For Immediate Release: February 22, 2023
Contact: Kelsey Pritchard, [email protected]
Majority of Nebraskans Support Heartbeat Bill Headed To The Full Unicameral
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Health and Human Services Committee today passed a measure to protect the lives of unborn children who have a heartbeat. The bill sponsored by Sen. Joni Albrecht provides exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother.
Fifty-eight percent of likely voters support the law, based on new polling conducted by WPA Intelligence. Only one-third of voters oppose the bill. The poll also found the abortion on demand until birth position held by the Biden-Harris administration wildly unpopular amongst Nebraskans with three-quarters rejecting that stance.
Charlotte Lozier Institute doctors were among those who testified on the bill, sharing the science of fetal heartbeat. Throughout their comments the doctors revealed facts of development at six weeks gestation including that an unborn baby has a steady heartbeat of 110 BPM. The presence of a heartbeat indicates that a baby has a remarkably high chance (up to 98%) of surviving to birth, they said.
SBA Pro-Life America’s Western Regional Director Adam Schwend commented:
“Today marks a major victory for the unborn in Nebraska and nationwide. As one of the first states in the country following the 2022 election to advance legislation to protect unborn babies with a heartbeat, we have the potential to save 2,000 lives every year and to be a shining example to other states that lack these protections.”
Nebraska pro-life leaders praised the committee’s passage, calling for the Legislature to send the legislation to the governor’s desk:
“Thank you to the Nebraska senators who voted in favor of the science and the truth and advanced The Nebraska Heartbeat Act out of committee. As LB626 heads to the full body, we call on the rest of our legislators to protect the most vulnerable among us who have a beating heart by sending this legislation to Governor Pillen for his signature,” said Karen Bowling, executive director of Nebraska Family Alliance.
Sandy Danek, executive director of Nebraska Right to Life said, “Today Nebraska took a giant step forward in valuing everyone’s rights, regardless of race, belief, socioeconomic status, or age – born and unborn. By limiting abortions to cases of rape, incest, and life of the mother when a heartbeat is detected, we will save thousands of innocent lives in Nebraska.”
“This legislation protects the two primary victims of abortion: the unborn child and the mother, who deserves better than abandonment to abortion,” said Marion Miner, associate director of Pro-Life & Family Policy at the Nebraska Catholic Conference. “This bill along with pro-life safety net legislation that is being considered this session will greatly advance support for and recognition of the dignity of Nebraska mothers.”
More than a dozen states have already taken action to protect life, with the potential to save more than 200,000 lives in the first year after the Dobbs Supreme Court decision. To review the most accurate and up-to-date science of human prenatal development at six weeks of pregnancy, visit Charlotte Lozier Institute’s groundbreaking Voyage of Life resource.
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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