Doctors who perform abortions in Oklahoma won’t be guilty of a felony after the state Senate adjourned its current legislative session without trying to override Republican Gov. Mary Fallin’s veto of a bill to make it a felony crime.
The Senate ended the session Friday before state Sen. Nathan Dahm tried an override on his bill—S.B. 1552 Protect Life Initiative—to remove an exemption from the law for licensed doctors. The bill had passed both chambers of the legislature by large majorities.
Anti-abortion Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature wanted Dahm to try for the two-thirds vote needed in both chambers. It is a felony for non-doctors to perform abortions.
Fallin, who has described herself as pro-life, previously signed numerous anti-abortion bills, but said Dahm’s bill was vaguely worded and wouldn’t survive a legal challenge.
Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman said he didn’t believe Dahm had the 32 Senate votes needed.
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