Republican Legislator: If They Really Want Control Over Their Bodies, They Should “Practice Abstinence”
An Iowa Republican lawmaker urged couples Tuesday to practice abstinence instead of relying on aborting their unborn babies if they do not want children.
State Rep. Brad Sherman, R-Williamsburg, drew criticism for making the comment as Iowa House lawmakers debated a heartbeat bill.
The pro-life legislation, which passed later in the day, protects unborn babies by banning elective abortions once their heartbeat is detectable, about six weeks of pregnancy. Exceptions are allowed for rape, incest, fatal fetal abnormalities and risks to the pregnant mother’s life. It also clarifies that miscarriage treatments are allowed because they are not abortions. Gov. Kim Reynolds, a pro-life Republican, said she will sign the bill Friday.
Sherman, a pastor and pro-life leader, defended the life-saving legislation against claims about controlling women’s bodies, according to the Iowa Starting Line. On the state House floor, he told abortion supporters that men and women can control their bodies by choosing to abstain from sex until they are ready to be parents.
“Everyone is free not to have sex,” Sherman said. “Maybe they shouldn’t have sex; it’s that simple. I will stand for everyone’s rights to practice abstinence.”
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The Republican lawmaker also said abortion is not “reproductive health care,” because reproduction already has occurred and a child has come into existence.
“Abortion has little to anything to do with reproductive rights,” Sherman said. “In fact, when a male and female have sexual relations resulting in a pregnancy, reproduction has already happened.”
According to the report, Sherman is the founder of Informed Choice Medical Clinics, a pro-life pregnancy resource organization that offers counseling, pregnancy tests, parenting and adoption information, limited medical care and more to families in need.
Abortion supporters criticized Sherman for his remarks, bringing up rape even though the bill includes a rape exception and claiming he just doesn’t want women to have sex even though his remark referred to both men and women.
There is evidence linking sexual irresponsibility with easy access to abortion. Some couples admit to not using contraception consistently and relying on abortion when they get pregnant.
Secular Pro-Life identifies several studies on its website that show abortion restrictions are associated with increased contraception use. Researchers in one 2015 study wrote, “Our findings reveal that restrictions on abortion funding have a significant and positive impact on a woman’s decision to use the [birth control] pill.”
Numerous reports since the repeal of Roe v. Wade also indicate that more young adults – both women and men — are opting for sterilization procedures because it is harder to get abortions now.
If the heartbeat bill goes into effect, Iowa would become the 17th state to protect babies either starting at conception or when their heartbeat can be detected. Another four states protect unborn babies starting at 12 or 15 weeks.
In 2020, 4,058 abortions were reported in Iowa, according to the Charlotte Lozier Institute.
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