ZitatIowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed one of the country's most restrictive abortion bills into law on Friday.
The so-called "heartbeat" legislation bans abortions once a fetal heartbeat has been detected, at about six weeks of pregnancy. Exceptions are made in cases of rape, incest or medical emergency.
Republican state lawmakers worked late into the night this week to push the measure forward. During Tuesday's debate in the Statehouse,
Rep. Sandy Salmon said, "A baby has become something we can throw away. This bill says it's time to change the way we think about unborn life."
The bill passed the state House on Tuesday and the state Senate early Wednesday. Then it landed on Reynolds' desk.
Iowa Legislature Passes 'Fetal Heartbeat' Bill To Ban Abortions After 6 Weeks
"I understand that not everyone will agree with this decision," Reynolds said in a written statement. "But if death is determined when a heart stops beating, then doesn't a beating heart indicate life? For me, it is immoral to stop an innocent beating heart."