Governor Tom Vilsack will have to decide whether women seeking an abortion should be forced to wait 24 hours. The Iowa Senate yesterday gave final legislative approval to the waiting period for abortions. Senator John Redwine, a republican from Sioux City, said the state enforces all sorts of waiting periods. He says if the state allows residents three days to reconsider a magazine subscription, then allowing 24 hours for a woman to reconsider and abortion isn’t to long.Senator David Miller, a republican from Libertyville, was a “yes” vote. He says the waiting period is “no big deal” as you usually have to make an appointment to get an abortion anyway.Senator Maggie Tinsman, a republican from Davenport, said government has no business restricting abortion. She says she’s heard from the public that they don’t want government involved.Senator Pat Harper, a democrat from Waterloo, said the bill was unnecessary.She says she finds the legislation insulting to women because it assumes they’re stupid and unable to make their own decisions on their reproductive health. Earlier this month, Vilsack said he was “troubled” by the bill, but yesterday a spokesman for the Governor said Vilsack would review the legislation before making a final decision.
