DES MOINES, Iowa — Monday marked the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision that made abortion access a constitutional right.
Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, giving each state the power to decide what abortion access would look like.
Republican legislators and anti-abortion organizations joined Gov. Kim Reynolds at the state capitol Monday for a rally as lawmakers continue to push for a more restrictive abortion ban in Iowa.
Both Reynolds and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird told the crowd nothing is more important than the “cause of life.”
"I will never back down from protecting the innocent and unborn," Reynolds said.
Reynolds also brought up the issue of maternal care in Iowa, citing that Medicaid only covers two months of care for mothers after giving birth.
To address the shortfalls, she announced a new initiative, called Thrive Iowa, that will connect families with private or religious organizations if they cannot get enough assistance from the government.
"The purpose of these policies is really, it's intended to surround families with protection, love and support," Reynolds said. "And really, that's what being pro-life is all about."
Abortion in Iowa remains legal up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. Reynolds signed a bill last summer to ban nearly all abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, but a temporary injunction has put any enforcement of the law on pause.
Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart responded to the governor’s remarks, telling Local 5 that Iowa's republican majority is out of touch with women who want control over their decisions.
"We will fight for the rights of all Iowans, including the freedom to make your own decisions with your own doctor," Hart said. "[Roe v. Wade] isn't a precedent that the majority of Iowans want overturned."
At the rally, Bird said that the state is still fighting against that temporary injunction. She filed an appeal to the injunction in November and believes a judge could make a decision this summer.