Remember: when it actually mattered, Kim David killed abortion ban

Artwork by T. Russell Hunter

State Sen. Kim David is the Republican nominee for Corporation Commissioner. Her record on tax and fiscal policy is abysmal (bodes well for being a rubber-stamp to utility price hikes, right?)

There's one other thing to know about Kim David.

Hopkins challenging Mullin for Congress, focusing on Social Security issues

2nd District Congressman Markwayne Mullin is facing four challengers this year: Republicans Rhonda Hopkins and State Sen. Joseph Silk, Democrat Danyell Lanier, and Libertarian Richie Castaldo.

Rhonda Hopkins sent out the following introduction to voters, which I am posting in full:

My name is Rhonda Hopkins and I am a Republican candidate for United States Congress District 2.

I am a God fearing American who loves my family and cares greatly about the state of Oklahoma. I stand for economic opportunity, freedom of choice and reasonable taxes. In order to energize our local economies, we need to look at reducing regulations, using untapped resources and working with local citizens and tribes to improve our communities while safe guarding programs that assist those who are less fortunate.

I know we need a strong military and secure borders. I am a strong supporter of the first and second amendments. I say stop killing babies-choose life and improve social security for all.

Why run for public office some may ask? In looking at the state of our district and the way it is being represented to day, I know we are being done a disservice. The lack of accountability, vision and inability to keep promises has put our community on fragile footing.

Our current congressman Mark Wayne Mullin has turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to big issues like social security. As most people know social security is controlled by Congress. They decide how much goes into it, when you may retire and how much you will get in monthly payments. You do not own it and can not pass it on to anyone of your choice when you die.

It is way past time to give retirement ownership to individual Americans there by creating a ownership society in America. Because owning your own retirement account is good for you I support turning social security into a real trust fund which would: Make you owner of your own social security account: You would be able to retire at age 60 if you choose: You could leave your social security trust fund to anyone you choose when you die.

Should I receive the honor and ultimately the right to represent our district in Congress, I will pour every thing I can into serving with integrity and accountability.

Thank you fellow citizens. I look forward to talking to you and answering your questions. On Facebook my page is Hopkins for Congress.

State Senate votes to kill SB13, only 4 vote to allow hearing on abortion abolition bill

Earlier today, the Oklahoma State Senate voted 38-4 to table a motion by Majority Floor Leader Kim David (R-Porter) that would have brought Senate Bill 13 (the Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act) directly to the Senate floor for immediate consideration. In essence, this kills the bill for the remainder of the legislative session.

As I wrote yesterday, this was the most important vote of each senator's career to-date. 38 of them totally and completely failed the test. 38 state senators demonstrated their true stance on abortion: and that stance is that they would prefer it continue to be performed in Oklahoma.

Absolutely shameful.

Here's the roll call vote. 30 Republicans and 8 Democrats voted to kill SB13, while 4 Republicans and 1 Democrat missed the vote. All 4 votes against tabling were Republicans:

Given the opportunity to lock arms with those who want to end abortion in Oklahoma, 30 Republicans instead opted to defend the livelihood of abortionists whose fingers drip with the blood of 5,000 Oklahoma babies per year. God is not mocked (Gal. 6:7). One day they will realize how wrong they were.

The following four Senators voted against the tabling motion (and thus in support of allowing a floor hearing of SB13). These noble four deserve the thanks and gratitude of those who truly wish to see abortion ended in Oklahoma:

Top: Sen. Joseph Silk and Sen. Chris Kidd
Bottom: Sen. Nathan Dahm and Sen. Roland Pederson

I encourage you to email them. These good men stood up against the peer pressure and the frowns of leadership in order to take a bold stand for the lives of babies: Joseph.Silk@OKSenate.gov, Chris.Kidd@OKSenate.gov, Nathan.Dahm@OKSenate.gov, Roland.Pederson@OKSenate.gov

Remember this vote whenever any of the disgraced 38 are on the ballot in the future. This was their defining moment, and it is a tremendous stain (of their own choosing) on their character.

How will Oklahoma Senate Republicans vote tomorrow: to end abortion -- or save it?

Tomorrow, State Senator Joseph Silk (R-Broken Bow) will make a motion to bring Senate Bill 13 (the Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act) directly to the floor of the Senate for immediate consideration. Republicans will be fully responsible for either voting to hear the bill, or voting to prematurely kill the bill like the 5,000 babies murdered in the womb every year in this state.

This happens tomorrow:

A motion is going to be made in the State Senate on Wednesday to bring SB13 directly to the floor for a hearing. A motion to table this motion will likely be made by an establishment Republican and that motion to table will get a vote immediately. So, on Wednesday, the Senate will vote on whether to hear SB13 or whether to table it for good.

On February 11, three thousand people showed up to the State Capitol for the Abolition Day rally to demand SB13. Thousands of abolitionists from across the state have been constantly emailing and calling their state Senators asking them to support SB13. The Oklahoma Baptists, Oklahoma Free Will Baptists, and Oklahoma Republican Party all passed resolutions demanding SB13. Yet because of Greg McCortney and Greg Treat hardening their hearts, the bill hasn’t even been heard. It was tabled in committee and the deadline for bills passing out of committee has passed.

A bill does not have to pass out of committee, however. It can be brought straight to the Senate floor if a motion to do so is filed and a majority of the Senate votes in favor of hearing the bill.

