The Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa have filed a lawsuit challenging a new state law they say is a "virtual ban" on all abortions in the state. The law approved by Republican legislators and signed by Republican Governor Kim Reynolds would … [Read more...]
$7.4 billion state budget, $2 billion in tax cuts clear 2018 Iowa legislature
Republican lawmakers passed a more than $2 billion plan to cut taxes over the next six years and they completed work on next year's $7.4 billion state budget on Saturday. It was the 118th and final day of the 2018 Iowa legislative session. With Republican Kim Reynolds in the governor's office and … [Read more...]
Iowa legislature’s 2018 session concludes with tax plan passage
Republicans are using the words "consequential" and "historic" to describe the agenda Republican majorities in the Iowa House and Senate have enacted over the past two years. "We seized the opportunity and I think we delivered really good things for Iowans," House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, a … [Read more...]
Iowa now has toughest abortion ban in U.S. (AUDIO)
Governor Kim Reynolds this afternoon approved the most restrictive abortion law in the country. "I believe that all innocent life is precious and sacred and, as governor, I have pledged to do everything in my power to protect it," Reynolds said. "And that's what I am doing today." The new law … [Read more...]
Planned Parenthood, ACLU of Iowa vow to challenge abortion ban in court
Abortion rights activists staged a rally on the statehouse grounds today, promising a legal battle over a new state law that would ban nearly all abortions in the state. "I am here to tell Governor Reynolds: 'We will see you in court,'" Suzanna de Baca, president of Planned Parenthood of the … [Read more...]
Governor Reynolds to decide soon whether to approve new abortion law
Governor Kim Reynolds says she's waiting to receive the official copy of legislation that supporters say will place Iowa at "ground zero" in the national debate over abortion. A bill that would ban nearly all abortions in Iowa cleared the House late Tuesday night and the Senate early Wednesday … [Read more...]
GOP-led legislature passes ban on abortions after sixth week of pregnancy
Republicans in the Iowa House and Senate have voted for what would be the country's most restrictive anti-abortion policy if the governor signs it into law. After nine hours of debate, 51 Republicans in the House approved a bill that bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, about the … [Read more...]
Ex-Texas Representative who regrets never banning abortion testifies at Iowa House hearing
Former Texas Congressman Tom Delay, the former majority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, was among the speakers at a hearing in the Iowa Capitol tonight. Delay is now part of a coalition of 120 groups pressing for bills -- like the one pending in the Iowa House -- that would ban … [Read more...]
Iowa House panel advances bill with tougher abortion ban
A ban on nearly all abortions in Iowa after the sixth week of a pregnancy has cleared a House committee with the support of a dozen Republicans. However, at least two of those Republicans made it clear they want changes in the bill if or when it's debated by the full House. "I believe that we … [Read more...]
Merged abortion-related proposals to be considered by House panel
A proposed ban on abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy is scheduled for debate in a House committee today. The abortion ban has been attached to another bill that would make it illegal in Iowa to sell or donate fetal tissue from abortions for use in medical research. Representative Shannon … [Read more...]