Following the approval of abortion legislation by voters, Missouri Republicans have initiated a move to overturn the decision, proposing a referendum for a possible repeal.
Host:JUANA SUMMERS, HOST:
Missouri's controversial and ongoing debate over abortion rights continues to rage on. Despite Missouri voters deciding last year to safeguard the right to an abortion, Republican lawmakers are now pushing a new ballot question to repeal this very right. Jordan Davidson, a political reporter at St. Louis Public Radio, is here to fill us in on the latest. Jordan, welcome!
Jordan Davidson:Thank you for having me, Juana.
Host:So, Jordan, Missourians just voted to maintain the right to an abortion six months ago. What's driving the sudden push to repeal it from Republican lawmakers?
Jordan Davidson:GOP lawmakers in Missouri claim they're responding to their anti-abortion rights constituents who are upset with the state now offering abortions for the first time since Roe vs. Wade was overturned. Even though Missourians likely won't vote on the measure until either August or November 2026, the Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O'Laughlin is hoping that abortion rights opponents can start their campaign early, especially considering that abortion rights advocates will likely spend millions of dollars to defeat their ballot measure.
Host:How has the response been since Republicans have opted to put this issue back on the ballot again?
Jordan Davidson:Democrats have charged that Republicans have gone against the intent of the Missouri voters and claim that legislators are attempting to deceive voters. However, some volunteers who worked to support abortion rights in the past, like Mary Ann Perkins, say they encountered numerous Republicans backing the initial measure, who feel that the government should not be involved in personal reproductive decisions. Perkins believes that Missourians have not changed their views on this issue and that the anti-abortion movement is attempting to thwart the will of the people.
Host:Is there a possibility this could be challenged in court and, if so, on what grounds?
Jordan Davidson:Abortion rights proponents will likely challenge the language of the ballot initiative that voters see in the polls. The current proposal does not clearly indicate that it would effectively ban most abortions, except for medical emergencies and situations of rape or incest up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. It also emphasizes a ban on gender-affirming surgery and hormone therapy for minors, despite these practices already being illegal in Missouri. So yes, it's almost certain that abortion rights proponents will challenge the language of the ballot measures in court.
Host:What can we expect in the next year and a half leading up to the vote on this ballot measure?
Jordan Davidson:Abortion rights opponents plan to spend the coming year energizing voters who hold anti-abortion views, particularly in religious parts of the state such as rural Missouri or sections of St. Louis and Kansas City. On the other hand, backers of abortion rights believe that Missouri lawmakers made a significant error by placing the measure on the ballot so early. They have a substantial amount of time, over a year, to raise funds, mobilize their opposition campaign and encourage voters who supported abortion rights protections last year to return to the polls.
Host:Jordan Davidson, thank you for joining us today.
Jordan Davidson:Thanks, Juana.
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- Despite Missouri voters' recent decision to safeguard abortion rights, Republican lawmakers are now aggressively pushing for a new ballot measure to repeal this very right, citing their anti-abortion rights constituents as the driving force behind this sudden push.
- The abortion rights debate in Missouri has escalated, with Democrats accusing Republicans of going against the will of the voters and attempting to mislead them, while some volunteers who once supported abortion rights, like Mary Ann Perkins, claim they encountered numerous Republicans backing the initial measure, believing the government should not interfere with personal reproductive decisions.
