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Missouri's GOP-led Legislature passes 8-week abortion ban

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri’s Republican-led House passed sweeping legislation Friday which would ban abortions at eight weeks of pregnancy.

If enacted, the ban would be among the most restrictive in the U.S. It includes exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for pregnancies caused by rape or incest. Doctors would face five to 15 years in prison for violating the eight-week cutoff. Women who receive abortions wouldn’t be prosecuted.

Missouri Republican Gov. Mike Parson pledged to sign the bill , but it’s unclear when he’ll take action.

The legislation Alabama senators passed Tuesday would make performing an abortion at any stage of pregnancy a felony for the provider. The only exception would be when the woman’s health is at serious risk. Women seeking or undergoing abortions wouldn’t be punished.

GOP Rep. Nick Schroer said his legislation is “made to withstand judicial challenges and not cause them.” “While others are zeroing in on ways to overturn Roe v. Wade and navigate the courts as quickly as possible, that is not our goal,” Schroer said. “However, if and when that fight comes, we will be fully ready. This legislation has one goal, and that goal is to save lives.”

Center for Reproductive Rights CEO Nancy Northup called the measure “unconstitutional.”

Almost 50 years of core protections for women’s reproductive decision-making have been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court,” she said in a statement. “Missouri and Alabama’s recent criminal abortion bans and all other affronts to Roe v. Wade, will be challenged and blocked according to precedent and settled law.”

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