Oklahoma attorney general says he'll request new execution date if alternative drugs are found

FILE - In this July 16, 2013 file photo, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt gestures as he answers a question during a news conference in Oklahoma City. While the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether Oklahoma's new lethal injection formula is constitutional, Pruitt said Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, the state will proceed with executions if alternative drugs can be acquired. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE- This file photo provided by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections shows death row inmate Richard Glossip. Glossip's scheduled execution is on hold while the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether Oklahoma's new lethal injection formula is constitutional. Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt said Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, the state will proceed with executions if alternative drugs can be acquired. (AP Photo/Oklahoma Department of Corrections, File) (The Associated Press)

While the U.S. Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of a sedative Oklahoma uses in lethal injections, Attorney General Scott Pruitt says he'll push to resume executions.

Pruitt said Thursday that if the state can obtain doses of barbiturates Oklahoma has used to execute inmates in the past, he'll ask the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to set new execution dates.

That may be difficult, though. Oklahoma switched to the current method it uses when supplies of some drugs dried up.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday delayed three executions, including one that had been scheduled for this week. The court will decide whether the sedative midazolam appropriately renders an inmate unconscious before additional drugs are administered to shut down the lungs and heart.