RELEASE: Congressman Eric Burlison introduces federal abortion ban months after MO votes to end statewide ban
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2025
Contact: Claire Cook-Callen, claire@progressmo.org
Congressman Eric Burlison introduces federal abortion ban months after MO votes to end statewide ban
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Rep. Eric Burlison of Southwest Missouri is turning his back on Missourians in filing H.R. 722, which will effectively institute a federal abortion ban across the United States. This bill comes less than three months after 1.5 million Missouri voters approved Amendment 3 to end the state’s total abortion ban.
Residents of Burlison’s district, Congressional District 7, are outraged that their Congressman would ignore the will of Missourians.
“This bill is dangerous and life-threatening to women and those who reproduce,” said Libby Becker, a resident of Springfield. “Banning abortion will not stop abortions. It will only stop safe abortions. I am a queer woman that does not ever want a child and if I were to become pregnant through rape, I would do everything in my power to not go through with that pregnancy. This bill does not protect women.”

Missourians submitted more than 45,000 signatures from CD7 to place Amendment 3 on the ballot, 150% of the required 30,000.
“As part of the strategy team for Abortion Action Missouri, I knocked over 100 doors in Springfield for Amendment 3.” Becker said. “I spoke to constituents who opposed the abortion ban in Missouri. The people have spoken and we want the government out of our doctors offices.”
Informally titled the Life at Conception Act, H.R. 722 attempts to radically redefine personhood to the moment of conception, extending constitutional rights to fetuses and embryos.
In addition to ignoring the majority of Missourians, the bill also flies in the face of President Donald Trump’s previously stated stance of leaving abortion to the states.
This bill is just the latest example of Burlison’s ongoing crusade against abortion and reproductive rights. As a State Senator in 2019, he voted for HB 126,which banned all abortions in Missouri with no exemptions for rape or incest. In 2022 he launched an attack on abortion and reproductive service providers.
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