An Oklahoma measure that would criminalize all abortions except those to save the life of the mother has been sent to the desk of Governor Mary Fallin.

The bill’s sponsors say it protects the right to life, while pro-abortion groups are declaring it unconstitutional. According to the latest iteration, which was sent to Fallin’s desk yesterday, the bill would mandate abortionists lose their medical license if any abortions are done for reasons other than for the life of the mother, though declarations of intent to commit suicide are not considered cause for abortions to be performed.

Abortionists would be jailed for one to three years for performing illegal abortions.

While the pro-life Fallin has given no indication if she will sign the bill, both sides are lining up with their arguments.

“Any law that bans abortion, which this law would do, is unconstitutional,” and would likely be overturned if challenged, a spokesperson for the Center for Reproductive Rights told The Associated Press.

The Oklahoma State Medical Association’s Wes Glinsman likewise said the pro-life legislation “really places a chilling effect on physicians’ practice in Oklahoma,” and The New York Times has published an editorial slamming the measure.

However, two of the bill’s backers in the state legislature say it is meant to help their state protect constitutional rights. “I think this is one of the core functions of government,” state Sen. Nathan Dahm said, according to The Washington Post. The sponsor of the Senate’s version of the legislation, he stated that “all people have the inherent right to life.”

The Post also reported that the House sponsor of the bill, Rep. David Brumbaugh, defended the bill against Democratic opponents in a recent floor debate. “It’s not about policy,” Brumbaugh told his colleagues. “It’s not about politics. It’s about principle,” he said, hammering opponents who say fighting a lawsuit will cost taxpayers money.

“Do we make laws because they’re moral and right, or do we make them based on what an unelected judicial occupant might question or want to overturn? The last time I looked, that’s why I thought we had a separation of power,” he said, declaring that protecting the strength of the family unit would take care of many fiscal, environmental, and overall societal concerns.

“If we take care of the morality, God will take care of the economy,” he said.

If Fallin signs the bill, the state would likely be sued. It is already defending itself from pro-life legislation that require abortion clinics’ medical standards to be upgraded, as well as limits on medication abortions.