OK Senate Passes Personhood Act

Oklahoma legislators moved a step closer in their attempt to outlaw abortion on Wednesday as the state Senate passed the Personhood Act, 34-8. The bill now moves to the House where pro-life Republicans outnumber Democrats two-to-one. The bill gives individual rights from the moment of conception, though proponents say contraception methods would not be outlawed. Its author, Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa, said the bill is simply a statement that Oklahoma is “pro-life.” Opponents say the bill—modeled after a Missouri law–could lead to “dire consequences,” seeing as the bill does not single out cases of rape or incest. Virginia’s House passed a similar bill Monday and its GOP-controlled Senate will vote on it next week.