(Updated to reflect Roger Marshall’s involvement)
On the eve of a major vote in the Kansas House, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran lobbied for a proposed constitutional amendment reversing a state Supreme Court decision that found the right to an abortion is protected by the state constitution.
Moran, a Republican, on Wednesday called Kansas lawmakers urging them to support the amendment, is which is scheduled for a vote Thursday morning.
He also sent a letter to House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr. expressing support for the amendment, promising he would work for its passage if it’s approved by the Kansas Legislature and put on the ballot.
The Senate already passed the amendment. The House is the last obstacle to sending it to voters this August.
Moran was joined by Republican Congressman Roger Marshall, who is seeking the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate.
Marshall’s rivals include Senate President Susan Wagle, who has been out front on advocating for the amendment.
The congressman made calls to legislators from a list provided by House leadership and Kansans for Life.
He also scheduled a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence’s office and discussed employing their help, if needed, a staffer said.
It is unclear whether there are enough votes in the House to reach the two-thirds majority required for passage. It is believed to be very tight.
“I was dismayed last year when the Kansas Supreme Court determined that our state constitution protects the right to an abortion,” Moran wrote.
“I cannot imagine that this ruling is grounded in sound jurisprudence.”
He added, “Kansans through our state Legislature have continued to choose to value human life and support a life-affirming path with our laws.
“The Kansas Supreme Court’s decision must not be allowed to block the progress made and the ‘Value Them Both Amendment’ will return to Kansans a direct say in how unborn children are treated under the state constitution.”
It was unknown how many lawmakers Moran phoned, but one lawmaker said they didn’t view the call as being strong-armed.
“He expressed his support for the amendment, but made it clear that it was my decision on the vote. I didn’t feel he was putting any pressure on me at all,” the lawmaker said Tuesday.
Moran’s involvement in the abortion battle serves as another counterweight to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who has used her platform as the state’s chief executive officer to weigh in against the proposal.
Last week, Kelly had a news conference to urge the House to vote down the proposed constitutional amendment, saying it potentially could deter businesses from coming to Kansas.
It was immediately unclear what Kelly was doing behind the scenes to defeat the amendment, and her office did not respond to an inquiry Wednesday.
Last week, Kelly characterized the amendment as an attack on “fundamental freedoms that should never be subject to a vote”
“I fear for a future in which the Legislature chooses to stand between a woman and her doctor,” the governor said. “This would throw the state back into the Dark Ages.”
