Reynolds Says She Will Not Appeal Fetal Heartbeat Ruling

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) decided against appealing a ruling by District Court Judge Michael Huppert that struck down Iowa’s fetal heartbeat abortion ban saying the law violated the Iowa Constitution.

“This was an extremely difficult decision, however it is the right one for the pro-life movement and the state of Iowa. When I signed the Fetal Heartbeat bill last May, we knew that it would be an uphill fight in the courts that might take us all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court,” Reynolds said in a released statement.

“But everything changed last June, when the Iowa Supreme Court struck down our 72-hour waiting period after concluding that the Iowa Constitution provides a right to an abortion and imposes strict scrutiny on all our abortion laws. I think the Iowa Supreme Court got it wrong. But after this decision and because of Planned Parenthood’s legal maneuverings, I see no path to successfully appeal the district court’s decision or to get this lawsuit before the U.S. Supreme Court,” she said.

“Rather than be distracted by a losing legal battle, now is the time to renew our focus on changing hearts and minds and to seek other ways to advance the cause of protecting the unborn in Iowa and around the nation. I’m proud to lead the most pro-life state in the country and remain firm in my belief that all human life is precious,” Reynolds added.

Currently, an amendment to the Iowa Constitution is working its way through the Iowa Senate. SJR 9 was filed to address the Iowa Supreme Court finding a right to abortion in the Iowa Constitution.

The amendment sponsored by 29 Republican state senators, simply states, “The Constitution of the State of Iowa does not secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.”

Amendments to the Iowa Constitution must pass in two concurrent General Assemblies before the amendment can be added to the ballot for Iowa voters to decide.