By the Associated Press and KFDI News:

Republican legislators in Kansas have put a proposed anti-abortion amendment to the state constitution on the ballot for the state’s August 2022 primary election.

The Senate approved the measure Thursday on a 28-11 vote that gave abortion opponents one more vote than the two-thirds majority they needed. The House approved the measure last week.

Approval by a simple majority of voters would change the Kansas Constitution. The measure would overturn a 2019 Kansas Supreme Court decision that found that access to abortion is a “fundamental” right.

The measure would not be an abortion ban but would allow lawmakers to enact one if the U.S. Supreme Court allowed it.

There was reaction from both sides of the issue.   Brittany Jones, Director of Advocacy for Family Policy Alliance of Kansas:

“With the passage of Value Them Both in the Kansas Senate, the people of Kansas now have the opportunity to have a say in ensuring that our live-saving laws are protected. We are thankful for the Senators, especially those who made large personal sacrifices, who ensured that this amendment got across the line. We are thankful for the opportunity that the people of Kansas have to stand up for mothers and babies. We look forward to a vigorous campaign.”

Julie Burkhart, founder and CEO of the Wichita-based organization Trust Women, also issued a statement:

“By removing the constitutional right to abortion, the amendment allows lawmakers to create regulations that are not medically relevant, and may inflict undue emotional or physical harm to people seeking abortion care.  These may include longer mandatory waiting periods, zoning restrictions or other medically irrelevant licensing. The end result will be worse health outcomes for Kansans, and the eventual criminalization of Kansas women.”