Iowa GOP Lawmakers Back Bill Restricting Abortions

Representatives listen to closing remarks in the Iowa House during the final day of the Iowa legislative session, Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

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By Ellen Kurt

Story Created: Feb 6, 2013 at 3:26 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 6, 2013 at 3:26 PM CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican lawmakers are introducing legislation that would outlaw abortion and allow prosecution of doctors in Iowa.

Rep. Tom Shaw, of Laurens, says he's trying to protect human life, whether "you're a zygote, an infant, a teenager or an adult."

The bill he introduced Wednesday would prohibit abortion from the moment of conception. Doctors who perform abortions could be charged with murder.

Shaw says he believes the bill wouldn't violate the U.S. Constitution, but Jill June, president of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, disagreed.

She calls the bill an extreme attempt to restrict abortion and says it would clearly be unconstitutional.

The bill's prospects in the House are unclear, and it likely would face problems in the Senate, where Democrats hold a majority.