For Immediate Release: March 19, 2024
Contact: [email protected]
72% of Nebraskans Reject Unlimited Abortion
Lincoln, Neb. – Voters will have the opportunity to protect Nebraska babies from painful second- and third-trimester abortions this November through a new ballot measure effort from Protect Women and Children Nebraska. The proposed constitutional amendment that mirrors the 12-week protection in state law stands in stark contrast with the ballot measure that enshrines all-trimester abortions backed by the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.
SBA Pro-Life America Western Regional Director Adam Schwend offered words of support on the 12-week ballot measure:
“The language of this ballot measure confirms what already exists in statute and aligns with what the vast majority of Nebraskans believe. Nebraska is a pro-life state with three-quarters of Nebraskans rejecting unlimited abortion.
“Come November, Nebraskans will have a clear choice on two abortion measures: establish a constitutional protection for babies from second- and third-trimester abortions OR allow painful late-term abortion to end the lives of babies who smile, suck their thumbs, and feel pain. Keep women safe with common sense health regulations OR allow the abortion industry to go unregulated as they perform risky second- and third-trimester abortions past 12 weeks. Allow parents to have a say in their daughters’ lives OR take parents out of the equation so Planned Parenthood can enable abusers and traffickers.”
The full text of the 12-week ballot measure reads:
Except when a woman seeks an abortion necessitated by a medical emergency or when the pregnancy results from sexual assault or incest, unborn children shall be protected from abortion in the second and third trimesters.
Implications of the other abortion ballot measure backed by Planned Parenthood and the ACLU include:
- Abortion throughout pregnancy — the amendment leaves post-viability abortion for “health” to the discretion of the abortionist. Without defining “health,” courts have found that it can be based on non-medical factors, including mental, spiritual, financial or familial health. Furthermore, viability is defined as being based solely on the abortionist’s judgment and would not include any baby who needs “extraordinary medical measures,” which could be as simple as a short stay in the NICU. As abortion activists have said, “Roe is the floor, not the ceiling” for their agenda.
- The elimination of health and safety protections for women — Language on the fundamental right to abortion “without interference from the state” puts all of Nebraska’s medical safeguards at risk. This includes obtaining informed consent and performing a medical screening, seeing a physician in person or even seeing a medical professional at all.
- The evisceration of parental rights – By using the words “all persons” in the amendment, this will mean parents will not have any ability to consent or even know if their minor daughter seeks an abortion. They may also have no recourse if their daughter is harmed during the abortion.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America is a network of more than one million pro-life Americans nationwide, dedicated to ending abortion by electing national leaders and advocating for laws that save lives, with a special calling to promote pro-life women leaders.
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