House Passes Resolution Opposing FOCA; McPeak, Cannaday Vote 'No'

The State House of Representatives passed, by a vote of 77-12, a resolution opposing the Freedom of Choice Act. President Barack Obama has pledged to sign the act if it comes across his desk.

House Opposes Federal Abortion Law in Bipartisan Vote

Contact: State Rep. Sally Kern
Capitol: (405) 557-7348

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 12, 2009) – The members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives – both Republicans and Democrats – voted today to voice opposition to a proposed federal law that would undermine state pro-life laws.

House Joint Resolution 1009, by state Rep. Sally Kern, declares that the Legislature "strongly opposes the federal Freedom of Choice Act and urges United States Congress to summarily reject it."

"President Barack Obama has promised that one of his top priorities is to pass a so-called ‘Freedom of Choice Act’ that would classify abortion as a fundamental right similar to the right to free speech," noted Kern, R-Oklahoma City. "Any legislation that would undermine the right to life is strongly opposed by the vast majority of Oklahomans and this resolution will send that message to Washington."

House Joint Resolution 1009 declares that the Legislature opposes the federal Freedom of Choice Act because it "seeks to circumvent the states’ general legislative authority as guaranteed by the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution," would "undermine the right and responsibility of the states and the people to debate, vote on, and determine abortion policy," and because "the protection of women’s health through state regulations on abortion is a compelling state interest that should not be nullified by Congress."

The federal Freedom of Choice Act would invalidate more than 550 federal and state abortion-related laws, such as Oklahoma’s law requiring parental notification before an abortion may be performed on an underage girl.

That law was passed, in part, to prevent child molesters from covering up evidence of their crime.

"Oklahoma has enacted many common-sense laws in recent years that are supported by the vast majority of citizens – the federal government should not stifle the voice of the people as expressed through their elected legislators," Kern said.

House Joint Resolution 1009 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on a 77-12 vote. It now proceeds to the state Senate.

Among the few nay votes were local legislators Jerry McPeak (D, Warner) and Ed Cannaday (D, Porum). These representatives should answer to their constituents why they support this rabidly pro-abortion legislation.