Missouri voters will have the opportunity to add health and safety protections for mothers and their preborn children back into the state constitution next year after the Missouri Senate passed a proposed constitutional amendment to undo parts of Amendment 3 on Wednesday. If approved by voters, HJR 73, sponsored by Rep. Ed Lewis (R-Moberly) and handled by Rep. Brian Seitz (R-Branson) and Sen. Adam Schnelting (R-St. Charles), would prohibit abortions except in cases of medical emergencies, fatal fetal anomolies, and in cases of rape or incest during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The proposed amendment would also restore health and safety standards for abortion clinics that were eliminated by Amendment 3, and would protect the state’s parental consent laws that are currently being challenged by abortion advocates.
Senate Republicans used a procedural maneuver, “calling the previous question” (“PQ”), to end a Democratic filibuster and bring HJR 73 to a vote. Republicans then used the PQ to bring a vote on a separate bill dealing with paid sick leave. While the PQ is used regularly in the Missouri House, it is rarely used in the Senate due to that chamber’s tradition of negotiation and unlimited debate. As a PQ effectively ends cooperation between Senate Republicans and Democrats, the chamber adjourned on Wednesday, well before the constitutional deadline of 6 pm on Friday. The Missouri House on Thursday passed a handful of bills that didn’t require Senate action before it adjourned for the year.
The MCC staff wishes to express our gratitude to our network for your faithfulness in following the legislative process with us and taking action as requested. Be on the lookout for a full wrap-up in the MCC End of Session Report and End of Session podcast soon!