Related story: Oklahoma Senate passes bill to make it a felony to perform abortions
Related story: Oklahoma House passes anti-abortion information measure
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Gov. Mary Fallin on Friday vetoed a measure that would have banned abortion in Oklahoma, saying the bill was vague and would not withstand a constitutional legal challenge.
Senate Bill 1552 would have made it a felony for physicians to perform abortions. It also contained a provision to revoke their medical licenses unless the abortion was necessary to save the life of the mother.
“The bill is so ambiguous and so vague that doctors cannot be certain what medical circumstances would be considered ‘necessary to preserve the life of the mother,’ ” Fallin said in a statement.
“The absence of any definition, analysis or medical standard renders this exception vague, indefinite and vulnerable to subjective interpretation and application,” she wrote in her veto message.
The courts previously have tossed out a number of bills passed by Oklahoma lawmakers and signed by Fallin that put additional regulations on abortion.
“While I consistently have and continue to support a re-examination of the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade, this legislation cannot accomplish that re-examination,” Fallin wrote.
“In fact, the most direct path to a re-examination of the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Roe v. Wade is the appointment of a conservative, pro-life justice to the United States Supreme Court.”
The measure’s author Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, said he was disappointed and surprised with the veto “from a person who claims to be pro-life.”
An attempted veto override between now and the required end of the session on May 27 is “obviously something that will be discussed and I hope we pursue it,” he said.
An override attempt would have to start in the Senate.
The Legislature can override a veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers, 68 votes in the House and 32 in the Senate.
Senate Bill 1552 passed in the Senate by a vote of 33-12, while the vote in the House was 59-9 with 33 members excused.
Dahm said he has received calls expressing support and encouragement for his efforts to address abortion. His frustration with the governor’s veto is echoed by his constituents, he said.
“I’ve heard from other people that it is for reasons like this that she has such high unfavorable ratings right now,” he said.
The New York City-based Center for Reproductive Rights, which has successfully represented entities that have challenged prior anti-abortion legislation in the state, applauded the veto.
“Governor Fallin did the right thing today in vetoing this utterly unconstitutional and dangerous bill,” Nancy Northrup, president and CEO of the organization, said in a statement.
“But the reality is countless Oklahoma women still face incredible obstacles to access safe and legal abortion when they’ve made the decision to end a pregnancy,” Northrup said. “It’s time the rest of Oklahoma’s elected officials follow Governor Fallin’s lead today and stop policing women’s most personal, private decisions about their families, their lives, and their futures.”
The chairman of Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit group that had committed to defending legal challenges to the legislation, said Fallin has gone back on her word with the veto after she told the group late last year that she was behind the bill.
“As one who proclaims to be pro-life, her actions run counter to her words,” said Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, a group that says its mission is advancing religious freedom and the sanctity of life.
“This is a despicable betrayal of her word and of innocent children whose lives will be cut short because of her cowardly act. I encourage the Oklahoma legislators to veto the governor and Liberty Counsel stands ready to defend this bill.”
Ryan Kiesel, ACLU of Oklahoma executive director, said the group is grateful that Fallin vetoed what the group called “one of the most extreme pieces of anti-choice legislation ever produced in Oklahoma.”
“The governor’s action sends a strong message to the Oklahoma Legislature that measures such as these do nothing to push our state forward,” Kiesel said in a statement. “However, the fight is far from over. We urge each and every Oklahoman to contact their state legislator and tell them to protect Oklahoma’s women and sustain the governor’s veto.”
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Rules of Conduct
Welcome to the discussion.
69 comments:
Dan Creel posted at 9:02 am on Mon, May 23, 2016.
Mary did what the RNC instructed her to do. In an election year, radical and unconstitutional laws must be nixed in order to not appear so disconnected from the American people. Roe vs Wade has withstood the test of time and will still be there after this current wave of radical evangelism has faded into history.
Besides, if they were all that pro-life, they wouldn't have made the provision to save the woman's life instead of that "tiny, innocent baby."
Lonnie Lamb posted at 8:23 pm on Sat, May 21, 2016.
Jim, So you want to go on the record of being religious? That the souls of aborted babies go to heaven? And it is a blessing because they don't have to live a life in Oklahoma?
That surprises me.[smile]
Jim Smith posted at 7:55 pm on Sat, May 21, 2016.
Looks like Royce has cut and run.
Jim Smith posted at 7:55 pm on Sat, May 21, 2016.
