Third day of abortion bill debate delays other Nebraska legislation

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nearly a third of the way through Nebraska’s short legislative session, debate over a single bill has slowed proceedings at the Capitol.

Tuesday marked the third day of debate on Legislative Bill 669, introduced by Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman.

The proposal would amend Nebraska’s abortion laws by requiring physicians to inform patients of potential risks associated with abortion procedures and to ask whether they feel coerced into having an abortion.

Storer said the bill is intended to protect women who may be victims of domestic violence or human trafficking.

“This is a bill about finding women who need our help at a juncture where there is a high probability that they are being brought there specifically in a situation of human trafficking,” Storer said.

The legislation has faced significant opposition. Several senators argued that, while the bill may be well-intentioned, it could add emotional trauma for women already navigating complicated or difficult pregnancies.

“My concern is that making a blanket policy for how doctors are interacting with patients around reproductive health care and decisions that have to be made is going to have consequences that don’t meet the intent of this,” said Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha.

Multiple attempts to delay the bill or send it back to the Judiciary Committee failed to garner enough support.

Debate on LB 669 pushed back consideration of 12 other bills that were scheduled for discussion Tuesday on General File.