Iowa’s six-week abortion ban is scheduled to go into effect on Monday, marking a significant shift in abortion access in the Midwest and a win for Republicans in the state. Following a 4-3 ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court last month allowing the ban to be enforced, it was only a matter of time before the law would be implemented. A state district judge recently announced that an injunction preventing the ban’s enforcement would be lifted at 8 a.m. local time on Monday, effectively limiting abortions in Iowa to around six weeks of pregnancy. This is a stark contrast to the previous allowance of abortions up to about 22 weeks in the state.
The enactment of the Iowa law underscores the varying state-level approaches to abortion rights following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. While states like Illinois and Minnesota, governed by Democrats, have moved to protect or expand abortion rights, others such as Missouri and South Dakota, led by Republicans, have implemented sweeping bans.
The Iowa law, passed by Republicans in a special session and signed by Governor Kim Reynolds, permits abortions up to the point of a “detectable fetal heartbeat,” which is estimated to be around six weeks of pregnancy. The legislation includes exceptions for cases of rape, incest, endangerment to the mother’s life, certain permanent injuries, or fetal abnormalities deemed incompatible with life.
Upon the announcement of the ban taking effect, Governor Reynolds hailed it as “a victory for life,” emphasizing the importance of protecting unborn lives. Planned Parenthood has stated that they will comply with the new law and assist patients in determining whether they can still receive services in Iowa or if they need to seek care in neighboring states like Minnesota or Nebraska.
However, Democrats in Iowa have expressed concerns over the State Supreme Court decision, with Senate Democratic leader Pam Jochum calling it dangerous and warning against allowing judges and anti-choice Republicans to dictate Iowans’ lives. Democrats are hoping to leverage support for abortion rights in upcoming elections, with a majority of adults in Iowa indicating in a recent poll that they believe abortion should be legal in most or all cases.
While Iowa is expected to support former President Donald J. Trump in the upcoming election, Democrats are aiming to make gains in congressional seats and reduce Republican majorities in the state legislature. The political landscape surrounding abortion rights in Iowa remains contentious, with both parties actively engaging in the debate.
Mitch Smith, a national correspondent for The New York Times covering the Midwest and Great Plains, continues to report on developments in Iowa and the broader region.