Missouri’s elected leaders feel renewed fight after courts allow abortions to resume
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KY3) - Missouri lawmakers against abortion express a renewed desire to legislation reassessing the state’s abortion laws after a Friday ruling allowed abortions to resume.
A Jackson County judge stopped Missouri’s licensing requirements for abortion providers, saying they were unfairly restrictive and singled out abortion providers. Shortly after, Planned Parenthood said it would start providing abortion immediately.
“The decision to block Missouri’s abortion provider licensure requirements, which made full access to care unattainable in the state, is a huge step to realizing the promise of Missourians’ new constitutional right to reproductive freedom,” said Gillian Wilcox, Director of Litigation at the ACLU of Missouri.
In a statement on social media website X, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe said he spoke with legislative leadership and Attorney General Andrew Bailey about the ruling.
In cities across Missouri, others mourned the ruling. Anti-abortion groups gathered in Columbia, St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Rolla to pray and protest the recent ruling.
Missouri’s new Lt. Gov. David Wassinger shares the view of many anti-abortion protesters that Amendment Three was not well-worded.
“I think Amendment 3 was a very misleading ballot initiative that was presented to the Missourians. I think it needs to be repealed and replaced,” Lt. Gov. Wassinger said.
Democratic Rep. Emily Weber celebrates the Jackson County judge’s ruling that allows Planned Parenthood to resume abortion operations. Whether it’s another voter, another bill, or another lawsuit, Weber does not see an end to the fight over abortion in Jefferson City.
“We will never stop the back and forth on the issue of reproductive healthcare, what that looks like abortion, I believe that this fight will always continue,” Weber said.
Amendment 3 was put on the ballot by initiative petition, which required thousands of signatures from people all over Missouri. It faced several legal challenges, going all the way to the state’s Supreme Court before the matter was settled.
Amendment 3 removes Missouri’s abortion ban and enshrines access to both abortion and other forms of birth control in the state’s constitution.
A bill that would revert the changes in the Amendment 3, once again outlawing abortion in Missouri, is being considered by Missouri lawmakers this afternoon. If this bill es, voters will be asked if they want to reinstate Missouri’s abortion ban.
To report a correction or typo, please email [email protected]. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.
Copyright 2025 KY3. All rights reserved.
