The Missouri House has passed a proposed constitutional amendment that would grant so-called "personhood" status to unborn fetuses at every stage of development.
, if added to the state constitution, would extend the rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" to the unborn. It's sponsored by representative Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove.
"When we see a pregnant woman, we know what's inside; it's a developing human baby boy or girl," Moon said. "I request that this entire body seriously consider what is going on in our society when we snuff out the life of a unique human individual for the sake of convenience 鈥� I want us to allow the voters of Missouri to weigh in on this decision and allow them to vote to make this a part of our constitution."
Democrats argued that the measure would essentially outlaw abortion in Missouri and would eventually be ruled unconstitutional.
"I don't need a resolution to tell me what a baby is, or to tell me how important my child is, and how blessed that I am to have my child," said representative Genise Montecillo, D-St. Louis.
The resolution now goes to the Missouri Senate, with just over a week left in the 2016 legislative session.
Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter:
