Senate Review by Senator Randy Brogdon

When a couple learns they are expecting, they start calling friends and family to share their news—they’re having a baby. Despite the size and stage of development, it is still their child and the expectant parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends all begin to talk about the tiny being as a member of their family.

Yet there are those that refuse to acknowledge the sanctity of human life, no matter how small and vulnerable that life may be. Abortion is called “pregnancy termination” and those advocating the procedure refer to the baby as “tissue” making it that much easier for people to rationalize the taking of a human life.

I have always believed that if women are given the opportunity to make truly informed discussions, most would see through the obfuscation and dehumanizing terms and realize exactly what it is they are about to do. In 2006, I successfully passed legislation to require medical providers to inform women seeking abortions that ultrasound imaging and heart tone monitoring services are available so that the mother can see the development of her unborn child. That same bill also required those women to be informed about material that explains the pain a fetus may feel during an abortion.

This session, the Legislature approved additional measures aimed at helping more Oklahomans choose life. The pro-life legislation in Senate Bill 1878 passed both chambers with bipartisan support, but Governor Henry vetoed the measure. Nevertheless, because of the overwhelming support of this legislation in the Senate and the House, we were successful in overriding the veto. Senate Bill 1878 will now become law on November 1, 2008.

Senate Bill 1878 creates the Freedom of Conscience Act which protects the rights of healthcare providers to refuse to take part in the destruction of humans. The measure also regulates the use of the dangerous chemical pill RU-486, used when the unborn child is about two months old. This legislation will ensure the mother’s consent to abort is truly voluntary, and will protect against coerced abortions.

Senate Bill 1878 provides a woman with an ultrasound of her unborn child which she can view prior to undergoing the abortion. This is already being done in 99 percent of these procedures, and no woman would be forced to look at the ultrasound images. The provisions in the legislation will give women an opportunity to more fully understand what is about to occur. It will also cultivate respect for disabled children by banning the wrongful-life lawsuits that claim a baby would have been better off aborted.

I believe these measures represent an important, bold step toward better protecting the lives of all Oklahomans.

It is an honor to serve you in the in the State Senate. I can be reached by writing to Senator Randy Brogdon, Room 416, State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or by calling (405) 521-5566, or email at brogdon@oksenate.gov.



Respectfully,

Randy Brogdon

Senate District #34