DES MOINES – “There’s never been a more important day to be at the Iowa Capitol than Monday,” a right-wing anti-abortion group proclaimed about debate that will open up about a bill that would protect life beginning at conception and possibly end abortion in the state.
The Family Leader, an Iowa-based conservative group which portrays itself as “a pro-family, pro-marriage, pro-life organization which champions the principle that God is the ultimate leader of the family” said via social media that “a high turnout is expected” Monday morning when debate opens up on legislation that would protect life at conception.
“Monday, February 27th may be the most important day for life at the Iowa Capitol since Roe V. Wade,” the group pontificated.
The Iowa Senate will be hosting a subcommittee meeting on Life at Conception, which – if enacted as law – would end abortion in Iowa, The Family Leader says. They urged “pro-life Iowans” to “pack the capitol … to edify, build up, and encourage our legislators.”
This bill is meeting reluctance in the full committee, in which it must pass by next Friday. There is a companion bill in the House, as well.
Meanwhile, the other side of the debate is alarmed at the prospects of the bill making it to Governor Terry Branstad’s desk.
Planned Parenthood Voters of Iowa said via social media that “Iowa lawmakers continue their dangerous ideological assault on reproductive health care with bills SF 53 and SF 253. Senate File 53 could ban abortion in the state for any reason, without exception. SF 253 would make it Iowa law that life begins at conception. Both bills seek to put Iowa lawmakers in charge of a woman’s right to make her own, sometimes difficult, health decisions.”
The governor would likely sign the bills should they pass the Republican-controlled legislature.
