Oklahoma Governor Vetoes Bill Criminalizing Abortion

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, a Republican, has vetoed legislation that would have made it a felony for doctors to perform an abortion.

The new bill, passed by lawmakers on Thursday, stated that any doctor who performs an abortion in the state could be charged with a felony and punished with up to three years in prison.

The measure passed with no discussion or debate, the Senate voting 33-12 in favor.

"Since I believe life begins at conception, it should be protected, and I believe it's a core function of state government to defend that life from the beginning of conception," said Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, who proposed the bill.

The measure was the first of its kind in the nation, according to the abortion rights group Center for Reproductive Rights.

"Oklahoma politicians have made it their mission year after year to restrict women's access to vital health care services, yet this total ban on abortion is a new low," Amanda Allen, an attorney for the New-York based center, said in a statement. "The Center for Reproductive Rights is closely watching this bill and we strongly urge Governor Fallin to reject this cruel and unconstitutional ban."

The bill also would have restricted any physician who performed an abortion from obtaining or renewing his or her Oklahoma medical license.

Lawmakers can still attempt a veto override, which requires a two-thirds majority in each chamber.

The Oklahoma House also approved a bill, Thursday, that requires the state's Department of Health to develop informational material "for the purpose of achieving an abortion-free society." However, lawmakers didn't approve any funding for it.

That bill now heads to the Senate, but its sponsor says it cannot be implemented without funding.