abortion,” Reynolds snapped back, interrupting her opponent. “They believe that you can abort a baby right up until the moment it’s born.”
Reynolds thought she scored a big point with her untrue claim. But her lack of compassion was palpable. And that’s what it felt like watching the Republican-controlled Legislature pass a six-week abortion ban on Tuesday. No compelling arguments on how harmful this bill will be could break through. The bill was passed at warp speed.
The governor will get her chance to limit women’s option when she signs the bill Friday at the Christian Leadership Summit, a gathering of religious conservatives. There will be Republican presidential hopefuls on hand to fist bump the governor as she sends us back to the Dark Ages of repressed reproductive rights.
Twice Tuesday, Democrats offered amendments in the House and Senate exempting girls 12 and under from the abortion ban. Both times, Republicans voted them down.
“Girls will not survive a pregnancy like this,” said Rep. Timi Brown Powers, D-Waterloo.
Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Peosta, the bill’s floor manager, had one question for Brown Powers, whose amendment included the term “pregnant person.”
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“Define a pregnant person,” Lundgren asked, noting that the GOP bill refers to a “pregnant woman.” They never miss a chance to take a cheap shot at transgender Iowans.
Republicans claimed the 12-and-under exemption would be covered by exemptions for rape and incest. But under the bill a rape must be reported within 45 days and incest within 140 days. Democrats argued the time frames would deny many women the option of terminating their pregnancy.
It’s true such cases are rare. According to the Guttmacher Institute, only about one in 7,000 kids gets impregnated at ages 12 and under. So why not exempt those rare, heartbreaking cases?
Exemptions for girls under 16 and for women suffering a mental illness, suicidality or substance abuse were also shot down. As was an amendment extending postpartum care under Medicaid from the current 60 days to a year.
“This legislation will kill women,” said Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, D-Ames. “Reasonable thought has left the building.
“If they’re not prepared to have a baby, they shouldn’t have sex,” said Rep. Brad Sherman, R-Williamsburg.
Democrats asked repeatedly how medical professionals will navigate the bill’s vague exception definitions. Get it wrong, and they face potential punishment from the Iowa Board of Medicine.
Republicans responded that the Board of Medicine will write rules to carry out the bill’s intent. Trouble is, the bill will take effect on Friday the minute Reynolds lifts her bill-signing pen. There will be no rules to guide doctors and others under a law that will make 98 percent of abortions illegal.
Of course, they may not have to navigate it for long. Planned Parenthood, the Emma Goldman Clinic and the ACLU are immediately challenging the law in court. A judge can issue an order stopping enforcement of the new law while it winds its way through the legal system. Eventually, the ball will be back in the hands of the Iowa Supreme Court. It could take a year or more.
There’s also an election in 2024. Maybe this is the overreach that finally dents the invincible Republican majority. It’s one option women still have in red state Iowa.
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DeJear told a story about a third-grader who was three months pregnant.
“With trying to dictate and regulate pregnancy in black and white the way that our governor chooses to do, that little girl has minimal options, if any at all,” DeJear said.
“So it’s late term abortion,” Reynolds snapped back, interrupting her opponent. “They believe that you can abort a baby right up until the moment it’s born.”
Reynolds thought she scored a big point with her untrue claim. But her lack of compassion was palpable. And that’s what it felt like watching the Republican-controlled Legislature pass a six-week abortion ban on Tuesday. No compelling arguments on how harmful this bill will be could break through. The bill was passed at warp speed.
The governor will get her chance to limit women’s option when she signs the bill Friday at the Christian Leadership Summit, a gathering of religious conservatives. There will be Republican presidential hopefuls on hand to fist bump the governor as she sends us back to the Dark Ages of repressed reproductive rights.
Twice Tuesday, Democrats offered amendments in the House and Senate exempting girls 12 and under from the abortion ban. Both times, Republicans voted them down.
“Girls will not survive a pregnancy like this,” said Rep. Timi Brown Powers, D-Waterloo.
Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Peosta, the bill’s floor manager, had one question for Brown Powers, whose amendment included the term “pregnant person.”
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“Define a pregnant person,” Lundgren asked, noting that the GOP bill refers to a “pregnant woman.” They never miss a chance to take a cheap shot at transgender Iowans.
Republicans claimed the 12-and-under exemption would be covered by exemptions for rape and incest. But under the bill a rape must be reported within 45 days and incest within 140 days. Democrats argued the time frames would deny many women the option of terminating their pregnancy.
It’s true such cases are rare. According to the Guttmacher Institute, only about one in 7,000 kids gets impregnated at ages 12 and under. So why not exempt those rare, heartbreaking cases?
Exemptions for girls under 16 and for women suffering a mental illness, suicidality or substance abuse were also shot down. As was an amendment extending postpartum care under Medicaid from the current 60 days to a year.
“This legislation will kill women,” said Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, D-Ames. “Reasonable thought has left the building.
“If they’re not prepared to have a baby, they shouldn’t have sex,” said Rep. Brad Sherman, R-Williamsburg.
Democrats asked repeatedly how medical professionals will navigate the bill’s vague exception definitions. Get it wrong, and they face potential punishment from the Iowa Board of Medicine.
Republicans responded that the Board of Medicine will write rules to carry out the bill’s intent. Trouble is, the bill will take effect on Friday the minute Reynolds lifts her bill-signing pen. There will be no rules to guide doctors and others under a law that will make 98 percent of abortions illegal.
Of course, they may not have to navigate it for long. Planned Parenthood, the Emma Goldman Clinic and the ACLU are immediately challenging the law in court. A judge can issue an order stopping enforcement of the new law while it winds its way through the legal system. Eventually, the ball will be back in the hands of the Iowa Supreme Court. It could take a year or more.
There’s also an election in 2024. Maybe this is the overreach that finally dents the invincible Republican majority. It’s one option women still have in red state Iowa.
Opinion: Reason and compassion have left the Iowa Statehouse
Protestors fill the Iowa State Capitol rotunda, as the Iowa Legislature convenes for special session to pass 6-week ‘fetal heartbeat’ …
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