DNC Women’s Media Director Elizabeth Renda released the following statement in response to the “heartbeat bill” introduced by Republicans in the Iowa state legislature:

“Republicans in the Iowa state legislature are kicking off Women’s History Month by attacking a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body with an unconstitutional abortion ban. The so-called ‘heartbeat bill’ that every single Republican in the Iowa Senate voted for yesterday would impose a six-week ban on abortions, which would be the most restrictive abortion ban in the country. Under this shameful legislation, a 12-year-old child raped by a family member would be forced to carry her child to term, as the bill doesn’t even make exemptions for cases of rape, incest, or age. Even if the bill had those exceptions, it would still be a disgrace, and it is just the latest assault in an all-out on war on women by Iowa Republicans. Once again, Democrats are the only line of defense between a woman’s right to make her own decisions about her health with her doctor against Republican attacks.”