ADF to argue in court Friday on behalf of Iowa governor in support of state’s fetal heartbeat law

WHO: Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys

WHAT: Available for media interviews following oral arguments in Planned Parenthood of the Heartland v. Reynolds

WHEN: Immediately following hearing, which begins at 1:30 pm CDT, Friday, Oct. 28

WHERE: Iowa District Court for Polk County, 500 Mulberry St., Room 212, Des Moines. To schedule an interview, contact ADF Media Relations Specialist Hayden Sledge at (205) 767-4705.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will be available for media interviews Friday following oral arguments in state court in Planned Parenthood of the Heartland v. Reynolds. Reynolds is asking the court to lift its 2019 injunction against enforcement of the state’s fetal heartbeat law, which was enacted to protect unborn lives by prohibiting elective abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected.

“Pro-life laws like Iowa’s fetal heartbeat law not only protect the lives of countless innocent, unborn children, but they also protect the dignity and health of women—providing real support and health care during a vulnerable time,” said ADF Senior Counsel Denise Harle, director of the ADF Center for Life. “We’re pleased to support Governor Reynolds in helping defend Iowa’s fetal heartbeat law as we continue our crucial efforts promoting life-affirming laws for mothers and children.”

“Iowa has the strongest possible interest in protecting the most fundamental of our human rights—the right to life—and thankfully, its pro-life law helps secure that right,” said ADF Senior Counsel Chris Schandevel, who will be arguing before the court on behalf of Reynolds. “We’re honored to join Governor Reynolds and all Iowans as they defend life for the unborn.”

Notably this year, the Iowa Supreme Court overturned its 2018 opinion that had found a state constitutional right to an abortion and the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. In the brief ADF attorneys filed with the court on behalf of the governor, they explain that those recent court decisions have changed the law so significantly that the court should now lift its previous injunction and allow Iowa’s fetal heartbeat law to take effect.

Iowa’s fetal heartbeat law contains exceptions for medical emergencies, including threats to the mother’s life and serious risk of bodily harm, and for cases of rape, incest, and fetal abnormality.

• Pronunciation guide: Harle (HAR'-lee); Schandevel (SHAN’-deh-vell)

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.

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