Bill that would make performing abortion a felony clears Oklahoma legislature and heads to GOP governor

The Oklahoma state House has passed a bill that would make conducting an abortion a felony, according to the Associated Press, which noted that the legislation cleared the state Senate last year and now heads to GOP Gov. Kevin Stitt.

The outlet reported that Republican state Rep. Jim Olsen noted that the legislation allows an exception to save a pregnant woman's life.

An individual convicted of carrying out an abortion would face consequences of up to 10 years imprisonment and up to a $100,000 fine.

"The penalties are for the doctor, not for the woman," Olsen said, according to the AP.

The governor will almost certainly sign the bill — as a candidate he pledged that he would sign all pro-life legislation. "I will continue to keep my promise and sign every piece of pro-life legislation that hits my desk," a social media post from Stitt said last year.

The Washington Post reported that the measure would take effect later this year when the state legislature adjourns. The New York Times reported that assuming the governor signs off, the legislation would go into effect Aug. 26, according to the Senate clerk's office.

If the bill is not struck down in the courts going forward, it would represent a clear victory for the pro-life movement which aims to end the ongoing slaughter of unborn children in America.

"Obviously, I’m thrilled because we have the potential of seeing many lives of babies saved — part of that depends on future court rulings" like the upcoming Supreme Court ruling in a case involving Mississippi, Olsen said, according to the outlet.

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision in a case regarding a Mississippi law that prohibits most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy — the case will be widely watched as the high court could potentially overturn the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade decision.