Iowa GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed one of America's most draconian state bans on abortion into law, making the procedure illegal after just six weeks of pregnancy. and the ACLU (now having lots of experience fighting these bans across the US) has already sprung into action, asking a state judge to block the law for now.
Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a new "fetal heartbeat" law Friday, banning nearly all abortions after cardiac activity is detected in the embryo, which happens at about six weeks of gestation. Abortion providers say that will prohibit the vast majority of abortions in Iowa.
At the same time, in a courthouse less than a mile away from the bill signing, Polk County District Judge Joseph Seidlin heard arguments from abortion providers and the state about whether the law should be allowed to remain in effect as a legal challenge continues.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and abortion providers asked Seidlin to block the bill immediately. He refused but said he will try to issue a ruling by the end of the day on Monday.
Seidlin said the case requires his "strong and lengthy attention."
"I cannot think of anything that would be more insulting to either side than for a judge, who, before Wednesday at 11 o'clock, had no idea that he was going to be involved in any of this, to listen to arguments and to rule from the bench," Seidlin said at the hearing's conclusion.
A nearly identical law passed in 2018 was blocked. On Friday, Reynolds condemned abortion providers' attempt to once again impede the restrictions.
"As we gather here today, at this very moment, the abortion industry is in the court trying to prevent this law from taking effect and stop once again the will of the people," Reynolds said.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, the Emma Goldman Clinic and Dr. Sarah Traxler filed a lawsuit against the law Wednesday, before it was signed.
The plaintiffs seek a temporary injunction, which would block the new restrictions from being enforced until a court decides otherwise.
They sought to prove that the law would “irreparably harm” Iowans if it were enacted and enforced — and that they will be able to make a solid case to strike it down permanently.
Peter Im, a staff attorney for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, argued Friday that the law would prohibit the “vast majority” of abortions that take place in Iowa, forcing pregnant people to carry their pregnancies to term, to “self-manage” their abortion, or to seek care out of state.
Of course, the Iowa 2018 law was deemed unconstitutional before Dobbs. Now, it's anyone's guess. And if you think the right is going to stop at making women travel hundreds of miles to get healthcare, I have bad news for you.
Mississippi authorities need access to information about residents who obtain abortions or gender-affirming care in other states, Attorney General Lynn Fitch told the Biden administration in a June 16 letter. Attorneys general from 18 other states attorneys general signed onto the letter.
Fitch’s letter calls on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to drop a proposed rule change that would prevent states from obtaining private health information “for a criminal, civil, or administrative investigation into or proceeding against any person in connection with seeking, obtaining, providing, or facilitating reproductive health care … outside of the state where the investigation or proceeding is authorized” and “is lawful in the state where it is provided.”
Fitch’s letter accuses the Biden administration of pushing “a false narrative that States are seeking to treat pregnant women as criminals or punish medical personnel who provide lifesaving care.”
“Based on this lie, the Administration has sought to wrest control over abortion back from the people in defiance of the Constitution and Dobbs,” the letter says. “… The proposed rule defies the governing statute, would unlawfully interfere with States’ authority to enforce their laws, and does not serve any legitimate need.”
The road to Gilead is as clear as day. Red states arresting women and anyone who assists them in getting an out-of-state abortion, filling jails and prisons, leaving people in fear?
That was always the plan.
Your womb belongs to the state, ladies.