Abortion bill passes, likely faces veto again

Republicans in the Iowa Senate have pressed forward with an anti-abortion bill that will almost certainly be vetoed, again, by Governor Tom Vilsack. The Senate last night approved a bill that requires a 24-hour waiting period before a woman can obtain an abortion. Senator John Redwine, a republican from Sioux City, is a doctor, too. Redwine says he knows there are women in Iowa who’re talked into abortions by their boyfriends. Redwine says he’s talked with patients who regret being talked into an abortion.Redwine says there are longer waiting periods for many other things, like placing a magazine order. He says 24 hours is the least amount of time to consider this “life-changing experience” that’s irreversible.Senator Pat Harper, a democrat from Waterloo, voted against the bill. Harper says the restrictions are designed to prevent women from making privatereproductive decisions.Senator Maggie Tinsman, a republican from Bettendorf, says the bill’s a slap at women. She asked “Why are we doing this? Iowa has the eighth lowest abortion rate in the United States.” Tinsman says she trusts the women of Iowa to make their own decisions.Governor Vilsack vetoed a virtually identical bill last year.