The Missouri Senate has approved a proposal that could significantly alter abortion rights in the state by placing a referendum on the 2024 ballot to repeal recent constitutional protections established six months ago. If passed, this new amendment would ban most abortions after 12 weeks, allowing exceptions only for medical emergencies, rape, and incest, a marked shift from the current law that permits abortion until fetal viability at about 24 weeks.
This move follows a narrow victory for abortion rights in the last election, where 1.5 million Missourians voted for protections. In a climate where abortion access is a contentious issue, Republican lawmakers argue that allowing a choice between two extremes—either a near-total ban or current access—would provide voters with a more moderate option. Opponents of the referendum are prepared to mobilize against what they view as an attempt to undermine the rights of women, emphasizing that the fight to maintain these rights is far from over.
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