Up until now, Senate Bill 13 has languished in the Health and Human Services Committee. Under two different chairmen, during two legislative sessions, the measure has been denied a fair hearing. The twelve senators on the committee are the only members of the Oklahoma Senate that have had the opportunity to directly act on SB13. Up until this point, the rest of the 48-member Senate has been able to say that they had no ability to vote on the Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act.

That ends tomorrow.

On Wednesday, each and every member of the Oklahoma Senate will cast literally the most important and life-impacting vote of their entire legislative career until this point. Nothing that they have done previously will have the most direct impact on life and death as this impending vote will carry.

Tomorrow's vote will truly determine the foundational ethic of each and every Senator. Their vote will demonstrate whether they really want to see abortion ended in Oklahoma, or whether they are a-okay with it continuing.

Every year, 5,000 babies are murdered in Oklahoma by the act of abortion. Each and every year, the death toll continues to pile up. Abortion is on an upward trajectory in Oklahoma over the past few years, despite everything that past pro-life legislatures have done.

• 2016 abortions in Oklahoma: 4,294
• 2017 abortions in Oklahoma: 4,723
• 2018 abortions in Oklahoma: 5,014 (source: Oklahoma State Department of Health)

We can end this. It can begin to end tomorrow, if and only if the Oklahoma Senate lines up on the side of God Almighty and the Sanctity of Human Life, and against the cult of Death and the legislative enabling of abortion.

Every senator will be on full record tomorrow. There will be no "I'm not on that committee" excuse. There will be nothing to hide behind, nobody to use as a shield. The searing light of truth will expose the character of every member, whether for better or for worse.

I will lose readers over this post. I am sure I will see unsubscribes when this article goes out on the MuskogeePolitico email newsletter. Quite frankly, I. Do. Not. Care. I don't write to be on everybody's good side. This is far more important than that. Right stands resolute in confrontation of Wrong. Truth must be spoken.

Most of the Oklahoma state senators profess to be Christians. Many of them are active in their churches. Some of them serve or have served as pastors, elders, or deacons. Bible-believing Christians recognize that all life is a gift from God (Ps. 139:13-16), that we are all made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27), and that God hates the shedding of innocent blood (Ex. 20:13, Gen. 9:6, Prov. 6:17). We are called to love our neighbor (Matt. 22:37-40), to defend the fatherless and seek justice (Isa. 1:17, Mic. 6:8), and to deliver those that are drawn away to death (Prov. 24:10-12). The Bible declares that God hates unrighteous decrees (Isa. 10:1-2). We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).

To quote my pastor, "Good men cannot be silent while the babies scream for life."

The following faces will be responsible for weighty action on Wednesday. This will be the ultimate test of their campaign rhetoric and pro-life espousals. Future lives will literally depend on the outcome.

Senator Allen campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Bergstrom campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Bice campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Boggs campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Bullard campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Coleman campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Dahm campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Daniels campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator David campaigns on being pro-life. Senator Dossett campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion.

Will they vote to end abortion, or will they vote to facilitate the continued abortion holocaust in Oklahoma? Who will take a bold stand, and who will not?

Senator Dugger campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Hall campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Haste campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Howard campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Jech campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Kidd campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Leewright campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion.

Will their vote match their professed belief? Which of these will go down in the record unafraid to slay the abortion dragon?

Senator McCortney campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Montgomery campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Murdock campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Newhouse campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Paxton campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Pederson campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Pemberton campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Pugh campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Quinn campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Rader campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Rosino campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Scott campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion.

Tomorrow, can the unborn count on these men to defend their right to life, or will the abortionists be able to pat them on the back and thank them for not terminating their business of death? It will be one or the other.

Senator Sharp campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Shaw campaigns on being pro-life. Senator Silk will be voting to abolish abortion -- will any of his colleagues join him? Senator Simpson campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Standridge campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Stanislawski campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Stanley campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Thompson campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Treat campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion. Senator Rader campaigns on being pro-life and against abortion.

Which of these will champion the right to life, and which of these will vote to keep the abortion mills fed? 

You will never know the faces of those babies in the womb who will be affected by this vote, whichever way it goes. But you will know the faces of those who will vote to affect the very lives of those babies.

Remember these faces. Remember how they vote on Wednesday. Remember the next time they are on the ballot whether they voted to protect the babies, or whether they voted to protect the abortion houses.

Let these Senators know which side they should be counted on. Let them know that this vote is the most important that they will ever cast. Let them know that you are watching and waiting for them to take the right stand.

