Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed a bill Wednesday that would have tripled the waiting period for women who sought an abortion, saying it would lengthen the suffering of rape or invent victims and put women’s health at risk, according to news reports.
ABC affiliate KSPR reported that Mr. Nixon, a Democrat, said the legislature’s failure to insert an exception for rape and incest “demonstrates a callous disregard for women who find themselves in horrific circumstances and would make Missouri one of just two states in the nation to take such an extreme step.”
“Lengthening the already extensive waiting period serves no demonstrable purpose other than to create emotional and financial hardships for women who have undoubtedly already spent considerable time wrestling with perhaps the most difficult decision they may ever have to make,” he continued.
The measure would have made Missouri the third state, along with Utah and South Dakota, to require a 72-hour waiting period to get an abortion, wire reports said.
Groups like the American Civil Liberties Union hailed the decision and called on members to thank Mr. Nixon for “standing with Missouri women.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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