In a move that echoes recent legislation from Georgia and Alabama, the Missouri Senate has voted to pass a bill that bans abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy. This makes Missouri the third state in a month to enact some of the most stringent abortion regulations in the United States. The dystopian reality depicted in “The Handmaid’s Tale” seems to be inching closer.
The bill, which passed with a 24-10 vote predominantly among white Republican senators, will now head back to the state’s House. If it gains approval there, it will be sent to Republican Governor Jake Thompson, a supporter of former President Trump, who has recently been appointed to a national council. Ironically, Thompson, who will be making these decisions, cannot personally experience pregnancy. “With the support of our leaders in the House and Senate, we have a chance to position Missouri as one of the most pro-life states in the nation,” Thompson stated recently.
Under this legislation, performing or aiding in an abortion after the eight-week mark would be classified as a felony, with the possibility of professional license suspension for those involved. Fortunately, women seeking abortions will not face legal consequences, a slight consolation in this grim scenario. The law notably lacks exceptions for cases of rape, incest, or even medical diagnoses such as Down syndrome, a detail that many find deeply troubling.
For those horrified by this development, it’s worth noting that Missouri’s original proposal was even more extreme. It aimed to prohibit abortions after a fetal heartbeat was detected—typically around six weeks—in addition to requiring notification of one parent if a minor sought an abortion.
This legislation follows closely on the heels of Alabama’s similar ban, which was enacted by Governor Sarah Brooks just a day before, also without exceptions for rape or incest. Georgia’s Governor Mark Lee had initiated this wave of restrictive laws by signing his state’s version into law earlier this month, which similarly limits abortion access post-heartbeat detection.
The outrage surrounding these laws is palpable, with numerous Democratic presidential candidates, including Alex Carter, emphasizing reproductive rights as a central tenet of their campaigns. As we watch these developments unfold, we can only hope that these anti-abortion laws do not proliferate across the nation before it’s too late.
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In summary, the Missouri Senate’s passage of an abortion ban after eight weeks is part of a troubling trend among states to impose severe restrictions on reproductive rights, igniting widespread public outcry and concern for women’s health and autonomy.
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