JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KY3) – After decades of restricting abortion access and passing a litany of state laws, regulations and rules aimed at eliminating the procedure, Missouri’s elected Republicans now find themselves in a position where they must swear an oath take. oath to protect and defend the right thereto.
Missourians voted to establish a constitutional right to make reproductive health care decisions through Amendment 3. Over the previous year, there have been multiple attempts in court and in the General Assembly to prevent the issue from even getting on the ballot.
“You should take an oath to protect and defend the death of the unborn,” Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, said in a January Senate debate on a measure intended to block Amendment 3 from the ballot. “That’s why this is absolutely necessary. That’s why this is important. That’s why I refuse to sit down.”
With the right to abortion enshrined in the Missouri Constitution, we asked longtime opponents of abortion, newly elected Governor Mike Kehoe, Attorney General Andrew Bailey, newly elected Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and others, if they will ultimately take the oath of office . which reads as follows:
“I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the State of Missouri, and faithfully discharge the duties of my office, and that I will not knowingly, directly or indirectly, receive any money or gratuity. other things of value for the performance or non-performance of any act or duty pertaining to my office, other than the compensation permitted by law.
The elected officials were interviewed Monday, before the election.
Newly elected Gov. Mike Kehoe said he would take the oath of office but make abortion alternatives part of his administration’s focus.
“We’re going to have to look at ways we can continue to protect innocent lives,” Kehoe said. “I hope it doesn’t go away, but by continuing the focus on our pregnancy resource centers across the state, we have a lot of great organizations doing a lot of great things for women’s health and making sure women know what their options are and how they can do this. take care of a child.”
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey won Tuesday’s election for the office to which Governor Mike Parson appointed him.
“Look, at the end of the day, I wouldn’t have taken this job if I wasn’t willing to take an oath to enforce the laws established by the elected representatives of the people or by the people themselves in the Constitution,” Bailey said.
Initially, Lt. Gov. Dave Wasinger said he doesn’t expect Amendment 3 to take effect anytime soon.
“I think there’s going to be a lot of lawsuits as a result of Amendment Three,” Wasinger said. “I think it is a very poorly written amendment, with many ambiguities. I think there will be a lot of lawsuits that will take another year or two to let the dust settle, and we’ll go from there.”
Still, Wasinger was asked for an answer to the question of whether he would take an oath to a constitution that includes abortion rights.
“Of course, we are here to uphold the Constitution,” Wasinger said. “If Missouri voters approve anything to change the Constitution, I believe it is my constitutional duty to adhere to whatever Missouri voters do.”
Of all the elected officials, Hoskins seems the most conflicted.
“That’s a great question,” Hoskins said. “As Secretary of State, we take an oath to the Missouri Constitution, and unfortunately – hopefully Amendment Three doesn’t pass – – but yes, as part of my duty of office I will have to take an oath to the Missouri Constitution that I follow . Missouri Constitution. That does not mean that I agree with Amendment 3.”
State Treasurer Vivek Malek provided perhaps the clearest and most direct answer to the question.
“That will be the Constitution, and I will place my hand on the Constitution and take the oath,” Malek said. “Whatever the Constitution is, that is the will of the people. And if that is the will of the people, that is my constitution.”
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