Nebraska lawmakers advance ‘heartbeat act’ for floor debate

Nebraska lawmakers advanced a bill Wednesday that would protect preborn children after a heartbeat is detected. The bill passed the Health and Human Services committee and now heads for debate in the state’s full unicameral legislature.

The Nebraska Heartbeat Act, LB 626, was introduced by Sen. Joni Albrecht in January. It requires doctors to first perform an ultrasound before committing any abortion, prohibiting the abortion if a preborn child’s heartbeat is detected (this usually occurs around six weeks, though the heart begins to beat at about 22-23 days). The bill allows abortion in medical emergencies (see more here about why this is not necessary) and in cases of rape or incest.

“Today, Nebraska took a giant step forward in valuing everyone’s rights, regardless of race, belief, socioeconomic status, or age – born and unborn,” said Sandy Danek, executive director of Nebraska Right to Life. “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.”

Planned Parenthood has vowed to continue fighting the bill, which is expected to come to a very close vote. “We know it will be close, but we have successfully blocked four abortion bans in the past year and we can do it again,” said Andi Curry Grubb, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska.

“We have a long fight still ahead of us, and we stand with Nebraskans — a growing majority of whom support keeping abortion safe and legal — to block this dangerous near-total abortion ban,” Grubb said. “Healthcare decisions belong between a patient and their doctor, not politicians who lack medical expertise. But, the reality is, Nebraska lawmakers now have more control over our bodies and futures than we do. And it’s imperative we let them know this proposed ban is unacceptable.”

Nebraska Examiner reports that 29 senators have signed on as sponsors of the bill, but 33 votes are needed to overcome a filibuster and pass the measure in the 49-member legislature. Albrecht says that two senators have said they will support the bill, while two more have indicated their desire to listen to floor debate before deciding which way to vote.

According to the Nebraska Family Alliance, if the Nebraska Heartbeat Act passes it would stop 85% of the state’s abortions and save the lives of 2,000 preborn children each year.

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