Missouri’s top court refuses to rule on challenge to abortion ban

The Missouri Supreme Court has declined to rule on a request from Attorney General Andrew Bailey to reinstate abortion restrictions.

They are instead transferring the case to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, which properly has jurisdiction (authority) over the appeal.

“Today’s procedural ruling is disappointing but not surprising. From the outset, this has been lawfare,” said Bailey on X. “An underhanded effort by a Jackson County prosecutor, backed by the pro-abortion movement, to undermine Missouri’s duly enacted laws. This case goes beyond one county or one courtroom; it’s about the values of the entire state. This fight is bigger than one case; it’s about the safety of women, the lives of children, and Missouri values. We will not back down.”

Bailey wanted the court to block a temporary injunction issued on July 3 that allowed surgical abortions to resume in the state.