Governor Tom Vilsack today gave few clues as to whether he’ll sign or veto the bill which would enforce a 24-hour waiting period for women seeking an abortion in Iowa. The bill won final legislative approval last night. Vilsack says a 24-hour waiting period presupposes that women do not seriously think about the decision. Vilsack says he has no evidence to indicate that’s the case.Vilsack says he will review existing Iowa law first. He says Iowa already has informed consent laws on the books and he wants to see how those laws apply to abortion. He says the information required in the bill may already be made available to women.The bill calls on doctors or abortion providers to give women seeking an abortion information about the fetus, about adoption and about keeping the baby — as well as the physical and mental problems associated with abortion. He says he’s troubled by whether or not the state needs government intervention in the issue.
