For Immediate Release: April 10, 2007

Senate Sends Bipartisan Pro-Life Legislation to Governor Henry

The evenly divided Oklahoma Senate voted Wednesday to send a bipartisan pro-life bill to Gov. Brad Henry’s desk. The legislation prohibits state funds or facilities from being used to perform abortions.

Wednesday, the Senate adopted the House of Representatives’ amendments to Senate Bill 714, authored by Sen. James A. Williamson, and then voted 32 to 16 for the bill with 8 Democrats joining all 24 Republican senators to pass the legislation.

“The state of Oklahoma shouldn’t be in the abortion business, period,” said Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. “The taxpayers of Oklahoma should not be forced to subsidize the termination of unborn babies.”

Williamson, R-Tulsa, said he hopes Gov. Henry will act in a bipartisan manner by signing SB 714 into law.

“This legislation passed on bipartisan votes in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. My hope is that Oklahoma’s self-described ‘bipartisan governor’ signs this bipartisan pro-life legislation into law,” Williamson stated.

For more information contact:
Senator Williamson's Office: (405) 521-5624