Iowa Plans 'Protect Life Amendment' for 2024 Ballot
Lawmakers and activists opposed to abortion rights say they are on track to put what they call a "Protect Life Amendment" asking voters to declare the Iowa Constitution does not provide a right to abortion on the statewide ballot as early as 2024. Similar versions of the resolution have been advanced by Republicans in the Iowa Senate and Iowa House, and proponents say there is now agreement between the chambers on the wording of the proposal — which must be approved by two consecutive general assemblies before Iowa voters decide whether to amend the constitution. Senate Joint Resolution 2, approved 30-17 on a party-line vote read: "To defend the dignity of all human life, and to protect mothers and unborn children from efforts to expand abortion even to the day of birth, we the people of the State of Iowa declare that this Constitution shall not be construed to recognize, grant, or secure a right to abortion or to require the public funding of abortion." Read more...