OPPOSE SJR 8 - Stop the attack on Abortion!

Senate Joint Resolution No. 8 poses a serious threat to our fundamental rights and the health and well-being of women and families across Missouri. By seeking to repeal Section 2 of Article I and adopt a new provision that defines every human being with a unique DNA code—from conception onward—as a “person,” this resolution risks entrenching policies that undermine personal autonomy and jeopardize access to essential reproductive health care. Section 2, as proposed, not only redefines personhood in a way that ignores the complexities of fetal development and women’s lived experiences, but it also explicitly states that “nothing in this constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion.” This language would not only strip away reproductive rights but also pave the way for policies that could criminalize medical decisions and endanger women’s health. Reputable organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the Guttmacher Institute have long warned that framing the debate in absolute terms of life from conception oversimplifies complex medical, ethical, and legal realities. Evidence shows that restricting reproductive rights does not reduce the number of abortions—it only forces women into unsafe procedures and deepens inequities in health care access. These restrictions also compromise the promise of equal rights and the pursuit of happiness by curtailing personal freedom and bodily autonomy. Furthermore, the proposed amendment threatens to erode the trust between patients and their health care providers. It imposes an ideological standard that could interfere with medical judgment and the compassionate care that doctors strive to provide, particularly in challenging and deeply personal situations. This resolution, under the guise of protecting unborn life, ultimately infringes on the rights of women and endangers families by criminalizing critical health care decisions. We must reject policies that reduce complex human experiences to political talking points and instead uphold the principles of compassion, equality, and freedom. I request a formal written response from your office detailing your stance on Senate Joint Resolution No. 8 and the measures you will take to safeguard the rights and well-being of all Missourians.