It's time to codify Roe

Glenn Hurst is a family physician in southwest Iowa and a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.

It’s time to codify Roe v. Wade.

We all understand that the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision was a seminal victory for women across the country. Roe allowed American women to be treated a little more equally in our country’s social, political, and economic life.

As a doctor, I understand that the decision to have an abortion is not an easy one. I have never had a woman in my clinic decide to terminate a pregnancy lightly. Like all medical procedures, it is between a woman and her doctor.

As it stands, the GOP’s top priority is creating an anti-abortion mob of vigilantes to patrol the streets, looking for women to turn in for a reward. Make no mistake – this will result in a cottage industry of professionalized bounty hunters looking for vulnerable women to prey on.

Not only is the Texas law already having chilling effects, but Republicans everywhere are also working tirelessly to write copycat laws.

For 40 years, Senator Chuck Grassley has openly campaigned for reducing the autonomy of women. When given the opportunity, he has always supported federal judges and Supreme Court justices who don’t respect the hard-fought victories of women.

Here is what we know – there is no future in Chuck Grassley.

If a woman chooses to have an abortion or bring a baby to term, none of it is our business.

In this fight for the U.S. Senate, Iowa needs a leader who will vote alongside American women and be a champion for expanding access to women’s health care.

If elected to the U.S. Senate, I will lead the fight to codify Roe and put Republicans on notice that attacking access to health care is a losing battle.

Editor’s note: Bleeding Heartland welcomes guest commentaries by Democratic candidates for federal, state, or local offices, or endorsements written by their supporters. Please read these guidelines and contact Laura Belin if you are interested in writing.

About the Author(s)

Glenn Hurst

Comments