Anniversary of Dobbs Decision Highlights Republican Attack on Reproductive Healthcare
Three years ago Iowa Republicans applauded the Supreme Court’s Decision to take away women’s rights
Washington D.C. – Three years ago today Iowa Republicans applauded as the United States Supreme Court ripped away women’s right to make their own healthcare decisions. Dobbs v. Jackson paved the way for Trump and Iowa Republicans to launch attacks on women’s reproductive health, which has been protected for nearly five decades, and enact abortion bans nationwide – including in Iowa.
“Three years ago, Trump’s handpicked Supreme Court justices voted in by Iowa Senator Joni Ernst made good on Republicans’ decades-long quest to rip away women’s reproductive freedoms,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart. “Iowa Republicans leaped on the chance to prevent women from accessing reproductive healthcare in our state. On Monday, July 29th, their six-week abortion ban went into effect. Its restrictions are incredibly severe; most women don’t even know they’re pregnant by the time the law bans them from seeking care. Many Iowa women are forced to seek help outside of the state because of this, a luxury not everyone can afford.”
As a reminder, Iowa Republicans celebrated three years ago today as Roe v. Wade was overturned. Take a look at what they had to say:
Representatives Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Zach Nunn, and Randy Feenstra
Iowa’s Republican Members of Congress were all staunch supporters of the Dobbs decision. Just take it from them:
“In Congress, I will continue to champion pro-life policies,” said Congresswoman Ashley Hinson.
“I have always and will always vote in support of protecting life and the unborn. Just as I did when I was a state senator,” said Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who voted twice to ban IVF access for Iowans – first as she mentioned in the state legislature, and second when she co-sponsored the 2021 “Life at Conception” Act.
“By striking down Roe, we can truly live up to our highest moral values and allow states like Iowa – where we proudly defend innocent life – to codify laws that reflect our deepest convictions,” said Congressman Randy Feenstra.
Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst
“For many Americans, including myself, this decision is about far more than correcting a flawed legal analysis in Roe,” said Senator Chuck Grassley. “It means that the rights of the unborn are no longer in jeopardy by our federal government.”
Senator Ernst, following Grassley’s lead, echoed his statement following the overturning of Roe.
“I’m proudly and adamantly pro-life,” said Senator Joni Ernst.
Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley
Speaker Pat Grassley, who worked alongside Leader Whitver in his years of efforts to restrict Iowans’ rights to reproductive healthcare, said this following the overturning of Roe:
“These past two weeks have brought significant victories for the pro-life movement both nationally and in Iowa. Iowa House Republicans will continue to protect the innocent lives of unborn children,” said Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley.
Iowa Republicans are clear in their intent to continue working to restrict Iowans’ freedoms, both in their above statements as well as in the work they’ve already done following the Dobbs decision – which included passing a six-week abortion ban.
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