Yesterday the U.S. House passed by 242 votes to 184 (roll call) a bill that would ban most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. House GOP leaders originally planned to pass this legislation around the anniversary of the Roe v Wade ruling in January, but pulled the bill from the floor “following a revolt from female members who objected to language regarding exceptions for rape.” Sarah Ferris and Cristina Marcos reported for The Hill yesterday that the bill “requires a 48-hour waiting period, informed consent forms and mandatory counseling for victims of rape and sexual assault before abortions.” The latest version “eliminates a requirement for rape victims to go to the police, though it did not change a controversial provision that allows victims of incest to receive an abortion only if they are under 18 years old.”

Republicans Rod Blum (IA-01), David Young (IA-03), and Steve King (IA-04) all voted for the 20-week abortion ban, while Democrat Dave Loebsack (IA-02) voted against it. Iowa’s House members split along the same party lines regarding another anti-abortion bill that passed earlier this year, as well as a resolution that would “overturn the District of Columbia’s law prohibiting workplace discrimination based on reproductive health choices.”

I haven’t seen any comments from Blum, Loebsack, Young, or King on yesterday’s votes, but I’ll update this post as needed. UPDATE: Added a statement from Blum.After the jump I’ve enclosed comments from Iowa Democratic Party Chair Andy McGuire, an e-mail blast Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign sent regarding the vote, and a statement from the pro-choice PAC EMILY’s List, which has endorsed Monica Vernon in the Democratic primary to challenge Blum.

May 13 press release from the Iowa Democratic Party:

IDP Statement Following Passage of GOP Bill to Limit Women’s Reproductive Freedom

Reps. Blum, Young and King Support Extreme Bill That’s Wrong for Iowa Women

DES MOINES – IDP Chair Andy McGuire released the following statement after Republicans in the House of Representatives today passed legislation limiting women’s health care choices. The entire Iowa GOP congressional delegation – Reps. Blum, Young and King – voted in favor of the bill.

“Iowa Democrats strongly believe that women’s health care decisions should be made by a woman and her doctor — period. It’s clear by today’s vote that Iowa’s GOP Congressmen believe otherwise, and are bent on limiting women’s health care choices. The Iowa GOP’s extreme position on women’s health care is wrong for Iowa and wrong for women.”

May 13 mass e-mail from Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign (subject line “a dangerous trend for women’s health”):

Friend —

With today’s vote to restrict a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, Republicans in Congress have made it abundantly clear where their priorities lie:

Instead of helping everyday Americans and their families, these politicians are trying to take women back more than 40 years.

I’ll stand up for women and our right to access reproductive health care. Will you join me?

This bill puts women’s health and rights at risk. It undermines the role doctors play in personal health care decisions, and it burdens survivors of sexual assault.

It also follows a dangerous trend we are witnessing across the country. In just the first three months of 2015, more than 300 bills have been introduced in state legislatures — on top of the nearly 30 introduced in Congress — that restrict access to abortion.

Republicans won’t lift a finger to ensure paid family leave or increase access to quality childcare, but apparently they’ll waste time and taxpayer money to try and get between a woman and her doctor.

I’ve stood up for women and families my entire career. Safeguarding women’s reproductive health and rights is critical and deeply connected to building stronger families and a stronger America.

Add your name if you’ll take on this fight with me:

https://www.hillaryclinton.com…

Thank you for joining me,

Hillary

Statement released by EMILY’s List on May 13:

Good evening,

I wanted to make sure you saw that Congressman Rod Blum voted in favor of a national abortion ban today in the House of Representatives. Please feel free to use the below statement, attributed to me:

“Today as Rod Blum voted in favor of an abortion ban that would restrict women’s ability to make their own health care decisions, he showed the people of Iowa’s First District that he cares more about an extreme ideological crusade than issues that will give more women and families a fair shot. Monica Vernon, on the other hand, is committed to fighting for commonsense policies that work for Iowa families and Iowa’s economy and won’t prioritize radical distractions that come at the expense of women across the country.”

May 14 press release from Representative Rod Blum:

May 14, 2015 Press Release

Blum Supports Measure to Restrict Late Term Abortions

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congressman Rod Blum (R-IA) joined a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.  If enacted, this legislation would prohibit abortions after 20 weeks – the time after which babies can feel pain – with exceptions to protect the lives of mothers. The Congressional Budget Office estimates this legislation will lead to 2,500 lives saved each year.

“As the father of five children, I understand the precious joy children bring to the world.  I firmly believe it is my responsibility to protect the sanctity of life and to help those who cannot assist themselves,” Congressman Blum stated.  “I cannot imagine why the opponents to this bill support permitting abortionists to inflict pain on an unborn baby who has the ability to feel.”

Mr. Blum co-sponsored the measure introduced by Representative Trent Franks (R-AZ) in January. Passage of this legislation marks the second anniversary of the conviction of abortionist Kermit Gosnell, who was found killing of killing children born alive in his clinic and taking the life of an adult parent.