Nebraska Enacts 12-Week Abortion Ban
Nebraska’s newly passed constitutional amendment restricting abortions after 12 weeks went into effect on Thursday, marking the first time a state has enshrined abortion limits into its constitution since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. The measure, which passed in November with 54.9% support, was officially signed into law by Republican Governor Jim Pillen, according to the Nebraska Examiner.
Finally, I am proud beyond words that Nebraska is the first state in America to enshrine protections for the unborn in our Constitution. Nebraskans wisely rejected a radical fundamental right to late-term abortion. For the first time in history, pre-born babies in Nebraska have… pic.twitter.com/1jsaiIIJln
— Jim Pillen (@jim_pillen) November 10, 2024
The ballot initiative, known as Initiative 434, codifies Nebraska’s 12-week abortion restriction with exceptions for rape, incest, and cases where the mother’s life is at risk. Prior to this, the state allowed abortions up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. The measure also gives lawmakers the ability to pass stricter abortion laws in the future. Proponents of the initiative, such as the Nebraska Family Alliance, emphasized that the amendment sets a “floor of protection” for unborn children in the second and third trimesters, while leaving room for stronger pro-life laws later on.
93% of abortion-vulnerable babies in Nebraska remain unprotected, even after 434 passed. The fight isn’t over. Let’s ensure we don’t sit, settle, or sideline the goal: ending abortion entirely. The time for action is now. #ProLife #EndAbortion #Nebraska pic.twitter.com/sFlATctm7l
— Virgil L. Walker (@VirgilWalkerOMA) November 9, 2024
Nebraska voters rejected a competing measure, Initiative 439, which would have enshrined abortion rights into the state constitution. That proposal would have allowed abortions up to fetal viability (around 24 weeks) and beyond in cases protecting the life or health of the pregnant individual. Backed by organizations like Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the measure was designed to guarantee a constitutional right to abortion, but it failed to gain voter support.
Ballot measures like the new 12-week abortion rule are basically irreversible since they change the state constitution.
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