Find your Senator at this link, then send them an email (listed below alphabetically by last name) right now asking them to vote to hear and approve Senate Bill 13, the Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act:

Mark.Allen@oksenate.gov,
Micheal.Bergstrom@oksenate.gov,
Larry.Boggs@oksenate.gov,
Mary.Boren@oksenate.gov,
Stephanie.Bice@oksenate.gov,
Michael.Brooks@oksenate.gov,
David.Bullard@oksenate.gov,
Bill.Coleman@oksenate.gov,
Nathan.Dahm@oksenate.gov,
Julie.Daniels@oksenate.gov,
Kim.David@oksenate.gov,
J.J.Dossett@oksenate.gov,
Tom.Dugger@oksenate.gov,
Kay.Floyd@oksenate.gov,
Chuck.Hall@oksenate.gov,
John.Haste@oksenate.gov,
Carri.Hicks@oksenate.gov,
Brent.Howard@oksenate.gov,
Allison.Ikley-Freeman@oksenate.gov,
Darcy.Jech@oksenate.gov,
Chris.Kidd@oksenate.gov,
Julia.Kirt@oksenate.gov,
James.Leewright@oksenate.gov,
Kevin.Matthews@oksenate.gov,
Greg.McCortney@oksenate.gov,
JohnMichael.Montgomery@oksenate.gov,
Casey.Murdock@oksenate.gov,
Joe.Newhouse@oksenate.gov,
Lonnie.Paxton@oksenate.gov,
Roland.Pederson@oksenate.gov,
Dewayne.Pemberton@oksenate.gov,
Adam.Pugh@oksenate.gov,
Marty.Quinn@oksenate.gov,
Dave.Rader@oksenate.gov,
Paul.Rosino@oksenate.gov,
Paul.Scott@oksenate.gov,
Ron.Sharp@oksenate.gov,
Wayne.Shaw@oksenate.govJoseph.Silk@oksenate.gov,
Frank.Simpson@oksenate.gov,
Rob.Standridge@oksenate.gov,
Gary.Stanislawski@oksenate.gov,
Brenda.Stanley@oksenate.gov,
Roger.Thompson@oksenate.gov,
Greg.Treat@oksenate.gov,
Darrell.Weaver@oksenate.gov,
George.Young@oksenate.gov,

WATCH: Silk deftly handles criticism of abortion abolition bill in TV interview

Last week, State Sen. Joseph Silk (R-Broken Bow) went on Oklahoma City's KOCO news for an interview about his Senate Bill 13, the Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act. During the segment he answered viewer questions about the measure, handling the queries in a calm, compassionate and collected manner.

Watch below:


SB13 is still awaiting a hearing in the Senate Health & Human Services Committee.

Photos: Abolition Day rally drew large crowds to State Capitol calling to end abortion, pass SB13

On Tuesday, a large crowd (likely around 2,000 people) attended the Abolition Day rally at the State Capitol, urging the State Legislature to take up Senate Bill 13 -- the Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act.

You can read a brief recap here by Kenny Bob Tapp, a conservative activist from Cimarron County who was in attendance. Below are a few photos of the event. You can watch the recorded livestream of the rally at this link.

Source: social media

Source: social media

Source: social media

Source: social media

Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Watch's Trevor Brown

Source: social media

Abolition Day rally being held at State Capitol today, calling to abolish abortion in Oklahoma

Photos from 2019's indoor rally to support SB13

Today, thousands of Oklahomans (and some from as far away as Alaska) will be gathering at the State Capitol in a rally to support Senate Bill 13, the Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act.

The rally will begin at 10am on the South steps of the Oklahoma State Capitol building in Oklahoma City.

Here are some relevant articles I've written about or shared about SB13 and the fight to abolish abortion here in Oklahoma:

• Stroud Pastor: stand and be counted on abolishing abortion
• Silk blasts critics of Abortion Abolition bill over new anonymous attack site
• House passes bill that revokes licenses of those performing abortions, yet still leaves abortion legal
• Oklahomans to rally for abolition of abortion on Feb. 11
•  Abolition group calls on Gov. Stitt to take stand on ending abortion
• Senate President Treat: no change in position following BGCO support of abolishing abortion
• Oklahoma's Southern Baptists call for abolition of abortion at annual meeting
• Missing In Action: the Oklahoma Legislature and the fight for Life
• Senate committee passes Roe v. Wade "trigger" appeasement bill
• SB13 should receive a fair hearing and vote in the legislative process

Thousands to rally at State Capitol in support of SB13 and abolishing abortion

Thousands to Rally at the Oklahoma State Capitol Demanding SB13, Abortion's Total and Immediate Abolition

[Christian Newswire] -- On Tuesday, Feb. 11th from 10-11:30 a.m., thousands of Oklahomans will gather in front of the steps on the South side of the Oklahoma State Capitol building to support Senate Bill 13, The Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act.

Speakers will include Oklahoma State Senator Joseph Silk, Randall University professor Spencer Ledbetter, Free the States lobbyist Russell Hunter, The Ekklesia of Oklahoma Director Daniel Navejas, Grassroots Leaders from the Oklahoma Republican Party and other abolitionist leaders and citizens from around the state.

Southern Baptist and Free Will Baptist pastors will also address the gathering as they present and explain the resolutions to support SB13 they passed at their respective state conventions last year, and exhort the gathering of thousands toward a Biblical position of no compromise with abortion.

"Since last year's ordeal when the pro-life Republican leaders prevented the Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act from getting a hearing, the people of Oklahoma have awakened to the fact that our politicians want to compromise with abortion and be given roses rather than do what they're morally and Constitutionally obligated to do: uphold the inalienable rights to life and equal protection of the law by abolishing abortion," Hunter said. "The paradigm is shifting. From interactions with people all over the state, we know about that shift, and come the eleventh, everyone else is going to know about it too."

Learn more about the rally at the Facebook event link.

