JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has released the following statement regarding the Western District Court of Appeals’ opinion upholding House Joint Resolution 73:
“Today’s ruling upholding HJR 73 and ensuring it goes to the people is a decisive victory for the rule of law and for every Missourian who believes health and safety protections belong on the ballot. We disagree with the court’s decision to revise the language of the ballot title; the General Assembly, Secretary of State, and the Cole County Circuit Court all collaborated to achieve fair language, and there was no legitimate reason to displace it.
“We celebrate the court’s rejection of the constitutional challenges to HJR 73. By upholding the General Assembly’s authority, the Court has cleared the way for the people, not partisan litigants, to decide the future of health and safety for women and children in Missouri. In 2026, voters will decide whether they want commonsense health and safety regulations for abortion, and whether they want to prohibit dangerous gender-transition procedures for children. We are thankful the courts have ensured that Missouri voters, not political operatives, will determine Amendment 3’s fate.”