'Disappointment is an understatement': Kim Reynolds reacts to Iowa Supreme Court abortion decision

Iowa political leaders and activists were quick to weigh in Friday after the Iowa Supreme Court deadlocked in a major abortion case.

The split court decision means abortion remains legal in Iowa through 20 weeks of pregnancy and the so-called fetal heartbeat law will not take effect.

Gov. Kim Reynolds had asked the court to revive the Iowa law, which would ban abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy.

That law was blocked by the courts in 2018, but never took effect. In the wake of decisions last year limiting abortion protections by the U.S. Supreme Court and Iowa Supreme Court, Reynolds argued the law on abortion had changed and that the 2018 restriction should be reinstated.

More: Iowa Supreme Court deadlocks 3-3 on 'fetal heartbeat' abortion ban. It won't go into effect.

The court's 3-3 decision affirms the order of a district court judge, which declined to lift the injunction on the five-year-old law and allow it to take effect.

Here's what Iowa politicians are saying about the Supreme Court decision.

Gov. Kim Reynolds: 'We are reviewing our options in preparation for continuing the fight'

"To say that today’s lack of action by the Iowa Supreme Court is a disappointment is an understatement," Reynolds, a Republican, said in a statement. "Not only does it disregard Iowa voters who elected representatives willing to stand up for the rights of unborn children, but it has sided with a single judge in a single county who struck down Iowa’s legislation based on principles that now have been flat-out rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court. There is no fundamental right to abortion and any law restricting it should be reviewed on a rational basis standard — a fact acknowledged today by three of the justices. Still, without an affirmative decision, there is no justice for the unborn."

"But the fight is not over," Reynolds added. "There is no right more sacred than life, and nothing more worthy of our strongest defense than the innocent unborn. We are reviewing our options in preparation for continuing the fight."

Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver: We will work 'to advance pro-life policies to protect the unborn'

"I disagree with the Supreme Court’s opinion today. Their decision a year ago, correctly overturning the 2018 decision, should reasonably be considered a substantial change in the law and the injunction should have been lifted," Whitver, R-Grimes, said in a statement. "Senate Republicans have a consistent record of defending life, including the passage of the Heartbeat Bill. We will work with Governor Reynolds and the House to advance pro-life policies to protect the unborn."

House Speaker Pat Grassley: 'I'm extremely disappointed'

"I’m extremely disappointed in the Supreme Court’s opinion today," Grassley, R-New Hartford, said in a statement. "We feel strongly that the Heartbeat Bill is a good piece of legislation that would save the innocent lives of unborn children. Going forward we will work together to pass legislation that will protect life, support new mothers, and promote strong families in Iowa."

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart: 'Iowans can breathe a sigh of relief'

"I am thrilled that the Iowa Supreme Court will not stand in the way of Iowans who need abortion care, especially when our friends and neighbors already have to navigate so many barriers to health care," Hart said in a statement. "Our job as Democrats going forward is to listen to the needs of our fellow Iowans and ensure that folks in every corner of the state can access the medical care they need, no matter where they live or what’s in their wallet."

"We’ve already seen miscarriage patients and sexual assault survivors denied the health care that they need to heal and go forward with their lives," Hart added. "I know this is not the end of the discussion, but I am glad that for today, Iowans can breathe a sigh of relief that their right to make their own health care decisions is protected under the law."

House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst

“Today’s ruling from the Iowa Supreme Court means Iowans still have the reproductive freedom they want and deserve," Konfrst, a Democrat, said in a statement. "It’s simple: people over politics. Politicians and judges have no place interfering in someone else’s decision about when to start a family. These decisions are deeply personal and the ability to make our own health care decisions is fundamental to our rights as individuals."

"This should be a wake-up call for the governor and GOP lawmakers to start listening to Iowans, not just the special interests," she added. "Here’s the one truth that gives me hope and that Republicans refuse to acknowledge: an overwhelming majority of Iowans believe everyone deserves the right to make their own health care decisions, especially when it comes to reproductive care and abortion."

"While today’s ruling is a victory, I know the fight for reproductive freedom is far from over," Konfrst said. "Gov. Reynolds and Republican politicians will never stop playing politics to strip away our rights. I’ll never stop fighting to protect the reproductive freedom of Iowans and put the Iowa people over politics."

Iowa Democratic Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott

“Following today's 3-3 Iowa Supreme Court decision, abortion remains safe and legal in Iowa — despite repeated attempts from Gov. Reynolds to enforce a near total abortion ban in the state," Trone Garriott, the Democratic whip, said in a statement.

"But the fight is not over," she added. "While Iowa's courts have stood up for our rights based on the state constitution, a small group of extreme, anti-choice Republican politicians are still seeking to change both the courts and the constitution."

"With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, our rights are at risk. We fully expect a new attack on reproductive rights — perhaps from Gov. Reynolds calling an unprecedented special session in the next few months," Trone Garriott said.

"Senate Democrats stand with the majority of Iowans who support safe and legal access to abortion," she said. "Now is the time to defend our rights. Tell your legislators that you refuse further attacks on abortion rights. Raise your voice, and rally your friends and neighbors to do the same. We must hold elected leaders accountable to the will of the people."

Ruth Richardson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States

"Today’s order is an enormous win, and it means that Iowans will be able to control their bodies and their futures," said Richardson. "Your ZIP code shouldn’t determine who controls your uterus. Each person deserves control of their body, and Iowans have that right, based on today’s court decision. Abortion bans make pregnancy more dangerous than it already is, and it shouldn’t matter which state you live in. I am so proud that Planned Parenthood will continue providing abortion care in Iowa, with compassion and understanding for every single patient who walks through our doors."

