The Nebraska Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee voted 4-2 yesterday to send to the floor a bill banning abortion after about 6 weeks of pregnancy – before most women know they’re pregnant.
The bill prohibits abortions after cardiac activity is detected, but has some exceptions including cases of rape or incest.
Committee member and abortion rights supporter Senator Machaela Cavanaugh called the rape exception “flawed” because it doesn’t define how a woman proves rape such as by filing a police report or simply by making the claim.
Committee chairman and bill supporter Senator Ben Hansen admitted “some of that stuff might need to be hashed out a little bit more thoroughly” in floor debate, but said he believes the ban will save many lives.
Opponents have vowed an all-out effort to block the bill and have filed more than 40 amendments that would have to be dealt with on the floor, but concede supporters likely have the votes to stop a filibuster.