Iowa governor signs strictest abortion regulation in US
On Friday Iowa governor Kim Reynolds signed the strictest abortion bill which bans all abortion in the state. She advised doctors to not perform an abortion if a heartbeat is felt, making the bill one of the strictest bills in the world. Ahead of signing the bill, security was tightened in the capital.
She said, "I believe that all innocent life is precious and sacred, and as governor, I pledged to do everything in my power to protect it. That is what I am doing today,"
She also added that saving a life was bigger than just a law.
A few hours after this bill was signed, the American Civil Liberties announced to stop the law from coming into effect. The law is very strict as the fetal heartbeat is detected as early as six weeks into pregnancy.
This strict law has some exemptions that allow abortions at a later pregnancy stage to save a pregnant woman's life or in some cases of rape and incest.
This bill faced a lot of criticism, the major argument is that women won't even known they are pregnant.
First published: 5 May 2018, 12:08 IST