Oklahoma legislators passed a bill on Thursday that would make performing an abortion a felony [1], according to the Associated Press. Abortion doctors could be punished with up to three years in prison and be prohibited from obtaining or renewing a license to practice medicine.
BREAKING: The Oklahoma Legislature has passed a bill that would make performing an abortion a felony.
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 19, 2016 [2]
The Oklahoma Senate voted 33-12 in favor of the bill written by Republican Senator Nathan Dahm, who hopes it will overturn Roe v. Wade. It had previously passed the state House in April.
The measure is the first of its kind in the nation, reports the AP. Prochoice groups like the Center For Reproductive Rights have called it unconstitutional and started petitions against it.
Let's show @GovMaryFallin [3] how many people think an abortion ban is unacceptable. Add your name: https://t.co/wwDgj6KEBo [4]
— CenterforReproRights (@ReproRights) May 19, 2016 [5]
Oklahoma Senator Ervin Yen, who is Republican and the only physician in the Senate, voted against the bill and called it "insane," according to the AP. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton tweeted her dismay, as have many others.
We can't sit by while extreme politicians attack women's basic rights. Not only is this unconstitutional—it's wrong. https://t.co/nhCWgRIWKX [6]
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 19, 2016 [7]
The Oklahoma legislature cannot possibly expect that they're going to be able to keep this performing-abortion-is-a-felony law.
— Erica Pishdadian (@ericapishdadian) May 19, 2016 [8]
I just can't with #Oklahoma [9] and their bs anti-abortion law. I can't.
— Jaclyn Opritza (@jaclynopritza) May 19, 2016 [10]
Dammit Oklahoma! Wtf is wrong with you?
— Jayme (@jaymelee1) May 19, 2016 [11]
Shout out to Oklahoma state congress for being misogynistic assholes, and passing legislation that criminalizes abortion.
— Peyton Nash (@peyton_nashty) May 19, 2016 [12]
Oklahoma criminalizing abortion genuinely makes me sick. There goes progress
— ZACH (@zachxgosh) May 19, 2016 [13]
The bill now sits in the hands of Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, who has been described as anti-abortion.