“What the polls tell is by and large the public does not want to see abortion outlawed, the public is very empathetic about those women who are being denied these services,” June said. “Do we want the government and people like Matt Windschitl, who never have to be pregnant, who never have to take birth control, to control our health care?”

A SENATE CHALLENGE

The bill should have an easy go in the Iowa House, where the Republican majority has voted reliably anti-abortion. The challenge will be in the Senate, where Democrats control the chamber 26-24.

A key vote is Davenport Sen. Joe Seng, an anti-abortion Catholic who often breaks with pro-abortion rights Democrats on abortion legislation.

“I think it should be looked at in the Senate, and I would support it,” Seng said Thursday.

There’s a question, however, if the bill would make it through the Democratic-controlled committees or get called to the floor for a vote.

Asked about it, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D- Council Bluffs, would say only, “We’re going to continue protect women’s rights to effective health care in the state of Iowa.”