If they had, we would have gone straight to heaven without having to put up with living in a state governed by the likes of Oklahoma Republicans.
Lonnie Lamb posted at 7:47 pm on Sat, May 21, 2016.
What a record for Mary. She did the right thing once as a Governor. [beam]
Lonnie Lamb posted at 7:42 pm on Sat, May 21, 2016.
Jim and Gary, Aren't you happy that your mothers did not decide to abort you for the sake of convenience?[smile]
William Dusenberry posted at 7:09 pm on Sat, May 21, 2016.
Royce
Do you have plan -- to try to stop wealthy GOP-types, from leaving Oklahoma to get abortions?
Even late- term (32 week) abortions.
.
Why you ( and others whose religions are opposed to the use of birth control) want to stop the poor -- from practicing family planning; but you could care less when your GOP cronies want abortions -- is confusing, to say the least.
How do you propose preventing the wealthy, from continuing to arrange abortions --for example: for females in their households, who become pregnant while they were drunk ( by their minority-group Gardner)?
gary witt posted at 3:50 pm on Sat, May 21, 2016.
Royce it has been 4 hours still not able to find something to cut and paste in. Have you EVER had an original thought? [beam]
John Dark posted at 2:37 pm on Sat, May 21, 2016.
[thumbup][thumbup][thumbup]
John Dark posted at 2:35 pm on Sat, May 21, 2016.
For once she did the right thing and saved us a ton of money that old Nate Dahm wanted to give away to his lawyer buddies. You sir are a disgrace to your office. I was stupid enough to vote for you once. I can fix that error.
Oh and Mat Staver, you need to just shut your piehole and mind your own [censored] business which does NOT include telling women you don't even know what to do with their bodies. This entire issues is not between men. Its between the woman and God.
Everyone else needs to just shut it.[censored][censored]
Gary Witt posted at 11:45 am on Sat, May 21, 2016.
Royce has no answers of his own he is looking for something to paste in.
Gary Witt posted at 11:43 am on Sat, May 21, 2016.
Royce do you not believe that miscarried and aborted are better off in Heaven than here where their odds of ending up in the lake of fire forever and ever are the opposite. Are you going to refuse to answer my questions like you ALWAYS do? Go to a critical thinkin site and spend an hour and maybe then you will be able to answer the really hard questions instead of the silly ones you are always presenting.
John Swofford posted at 11:39 am on Sat, May 21, 2016.
Why so defensive William?
Jim Smith posted at 11:08 am on Sat, May 21, 2016.
It's oh-so-noble of Royce to condemn abortion.
But Royce, what would be the government's role in regulating abortion and pregnant women in your perfect world? State's rights? A nation-wide Federal ban on all pregnancy terminations? Criminal prosecution for both doctors and women? And for any other person who aided and abetted this act of "murder."
Details, please.
martha morris posted at 10:39 am on Sat, May 21, 2016.
[thumbup]
Royce Currieo posted at 9:07 am on Sat, May 21, 2016.
Since it is Politically Correct to kill tiny babies and sell their body parts it's altogether likely that this measure would have been overruled had governor Fallin signed it into law.
Still it's encouraging to know that the majority of our legislators oppose the slaughter of very tiny, very innocent, babies.
Cindy Kerr posted at 9:01 am on Sat, May 21, 2016.
👎
[censored]Fallin.
Cindy Kerr posted at 8:59 am on Sat, May 21, 2016.
[thumbup]
Cindy Kerr posted at 8:51 am on Sat, May 21, 2016.
[thumbup]
gary witt posted at 7:59 am on Sat, May 21, 2016.
Mary knows deep in her heart that a miscarriage, aka god's abortion, or a human one merely sends a soul straight to heaven without the great risk of being born and subject to the horrible odds of ending up burning for ever and ever and ever and ever in Hades.
gary witt posted at 7:56 am on Sat, May 21, 2016.
Thanks Timothy. You almost got your correction of William's lame attempt at error correction "correct." William should have admonished you to admit that Mary did the "left" thing. It is quite funny to watch Tea Party types scramble when they have to do the "left" thing to survive on the national stage.
gary witt posted at 7:52 am on Sat, May 21, 2016.
You do a poor James Joyce imitation William. Try being even more obscure.
gary witt posted at 7:50 am on Sat, May 21, 2016.
