Oklahoma Legislature Passes Bill To Make Performing An Abortion A Felony

Oklahoma state Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow is pictured in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Legislature has passed a bill that would make performing an abortion a felony punishable by up to three years in prison.

The Center for Reproductive Rights says the measure is the first of its kind in the nation. The bill also would restrict any physician who performs an abortion from obtaining or renewing a license to practice medicine in Oklahoma.

With no discussion or debate, the Senate voted 33-12 Thursday for the bill by Republican Sen. Nathan Dahm.

A handful of Republicans joined with Democrats in voting against the bill, which now heads to Gov. Mary Fallin. A spokesman says Fallin will withhold comment until her staff has time to review it.

Dahm says he’s hopeful the measure could lead to overturning Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide. Abortion rights groups have said the bill is unconstitutional.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Notable Replies

  1. If Fallin signs it, I would IMMEDIATELY arrest her and Dahm’s wife under this law. It would get thrown out but the spectacle would be delicious.

  2. States Rights, States Rights, States Rights!!!1!11!1one!!!

  3. Your comment, while complex, left out an important point… BENGHAZINADO!!!

  4. Fools! Another RW election year stunt. A grossly unconstitutional bill that if signed into law by MF, the taxpayer’s money will again be wasted…for what end?

  5. For a cautionary tale of life in those “good old days” that only the retro Republicans and right wing fanatics would be nostalgic for, a time when abortion was both risky business and a crime http://wp.me/p2qifI-3fv

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