For Immediate Release: April 12, 2023
Contact: Kelsey Pritchard, [email protected]
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Legislature’s first round of debate on LB 626, which protects unborn babies with a heartbeat from abortion, concluded with a victory for life today as 33 senators voted to end a filibuster imposed by pro-abortion lawmakers. The bill has two more rounds of debate before it can advance to pro-life Gov. Jim Pillen.
According to a poll conducted by WPA Intelligence, 58% of likely Nebraska voters support the law sponsored by State Sen. Joni Albrecht, including almost two thirds of Independents, a majority of young women, and nearly half of Democrats. Voters overwhelmingly reject abortion advocates’ push to establish unlimited abortion on demand in the Nebraska Constitution.
Pro-life advocates including Pillen and Albrecht rallied at the Capitol in support of the bill ahead of today’s vote.
SBA Pro-Life America’s Western Regional Director Adam Schwend shared his reaction:
“Nebraska took a giant step forward to protect thousands of our most vulnerable children today. Nebraskans of all backgrounds are compassionate and agree we should safeguard babies against abortion at a point when their hearts are beating and they have over a 90% chance of surviving to birth. We thank Sen. Albrecht and every lawmaker who followed science and the will of the people and voted to save up to 2,000 lives every year.”
Following today’s vote, opponents have the opportunity to invoke another filibuster which would involve four more hours of debate and another cloture vote. On the bill’s third reading, lawmakers will vote on passage of LB 626.
Another pro-life bill, the Nebraska Pregnancy Help Act, is making its way through the Nebraska Legislature to increase the support available to women facing an unexpected pregnancy, before and after childbirth. This bill would provide tax credits to individuals and groups that donate money to pregnancy centers, nonprofit organizations that offer resources to pregnant women in need – such as financial assistance, maternity classes, housing, diapers, and many more essential services – at no cost to them.
The pro-life momentum in Nebraska mirrors legislative efforts in Florida this week where the State House is expected to consider the Heartbeat Protection Act (SB 300). The Florida bill has already passed the Senate and would advance to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk upon a favorable House vote.
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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