On Saturday, Governor Pete Ricketts signed Nebraska’s Legislative Bill 814, a bill that bans the dismemberment of living unborn babies.
In early March, Gov. Ricketts called for an end to “this horrendous form of abortion.”
“We praise Gov. Ricketts and thank him for his unwavering support,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life (NRLC). “This legislation will help protect living unborn children from the brutal death of being torn apart limb by limb.”
On August 5, the legislature overcame a pro-abortion filibuster. Then, on Thursday, LB 814 passed by a vote of 33-8.
The legislation, introduced by state Senator Suzanne Geist, was a top legislative priority for Nebraska Right to Life, NRLC’s state affiliate.
“Nebraska Right to Life Executive Director Julie Schmit-Albin made this a top priority, and we thank her for her dedication and hard work in seeing that this legislation passed,” said Tobias.
The bill bans dismembering living unborn babies. In a dismemberment abortion, an abortionist purposely tears apart a living unborn child and extracts her one piece at a time using clamps, forceps, or a similar instrument.
Nebraska joins 12 other states with bans on dismemberment abortions. These states include Kansas, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Kentucky, Ohio, North Dakota, and Indiana.
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts recently made headlines by signing a bill into law that bans the dismemberment of living unborn babies, a move that has sparked both praise and controversy. The bill, which prohibits the gruesome procedure known as dilation and evacuation (D&E), represents a significant step forward in the state’s efforts to protect the sanctity of life and uphold the dignity of the unborn.
By signing this bill, Governor Ricketts has reaffirmed his commitment to defending the most vulnerable members of society and ensuring that every human life is valued and protected. The ban on dismemberment abortions reflects a growing recognition of the inhumanity of such procedures and the need to establish humane standards of care for pregnant women and their unborn children.
Supporters of the bill have lauded Governor Ricketts for his leadership in advancing pro-life policies and for standing up for the rights of the unborn. They argue that banning dismemberment abortions is a crucial step toward building a culture of life and promoting alternatives that respect the dignity of both mother and child.
However, the bill has also faced criticism from abortion rights advocates, who argue that it infringes on women’s reproductive rights and interferes with their ability to access safe and legal abortion care. They contend that such legislation is part of a broader effort to restrict abortion access and erode reproductive freedoms.
Despite the controversy surrounding the bill, Governor Ricketts remains steadfast in his commitment to protecting unborn life and promoting a culture of life in Nebraska. His decision to sign the bill into law sends a powerful message about the state’s values and priorities, reaffirming Nebraska’s status as a pro-life stronghold.
As the debate over abortion continues to unfold across the country, Governor Ricketts’ actions serve as a reminder of the importance of elected officials who are willing to take a stand for the rights of the unborn and to champion policies that reflect the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.
Chelsea Garcia is a political writer with a special interest in international relations and social issues. Events surrounding the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel are a major focus for political journalists. But as a former local reporter, she is also interested in national politics.
Chelsea Garcia studied media, communication and political science in Texas, USA, and learned the journalistic trade during an internship at a daily newspaper. In addition to her political writing, she is pursuing a master's degree in multimedia and writing at Texas.
