Last Thursday, 10 days after Texas’ “heartbeat law” became effective on September 1, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt held a ceremonial bill signing for one just like it, HB 2441, as well as eight other pro-life bills. All nine bills were signed into law earlier in the year. HB 2441, which prohibits abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, becomes effective on November 1, 2021.
The other pro-life bills that were part of last week’s ceremonial bill signing, which served to underscore Oklahoma’s enactment of the bills and their importance, included:
• SB 918, which would restore Oklahoma’s prohibition of abortion if/when Roe v. Wade is overturned by the Supreme Court and the power to regulate it is properly returned to the states;
• HB 1102, which declares that the performance of an abortion represents “unprofessional conduct” and results in the abortion provider’s medical license being suspended for at least one year;
• HB 1904, which requires abortionists to be board certified in obstetrics and gynecology;
• SB 778 and SB 779, which safeguard women and girls from dangerous chemical abortion drugs;
• SB 960, which extends the time relinquished children can be given to rescuers from seven to 30 days;
• SB 647, – “Lily’s Law” – which requires birthing centers to keep a written policy to allow for the family to direct the disposition of the remains of a child who was stillborn or miscarried; and
• SB 584, which prohibits fetal trafficking.
During the ceremony Stitt said:
I promised Oklahomans I would sign every piece of pro-life legislation that came across my desk, and I am proud to keep that promise.
As a father of six, it’s an honor to be the most pro-life governor in the country, and I will always step up to protect the lives of unborn children.
That same day Governor Stitt pushed back against the uncivil and tyrannical commands from the Oval Office over vax mandates. Declared the President Joe Biden: “It they’ll not help — if these governors won’t help us beat the pandemic, I’ll use my power as President to get them out of the way.”
Responded Stitt:
It is not the [federal] government’s role to dictate to private businesses what to do.
Once again President [sic] Biden is demonstrating his complete disregard for individual freedoms and states’ rights.
As long as I’m governor, there will be no government vaccine mandates in Oklahoma.
My administration will continue to defend Oklahoma values and fight back against the Biden administration’s federal overreach.
The governor was backed up by his state’s Attorney General John O’Connor:
We respect the right of Oklahoma businesses and individuals to make healthcare decisions for themselves and their families.
My office will vigorously oppos any attempt by the federal government to mandate vaccines.
We are preparing litigation to stand up for our rights and defend the rule of law against the overreach of the federal government.
Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall added,
President [sic] Biden is about to see the U.S. Constitution still matters in Oklahoma.
This isn’t the only unconstitutional Biden administration action Oklahoma needs to challenge. Our country is a republic … and the president does not have the constitutional authority to issue these types of edicts.
The passage of these laws and the statements against federal overreach didn’t happen in a vacuum, but are the result of decades of grassroots education and action by Oklahomans. Through the educational campaigns of members of The John Birch Society (the society has a strong presence in Oklahoma) and other groups, informed pressure resulted in strengthening the state’s pro-life resolve.
The celebration of life at the ceremonial bill signing included statements such as these:
“Governor Stitt has kept his promise to sign every piece of pro-life legislation that reaches his desk. He is at the forefront of nationwide momentum to challenge the status quo and modernize our extreme abortion laws. Across the nation, pro-life governors are taking bold action to ensure that state laws reflect the will of their constituents and the clear science showing humanity of unborn children.” — Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser
“All life is precious and a gift from God. The pro-life measures we passed this year seek to ensure each life is protected at every single stage in Oklahoma. My life and my public service will continue to be dedicated to making sure that we recognize the dignity of every human being. Thank you to my colleagues who shepherded these important bills through the process and to the Governor for standing strong for life.” — Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat (R-Oklahoma City)
“The Oklahoma House will continue passing strong pro-life legislation for as long as it is necessary to protect the unborn in this country. Securing life who cannot secure it themselves is a solemn duty expected by Oklahomans of the conservatives they have elected. We take that duty seriously and uphold it at every turn.” — Speaker of the House Rep. Charles McCall (R)
I’m grateful to the governor and the majority of my fellow legislators for helping to ensure that the day Roe v. Wade is overturned by the Supreme Court, Oklahoma statutes regulating abortions likewise will be reversed. This will end the practice of abortion in our state and protect our precious, innocent children. — House Majority Floor Leader Rep. Jon Echols (R)
There is no issue more critical in our time than the defense of the lives of innocent unborn babies. The greatest crime of our nation has been the murder of 60 million unborn babies. House bill 1102 takes the approach of removing the license of any physician who performs an abortion. We thank the Lord for the team of people that worked together to help make this happen, and the multitudes who have prayed for years about this. [Emphasis added.] We also thank the Lord for answered prayer. To God be the glory! — Representative Jim Olsen (R)
I consider all lives to be sacred, no matter the age. However, I am honored to be able to stand up for the lives that cannot advocate for themselves. It has been a privilege to work with faith leaders from around the state (emphasis added) on HB2441 the “Heartbeat Bill”, which protects the life of the unborn, by making it clear, that a heartbeat is the indicator of life, and we are called to protect life, no matter what. — Representative Todd Russ (R)
As the war on life and liberty intensifies, it will take educated citizens’ actions such as those being taken in Oklahoma to reverse the tide and excise the cancer of collectivism being injected (literally and figuratively) from the body politic.
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