The Iowa House has voted to create a 24-hour waiting period for women seeking an abortion in the state. The bill would force clinics to hand women seeking an abortion state-sanctioned pamphlets outlining the dangers of abortion, the process of adoption and how to raise a child. Representative Dan Boddicker, a republican from Tipton, says some doctors tell women a fetus is merely a quote “blob of tissue.”Representative Jane Greimann (gry’-mun), a democrat from Ames, said the bill was unnecessary. She said she visited the clinic in Ames and they tell people everything that’s in the bill. Greiman says legislators are just pushing the bill to make an impression on the public and says it’s “ridiculous.”Representative Teresa Garman, a republican from Ames, supports the waiting period and the manditory pamphlets. She says she doesn’t understand why people want to keep information from those who are making decisions that will stay with them for the rest of their life.Representative Keith Kreiman (kry’-mun), a democrat from Bloomfield, was a “no” vote. He says it’s insulting to women. He says anyone who considers an abortion considers it very long and hard before deciding it’s what theywant to do.Representative Dolores Mertz, a democrat from Ottosen, hopes some women will read the literature and decide against having an abortion. She says it ensures women will be informed to make meaningful and wise decisions.Representative John Connors, a democrat from Des Moines, said abortion is a private issue and he voted against the bill. He says he can’t understand why the decision can’t be left to “the people and their god.” The bill also creates criminal penalties for doctors who attempt to perform an abortion without a woman’s full consent.
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