An Oklahoma bill which would effectively ban abortion in the state by making it a felony for doctors to perform the procedure passed through the state Senate Thursday 33-12 with no discussion or debate.
Gov. Mary Fallin now has five business days to sign or veto Senate Bill 1552. If she doesn't, it automatically becomes law.
"There should be no compromise with the dehumanization of any group of people," said Alan Maricle with the anti-abortion Abolitionist Society of Norman.
The bill quickly generated controversy nationwide.
"Using a professional licensure rulemaking procedure to address that issue is sidestepping," said Dan Skerbitz with Personhood Oklahoma, a pro-life organization with offices across the country.
Some national organizations are pushing for Fallin to veto the bill. They say it is unconstitutional and won't withstand legal scrutiny.
Sen. Ervin Yen, an Oklahoma City Republican and the only physician in the Senate, described the measure as "insane" and voted against it.
"Oklahoma politicians have made it their mission year after year to restrict women's access to vital health care services, yet this total ban on abortion is a new low," Amanda Allen, an attorney for the New-York based Center for Reproductive Rights said in a statement. "The Center for Reproductive Rights is closely watching this bill and we strongly urge Governor Fallin to reject this cruel and unconstitutional ban."
One anti-abortion group, however, said the bill doesn't go far enough.
"If you have not yet said it's a crime to commit an abortion and you have not established that in law then it is not appropriate to enforce a penalty on someone for doing that," Skerbitz said.
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