SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
A federal court struck down Iowa's "fetal heartbeat" bill, the most restrictive abortion ban in the U.S., saying it was unconstitutional. (Photo: Charlotte Cooper/flickr/cc)
'Blatantly Unconstitutional' Abortion Ban Struck Down in Iowa as Pro-Choice Groups Vow to Defend Roe From Coordinated Attack
"Today, we applaud this win for women and families everywhere, but tomorrow, we get up and fight harder than before."
Jan 22, 2019
The United States' most restrictive abortion ban--which Republicans in Iowa explicitly put forward with the hope of triggering a U.S. Supreme Court fight over Roe vs. Wade--was struck down by a federal judge late Tuesday, with the Polk County District Court declaring the legislation unconstitutional.
The so-called "fetal heartbeat" bill would have effectively outlawed all abortions in Iowa by banning the procedure as soon as fetal cardiac activity is detected--this happens at around six weeks of pregnancy, before many women even discover they are pregnant.
" NARAL will always be on the frontlines fighting to protect our freedom to control our own lives." --Ilyse Hogue, NARAL Pro-Choice America"Today's victory is essential to the rights and safety of women in Iowa," said Rita Bettis Austen, ACLU of Iowa legal director. "It follows in the footsteps of the Iowa Supreme Court decision on abortion in 2018 that recognized the fundamental right to a safe and legal abortion for Iowa women, which cannot be legislated away. Today's decision upholds women's freedom and equality in Iowa."
The district court issued a permanent injunction, with Judge Michael Huppert writing in his ruling (pdf), "It is undisputed that such cardiac activity is detectable well in advance of the fetus becoming viable."
But as reproductive rights advocates have come to expect with similar rulings, anti-choice groups have vowed to appeal the decision with the goal of eventually bringing it before the U.S. Supreme Court, which currently has a right-wing majority. One state senator told reporters when the law was first passed, "We created an opportunity to take a run at Roe vs. Wade--100 percent."
"In striking down the blatantly unconstitutional Iowa abortion ban," said NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue, Huppert "sent a message that women's rights will not be used as political pawns in anti-choice extremists' attempts to impose their ideology on others. Still, we know that Gov. Kim Reynolds and the anti-choice organizations that support her will stop at nothing until they eviscerate our basic human rights."
"Today, we applaud this win for women and families everywhere, but tomorrow, we get up and fight harder than before. NARAL will always be on the frontlines fighting to protect our freedom to control our own lives," Hogue added.
The ruling was handed down on the 46th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision, as pro-choice groups like the National Abortion Federation (NAF) reminded women of the numerous anti-choice laws that have violated their constitutional rights since the 1973 ruling.
Planned Parenthood declared the court ruling "a great way to honor" Roe vs. Wade.
"We are grateful the court blocked Gov. Reynolds' egregious attempt to ban safe, legal abortion in Iowa. Planned Parenthood will continue to stand up for Iowa women and fight back against the legislature's attacks on reproductive health. We will do all we can to make sure abortion continues to be safe and legal in our state--no matter what," said Erin Davidson-Rippey, the group's state executive director for Iowa.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
The United States' most restrictive abortion ban--which Republicans in Iowa explicitly put forward with the hope of triggering a U.S. Supreme Court fight over Roe vs. Wade--was struck down by a federal judge late Tuesday, with the Polk County District Court declaring the legislation unconstitutional.
The so-called "fetal heartbeat" bill would have effectively outlawed all abortions in Iowa by banning the procedure as soon as fetal cardiac activity is detected--this happens at around six weeks of pregnancy, before many women even discover they are pregnant.
" NARAL will always be on the frontlines fighting to protect our freedom to control our own lives." --Ilyse Hogue, NARAL Pro-Choice America"Today's victory is essential to the rights and safety of women in Iowa," said Rita Bettis Austen, ACLU of Iowa legal director. "It follows in the footsteps of the Iowa Supreme Court decision on abortion in 2018 that recognized the fundamental right to a safe and legal abortion for Iowa women, which cannot be legislated away. Today's decision upholds women's freedom and equality in Iowa."
The district court issued a permanent injunction, with Judge Michael Huppert writing in his ruling (pdf), "It is undisputed that such cardiac activity is detectable well in advance of the fetus becoming viable."
