A Missouri proposal to ban abortions after eight weeks — with the exception of a medical emergency for the mother — is a step closer to becoming law.
The measure, passed by the Missouri House Friday 110-44, contains no exceptions for instances of rape or incest. The bill now goes to Republican Gov. Mike Parson, who has said he will sign the bill.
The Senate passed the Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act Thursday by a 24-10 vote, but required an additional House approval vote in order to become law before the legislative session ends Friday evening.
This bill is the latest in a series of abortion restrictions nationally. Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed an Alabama law this week that bans abortions entirely, excluding situations in which the mother’s health is at risk.
The legislation stipulates that performing an abortion would be a felony, and providers would be subject to revocation of their licenses to practice medicine.
Abortion opponents have said the laws are part of a concerted strategy of forcing the Supreme Court to revisit the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which effectively legalized the procedure nationally.
“Thanks to the leaders in the House and Senate, we have the opportunity to be one of the strongest pro-life states in the country,” Parson said Wednesday.
[Opinion: Roe v. Wade is not ‘gone,’ but for the first time in nearly 30 years, its survival is uncertain]