William what are you talking about? Suggest a site on writing what you think clearly. Or maybe a critical thinking site where an hour of study can do wonders for your ability to express yo self clearly. Also might try "Good Therapy" and study up on "psychology of projection."
Brian Hill posted at 7:28 am on Sat, May 21, 2016.
As I understand it, Fallin is actually in favor of the bill's objectives, just not the language of this particular bill. Give her something more defensible and she would likely sign it. That isn't exactly grounds for applauding her for vetoing a clearly unconstitutional bill.
Stephan Michael posted at 12:28 am on Sat, May 21, 2016.
With the expansion of equal rights for LGBT people, especially, the Liberty Counsel has come into their own, working to attempt to ensure that Christians can continue to engage in anti-LGBT discrimination in places of business under the guise of “religious liberty.”
Liberty Counsel [thumbdown]
Omar Thompson posted at 12:25 am on Sat, May 21, 2016.
I have never heard of a liberal (or anyone else) who did either of those things. I hope I never meet anyone who would celebrate criminals and condemn babies to death.
Timothy Beauchamp posted at 11:17 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Agreed! Mary did the correct thing! Now, don't have an aneurysm the other 99.9% times she is wrong. A broken clock is right twice a day.
Timothy Beauchamp posted at 11:14 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
What there seems to be a lot of divisive Republican legislation, lately? Could this be one of those conservative attempts to divert attention away from their inability to govern? Doesn't Oklahoma have other issues to worry about like maybe their economy or budget? I guess public schools are doing just fine, and roads and bridges don't need repaired. Otherwise, Oklahoma Republicans would be focused on governing and fixing those problems versus making abortions felonies or determining who gets to use which bathroom.
William Boggs posted at 10:01 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Tell you what. You need to attend and assist, first hand, in a late term murder and dismemberment. If you still think it is hunky dory then more power to you. If you have children I hope you taught them to be happy mummsy didn't think you were going to be an inconvienence.
Frank Kennedy posted at 9:58 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Whatever her motives, she did veto this piece of trash legislation authored, apparently not very well, by Little Nathan Dahm, the Doofus of Broken Arrow. She has made a lot of messes during her term as governor, and the state is paying dearly for incompetence and bad judgment, but let's acknowledge one time when she got it right.
William Boggs posted at 9:50 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
A bit off topic grant. C'mon you can do it [thumbup] Mary...give it a go.
William Boggs posted at 9:48 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Uh I think, if you intended to backhand, you meant sanity. Back to progressive hate 101 with you.
William Boggs posted at 9:46 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Can't admit it that you agree can you...seek help...on your own dime please.
William Boggs posted at 9:44 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
"It must have been an accident.'
Bring it to bear baby bring it to bear. Sometimes you have to agree with the other side...it's called being a grown up...give it a try.
William Boggs posted at 9:41 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
The topic here is that Mary vetoed it. Can you summon the courage to post that you agree with her position? ...I didn't think so, but worry not as you let zero down. We knew exactly what you would do...open book and all that.
William Boggs posted at 9:38 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
It's okay you can say it. M-m-mary d-d-did t-t-the r-r-right t-t-thing. Give it a try.
grant holm posted at 8:49 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
What does abortion do to babies Swaff, show how much mommy wuvs you?
Randy Evans posted at 8:14 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Liberty Counsel, a group that says its mission is advancing religious freedom , at the expense of actual freedom ...
Amy Miller posted at 8:04 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
I think it's good that yet another unconstitutional law got vetoed instead of wasting state money on yet another fight all the way to the Supreme Court. I am tired of obviously unconstitutional laws being passed by our legislature to intentionally waste mo of our state's money, especially when we don't have the money we need for our education system.
David Hamilton posted at 8:04 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
I have no illusions about Fallin. She merely made the right decision for this one bill.
martha morris posted at 7:45 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
The panty police need to get back to work and fix our budget, infrastructure and education....
Bill Carr posted at 7:41 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
It would appear there are enough votes in the Legislature to override the Governors veto.
William Dusenberry posted at 7:26 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Those bagers who would force an 11-year-old rape victim (who became pregnant, by her daddy) to give birth -- even though she was told, by her doctor, that she might die in the process --
Those who would force such a child to go through with her pregnancy -- can not possibly be following "the Golden Rule" could they?
The GOP wants to force the poor to give birth -- regardless the magnitude of the family dysfunction.
Yet the GOP has no proposal to prevent the wealthy from obtaining even late-term abortions.
