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JEFFERSON CITY — Republicans in the Senate dropped a bomb on the final three days of Missouri’s annual legislative session Wednesday, crushing Democratic attempts to forge end-of-session compromises on abortion and paid sick leave Wednesday.

Republicans led by Senate President Cindy O’Laughlin, R-Shelbina, deployed a rarely used rule to cut off debate, forcing votes on the hot button priorities after weeks of fruitless negotiations that included interventions by Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe.

The chamber quickly moved to approve a plan to ask Missouri voters once again whether abortion should be legal in the state. It was approved on a 21-11 vote.

Abortion rights advocates immediately interrupted the proceedings, chanting “Stop the ban.� They were escorted out of the chamber.

The GOP majority then moved to repeal voter-approved sick leave provisions that business groups have opposed. It was approved on a 22-11 vote.

Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, a Democrat from south 51ºÚÁÏ County, said the repercussions of the GOP decision to use a nuclear option to cut off debate would be felt into next year and perhaps beyond.

“They are going to destroy the Senate,� Beck said.

Sen. Steven Webber, D-Columbia, said Democrats worked hard to find compromises that would have still given Republicans a win without ending the Senate’s tradition of unlimited debate.

“No one here wins,� Webber said. “It didn’t have to be that way. It breaks my heart.�

Republicans were silent on the floor about their decision to choose a dramatic solution to put their priorities in place.

After the votes, Sen. Nick Schroer, R-Defiance, acknowledged there could be problems in the Senate moving forward. 

“Unfortunately, we hit a brick wall and couldn’t find a resolution so I’m hoping for the best,� Schroer said.

Democrats had sought to soften the abortion legislation by removing provisions banning health care treatments for transgender youth from the proposed ballot question.

Similarly, Democrats had hoped to keep sick leave intact with some limits. Closed-door talks had been underway for weeks, but O’Laughlin would not budge.

There had been hope that Kehoe might be able to strike a grand bargain that opened the door for Democratic compromises, while allowing funding for new sports stadiums to be built for the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs.

The stadium issue, which would cost taxpayers and estimated $840 million, appears on life support for now. Kehoe has said he could call lawmakers back into a special session later this summer, but the ill effects of the GOP move may still be in play at that point.

If endorsed by voters, the Republican-backed constitutional amendment would allow abortion access in rape and incest cases up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, as well as in medical emergencies and in cases of fetal anomalies.

The Republican salvo comes six months after nearly 52% of voters supported Amendment 3, which protects the right to abortion up to fetal viability.

GOP lawmakers argued Amendment 3 went too far and said Missourians were deceived through a misleading campaign funded by out-of-state interests.

Democrats said Republicans consistently attempt to reverse decisions made by Missourians at the ballot box.

“I think the voters knew what they were voting on,� said Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette.

“The voters have spoken on this,� added Sen. Patty Lewis, D-Kansas City.

Democrats accused Republicans of attempting to deceive voters by mixing in issues about transgender youth to draw more votes.

The proposal, if approved by voters, would place a ban on hormone therapy, puberty blockers and surgeries for gender transition for minors in the state constitution.

The current Republican plan makes exceptions for rape and incest cases, something Missouri’s previous abortion ban didn’t allow. That ban went into effect on June 24, 2022, the same day the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Voters likely won’t be asked to weigh in on the question until next year, giving both sides an opportunity to raise money to fund campaigns for and against the repeal.

Planned Parenthood predicted voters would not be fooled when they vote on abortion rights again next year.

“Abortion rights won in this state six months ago, and mark my words: Missourians will protect reproductive freedom again,� said Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes. “Abortion remains constitutionally protected in Missouri, and we'll knock on doors, speak with voters, and do what the legislature refused."

On the sick leave repeal, Senate negotiators had worked to find a compromise on an amendment approved by 57% of the voters in November for weeks, but talks fell apart multiple times.

Beginning May 1, Proposition A had required businesses to provide at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours of work.

If Kehoe signs the measure, it would lift the requirement beginning Aug. 28. The state’s minimum wage will still rise to $15 an hour, but it won’t rise automatically as the consumer price index rises.

Both measures are expected to face legal challenges.

“Missourians will not accept their fundamental rights being stripped away and their decisions ignored. The majority party has ignited a political firestorm that will scorch them,� said House Minority Leader Ashey Aune, D-Kansas City.

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