Legislators Easily Override Governor's Veto: Oklahoma Adds to Recent Pro-Life Successes with Latest Omnibus Bill.(Brad Henry)

Continuing to strengthen laws that protect women and unborn babies, the Oklahoma Senate and House overrode Democratic Gov. Brad Henry's veto of a pro-life bill. The April 17 override, the first in the state since 1994, will allow the law to take effect November 1, according to Tulsa World.

Oklahoma has seen unprecedented pro-life success in its legislature since Republicans gained a majority in the House in the 2004 elections, Tony Lauinger, chairman of Oklahomans for Life and Vice President of National Right to Life, told NRL News. Working with almost unanimous Republican support for the right to life and many pro-life Democrats as well, omnibus bills have been successfully enacted into law in each session since 2005.

These laws have included many important pro-life provisions, involving parental consent, informed consent, crisis pregnancy counseling, unborn victims of violence, state involvement in abortion, legal definition of abortion, and much more.

Gov. Henry signed the bills into law in both 2005 and 2006. However, after he was re-elected in 2006 for the second and final time because of term limits, Henry vetoed the bills in 2007 and 2008. In 2007, pro-life legislators inserted the entire bill into other legislation, and the provisions became law without Henry's signature, Lauinger explained.

This year, Henry vetoed the bill April 16. The next day, the legislature overrode the governor on a 3711 vote in the Senate and 8115 vote in the House, the Oklahoma City Journal Record reported.

"The enactment of this law is a wonderful affirmation of the sanctity of human life," said Lauinger. "It is a victory for unborn children, pregnant women, pro-life health-care professionals, and persons with disabilities."

The bill, SB1878, includes several important provisions. One of the most important, since it applies to all women seeking abortions, is the requirement that the abortionist must provide an ultrasound at least one hour before an abortion, make sure the screen is visible to the woman, and explain the images. The woman can refuse to look at the ultrasound if she chooses.