Oklahoma fails to make doctor-performed abortions a felony

OKLAHOMA CITY – Doctors who perform abortions in Oklahoma won’t be guilty of a felony after the state Senate adjourned for the year without trying to override Republican Gov. Mary Fallin’s veto of a bill to make it a felony crime.

The Senate ended the session Friday before state Sen. Nathan Dahm tried an override on his bill to remove an exemption from the law for licensed doctors . Anti-abortion Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature wanted Dahm to try for the two-thirds vote needed in both chambers. It is a felony for non-doctors to perform abortions.

Fallin has signed numerous anti-abortion bills, but said Dahm’s bill was vaguely worded and wouldn’t survive a legal challenge.

Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman said he didn’t believe Dahm had the 32 Senate votes needed.