Supreme Court kills Roe v Wade; Oklahoma leaders rejoice

Though anticipated since the leak of a draft opinion in May, the United States Supreme Court has overturned and affirmed the complete and total unconstitutionality of Roe v. Wade. The death toll since that wicked ruling in 1973 is somewhere well north of 60,000,000.

While this is something to praise God for, the fight is not over. The right to live on God's green earth as He has given life is not a right that can be legislated by a governing body, or bestowed by a court. It is a natural right given to us by our Creator, and we will continue pressing on until abortion is abolished from sea to shining sea, and beyond.

Across the state, elected officials and leaders are praising the death of Roe. I'll try to update this post with additional statements throughout the day as they come in.

Read below for statements from:

• U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern
• U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice
• Attorney General John O'Connor
• House Speaker Charles McCall
• U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas
• Governor Kevin Stitt
• Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat
• U.S. Sen. James Lankford 
• State Rep. Jim Olsen

Hern praises SCOTUS decision on Dobbs v. Jackson

WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following  statement praising the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson, overturning Roe v. Wade and returning the issue of abortion to the state level.

“Every child deserves the right to life,” said Rep. Hern. “It’s our sacred responsibility not only to defend this right but ensure that mothers and children are provided with the resources they need.

It’s been 50 years since Roe v. Wade legalized abortion, resulting in the murders of millions of children. Today, the Supreme Court correctly reversed this unconstitutional decision and returned the question to the states. I am proud to support life at every stage and applaud the Supreme Court for their thoughtful and attentive consideration of this important case in the face of unprecedented threats of violence and intimidation against the Court.”

Rep. Hern previously joined an amicus brief for Dobbs v. Jackson with 44 U.S. Senators and 189 U.S. Representatives urging the Supreme Court to uphold the constitutionality of pre-viability restrictions on abortion.

Bice Applauds Reversal of Roe vs. Wade

Washington, D.C.- Congresswoman Bice issued the following statement after the Supreme Court announced its decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, overturning Roe v. Wade:

“My constituents in Oklahoma overwhelmingly support pro-life protections. I am pleased that the Supreme Court has reversed the Roe v. Wade opinion, putting the power back into the hands of state legislatures and the electorate rather than non-elected Justices. This decision reverses the radical abortion policies of our country, which mirror countries like North Korea and China. In Congress, I will continue to fight for unborn babies and advocate for policies that support moms who wish to give their child the gift of life through adoption.”

 

Background information on Roe v. Wade and Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health:

• Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization is a case involving a Mississippi law that limits abortion after 15 weeks.
• Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization seeks to restore greater power to the electorate and state lawmakers rather than Supreme Court Justices. 
• If Roe. V. Wade is overturned, it will not outlaw abortion throughout the country, instead, it sends the issue back to state governments.
• At 6 weeks, the unborn baby has a heartbeat.
• By 10 weeks, the unborn baby has arms, legs, fingers, and toes. 
• At 15 weeks, a baby feels pain.

Attorney General O'Connor: In Historic Opinion, U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade

“After almost 50 years, the U.S. Supreme Court has wiped one of the most horrifying opinions in American history from the books.  It has courageously done so in the face of intimidation, leaks, violence, and even an assassination attempt,” Attorney General O’Connor stated. “Roe not only took away over 60 million lives, it also barred Oklahomans and all other Americans from protecting our unborn children. We should help every woman facing a crisis pregnancy, but not at the cost of the innocent child’s life. This is truly a day for celebration and thanksgiving.”

Speaker Charles McCall Issues Statement on Overturning of Roe v. Wade

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade:

“Decades of steadfast prayer and unwavering legislative efforts to protect the lives of the unborn have finally prevailed. Overturning Roe v. Wade justifies the long battle by Oklahoma House Republicans and pro-life allies nationwide to return this matter to the duly elected representatives of state legislatures to decide.

With Roe overturned and Oklahoma’s several proactive, pro-life policies already in immediate effect, the stage is set for Oklahoma to be America’s most pro-life state. 

