Disloyal action taken against Heartbeat Bill

To the Editor,

     I am thankful that the Heartbeat Bill (SF 359) passed and want to thank the representatives, Governor, and all who made this bill possible. Summed up, the bill states that a person shall not knowingly acquire, provide, receive, otherwise transfer, or use a fetal (unborn baby) body part in this state. Also, a doctor may not perform an abortion once the baby’s heartbeat is detected. (Exceptions are addressed under specific circumstances.)

     Senator Amy Sinclair stated, “The logically understood right to life acts as a prerequisite for every other law we enact. So, as legislators, our very first duty should be to protect each and every individual’s basic right to life…. The goal of this is to protect the lives of all Iowans, especially those who are the most vulnerable and cannot speak up for themselves.”

     Sadly, six of our Republican representatives voted against the bill. I find this to be a disloyal action since we, the people, voted for them to represent our values.

     These representatives did not even uphold the Iowa Republican Platform.

     The first principle: We acknowledge our rights derive from God, our creator, and are therefore unalienable and include Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness (e.g. private property). Further, the Right to Life shall be understood to include all people from conception to natural death.

     The first plank: We move the Iowa Republican Party aggressively support a Life Begins at Conception Bill without exceptions. We believe that all human beings, from conception to natural death, have a God-given and constitutionally protected right to life, which cannot be infringed.

     I encourage you to write a note of thanks and encouragement to your representative(s) who courageously voted yes.

     I encourage you to write your representative(s) who voted no and let your disappointment in them be known. The following voted no: Rep. Lee Hein, Andy McKean, David Maxwell, Jane Bloomingdale, Chip Baltimore, Louis Zumbach, and Robert Bacon. (In my letter I will emphasize that they will not get my vote in the next election.)

Joy Klaassen

Anamosa, Iowa