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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HOUSE OVERRIDES HENRY VETO

The House this morning followed the Senate in voting to override Governor Henry's veto of an anti-abortion bill.

The vote was 81-15 with five members absent.

It is the first gubernatorial veto overridden by the State Legislature since the administration of former Gov. David Walters.

“I want to thank my Senate and House colleagues for taking a stand for the unborn and for the sanctity of life by overriding this unconscionable veto,” said Senator Todd Lamb, R-Edmond, author of Senate Bill 1878.

Lamb said he wanted to correct a factual error that was contained in the governor’s veto message that was sent to the Legislature Wednesday night.

“Gov. Henry was factually inaccurate in his assertion that this bill forces victims of rape and incest to view an ultrasound of their unborn baby. The bill in no way forces a woman to view the ultrasound that is conducted before an abortion,” Lamb stated.

Senate Bill 1878 is authored by Lamb, and Rep. Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa.

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SENATE OVERRRIDES HENRY VETO

The State Senate this morning voted 37-11 to override Governor Henry's veto of an anti-abortion bill.

The Senate vote approving the bill earlier was 38-10.

All those who voted this morning to sustain the override are Democrats. Included are Andrew Rice, candidate for the Democratic nomination for the U. S. Senate, and Senate Co-President Pro Tem Mike Morgan.

Supporters of the bill expect a similar result in the House, which may take up the override immediately.

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Anti-abortion Bill Veto Override Attempt Due

Supporters of an anti-abortion bill vetoed by Governor Henry late Wednesday say this morning they will attempt immediately to override his veto.

Oklahomans For Life, the Tulsa-based pro-life group that pushed for the legislation, issued an email alert to supporters earlier asking them to contact their legislators and urge their support of the veto override.

Henry vetoed the bill because, he said, it would cause victims of rape and incest to be forced to view ultrasound images of their fetus before an abortion could be performed.

"While I support reasonable restrictions on abortion, this legislation does not provide an essential exemption for victims of rape and incest,” Henry wrote. "By forcing the victims of such horrific acts to undergo and view ultrasounds after they have made such a difficult and heartbreaking decision, the state victimizes the victim for a second time.”

Tony Lauinger of Oklahomans For Life wrote, "It is critical that senators hear at once from pro-life Oklahomans asking that they vote to override the veto of pro-life SB 1878. Be sure to thank them for their previous support for SB 1878. Email now to Senate@OKForLife.org."

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