Jonathan Shorman

Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri lawmakers forced an extension of the state's abortion waiting period into law late Wednesday night after Republicans used a rare parliamentary tactic to kill a Democratic filibuster in the Senate.

The House took the first step to forcing a 72-hour abortion waiting period into law early in the evening. The Senate began debating the measure soon after and passed it at about 11:30 p.m. Central Time.

The House voted 117-44 to overturn Gov. Jay Nixon's veto of House Bill 1307. The Senate voted 23-7. The legislation extends the state's current 24-hour waiting period. Missouri becomes only the third state in the nation with a three-day period, along with South Dakota and Utah.

Democrats filibustered the bill before it passed in May. The effort ended when Democrats struck a deal with Republicans to allow a vote on the legislation and a Republican-supported early voting proposal in exchange for Republicans killing union-related legislation and a bill requiring voters to have photo identification.

The Senate began debating the measure a few minutes after the House voted to overturn the veto and Democrats began a filibuster. After nearly two hours of debate there were rumblings that something was afoot, however. Senate Republican leaders huddled with the Secretary of the Senate and consulted various senators on the floor.

Then, at about 11:30 p.m., Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, moved the previous question. The procedure had not been used in the Senate since 2007, though it is common in the House. It cuts off debate, causing an immediate vote on the underlying bill.

Although most Republicans voted to cut off debate, Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, voted against it. He later voted in favor of overturning the veto on the bill, however.

Opponents of the abortion waiting period legislation were concerned the 72-hour waiting period would make obtaining an abortion more difficult. Missouri has only one clinic that performs abortions, located in St. Louis.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri actively lobbied against the bill, as did other groups. When Nixon vetoed the bill, he cited the lack of an exemption for rape and incest victims."This glaring omission is wholly insensitive to women who find themselves in horrific circumstances, and demonstrates a callous disregard for their well-being. It victimizes these women by prolonging their grief and nightmare," Nixon said in his veto message.

Bill sponsor Rep. Kevin Elmer, R-Nixa, acknowledged that rape is tragic, but said that life begins at conception.

"I believe that we protect life at all costs. That means making sure lives are treated equally," Elmer said.

Elmer said that all life is equal, but then drew protests from Democrats when he said rapists should perhaps be put to death.

Rep. Jay Swearingen, D-Kansas City, shouted at Elmer that he had just said all life should be treated equally.

Rep. Genise Montecillo, D-St. Louis, said lawmakers were indicating they do not trust women. She said the General Assembly should not interfere in women's medical decisions.

"I have no right whatsoever to tell someone what to do when it comes to their medical decisions. We are trying to play God," Montecillo said.

Elmer, who decided not to run for re-election, has said passage of the legislation would be the pinnacle of his legislative career.