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Oklahoma governor vetoes bill to criminalise abortions | Oklahoma governor vetoes bill to criminalise abortions |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin has vetoed a bill that would make abortion a criminal offence in the US state. | Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin has vetoed a bill that would make abortion a criminal offence in the US state. |
Although she opposes abortion, she said the measure was vague and would not withstand a legal challenge. | Although she opposes abortion, she said the measure was vague and would not withstand a legal challenge. |
The state senate on Thursday backed the bill that would have punished doctors who terminate a pregnancy with up to three years in prison. They would also be barred from practising medicine. | |
To override the veto, lawmakers require a two-thirds majority in each chamber. | To override the veto, lawmakers require a two-thirds majority in each chamber. |
Abortion is legal in the US, and abortion rights activists have already described the bill as unconstitutional. | Abortion is legal in the US, and abortion rights activists have already described the bill as unconstitutional. |
Two abortion clinics remain open in Oklahoma after the state recently enacted a number of new regulations affecting the facilities. | Two abortion clinics remain open in Oklahoma after the state recently enacted a number of new regulations affecting the facilities. |
Ms Fallin, a rising star in conservative circles, has been mentioned as a potential running mate for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. | Ms Fallin, a rising star in conservative circles, has been mentioned as a potential running mate for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. |
Anti-abortion groups said they hoped to use the bill to trigger a legal case that would overturn Roe v Wade, the Supreme Court verdict that made abortion legal in 1973. | Anti-abortion groups said they hoped to use the bill to trigger a legal case that would overturn Roe v Wade, the Supreme Court verdict that made abortion legal in 1973. |
Legislation similar to that in Oklahoma was enacted in Utah and Louisiana in 1991 - but the laws were later ruled unconstitutional. | Legislation similar to that in Oklahoma was enacted in Utah and Louisiana in 1991 - but the laws were later ruled unconstitutional. |
In recent years, conservatives have sought to tighten restrictions on abortion clinics and doctors rather than seek an outright ban. | In recent years, conservatives have sought to tighten restrictions on abortion clinics and doctors rather than seek an outright ban. |
Abortion rights advocates say these measures are meant to restrict women's access to abortion. | Abortion rights advocates say these measures are meant to restrict women's access to abortion. |
The new laws are particularly widespread in conservative southern states. | The new laws are particularly widespread in conservative southern states. |
This week, South Carolina's legislators passed a bill that would bar abortions after the 19 weeks of pregnancy. | This week, South Carolina's legislators passed a bill that would bar abortions after the 19 weeks of pregnancy. |
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