ACLU Loses Challenge to Iowa's 20-Week Abortion Ban
- Updated May 08, 2017
Last week, Iowa’s governor signed a 20-week abortion ban bill into law. Now, the bill is being challenged, but it has been upheld in court thus far.
Iowa’s Gov. Terry Branstad signed the 20-week abortion ban on Friday. According to a report from ONeNewsNow.com, Iowa Right to Life spokeswoman Jennifer Bowen said the ban includes other restrictions on abortion as well, including a mandatory 72-hour waiting period for a woman seeking an abortion.
“What that included was a 72-hour or three-day waiting period for a woman seeking an abortion, as well as the opportunity to view her ultrasound, view its heartbeat, [and] informed consent basic legislation was also added," said Bowen.
However, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), along with Planned Parenthood, is arguing that such a restriction infringes on a woman’s rights. The organization filed a lawsuit in Polk County District Court.
The judge in the case, District Judge Jeffrey Farrell, ruled in favor of the abortion ban.
"They sought an injunction on the bill, and thankfully, the court ruled in favor of life, and they actually denied Planned Parenthood's request for the injunction," said Bowen.
The case could still go to trial, however, unless Planned Parenthood drops it.
OneNewsNow reports that the pro-life movement has been gaining momentum. Twenty states have now instituted 20-week abortion bans.
Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com
Publication date: May 8, 2017
