Friday, May 20, 2016

Oklahoma Governor Vetoes Abortion Ban

As reported by the Washington Post, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin today vetoed SB 1552, a bill that, with narrow exceptions, would have subjected doctors who perform abortions to felony prosecution as well as to loss of their licenses. (See prior posting.)  In her veto message (full text), Gov. Fallin said that the bill's exclusion for abortions that are "necessary to preserve the life of the mother" is unconstitutionally vague. She added:
While I consistently have and continue to support a re-examination of ... Roe v. Wade, this legislation cannot accomplish that re-examination.  In fact, the most direct path to a re-examination ... is the appointment of a conservative pro-life justice to the United States Supreme Court.