Republicans on an Iowa House committee have tabled a proposal to ban abortions at about the sixth week of a pregnancy, after the detection of a fetal heartbeat. Instead, Republicans in the House are pursuing a ban on abortions after the 20th week of a pregnancy, unless the mother’s life or health are endangered.
The bill cleared the committee with the support of 11 of the 12 Republicans present. Representative Shannon Lundgren, a Republican from Peosta, calls the 20-week ban an “incremental” approach.
Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, a Democrat from Ames led the Democratic opposition.
It’s unclear when this issue may be debated in the full, 100-member House.
