Iowa Lawmakers pass last-minute 24-hour abortion waiting period

CLAIMS MADE BY POLICE. GOOD EVENING. IOWA LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS OFFICIALLY OVER, HAD TO WRAP UP QUICKLY AFTER THE CORONAVIRUS DERAILED THREE-MONTH OF LAWMAKING. KAYLA JAMES IS LIVE IN THE STATEHOUSE TONIGHT WITH WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED AND SOME BIG CHANGES THAT MAY BE ON THE WAY. >> THE SESSION ENDED, LITTLE CHANGE OF THE STATE BUDGET AND OVERNIGHT VOTE ON ABORTION THAT IF SIGNED COULD HAVE A CONTROVERSIAL IMPACT. >> BLACK LIVES MATTER. >> DESPITE COMING TOGETHER TO PASS A JUSTICE REFORM BILL, I WILL LAWMAKERS FOUND THEMSELVES AT ODDS AGAIN SATURDAY NIGHT INTO SUNDAY MORNING, THE TOPIC OF ABORTION. IT IS AMENDMENT REQUIRING WOMEN LOOKING TO GET ABORTION TO WAIT 24 HOURS. >> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THINK ABOUT IT, THAT THEY COULD NOT BE PUT UNDER DURESS. >> IF SIGNED, THE LAW REPLACES THE 72 HOUR WAITING PERIOD STRUCK DOWN BY THE IOWA SUPREME COURT IN 2018, WHICH IS WHY DEMOCRATIC LEADERS DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE PUSH FOR THE BILL. >> WE FELT IT WAS A WASTE OF TIME FOR EVERYBODY TO GO AHEAD AND RUN THE BILL BECAUSE WE KNOW IT WILL PROBABLY GO TO COURT AND GET STOPPED. >> THE STATE’S BUDGET NEAR $7.8 BILLION. ONE SIGNIFICANT CUT, A LOSS TO IOWA BOARD OF REGENTS. ONE AREA THE CENTER WANTED TO SEE DONE ABOUT -- ESTABLISHING MORE -- THE POLICE REFORM BILL INCLUDES RESTRICTIONS IS A GOOD FIRST STEP BUT MORE NEEDS TO COME. >> WE NEED TO FIX THOSE BIG THINGS AND HELP PEOPLE RATHER THAN JUST CHIP AROUND THE EDGES. I TALKED TO SOME OF MY FELLOW LEGISLATORS AND THEY ARE EXCITED TO GET TO WORK ON THOSE THINGS. >> THESE ARE BILLS NOT LAWS AND STILL HAVE TO BE SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR. MAX: THANK YOU. THE IOWA SENATE EXCEPT CHANGES TO A CONTROVERSIAL ABSENTEE VOTING BILL. THE LEGISLATION BANDS THE AUTOMATIC MAILING OUT OF ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST FORMS. THE SECRETARY OF STATE SENT OUT THE FORMS TO EVERY IOWAN FOR THE JUNE PRIMARY ELECTION BECAUSE OF CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS. THE NEW VERSION OF THE BILL REQUIRES THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COMMIT ME BEFORE THAT CAN HAPPEN AGAIN. AND MEASURE THAT WOULD STRENGTHEN THE ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS HERE IN IOWA IS HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR’S DESK. IT CLARIFIES THE CURRENT CODE TO ANIMALS OTHER THAN LIVESTOCK AND INCREASES PENALTIES FOR ANIMAL ABUSE AND NEGLECT. LAWMAKERS ALSO PASSED A BILL EXPANDING IOWA’S MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM. IT WOULD GIVE ACCESS TO CBD TO THOSE WITH PTSD AND CHRONIC PAIN. IT WILL CHANGE THE THC LIMIT THAT PATIENTS CAN RECEIVE, CAPPING IT AT 4.5 GRAMS EVERY 90 DAYS. THE GOVERNOR STILL HAS TO SIGN THE BILL. >> IT IS REALLY GOING TO EXPAND HOW SOME OF THE CONDITIONS AND ILLNESSES AND I AM VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT. MAX: STICK WITH US FOR

Republicans in the Iowa House and Senate passed an amendment overnight to the state’s abortion laws.The amendment requires women to wait 24 hours before getting an abortion, preventing them from receiving the procedure during their initial appointment. It also requires patients to view an ultrasounds of the fetus and receive adoption information.The legislation heads to Gov. Kim Reynolds' desk.Democratic lawmakers expressed outrage at the amendment, saying Republican lawmakers exploited the COVID-19 pandemic to create and move forward the legislation."They've kept this plan secret for weeks and released it on a Saturday night, so they didn't have to hear from Iowans,” said Rep. Jo Oldson, House Democratic Whip. “It's time for Iowa Republican lawmakers to be more transparent and stop the relentless attacks on the rights of Iowa women."Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Dubuque embraced her party’s planning, saying, "We're always thinking ahead and thinking about how we can advance the life movement in the state of Iowa." The Iowa Senate passed the measure just after 5:40 a.m.“We're not embracing our humanity, whether it's in the womb of a mother or with a nursing home resident,” said Sen. Jim Carlin, R-Woodbury. “We have to be consistent in our commitment to humanity."“Not one minute over the last 10 days has been spent by the majority party protecting these lives or the lives of thousands of Iowans infected with COVID-19,” said Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Johnson.Planned Parenthood responded to the legislation in a statement, saying, “Our representatives must focus on Iowans' real priorities, like we saw in the House a few nights ago with the police reform bill. Yet tonight, legislators prioritized their personal ideologies at the expense of our sexual and reproductive health freedom. Iowans need leaders who truly represent us and our values."

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Republicans in the Iowa House and Senate passed an amendment overnight to the state’s abortion laws.

The amendment requires women to wait 24 hours before getting an abortion, preventing them from receiving the procedure during their initial appointment.

It also requires patients to view an ultrasounds of the fetus and receive adoption information.

The legislation heads to Gov. Kim Reynolds' desk.

Democratic lawmakers expressed outrage at the amendment, saying Republican lawmakers exploited the COVID-19 pandemic to create and move forward the legislation.

"They've kept this plan secret for weeks and released it on a Saturday night, so they didn't have to hear from Iowans,” said Rep. Jo Oldson, House Democratic Whip. “It's time for Iowa Republican lawmakers to be more transparent and stop the relentless attacks on the rights of Iowa women."

Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Dubuque embraced her party’s planning, saying, "We're always thinking ahead and thinking about how we can advance the life movement in the state of Iowa."

The Iowa Senate passed the measure just after 5:40 a.m.

“We're not embracing our humanity, whether it's in the womb of a mother or with a nursing home resident,” said Sen. Jim Carlin, R-Woodbury. “We have to be consistent in our commitment to humanity."

“Not one minute over the last 10 days has been spent by the majority party protecting these lives or the lives of thousands of Iowans infected with COVID-19,” said Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Johnson.

Planned Parenthood responded to the legislation in a statement, saying, “Our representatives must focus on Iowans' real priorities, like we saw in the House a few nights ago with the police reform bill. Yet tonight, legislators prioritized their personal ideologies at the expense of our sexual and reproductive health freedom. Iowans need leaders who truly represent us and our values."

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