JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri House on Wednesday took steps to outlaw most abortions in the state should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade, an effort that’s part of a broader Republican push amid renewed optimism that the high court might be more open to increased restrictions, and possibly an outright ban, on the procedure.
The wide-ranging legislation includes other measures that would take effect even if the high court doesn’t overturn its 1973 ruling establishing the nationwide right to abortion. Among the restrictions is a ban on most abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, possibly as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. Similar bans in Arkansas, Iowa and North Dakota in recent years have been struck down by courts.
Abortion opponents across the U.S. have been emboldened by President Donald Trump’s appointment of conservative Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, while abortion-rights activists are working to protect the procedure in states where Democrats hold power.
I could not be more proud of this team and every bipartisan member of the #MoLeg that shared their heart, worked on, and voted for the boldest pro-life legislation in the nation”. #WeStandForTheUnborn pic.twitter.com/MBEblc4ctH
— Elijah Haahr (@elijahhaahr) February 27, 2019
“I am proud that Missouri, the Show-Me State, is showing the rest of the country that we will stick up for the unborn, those precious little children that have no one else to speak for them,” Republican Rep. Sonya Anderson told colleagues on the House floor.
But supporters of abortion rights said the bill goes too far.
“There’s been no combination of such draconian laws and measures,” said Democratic Rep. Cora Faith Walker, adding that she’s “terrified” of the bill.
Missouri’s bill, which includes a so-called trigger ban that would take effect if the high court overturns Roe v. Wade, includes exceptions only for medical emergencies and not for rape or incest. Doctors who violate the law would face a felony charge. Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota and South Dakota also have abortion bans that would kick in if Roe v. Wade falls.
Efforts to pass bills limiting abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected are underway in states including Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, South Caroline and Tennessee. The Missouri bill started out with such a ban, and Republicans loaded it up with a number of other restrictions, including a ban on abortions based on race, sex or an indication of Down syndrome, and a requirement that both parents be notified before a minor receives an abortion, with some exceptions.