Saint Louis, Mo. — Citing the lack of exemptions for victims of rape and incest, Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed a bill today that would have tripled the mandatory waiting period for abortions in Missouri from 24 to 72 hours.
“This extreme and disrespectful measure would unnecessarily prolong the suffering of rape and incest victims and jeopardize the health and wellbeing of women,” Gov. Nixon said in a statement. “By failing to include an exception for rape and incest, House Bill 1307 demonstrates a callous disregard for women who find themselves in horrific circumstances and would make Missouri one of just two states in the nation to take such an extreme step. Lengthening the already extensive waiting period serves no demonstrable purpose other than to create emotional and financial hardships for women who have undoubtedly already spent considerable time wrestling with perhaps the most difficult decision they may ever have to make.”
The bill would have made Missouri one of only three states in the country that required a woman seeking an abortion to wait 72 hours from scheduling the procedure to actually receiving it. Democrats ultimately decided not to filibuster the bill in the final days of session as part of a legislative cease-fire negotiated with Republicans. In exchange for Democrat’s cooperation on the bill, Republicans dropped efforts on so-called paycheck protection bills and photo identification requirements to vote.
Republicans said the bill was aimed at giving more women time to make a difficult decision, while Democrats howled that the bill would make it all-but-impossible for many women across the state to receive an abortion at the only clinic that provides them in St. Louis.
Bill sponsor Sen. David Sater, said he was “deeply disappointed” in a statement and said that rape victims could receive treatment at hospitals across the state for emergency contraception. But Sater, a pharmacist, sponsored a bill which actually allows hospitals and pharmacies to decline to carry emergency contraception. Currently, owners and operators of Missouri pharmacies and hospitals can opt out of carrying drugs like Plan B.
Groups like ProgressMO and The Missouri ACLU applauded Nixon’s decision. Conservative groups like the Missouri Family Policy Council and Missouri Right to Life issued statements against the veto.
“There were many organizations providing the Governor’s office with information as to why this was a bad bill,” said Executive Director of ACLU of Missouri, Jeffrey Mittman. “We were one of those groups. We appreciate the governor recognizing that this is a bad bill, bad for Missouri, and bad for Missouri women.”
Missouri , President of Missouri Right to Life released a statement backing Sater’s disappointment.
“Missouri Right to Life is profoundly disappointed that Governor Nixon has taken this step to deny women in crisis pregnancies the protection of a 72-hr reflection period,” Missouri Right to Life President Pam Fichter said in a statement. “HB 1307 will, when passed over the governor’s veto, extend the current 24-hour reflection period after consultation to 72 hours before a woman has an abortion. This extra time will allow a woman to reflect on all her options before deciding to go forward with an abortion. Governor Nixon has vetoed a bill that would save babies and protect women from abortion clinics seeking to make a profit on an abortion.”
Republican leadership will have the opportunity to attempt to override Nixon’s veto during the special session in September. Dave Plemmons, The Missouri Right to Life Political Action Committee Chairman, said he thought the bill could get 115 votes in the House if all members were present, and that he was “confident” that the Senate could easily override Nixon’s veto.
Collin Reischman was the Managing Editor for The Missouri Times, and a graduate of Webster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
