JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A conservative political action committee is organizing a rally at the Missouri Capitol on Monday to push state lawmakers to enact strict limits on transgender health care for minors.

Jodi Widhalm, a Jefferson City activist associated with the Missouri Freedom Foundation PAC, said she is not sure how many people will join her in events aimed at pressuring the Republican-controlled Senate to approve legislation that would block gender-affirming care for transgender minors, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries.

"I'm hopeful we will have a good size crowd," Widhalm said Wednesday.

Among activities on the docket are a prayer time in the Capitol rotunda, a rally featuring anti-trans speakers and, when the Senate gavels in at 4 p.m. after being on a weeklong spring break, a so-called "filibuster watch" regarding the controversial bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove.

"We might be there a couple of hours or it could go all night long," the event description notes.

Widhalm said the driving force behind the rally is frustration with Senate Floor Leader Cindy O'Laughlin, R-Shelbina, who adjourned the Senate a day early last week as lawmakers headed into their annual spring break.

The move came after Democrats filibustered Moon's bill.

Widhalm, whose PAC was active in the 2022 election, said she wants O'Laughlin to force a vote on the proposal without watering it down to appease opponents.

"I obviously want the bill to pass," she said.

The rally coincides with the goals of a hard-line faction of Missouri Senate Republicans who say they are prepared to use "whatever tools and procedures necessary" to force a final vote on the limits next week.

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