Abortion veto override fails by one

By John Greiner

Published: April 26, 2007

Senate anti-abortion proponents failed Wednesday to override the governor's veto of legislation prohibiting public funds and state operated hospitals from performing abortions.

The vote was 31-17, one short of an override on Senate Bill 714.

But advocates of SB 714 can attempt to override this bill as often as they want during this session and the next.

Sen. Charlie Laster, D-Shawnee, who supported the bill earlier this month, switched his vote to preserve Gov. Brad Henry's veto of Senate Bill 714.

It takes both houses to override, but the override attempt has to start in the Senate because the legislation is a Senate bill.

"I initially voted in favor of Senate Bill 714. However, in the days since that vote, I have visited with Governor Henry and multiple medical professionals,” Laster said.

"I am pro-life, and I have consistently voted for pro-life legislation. This bill, however, holds poorer Oklahomans to a different standard than everyone else, and I can't support that,” the lawmaker added.

"It does not allow an exception in the case of rape or incest and medical experts in Oklahoma believe this bill will undermine the relationship between doctors and their patients. The bill also interferes with private health insurance coverage,” he said.

Sen. James Williamson, the Tulsa Republican who is author of SB 714, said the battle isn't over.

"I certainly have not given up the fight,” Williamson said. "I want him to hear from his pro-life constituents on how important it is to them.”

Williamson said the reason Laster gave Wednesday for changing his vote involves the same arguments that were used against the bill during every previous vote, but Laster still voted for the bill each time before Wednesday's vote.

Henry issued a statement expressing appreciation of those who voted to sustain his veto, adding he respected the position of those who did not.

"This is a very difficult and very emotional issue, and I know each senator did what he or she believes is best for the state of Oklahoma,” Henry said. "No one makes decisions of this nature lightly, but given the flaws in the legislation, I believe there was really no other course of action. I support reasonable restrictions on abortion and have signed such restrictions into law, but this legislation triggered too many unintended consequences with respect to medical care, the health of the mother and the treatment of rape and incest victims.”

It allows abortions in government-run hospitals if the mother's life is in danger.

Henry said he knows some will be tempted to cast this vote in a political light, but he urged them to respect the decision made by other legislators.

"There are good people on both sides of SB 714, and it is my hope that they can put this issue behind them and work together to address the needs of Oklahoma,” Henry said.

Tony Lauinger, chairman of Oklahomans for Life, said, "We're very disappointed with today's vote, but this is not the end of the effort to enact SB 714. We think the bill ought to be enacted to affirm the importance of protecting innocent human life.”

The bill also requires doctors performing abortions to fill out reports to make sure they comply with existing laws, including those that require a minor to have parental consent before an abortion.

It also requires Oklahomans to pay an additional premium for optional insurance to cover elective abortions.

The bill defines an elective abortion as one that occurs for any reason other than a spontaneous miscarriage or to prevent the death of a mother.

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