DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A bill that would prohibit abortion after 20 weeks has cleared a Senate subcommittee, joining several GOP-led legislative efforts to restrict abortion in Iowa. The legislation passed the Senate human resources subcommittee Tuesday amid a tight legislative deadline that demands policy bills pass full committees before the end of the week.

Sen. Mark Chelgren, an Ottumwa Republican, says multiple abortion-restriction bills provide greater options in case one is struck down by a court challenge. Joan Thompson, a spokesperson for the Iowa Catholic Conference, calls the GOP majority a “rare opportunity” to restrict abortions in Iowa.

Critics say the bill is unconstitutional and poses a danger to women’s health. Several women testified to the subcommittee about their own experiences with abortion, urging them to reject the bill.