The Missouri House voted Thursday to advance a proposed constitutional amendment that would reinstate a near-total ban on abortions.

The measure is a significant step for pro-life advocates seeking to protect unborn babies following the passage of Amendment 3 last November. The resolution, House Joint Resolution 73, passed with a 94-50 vote and now heads to the Senate, where it faces further debate before potentially appearing on a statewide ballot as early as this year.

If approved by the Senate, the amendment could appear on a special election ballot this year or in the 2026 midterms, giving Missourians another chance to vote pro-life

Sponsored by Rep. Ed Lewis, R-Moberly, and carried by Rep. Brian Seitz, R-Branson, the amendment aims to repeal Amendment 3, which legalized abortion. The new proposal would prohibit most elective abortions, allowing exceptions only for medical emergencies, fatal fetal anomalies, and cases of rape or incest within the first 12 weeks of gestation, provided the assault is reported to police.

Pro-life supporters, including Missouri Right to Life, hailed the measure as a necessary restoration of protections for the unborn, arguing it aligns with the state’s long-standing commitment to valuing life.

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The pro-life group told LifeNews it appreciates the pro-life advocates who voted for it.

“Republicans have been under attack by pro-abortion zealots that want to keep the killing of babies all 9 months of pregnancy in our State Constitution at the expense of Missouri women’s safety,” MRL said.

“After Judge Zhang ruled on February 14, 2025 to strip critical protections from Missouri women, it is clear that the state has a compelling interest to put this issue back to a vote of the people of Missouri,” it added. “The majority of Missourians did not vote for abortion all 9 months of pregnancy.  They believe and support these issues and this new amendment will give the people of Missouri another opportunity to speak.”

Missouri Right to Life supports HCS HJR 73.  It truly will:

• Restore health and safety regulations to protect women, regulations that Amendment 3 removed from law;
• Guarantee treatment for miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies;
• Ensure that women receive medically accurate information;
• Allow abortions in cases of medical emergencies, fetal anomalies, and rape and incest. In cases of rape and incest an abortion may be performed up to 12 weeks gestational age of the unborn child;
• Ensure parental consent for minors’ abortions;
• Ensure taxpayers don’t have to fund abortions;
• Ensure no fetal organ harvesting; and,
• Protect minors from gender transitions.

House Speaker Jon Patterson, R-Lee’s Summit, was the lone Republican to vote against the resolution.

The debate was contentious, with pro-abortion protesters from Abortion Action Missouri interrupting proceedings before being escorted out by security.

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