Silk blasts critics of Abortion Abolition bill over new anonymous attack site

Sen. Joseph Silk issues statement regarding opposition to Senate Bill 13

In a statement released Thursday, Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, criticized unnamed pro-life leaders that he claims are spreading blatantly false information regarding Senate Bill 13, also known as the Abolition of Abortion Act. The statement came after a new website in opposition of SB 13 was launched. The origin and creator of the website are unknown.

"Oklahomans who value life are infuriated that someone claiming to be pro-life has spent time and money building and promoting a website that opposes equal protection for unborn Oklahomans,” Silk said. “The fact that this person or group is doing this while 14 innocent, unborn children are brutally murdered every day in our state shows the true evilness in their hypocrisy and deceitfulness. Additionally, the fact that the person who owns this domain has hidden his name raises huge questions about the true intent of the site. Even after the public outcry last year, it is apparent that some leaders among our churches and pro-life groups still don’t get the message that the people of Oklahoma want the political games to stop and abortion to end immediately.”

The measure, which seeks to bring an immediate end to the practice of abortion in Oklahoma and offers equal protection to all unborn children, was opposed by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, Catholic Arch Diocese in Oklahoma City, Oklahomans for Life, and Pam Pollard, chairman of the State Republican Party, during the 2019 legislative session.

Within months of their opposition, grassroots efforts from the Oklahoma State Republican Party, pastors and members of both the Oklahoma Baptists and Freewill Baptists, all adopted resolutions at their conventions calling for the immediate end of abortion in Oklahoma or a vote on the measure.

"My hope is that we can all move forward together to end the ongoing holocaust of 5,000 Oklahoma children that are murdered every year,” Silk said. “Apparently, even after almost 50 years of pro-life failures, some among us continue to fight against equal protection for unborn children. I encourage anyone interested in these new developments to contact my office for more information."

Rose Day postponed due to winter storm

Rose Day, the annual pro-life rally held at the Oklahoma State Capitol, has been postponed indefinitely due to the impending winter storm that is set to drop anywhere from 4" to 8" of snow on the Oklahoma City metro.

Here's the announcement from Oklahomans for Life:

For those who planned to go to Rose Day and are interested in taking action on behalf of the preborn, more Oklahomans will be gathering next Tuesday (February 11th) in a rally calling on the Legislature and Governor Stitt to abolish abortion by passing Senate Bill 13 and signing into law.

An overwhelming majority of the Legislature claims to be pro-life, yet at the same time they refuse to take any sort of significant action when it comes to ending the abortion holocaust in Oklahoma. The Abolition Day rally aims to mark a new direction in the fight against abortion -- attacking it headlong rather than trimming around the edges.

Oklahomans to rally for abolition of abortion on Feb. 11

Oklahomans Will Rally For Abortion’s Total and Immediate Abolition on Feb. 11

by James Silberman (TheResurgent.com)

The Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act (SB13) has been introduced by Oklahoma State Senator Joseph Silk (R-Broken Bow) each of the last four legislative sessions. It’s important to note that it isn’t simply an anti-abortion bill among many. When passed and enforced, SB13 will completely abolish abortion in the state and strip from the courts the authority to unconstitutionally force Oklahoma to allow the murder of preborn human beings. The bill reads:

“It is the intent of the Legislature to provide to unborn children the equal protection of the laws of this state; to establish that a living human child, from the moment of fertilization upon the fusion of a human spermatozoon with a human ovum, is entitled to the same rights, powers, privileges, justice and protections as are secured or granted by the laws of this state to any other human person; and to treat as void and of no effect any and all federal statutes, regulations, executive orders and court rulings, which would deprive an unborn child of the right to life.“

On Tuesday, February 11 at 10 a.m. Oklahomans are going to gather at the State Capitol to demand SB13’s passage. Each year, the bill has gained more traction than the year prior, with roughly 1,000 people at the Capitol to support abortion’s abolition last year.

Momentum is building behind SB13 in other ways as well. Two Christian denominations in the state have passed resolutions supportive of the bill in the past eight months. Last May, the Oklahoma Free Will Baptists passed the following resolution:

WHEREAS, God’s Word clearly declares that all human life is a sacred gift from our sovereign God and that His Law is supreme over mankind and man’s law, and therefore that all abortion is wrong and usurps God’s sovereignty; and,

WHEREAS, since Roe v. Wade, 60 million innocent unborn babies have been legally murdered in the United States and approximately 5,000 innocent unborn babies are legally murdered in Oklahoma every year; and,

WHEREAS, government is not instituted to grant rights but to protect our unalienable, God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as recognized in the Declaration of Independence and Article 2, Section 2 of the Oklahoma Constitution; and,

WHEREAS, traditional pro-life laws do nothing to abolish abortion and, in fact, merely establish regulatory guidelines for how to obtain a legal abortion and, in so doing, simply facilitate the murder of innocent unborn children; and,

WHEREAS, Roe v. Wade will never be overturned unless a state enacts a law abolishing human abortion; therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Oklahoma Association of Free Will Baptists, call upon the Legislature, Governor, and Attorney General of Oklahoma to pass, sign, and enforce legislation abolishing the practice of human abortion at all gestational stages and for all reasons in Oklahoma.

The resolution was authored by Tim Gillespie, pastor of Stroud Free Will Baptist Church, and the vote in favor was unanimous according to Oklahoma Free Will Baptists Executive Director Mike Wade.

