June 17, 2020

Iowa State Legislature Passes 24-Hour Waiting Period for Abortions

Iowa State Capitol
Photo Credit: Michael Leland / Flickr
Last weekend, legislators in Iowa passed a bill to require a 24-hour waiting period for women seeking abortions. By requiring that abortion appointments be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance, legislators hope women will take the time to think about this incredibly important decision, thereby saving innocent lives.

The Iowa House voted 53-42 to approve the bill, and the Senate approved the measure with a 31-16 vote on party lines.

According to the Des Moines Register, State Rep. Sandy Salmon, R-Janesville said, “Waiting periods help ensure that decisions are made not under duress and not under undue influences. It’s the hope that after taking time to consider it, a woman would choose life over death.”

Pro-life Gov. Kim Reynolds is expected by many to sign the bill into law but has not yet done so at the time of writing.