Covering a portion of Cedar Rapids, Sami Scheetz serves as the representative for the 78th district of the Iowa House.
My wife and I are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our baby girl in just a few weeks. The joy and excitement we feel is indescribable, but it’s also accompanied by a hint of fear. As a father, it’s daunting to consider that my daughter will grow up in a world where her freedoms may be limited compared to those of her grandmother.
Last week, Iowa’s Supreme Court made a decision that went against the will of the people of Iowa. Four judges who were known to be extreme and partisan substituted their own judgement for that of the people and allowed Governor Kim Reynolds’ and the Republican legislature’s almost complete abortion ban to be enforced. It was a decision that has been met with widespread criticism and concern from those who believe that the rights of women to make decisions about their own bodies have been severely curtailed.
As an Iowan myself, the June 28 ruling has left me feeling a mix of emotions – heartbroken, upset, and angry. This sentiment is shared by many of my fellow Iowans who are now questioning if our state is still the best place to raise their families. Attorney General Brenna Bird’s recent appearance with extremists who are pushing for a ban on IVF treatments and contraception has only added fuel to the fire. Her promise that “there is work left to be done” on this issue is concerning and has left many of us wondering what the future holds for reproductive rights in Iowa.
The Republican abortion ban that has been put in place is an egregious attack on women’s autonomy and their fundamental right to make decisions about their own healthcare. The six-week time frame for this ban is particularly insidious, as many women are not even aware that they are pregnant at this early stage. In essence, this ban serves as a complete prohibition on abortion. This unjust law cruelly compels women and young girls to carry pregnancies to term, regardless of any extenuating circumstances or potential threats to their health and overall well-being.
Chief Justice Susan Christensen pointed out in her dissenting opinion that the exceptions provided by the law are inadequate and fail to consider the practical issues faced by a lot of women.
Our ability to make decisions about our lives is a crucial aspect of our existence. It is unacceptable for the government to intervene in our most intimate medical moments, especially when we are confronted with heart-wrenching choices about life and death. Unfortunately, this radical law permits exactly that.
The impact of this decision goes beyond the issue of abortion. It sets a precedent for how the government can regulate our personal bodily autonomy. Should the government decide to restrict our access to IVF treatments for fertility, they are now only required to demonstrate a “rational basis” for doing so. This standard is alarmingly low for a government that proudly proclaims, “our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.”
Last year, Iowa Republicans opted for a special legislative session to enact one of the most stringent abortion bans in the nation. However, the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision seemed to go against the principles of liberty and freedom for all citizens. As a result, Iowans are faced with a crucial decision in the upcoming November elections: whether to choose a government that upholds individual rights or one that imposes the beliefs of a small group on the majority of our fellow citizens.
I am confident that the people of Iowa will rise up to defend their liberties and exercise their right to choose. It is imperative that we do so, as our future hinges on this crucial decision.
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