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Randy Feenstra on Abortion |
Des Moines Register analysis, 3/22/17: SF471 says any person who intentionally terminates a pregnancy that has reached 20 weeks post-fertilization commits a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The bill allows exceptions to preserve the life of the mother or the fetus, or to avert a "serious risk" to the pregnant woman of "substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a bodily function." It also allows exceptions for fetal abnormalities where a child could not survive outside the womb. "Putting these criminal penalties on here puts a woman's life at risk immediately, because trying to save a woman's life now potentially makes a doctor a criminal," said Rep. Beth Woessel-Kroeschell, D-Ames.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 55-43-3 on 4/5/17; Passed Senate 30-20-0 on 4/20; State Sen. Feenstra voted YES; Signed by Gov. Branstad on 5/5.
Project Vote Smart inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Abortion: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?' PVS self-description: "The Political Courage Test provides voters with positions on key issues. Historically, candidates have failed to complete our test due to the advice they receive from their advisors and out of fear of negative attack ads."