Planned Parenthood is the lead plaintiff in the case.

Francine Thompson, executive director of the Emma Goldman Clinic

"The Emma Goldman Clinic celebrates the Iowa Supreme Court order to leave permanently blocked the harmful 6-week abortion ban," Thompson said. "The ruling today helps to safeguard the rights of individuals to make decisions about their own bodies and reproductive futures. The result protects reproductive freedom and is a significant step forward in protecting the health and well-being of those seeking comprehensive healthcare services in Iowa."

"At the Emma Goldman Clinic, we have tirelessly advocated for the preservation of reproductive rights and bodily autonomy," Thompson added. "We firmly believe that access to safe and legal abortion care is an essential component of comprehensive reproductive healthcare services. This ruling affirms our commitment to supporting the autonomy and well-being of our patients."

The Iowa City-based clinic is one of the plaintiffs in the case.

Rita Bettis Austen, ACLU of Iowa legal director

“We are overjoyed and relieved by the Iowa Supreme Court’s order today, which leaves the six-week ban on abortion in Iowa permanently blocked," Bettis Austen said in a statement. "The decision today affirmed the district court ruling by operation of law, leaving the decision undisturbed. The district court rightly rejected the state’s unprecedented legal maneuvers to try to ban abortion in our state."

"This law was dangerous, cruel, and unconstitutional when the district court blocked it four years ago, and it’s still dangerous, cruel, and unconstitutional today," she added. "Many Iowans were depending on the outcome of the case today, and we are celebrating the preservation of our freedom, health, and safety."

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa represented the plaintiffs in court.

Attorney General Brenna Bird: 'I will keep fighting to protect the unborn'

“I am disappointed that the Iowa Supreme Court today did not decide the Heartbeat law case," Bird, a Republican, said in a statement. "Due to the tie, the district court decision is allowed to stand. There is no right more valuable than the right to life. I will keep fighting to protect the unborn."

Chris Schandevel, senior counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom

"States have the strongest possible interest in protecting the most fundamental of our human rights — the right to life," Schandevel said in a statement. "Iowans are eager to affirm that life is a human right, which is why the legislature passed the fetal heartbeat law five years ago. Iowans will surely be disappointed by today’s result, and rightly so. But even the three justices who voted against Iowa’s fetal heartbeat law agreed that the same law, passed again today, might finally be allowed to take effect. It is time for the Iowa Legislature to act—once again—to protect life. The legislature should redouble its life-saving efforts to enshrine into law further protections for unborn children. Iowa women deserve the dignity and respect that comes from receiving life-affirming health care—not the abortion industry’s false choice between doing what’s best for the mother and protecting the life of her child."

The Alliance Defending Freedom represented the state in court.

Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks

"As a pro-life Republican, the split decision of the Iowa Supreme Court is disappointing," Miller-Meeks wrote on Twitter. "However, I respect the process of referring the decision back to the state legislature, the statewide lawmaking body closest to the people, rather than 'legislating from the bench.'"

Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson

"I am so disappointed in the Iowa Supreme Court's decision today," Hinson wrote on Twitter. "I will always work to save as many lives as possible, ensure expecting moms can access care and support new babies and parents so that families can continue to grow and thrive in Iowa."

"I am unapologetically pro-life and am grateful we have a pro-life governor and legislature who will stand up for the unborn."

Republican U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra

"I am disappointed by the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision. My faith teaches me that every life is a gift from God, and that every life has value," Feenstra wrote on Twitter. "I am proud to stand with @IAGovernor and all pro-life Iowans to protect the unborn and defend life."

Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst

Ernst shared Reynolds' statement on Twitter and said, "I agree, @IAGovernor! Protecting life is a fight we will continue."

Former Vice President Mike Pence

Republican presidential candidates also began to weigh in on the court's decision on Friday.

"Today's decision by the Iowa Supreme Court is a sad reminder of how crucial it is to appoint judges on all of our nation's courts that will uphold the right to life and respect the will of the elected representatives of the people," Pence wrote on Twitter. "I know Governor @KimReynoldsIA will never relent in advancing the cause of life and we will never stop working and praying until the right to life is restored to the center of American law."

Des Moines City Council members Connie Boesen, Josh Mandelbaum

Des Moines City Council members and mayoral hopefuls Connie Boesen and Josh Mandelbaum also weighed in on the court's opinion.

At-large council member Boesen called the split opinion a "small step in the right direction" but said women's reproductive rights remain "under attack" in Iowa, "which makes it harder for cities like Des Moines to move forward and attract younger people to move here to live, work, and raise a family."

Mandelbaum, who represents the city's downtown, echoed Boesen's sentiments adding the city needs to step up to protect the "health and well-being of its residents."

Mandelbaum pointed to an unsuccessful resolution he introduced last fall that would have, among other things, prohibited discrimination based on reproductive rights and made enforcement of the state laws that seek to criminalize abortion the lowest enforcement priority.

"Unfortunately my colleagues on the Council voted against these policies preferring to leave this issue entirely in the hands of the very state leaders working to take away access to reproductive health care," he said in a statement.

Des Moines Register reporter Virgina Barreda contributed to this article.

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 'Disappointed' or 'overjoyed': Iowa leaders react to abortion decision