Oklahoma Baptists (the Oklahoma affiliate of the Southern Baptist Convention) passed a resolution at their annual convention on Nov. 12, 2019 adding language to the convention’s platform on abortion calling for the immediate end of abortion in the state.

“Finally, we call upon the Oklahoma State Legislature to enact legislation that calls for the immediate end of abortion without exception or compromise.”

The resolution, introduced by pastor Bill Ascol of Bethel Baptist Church in Owasso, OK and passed by a majority of representatives of the various Southern Baptist churches in Oklahoma, was a direct rebuke from member churches to the leaders of Oklahoma Baptists who publicly opposed the Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act during the 2019 legislative session.

Read the rest of Silberman's column at this link.

Senate President Treat: no change in position following BGCO support of abolishing abortion

Last week, "messengers" (basically delegates) to the 2019 Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, the annual denominational meeting for Southern Baptist churches in the Sooner State, overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling on the Oklahoma Legislature to "enact legislation for the immediate end of abortion without exception or compromise." 

This was big news on the abortion front, as BGCO staff had publicly opposed a 2019 bill (SB13) by Sen. Joseph Silk (R-Broken Bow) that aimed to abolish abortion entirely.

Other than the BGCO, three men were primarily responsible for Silk's bill being scuttled: Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat (R-OKC), Senate Health and Human Services chairman Jason Smalley (R-Stroud), and Oklahomans For Life president Tony Lauinger.

I emailed each of them for their reaction to the BGCO resolution. So far, I have received a response from only Senator Treat's office. Aaron Cooper, Director of Communications for President Pro Tempore Treat, responded to my inquiry on Senator Treat's behalf.

Q1: Do you have any comment on the BGCO resolution?
Cooper: Senator Treat was not surprised that Oklahoma Baptists took steps to maintain their longstanding commitment to protecting the life of the unborn.

Q2: Do you have anything to add to your previous position on bills like Silk's?
Cooper: Senator Treat has nothing new to add.

Q3: Silk's bill aside, do you intend to push for some other pro-life measure in the 2020 legislative session that would restrict or eliminate abortion in Oklahoma?
Cooper: Like he has nearly every year he’s served in the Legislature, Senator Treat plans to pursue legislation in 2020 to advance protection of the sanctity of life.

Notice that no detail is given, even though Senator Treat authored a bill last session that made no movement after passing the Senate. Originally, it was supposed to be a replacement for Silk's abolition bill -- a trigger that would revert Oklahoma to pre-Roe laws (i.e. abortion being illegal) should the Supreme Court or Congress reverse course -- but then was watered down even further into a state constitutional amendment to "clarif[y that] no provision of the [Oklahoma] Constitution secures or protects a right to perform or receive an abortion." I doubt any effort has been put into coming up with new changes since that time -- "out of sight, out of mind".

Oklahoma's legislature continues to be missing in action on the fight to end abortion. What measures will be allowed to get a vote in 2020? Senator Silk's abolition bill is still eligible for a hearing. Most likely, though, Senate leadership will push some afterthought bill that does nothing except attempt to placate pro-lifers ("we did something") and check a box on the get-elected to-do list.

Oklahoma's Southern Baptists call for abolition of abortion at annual meeting

Hallelujah.

The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma held its annual state meeting on Monday and Tuesday in Oklahoma City. The state affiliate of the Southern Baptist Convention authorized a re-branding to simply Oklahoma Baptists, elected new officers, and passed several resolutions, the most prominent of which called on the Oklahoma Legislature to "enact legislation for the immediate end of abortion without exception or compromise."

During the 2019 legislative session, leadership of the BGCO publicly opposed an Abolition bill by State Sen. Joseph Silk (R-Broken Bow), sparking uproar among many Oklahoma Baptists and ultimately led to this resolution by convention delegates (or "messengers" from churches).

To my knowledge, this is the first Southern Baptist state affiliate to move beyond a generic pro-life stance and adopt a pro-abolition position.

Here is the text of the resolution, posted in the image above:

We, the messengers to the 2019 Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, meeting at Quail Springs Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, November 11-12, 2019, believe in the sanctity of human life, that every person—born and unborn—is created in God’s image and deserves life. We are thus deeply grieved that the barbaric practice of abortion continues in Oklahoma. We are horrified to know the abortion rate is increasing in Oklahoma, recognizing the loss of each one of these unborn children is a tragedy. We are calling on Oklahoma Baptists to unite toward positive and effective efforts that build a culture of life and that work to end abortion. Through fervent prayer, preaching, legislative efforts, education, volunteering and more, we pledge to renew our efforts to promote life and protect the unborn. With God’s help, we will work to see a day in which every unborn child in Oklahoma and America is protected. Finally, we call upon the Oklahoma State Legislature to enact legislation that calls for the immediate end of abortion without exception or compromise.

Will the BGCO leadership adhere to the voice of Oklahoma Baptists and support an abolition bill this coming legislative session? Time will tell.

As of 2017 there were 1,785 BGCO-affiliated congregations with 579,476 members across the state.

