Standing Up for Reproductive Rights
Women’s rights are under attack across the country. In Iowa, Governor Kim Reynolds has been hell-bent on passing draconian restrictions on women’s bodily autonomy.
Josh Mandelbaum is the only candidate running for Mayor who stood up when it counted, and took action to fight back.
In October 2022, Josh introduced a proposal to the Des Moines City Council that would have the city take specific actions to protect reproductive rights for Des Moines residents.
His colleagues on the council chose to leave the issue in the hands of right-wing state leaders.
In July 2023, Governor Reynolds signed into law a 6-week abortion ban. In response, Josh wrote an op-ed in the Des Moines Register, calling on his council colleagues to take decisive action and pass his proposal.
There are actions we can and must take at the local level to protect the rights of our residents, regardless of state laws.
Advocate for the codification of abortion in state and federal law
Provide a travel benefit to city employees to cover travel costs for reproductive health care that is no longer available in the state
Prohibit discrimination based on reproductive care decisions
De-prioritize the enforcement of state laws that seek to criminalize abortion
Prohibit the use of city funds to store or catalog information about abortion, conduct surveillance or collect information to determine if an abortion occurred, or provide information to government agencies about an abortion, except as otherwise required by state law