Rep. Bradley demonstrates extreme views abortion

To the Editor,

   Iowa District 66 House Representative Steve Bradley’s views on abortion are getting even more extreme.

   First, he voted in favor of HF 732 (the heartbeat bill), originally introduced in 2018 and still under review by the Iowa Supreme Court. This bill bans most abortions after six weeks and before many women even know they're pregnant. Bradley even voted against an amendment to that bill that would have exempted girls age 12 and under from having to carry a pregnancy to full term.

   Then in 2023 Bradley and 18 others introduced HF 510 (the Life at Conception bill) that bill would practically make all abortions illegal from the date of conception with no exceptions for rape or incest. This law would be enforced through lawsuits filed by individual Iowans, pitting neighbor against neighbor. He also co-sponsored House File 146 making it a felony to manufacture, distribute, prescribe, sell or transfer any abortion causing drugs. Fortunately, these bills were so extreme they didn't make it out of committee during the 2023 legislative session.

   It has now come to my attention that on Feb. 1, 2024, Bradley and five other Republican house members (Dieken, Carlson, Stoltenberg, Cisneros, and Sherman) introduced HF 2256 which is even more extreme than Bradley's previous efforts. From the moment of fertilization, it would allow mothers who abort their children to be prosecuted and jailed. The bill was assigned to the Judiciary Committee and its chairman, pro-life Rep. Steve Holt, who described HF 2256 as “horribly written” and “something that no credible person in the pro-life community I’ve spoken to believe is acceptable.”

   Holt went on to say that “HF 2256 is deeply concerning in its implications. Mothers who abort their children need love and support, not jail time.” He concluded his comments with this statement: “I will not advance horrific, poorly written legislation that goes after mothers, such as HF 2256 does.”

   As a retired nurse, I believe the majority of citizens support reasonable limitations on abortions. However, it’s quite apparent that Bradley’s views are extreme, dangerous and unacceptable even to many pro-life activists and should be of concern to all reasonable people. I also believe that Iowa House District 66 people deserve better representation than Steve Bradley and I urge them to cast their vote for Andy McKean in November. Andy has the experience, dedication, compassion and common sense we need in Des Moines.

Linda Thomsen

Anamosa, Iowa