Friday, Governor Jim Pillen issued a statement regarding the Nebraska Supreme Court’s decision upholding LB574, which the Governor signed into law in 2023 and which banned abortions after 12 weeks and prohibited irreversible sex change surgeries on children.
“I am grateful for the court’s thorough and well-reasoned opinion upholding these important protections for life and children in Nebraska.” Pillen said.
Bill 574 or the Let Them Grow Act, was passed in May of last year by a 33-15 vote to break the filibuster in the 49 member legislature. Republican Senator Julie Slama held the 33rd and final vote to pass the bill.
Since the controversial bill’s passing, proponents of the bill like Slama, Attorney General Mike Hilgers, and Gov. Jim Pillen on Friday have praised it’s passing and now upholding in the Nebraska Supreme Court.
The Governor concluded his statement Friday saying, “I immediately directed our state government agencies to swiftly bring these protections into effect. I am grateful for their work and for the work of the Attorney General to defend it.”
While Republican’s celebrate, Democrats like Megan Hunt of Omaha are undoubtedly disappointed with the ruling after confidently stating when the bill passed last year that it would not withstand legal scrutiny- arguing it would hurt children, women’s health, and that the combination of abortion rights and trans rights were not combinable (therefore making it unconstitutional).
This new ruling comes just as the Legislature gathers for a second 2024 Special Session to discuss another divisive subject: the governors new tax relief plan- which has seen no progress nor conclusion as of Friday afternoon.