Republican Congressman Steve King today said he wishes he had phrased a recent statement about abortion differently, but he said the statement "was objectively honest and accurate." Last week, King told a central Iowa group that given "all the rape and pillage" over the centuries, there might not … [Read more...]
King Tweets at critics, emails ‘No Abortion, No Exceptions’ pledge
Republican Congressman Steve King has taken to Twitter to lash out at critics of his recent comments on abortion -- and he's sending fundraising email about the uproar. King backs an abortion ban that does not include exceptions for rape and incest. On Wednesday, King mused out loud at that given … [Read more...]
Steve King criticized for his comments on rape, incest
Republican Congressman Steve King is drawing criticism from Democrats and two Republican challengers for remarks King made this morning about his "heartbeat bill" that has no exceptions for rape and incest and would ban nearly all abortions. "What if it was okay and what if we went back through … [Read more...]
Inslee touts Washington state record in NARAL forum
Democratic presidential candidate Jay Inslee, the governor of Washington state, says it's time for a federal law guaranteeing access to abortion. "This is a freedom issue," Inslee said this morning in Des Moines. "It is a freedom from government intrusion in your most personal part of your … [Read more...]
Planned Parenthood seeks temp injunction on sex ed funding law
A lawyer for Planned Parenthood today asked an Iowa judge to suspend a new law that blocks Planned Parenthood from getting federal grants to provide sex education to at-risk teens. Attorney Julie Murray said Planned Parenthood is the only organization currently providing federally-funded sex … [Read more...]
#StopTheBan rallies in Iowa, including group inside Iowa capitol
Abortion supporters rallied at the Iowa Capitol Tuesday, part of nationwide protests against new abortion restrictions in other states. "This is an attack on each and every single one of us," Erin Davison-Rippey, stae director for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, said. " It is an attack on … [Read more...]
Planned Parenthood, ACLU sue over funding for sex ed classes
Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa have filed a lawsuit trying to undo a new policy that prohibits state tax dollars from paying Planned Parenthood staff to teach sex ed classes to at-risk youth. Erin Davison-Rippey, the state executive director for Planned … [Read more...]
Welfare reform, tax changes on GOP agenda for 2020 Iowa legislative session
This weekend, the 2019 Iowa Legislative session ended with some bitter rhetorical battles over the conservative agenda enacted by Republicans who hold a majority of seats in the House and Senate. Representative Andy McKean of Anamosa switched from Republican to Democrat last Tuesday. On Saturday, … [Read more...]
Senate-passed bill on ‘unborn person’ will not advance from Iowa House panel this year
A key Republican lawmaker in the Iowa House says his committee will not advance a bill about the crime of fetal homicide that defines personhood as starting at conception. It means the bill is tabled for the remainder of the 2019 legislative session and not eligible for debate. The bill, which … [Read more...]
Iowa Senate GOP pass bill Democrats say is attempt at ‘personhood’ law
Republicans in the Iowa Senate have voted to significantly increase the sentence for anyone convicted of intentionally or accidentally causing the termination of a pregnancy against the mother's wishes. Senator Jake Chapman, a Republican from Adel, said a life prison sentence is "proper punishment" … [Read more...]