State Sen. Joseph Silk launches 2nd District congressional bid

State Senator Joseph Silk announces run for U.S. Congress

Silk set to run for Oklahoma Congressional District 2 in eastern Oklahoma in 2020 election

 It has been an honor to have served the good people of State Senate District 5 in southeast Oklahoma the past 5 years. Although very difficult and frustrating at times, my family and I have been blessed with many new friendships and support along the way. I believe I have represented those who elected me well, and even though some of the things we tried to accomplish for Senate District 5 and the State of Oklahoma were not completed, many things were and I am grateful to have played a part in it.

With the current leadership in the Oklahoma Legislature, Oklahomans have a tough road ahead. Unfortunately, even though republicans have a majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the vast majority of them are very liberal and fall in line with the establishment instead of being champions for true constitutional, conservative ideals. By the time grassroots Oklahomans weed them out and replace them with actual Statesmen and Stateswomen, I will be term limited.

After much thought, seeking counsel, and prayer, I have come to the conclusion my energy and efforts will be best be utilized elsewhere therefore I will not be seeking re-election to the Oklahoma State Senate. Instead, I will be filing to run for U.S. Congressional District 2 here in eastern Oklahoma.

We as conservatives must change the way engage in the political arena. We have settled for status quo legislators who say one thing and then do nothing. We must demand that our government officials stop playing politics and actually take action on protecting individual freedoms and upholding the Constitution.

 If we continue down the road of electing and re-electing legislators who have no history of aggressively attacking current issues, our country will not be recognizable in the future. It is for that reason, that my family and I will sacrifice and press on through the political landscape in order to fight for a country that future generations can enjoy.

You can follow our campaign for U.S. Congress at silkforcongress.com .

Young Republicans Convention: new Chairman comments on results

Last night, the Oklahoma Young Republicans met in Oklahoma City for their state convention. Lines were drawn early in the convention, and chaos ensued, ultimately leading to the more liberal faction vacating the premises without taking action on the agenda and the conservative wing taking up the convention business outside.

You can view first-hand video of the "parking lot" conclusion at this link. Delegates who stuck around and went through the agenda action items elected a new slate of OKYR officers. Luke Harshaw, chosen as the new chairman by the delegates, issued the following press release about the evening's events:

OKLAHOMA YOUNG REPUBLICANS ELECT NEW OFFICERS IN PARKING LOT CONVENTION

(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK) - In a makeshift continuation of Friday evening's scheduled Oklahoma Young Republicans state convention, a new slate of officers were elected by acclamation. Among the slate of officers chosen to lead the youth organization were Senator Nathan Dahm, who will serve as vice chairman for the 1st Congressional District, and Senator Joseph Silk who will serve as vice chairman for the 2nd Congressional District.

Republicans between from ages of 18 to 40 traveled from across the state to Oklahoma City for a biannual convention to elect new leadership for the organization, but the convention was nearly cut short when one attendee pointed out that John Roberts, the outgoing Oklahoma Young Republicans chairman, was attempting to unlawfully limit voting rights for delegates from certain counties.

This sparked what has been described by attendees as a "civil war", as a majority of convention-goers stopped the chairman from proceeding with his attempt to limit delegate votes from certain counties, and the chairman began to shut down the convention, telling delegates to leave the building without an official adjournment.

Despite multiple attendees leaving the event, a majority of the convention's delegates stayed in the parking lot of the Credit Union House and continued business after electing a new presiding chairman and selecting a new parliamentarian and secretary for the convention. The remaining delegates proposed a "unity slate" of candidates for each of the elected positions within the organization and elected by unanimous vote a diverse group including lawmakers, business professionals, and college students.

Andrew Lopez, former chairman of the Canadian County Republican Party said about the convention, "It was great to see the grassroots coalescing this evening to advance the Oklahoma Young Republicans. I believe that this is a new era of the Oklahoma Young Republicans that will move together in unity under the platform of the Republican Party."

Following Friday night's convention, newly elected Oklahoma Young Republicans chairman Luke Harshaw released the following statement:

"The Oklahoma Young Republicans are more ready than ever to hit the ground running, working in unity with Republican groups across our state. We intend to organize the Young Republicans into the strongest force for conservative principles in our state, building infrastructure in every county to engage the youth vote for 2020 and beyond. Our newly elected officers are eager to engage voters and once again earn Oklahoma's title as the reddest state in the nation."

Missing In Action: the Oklahoma Legislature and the fight for Life

Legislation on abortion has topped the national news this year. Blue states like New York and Vermont have swung heavily toward expanding infanticide (even to infants post-birth, as voiced by Virginia's governor), while some red states are changing tactics to more intense assaults on Roe v. Wade.

In the last two months, seven states have passed legislation that would dramatically restrict abortion. In recent weeks, movement on these pro-life bills has accelerated.

• May 15th - Alabama: near-total abortion ban signed by Governor
• May 15th - Louisiana: heartbeat bill (6-week) authored by Democrat passes House, Democrat Governor indicated he will sign if passed.
• May 15th - Missouri: heartbeat (8-week) and trigger bill passed Senate. Final House vote expected tomorrow.
• May 7th - Georgia: heartbeat (6-week) bill signed by Governor.
• April 11th - Ohio: heartbeat (6-week) bill signed by Governor.
• March 21st - Mississippi: heartbeat (6-week) bill signed by Governor.
• March 15th - Kentucky: heartbeat (6-week) bill signed by Governor.

Where is Oklahoma in this fight?

