RADICAL RIGHT — OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE OVERRIDES GOVERNOR’S VETO TO ENACT HARSH ANTI-CHOICE LAWS: The Oklahoma Senate voted yesterday to override Gov. Brad Henry’s (D) veto of two harsh anti-choice measures, including one that “requires women to undergo an ultrasound and listen to a detailed description of the fetus before getting an abortion.” The House voted “overwhelmingly” to override the veto on Monday, so the measures are now law. Doctors who fail to comply with the ultrasound law “would face fines and could be sued by the woman’s spouse or family members.” The other new law “prohibits pregnant women from seeking damages if physicians withhold information or provide inaccurate information about their pregnancy,” a measure supporters say will keep women from “discriminating against fetuses with disabilities.” Henry vetoed both measures Friday, calling the ultrasound law an “unconstitutional” attempt to force a woman to undergo medical treatment “against her will” adding that it “could cause physical or mental trauma.” On the other measure, Henry said women should expect to receive all relevant information in order to make a decision about their pregnancy. He noted that the legislation “allow[s] unscrupulous, reckless or negligent physicians to knowingly withhold information or negligently provide inaccurate information to pregnant women without facing the potential of legal consequences.” Oklahoma courts have overturned a number of other harsh anti-choice laws, including one very similar to the new ultrasound law just last month. Predicting a similar outcome with the new laws, Henry said, “I fear this entire exercise will ultimately be a waste of taxpayers’ time and money.” Indeed, the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) — which has successfully sued against other abortion laws in the state — filed suit “just hours after” the Senate override vote “on the grounds that it violates a woman’s right to terminate a pregnancy and constitutional rights to equal protection.” CRR attorney Stephanie Toti said the ultrasound law is “the most restrictive [anti-choice law] in the country.” Pro-choice state Rep. Jeannie McDaniel (D) told The Progress Report last year that in Oklahoma, male legislators “have a very strong feeling that women aren’t capable of making reproductive decisions.”

You must be logged in to post a comment.