(AP) — A Nebraska lawmaker who tanked an effort last year by his fellow Republicans to pass a near-total abortion ban has given top priority this year to a bill that would allow abortions beyond the state's 12-week ban in cases of fatal fetal anomalies.
The bill by state Sen. Merv Riepe would amend Nebraska’s 12-week abortion ban, passed last year, to allow abortions in cases when a fetus is unable to survive outside the womb.
The diagnosis and abortion must come before 20 weeks of pregnancy — a timeline consistent with Nebraska's previous 20-week ban on abortions.
In Nebraska, advocates are trying to collect about 125,000 signatures needed by July 5 to put a constitutional amendment before voters to protect abortion rights until fetal viability.
On the national stage, Democrats see the issue of abortion rights as a major driver in a presidential election year.
Persons:
LINCOLN, Sen, Merv Riepe, Roe, Wade, Kate Cox, Riepe, ” Riepe, “, Adelle Burk, Burk, “ They're, ”
Organizations:
—, U.S, Texas Supreme, Democrat, Nebraska, Republican
Locations:
Neb, Nebraska, U.S ., Texas