http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2010/05/18/missouri-accomplishes-much-sessions-antichoiceTwas the last week of the session and all through the Missouri Legislature, anti-choice legislation was stirring, particularly in the House.
When the 2010 Session of the Missouri Legislature closed at 6pm Friday May 14, the Abortion Restriction Bill had been voted on and passed. A pharmacy denial amendment that would have protected pharmacists who refuse to fill prescriptions or sell over-the-counter birth control failed to pass, but over 100 Missouri Representatives voted in favor of it in the House. On a positive note, the Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) bill was also passed – this law will allow doctors to write prescriptions for a person’s partner if that person is diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection without the partner having to come in for a separate appointment. Even as reproductive justice advocates celebrate the EPT victory, they must now analyze the additional restrictions to abortion services contained in the Abortion Restriction Bill to determine what new hurdles women will have to jump to access abortion services in Missouri.
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After the final bell rang and the dust settled, legislators had failed to pass a single jobs bill. Judging from the fruits of their legislative efforts, it is clear that many in the Missouri Legislature have the wrong priorities and are not afraid to pursue them at the expense of taxpayer funding and the people’s time.
Perhaps they were seduced by the opportunity to demonstrate their anti-choice loyalty during an election year, but this session seemed to bring out the worst in anti-choice legislators. While debating the Abortion Restriction Bill, Representative Bryan Pratt (R-55) accused his pro-choice colleagues of supporting rapists. Although legislation ultimately did not pass, over 100 members of the Missouri House voted to protect pharmacists that refuse to fill prescriptions or to sell over-the-counter birth control. During the session Representative Cynthia Davis, Chair of the Children and Families Committee, refused to take up child protection bills because she felt her committee’s “main purpose is to deal with abortion issues.” A total of 8 anti-choice and anti-birth control initiatives received hearings and/or votes. In comparison, only 2 pro-prevention initiatives moved and only one, the Expedited Partner Therapy bill, passed.
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The Speaker then cut off debate and a majority of Representatives swiftly voted to pass the Abortion Restriction Bill.
It was all over before lunch, the legislation passed and women’s reproductive rights had been restricted before most folks finished their second cup of coffee.
Something tells me the Representative Emery’s of the world don’t think that’s a big deal either.
Meanwhile, reproductive justice advocates and abortion providers are carefully reviewing the legislation to determine what their next steps will be.
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when these religiously insane men bleed for a week every month then they can stick their noses into women's business.
these stupid men need kicked in the nuts until they shut up.