The Iowa Senate State Government Committee voted to approve SJR 21, a constitutional amendment that states there is no right to abortion or abortion funding in the state’s constitution, by a 10 to 5 party-line vote on Thursday.
The bill passed out of subcommittee last week.
Should the amendment pass in two concurrent general assemblies and then be ratified by voters, the Iowa Constitution will state:
“Protection of life. To defend the dignity of all human life, and to protect mothers and unborn children from efforts to expand abortion even to the day of birth, we the people of the state of Iowa declare that this Constitution shall not be construed to recognize, grant, or secure a right to abortion or to require the public funding of abortion.”
“Today, we sent a clear message that will not tolerate unelected judges to use their gavel to rewrite our constitution. The power is rightfully granted to the people of Iowa to alter or amend the constitution not unelected judges. I am looking forward to having the full Senate consider this Resolution in the near future!” State Senator Jake Chapman, R-Adel, the original sponsor of the bill, told Caffeinated Thoughts.
“Passage of this amendment in the Senate State Government committee today marks a crucial step in restoring the legislative powers of the people of Iowa. The Supreme Court overstepped its bounds years ago when it created a new right from language that did not exist in the Iowa Constitution. Senator Jake Chapman did an excellent job of explaining the history and context of this amendment in committee and I look forward to his remarks on the floor,” State Senator Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, added in a statement provided to Caffeinated Thoughts.
State Senators Roby Smith, R-Davenport, Craig Johnson, R-Independence, Chris Cournoyer, R-LeClaire, Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, Marianette Miller-Meeks, R-Ottumwa, Ken Rozenboom, R-Oskaloosa, Zach Whiting, R-Spirit Lake, and Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, joined Chapman and Schultz voting for the bill.
State Senators Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, Claire Celsi, D-West Des Moines, Eric Giddens, D-Cedar Falls, Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, and Todd Taylor, D-Cedar Rapids, voted against the bill.