Saying it's so doesn't make it so

Some court, state or federal, may yet point that out.

Missouri Lawmakers’ ‘Cowardly’ Attempts to Silence Voters on Abortion Rights

On the other hand, the entire point of pro-choice support of Roe is to keep voters utterly disenfranchised with respect to the question of abortion.

So this whining is the most stunning and egregious hypocrisy imaginable.

Passed on the last day of the legislative session, HB 126 bans abortion at eight weeks’ gestation; revises the state’s parental notification laws; and puts in place a “trigger” that would automatically outlaw abortion statewide should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade. 

It also contains an emergency clause lawmakers claim insulates the bill from the possibility of challenge by voter referendum—making explicit the connection between banning abortion and disenfranchising voters.

Under Missouri law, unless a law contains an emergency clause or is an appropriation act, it takes effect 90 days after the session adjourns. 

But sometimes legislators pass unpopular laws, and so the Missouri Constitution allows laws to be put on the ballot and subject to a vote of the people. 

Citizens have the right to approve or reject any law passed by the General Assembly—except certain appropriation bills and emergency measures, defined as being “necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety.”

Well, wouldn’t you know it, but when drafting HB 126, Missouri lawmakers tacked on an emergency clause designed specifically to thwart a possible citizen referendum. 

That emergency clause is attached to the provision that requires both parents to be notified in most cases when a minor is seeking an abortion and states:

Because of the need to protect the health and safety of women and their children, both unborn and born, the repeal and reenactment of section 188.028 of this act is deemed necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, welfare, peace and safety, and is hereby declared to be an emergency act within the meaning of the constitution, and the repeal and reenactment of section 188.028 of this act shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and approval.