NE State Senator Faces Bipartisan Criticism for Abortion Ban Amendment
(Lincoln) -- Abortion restrictions have been a hot topic in the Nebraska Legislature for the second year in a row, and now the issue has heated up even more.
Sen. Merv Riepe, R-Omaha, introduced an amendment to the abortion bill sponsored by Sen. Joni Albrecht, R-Thurston, Legislative Bill 626, which would extend the ban from the point at which a heartbeat can be detected on ultrasound -- typically 6 weeks from conception -- to 12 weeks.
Calling himself a "compassionate conservative," Riepe said he added the amendment because the issue is serious, controversial and merits more debate.
I have some concern regarding a heartbeat," Riepe explained. "Because it's so vague that I'm not sure it's defensible."
Andi Curry Grubb, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska, said in an email "a ban is a ban, plain and simple. Any abortion ban at any stage of pregnancy denies a person the fundamental right to control their own body and health care decisions." Currently, Nebraska law bans abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy.
https://www.kmaland.com/news/ne-state-senator-faces-bipartisan-criticism-for-abortion-ban-amendment/article_ac34d610-ca6f-11ed-a6b8-47d6f5ada0bd.html
