Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the strictest abortion ban in the United States yesterday, effectively banning elective abortion from the conservative state.
Last week Oklahoma lawmakers passed a bill that would only allow abortions if they would save the life of a pregnant woman, or if the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest in crimes reported to law enforcement. Yesterday that bill was advanced to Stitt, who signed it citing his promise to support pro-life legislation.
Abortion providers throughout the state already stated that it would cause them to end their practices, and multiple already ended their abortion services after Stitt signed a bill banning abortions more than four weeks along. The bill was authored by Collinsville Republican Rep. Wendi Stearman, and the law went into effect immediately following Stitt’s signature.
“I promised Oklahomans that as governor I would sign every piece of pro-life legislation that came across my desk and I am proud to keep that promise today,” Stitt said in a statement reported by the Associated Press.
“From the moment life begins at conception is when we have a responsibility as human beings to do everything we can to protect that baby’s life and the life of the mother,” Stitt added. “That is what I believe and that is what the majority of Oklahomans believe.”
I promised Oklahomans that as governor I would sign every piece of pro-life legislation that came across my desk and I am proud to keep that promise. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/vQJdwkDJZN
— Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) May 26, 2022
That is what I believe and that is what the majority of Oklahomans believe. If other states want to pass different laws, that is their right, but in Oklahoma we will always stand up for life. (3/3)
— Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) May 26, 2022
The bill does not impact the availability of Plan B, nor does the bill’s use of the term “unborn child” apply to in vitro fertilization.
Oklahoma Republicans passed the bill amid a host of other abortion restrictions after a draft Supreme Court opinion was leaked, revealing that the high court is planning to overturn Roe v. Wade, the controversial case that effectively legalized abortion throughout the country via judicial action.
Should Roe v. Wade be overturned, the decision of whether to ban abortion will return to state legislatures.
While many conservative states have already passed laws that would ban abortion immediately after Roe v. Wade is overturned, and many others may move to ban abortion soon after it is overturned, many Democrat-dominated states have enshrined the right to abortion into law.
A recent poll showed that the majority of Americans would prefer for the abortion issue to be returned to legislators and voters, rather than decided in the courts, regardless of being pro-life or pro-abortion.
