As the Missouri legislative session draws near its close, a contentious battle over abortion rights continues to unfold. Earlier this week, the Missouri Senate witnessed a burst of activity as Republicans instigated a debate on a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban abortion, an effort that was ultimately put on hold after Democrats impeded progress towards a vote.
The GOP-led initiative sparked a fierce discussion surrounding the recently passed Amendment 3, which guarantees reproductive health care rights, including access to abortion up until fetal viability. According to Missouri Independent, Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin articulated the opposition viewpoint, stating, "Sometimes people get in, we can only describe it as horrible situations, but I don’t think taking the life of an innocent should be something that we can legally do." The Republicans also propose to allow exceptions to the ban, such as in instances of rape, incest, or medical emergencies, but with a contingency that such cases be identified within 12 weeks of gestation.
The preservation of Amendment 3 stands paramount for Democrats, who see the Republican maneuver as a direct assault on a right approved by nearly 52% of voters. Reporting from FOX 2 Now shared Democratic Senator Patty Lewis's statement that Republicans were employing "ballot candy" tactics, potentially misleading voters with superfluous language in their proposal. The urgency is palpable as the clock ticks down to the end of the session scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m.
The Republican stance, as articulated by Sen. Adam Schnelting, R-St. Charles, holds that Amendment 3 overshoots the will of the people, claiming that the majority of Missourians "do not want abortion on demand." Sen. Schnelting's viewpoint was captured during a debate reported by St. Louis Post-Dispatch, as Republicans maintain that the original amendment's campaign was buoyed by misleading arguments and outside funding. As the legislative week heads into its conclusion, the Senate sits at a standoff, with the potential revival of the abortion ban amendment hanging uncertainly in the balance.
Despite the delay in proceedings, the potential for further debate remains as Republicans may reintroduce their bill before the session's end. Both sides are preparing for another potentially long and charged discussion should the Republican contingent decide to make another push for their amendment to be considered.
