Lawmakers from Missouri overrode the earlier veto issued by Democratic Governor Jay Nixon by passing a law necessitating women to wait for three days before getting an abortion. This newly passed law requires adherence even from those who conceived through incest, rape, or abuse. In the chambers of both websites, the Republican-controlled Senate and House of Representative of the state declared their decision on Wednesday. This decision, according to the website, had the support of the strong majorities.

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In July, Nixon vetoed a bill passed by Missouri legislators, which extended the minimum waiting period from 24 hours to 72 hours. In addition, he stated that the vetoed bill showed a "callous disregard for women who find themselves in horrific circumstances." The house overrode the earlier veto by voting 117 to 44 while the senate voted 23 to 7.

In a statement to the Star, Senator David Sater expressed that the 48-hour extension added to the previous 24-hour waiting period "could very well be the difference between a life saved and a life ended". Sater is the proponent of the aforementioned bill. "Knowing that a life is at stake, this is the least we can do for these children," he added.

On the other hand, American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri Executive Director Jeffrey Mittman stated his disappointment over the decision. "Tonight's vote represents the latest intrusion of politicians into a woman's private medical decisions," he said in a statement.

The Guttmacher Institute, which is a non-profit research organization supporting women's right to obtain abortion in accordance with their conditions, pointed out that the state of Missouri is one of the three remaining states in the country that obligates women to follow the 72-hour waiting period. The other two states posing this requirement are Utah and South Dakota. However, the state of Utah does not compel women who are victims of incest or rape, as well as those who got pregnant at age 14 or younger, to adhere to the 72-hour waiting period.

TagsAbortion, Missouri, waiting time, 72 hours, Jay Nixon, Utah, South Dakota, David Sater, American Civil Liberties Union, Jeffrey Mittman