Vilsack Vetoes Fetal Personhood Bill

This just came in from Suzi Alexander, the Field Director of Governmental Affairs over at Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa.  Our thanks to all the Blog for Iowa readers who wrote or called Gov. Vilsack to urge him to veto the Fetal Personhood Bill.

Yesterday, Governor Vilsack vetoed House File 2558. The bill sought to establish fetal personhood in the Iowa code by adding language to the criminal code that defines a “person” as “a member of the species homo sapiens, at any stage of development, when carried in the womb or after birth.”

In his veto message, the Governor stated, “If the intent of this bill is to provide for greater accountability for people committing crimes against a pregnant woman or to provide greater protection for pregnant women, then this objective could be accomplished by increasing existing penalties for these types of crimes.”

He continued, “House File 2558 creates a new crime that fails to promote greater accountability of wrongdoers and fails to afford greater protection for pregnant women. Under these circumstances there appears to be no reason to approve House File 2558.”

Planned Parenthood applauds Governor Vilsack's decision to veto the bill. He saw through the anti-choice agenda of the members of the Iowa legislature who crafted and sponsored this needless bill that serves only to establish fetal personhood and has nothing to do with the protection of women.

Please take time to thank the governor for once again demonstrating his steadfast commitment to the health and rights of the women of Iowa.

Best contact:

To efficiently manage mail from constituents, the governor's office asks Iowans to contact him through the website here.

Email messages may also be sent to Governor Vilsack at rose.mary.pratt@iowa.gov

Phone messages: 515-281-5211

Regardless of how you deliver your message, be sure to include your name and address.

Suzi Alexander, Field Director of Governmental Affairs
Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa