House Majority Floor Leader Tim Jones addresses chamber/House photo

A late-term abortion ban has been sent to Governor Nixon.

Debate on the House floor featured emotional, at times personal, testimony as the body debated whether to ban abortions after 20 weeks, when the fetus would be considered viable outside the womb.

Rep. Tishaura Jones (D-St. Louis), a single mother, told colleagues of her decision to keep her child even after the father told her to have an abortion.

“And I thank God for the choice that I made,” Jones stated. “But that choice is between me and God, not the state.”

Other opponents contended that the government did not have the right to interfere in the most personal of decisions. One opponent said he was conflicted about the bill and finally decided to oppose it, because it makes it a crime for a doctor to be involved in a late-term abortion. Under SB 65, a doctor who performs a late-term abortion in violation of its provisions would be guilty of a class C felony, subject to a year in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Yet, supporters insisted the state has a duty to protect life. [Read more...]

An overwhelming vote in the House sends a late-term abortion ban to the Senate.

“Here we are, another year and another abortion bill,” Rep. Tishaura Jones (D-St. Louis) lamented another emotionally charged abortion debate on the House floor.

This time, the House approves a ban on late-term abortions, often called partial birth abortions, on a 119-to-38 vote. HB 213 attempts a ban where past efforts have failed, the courts ruling such attempts unconstitutional. The bill bans an abortion of a viable fetus at 20 weeks, except if the mother’s life is at stake or a medical emergency can be proven. A second physician’s opinion would be required. Those found in violation would be guilty of a felony.

Rep. Susan Carlson (D-St. Louis) suggested the legislature is proving it doesn’t trust women.

“Women in Missouri have enough sense, enough compassion, enough care that this decision is theirs with their doctor,” Carlson stated during House floor debate. “This bill interferes with how their doctor can care for them and give them advice.”

Others also criticized the bill, but critics were in the vast minority.

Rep. Sandy Crawford (R-Buffalo) stated this debate isn’t about choice.

“And I would submit to you that we have no right to take that child,” Crawford told colleagues. “It’s not a choice. It is a child.”

The House Majority Floor Leader Tim Jones (R-Eureka) sponsors the legislation. Jones insisted during debate that he has crafted a constitutionally defensible bill that protects an unborn child who is viable.

“If the state loses an interest in protecting life at viability, then the state has the potential to lose itself,” according to Jones.

The bill now moves to the Senate.

AUDIO: Brent Martin reports [1:30 MP3]

House leaders returned to debate on a late-term abortion ban, but only for a little while.

The House debated HCS/HB 213 Wednesday for more than an hour, suspending debate until Monday. Only a few minutes into debate Monday afternoon, Speaker Pro Tem Shane Schoeller (R-Willard) recognized Assistant Majority Floor Leader Jeanie Riddle (R-Mokane) who called for the Previous Question, a motion to vote to cut off debate. Majority Republicans voted in favor of Riddle’s motion, ending both the debate and the amendment process. [Read more...]