Iowa

An Iowa state representative has caused a furor online by asserting that women who miscarry after 20 weeks of pregnancy should have to carry their fetuses to term.

Shannon Lundgren’s comments came during a hearing this week on Senate File 471, which would pave the way for a state ban on abortions after the 20-week mark. The Iowa House Human Resources Committee approved the legislation after a “fetal heartbeat bill” that would have banned abortion any time after a heartbeat is detected—as early as six weeks of pregnancy—was scrapped. The legislation is now under consideration by the Iowa House, and if it becomes law Iowa would be the 18th U.S. state to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Lundgren, the manager of Senate File 471, represents rural Dubuque and ran for office on an anti-abortion platform. She was asked by state Representative John Forbes if under the proposal his daughter, who is currently 20 weeks pregnant, would have to carry her child to term even if a doctor told her that there was no longer a heartbeat. “Is that good medicine?” asked Forbes.