JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — In a direct assault on Missouri voters, politicians in Jefferson City today passed House Joint Resolution 73 (HJR 73) explicitly designed to overturn the right to reproductive freedom that Missourians secured through last year's ballot initiative and allow the state to reinstate an abortion ban.
HJR 73’s ballot title — the text that voters will see at the polls — uses deceptive language designed to mislead voters into unknowingly overturning their Constitutional right to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion care, miscarriage care, and respectful birthing conditions, and enacting multiple bans on abortion. Under the new abortion ban, the general assembly would have the authority to reinstate all currently enjoined medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion, effectively eliminating all reproductive freedom protections that Missourians approved last November.
“Last November, Missourians made clear that they want to make personal decisions around abortion care with their families and doctors, not with politicians,” said Tori Schafer, Director of Policy and Campaigns at the ACLU of Missouri. “This deceptive amendment is a trojan horse to reinstate Missouri’s total abortion ban and all the medically unnecessary restrictions that made access to abortion unattainable prior to the passage of the Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative last November. Missourians want honesty, respect, and access to abortion but HJR 73 is the antithesis to all of these values. Missourians will vote no on this amendment to stop the abortion ban and protect reproductive freedom.”
“Missourians support access to abortion. This past November more than 1.5 million Missourians made their voices heard at the ballot box - voting to enshrine abortion rights into the Missouri constitution,” said Mallory Schwarz, Executive Director of Abortion Action Missouri. “And right now, thanks to Missourians, abortion is legal and available for the first time in years. Despite this, today anti-abortion politicians passed HJR 73, showing us they think Missourians are disposable. We know the truth - Missourians are used to fighting back and are prepared to keep showing up. In the past 4 months, thousands of Missourians have shown up over and over again to defend the will of the people. Do not underestimate their determination.”
"Last year, Action St. Louis Power Project spoke with thousands of voters across the St. Louis region, and one thing was clear: people do not want politicians deciding their healthcare and family planning options,” said Kayla Reed, Executive Director of Action St. Louis Power Project. “Elected officials in Jefferson City cannot continue to overturn, overlook, and undervalue the will of the people. This is an egregious action by the state legislature, but we will continue to engage voters around this deceptive amendment and retain access to abortion in Missouri.”
“Abortion rights won in this state six months ago, and mark my words: Missourians will protect reproductive freedom again,” said Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes. “Intimidation – at health centers, at the ballot box, and under the dome of what rightfully is the People’s House – isn't going to change that individuals know better than politicians about their health care needs. Abortion remains constitutionally protected in Missouri, and we'll knock on doors, speak with voters, and do what the legislature refused. We’ll let Missourians be heard."
“The majority of Missourians want to make their own decisions about health care without interference from prying politicians, and they made this abundantly clear at the ballot box in November,” said Margot Riphagen, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Action. “We will not stand for more political games at the expense of the thousands of patients in Missouri who could finally access care they need without crossing state lines. Missouri voters will once again send a clear message that enough is enough.”
“This is a dark day for our community. A day when our voices were silenced in an attempt to erase our rights and freedoms,” said Katy Erker-Lynch, Executive Director of PROMO Missouri. “However, LGBTQ+ people throughout our history have faced these days together. Just like we are right now. We build power through the lessons from our ancestors and transcestors who light hope for our future. As an out gay former Senator reminds us, ‘they may have won this battle today, but we will win this war.’”
In Missouri, joint resolutions to amend the constitution require the approval of voters rather than a signature from the Governor. HJR 73 is currently awaiting the Governor's assignment of an amendment number and announcement of the election date.
Missourians plan to hold a rally to condemn the legislative actions to overturn two bills that passed with support from a majority of voters.