OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma: Oklahoma state lawmakers have voted to criminalize abortion and approved a measure to imprison those performing the procedure for up to 10 years, with the only exception being if an abortion was performed to save a mother’s life.
The Republican-led House voted overwhelmingly to send the bill to Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who had pledged to sign it. Last year, the anti-abortion bill was passed by the state senate.
In addition to a long prison sentence, doctors who perform abortions under other circumstances would face a $100,000 fine, though patients would not be prosecuted.
Since Texas banned abortions last fall, the proposal was the latest anti-abortion bill introduced by Republican-led statehouses, with the U.S. Supreme Court considering overturning a 1973 ruling guaranteeing women the right to an abortion.
Similar recent bills passed by Oklahoma City legislators were rejected by the nation’s high court.
Lawmakers passed this week’s bill with little discussion and no debate, while also approving a resolution that called upon state residents to fly flags at half-staff on the anniversary of the passage of the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling.
In response, more than 100 people protested outside the capitol in support of abortion rights.
