The Missouri Senate’s late-night approval of a referendum aimed at overturning Amendment 3, a citizen-led measure that secured abortion protections in the state constitution, has sparked intense backlash. This move represents a major escalation in the ongoing fight over reproductive rights in the state, showing how lawmakers are increasingly willing to directly oppose the voters’ decision and support the Republican party on this highly divisive issue.
As reported by The Washington Post, Amendment 3 was passed just six months ago by a close margin of 52 percent to 48 percent. It guaranteed the right to make reproductive healthcare decisions, including abortion, up until fetal viability (around 24 weeks). This came after a time when Missouri law only allowed abortions to save the mother’s life, with no exceptions for rape or incest. However, the Republican-controlled legislature quickly moved to reverse this outcome by approving the new referendum.