But as reproductive rights advocates have come to expect with similar rulings, anti-choice groups have vowed to appeal the decision with the goal of eventually bringing it before the U.S. Supreme Court, which currently has a right-wing majority. One state senator told reporters when the law was first passed, "We created an opportunity to take a run at Roe vs. Wade--100 percent."
"In striking down the blatantly unconstitutional Iowa abortion ban," said NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue, Huppert "sent a message that women's rights will not be used as political pawns in anti-choice extremists' attempts to impose their ideology on others. Still, we know that Gov. Kim Reynolds and the anti-choice organizations that support her will stop at nothing until they eviscerate our basic human rights."
"Today, we applaud this win for women and families everywhere, but tomorrow, we get up and fight harder than before. NARAL will always be on the frontlines fighting to protect our freedom to control our own lives," Hogue added.
The ruling was handed down on the 46th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision, as pro-choice groups like the National Abortion Federation (NAF) reminded women of the numerous anti-choice laws that have violated their constitutional rights since the 1973 ruling.
Planned Parenthood declared the court ruling "a great way to honor" Roe vs. Wade.
"We are grateful the court blocked Gov. Reynolds' egregious attempt to ban safe, legal abortion in Iowa. Planned Parenthood will continue to stand up for Iowa women and fight back against the legislature's attacks on reproductive health. We will do all we can to make sure abortion continues to be safe and legal in our state--no matter what," said Erin Davidson-Rippey, the group's state executive director for Iowa.
The United States' most restrictive abortion ban--which Republicans in Iowa explicitly put forward with the hope of triggering a U.S. Supreme Court fight over Roe vs. Wade--was struck down by a federal judge late Tuesday, with the Polk County District Court declaring the legislation unconstitutional.
The so-called "fetal heartbeat" bill would have effectively outlawed all abortions in Iowa by banning the procedure as soon as fetal cardiac activity is detected--this happens at around six weeks of pregnancy, before many women even discover they are pregnant.
" NARAL will always be on the frontlines fighting to protect our freedom to control our own lives." --Ilyse Hogue, NARAL Pro-Choice America"Today's victory is essential to the rights and safety of women in Iowa," said Rita Bettis Austen, ACLU of Iowa legal director. "It follows in the footsteps of the Iowa Supreme Court decision on abortion in 2018 that recognized the fundamental right to a safe and legal abortion for Iowa women, which cannot be legislated away. Today's decision upholds women's freedom and equality in Iowa."
The district court issued a permanent injunction, with Judge Michael Huppert writing in his ruling (pdf), "It is undisputed that such cardiac activity is detectable well in advance of the fetus becoming viable."
But as reproductive rights advocates have come to expect with similar rulings, anti-choice groups have vowed to appeal the decision with the goal of eventually bringing it before the U.S. Supreme Court, which currently has a right-wing majority. One state senator told reporters when the law was first passed, "We created an opportunity to take a run at Roe vs. Wade--100 percent."
"In striking down the blatantly unconstitutional Iowa abortion ban," said NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue, Huppert "sent a message that women's rights will not be used as political pawns in anti-choice extremists' attempts to impose their ideology on others. Still, we know that Gov. Kim Reynolds and the anti-choice organizations that support her will stop at nothing until they eviscerate our basic human rights."
"Today, we applaud this win for women and families everywhere, but tomorrow, we get up and fight harder than before. NARAL will always be on the frontlines fighting to protect our freedom to control our own lives," Hogue added.
The ruling was handed down on the 46th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision, as pro-choice groups like the National Abortion Federation (NAF) reminded women of the numerous anti-choice laws that have violated their constitutional rights since the 1973 ruling.
Planned Parenthood declared the court ruling "a great way to honor" Roe vs. Wade.
"We are grateful the court blocked Gov. Reynolds' egregious attempt to ban safe, legal abortion in Iowa. Planned Parenthood will continue to stand up for Iowa women and fight back against the legislature's attacks on reproductive health. We will do all we can to make sure abortion continues to be safe and legal in our state--no matter what," said Erin Davidson-Rippey, the group's state executive director for Iowa.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.
To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good.
News & Opinion
Trending
Common Dreams, Inc. Founded 1997. Registered 501(c3) Non-Profit
Privacy Policy