For close to 50 years, the silent cries of the millions who lost their lives before even having a chance to live have been heard through the voices of those of us fighting for their rights. The pro-life movement won, securing those yet unborn the future and promise that comes with being born in the United States of America." - House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka

Lucas Statement on the Supreme Court's Ruling on Abortion

Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) released the following statement in response to the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization:

“Oklahoma- along with a number of other states- has made it abundantly clear that life is a miracle and above all else should be protected at its earliest stages. Throughout my time in Congress, the safeguarding of the fundamental right to life has been one of my highest priorities- and I will continue to support pro-life legislation and efforts in the years to come.

“Today’s ruling rightfully affirms the right to legislate abortion belongs to individual states. As our Founding Fathers advocated through the ideals of federalism, and as is ensured by the 10th Amendment, powers not delegated to the Federal government by the U.S. Constitution shall be reserved to the States or the People. While states like New York and California enact reprehensible abortion policies, the Supreme Court’s opinion confirms that the power to protecting life is in the hands of elected individuals.”

GOVERNOR STITT CELEBRATES SUPREME COURT DECISION TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 24, 2022) – Governor Kevin Stitt released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade:

“I am very excited that the Supreme Court made this courageous decision. Abortion is a state’s rights issue and it belongs to the people. I promised Oklahomans

 I would sign every pro-life bill that came across my desk and I am proud to have kept that promise, especially today as Oklahoma now has trigger laws to ban abortion in our state. I am proud to be called America’s most pro-life governor and I’m looking forward to the rest of the country following Oklahoma’s lead to protect life.”

PPT Treat issues statement after U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade on Friday.

“Today is a solemn day and today is an overwhelming joyous day – solemn as we remember the 63 million lives terminated and joyous because of answered prayers. Those of us in the pro-life movement have long dreamt of this day, and we have been ridiculed for believing the day would ever come.  The work, the prayers, the advocacy that countless dedicated men and women have done since the egregious decision was handed down on January 22, 1973, has come to fruition.  Praise God!

“Oklahomans overwhelmingly value life.  As a state we are extremely well positioned to be able to protect life from its beginning to its natural end. We have enacted laws that anticipated this day and now Oklahoma can fully protect life.”  

Lankford Overjoyed the Supreme Court Chose Life

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today celebrated the biggest win for life in a generation when the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey to allow decisions about abortions to return to elected representatives. In its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Court ruled that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion and that the authority to protect life at all stages falls to the American people.

“Today is a historic day for our nation and for life,” said Lankford. “After praying, speaking and challenging our nation for years to see the value of every child, I am overwhelmed with joy for our nation and for the lives of unborn children who will have a chance to grow up because of the Supreme Court’s action and the stand of millions of Americans for life. Oklahoma is leading the way to immediately protect each child. We will continue to help support and protect mothers and children while encouraging fatherhood and family involvement for all children.”

Lankford has been a pro-life advocate and pro-parent advocate for his entire career, ensuring that babies, mothers, and parents are supported. Lankford has fought to protect life at every stage, make adoption more affordable, expand the child tax credit to the unborn, provide food assistance and healthcare to needy families, fund maternal and infant health programs, and incentivize giving so that local nonprofits can more easily assist those in need.

Olsen Issues Statement on Pro-Life Win

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, today released the below statement after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned of Roe v. Wade on Friday.

"We rejoice that Roe v. Wade has been overturned. The prayers from God's people for many years have been answered!

Roe v. Wade was a flawed and unconstitutional decision to begin with. Now the decisions are properly left to the sovereignty of the states, and many states will chose to protect innocent life.

To God to be the glory!"

Olsen was the House author of Senate Bill 612, which was signed in April. The law prohibits the performance of an abortion or attempt to perform an abortion except to save the life of a pregnant woman in a medical emergency.

Olsen also authored House Bill 1102, passed during the 2021 legislative session. The bill directs the Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision and the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners to revoke the licenses of physicians who perform abortions for at least one year. The bill provides an exception for abortions performed to save the life of the mother.