Nation's strictest abortion ban goes into effect in Oklahoma
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) on Wednesday signed into law the strictest abortion ban in the U.S., "making the state the first in the nation to effectively end availability of the procedure," The Associated Press reports.
The law takes effect immediately, and prohibits all abortions at any stage of pregnancy, except in instances of rape or incest, or when the life of the mother is in danger.
"I promised Oklahomans that as governor I would sign every piece of pro-life legislation that came across my desk and I am proud to keep that promise today," Stitt said in a statement.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A group of abortion providers and advocates said Wednesday they'd challenge the law in court, CNN notes. The bill is one of at least three anti-abortion measures sent to Stitt this year, AP notes, including one that deputizes private citizens to enforce abortion bans and one that makes performing an abortion illegal in Oklahoma, except in instances of a medical emergency. The latter is set to take effect this summer, if not blocked.
The new law is just one of many restrictive abortion bans passed in Republican-led legislatures over the last year, CNN and AP note. The measure arrives after a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion appeared to throw the fate of federal abortion rights as protected under Roe v. Wade into question.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Caroline Quentin shares her favourite books
The Week Recommends The actor shares works by Patrick Hamilton, Liz Knight and Elizabeth Taylor
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: December 20, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku medium: December 20, 2024
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdown
Speed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Luigi Mangione charged with murder, terrorism
Speed Read Magnione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ex-FBI informant pleads guilty to lying about Bidens
Speed Read Alexander Smirnov claimed that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter were involved in a bribery scheme with Ukrainian energy company Burisma
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
South Korea impeaches president, eyes charges
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol faces investigations on potential insurrection and abuse of power charges
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden sets new clemency record, hints at more
Speed Read President Joe Biden commuted a record 1,499 sentences and pardoned 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Mysterious drones roil New Jersey, prompt FBI inquiry
Speed Read State and federal officials are both stumped and concerned
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
South Korean president vows to fight removal
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol defended his martial law decree and said he will not step down, despite impeachment efforts
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published