Oklahoma passes a near-total abortion ban

Oklahoma passes a near-total ban on abortions; US and allies announce additional sanctions on Russia.

Tonight's Sentences was written by Jariel Arvin.

Oklahoma lawmakers pass near-total abortion ban

Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

• On Tuesday, the Oklahoma House of Representatives approved a bill that would make performing an abortion a felony except in cases where the pregnant person’s life is in danger. [BBC]
• Under the bill, abortion providers face up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $100,000. The bill, which passed in the state’s senate last week, must be signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt, who has previously expressed support for anti-abortion rights legislation. [Washington Post / Caroline Kitchener]
• With around 100 abortion rights activists gathered outside the state Capitol for a rally, the GOP-led House passed the legislation in a surprising move, without any debate. [USA Today / Carmen Forman]
• Since Texas passed a near-total ban, 45 percent of Texans in need of abortion care have had to travel to Oklahoma. If the new bill becomes law, Oklahoman's and Texan's next closest option is Colorado or New Mexico, where abortion providers are already overwhelmed. [The 19th / Shefali Luthra]
• Abortion advocates plan to fight the bill in court, though it’s unclear how successful the battle will be. Oklahoma’s previous attempts to ban abortion were struck down, but if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, the bill would likely be ruled constitutional. [New York Times / Michael Levenson]

The US and allies announce new sanctions on Russia — including on Putin’s daughters

• On Wednesday, the US, the EU, and the G7 announced additional sanctions on Russia in response to emerging evidence of war crimes in Bucha and other parts of Ukraine. [National Public Radio]
• The newest batch of sanctions bans all new US investment in Russia, as well as interaction with Alfa Bank and Sberbank. The sanctions also freeze the assets of Kremlin officials and their families, including Russian President Vladimir Putin’s adult daughters. [BBC]
• “We believe that many of Putin’s assets are hidden with family members, and that’s why we’re targeting them,” a Biden administration official said when asked why Putin’s daughters — who are rarely seen with their father — were sanctioned. [CNBC / Christina Wilkie]
• After the Russian withdrawal from Bucha, reporters and Ukrainian officials found the bodies of civilians in the streets and mass graves, sparking international condemnation. Russia has falsely claimed the images are fake. [ABC News]

No charges will be filed in the Minneapolis police shooting of Amir Locke during the performance of a no-knock warrant. [People / Christine Pelisek]

• Energy executives appeared before Congress on Wednesday to explain rising gas prices. [Reuters / Timothy Gardner and Liz Hampton]
• North American zoos are keeping birds indoors and away from visitors to protect them from avian flu. [Associated Press / Josh Funk]
• As severe storms hit the US South, the National Weather Service reports a shortage of helium used in weather balloons that forecast weather. [Axios / Andrew Freedman]

“I would really call it a race to the bottom. Texas, in a way, inspired other conservative, anti-choice politicians to go as far as possible and be as extreme as possible.” 

[Planned Parenthood Great Plains Interim President and CEO Emily Wales on the state of abortion rights in Oklahoma]

Should Congress be able to trade stocks?

A 2012 law tried to limit lawmakers' ability to make money on Wall Street. It hasn’t worked.

Read more from Vox

The isolation of Vladimir Putin

What’s the deal with the Iran nuclear deal?

What immunocompromised people need to know right now

A new documentary looks at women who survived domestic violence — then faced jail time

How sewage can warn us about the next pandemic

This email was sent to you. Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe. If you value Vox’s unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring contribution.

View our Privacy Notice and our Terms of Service.

Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 12, Washington, DC 20036.
Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved.