Nebraska lawmakers are set to begin the first-round debate on Wednesday morning for a bill that would ban abortion once a heartbeat is identified in an embryo, typically around six weeks of pregnancy.
In 2010, Nebraska passed the country’s first law banning abortion at 20 weeks, citing the theory that a fetus could possibly feel pain at that point. The state has been a leader in anti-abortion legislation, but Republicans have been divided over the bill up for debate, introducing an amendment that would push the ban to 12 weeks.
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Sen. Merv Riepe challenged the bill introduced by Sen. Joni Albrecht last month, arguing the six-week ban might not give women enough time to know they are pregnant.
“I wanted to have some dialogue,” he said in a committee hearing on March 16.
Riepe reiterated that while he urges a fair conversation, he would not stand in the way if the vote is close. “And I think I’m clearly on the record that I will be … the 33rd vote to move it.”
Albrecht told the Nebraska Examiner that while she would prefer a total ban, she has negotiated on expectations for cases such as rape, incest, and the life or health of the mother.
"It's about elective abortions. We want to stop that from happening — women who it’s inconvenient for them to have it, not wanting to have it," she said. "This is the right thing to do for the people."
Republicans will need the full support of their lawmakers, as it takes 33 votes to resolve a debate and end a filibuster. Republicans have the majority, 32 seats, while Democrats hold 17. Sen. Mike McDonnell is the lone Democrat who has pledged his vote to Albrecht’s bill.
Opponents of the bill have pledged to filibuster, stretching the full eight hours before a vote is held.
“I have nothing, nothing but time, and I am going to use all of it,” Democratic Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh said in February.
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The bill advancing to the second round relies on whether any lawmakers will shift from their loyalty to the conservative- or left-leaning stance.
"If neither side is perfectly happy, then you may have a sustainable bill," Riepe said. "I just want to put it in front of people because I think that's what democracy is about."