A proposed amendment that died in the legislature this year would have given unborn children “right to life” protections. Representative Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove) is disappointed that it didn’t pass, but he’s not giving up.

Representative Mike Moon (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

Representative Mike Moon (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

“I think it will allow us to regroup and come out stronger and maybe earlier in the next session if we decide to redo it and I think we will,” said Moon.

It would make the third time that Moon has offered the amendment. Moon’s proposal would have asked voters if the state constitution should be changed to say that life begins at conception.

“I think we’ve learned some lessons that may be helpful. I think we might be able to make some changes that will make it a better bill,” said Moon.

Opponents say the measure won’t hold up in court and would have outlawed abortions and most birth control use in Missouri. Republicans say the amendment could not block the federal protection of abortion rights or the use of birth control, but would build into Missouri’s Constitution the strongest language supporting the right to life of any state in the nation.

The legislation passed in the House this year but died in the Senate.