Nieves proposes abortion resolution
It would prevent public funds from funding stem cell research.
Published March 30, 2009
Rep. Brian Nieves, R-Washington, proposed a resolution last week in the Missouri House that would allow Missouri voters to decide whether prevent public funds from funding abortion services and embryonic stem cell research.
Sixty co-sponsors joined Nieves in supporting the legislation.
Rep. Dennis Wood, R-Kimberling City, one of the sponsors of the bill, said a woman has forfeited her right to choose when she becomes pregnant.
"When you believe as I do that life begins at conception, you have no right to end that conception," Wood said.
Abortion rights opponent Rep. Linda Fischer, D-Bonne Terre, has also sponsored the measure.
Fischer said this resolution reiterates some of the legislation Missouri already has in place regarding abortion services and human research.
"I thought that it was a good pro-life piece of legislation," Fischer said. "I'm pro-life, and am willing to support any legislation that reflects that."
Rep. Sara Lampe, D-Springfield, who is the minority caucus secretary, said she does not support the measure, but said she can't speak for everyone in her party.
"In terms of those issues, we are a divided caucus," Lampe said.
She said Missouri voters have already voted for stem cell research with the narrow passage of Amendment 2 in 2006, and women in the state should still have options for abortion rights.
"We should always provide safe and legal options for whatever they choose," Lampe said.
If the Missouri General Assembly passes the resolution, it would be included on the 2010 ballot, where Missouri voters could decide if it will become a constitutional amendment.
Missouri Roundtable For Life has also come out in support of the resolution.
"Missourians need to stop the raid of the Missouri treasury by fringe special interest groups like Planned Parenthood and others who seek taxpayer dollars for abortion services and human cloning," MRFL Executive Director Todd Jones said in a March 25 news release.
NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri Executive Director Pamela Sumners said putting the measure on a ballot was "a real waste of tax resources."
"People have already spoken on this issue of stem cell research," she said. "It seems to be remarkably undemocratic for a couple of people to run around and try to undo things that have already been voted on."
On the issues of stem cell research and abortion, Missouri has remained conservative while President Barack Obama has taken the federal government in a more liberal direction than the previous administration.
Soon after Obama revoked the Mexico City Policy, which prevented U.S. federal dollars from being used in foreign countries for abortion services, the Missouri House passed a resolution that condemned the Freedom of Choice Act. Obama has also issued an executive order that lifts a ban on federal funding for stem cell research.
Missouri will take awhile to come to terms with the liberal legislation, but will eventually be obliged to, MU researcher R. Michael Roberts said.
"Oddly enough this increased liberalization brought more public attention and hence controversy, to the use of stem cells," Roberts said about Obama's bill allowing federal funding for stem cell research. "My guess is that once the public learn more about the science and get more used to the concept, that much of the controversy will die down."
-- Staff writer Greg Young contributed to this report.