Iowa Supreme Court upholds near-total abortion ban, returning women's rights to the "Civil War era"

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled Friday to uphold a law banning abortion after no more than six weeks of pregnancy, NPR reported.

The law, which replaces a 20-week ban, prohibits abortions after early cardiac activity is detected in an embryo, with exceptions carved out for rape (reported within 45 days), incest (reported within 140 days), fetal abnormalities and critical threats to the mother's health.

The ruling lifts a temporary block on the law, which was passed by the state legislature in July 2023 and signed by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds. 

“We conclude that the fetal heartbeat statute is rationally related to the state’s legitimate interest in protecting unborn life," the court said.

The 4-3 ruling rejected Planned Parenthood’s argument that the law violates citizens's fundamental rights under the state constitution, the BBC reported. The law effectively eliminates the right to choose as most people do not know they are pregnant within the first few weeks.

Chief Justice Susan Christensen dissented, writing: "The majority’s rigid approach relies heavily on the male-dominated history and traditions of the 1800s, all the while ignoring how far women’s rights have come since the Civil War era."

Iowa is now one of 18 states with either a six-week or total abortion ban following the 2022 Dobbs decision, NPR noted.