August 13, 2024

Following the Missouri Secretary of State’s certification of Missourians for Constitutional Freedom’s initiative petition to restore abortion rights, Missouri Democratic Party Chair Russ Carnahan released the following statement:

“After the Trump-appointed Supreme Court Justices cast the deciding votes to overturn Roe, Missouri was the first state to effectively make every abortion illegal, due to a Republican trigger law on our books. Since that day in June 2022, we have heard countless horrific stories of pregnant women across the country denied lifesaving care and doctors threatened with prosecution for doing their jobs,” Missouri Democratic Party Chair Russ Carnahan said. 

“Missouri Democrats have long championed reproductive freedom and we know the majority of Missouri voters- Democratic, Independent, and Republicans- believe their neighbors should have the fundamental right to make their own, personal medical decisions without political interference. This state legislative session, Missouri Republicans reaffirmed their commitment to cruelty, voting against allowing abortion exceptions in cases of rape or incest and against protecting contraceptives and IVF services. These are deeply private issues around decisions that should be made amongst family and medical professionals, not politicians in Jefferson City. We look forward to talking to voters about what matters most to our communities this fall.” 

### 

Media Contact: 

Chelsea Rodriguez, Communications Director

press@missouridems.org