Good news for women, unborn children, and just about everyone outside the inner circle of pro-abortion militants. Earlier this morning, the Oklahoma legislature easily overrode Gov. Brad Henry's veto of legislation quite properly described as embodying "common sense" limitations. But the measure was also very comprehensive, touching on everything from abortion and chemical abortions to end-of-life issues.

The Senate whisked right back Henry's veto, 37-11. The vote in the House was even more lopsided: 81-15. The bill had easily passed both houses earlier. In his two terms, Gov. Henry had never had a veto overridden.

Under the bill's provisions,

• within an hour of a scheduled abortion, a woman will be provided with an ultrasound of her unborn child that she is free to look at. Tony Lauinger, chairman of Oklahomans for Life, said an ultrasound provides a woman with "essential information which would allow her to give truly informed consent";
   
• abortionists using RU-486 must do so in accordance with FDA guidelines. Many currently don't, making the abortion riskier for the mother. Abortionists who use RU-486 would have to report adverse effects to the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision or to the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners;
   
• protects against coerced abortions, ensuing that the woman's consent is truly voluntary;
   
• bans wrongful-life and wrongful birth laws suits, which rest on the notion that a child would have been better off dead than born with disabilities.

After Gov. Henry vetoed the bill, Republican Sen. Todd Lamb, who introduced the legislation, said, "This is a very bipartisan issue. There are Democratic co-authors of this legislation." Four female legislators were instrumental in formulating and passing the measure.

NRLC State Legislative Director Mary Spaulding Balch hailed Oklahomans for Life "for enacting one of the most comprehensive pieces of pro-life legislation in many years." Balch added, "Oklahoma is becoming an increasingly pro-life state and that is a direct reflection of the work done by Oklahomans for Life."