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| Oklahoma senator weighing options on vetoed abortion ban bill | Oklahoma senator weighing options on vetoed abortion ban bill |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Oklahoma Republican state senator who authored a bill that would have in effect outlawed abortion in the state said on Saturday he had not decided whether he would try to override the governor’s veto. | |
| Related: Oklahoma legislators pass near-total abortion ban that criminalizes providers | Related: Oklahoma legislators pass near-total abortion ban that criminalizes providers |
| “I have not made a decision,” said senator Nathan Dahm of Broken Arrow, who also suggested Republican governor Mary Fallin had been “petty and vindictive” in vetoing his measure. “That’s what we’re pursuing, what we’d like to see accomplished.” | |
| He said he would decide in the coming week whether to pursue an override. The same week, the legislature faces a deadline to adjourn while grappling with a $1.3bn budget hole that could lead to cuts to public schools, healthcare and an overcrowded prison system. Legislators have yet to be presented with a proposed state budget. | He said he would decide in the coming week whether to pursue an override. The same week, the legislature faces a deadline to adjourn while grappling with a $1.3bn budget hole that could lead to cuts to public schools, healthcare and an overcrowded prison system. Legislators have yet to be presented with a proposed state budget. |
| Fallin vetoed the abortion bill on Friday, saying that while she opposed abortion, it was vague and would not withstand a legal challenge. | |
| The measure would have made it a felony punishable by up to three years in prison for anyone who performs an abortion, including doctors, other than in cases where a woman’s life was in danger. | The measure would have made it a felony punishable by up to three years in prison for anyone who performs an abortion, including doctors, other than in cases where a woman’s life was in danger. |
| State law already makes it a felony for anyone who is not a doctor to perform an abortion. Dahm’s bill would have removed the exemption for physicians. | State law already makes it a felony for anyone who is not a doctor to perform an abortion. Dahm’s bill would have removed the exemption for physicians. |
| Michael McNutt, a spokesman for Fallin – who is considered a possible vice-presidential pick for Donald Trump – said the governor had not been notified of a veto override attempt. | Michael McNutt, a spokesman for Fallin – who is considered a possible vice-presidential pick for Donald Trump – said the governor had not been notified of a veto override attempt. |
| “It’s a legislative decision,” McNutt said. “Obviously, she would like [the veto] to be supported, but it’s up to the legislature at this point.” | |
| The Senate voted 33-12 for the bill on Thursday. Dahm noted that it could be difficult for those who voted for the legislation to vote for an override. | |
| Related: How Oklahoma’s execution protocol led to errors – and horrific consequences | Related: How Oklahoma’s execution protocol led to errors – and horrific consequences |
| “Sometimes people, even if they voted for the bill, are hesitant to vote to override the governor’s veto because of their concern about the governor being petty and vindictive and vetoing some of their legislation,” he said. | “Sometimes people, even if they voted for the bill, are hesitant to vote to override the governor’s veto because of their concern about the governor being petty and vindictive and vetoing some of their legislation,” he said. |
| Republican senate president pro tem Brian Bingman, who voted for the bill, said on Friday that he supported it because it was an anti-abortion measure. He would not commit on whether he would vote for a veto override. | Republican senate president pro tem Brian Bingman, who voted for the bill, said on Friday that he supported it because it was an anti-abortion measure. He would not commit on whether he would vote for a veto override. |
| “We’re working with the governor on the budget, so there’s got to be some strategy involved there,” Bingman said. | “We’re working with the governor on the budget, so there’s got to be some strategy involved there,” Bingman said. |
| “I want to support the governor as much as I can. At the same time, I want to support our members, so I’ll have to think on that.” | “I want to support the governor as much as I can. At the same time, I want to support our members, so I’ll have to think on that.” |