Gov. Mary Fallin Vetoes Anti-Abortion Bill

Governor Mary Fallin on Thursday vetoed a measure that would have banned abortion in the state, because she said the bill was vague and would not withstand a criminal 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.

5/20/2016 Related Story: NYC Mayor Urges Gov. Fallin To Oppose Oklahoma Anti-Abortion Legislation

“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,’” said Fallin. “The absence of any definition, analysis or medical standard renders this exception vague, indefinite and vulnerable to subjective interpretation and application.”

“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,” said Fallin. “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.”