Iowa Legislature to Hold Special Session on Abortion Ban
Iowa’s legislature is set to convene a special session on Tuesday with the aim of passing a bill that would ban abortion in most cases after about six weeks of pregnancy. The move comes as Republican officials in the state seek to implement rules following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade. The special session could force Republican presidential candidates who are courting voters in Iowa, where the caucuses kick off the nominating process, to address their positions on abortion in specific terms.
Former Vice President Mike Pence, who has made nationwide abortion restrictions a key focus of his presidential run, may see the special session as an opportunity to draw a contrast with his rivals. Pence has called for a ban on abortion before 15 weeks as a national standard. However, other Republican contenders, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have been less clear about their stance on a national abortion ban.
DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban into law in Florida in April, but has not clarified his position on a national ban. Former President Donald Trump has also suggested that the Florida measure was “too harsh” and acknowledged the splits within the GOP on the issue. Nikki Haley, former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador, has advocated for a consensus measure that includes banning late-term abortions, encouraging adoptions, and making contraceptives more widely available.
The special session in Iowa has attracted attention from GOP presidential contenders. Vivek Ramaswamy held a press conference on Tuesday morning, while others may weigh in later in the week at a summit hosted by the conservative FAMiLY Leader. Iowa has been at the forefront of conservative efforts to restrict abortion, having enacted a “heartbeat bill” in 2018 that was later blocked by courts. Republican lawmakers, with the backing of Governor Kim Reynolds, have introduced a similar measure that would ban abortions after cardiac activity is detected.
The proposal includes exceptions for miscarriages, threats to the mother’s life, fetal abnormalities, and cases of rape and incest. Democrats have no power to stop the anti-abortion measure, and both chambers of the legislature could move to vote quickly. However, recent election outcomes suggest that voters are broadly supportive of abortion rights. The issue has galvanized Democrats and tilted moderates in their direction, as seen in races in Wisconsin, Kansas, and other states.
While the political landscape could shift by November 2024, the results of recent elections indicate that voters are in favor of abortion rights. It remains to be seen how the special session in Iowa will shape the national conversation on the issue and impact the 2024 presidential race.
Original Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-07-11 17:04:00
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