Lawler Glad House Leaders Finally Agree to Floor Vote on Historic Pro-Life Measure

Democratic Senator Daisy Lawler said she is pleased that House Republican leaders finally understand they should no longer delay a floor vote on HB 1686, the historic pro-life legislation that passed out of the Senate two weeks ago.

“I really didn’t understand what the delay was on their part,” Lawler said. “It makes no sense to me why a party that claims to be so committed to life would let a bill that has received so much praise from groups such as Oklahomans for Life to just sit over there for two weeks and do nothing about it.”

On Friday, Lawler pointed out the fact the bill could have already been signed by Governor Henry and called on House Republicans to schedule a vote on the bill. Shortly after Lawler called attention to the inaction by House Republicans, pro-lifers throughout the state began contacting House leadership, urging them to stop playing politics with the lives of unborn Oklahomans and pass the historic pro-life bill that passed the Senate on April 27th.

Lawler said after receiving tremendous pressure from Democratic legislators and pro-life groups across the state, Majority Floor Leader Lance Cargill, (R-Harrah) scheduled a vote on the bill for Thursday May 12, but not before allowing the bill to sit it limbo for two weeks.

“Regardless of the delay and inaction in the House, I am pleased House Republican leaders have agreed to hear the bill.” The Senator said. “House Republicans finally understand through the emails and phone calls they have received from people all across this state, that they should no longer play politics with the lives of unborn Oklahomans.

Lawler said she is certain the House will pass HB 1686 sent to them with overwhelmingly bi-partisan support from the Senate.

“The Senate passed this bill two weeks ago and sent it to the House where it could have passed as early as the following Monday,” Lawler said. “I am extremely glad that after the lengthy delay on scheduling the floor vote, House leadership finally understands this issue should not be used to divide us, but instead deserves an up-or-down vote to protect women and save lives.”