Iowa lawmaker introduces federal bill that bans abortions when heartbeat is detected

Iowa Rep. Steve King introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday that would institute a nationwide ban on abortions when the unborn baby's heartbeat is detected.

The Heartbeat Protection Act of 2017 would require abortionists to check for the fetal heartbeat before performing an abortion, Life Site News reported. The heartbeat of the unborn is detectable as early as six weeks into pregnancy.

The legislation carries an exception in cases when the mother's life is in danger. It specifically stated that this does not include "psychological or emotional conditions."

The abortionist who is found in violation of the law would face a fine or be imprisoned up to five years, but the mother may not be prosecuted under the legislation.

"Human life, beginning at the moment of conception, is sacred in all of its forms and today, I introduced a bill that will protect the lives of voiceless innocents," King said in a statement.

"All human persons have a right to life. How then could we confer that those rights allow the killing of a baby? I believe our most important responsibility that God has bestowed upon us is to protect innocent human life, and I will continue to dedicate my life to that responsibility," he added.

According to Rewire, King worked on the bill with the help of Faith2Action leader Jane Porter. King's office stated that this would be the first introduction of a heartbeat bill at the national level in Congress.

Last month, Ohio Gov. John Kasich vetoed a similar measure over concerns that it would face a costly legal challenge if passed.

In 2013, North Dakota lawmakers passed a bill that would have banned abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected. It was later signed by Gov. Jack Dalrymple, but it was struck down by U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland, who declared the law to be "invalid and unconstitutional."

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ruling while the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal. The Eight Circuit also struck down a similar legislation from the state of Arkansas in 2014.