Oklahomans for Life backs SB 368

Tony Lauinger, State Chairman of Oklahomans for Life, who has tirelessly, for decades and at his own expense, lobbied on behalf of the unborn at the State Capitol, is calling on Oklahomans who oppose abortion to support SB 368. In his message below, Lauinger rightly points out the short-term thinking of those who insist on absolute abolition right now. The bill passed both houses overwhelmingly, but the Senate rejected the House's amendments, and the bill was referred to conference committee consisting of Senators Garvin, Rosino, Haste, Daniels, Treat, and Hicks and the standing House Conference Committee on Public Health, consisting of Representatives Roe, Hasenbeck, Newton, Randleman, Stark, and Ranson. (Sen. Hicks and Rep. Ranson are the only two Democrats on the conference committee.)

Oklahoma is a democracy, with a constitution that authorizes initiative and referendum. A law that is only supported by 4% of the population is vulnerable to a well-funded initiative petition campaign that would be cast as a choice between that "extreme" 4% position and a "moderate" position (abortion on demand) supported by 30% or more of the voters. SB 368, enacting restrictions supported by 71% of the population, offers a much more defensible position against counterattack. State courts are less likely to find an overwhelmingly popular law unconstitutional. Referendum backers will not see an easy target.

In 2017, the Kansas State Supreme Court struck down an anti-abortion law, finding a right to abortion in the Kansas state constitution's language stating that "all men are possessed of equal and inalienable natural rights." When legislators sent a constitutional amendment to the voters, asserting that the Kansas state constitution should not be construed to grant a right to abortion, the voters defeated it, with 59% voting no.

I trust Tony Lauinger's judgment, grounded as it is in years of his successful efforts to inform, persuade, and change hearts and minds, over that of the "principled" "abolitionists" who insist on the strictest terms and the harshest punishments right now. The ringleaders of that movement are at best dupes of the abortion industry or at worst its paid influencers, using emotional manipulation and religious guilt on Christians of tender conscience to push for laws that will trigger a pro-abortion backlash and turn the mushy middle, the persuadables, against protecting unborn children at all.

In time, Oklahomans who have been persuaded to see the humanity of the unborn child, worthy of legal protection, will see the logic of extending that protection regardless of the circumstances of conception. I came to that conclusion decades ago, but it didn't happen overnight.

Here's the email from Oklahomans for Life:

One Last Chance to Defend Unborn Child Against Unlimited Abortion on Demand in Oklahoma:

URGENT: Email Senate & House to Pass SB 368

Due to the heroic efforts of Senator Julie Daniels, we have one last chance to fortify Oklahoma's ability to defeat the abortion industry's constitutional amendment imposing unlimited abortion on demand on our state. Please send an email to senaterepub@okforlife.org and a second email to houserepub@okforlife.org urging SUPPORT for SB 368. Your two emails could be identical, and brief. Please send even if you have done so previously.

This essential pro-life legislation, which did not get approved earlier in the session, has been revised and inserted in a different bill. The new bill, SB 368, must pass both chambers of the legislature this week, before adjournment Friday. It is urgent to contact Senators and House members with emails of Support for SB 368. The goal is to provide permanent protection for future generations of Oklahoma children.

Two ominous developments have occurred in recent weeks. The Oklahoma Supreme Court showed its hostility to unborn children by striking down a pro-life law enacted last year, and Wisconsin became the latest state in which the abortion industry won a statewide election that centered on abortion. Pro-abortion forces are now 7-0 in statewide votes since Roe v. Wade was overturned last June: seven pro-abortion victories, zero pro-abortion defeats.

A poll of Oklahoma voters' attitudes about abortion shows our current criminal law, abortion prohibited except to save a mother's life, is supported by just four percent (4%) of Oklahoma voters. SB 368, which would prohibit ninety-five percent (95%) of all abortions, reflects a pro-life position enacted last year in Oklahoma's civil abortion law, which includes rape reported to law enforcement and incest of a minor reported to law enforcement, and is supported by 71% of Oklahoma voters.

Those thinking SB 368 is not pro-life "enough" are thinking short-term rather than recognizing the reality of pro-abortion momentum since Roe v Wade was overturned last June. The abortion industry has huge advantages in money and pro-abortion media bias, and the initiative-petition process in our state leaves us totally dependent on "the consent of the governed," raw democracy, in defending a position supported by only 4% of voters.

We have two choices:

1. modify our current law to fortify our state against the pro-abortion onslaught that is coming by enacting SB 368 which would prohibit 95% of all abortions and represents a pro-life position supported by 71% of Oklahoma voters; or

2. take the short-term approach, refuse to act, and then lose the right to life for ALL unborn children in Oklahoma when the constitutional amendment is adopted next year bringing unlimited, unrestricted abortion on demand to our state.

No unborn child in Oklahoma will have a right to life under the constitutional amendment the abortion industry will propose. That's the pro-abortion option.

Will the pro-life option be one that is supported by 4% of Oklahoma voters, or one that is supported by 71% of Oklahoma voters? That is what's at stake. That is why SB 368 is absolutely essential.

Please send an email to senaterepub@okforlife.org and a second email to houserepub@okforlife.org urging SUPPORT for SB 368.

Thank you.

Tony Lauinger, State Chairman

Food for thought: The abolitionists are basically recycling Never-Trumper arguments.

THE OTHER PERSPECTIVE: State Rep. Jim Olsen (R-Roland) explains his opposition to SB 368.

UPDATE 2023/05/24: Today, the Senate rescinded its rejection of the House amendments to its bill and also rescinded its request for a conference committee. From page 2 of this morning's Senate Journal:

Senator Garvin asked unanimous consent, which was granted, that the Senate rescind the rejection of the House amendments and the request for conference for SB 368.

What this would seem to mean is that the same bill, the version with House Amendments, has now been approved by both House and Senate.