Mayer: Better Protecting the Unborn, Congressional Redistricting and Job Shadows for the Day

Throughout my legislative career, I have worked tirelessly to take steps to protect the lives of our unborn children. Last week, I presented a bill to a Senate committee that is an extension of that effort. Senate Bill 65 would change provisions relating to abortions in Missouri with respect to the viability of an unborn child. The measure amends the definition of “viability” to mean the state of fetal development when it is the physician’s judgment that there is a reasonable likelihood the life of the unborn child can still be sustained outside the mother with or without artificial life support.

As a lawmaker, I strive each and every day to provide a voice for those who do not yet have one to share. This bill would further protect unborn children that are determined to be 20 weeks or more in gestation by recognizing them as viable, preventing a physician from performing or inducing an abortion unless it is necessary to preserve the life of the mother.

At 20 weeks, a baby is approximately the length of a banana. He or she can hear sounds and even covers its ears with its hands if things are too noisy. His or her twisting, turning, punching and kicking movements can start to be felt by the mother. State law already requires mothers to be informed about their alternatives to abortion. This bill I’ve introduced goes one step further, strengthening the definition of the viability of an unborn child so he or she can have a chance to become who they were meant to be.

With the measure heard by the Senate General Laws Committee, a passing vote would recommend the bill move to the full Senate for debate.

Late last week we also received important data from the U.S. Census Bureau that is the first step in redrawing Missouri’s congressional districts. Unfortunately, Missouri’s population did not grow as rapidly in the past ten years as some other states, causing us to lose a seat in Congress. That means the State Legislature must redraw Missouri’s congressional district boundaries this year to represent eight seats, rather than our current nine. This will be a difficult task, but as Senate Leader I have already named the senators comprising the Senate’s Select Committee on Redistricting to begin work and I have full faith in their ability to get the job done. The committee will hold public hearings across the state and I will keep you apprised of their work as we redraw congressional districts to ensure fair and equal representation across our state.

I was also proud to have two young constituents serve as my job shadows for the day. Jade Peel from Clarkton and April Hager from Holcomb traveled approximately four and a half hours from Dunklin County to Jefferson City to observe my day-to-day tasks as Senate Leader.

I am always honored to have young citizens from our district visit our State Capitol to learn more about the legislative process and see first-hand how bills become law. Those individuals who shadow their state senators and representatives have the unique opportunity to get an inside look at how lawmakers work for the citizens who sent them to Jefferson City to be their voice in state government. If you know a student who would like to job shadow or serve as a legislative intern, please encourage them to apply on my Senate webpage (www.senate.mo.gov/mayer), by clicking on the “Apply to be an Intern” link under the “Constituent Services” tab.


Jade Peel of Clarkton and April Hager of Holcomb pose with Sen. Mayer in his Capitol office.
Both District 25 constituents served as job shadows for Sen. Mayer on Feb. 23, 2011.

Please feel free to contact me throughout the year with any comments, questions, or issues using the information listed below and on my website at www.senate.mo.gov/mayer.