Iowa Legislature Approves Amendment Declaring its Constitution Contains No Right to Abortion

Iowa State Capitol
photo credit: Dan Brekke / Flickr

On May 19, the Iowa Senate followed the Iowa House in approving a constitutional amendment declaring that the Iowa constitution does not contain a right to abortion.

The House voted 54-38 and the Senate voted 30-18 to pass the "Protect Life Amendment". The amendment, if approved again by the 2023-2024 legislature, Iowa voters will have the opportunity to vote on the constitutional amendment.

This amendment is a response to a 2018 decision by the Iowa Supreme Court, which (similarly to the infamous Roe v. Wade decision of 1973) declared that the state constitution included an implied right to abortion.

“I’m proud that the Protect Life Amendment is one step closer to being on the ballot,” Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said. “This is an important step forward in defending the unborn and upholding the dignity of all human life.”

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