One month after Missouri approved a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to abortion, legislators have proposed a flurry of bills to tighten abortion access or raise the bar for future amendments driven by voter initiatives.

Summary

Following Missouri voters’ narrow approval of a constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights, GOP lawmakers are moving to undermine it.

Proposed measures include enshrining “personhood” at conception, tying abortion restrictions to bans on gender-affirming care, and adding barriers to constitutional amendments by requiring majorities in rural districts.

Critics say these efforts defy voter will and could complicate other reproductive technologies like IVF.

Meanwhile, legal challenges to Missouri’s near-total abortion ban are ongoing, with Planned Parenthood seeking to resume services in key cities.

The Republican push reflects broader conservative strategies to counter progressive ballot initiatives.