Late-term abortion ban moves to Nixon's desk

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (MISSOURI DIGITAL NEWS) - To stop what they called "barbaric murder," Missouri Republicans approved a ban on late-term abortions Thursday.

After a final House vote, the bill is on to Governor Jay Nixon.

It would halt abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy.

Jefferson County Republican John McCaherty was one supporter.

"We talk about landowner rights and business rights and worker rights. It's high time we talked about the rights of the child," McCaherty said.

Democrats, like St. Louis County Representative Stacey Neuman, say the decision should be left to the women in the situation.

"A woman needs to rely on the expertise of her physicians, not politicians, not the state," Neuman said.

Neuman's plea was not enough, as Republicans passed the bill 121-33.

A leading abortion-rights supporter in the Senate said these late terminations are so rare that the bill is inconsequential.

Theo Keith, Missouri Digital News

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Mo . House passes late-term abortion restrictions

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (MISSOURI DIGITAL NEWS) - According to a bill passed by the House, women no longer would be able to get abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy without a second doctor's opinion.

Under the bill, women still would be able to get an abortion if a second doctor gives approval for the procedure.

Doctors may be fined if they perform the procedure without a second opinion.

During the debate, Republican Representative John McCaherty said it is important to remember the restrictions of the bill apply only women who are over 20 weeks pregnant.

"At five months, my goodness, if you can't make a decision in five months, then there's more of a problem there than just the will to have an abortion," McCaherty says.

Some opponents of the bill argued it may be difficult for women of rural areas to access a second doctor, especially in the event of a medical emergency.

Others, like St. Louis Democratic Representative Tishuara Jones, spoke in opposition of any government control over a woman's decision.

"Get your hands out of my belly," Jones says. "Get them out, because this bill criminalizes the doctor-patient relationship and it tells women what to do with their bodies and their children."

Despite Jones's opinion, supporters of the bill said a fetus is considered viable at 20 weeks and therefore is a child.

Meghann Mollerus, Missouri Digital News

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