Iowa governor signs 'fetal heartbeat' abortion ban into law
(Reuters) - Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law on Friday a bill outlawing abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which often occurs at six weeks and before a woman even realizes she is pregnant, and Reynolds acknowledged the likelihood of a court challenge. The measure, which Iowa's Republican-controlled state legislature passed on Wednesday, is the most restrictive abortion ban in the United States. “I understand and I anticipate that this will likely be challenged in court, and that courts may even put a hold on the law until it reaches the Supreme Court," Reynolds, also a Republican, said at Friday's bill-signing, surrounded by children.