Missouri legislators approved a referendum of voters on Wednesday that, if approved, would repeal the protections for abortion rights and restore the prohibition of almost all the abortion attention in the state.
The measure occurs only six months after Missouri voters approved an amendment that consecrated the right to reproductive freedom, including abortion attention, in the state constitution, effectively annuling an almost total abortion prohibition that was in force. A circuit court affirmed the right to reproductive freedom in December.
The bill is now addressed to the Governor’s desk, but does not need your signature to appear on a ballot.
The initiative will appear on the electoral ticket of November 2026 unless Governor Mike Kehoe calls a special choice before that.
If it happens, HJR 73 It would prohibit abortions, except in cases of medical emergencies, fetal anomalies, rape or incest. If abortion is due to violation or incest, it must occur no later than 12 weeks of gestation, according to the bill.
Participants in the march of the west medium for life walk through the streets of Jefferson City, Missouri, with the State Capitol in the background on May 1, 2025.
David A. Lieb/Ap
“The Senate Republicans are annulling the will of the voters and pressing to bring a prohibition of abortion to Missouri,” wrote the Missouri Senate Democrats In an X post Wednesday night. “This new voting element will prohibit abortion and take away a right that voters said only six months ago.”
If approved, the amendment would also allow state legislators to promulgate legislation to regulate abortions and access to attention.
“These laws will include, among others, laws that require doctors who provide attention to abortion have admission privileges in a nearby hospital; laws that require facilities where abortions are carried out or induced to license and inspect to obtain clean and safe conditions and adequate instruments to treat any abortion procedure; conditions that can influence the procedure; Invoice states.
State Senator Adam Schnnning, who sponsored the bill, did not immediately respond to ABC News comments.
The correct anti -abortion groups praised the bill, claiming that “will save lives.”
“We applaud the Missouri Legislature for approving this pro-life amendment to save lives, protect the rights of parents and safeguard women and girls,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Anti-Abortion Rights Group Susan B. Anthony (SBA) Pro-Vida de América, in a statement. “We call the leaders of the Missouri Republican Party in Washington and throughout the state that offer their strong vocal support for this measure.”
Since Roe v. Wade was canceled by the Supreme Court in June 2022, 12 states have ceased almost all abortion services, while four states have a prohibition of six -week books, according to an ABC news count.
People in support of the protest for abortion rights outside the Missouri Senate Chamber after the Senate voted to approve a referendum that seeks to repeal an abortion rights amendment, May 14, 2025, in Jefferson City, Missouri.
David A. Lieb/Ap
After the decision of the Supreme Court, Missouri promulgated a Activation Law Prohibit most abortions in the state.
However, Amendment 3which consecrated the rights of abortion in the State Constitution, approved in November 2024 with 52% of voters in favor of the amendment.
Anti -abortion defenders, such as the SBA, have argued that amendment 3 is extreme and goes beyond what the Missurians have supported.
Abortion Action Missouri, the group that supported amendment 3, issued a statement on Wednesday criticizing legislators for trying to restore a prohibition of abortion.
“The Missourian support access to abortion. Last November more than 1.5 million Missourians caused their voice to be heard at the polls, voting to consecrate the rights of abortion in the Constitution of Missouri,” said Mallory Schwarz, executive director of Action for Abortion Missouri. “And at this time, thanks to the Myurians, abortion is legal and is available for the first time in years. Despite this, today anti -abortion politicians approved HJR 73, showing us that they believe that the same are disposable. We know the truth: the missourians are accustomed to fighting and are prepared to continue showing. In the last 4 months, thousands of Missouria have been shown again to defend the Testament of people.
