January 8, 2025

Today following the opening of the 2025 Missouri state legislative session, the Missouri Democratic Party released the following statement: 

“Last year, the Missouri GOP’s supermajority was so chaotic and dysfunctional, they failed to pass even their own key priorities, leaving the state capitol after the most unproductive session in recent history. Instead of working to solve critical issues, including access to affordable and quality healthcare, public education, and improving the safety of our roads and bridges, this Republican supermajority has decided they would rather focus on pushing their extreme agenda to further strip us of our rights and personal freedoms. Despite Missouri voters passing Amendment 3 to make abortion care legal under Missouri’s constitution, the Republicans in the state legislature have already announced their plans to attack the Amendment and ignore the will of Missouri voters and they won’t stop there,” said Missouri Democratic Party Vice Chair Yvonne Reeves-Chong.

“Extremists also plan to resurrect their failed attempt to attack the ballot process and prevent Missouri voters from circumventing their dysfunction entirely. Missouri Democrats are ready to fight to protect our rights and hold these power-hungry politicians accountable for their gross overreach.”   

Background: 

Kansas City Star: Missouri Republican lawmakers push to reinstate abortion ban after Amendment 3 passed

St. Louis Public Radio: ​​Missouri legislative session ends in flurry of GOP infighting and Democratic optimism

Kansas City Star:

“Missouri Republicans have for years attacked the state’s initiative petition process, which has been utilized by voters of both parties to bypass the General Assembly and put measures to a statewide vote. The criticism comes as voters have in recent years passed several progressive policies, including marijuana legalization and Medicaid expansion. Republicans argue that the current process has allowed outside interest groups to influence elections. But this year, as a coalition of abortion rights groups embark on a campaign to put abortion rights on the ballot through an initiative petition, Republicans have doubled down on the effort.” 

Missouri Independent: 50-Hour Filibuster Forces More Negotiations On GOP-Backed Initiative Petition Changes

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Media Contact: 

Chelsea Rodriguez, Communications Director

press@missouridems.org