Oklahoma’s House of Representatives had an anti-choice bill up for the voting this past week. It passed through on Tuesday after “heated debate.” House Bill 1549—penned by state Republican Rep. George Faught and state Sen. Nathan Dahm—is one of those “you cannot have an abortion no matter what the condition of the fetus inside of you” is bills, with zero mentions of “exceptions.”
The CS clarifies that the bill is prohibiting the performance of an abortion on a viable or potentially viable unborn child solely because of a diagnose of either Down Syndrome or a genetic abnormality, or has the potential for a genetic abnormality.
A physician or person who knowingly violates the measure will be held liable, have their medical license suspended or revoked, and be fined $10,000 for the first violation, $50,000 for the second, and $100,000 for the third. A woman upon whom an abortion is performed in violation of the measure will not be held criminally or civilly liable and may be bring civil action against the physician.
Republicans debated the bill by explaining that they have the right to tell women what they can and cannot do with their bodies. Republican state Rep. John Bennett used the classic defense, that he—Republican state Rep. John Bennett—knows what He is offended by.
“Abortion offends God, plain and simple,” Rep. John Bennett said on the House floor.
“Plain and simple.” Case closed. State Rep. Faught, when asked by state Rep. Cory Williams (D) what was the difference in ending a pregnancy early and letting a baby be born only to take that baby off of life support moments later:
“It is very simple to me,” Faught said. “One is killing the child. The other is the Lord decided to end the child’s life. The Bible (says) only God knows the number of our days. You can’t play God.”
Speaking bluntly, Williams noted that the bill does not include exceptions for incest and rape and asked, “Is rape an act of God?”
“If you read the Bible,” replied Faught, “there were a couple of circumstances where that happened. God uses all circumstances. … If it happens in someone’s life, it might not be the best thing that ever happens. But if you’re saying God is not sovereign, that he is unable to use everything in someone’s life, I can’t agree.”
Hmmm. That’s a scary thing to say. But, don’t worry, when you have false prophets in your state’s House of Representatives you are sure to hear some crazy offensive shit.
“Is incest the will of God?” Williams asked.
“Same answer,” Faught said.
I feel like I’ve read something about this before.
For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
— 2 Corinthians 11:13 — 11:15
You can keep yourself abreast of what Republican men who know what God want and women should do with their bodies with this handy Republican Rape Advisory Chart.