As a fervent advocate for the unborn, I was sorely disappointed when a federal court on Wednesday blocked enforcement of a prolife bill we passed in 2019. The 8th District Court of Appeals in St. Louis invalidated two portions of HB 126, which I proudly co-sponsored. The provisions banned abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy, and for the purpose of terminating a fetus because of Down syndrome.
As pro-abortion advocates celebrate their “victory,” I weep for the children and women who will be devastated as a result of this decision. I am thankful the Missouri attorney general plans to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, and am optimistic the court will finally overturn Roe v. Wade, so we can bring the abortion question back to the states where it belongs.
This December, I plan to again file my bill requiring the performance and explanation of an ultrasound prior to an abortion, and requiring the doctor or technician to allow the mother to listen to the unborn child’s heartbeat. It also gives the mother the option to avert her eyes or turn down the volume of the heartbeat. Current Missouri law only gives mothers the option of having an ultrasound before they have an abortion while this bill mandates it.
As I told a reporter after the decision was announced, my mother had an abortion before I was born so I know first-hand that abortion not only destroys a precious child, it affects the woman tremendously for the rest of her life. Because of these devastating consequences, every effort should be made to make the mother aware of the gravity of her choice. Our laws have recognized the importance of requiring “informed consent” before medical procedures, and my bill simply ensures the patient is fully informed before consenting to the abortion. A similar law in Kentucky was allowed to stand by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Recently I asked Governor Parson to call a special session to prevent taxpayer funded abortions. This is the text of my letter: Given the announcement that President Biden intends to repeal the Hyde Amendment as part of this year’s federal budget, I believe that it is imperative for Missouri to take a stand and immediately take steps to prevent taxpayer funding from going to abortion-providing institutions.
To that end, I would like to add my name to the list of lawmakers requesting a special session to pass the Federal Reimbursement Allowance reauthorization with the inclusion of pro-life protections, as outlined by Rep. Nick Schroer and the other lawmakers who sent a letter to your office last week.
Under the Biden administration, we are witnessing the most aggressive assault against life in decades. President Biden has already canceled the Mexico City Policy, meaning federal funding is now going to international NGOs that provide abortion or abortion referrals. He is appointing federal judges who support Roe v. Wade. And, now he is explicitly calling for the repeal of the Hyde Amendment through the federal budget.
We all know that President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, and Majority Leader Schumer are going to do everything in their power to force taxpayers to fund abortions. For this reason, we must fight them at the state level by adding pro-life protections to health care funding bills to ensure not one tax dollar is used to kill the unborn in Missouri. We have a moral obligation to defend the sanctity of life.
I have always defended the right to life, and will continue to make it my top legislative priority.
May God bless and keep you and our great nation.
Hardy Billington represents District 152, which includes parts of Butler and Dunklin counties.