Oklahoma House sends Texas-style abortion ban to governor

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma House gave final approval on Thursday to a Texas-style abortion ban that prohibits the procedure after about six weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant.The bill approved by the GOP-led House on a 68-12 vote without discussion or debate now heads to Republican Gov.

Kevin Stitt, who is expected to sign it within days. The assault on abortion rights is one of several culture-war issues conservatives in GOP-led states have embraced, like restricting LGBTQ rights, that drive the party’s base in an election year.House members also voted Thursday to adopt new language prohibiting transgender students from using school restrooms that match their current gender identity and requiring parental notification to parents ahead of any classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity."They’re all concerned about their elections coming up and making sure they have something they can put on a postcard to talk about," said Rep.

Andy Fugate, D-Midwest City.The abortion bill, dubbed the Oklahoma Heartbeat Act, prohibits abortions once cardiac activity can be detected in the embryo, which experts say is roughly six weeks into a pregnancy.

A similar bill approved in Texas last year led to a dramatic reduction in the number of abortions performed in that state, sending many women seeking the procedure to Oklahoma and other surrounding states.Although Stitt already signed a bill earlier this year to make performing an abortion a felony crime in Oklahoma, that measure is not set to take effect until later in the summer and might not withstand a legal challenge.WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 01: Pro-choice and anti-abortion demonstrators rally outside the U.S.