OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, released the following statement today after the House passed two abortion bills Monday that opponents say will waste taxpayer money on unsuccessful attempts to overthrow Supreme Court precedent that has stood for 48 years.

“The Oklahoma Legislature continues to pass unconstitutional abortion bills, including two more this week. I guess they continue to hope the Supreme Court will change its mind. I pray it does not. Because if it does, then we are no longer living under the rule of law. Instead, we live under the tyranny of nine unelected people who can change their minds as they see fit.

“The Constitution has been amended 27 times in its history. In fact, it’s been amended 3 times just within my lifetime. If my Republican colleagues were truly interested in banning abortion, they would call for amending the Constitution. It’s abundantly clear they are only interested in perpetuating abortion so they have an issue they can use to inflame their voters.

“Banning abortion won’t prevent abortions any more than banning guns would prevent shootings.

“If we truly want to end abortion it’s time to work together to build an Oklahoma where moms can thrive and not barely survive. To get there we need meaningful wages for honest work and affordable daycare. We need comprehensive sex education and easier access to contraception.

“It’s time to stop demonizing Oklahomans who become pregnant about their ‘life choices’ because there are always two people involved in making a baby.”