4:05 a.m.
Missouri's Republican-led Senate has passed a bill to ban abortions at eight weeks of pregnancy.
Senators approved the legislation 24-10 early Thursday with just hours left before lawmakers' Friday deadline to pass bills. It needs at least another vote of approval in the GOP-led House before it can go to Republican Gov. Mike Parson, who supports it.
The bill only allows exceptions in cases of medical emergencies, not rape or incest.
The Missouri bill comes as abortion opponents across the U.S. push for new restrictions in hopes that the more conservative U.S. Supreme Court will overturn its landmark Roe v. Wade ruling legalizing abortion.
Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio and Georgia have approved bans on abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can occur in about the sixth week of pregnancy. Alabama's governor signed a near-total abortion ban Wednesday.
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7:30 p.m.
Missouri's Republican Gov. Mike Parson is calling for a vote on a bill to ban abortions at eight weeks of pregnancy.
Parson on Wednesday said the bill could make Missouri "one of the strongest pro-life states in the country." The measure only includes an exception for medical emergencies, not rape or incest.
Parson's comments come after Senate Democrats slammed the bill for hours Wednesday before Republicans had a chance to bring it up for debate.
Lawmakers face a Friday deadline to pass bills.
Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio and Georgia have approved bans on abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can occur in about the sixth week of pregnancy. Alabama's Republican governor signed a near-total abortion ban Wednesday.
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1:35 p.m.
Missouri senators are considering banning abortions at eight weeks of pregnancy.
Democrats in the Republican-led Senate on Wednesday slammed pending the legislation. Lawmakers have a Friday deadline to pass bills.
The only exception would be in cases of medical emergencies, not rape or incest.
The Missouri bill comes as abortion opponents across the U.S. push for new restrictions in hopes that the more conservative U.S. Supreme Court will overturn its landmark Roe v. Wade ruling legalizing abortion.
Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio and Georgia have approved bans on abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can occur in about the sixth week of pregnancy. Alabama lawmakers sent the state's Republican governor a similar bill Tuesday.
