IOWA, May 15, 2018 (LifeSiteNews) – Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) are suing Iowa over its law prohibiting abortions on most babies with detectable heartbeats, which is slated to go into effect on July 1.

“Iowa politicians have tried to ban virtually all abortions for women in our state,” said Rita Bettis, the ACLU’s Iowa legal director. “In the 45 years since Roe [v. Wade], no federal or state court has upheld such a dangerous law.”

The Supreme Court has essentially ensured abortion on demand through all nine months of pregnancy remains a daily reality in America. Pro-life activists hope, however, that in the next few years President Trump will appoint a new justice who may tip the balance in favor of life. It typically takes a case several years to make its way to the Supreme Court.

The Heartbeat Law, which Gov. Kim Reynolds signed on May 4, is expected to stop most abortions, starting between 6-8 weeks. It allows exceptions for babies conceived in rape if reported within 45 days, babies conceived in incest if the incest is reported within 140 days, or fetal abnormalities deemed “incompatible with life,” and for physical threats to the mother’s life.

Despite these exceptions, it is still the strongest pro-life law in the country and has made Iowa the safest place in America for the majority of unborn children. Its proponents say that if the Heartbeat Law makes it way up to the Supreme Court, it could be the case that leads to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, particularly if President Trump has appointed another justice by then.

Reynolds said recently that defending the life-saving legislation is a “fight worth fighting.”

“We’re not slowing down, we’re not going to stop,” she said. “We know that our work is not done, that we must continue to work together to change the hearts and minds. As governor, I pledge to you to do everything in my power to protect life.”

The Thomas More Society and Liberty Counsel, two pro-life law firms, have already offered to defend Iowa’s Heartbeat Law in court for free. It’s unclear if the state attorney general will accept their offer.