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Capitol Notebook: Election shows anti-abortion positions can ‘win,’ Iowa Gov. Reynolds says
Also, legislators consider bill that would enhance penalties for people who wear a hood in an effort to conceal their identity while committing a crime
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DES MOINES — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, speaking at an anti-abortion event Monday at the Iowa Capitol, said recent electoral victories show that “life can win,” and Iowa Statehouse Republicans have “repeatedly won the (abortion) debate at the ballot box.”
Reynolds addressed the Iowa Prayer for Life rally Monday at the Capitol rotunda.
She noted Iowa Republicans’ electoral victories after she and Republican lawmakers twice passed legislation that bans abortions after cardiac activity can be detected, which typically is around six weeks of pregnancy, often before the mother is aware of the pregnancy.
Advocates for access to abortions say the new state law effectively bans the vast majority of abortions in Iowa.
Iowa Republicans have grown their majorities to historic levels in both chambers of the Legislature. They hold a 67-33 majority in the Iowa House and 34-15 majority in the Iowa Senate.
Reynolds also quoted a Bible verse that anti-abortion advocates cite when they define life as beginning at conception. Iowa Republicans have in the past introduced bills that would ban abortions after conception.
“As we read in scripture, ‘Before I formed you in your mother’s womb, I knew you. And before you were born, I consecrated you.’ Our loving father has made all people in his image and likeness, and he does not make mistakes,” Reynolds said. “The pro-life movement has always proclaimed this truth with both clarity and love.”
Enhanced penalties for concealing identity while committing crime
Criminal penalties for committing a crime while intentionally wearing a mask, hood or anything else to conceal someone’s identity would be enhanced under a bill being considered by Iowa lawmakers.
An Iowa House subcommittee Monday advanced House File 25, which would increase criminal penalties for anyone who wears something to conceal their identity while committing a crime. But subcommittee chair Steve Holt, R-Denison, recommended amendments to the bill, including striking all exemptions he and other subcommittee members were confused about.
“I don’t know where that language came from and I don’t understand the exceptions,” Holt said during the subcommittee.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis.
Holt also recommended setting the increased penalty to three years added to a sentence instead of increasing punishment for an offense one degree higher than the underlying offense, but said he will continue to look at that.
The bill’s exemptions include:
- A traditional holiday costume in season
- A mask worn for safety during a trade or occupation
- A mask in a theatrical production
- A gas mask prescribed in civil defense drills and exercises or emergencies
- A member or member-elect of a society, order or organization while engaged in any parade, ritual, initiation, ceremony, celebration or requirement of such society, order or organization and wearing or using any manner of costume, paraphernalia, disguise, facial makeup, hood, implement or device
- Medical or surgical grade masks to prevent the spread of contagious disease or infection
- A mask for head or face protection while operating a motorcycle.
Betty Andrews, representing the NAACP Iowa-Nebraska chapter, questioned whether increased sentences for these offenses would deter anyone from committing them.
“It creates another avenue for disproportionate targeting and punishment, with Iowa being ranked so high as a state where the African American population is locked up at a greater rate than the general public,” Andrews said. “We feel this bill is a solution without a problem. It’s riddled with ambiguity.”
Rep. Jerome Amos Jr., D-Waterloo, did not sign off on advancing the bill, noting he does not understand why there should be enhanced penalties for these crimes.
“I don’t see, in my mind, that I have statistics to show that is going to end up causing people to not commit crimes because a crime is a crime is a crime.”
Bill to require government mottoes on school buildings advances
Public school buildings would be required to post the country’s and state’s mottoes on its buildings, and be required to start class days with two minutes of quiet time under legislation advance by Iowa House Republicans.
Under House Study Bill 32, all public school buildings would be required to display the national motto of the United States — “In God We Trust” — and the state motto of Iowa — “Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain” — in the main entryway or another visible entryway.
The bill also would require two minutes of “silent time” for students in first through 12th grades immediately after the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Lobbyists representing educators spoke against the bill, citing the challenge of implementing the two minutes of silent time for both younger students whose attention spans make such a task difficult and for older students whose school days start in myriad ways.
Other speakers at a subcommittee hearing expressed support for students having time to start their day with reflection, including prayer if a student chooses.
With the support of Republican subcommittee members, Reps. Jeff Shipley, R-Birmingham, and Helena Hayes, R-New Sharon, the bill advanced and now is eligible for consideration by the full House Education Committee.
Rep. Mary Madison, D-West Des Moines, declined to sign off on the bill.
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