Missouri Lawmakers Approve Referendum to Repeal Voter-Approved Abortion-Rights Amendment

Missouri Republican lawmakers have approved a new referendum that aims to repeal the abortion-rights amendment narrowly passed by voters just six months ago, instead seeking to ban most abortions except in cases of rape, incest (up to 12 weeks), medical emergencies, or fetal anomalies. The proposed constitutional amendment, which could be put to a vote as early as 2026 or sooner if a special election is called, would also prohibit gender transition surgeries and hormone treatments for minors, already banned under state law. The move follows a series of rare procedural maneuvers in the GOP-led Senate to cut off Democratic debate, prompting protest chants of 'Stop the ban!' from activists afterward. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, have condemned the measure as misleading and a dangerous rollback of women's health rights, especially for women of color, and as another attempt by Republicans to undermine direct democracy after voters previously used the ballot to pass progressive reforms. The ballot language for the new measure reportedly omits reference to an abortion ban, a tactic some believe is intended to sway voters. This development sets up another high-stakes statewide vote on abortion access in Missouri, underscoring the ongoing national battle over reproductive rights post-Roe v. Wade.