Holden vows to veto 'anti-choice' legislation

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Bob Holden vowed Tuesday to block any legislation that he believes would diminish a woman's right to get an abortion in Missouri.

"I will veto any anti-choice bill that comes to my desk," Holden told about 200 abortion-rights supporters at a rally in the Capitol Rotunda.

The Democratic governor, who already has threatened to veto the pending budget proposal and some other Republican-backed legislation, said a few bills promoted by anti-abortion lawmakers would interfere with a woman's right to end a pregnancy.

Holden singled out two measures, supported by Republicans generally and some Democrats, that are moving through the legislature.

One of the bills, passed by the House and pending in the Senate, would impose a 24-hour period between a woman's consultation with a doctor and the performance of an abortion.

The Senate, meanwhile, has passed and sent to the House a bill allowing parents to sue anyone who enables a minor daughter to have an abortion without their consent. Proponents point out that minors do not need parental consent to obtain abortions in Illinois.

Holden also criticized lawmakers' decision this year to cut money for family planning from the state budget. Legislators have traditionally sought to put restrictions on family planning funds so the money does not subsidize abortions.

Family-planning programs are designed to help low-income women without access to proper health care, the governor said.

House Speaker Pro Tem Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, said Holden should consider the issues before he makes broad statements about specific legislation.

"I think he ought to look at the merits of each bill," said Jetton, an abortion opponent. "I think the governor will veto the bill, but sometimes he says one thing and does another."

Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell also addressed the rally, encouraging participants to continue lobbying lawmakers in the remaining weeks of the session.

"I support your right to be here and I support your right of choice," said Maxwell, a Democrat. "This has to be a priority. The next three or four weeks will make all the difference."

------

Abortion bills are SB34 and HB156.

On the Net:

Missouri Legislature: http://www.moga.state.mo.us