By Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri House has passed a bill supporters say would end so-called "late-term" abortions in the state.
The measure would ban abortions after 20 weeks unless two doctors verify that a fetus is either not viable or is a medical threat to the mother.
GOP House member Jeff Grisamore of Lee's Summit called the practice barbaric:
"The thought that it is legal in this nation for a doctor to gash and just penetrate the skull of that baby and suck the brains out of that baby and deliver a dead baby is indefensible," Grisamore said.
Democrat Tishaura Jones of St. Louis opposed the bill, saying she's pro-life for herself but pro-choice for everyone else:
"The state needs to get out of my belly, out of my uterus, because that's my decision between me, my God, and my doctor," Tishaura said.
But 17 Democrats joined Republicans in voting "yes."
Doctors who violate the proposed law would face at least a year in prison and fines ranging from $10,000 - $50,000.
The bill has already passed the Senate and now goes to Governor Jay Nixon.