Six months afterMissouri voters passed abortion right protections, Republican lawmakers are looking to overturn the legislation, and afterinvoking a rare rule, they are one step closer. In November 2024, Missouri voters passed Amendment 3, which removed thestate's abortion banafterRoe v. Wade was overturnedin June 2022. Despite the legislation's passing, Republican lawmakers are looking to repeal the amendment by makingabortionillegal, except in cases of medical emergencies, rape and incest. On May 14, Missouri Senate Republicans invoked a rare procedural rule which allowed them to force a vote on their resolution, which passed,Missouri Independentreported. The resolution now goes before Missouri voters, who could see it on the November 2026 ballot or sooner, if Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe decides to hold a special election for the issue. Kehoe's office did not immediately respond when contacted by USA TODAY on May 15. "The majority of Missourians want to make their own decisions about health care without interference from prying politicians..." said Margot Riphagen, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Action, in anews release. "We will not stand for more political games at the expense of the thousands of patients in Missouri who could finally access care they need without crossing state lines. Missouri voters will once again send a clear message that enough is enough." Here's what to know aboutabortionlaws in Missouri and what Republican lawmakers are looking to overturn. Reproductive care:People are flocking out-of-state for abortion care. Clinics are fighting to keep up. Yes, abortion is legal in Missouri. Voters supported Amendment 3, the right to abortion, withmore than 51%of votes in November 2024. As of May 15, surgical abortion is available at only three Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri − for patients up to 12 weeks gestation. However, medication abortion, the most common means of ending a pregnancy, remains inaccessible in Missouri, as the state's health department rejected plans submitted by clinics that outlined patient care in the case that adverse effects are experienced. If passed, MissouriHouse Joint Resolution HJR 73would repeal Missouri's Amendment 3. Under this resolution, abortion would only be permitted in cases of medical emergency (such as ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage) rape or incest in Missouri. The procedure would only be completed if the patient presented documentation that rape or incest was reported to law enforcement. Abortion would only be available within 12 weeks of gestation. In pregnancy, a woman's first missed period marks four weeks of gestation. USA TODAY has reached out to multiple sponsors of the bill for comment. Abortion isn't the only issue MissouriHouse Joint Resolution HJR 73addresses. It also prohibits gender affirming care to minors, including hormone therapy, puberty blockers and gender transition surgeries. Missouri Sen. Nick Schroer said gender affirming health care conditions were a deal breaker for Republicans to approve the resolution. "We talked to a lot of our members," Schroer said, as reported byMissouri Independent, "and they said that issue needs to be included." Katy Erker-Lynch, executive director of LGBTQIA+ organization PROMO Missouri, encouraged members of the queer community to keep their heads high following the resolution's passing. "This is a dark day for our community. A day when our voices were silenced in an attempt to erase our rights and freedoms," Erker-Lynch said in anews release. "However, LGBTQ+ people throughout our history have faced these days together. Just like we are right now. We build power through the lessons from our ancestors and 'transcestors' who light hope for our future." Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her atgcross@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Missouri lawmakers look to restore abortion ban once again
