Iowa Supreme Court Blocks "Fetal Heartbeat" and 6-Week Abortion Bans.

The Iowa Supreme Court deadlocked 3-3 on whether to revive the state's "fetal heartbeat" law, which would have banned nearly all abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. The law never took effect after it was passed in 2018 and was permanently blocked by a district court in December. The deadlock means the district court's order is the final say on the matter, and the law will remain permanently blocked. Iowa Republicans will likely need to pass a new law to further restrict abortion. Planned Parenthood pledged to oppose any new legislative efforts to restrict abortion.