To the Great Constituents of District 2,
“He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and, on the third day, be raised again.” Luke 24:6-7
April is one of my favorite months—flowers bloom, trees awaken, and the days dance between gentle rain and golden sunshine. There’s a quiet beauty in this in-between, a calm before the storm. The light lingers a little longer now. The dark days are behind us. It reminds me of the resurrection—when Jesus defeated death and rose from the grave. In that moment, the darkness lost its grip. We know who wins in the end, and because of that, we can live in peace, even in uncertainty. Spring is here. The birds are singing, the earth is breathing. Let us pause, take it in, and thank Jesus—for His sacrifice, for His love, and for what He’s doing in our lives even now.
HCR 15 & 9, which urges Congress and President Trump to fully reinstate mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), has successfully passed out of the Rules Committee with a strong 7–1 vote. The next step is for the Speaker of the House to refer it to the calendar so it can be brought to the House floor for debate and a vote. This is an issue I care deeply about. I believe we are at a critical moment in America where we must prioritize our American cattle producers and give consumers the transparency they deserve. It’s time to let American beef speak for itself.
This week in the Missouri House, we took big steps for protecting the unborn. Here is what we passed on to the Governor:
SB 22: Modifies provisions relating to summary statements for statewide ballot measures: The legislation mandates that all legal challenges to summary statements be filed in the Cole County Circuit Court no later than the 22nd Tuesday before the general election. This centralized approach ensures consistency and minimizes the potential for forum shopping. If a court determines whether a summary statement is insufficient or unfair, it can require the Secretary of State to revise it up to three times. If all revised versions remain inadequate, the court has the authority to draft a fair summary statement itself. For ballot measures arising from special elections or called by the Governor, the legislation directs courts to expedite proceedings to ensure timely resolution before ballots are printed, with the possibility of shortening timelines as needed. The bill also extends the deadline for final legal rulings on ballot title challenges from 56 to 70 days prior to the election, allowing courts more time to thoroughly review cases. It increases the word limit for ballot summaries prepared by the General Assembly from 50 to 100 words, providing more room for clear, informative summaries. A key provision of this bill affirms the Attorney General’s authority to appeal preliminary injunctions that prevent the enforcement of state laws or the state constitution. For injunctions already in effect before August 28, 2025, the Attorney General must file an appeal by September 12, 2025. This is a significant step in empowering the Attorney General to protect vulnerable individuals, such as women in abortion clinics feeling coerced and minors seeking abortions. I voted in support of this legislation.
Here are the bills that we sent over to the Missouri Senate:
HJR 73: Proposes a constitutional amendment that establishes provisions relating to reproductive health care: This constitutional amendment seeks to clearly define Missouri’s position on reproductive health care, abortion, and gender transition procedures for minors. If approved by voters, the amendment would prohibit abortion except in cases of medical emergencies, fatal fetal anomalies, or pregnancies resulting from rape or incest—permitting abortion in those latter cases only up to 12 weeks of gestation.
The amendment would also ban the use of public funds for abortion services and prohibit the use of surgeries, hormones, or medications to assist minors in gender transitions. Importantly, the proposal affirms that a woman’s right to reproductive health care includes access to treatment for miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, and other medical emergencies. It establishes jurisdiction for legal challenges and holds medical professionals accountable subjecting them to civil liability and potential license suspension or revocation if they intentionally or negligently violate the amendment’s provisions. As a supporter, I see this amendment as essential to closing legal loopholes and clarifying existing laws. I believe that past public votes on related issues were shaped by misleading information and outside influence, leaving many voters unaware of the broader implications—such as allowing abortions based on a child's sex, race, or diagnosis of Down syndrome. To me, this bill represents a return to ethical medical standards and a strong commitment to protecting Missouri’s most vulnerable citizens. With the passage of HJR 73 in the House, the measure now moves to the Missouri Senate for consideration. If approved by the Missouri Senate and signed into law by the Governor, this bill will be placed on the ballot for voter consideration. This bill does not stop us from continuing our efforts to make Missouri a strong pro-life state—it’s simply a stepping stone in that journey. As someone who believes that all life is valuable, I see this as a meaningful step toward protecting as many unborn lives as possible and protecting minors from going through gender reassignment surgery. I voted in support.
HB 1298 : Modifies provisions relating to abuse and neglect reporting, including a requirement to report companion animal abuse: Animal control officers must now report suspected child or elder abuse, while those in human services must report suspected animal abuse. Mandatory training ensures both groups can spot signs of mistreatment. I voted in support.
HB 37: Designates the "Senator Bill Foster Bridge" in Butler County: The bill originally sought to designate the bridge on State Highway WW over the railroad in Poplar Bluff as the “Senator Bill Foster Bridge,” in recognition of Senator Foster’s longtime service to the Butler County community. However, with contributions from other members of the House, the legislation has grown to honor several distinguished Missourians. One such individual is from our district—Beulah Poynter. The bill proposes naming the U.S. Highway 136 bridge over Interstate 35 in the City of Bethany, in Harrison County, the “Beulah Poynter Memorial Bridge.” Beulah Poynter, born in Eagleville and raised in Bethany, was a pioneering figure in American theater and early film. At a time when women were rarely given the spotlight, she forged her own path—not only as an actress but also as a writer, adapter, and producer. While she made appearances on Broadway and in Hollywood, her greatest impact came through the stock and touring companies that brought powerful, emotional storytelling to local communities across the country. Faced with limited roles for women, she created her own. When film emerged, she adapted her work for the screen, demonstrating creativity, resilience, and a remarkable ability to evolve. Her career spanned decades, and her legacy reminds us that success is not always about fame, but about impact—touching lives through art and perseverance. Naming this bridge in her honor would pay tribute to a Harrison County native whose contributions to the arts continue to inspire generations. It’s a meaningful way to recognize the lasting mark she left on American culture—and the hometown roots from which she rose.
It's a pleasure to serve and as always if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to my office at (573) 751-4285.
All my Best,
Mazzie Christensen, State Representative for District 2
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