Supporting Republican Philosophy and Candidates at the Local, State and National Levels
Rep. Brian Seitz, R-Branson, proudly presented a resolution on the House floor to protect unborn life.
In a decisive move, the Missouri House voted 103-51 on Thursday to pass a constitutional amendment that reaffirms the sanctity of life by prohibiting most abortions in the state. The resolution now heads to the Senate, and if approved, will go to voters for final confirmation.
This amendment overturns nearly all of Amendment 3, which narrowly passed in November with 51.6% support. The new measure prioritizes the protection of unborn children while allowing limited exceptions for cases of rape, incest, and medical emergencies, with abortions in rape and incest cases permitted before the 12-week mark.
Rep. Becky Laubinger, R-Park Hills, who serves as executive director of a pregnancy resource center, passionately supported the amendment, calling it a vital human rights issue. “I deeply care for women facing challenging circumstances and work tirelessly to support them, but I also believe in the inherent value of every child. Our society grows stronger by choosing life,” Laubinger said.
House Speaker Jon Patterson, R-Lee’s Summit, noted that advancing this amendment reflects the democratic process, allowing those who oppose Amendment 3 to have their voices heard. “Taking this to the people honors their right to decide,” Patterson said.
The resolution’s passage marks a hopeful step for advocates of life, ensuring Missouri continues to uphold the dignity of the unborn while offering compassion and support to women in need.
The Missouri House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 709, officially named "Trey's Law," which prohibits the use of non-disclosure agreements in civil settlements involving victims of child sexual abuse and human trafficking.
Introduced by State Representative Brian Seitz, a Republican from the Branson area representing District 156, the legislation was inspired by Trey Carlock, a victim of sexual abuse at Kanakuk camp.
The bill sailed through the House with a resounding 148-0 vote and now awaits consideration in the Missouri Senate. During a passionate address on the House floor, Seitz emphasized that non-disclosure agreements were originally intended to protect corporate trade secrets, not to conceal the trauma of abuse victims or shield perpetrators.
He reiterated this stance at the April 18 meeting of the Taney County Republicans in Branson, underscoring the bill’s intent to eliminate judicial enforcement of NDAs in such cases. The legislation received robust bipartisan support, highlighted by a powerful moment when St. Louis-area Democratic Representative Tonya Rush courageously revealed on the House floor that she, too, had been a victim of childhood abuse, a disclosure she had never shared before, not even with her parents.
The push to remove NDAs in child sexual abuse cases has gained significant traction in Missouri, fueled by public outrage over lawsuits against Kanakuk involving convicted pedophile Pete Newman. A public petition advocating for the elimination of NDAs in these cases has amassed over 27,000 signatures, reflecting widespread community support for "Trey's Law" and its mission to ensure victims’ voices are not silenced.