We have a Governor on the record pledging to sign any pro-life bill sent to his desk. We have a supermajority of legislators in both houses who claim to be pro-life.

And yet, where is the fruit? The pieces are present, but why haven't they been assembled?

When it comes to significantly advancing the rights of the preborn this year, the Oklahoma Legislature is MIA - Missing In Action.

Rose Day after Rose Day, Oklahoma legislators line up for a group photo, proclaiming their allegiance to the pro-life cause, and touting their dedication (and their 100% rating) to defending Life. Yet, behind the scenes, many in leadership kowtow to corporate and media interests who despise the pro-life cause and claim that such policies would bring economic disaster to Oklahoma.

Earlier this year, a bill was filed to take a lead among the states and abolish abortion in Oklahoma. Senate President Greg Treat and Senate Health Committee Chairman Jason Smalley refused to allow the measure to even get a discussion in committee. Citing quibbles with the wording, they rejected allowing the bill to go through the legislative process whereby differences in legislation are worked out.

Then, to some fanfare, Sen. Treat revealed the "new strategy", his answer to Silk's SB13 that was not going to be allowed to be heard. The new bill, an effort to appease pro-lifers upset by the shelving of SB13, was a "trigger bill", which would only go into effect if Roe v. Wade gets overturned or Congress passes a constitutional amendment returning abortion law to the states.

But wait! There's more!

When Treat's bill hit the Senate floor, he changed it again (this time without the proclamations that accompanied the initial unveiling). Now, his SB195 sends to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment to "clarif[y that] no provision of the [Oklahoma] Constitution secures or protects a right to perform or receive an abortion". Since passing the Senate, that measure has received no action in the House, no public promptings for passage by the authoring Senate President, no attention whatsoever.

This year, legislative leadership has absolutely zero priority for advancing action on behalf of the preborn. However, they did find it important enough to pass a bill designating the ribeye as the state steak. It's a sad day when a steak takes precedence over preventing the death of thousands of babies every year. 

Oklahoma had a chance to lead the nation in advocating for Life this year. Pro-life Republicans control the House of Representatives, the Senate, and a pro-life Republican sits in the office of Governor. Even after SB13 was shelved, it was still possible for another measure of import to be proposed and advanced. If it was truly a priority for legislative leadership, they could have made it happen. Instead, pro-lifers and the pro-life cause are an afterthought, only considered when an election is on the line.

While states like Alabama, Georgia, and Missouri take the forefront in the battle for the preborn, Oklahoma's place in the ranks is empty. The lack of significant action speaks to the lack of priority.

The Oklahoma Legislature is Missing In Action in the fight for Life in 2019.

Senate committee passes Roe v. Wade "trigger" bill

Senate Bill 13 by Sen. Joseph Silk has been the strongest measure filed in recent years when it comes to combating and ending abortion in Oklahoma. Silk's Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act aims to return Oklahoma back to pre-Roe v. Wade statutes (that are still on the books) that made abortion illegal.

Silk and SB13 proponents argue that abortion can be attacked in the same way that states across the nation, including Oklahoma, are defying federal law on marijuana and immigration. Senate leadership disagrees, and is unwilling to even consider the possibility of pursuing that avenue -- while at the same time they are creating a regulatory framework for medical marijuana in spite of federal law otherwise.

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat and Senate Health & Human Services Committee Chairman Jason Smalley have shelved Silk's bill, and will not allow it to be advanced through the legislative process.

In what feels like an attempt to appease, Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat authored an alternative bill to Sen. Silk's SB13. Treat's Senate Bill 195 is a "trigger bill", and would only go into effect if Roe v. Wade gets overturned or Congress passes a constitutional amendment returning abortion law to the states.

Treat's measure is a check-the-box move in case some other state makes the first move that leads to the end of Roe v.  Wade, and it certainly seems to be an afterthought. If it was really a priority, why wasn't this authored until Silk's bill started to garner attention?

Treat's bill was brought up in committee yesterday, and passed. Here's is the press release from Sen. Treat's office on the matter:

Pro Tem Treat bill prohibiting abortion passes out of Senate Health committee

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Health and Human Services Committee approved with an 11-4 vote a bill from President Pro Tempore Greg Treat that would prohibit abortion in Oklahoma when the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade or if the U.S. Constitution is amended.

“Oklahoma is a pro-life state and Oklahomans have repeatedly made it clear they want their elected officials to protect the life of the unborn. Senate Bill 195 would prohibit abortion in Oklahoma, with the exception for the life of the mother, when Roe v. Wade is overturned or when the U.S. Constitution is amended. I appreciate the members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee for advancing this important piece of legislation,” said Treat, R-Oklahoma City.

Treat said there are several lawsuits challenging Roe and other federal cases legalizing abortion currently in the federal court system.

“The U.S. Supreme Court at any time could choose to revisit any one of the current lawsuits challenging Roe v. Wade. Senate Bill 195 is an important step Oklahoma should take immediately to protect the lives of the unborn when that terrible decision of the U.S. Supreme Court is overturned,” Treat said.

Abortion has been a felony in Oklahoma since 1910 but that statute has been unenforceable since 1973 when the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion. Since then, Oklahoma has enacted pro-life policies that have successfully saved lives and reduced abortions performed in the state.

