ICYMI: Democrats Unite In Opposition to Abortion Ban
See What Iowa Democrats are Saying About Republicans’ Six-Week Abortion Ban
DES MOINES – Iowa Democrats stood united in their efforts to protect women’s healthcare rights this weekend following the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Republicans’ six-week abortion ban.
See what Iowa Democrats had to say:
“As a mother who raised my daughter here in Southeast Iowa, this decision is horrifying,” Christina Bohannan, candidate for IA-01, wrote. “My daughter shouldn’t have fewer rights than I had. My daughter deserves to make her own healthcare decisions. And my daughter shouldn’t have politicians deciding if and when she can start a family.”
“This ruling is absolutely devastating for women across our state,” said Lanon Baccam, candidate for IA-03. “Abortion is now banned in Iowa before most women even know they’re pregnant, making this one of the most restrictive and dangerous abortion bans in the entire country.”
“I live and am running for Congress in one of the most conservative congressional districts in the country,” said Ryan Melton, candidate for IA-04. “As such, I often speak with Iowans who call themselves ‘pro-life.’ Many such Iowans have told me Gov. Reynolds’ abortion ban goes too far.”
“This decision strips reproductive freedom away from Iowa women. Yet as AG Bird warned, Republicans think ‘there is work yet to be done,’” said Iowa Auditor Rob Sand. “No one should doubt Republicans are coming after contraception, surrogacy, and fertility treatments next, even though the majority of Iowans want these decisions to be made by women with their families and physicians.”
“This despicable and dangerous ruling cannot be the last word on reproductive rights and personal freedom in Iowa,” said Iowa Senate Democratic Majority Leader Pam Jochum. “Activist judges and anti-choice Republicans cannot be allowed to control Iowans’ lives.”
“Everyone deserves the right to make their own health care decisions,” said Iowa House Democratic Majority Leader Jennifer Konfrst. “Politicians and judges have no place in interfering in someone else’s decisions about when to start a family.”
“Let me be clear: this relentless pursuit to dismantle reproductive rights shows a dangerous level of disregard for Iowan’s autonomy and health,” Rep. Zach Wahls D-Coralville wrote. “This is not just an attack on women; it is an assault on the fundamental freedoms of all Iowans.”
“As the youngest state legislator in Iowa, I worry about what this will mean for my friends,” Adam Zabner D-Iowa City wrote. “Women will die in Iowa because of this horrible legislation.”
“Reynolds and other extreme, anti-choice Republicans passed this abortion ban in an unprecedented special session after a nearly identical version was struck down by these very courts,” Sen. Sarah Trone-Garriott D-West Des Moines said. “Today’s decision to uphold this ban puts lives in danger, plain and simple. This decision will only make things worse,”
“It’s obvious Kim Reynolds and Iowa Republicans do not trust women to make their own decisions regarding their own medical care or for doctors to use their best judgment while treating their patients,” IDP Chair Rita Hart said. “Republicans went too far with this abortion ban, and Iowa voters will hold them accountable this November.”
“Today, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that the state’s extreme and dangerous abortion ban can go into effect. Iowa is the twenty-second state with an abortion ban, imposed by Republican elected officials, that puts women’s health and lives in jeopardy. This should never happen in America. Yet, this is exactly what is happening in states across the country since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. And it’s not stopping at the state level – Republican elected officials in Congress have proposed four national abortion bans while refusing to protect nationwide access to IVF and contraception,” said President Joe Biden. “Vice President Harris and I believe that women in every state must have the right to make deeply personal decisions about their health. We will continue to call on Congress to restore the protections of Roe v. Wade in federal law and stand firm against efforts made by Republican elected officials to undermine Americans’ fundamental freedoms.”
“The Iowa Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the state’s dangerous abortion ban will lead to a health care crisis for women across the state,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “We must restore the protections of Roe so women in Iowa and every state have the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies.”
###