Missouri Bans All Abortions After 20 Weeks

The Missouri Battle Flag
Once a Civil War icon,
Now a symbol of the Christian cause
in Missouri's culture war.

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Even though Missouri has elected a pro-abortion Democrat governor, he has enough sense to know that going against the people of Missouri on this issue is political suicide. He will allow the bill to become law by neither signing it nor vetoing it. The bill bans all abortions in the state after 20 weeks gestation, except in cases of physical "medical emergency" endangering the life or limb of the mother. I can tell you, if the people of Missouri could really have their way, all abortions in the state would be banned in total. That day will come eventually, just as soon as we are liberated from the tyranny of Roe v. Wade.

I should point out here that the only reason why Missourians elected a pro-abortion Democrat governor in the first place is because the previous Republican governor (Matt Blunt) lost his endorsement from 'Missouri Right to Life.'  This was after he brought human cloning to the state through the deceptive "Amendment 2" proposal that tricked Missouri voters into voting in favor of human cloning by telling them the bill actually opposed it.  It was the worst case of political deception in Missouri history, and the former Republican governor did it to bring biotech money into the state.  As a result, his political career came to an abrupt end in November 2008.  In what was already a bad election year for Republicans to begin with, Missouri voters rationalized that with a pro-abort Democrat in the governor's mansion, at least we know what we're dealing with.  So he serves on borrowed time.  Based on his action in the case of this bill, I think he knows that....

(Reuters) - Missouri's governor said on Thursday he will let a measure passed by state lawmakers this spring restricting abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy take effect -- though he will not sign it.

Under the state's constitution, bills sent to the governor but not signed become law.

The Missouri legislation, similar to that in several other states, prohibits abortions on viable fetuses after 20 weeks unless continuing the pregnancy would threaten the mother's life or cause substantial injury to her major bodily functions.

"This legislation was approved by an overwhelming, bi-partisan majority in both houses," Governor Jay Nixon said.

"Although people have differing views on this issue, it's important that we work together to provide accurate health information, promote personal responsibility, protect women's health, and improve foster care, adoption and child protection services."

Doctors who violate the law are subject to imprisonment, a fine of up to $50,000 and loss of their medical license.

"The major effect of this is to keep doctors specializing in late-term abortions from setting up business in Missouri," said Joe Ortwerth, executive director of the Missouri Family Policy Council, which strongly supported the law....

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