Oklahoma governor vetoes abortion bills

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OKLAHOMA CITY, April 24 (UPI) -- Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry said he vetoed a bill that would require women to go through ultrasound examinations before abortions to avoid a court fight.

Henry Friday also vetoed a measure that would have banned wrongful birth lawsuits, The Oklahoman reported Saturday. Such suits are brought by parents of children born with Down's syndrome and other congenital problems that were not diagnosed during pregnancy.

Henry, a Democrat, said the first bill was likely to involve the state in expensive litigation. He also described the bill as too sweeping because there are no exceptions for victims of rape or incest.

"State policymakers should never mandate that a citizen be forced to undergo any medical procedure against his or her will, especially when such a procedure could cause physical or mental trauma," Henry said.

Republican lawmakers said they would try to override Henry's vetoes. For technical reasons, that would require 75 percent of both houses to vote against the governor.

Henry signed another bill mandating signs in abortion clinics notifying women they cannot be forced into an abortion against their will.