Torce the poor to give birth to kids they can not raise properly;
But continue to permit wealthy GOP-types -- to obtain abortions for any reason -- on demand
Does this make any sense?
Jim Smith posted at 7:19 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Mary Fallin did the right thing for once.
It must have been an accident.
Linda Quinn posted at 7:19 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Wow! That's...kinda...scary
Randy McGivens posted at 7:14 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
I agree with Falin on this one. It would have been a waste of time and money to sign this thing into law. I am sure she would have signed a law addressing late-term abortions.
Gary Witt posted at 7:10 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Dianne Smith got it correct. She wants to be on the Republican Ticket as VP and this will make her seem more moderate. lol She IS a political animal first and foremost.
Bill Strader posted at 7:05 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Good for our governor, they need to pass legislation involving the sperm donors call the sperm donors bill of rights, it takes two to make a baby and the father should have a say so in the matter, make it necessary for the woman to name and prove the sperm donor. Make it a felon to have an abortion without naming the donor. Keep data on the number of them a woman has and the same number on the same sperm donor.
Gerry Smythe posted at 6:58 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
I hope Mary's OK...
...It appears that she had a momentary lapse of insanity...[smile]
bill mccollum posted at 6:49 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Now hopefully the legislature can refocus and address the critical budget crisis issues before adjourning instead of moving forward to override this Dahm bill which appears to already being pushed by the Florida based non-profit Liberty Counsel agitators. Make no mistake if successful an override would cost Oklahoma millions.
Dave McGee posted at 6:34 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Wrong again, "Pamela".
Dave McGee posted at 6:34 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
It was just a ham-fisted way to re-litigate Roe v Wade. These legislators knew this bill was unconstitutional but they wanted to get just one physician arrested so that it could be taken all the way up to the Supreme Court, where, they hoped, they could get Roe overturned. Rethugs are so obvious.
Laura Stillben posted at 6:31 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Got caught bluffing with a bad hand Governor ? Wisely folded.
grant holm posted at 6:18 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Now do the budget repubs
grant holm posted at 6:17 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
The government is involved in raising 90 million kids Kelsey
John Swofford posted at 6:15 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
That's too funny!
John Swofford posted at 6:14 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
It is not "killing babies" as you say. You have a real "nose" problem don't you?
kelsey staley posted at 5:49 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Good! It's not the governments business what a women does with HER BODY! Got it rednecks?????
Pamela Coulter posted at 5:39 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Pretty sick stuff to celebrate the killing of babies. Liberals celebrate criminals and condemn babies to death[sad]
Linda Quinn posted at 4:52 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
I wonder what she ate that caused this fleeting moment of common sense.
Jan Kowalski posted at 4:42 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Gov. Mary Fallin vetoes controversial abortion bill
You could say she aborted the bill... [beam]
JACK AVANT posted at 4:33 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Some sanity in the Governor's Office. Oklahoma is saved from another embarrassment.
Mike Smith posted at 4:24 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Well, yes and no, David. She's a political animal first and foremost and has a strong sense of survival. She at least has the gumption to see how this could cause negative publicity. She's just goofy enough to think it might hurt her chances as a running mate for Trump.
Richard Mishkin posted at 4:23 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Is she inviting a bill rewrite? This might be a strategy ( STRATEGERY ) [smile] to make it seem that this was really okay. She only blames it on... Except in current form, it seems to omit the care of the mother being considered. And, the Governor conveniently says nothing about the Federal laws this law appears to violate, nor the funds and manpower which might be necessary to fight this uphill battle., with, an Attorney General currently in place who goes from one wild goose chase to another.
Dianna Smith posted at 4:22 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
The only reason she did this is because if she DID allow it into law, there is NO way she would EVER be a vice presidential candidate. It would show how corrupt and ridiculous a Trump/Failing ticket would be and they would never win. This does NOT mean she is to be applauded or patted on the back. She STILL needs to leave!
JAMES LAWRENCE posted at 4:14 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
See folks? Hell DOES freeze over from time to time. But I'm sure they'll make up for this with other bizarre bills. Watch them try to come up with one that bans vetoes of abortion bills! lol....
M J Sanditen posted at 4:12 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
[beam][huh]
Dianne L. Smith posted at 4:08 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Thank you.
David Hamilton posted at 3:59 pm on Fri, May 20, 2016.
Let me be the first to give kudos to Fallin for doing the right (and not the far right) thing. I'm actually shocked.