Those regulations would be rendered unnecessary when Roe is overturned because the 1910 law then would be enforceable. By removing abortion regulations from Oklahoma statutes, Senate Bill 195 would eliminate any statutory conflicts between.

Five other states have adopted laws similar to Senate Bill 195, and other states are considering similar measures.

SB13 should receive a fair hearing and vote in the legislative process

Senate President Greg Treat (R-OKC) and State Sen. Jason Smalley (R-Stroud)

State Senator Jason Smalley (R-Stroud) is the chairman of the Senate Health & Human Services. One of the bills assigned to his committee is Senate Bill 13, the Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act, authored by State Senator Joseph Silk (R-Broken Bow). Silk has been a champion for the unborn during his tenure in office, and has consistently been one of the top three most-conservative members of the State Senate by any metric (he ranked 1st in my 2016 and 2017 Conservative Performance Indexes).

Most Republicans profess allegiance to a pro-life ethic when they campaign for office. Especially in conservative states and regions, it's incredibly difficult for a Republican to espouse support for abortion and win. Yet, more often than not, that resolve melts away as soon as they take office. The rate at which self-proclaimed pro-life Republican elected officials betray and wimp out on their supposed convictions is alarming.

Sen. Smalley, as well as Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat (R-OKC), both claim pro-life credentials. They have both campaigned as pro-life conservatives, and both have advocated for pro-life legislation in the past.

And yet, both Smalley and Treat are standing in the way of a measure that seeks the same consistent goal that they have both espoused -- the end of abortion in Oklahoma.

Smalley and Treat have both told the media that they take issue with some of the language in SB13, and won't advance the measure due to that. Treat told the Tulsa World "The language that was in the final, introduced version of Senate Bill 13 was very troubling". This is being disingenuous. There is nothing "final" about any language in a legislative measure until it is enrolled and sent to the Governor for his signature.

If Smalley and Treat have any objections to specific language SB13, they should have the honesty to bring up the measure in committee and offer amendments according to the legislative process rather than kill the bill by purposeful inaction. 

Republican candidates and elected officials have been extremely willing to string pro-life voters along for as much as they can milk out of them -- volunteer hours, campaign donations, and votes. Such one-sided commitment must be reciprocated at some point, or else the relationship will not last and those candidates and elected officials will be up a creek without a paddle. Self-proclaimed "pro-life" elected officials who refuse to actually support and advance those values should be rejected by pro-life voters.

In recent days, SB13 has been coauthored by a wide-ranging group of Republican Senators: conservative members Nathan Dahm and Mark Allen, and moderate members Paul Scott and Casey Murdock. I was at a recent meeting where another moderate Republican spoke favorably of SB13. If given a fair opportunity, SB13 would have a very real chance of passage in the Legislature.

If the Senate passed the General Appropriations bill and sent it to the House, they would be outraged if the House dismissed it out of hand and refused to hear the measure simply because they didn't agree with 100% of the written language. Senator Treat would rightly expect the measure to receive a fair hearing and vote, as well as the opportunity to submit amendments in the normal legislative process.

The dirty little secret about any legislation dealing with protecting the unborn is that secular monied interests in this state oppose it on the grounds that it "hurts economic development", gives Oklahoma "a reputation as a backwards state", and runs counter to the worldview pushed by the [East and West coast led and based] cultural and societal establishment.

To Senators Treat and Smalley, I ask -- which is more important in the sight of God: the "almighty dollar", or the life of the unborn created in the image of God?

Senate Bill 13 should receive a fair hearing and vote in the Senate's Health & Human Services Committee.

Free The States releases ads supporting Abortion Abolition bill

Free The States is an organization that was originally formed to support Dan Fisher's campaign for Governor in 2018. They have turned their focus on supporting State Senator Joseph Silk's Senate Bill 13, the "Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act".

FTS has posted two brief videos in recent days in support of SB 13, and plans a rally at the State Capitol on Tuesday, February 12th.



They also answer the question, "What about exceptions for rape?"

Yen's midwifery bills: one defeated, one shelved

I wrote last month about legislation filed by State Sen. Ervin Yen (R-OKC) that would severely restrict and regulate midwifery in Oklahoma. Today was the deadline for both bills to be heard in the Senate Health and Human Services committee in order to be advanced this session.

Sen. Yen opted to not hear SB714 this session, planning to work on the measure during the interim. This bill would have effectively stopped the vast majority of Oklahoma midwives from being able to practice. Yen intends to pursue some sort of licensing/certification regulation next year.

SB747, which was amended to prohibit Certified Nurse-Midwives from performing vaginal-births-after-caesarian (VBACs), breech births, or delivery of multiple infants (i.e. twins, triplets, etc) outside of hospitals, failed by a vote of 5 to 6. This measure is now dead until the 2018 session.

Voting in favor of SB747 were Sens. Darcy Jech (R-Kingfisher), Greg McCortney (R-Ada), Dave Rader (R-Tulsa), Rob Standridge (R-Norman), and Ervin Yen (R-OKC).

Voting against SB747 were Sens. Kay Floyd (D-OKC), A.J. Griffin (R-Guthrie), Anastasia Pittman (D-OKC), Adam Pugh (R-Edmond), Joseph Silk (R-Broken Bow), and Frank Simpson (R-Springer). Silk was the most outspoken against the measure, and was the only member to debate against.