Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts has signed a bill to protect unborn babies from brutal dismemberment abortions.
(Warning: This article contains graphic information)
The new law prohibits dismemberment abortions, a method typically used in the second trimester to kill nearly fully-formed, living unborn babies. It is a barbaric and dangerous procedure in which the unborn baby is ripped apart in the womb and pulled out in pieces while his or her heart is still beating.
The dismemberment abortion ban embodies model legislation from the National Right to Life Committee that would prohibit “dismemberment abortion,” using forceps, clamps, scissors or similar instruments on a living unborn baby to remove him or her from the womb in pieces. Such instruments typically are used in dilation and evacuation (D&E) procedures.
Pro-abortion Democrats blocked the bill previously but lawmakers gave the measure first-round approval on a 34-9 vote after supporters broke through the filibuster. To overcome Democrats’ filibuster, the Dismemberment Abortion Ban (LB 814) needed at least 33 votes.
To sign the bill, Governor Pete Ricketts gathered with pro-life leaders on the steps of the State Capitol to sign new pro-life legislation into law.
LB 814 makes it a felony crime to perform a dismemberment abortion anywhere in Nebraska, punishable by up to two years in prison and/or a fine of $10,000.
“Nebraska is a pro-life state, and this week the Legislature took an important step to strengthen our culture of life,” said Gov. Ricketts. “Senator Geist’s bill bans the horrific procedure of dismemberment abortion, which tears apart a living baby’s body limb by limb. This brutal procedure has no place in a humane, civilized society. I commend Sen. Geist, and the bill’s supporters in the Unicameral, for outlawing this barbaric practice in Nebraska.”
Senator Suzanne Geist of Lincoln introduced the bill.
“As the Senator for the 25th District, I was honored to carry LB 814. This bill passed because a great majority of the Legislative body and a great majority of Nebraska citizens agree with pro-life legislation. I appreciate all who prayed, who contacted their Senators, and all who voted. This is a significant step forward for the pro-life movement,” she said.
Julie Schmit-Albin, Executive Director of Nebraska Right to Life, said she was delighted the governor signed the measure.
“Nebraska Right to Life thanks Governor Ricketts and Sen. Geist for their leadership in passing the LB 814 dismemberment abortion ban. With the assistance of many other pro-life supporters and advocates, you have proven once again that Nebraska is a pro-life state,” she said.
Karen Bowling, Executive Director for Nebraska Family Alliance, added: “This is a landmark victory for the pro-life movement. Senators had to overcome nearly every procedural hurdle in the book to get here, but 33 Senators affirmed that the unthinkable act of dismembering a live baby in the womb should be abolished. All babies deserve a chance at life, and no living human being should be torn apart limb by limb. LB 814 is based on science and compassion. We are grateful for the tremendous efforts of Senator Geist and all the senators who did the right thing by voting to end dismemberment abortion.”
When the governor signs the bill, Nebraska will join 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.
Meanwhile, pro-abortion Democrats slammed the bill as a waste of time and a violation of women’s freedom.
“We aren’t truly free unless we can make decisions about our own lives, our own bodies,” said state Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha.
Earlier this month, Hunt promised to use every devious trick up her sleeves to fight against the bill, including a filibuster.
“I’m going to pull every shenanigan out of my sleeve to stop this bill. And that might not be something you like but when you play stupid games, you win stupid prizes,” she said.
The bill would protect unborn babies from barbaric, torturous deaths, a former abortionist and retired OB-GYN Dr. Kathi Aultman told the state legislature in February, according to the Lincoln Journal Star.
Aultman, who later became pro-life, described how she used to abort unborn babies in this way. She said she would drain the amniotic fluid from the womb and then use a clamp to pull the baby’s body apart and remove the baby in pieces from the womb, according to the report.
