When Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed the fetal heartbeat bill into law she called it an “ironclad commitment” to the smallest and most vulnerable among us.
“All life is precious and worthy of the protection of our laws,” she said.
In June, the governor’s commitment to life was securely locked down when the state supreme court upheld Iowa’s law that prohibits most abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy. A District Court injunction against the fetal heartbeat bill was recently lifted, making it law on Monday, July 29, 2024.
“Today is a victory for life,” Gov. Reynolds said.
Previously in Iowa, abortions were legal up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. With the injunction lifted, abortion is now illegal when embryonic cardiac activity can be detected, which can happen as early as six weeks of gestation.
The managers of the bill in the House and Senate are both firm believers that the law protects unborn children—a heartbeat represents a human life.
“This [law] sets a clear standard where the state has an interest in the life of the child: when the baby’s heart starts beating. Where there is a heartbeat, there is life,” said Rep. Shannon in the Des Moines Register.
Senate President Amy Sinclair emphasized the importance of safeguarding the “right to life” as enshrined in the state Constitution. She believes that the detection of an embryonic pulse represents the beginning of life, which should be protected above all other rights.
As the fetal heartbeat law took effect in Iowa, Gov. Reynolds reiterated her commitment to not only protecting unborn children, but strengthening a culture of life at all stages of parenthood.
“I remain deeply committed to supporting women in planning for motherhood, promoting the importance of fatherhood, elevating adoption, and protecting in vitro fertilization (IVF),” she said. “Families are the foundation of society, and policies that encourage strong families will make our state and country strong for generations to come.”
Reynolds previously cited her MOMS (More Options for Maternal Support) Program as an example of how a legislative body could use its power to protect the unborn. MOMS connects women with pregnancy support services, safety net resources, housing assistance, and recovery and mental health treatment.
In 2023, the Iowa Legislature allocated $2 million to administer MOMS. Some of those funds were designated to pregnancy centers that offer clients resources to choose childbirth and to make informed decisions regarding the choice of adoption or parenting with respect to their children, according to The Des Moines Register.
In 2024, The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services will distribute more than $680,000 to four crisis pregnancy centers under the MOMS program in the next two years, according to Iowa Public Radio. The four pregnancy centers include Informed Choices of Iowa, Lutheran Services, Bethany Christian Services, and Alternatives Pregnancy Center (a Care Net-affiliated center).
With her holistic MOMS program, Gov. Reynolds is in step with Care Net’s Pro Abundant Life Movement, a perspective based on John 10:10 and focused on God’s design for family.
When she signed the heartbeat bill into law in 2023, the governor alluded to Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
“We read in Scripture that the Author of life wants to give ‘a future and a hope’ to all his children. Who are we to stand in his way?” Reynolds said.
“But today, the most glaring injustice of all is about to be put right. Everyone understands that a heartbeat signifies life. And we understand that when it falls silent, something precious has been lost.”
As the fetal heartbeat bill finally became law in Iowa, Reynolds and other pro-life advocates rejoiced.
“There is nothing more sacred and no cause more worthy than protecting innocent unborn lives,” she said.