Iowa Republicans seek to weaken courts on abortion questions

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A majority of legislators in the Iowa Senate, frustrated at repeated court rulings declaring anti-abortion laws unconstitutional, have introduced a proposed amendment to the Iowa Constitution that would declare it “does not secure or protect a right to abortion.”

The proposed amendment was introduced Jan. 24 by Republican Sen. Jake Chapman two days after a state court judge struck down yet another attempt by the Legislature to limit abortion. It has the backing of 29 senators.

Chapman says the court created a right that doesn’t exist in the constitution.

The House must pass a similar resolution and the Legislature must pass it again next year before it would be placed on a statewide ballot.

Voters in Alabama and West Virginia passed similar constitutional amendments in November.