Oklahoma moves to criminalize abortion

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma lawmakers have moved to effectively ban abortion in their state by making it a felony for doctors to perform the procedure, an effort the bill's sponsor said Thursday is aimed at overturning the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide.

The bill, which abortion-rights group Center for Reproductive Rights said is the first of its kind in the nation, also would restrict any physician who performs an abortion from obtaining or renewing a license to practice medicine in Oklahoma.

It passed 33-12 Thursday with no discussion or debate; a handful of Republicans joined with Democrats in voting against the bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Nathan Dahm. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, an anti-abortion Republican will withhold comment until her staff has time to review it, Fallin spokesman Michael McNutt said.

Dahm made it clear he hopes his bill could lead to overturning Roe v. Wade.