Iowa governor convenes special session to pass pro-life legislation

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she is convening the state General Assembly for a special session to pass pro-life legislation.

"Iowans have elected representatives willing to stand up for the rights of the unborn and, in doing so, they have voted strongly in support of pro-life principles and against the arbitrary destruction of innocent, defenseless lives," Reynolds, a Republican, said when announcing the special session Thursday.

Reynolds said that in 2018, she proposed and the legislature passed a law that banned abortion after the detection of a heartbeat.

That legislation was blocked by the courts from going into effect, and abortion is currently legal in the state for up to 20 weeks of gestation.

"I believe the pro-life movement is the most important human rights cause of our time. Not only will I continue to fight against the inhumanity of abortion, but I will also remain committed to supporting women in planning for motherhood, promoting fatherhood and parenting, and continuing policies that encourage strong families," she also said.

The special session will start July 11.

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.