20-week abortion ban clears Iowa Senate hurdle

Abortions would generally be banned in Iowa 20 weeks after fertilization under a bill advanced Tuesday by an Iowa Senate subcommittee, despite a tearful plea from a Waukee woman who terminated a pregnancy because the fetus had a rare genetic condition that was not survivable.

Senate File 53 was approved on a 2-1 vote, sending it to the Senate Human Resources Committee, where it faces an uncertain future as a pending legislative deadline approaches this week. Republican Sens. Mark Costello of Imogene and Mark Chelgren of Ottumwa voted yes, while Democratic Sen. Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City voted no.

The proposal says that except in the case of a medical emergency, an abortion could not be performed unless a doctor first made a determination of the probable post-fertilization age of the pregnancy. It would prohibit most abortions after 20 weeks. Fifteen states have adopted similar legislation. On Monday, a separate Senate panel panel advanced Senate File 253, which declares that life begins at conception in a bid to halt Iowa abortions.

Joan Thompson, a lobbyist for the Iowa Catholic Conference, spoke in support of the 20-week ban, suggesting it provides lawmakers with a rare opportunity to reform the state's abortion law. She said the United States is one of the most permissive countries in the world for abortion, and Iowa is part of that permissive culture. She was joined in supporting the bill by Eric Goranson of Des Moines, representing the Iowa Right to Life Committee.

Read more: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/02/28/20-week-abortion-ban-clears-iowa-senate-hurdle/98520390/