By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Abortion is now effectively illegal in the state of Missouri. This after the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision Friday to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, turning abortion rights back over to the states.
Dr. Jessica Gracey, an associate professor of political science at Northwest Missouri State University, says other laws, such as the right to birth control or even same sex marriage, may be targeted by the high court next.
"Clarence Thomas actually called out some of those decisions in his opinion," Gracey said. "Those things might also be at risk, so I think it's a very significant ruling."
The only exception to the abortion ban in Missouri is if the mother’s life is in danger. In 2019, the Missouri General Assembly passed House Bill 126, which contains a so-called “trigger ban” prohibiting nearly all abortions in the state.
The trigger law makes it a class B felony to induce an abortion in Missouri, and can carry prison sentences 5-15 years.
This ruling has been celebrated by many Missouri politicians, including governor Mike Parson and attorney general Eric Schmitt.
In fact, Schmitt, who is vying for a U.S. Senate seat, issued an opinion that “triggers” parts of Missouri’s House Bill 126, effectively ending abortion in the state, and making Missouri the first state to enact such a ban.
Gracey says Schmitt was prepared for this, and that move could be for political gain.
"Everyone knew this was coming, so I think he was very prepared to be the first," she said. "He's certainly, of course, hoping that helps him in his campaign in the August primary."
Gracey says the only way the abortion ban in Missouri could be overturned is if Democrats gained control of the State senate. Right now, Republicans control the State senate 24-10.
Gracey says Missouri faces an uphill battle in terms of overturning the abortion ban that is now in place after the high court's decision.
"I think it would be very difficult for Democrats to get enough votes to get control of the Legislature," she said. "That's where we'd actually see something change legally. Because, this decision didn't ban abortion. It just allowed states to ban abortion if they want to, and Missouri, of course, has."
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