Missouri Senate Moves to Overturn Voter-Approved Abortion Rights Amendment

Jefferson City, Mo. (KFMO) - Just months after Missouri voters approved a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to abortion up to the point of fetal viability, the state’s Republican-led Senate has voted to place a new measure on the 2026 statewide ballot that could strike it down.

The newly proposed amendment would ban most abortions in Missouri, only allowing the procedure in cases of medical emergencies or in instances of rape or incest, and only up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. If passed, it would repeal the abortion rights protections voters enshrined in the state constitution just six months ago. In addition to the abortion restrictions, the proposed amendment also targets transgender healthcare for minors. It would prohibit gender transition surgeries, hormone treatments, and the use of puberty blockers for anyone under the age of 18. The measure now moves to the Missouri House for consideration. If approved, voters could face another consequential decision on reproductive and transgender rights in the next election cycle.

Supporters of the new amendment argue it restores what they call "common-sense limits," while critics say it undermines the will of the voters and enshrines discrimination in the state constitution.