Missouri GOP lawmaker opposes abortion exceptions for rape or incest: “A 1-year-old could get an abortion under this.”

The Recount
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Missouri State Sen. (R) Bill Eigel opposed an amendment to the state’s abortion ban last Wednesday that would have permitted abortions for children ages 12 and under if they are victims of rape or incest.

“Your amendment doesn't do anything to actually reduce the number of childhood rapes, or any rapes, or incest occurring in the state. Your amendment does nothing for that. All your amendment does is actually ensure that kids are getting more abortions than they are today,” Eigel, a candidate for governor, said to Missouri State Sen. Doug Beck (D). “A one-year-old could get an abortion under this.”

Beck, the bill’s sponsor, pushed back on his fellow lawmaker’s claims:

“I don’t know that a one-year-old could get pregnant, senator,” Beck said, “But it sounds like you're okay with the forced birth of a one-year-old that was raped, right?”

“I don't support the institutions of rape or of incest, but your amendment doesn't address those,” Eigel replied.

Missouri has permitted abortions only in the case of medical emergencies since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, leaving abortion to the states.