JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Legislation is heading to Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon that would triple the state’s current 24-hour waiting period for abortion.

The bill received support from 111 members of the House, including nine Democrats. It passed the Senate by a party line vote.

“This is going to give people the proper time to actually think about what they’re doing,” said Rep. Donna Lichtenegger, a Republican. “I think that life is an important issue, and I don’t think that 72-hours is too long to think about a life.”

Democrats railed against the bill, which they claim is just another step in trying to restrict abortion.

“We hear a lot about big government… but you have no problem interfering with the women across Missouri,” said Rep. Genise Montecillo, D-St. Louis. “If you give them 72-hours this year, they’re going to be back for another day or two next year.”

The bill now heads to Nixon’s desk. On Tuesday, he shrugged off questions about whether he would sign the bill. He has let four other abortion bills to go into law without his signature, but last year he vetoed a bill that would allow businesses to deny coverage to contraception based on moral grounds.

Abortion access in Missouri – a socially conservative state – is already greatly restricted. There is only one facility in the state that offers abortions. It is in St. Louis. State law requires a woman to receive state-directed counseling in person, before an abortion could take place, and the parent of a minor must give consent before the procedure can take place.

If enacted, Missouri would join two other states in the country with a 72-hour waiting period.

See the vote in the House below: