The Oklahoma Senate approved a bill Thursday that would make it a felony to perform abortions in the state, in direct contradiction of federal law.
The bill, which passed 33-12, now goes to Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, who is an anti-abortion Republican, for final approval.
The lawmaker behind the bill, Republican Sen. Nathan Dahm, said he expects the measure to be legally challenged since it directly contradicts federal law.
However, that appears to be part of the plan.
Dahm told the Associated Press that he hopes the law could lead to overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark decision that legalized abortion nationwide.
The Center for Reproductive Rights, a pro-abortion group, said Thursday that the Oklahoma measure is the first of its kind. Under the bill, anybody who performs an abortion could face three years in prison and the medical license of doctors who perform abortions could be revoked.
The center called on Fallin to veto the bill, saying that it is unconstitutional.
Oklahoma has a history of passing anti-abortion legislation, most notably a bill that is similar to a Texas law that creates new requirements for abortion clinics and doctors who provide abortions.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule on a challenge to the Texas 2013 law, which requires clinics to meet the requirements of ambulatory surgical centers and doctors to have admitting privileges in a local hospital.
While Texas officials argue the provisions are to protect the health of the mother, abortion rights groups say they are an end run around prohibiting abortion.
