The House Human Resources Committee passed a bill Wednesday that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.Republican members of the House Human Resources Committee dropped an amendment to the bill that would ban abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected Wednesday afternoon.The fetal heartbeat was introduced Tuesday, minutes before the committee was scheduled to vote on the bill. The bill now reverts to its original restriction, which prevents abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy except in medical emergencies.House Republicans said 11 babies are aborted each day in Iowa and that the abortion-banning legislation will save approximately one baby per week.House Democrats called the lack additional exemptions in the bill "egregious" and said they want exemptions in cases of rape, incest and fetal anomaly. Democrats on the committee also said they are upset with Republicans for not consulting with physicians before drafting the bill. The bill now heads to the House floor for debate.

The House Human Resources Committee passed a bill Wednesday that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Republican members of the House Human Resources Committee dropped an amendment to the bill that would ban abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected Wednesday afternoon.


The fetal heartbeat was introduced Tuesday, minutes before the committee was scheduled to vote on the bill. The bill now reverts to its original restriction, which prevents abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy except in medical emergencies.

House Republicans said 11 babies are aborted each day in Iowa and that the abortion-banning legislation will save approximately one baby per week.

House Democrats called the lack additional exemptions in the bill "egregious" and said they want exemptions in cases of rape, incest and fetal anomaly.

Democrats on the committee also said they are upset with Republicans for not consulting with physicians before drafting the bill.

The bill now heads to the House floor for debate.