Iowa Lawmakers Engage in Heated Debate Over Six-Week Abortion Ban

Iowa lawmakers are debating a bill in a special session that would ban abortions as soon as fetal cardiac activity can be detected, around six weeks of pregnancy. The bill, which is expected to pass, comes after the state's Supreme Court blocked a similar measure in 2018. The proposed legislation would make exceptions for rape, incest, medical emergencies, and fetal abnormalities, but not for the age of the pregnant person or mental health conditions. Protests from abortion rights activists have taken place outside the State Capitol during the debate.