Missouri GOP Targets Abortion Rights Just Weeks After Voter Approval
Missouri Republicans are moving to undermine a recently approved constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights. Proposals include a personhood amendment, stricter abortion limits, and raising the threshold for voter initiatives, sparking debates over the will of the voters.
By Chuck Beaton | DayMark News
Only a month after Missouri voters approved a constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights, Republican lawmakers are already pursuing strategies to roll back those protections or undermine them altogether. The push comes despite the amendment’s passage with 51.6% of the vote in the November election.
Proposed Rollbacks and Restrictions
Among the proposed measures is a constitutional amendment defining life as beginning at conception. This "personhood" amendment would classify embryos as having rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, effectively criminalizing abortion as unlawful killing. Critics warn such a move could have broader implications, potentially jeopardizing in vitro fertilization and the handling of embryos.
Another proposal seeks to repeal the abortion rights amendment by linking it to an unrelated ban on gender transition procedures for minors. This approach conflates two distinct issues, despite gender-affirming care for minors already being illegal in Missouri.
Additional measures include restricting abortion access in cases of rape, incest, or medical emergencies, with provisions like requiring rape survivors to file police reports to qualify for an abortion. Lawmakers have also introduced a proposal to raise the threshold for passing constitutional amendments, which could make it harder for voters to protect or expand abortion rights in the future.
Lessons from the Election
Republican lawmakers point to the narrow margin of victory for the abortion rights amendment as justification for revisiting the issue. "A clear mandate has not been achieved," said Rep. Justin Sparks (R-St. Louis suburbs). While the measure saw strong support in urban areas like St. Louis, Kansas City, and Columbia, it faced significant opposition in rural parts of the state.
Democratic lawmakers and abortion rights advocates argue that the GOP’s efforts ignore the will of the majority. “This wasn’t just about Democratic voters,” said Sen. Tracy McCreery (D-St. Louis suburbs). “Republican and independent voters supported this measure too.”
Legal Challenges and Shifting Landscape
Missouri’s legal landscape on abortion is already evolving. On Wednesday, a Jackson County Circuit Court heard arguments in a lawsuit by Planned Parenthood and the ACLU challenging Missouri’s near-total abortion ban and other restrictive laws. If successful, the lawsuit could clear the way for Planned Parenthood to resume services in major cities like St. Louis, Kansas City, and Columbia as soon as Friday.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey acknowledged the amendment’s impact, stating it will legalize most abortions up to fetal viability. However, he pledged to enforce remaining restrictions, including a ban on abortions after viability, a 72-hour waiting period, and parental consent for minors.
Raising the Bar for Constitutional Amendments
A significant focus of GOP efforts is on raising the threshold for passing constitutional amendments. Currently, a simple majority is enough, allowing Missouri voters to bypass the legislature to enact progressive policies. A new proposal would require a majority of voters in at least five of the state’s eight congressional districts, giving disproportionate power to rural areas over urban voters.
Critics point to Florida as an example of how such changes could block voter initiatives. In Florida, constitutional amendments require 60% approval. This year, a majority of Florida voters—57%—supported an abortion rights measure, but it failed to meet the higher threshold.
Future Outlook
While it remains unclear whether these proposals will gain enough support to pass Missouri’s General Assembly, abortion rights advocates are prepared for a fight. “The same resources and support that helped pass this amendment will now work against any attempts to undermine it,” said state Rep. Deb Lavender (D-St. Louis suburbs).
As Missouri Republicans work to challenge the amendment, the outcome could have lasting implications for abortion rights and the broader power of voter initiatives in the state.
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