Henry Issues Veto Statement

Governor Henry today issued this statement on the override of his veto of an anti-abortion bill: “I knew it would be an uphill battle to sustain the veto, but I thought it was important to fight to protect rape and incest victims from additional distress.

“I do not think it is morally responsible for the state to victimize those victims a second time by forcing them to undergo an ultrasound and hear a detailed description of it after they have made the difficult and heartwrenching decision to end their pregnancy. Under a law I previously signed, these women already have the option to request an ultrasound, but forcing the procedure on them after the trauma they have already suffered as a rape or incest victim is government regulation gone wrong.

“Pro-life Oklahomans have supported similar protections for rape and incest victims in the past, and I am disappointed that legislators were unwilling to afford similar protections in this measure.

“As I have said many times, I support reasonable restrictions on abortion procedures and have signed several such bills into law during my time in office. I continue to be open to such reasonable measures, but I will not hesitate to oppose initiatives that go too far and ultimately do more harm than good.

“I want to thank all the legislators who stood with me today on this important issue. Political operatives will undoubtedly attempt to distort this vote in the upcoming election, but the truth of the matter is these lawmakers simply did what they thought was right to protect rape and incest victims. That takes courage, and I appreciate that.”

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